Best headlamps for power outages (2026)

A headlamp keeps both hands free for cooking, resetting a breaker or helping a child in the dark, which a flashlight can't. Ready.gov's basic kit lists a flashlight; in an outage, a headlamp is the most useful kind. These are the headlamps worth a place in a kit.

By PreparedStates editors · Updated October 22, 2026 · 5 products, prices indicative

Our picks

Our top pick 4.5

Black Diamond Spot 400-R

Headlamp · 400 lm · Rechargeable (1,500 mAh)

Hands-free light for an outage

Researched

Check price →

Runner-up 4.3

Black Diamond Astro 300

Headlamp · 300 lm · AAA batteries

A simple headlamp from a climbing brand

Researched

Check price →

Also good 4.2

GearLight headlamp 2-pack

Headlamp (2-pack) · AAA batteries

Cheap hands-free light for two people

Researched

Check price →

All 5 compared

Headlamp	Type	Brightness	Power	Price
1. Black Diamond Spot 400-R Rechargeable Headlamp Our top pick Headlamp · 400 lm · Rechargeable (1,500 mAh) Hands-free light for an outage 4.5	Headlamp	400 lm	Rechargeable (1,500 mAh)	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A headlamp leaves both hands free for cooking, fuses and kids in the dark. 400 lumens and rechargeable. Best for Hands-free light for an outage Good Hands-free Rechargeable 400 lumens Worth knowing Recharging needs USB power Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a room-filling light: get a lantern too.
2. Black Diamond Astro 300 Headlamp Runner-up Headlamp · 300 lm · AAA batteries A simple headlamp from a climbing brand 4.3	Headlamp	300 lm	AAA batteries	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched Black Diamond's straightforward 300-lumen headlamp on AAA batteries. Simple to use in the dark. Best for A simple headlamp from a climbing brand Good Known brand AAA batteries Worth knowing Fewer features than the Spot 400-R Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want rechargeable: the Spot 400-R.
3. GearLight LED Headlamp (2-pack, AAA) Also good Headlamp (2-pack) · AAA batteries Cheap hands-free light for two people 4.2	Headlamp (2-pack)	—	AAA batteries	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched Two simple AAA headlamps: hands-free light for cooking, fixing or reading in a power cut. Tens of thousands of Amazon ratings. Best for Cheap hands-free light for two people Good Two headlamps AAA batteries Worth knowing Basic Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a rechargeable headlamp.
4. Petzl TIKKINA Headlamp Headlamp · 300 lm · 3 AAA (or Petzl CORE rechargeable) The simplest headlamp to use 4.2	Headlamp	300 lm	3 AAA (or Petzl CORE rechargeable)	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched Petzl's basic headlamp: one button, 300 lumens, three AAA batteries included, and an optional rechargeable pack. Best for The simplest headlamp to use Good Very simple Batteries included Rechargeable option Worth knowing Basic beam Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need a bright beam for long walks.
5. LHKNL Rechargeable LED Headlamp Headlamp · Rechargeable (1,500 mAh) A budget rechargeable headlamp 3.8	Headlamp	—	Rechargeable (1,500 mAh)	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A rechargeable headlamp with a 1,500 mAh battery and a large number of Amazon ratings. Brightness claims on budget headlamps run high, so we don't quote one. Best for A budget rechargeable headlamp Good Rechargeable Widely owned Worth knowing Lesser-known brand Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a known brand: Black Diamond or Petzl.

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The honest bit

You don't need an expensive headlamp for a power outage. A basic AAA model with spare batteries does the job; spend more only if you'll also use it outdoors.

Before you buy

AAA headlamps run on batteries you can stock; rechargeable ones are cheaper to run but need a power bank once an outage runs long.

Around 300 lumens is plenty for close work in a dark house.

Keep one per person: a two-pack is the cheapest way to do that.

Store it with the batteries out, or check it twice a year, so it works when you need it.

How we choose

We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labelled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →

Related kit comparisons

LED lanterns compared →Flashlights and lanterns compared →Rechargeable batteries compared →Power banks compared →

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Common questions

Is a headlamp better than a flashlight in a power outage?

For tasks indoors, usually: it keeps both hands free. A flashlight is still handy outside and for pointing, and many kits keep both.

How many lumens does a headlamp need?

Around 300 lumens is plenty for close work in a dark house.

Rechargeable or battery headlamp?

Battery models keep working as long as you have spare AAA batteries; rechargeable models are cheaper to run but need a power bank in a long outage.