Whether you are riding around town or on the trails, it is essential to have bike headlights. Or if you are commuting to work at dawn or dusk when the light is low, you should never compromise on your safety and having a 1200 lumen bike light provides increased safety for you and others. If you’re used to thinking of brightness by the wattage of a bulb you’re not alone, but watts measures just the energy being used, while lumens measures the brightness of a bulb. In short, lumens = brightness.
So, what are bike lights anyway? They’re small but powerful lights attached to a bicycle to make the rider and the bike visible when there is not sufficient light available. Moreover, another purpose is to help the rider see reflective materials like animal eyes or traffic signs to prevent accidents. In short, the bike lights are for safety purposes.
The majority of collisions between cars and a biker usually happen at night time. A small investment in bike lights will minimize your chances of getting hit by someone at night. Furthermore, you will prevent yourself from being the cause of an accident.
Now that you know why a bike light is important, lets help you choose the right light for your needs.
Comparing the Best 1200 Lumen Bike Lights for 2021
Table could not be displayed.Our Pick: RUNACC LED 1200 Lumens Bike Light Set – Best combination of battery life and brightness
The RUNACC is ValidPick’s choice as the best 1200 Lumen Bike Light due to its combination of battery life and brightness compared to other models we reviewed, while still being priced comparably.
This light has five basic modes: low, medium, high, flash, and SOS. On high, it can provide visibility to a distance of 500 meters which outperforms other models we reviewed, and because of its size, its portable and could also be used as a car light, power bank, or flashlight.
The USB-rechargeable battery can be charged with a computer or from any device with a USB port, and the unit offers a real-time display function that shows the battery life remaining according to the mode you’re using. Also, the charging port has a built-in IC that prevents over-discharge and over-charge.
The bike’s headlight is IPX5 water-resistant so you can cycle without any worries in the rain.
Lastly, the unit is easy to install. Simply place the provided mounting bracket on your bike where you want the light to go, then secure the bracket by tightening the nut ring and adjust it to your desired angle. The bracket is suitable for a pipe diameter of 20 to 36.5mm.
The only downside we found were some users frustrated though with the mounting bracket and noting the dial to tighten or loosen the light isn’t connected to the mount itself so it could come loose and unscrew all the way off, so if you are planning to remove the light frequently you may want to consider the Wastou below in our best alternatives review.
- Brightness: up to 500 meters
- Battery life of 5 hours on high mode
- Five light modes
- USB-rechargeable
- Portable
- Easy to install
- Mounting bracket quality for the light to be truly portable
Best Alternatives
Te-Rich 1200 Lumens Road/Mountain Bicycle Headlight
The Te-Rich is a good alternative to our pick the RUNACC, as it provides good battery life and brightness. While Te-Rich’s brightness isn’t as strong as the RUNACC, it will light your way up to 300 meters.
It offers three modes: 100% brightness, 50% brightness and 25% brightness. At 100% brightness, the light will last for about four hours, at 50% for eight hours, and at 25% brightness, the light can run for about twelve hours straight.
The USB-rechargeable battery can be charged with a computer or from any device with a USB port, and the light itself is manufactured from high-quality and durable aircraft-grade aluminum with an all-metal casing to ensure that it can withstand various outdoor elements and its waterproof.
One benefit of the Te-Rich is you can rotate the light 360 degrees so you can personalize the angle you want. It’s also portable and can be mounted on the included headgear if you are camping, hiking, etc. or if you need a head lamp when doing home improvement or fixing things around the house.
No tools are required when mounting to a bike, the setup is relatively straightforward and it fits handlebars and tubes up to 28 mm in diameter.
Similar to the RUNACC, though, some users were frustrated with the quality of the mount and over time it can loosen.
- Brightness: up to 300 meters
- Battery life of 4 hours on high mode
- Three light modes
- USB-rechargeable
- Light rotates 360
- Portable and comes with headgear mount
- Easy to install
- Mounting bracket quality over time
Wastou Bike Lights
The Wastou is another great option for an economical but still powerful 1200 lumen bike light as it will light your way up to 200 meters.
It offers six modes: low, medium, high, SOS, high-speed flashing, and low-speed flashing. In high mode, the beam is an impressive 90 meters wide offering a full view of the road ahead.
Similar to the other lights we reviewed, the Wastou’s USB-rechargeable battery can be charged with a computer or from any device with a USB port. It does have a lower battery life of only 2 hours when on high mode, but it does have a battery indicator to indicate the battery status so at least you’ll be aware of how much battery life is left.
Fully waterproof, the body of the light is durable as it features and all aluminum body that is shock-resistant.
Similar to the other lights we reviewed, its fully portable and easy to install without any tools, but to its credit, the mounting bracket gets positive reviews as being of higher quality so if you’re worried about the mounting bracket frustrations some users mentioned with the other lights we reviewed, then the Wastou could be a good option for you. Just be aware that you’ll be trading off some brightness and battery life with the Wastou vs. other options.
- Brightness: up to 200 meters
- Six light modes
- USB-rechargeable
- Portable
- Easy to install
- Higher quality mounting bracket
- Battery life of only 2 hours on high mode
Buyer’s Guide
Bike head and tail lights are necessary for riding at night. It makes the bike riding experience at night fun as well as safe. These lights provide exceptional visibility when cycling during low light conditions.
Moreover, when searching for bike lights, their quality should be your top priority. Besides the quality, there are other factors that you should consider as well. So which factors should you look for to select the light for your bicycle? Let’s look at these factors in detail! It will help you choose the best ones!
Beam Angle
You need a wide or a narrow beam spread, depending on where you are riding. If you are riding on the streets, you need a wide-angle beam to provide good visibility of the vehicles. However, if you are riding off-road, you need a narrow beam because it provides more distance and illuminates objects more clearly.
Furthermore, several bike lights offer an adjustable beam option. Thus, you can adjust it according to your needs.
Lumen
Lumen is the measuring unit that measures the light’s total amount emitted from the source. The larger the number, the brighter will be the light.
Cyclists who want bike lights to ride in an urban area will only need a unit having a few hundred lumens. However, if you are thinking of going for an adventure in dark places, paths, or mountains, you will require a more robust and super-bright light.
Battery Life
When buying a bike light, its brightness is not the only crucial thing you should consider. Avoid purchasing the bike torch that gives you half-an-hour at super-bright settings. The bike light’s battery should be powerful enough to provide you at least two to four hours at high settings. Plus, eight to twelve hours at low or medium settings.
What’s more, this is especially best for those who enjoy long rides or commute to different places. Moreover, these kinds of lights are ideal for individuals who cycle off-road for an extended period.
USB-Rechargeable Feature
Opt for those batteries that are USB-rechargeable so that you do not have to waste money in buying and replacing batteries.
Furthermore, these USB-rechargeable bike light batteries are environmentally-friendly and offer consistent beam brightness.
Water Resistance
If you commute daily for work, you need to opt for a waterproof bike light so that you can ride easily in the rain. Moreover, our top-picks are mostly water-resistant and will provide high-quality resistance during rainy days.
Portability
This feature is crucial mostly for urban riders who do not want their bike lights to get stolen. Make sure that the bike light you are thinking of buying is lightweight, compact, and easy-to-carry. Furthermore, the torch should be small enough to fit into the purse or a pocket without adding too much bulk.
Brightness
If you are riding in an urban area, you have to make yourself visible. You will need a 300 or 500-lumen torch to light up the pathway or sidewalk. Not to mention, LED technology is getting better every day and offers more light for less money. Plus, if you are planning to ride offroad, you need a significant amount of brightness.
Why is that so? Because the super bright light will prevent you from unforeseeable turns and obstacles. While cycling off-road, you will need a light that has almost 1000 or more lumens. While the brightness is necessary, the quality of the beam is even more crucial.
Why? Because with the narrow beams, people might not be able to spot you, plus you will not be able to see clearly what is happening around you, especially if you are riding in an urban area. You will probably miss the dangers; therefore, it is essential to consider beams when buying a bike light set.
Mounting System
You would want to prefer a mounting system that is simple, quick-to-install, and remove. It should be durable and secure. We have isolated all 1200 lumen bike lights that are straightforward to install and do not require any installation and removal tools.
What’s more, there are two most common types of mounting systems, i.e., helmet mount and handlebar mount. Moreover, several brands offer dual mounting systems as well.
Helmet Mount
This mounting system is preferable for mountain biking. It will help you look farther ahead of you and locate any obstacles and turn on the trails. Moreover, the helmet mount lets you see wherever you want more visibility and provides ultimate flexibility.
Handlebar Mount
This is the most typical style. It contains heavy-duty rubber bands and grooves to mount. Plus, it might possess a strap that wraps around the handlebars, and you have to secure it by tightening it. This type of mounting system is preferable for both trail and urban riding. Moreover, it is effortless to install and quick to remove. You only have to push the unlock latch to remove the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Investing in a 1200 lumen bike light is a smart choice not only to light your way, but to help minimize the chances of collisions and accidents. That’s why we created this guide to make the selection easy for you and to help you decide on the right one for your needs. We hope you enjoy your new bike light and happy cycling!
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