The best bike lights provide brilliant illumination and visibility during both day and night riding. Bike lights are an essential safety component of your bicycle. Whether you are commuting through the city streets, traveling along a backcountry highway, or riding your mountain bike over treacherous terrain, bike lights will enhance your own visibility and give other people the opportunity to spot you from a safe distance. They’re also required by law if you ever want to ride your bike after dusk.
After reviewing dozens of bike lights we have identified the best for your bicycle no matter where or when you ride. While examining all of the different bike lights on the market we considered factors such as lumen count, battery efficiency, and mounting options to choose our top picks, and then we put together a detailed rundown of many other great bike lights for you to consider.
We looked at many different bike lights and have chosen the Yosky Smart Bike Light Set as our overall top pick. The lights are bright enough for both day and night, they install easily, and they’re both versatile and durable. This set has it all.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Bike Lights
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Bike Lights Overall | Yosky Smart Bike Light Set | 4.8 |
| Best Bike Wheel Lights | Activ Life Bicycle Spoke Lights | 4.4 |
| Best Budget Bike Lights | Vont Pyro Bike Light Set | 4.6 |
| Best Bike Headlight | Cygolite Metro Pro | 4.6 |
| Best Rear Bike Light | Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light | 4.8 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Bike Lights Overall: Yosky Smart Bike Light Set
The Yosky Smart Bike Light Set features a powerful headlight with two XM-L2 LED beads that illuminate the night with 1000 lumens of light and a bright red taillight that can be clipped to a seat post, bike helmet, or a backpack. The ‘smart’ functionally of the headlight has a daylight sensor that can be utilized to set the headlight to automatically turn itself on when the sun falls below the horizon. Modern conveniences such as this make biking at night safer and more enjoyable.
With a 160-degree light emission range, this headlamp can be seen by oncoming traffic from any forward direction, and the 360-degree rotating mount enables you to point the headlight in any direction you desire like a searchlight. The IPX6 waterproof enclosures keep both lights safe during foul weather. In the rear, the red taillight blinks with several bright LED lights to make sure all motorists and pedestrians can see you on the road.
Both the front and rear bike lights in this set use USB rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The rear light has a 12-hour runtime on a single battery charge, and the headlight can last for up to seven hours. Each light is attached to the bike via a quick-release mount, making it so that they can be quickly swapped out for battery charging or used as mobile flashlights. The mounts have universal designs that fit any bicycle post under 32mm in diameter.
Yosky Smart Bike Light Set Key Features:
- 1000 lumen headlight with 160-degree viewing angle
- USB rechargeable batteries
- IPX6 water-resistant
- 360-degree rotating headlight mount
Best Bike Wheel Lights: Activ Life Bicycle Spoke Lights
Eye-catching and colorful, the Activ Life Bicycle Spoke Lights are a fun way to add some personality and extra safety to your bicycle. Each order of these wheel lights comes as a two-pack of LED string lights so that you have one for each wheel. There is a rainbow of color options to choose from and they all have been designed to fit any bicycle wheel from 12-inch toddler bike wheels up to 29-inch adult bike wheels. Imagine equipping your entire family’s bike collection with matching wheel lights! How fun.
The lights are powered by AA batteries, a full set of which has been included with purchase. The waterproof battery container easily attaches to the hub of your bike’s wheel with a provided silicone band. This centered design maintains the balance and stability of your wheels. From there, the 21-bulb string lights are connected to the battery and can be wrapped around the spokes to complete the installation, and the design you create will make your bike unique. No tools are required and installation takes only about five minutes.
An installation video is provided if you need assistance setting the lights on your bike, and the set comes backed by an incredible lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. Operating the lights is simple. Controls are accessible at the hub battery pack where you can turn the lights on and off and enable either a steady light or flashing display mode. This is the best deal for bike wheel lights on the market.
Activ Life Bicycle Spoke Lights Key Features:
- Multiple color options to choose from
- Fits kids bikes and adult bikes
- Patented silicone bands hold lights in place
- Lifetime warranty
Best Budget Bike Lights: Vont Pyro Bike Light Set
It is possible to equip your bike with reliable and safe lights at an affordable price, and the Vont Pyro Bike Light Set is here to prove it. This set includes two LED lights, a clear headlight and red taillight, that feature USB rechargeable batteries, waterproof cases, and multiple light modes that are accessed via single button operation. They are also quite durable, so much so that the manufacturer has deemed them indestructible.
And you can bet your money on that claim too as these bargain bike lights are supported by a lifetime warranty. Vont claims that these lights can withstand a 10-foot drop onto concrete, complete underwater submersion and that they will still work fine after being run over by a truck. They’ve been proven to survive rain, ice, and snow, and Vont also suggests that they’ll survive a zombie apocalypse. What would zombies want with a pair of bike lights anyway?
In all seriousness, these lights will make you more visible at night to motorists, pedestrians, and other cyclists. The headlight produces 80 lumens of light which is enough to be seen by others, but it’s not strong enough to add much forward-facing visibility for the bike rider. We suggest finding an alternative headlight if you need better lighting to see at night, but this set will work fine for urban commuters who simply need to catch the attention of distracted drivers and meet the local requirements for bike lighting.
Vont Pyro Bike Light Set Key Features:
- Clip-on front and read bike lights
- Four different lighting modes
- USB rechargeable batteries
- Lifetime warranty
Best Bike Headlight: Cygolite Metro Pro
The Cygolite Metro Pro is a top-tier bicycle headlight that utilizes a single LED to produce a beam of light that can outshine the sun itself. This sleek and efficient headlight has nine different light modes to choose from so that you can dial in the intensity and light display you need for any situation. At its most powerful, the 1100 lumen light can light up the night and remain highly visible during the day at far distances, and at its lowest setting, the battery life can achieve up to 100 hours of runtime before needing to be recharged.
Tough and durable, the case and mount have been designed to withstand harsh weather and uneven terrain. The IP67 waterproof rating ensures that moisture and dust will never penetrate the device, and the rubber spacers in the mount provide extra grip when biking over rough and bumpy trails. The swiveling mount provides the headlight with excellent versatility, as does the quick-release latch.
Cygolite’s finely tuned optics provide a stable and far-reaching beam. Whereas competitor lights may shine brightly for a short while and then will peter out as the battery charge weakens, this Cygolite Metro Pro will retain its full brightness levels during the full period of battery usage. A low battery indicator will let you know when the charge is running low and the fast-charge USB cable can raise the battery level from empty to full in as little as 2.5 hours. The light comes with a one-year warranty.
Cygolite Metro Pro Key Features:
- 1100 lumen headlight
- Quick-release swiveling mount
- Nine different night and day lighting modes
- Rechargeable battery with up to 100-hour runtime
Best Rear Bike Light: Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light
The Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light is more than another rear bike light, it’s a radar device that can sync with smart devices to provide audible and visual alerts of approaching vehicles. As a taillight, this light produces 65 lumens at a wide 220-degree viewable range that can be detected in the daytime up to one mile away. It’s an exceptionally powerful rear bike light with rechargeable battery that has a 15-hour runtime.
Where this device truly shines, though, is when it is paired with a compatible head unit, smartwatch, or other radar display unit. As a rear-facing radar, the Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light can wirelessly provide visual and audible alerts about rear-approaching vehicles from 140 meters away. This life-saving early warning system is like an improved mirror system that continues to work well in foul weather and at night to keep you safe and aware of your surroundings.
This device is best used for touring cyclists and those who enjoy taking trips on remote backcountry roads where blind corners and tight road shoulders create dangerous conditions for cycling. The radar warning system can be overwhelmed in urban conditions. If you already own a compatible Garmin device, then this is the best taillight money can buy, and there are also bundle offers with compatible smart devices which you can explore by following the provided product links. If this taillight is a bit much for your needs, check below for the other rear bike lights we recommend.
Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light Key Features:
- Rear-facing taillight and radar
- Syncs with Garmin and Wahoo head units
- Provides audible approaching vehicle alerts
- Taillight offers daylight visibility up to one mile away
Who Should Buy a Bike Light
Anyone with a bicycle should have a functioning set of bicycle lights. Headlights and taillights are not only incredibly important for your safety while biking at night; they’re also required by law in most places throughout the world. Wheel lights add an additional layer of visibility that can help pedestrians, motorists, and other cyclists see you from the sides at all times of the day and night.
Just like your car, bike lights allow you to see further and allow others to see you, and, also just like your car, bike lights are no longer just for the night. Modern cyclists find it convenient and safer to use bike lights during the daytime as well. Many bike light models have daytime running functions programmed into their design. Adults and kids alike should have a complete set of working bike lights to ensure maximum safety.
Likewise, it is also important to maintain a proper set of bicycle brakes. If other components of your bicycle are showing signs of wear or damage, it may be time to buy a new bike altogether. We’ve put together lists of the best electric bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes, and electric mountain bikes that will make the search for your next bike much easier.
Important Features to Consider
There are a few important considerations to think through before purchasing a bike light.
- Lumens. The light-emitting strength of your bike light is measured in lumens. The more lumens a light produces, the more visible it is from a distance, and the better it can help you see at night. As far as safety and visibility are concerned you should always opt for the brightest light with the highest lumen count. The brighter the light typically corresponds with how expensive it is, so your budget is a counterweight to consider, and brighter lights will burn through batteries faster as well.
- Batteries. Bike lights are powered by disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries. In the long run, a rechargeable battery will save you money, but it will also require you to be vigilant about charging your lights often if you regularly bike at night. Each light has its own specified battery life runtimes, and those can often be modulated by choosing different levels of light intensity and display patterns.
- Mounts. Some bicycle light mounts are more sturdy than others, while some feature quick-release connections so that you can detach your light to change its batteries or use them as mobile flashlights. Different mounts work better for different styles of bikes as well. Not all bike posts are round, and so you’ll have to be sure that the light your purchase can be mounted to your bike if it has a uniquely-designed handlebar or seat post.
- Display patterns. Display patterns are more than an aesthetic addition to your bike light’s functionality. Headlights and taillights feature different patterns to achieve different effects. For instance, a steady beam on your headlight will provide you with excellent visibility while you bike, but when set to a strobing pattern the light becomes more visible to oncoming traffic. Wheels lights have their own unique arrays of displays that are more about style rather than function, but still, each display can have a different effect on how visible you are in the darkness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are bike lights?
There are bike headlights, bike taillights, and bike wheels lights, all of which make your bicycle more visible to pedestrians and motorists, especially at night. They are an essential safety component of any bicycle that travels along public roadways. Bike headlights provide additional assistance in that they also increase your own visibility while you are bicycling by enabling you to see more clearly in the darkness.
Are bike lights required?
In general, yes they are required. Though every state and country has its own specific laws, bicycle lights are required virtually everywhere. Most places require active headlights and taillights, as well as passive reflector lighting on any bicycle in use after dusk. You will likely be breaking the law if you ride a bike at night without proper lighting.
How many lumens do I need for a bike light?
There are no strict requirements for lumens. The stronger the light, the more visible you will be, but your batteries will also drain faster. Common guidelines suggest that your headlight should be stronger than your rear bike lights. Remote mountain bikers will need different lighting than would an urban commuter. Mountain bikers should look for headlights that have 800 or more lumens so that they can clearly see far down tricky trails as night, and their taillights should be 100 lumens or more to be seen from far away so that motorists on country roads have plenty of time to react. City bicyclists likely don’t need much assistance seeing at night, but they do need to be visible to vehicle traffic, and as such, they should look for headlights of at least 200 lumens and taillights with 5 lumens or more with blinking display patterns.
Where do you attach bike lights?
Bike headlights are most often attached to the handlebars with secure mounting hardware. Bike taillights are connected to the bicycle seat post with their own mounting hardware or a strap. Wheel lights come in a number of styles and can be installed in many different ways, but they usually feature a battery pack that connects to the wheel hub while the string lights are twisted around the wheel spokes.
Other Bike Lights We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other bike lights. Even though they didn’t make our five best bike light list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for increasing your bicycle’s safety at night. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Bike Headlights
The IPSCP Bicycle Headlight is a high-powered waterproof headlight producing 1000 lumens of light for up to 18 hours of continuous use. It is mounted on a 360-degree swiveling bracket so that you can point in in any direction you desire. Two reflective strips are included to enhance the visibility of your bike.
Key Features:
- 1000 lumen brightness
- Rechargeable battery with 18-hour life
- IPX5 waterproof rating
Cost: $25
The super-bright NightRider Lumina Boost Light pumps out 1100 lumens for safe driving during both the day and night. This headlight has a total of 12 light modes to choose from including 7 daylight flash modes that can be seen during daytime hours.
Key Features:
- 1100 lumen brightness
- Rechargeable battery
- 12 light modes
Cost: $75
With a 270-degree field of light emission, the Planet Bike Blaze Bike Light provides visible light to guide your nighttime bicycling and also provides visible safety lights to your left and right so that vehicles can clearly see you. It has five programmed light modes to choose from.
Key Features:
- 600-lumen brightness
- Amber sidelights
- Rechargeable battery with 40-hour life
Rear Bike Lights
Featuring a rechargeable battery with up to 24 hours of life during continuous use, the BrightRoad Bike Tail Light is a simple, sleek, and convenient taillight. It produces five lumens at max capacity which is enough for vehicles to see up to 3000 feet away in the darkness, and it has a 220-degree visual angle with the help of its side light warning indicator light.
Key Features:
- 3000 feet warning distance
- 220-degree visual angle
- One-year warranty
Cost: $18
The Cygolite Hotshot Pro is one of the brightest and most efficient taillights on the market. We chose its headlight counterpart as our top headlight pick, and this taillight is just as exceptional. It’s easy to control, has an exceptionally long battery life, and is as bright as any taillight needs to be.
Key Features:
- 200-lumen brightness
- Two-button control system
- Rechargeable battery with up to 210-hour lifespan
Cost: $35
LEZYNE Stripe Drive Pro Tail Light
The LENZYNE Stripe Drive Pro Tail Light has working visibility of 270 degrees at 300 lumens that can be programmed to operate in 10 different light modes. It has a long-lasting rechargeable battery and its mount has been designed to universally fit all common bike seat posts.
Key Features:
- 300-lumen brightness
- Rechargeable battery with 53-hour lifespan
- Aero and round seat post compatible
Cost: $50
Planet Bike Grateful Red Bike Light
One part reflector, one part LED taillight, the Planet Bike Grateful Red Bike Light may have a pun in its name, but it’s no joke. This bike light boasts an impressive 150-hour runtime off of two AAA batteries, and it comes backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Key Features:
- Lifetime warranty
- Versatile mounting options
- AAA batteries with up to 150-hour runtime
Bike Light Sets
AKALE Rechargeable Bike Light Set
The AKALE Rechargeable Bike Light Set included four lights in total. The kit includes two white headlights and two red taillights. You can place them however you wish and set up alternating flashing modes for a truly eye-catching display.
Key Features:
- Four lights included
- USB rechargeable batteries
- 18-month warranty
Cost: $30
The BrightRoad Bicycle Lights are a great headlight and taillight pair that produce excellent lighting and visibility. They’re both USB rechargeable and waterproof. The headlight is mounted on a 360-degree rotating mount and has a quick-release latch so that you can easily use it as a mobile flashlight.
Key Features:
- 800-lumen headlight
- 220-degree visible taillight
- one-year warranty
Cost: $40
Easy to install with no tools required, the Cycle Torch Night Owl Set is an attractive set of bike lights that is convenient to install and use. The headlight features two bright LED lamps in the shape of an owl’s face, and the rear taillight provides 180-degree visibility.
Key Features:
- 200-lumen headlight and 25-lumen taillight
- USB rechargeable batteries
- IP65 waterproof and dustproof
Cost: $25
iKirkLiten Rechargeable Bike Lights
The iKirkLiten Rechargeable Bike Lights are a well-rounded set of safety lights with plenty of lumen power, a suite of light displays and output modes, versatile mounts, and a one-year warranty. They’re a safe bet because they have been designed to fit nearly any bike and their durability is backed by a warranty.
Key Features:
- 800-lumen headlight and 5-lumen taillight
- 360-degree swiveling headlight mount
- One-year warranty
Cost: $30
TIPEYE Rechargeable Bike Light Set
An excellent option for long-distance travel, the TIPEYE Rechargeable Bike Light Set is not only a powerful and reliable set of bike lights, but the headlight also functions as a 2600mAh power bank that can recharge your portable devices.
Key Features:
- 700-lumen headlight and 240-degree visible taillight
- Rechargeable battery that also acts as a power bank
- One-year warranty
Bike Wheel Lights
Bright Spokes Premium Wheel Lights
The Bright Wheels Premium Wheel Lights contain a rainbow of seven colors and several different lighting modes to choose from. The vibrant LED lights are protected inside a durable silicone tube and are backed by a three-year product warranty.
Key Features:
- Multicolored pattern modes
- USB rechargeable battery
- Three-year warranty
Cost: $18
BRIONAC Rechargeable Bike Wheel Hub Lights
Rather than the more common outer rim design, these BRIONAC Rechargeable Bike Wheel Hub Lights clip on to the center hub of your wheels to produce a bright and colorful display that emanates from the center of your wheels. There are multiple color options to choose from and each unit has four programmed display options.
Key Features:
- Centered hub light display
- Multiple colors and display patterns
- USB rechargeable battery
Cost: $25
LEADBIKE Pattern Bike Wheel Lights
Show off your style with the LEADBIKE Pattern Bike Wheel Lights. This light bar attaches to your wheel and creates wonderful displays as your wheel spins. You can cycle through 30 different radiant patterns. The system has an optional automatic functionality that will turn the lights off whenever your cycling comes to a stop.
Key Features:
- 30 beautiful display patterns
- Automatically turns off when you stop
- Works well at slow speeds
Cost: $20
Monkey Light Bike Wheel Lights
The Monkey Light Bike Wheel Lights feature bright LEDs that can be set to display stripes, solid colors, gradients, and rainbows as you pedal. The patented battery pack design maintains the wheel’s natural balance. These lights fit on nearly every size of a bike wheel.
Key Features:
- Cycle through several color display options
- Patented battery pack keeps wheels balanced
- Two-year warranty
Cost: $35
The ultra-bright N&M Products Glowriders are a two-pack of 7-foot long LED string lights that are powered by AAA batteries. The lights are held on to the wheel by the included ties and they can be cut to fit any tire 20-inches big or under.
Key Features:
- Two pack of string lights
- Multiple color options
- AAA batteries last 48 hours of continuous use
Budget Bike Lights
Keyian Night Riding Wheel Lights for Kids
There re 20 vibrant LED lights on each string of the Keyian Night Riding Wheel Lights for Kids. The string is connected to an AA-powered battery pack that is latched onto the center hub for better wheel balance and stability. This item includes one wheel’s worth of lights per order.
Key Features:
- Colorful LED string lights
- Hub-connected battery pack
- Uses AA batteries
Cost: $13
The REFUN Bicycle Light Set is a versatile mount-anywhere set of four silicone LED bike lights. They’re battery-powered, but this kit comes with 16 batteries, including 8 backup batteries, so that you won’t have to worry about purchasing new batteries for a long time.
Key Features:
- Four silicone bike LED lights
- 16 batteries included
- Simple install
Cost: $14
There are multiple color options to choose from when purchasing a set of TINANA LED Bike Wheel Lights, including a multicolored design. This is a one-wheel set of 20 LED lights on a string that is powered by AAA batteries.
Key Features:
- 20 LED string lights
- IP65 waterproof design
- AAA battery powered
Cost: $12
