Looking for bicycle lights to level up your biking experience at night? Choosing the right one to navigate the trail easily is imperative. It is wise to be prepared even while taking up hobbies and adventures.
The best mountain bike lights are Bright Eyes heavy-duty lights and Serfas bike lights. Bright Eyes lights work well as handlebar attachments with great battery backups. The Serfas light can be mounted on helmets. If you are looking for a compact bike light, Serfas is a good option.
Using bike lights is the best way to ensure a visible track for bikers. However, you must know how each light fares on the various parameters I tested them on.
Best Mountain Bike Lights for Night Riding
- Bright Eyes 1600 Lumen Rechargeable Bike Headlight (High End)
- Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set (Top Pick)
- Serfas Helmet Safety Light (Budget Buy)
- SIGEM LED Safety Lights
- BLITZU Ultra Bright Bike Light
- Cycloving Super Bright LED Bike Lights
- Topside Bike Helmet Mounted Lights for Mountain Biking
Compare Top Mountain Bike Lights
| Product | Overall Score | Bottom Line | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bright Eyes 1600 Lumen | 78 |  Best for powerful illumination with different light modes | Check Out On Amazon |
 Ascher USB Rechargeable | 90 |  Best for affordability and durable waterproof construction | Check Out On Amazon |
 Serfas Helmet Safety Light | 84 |  Best for long lasting battery and easy installation | Check Out On Amazon |
 SIGEM LED Safety Lights | 72 | Best for easy mounting options | Check Out On Amazon |
 BLITZU Ultra Bright | 74 | Best light output on a budget | Check Out On Amazon |
 Cycloving Super Bright LED | 73 | Best versatile features with value for money | Check Out On Amazon |
 Topside Bike Helmet Mounted | 74 | Best battery life and visibility | Check Out On Amazon |
Detailed Analysis of the Best Mountain Bike Lights for Riding at Night
The key to finding the best mountain bike lights lies not in being a biking expert but in knowing what to look for.
But, unlike past biker generations, you’re spoilt for choice with a wide variety of options to choose from.
Many bikers prefer mounting their light on the bike handlebars, but experts often suggest using a bike helmet light for its superior ability to illuminate the path ahead.
To help you along, we did most of the work to bring you a list of what we consider to be the best MTB lights on the market, as well as a small guide with the most important considerations that you need to make before you make your final decision.
In case you are looking for the best helmet options for your next biking adventure, do check out my article on stylish bike helmets.
1. Bright Eyes 1600 Lumen Rechargeable Bike Headlight
Overall Score: 78
The Bright Eyes road bike headlight is 1,600 lumens strong, and comes with three different light modes, each of which affects the battery life.
If you opt for the high setting then you can expect about 4 hours of uninterrupted power, whereas the medium setting delivers battery life for up to 6 hours, and low mode extends the battery life to 16 hours of continuous use.
Also included with the light is a detachable mounting piece which you can use to attach the light onto your biking helmet using ties or Velcro straps as well as a head strap.
It comes with a head harness, an LED silicone tail light, Velcro ties, a charger, and a rechargeable battery as well as a diffuser lens.
Not only that, but this light is backed by a lifetime warranty on top of a 1-year warranty for the battery.
Advantages
- Features three diffuser lenses.
- Comes with its own wall charger.
- Can be mounted on handlebars.
- The battery lasts for long periods of time on the low setting.
Disadvantages
- It’s a heavy-duty model that can pose a challenge when mounted on a helmet.
2. Ascher USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set
Overall Score: 90
Coming at an affordable price, this bike light offers incredible value for money and a bevy of fantastic features.
This includes a USB recharging port and a built-in 650mAh rechargeable lithium battery.
This is in addition to waterproof construction which comes with an IPX4 rating and protection from the elements from all angles.
There are four light modes included in this light, including slow flashing, flash flashing, half brightness, and full brightness.
All you have to do in order to activate one of these modes, is to press a single button.
Not only that, but this bike light from Ascher comes with both a taillight and headlight, with its own rechargeable lithium battery.
This LED bicycle light is incredibly easy to install using the included silicone mount straps which conveniently features two openings that can be used to attach it to a seat riser, backpack, handlebar and seat post.
Once attached, the light typically fits nice and snug but can be easily loosened by simply detaching the light.
This flexible light is great for campers and outdoor enthusiasts who love taking their bike out on different trails.
Advantages
- Versatile and multifunctional.
- Easy to install.
- Comes with four different light modes.
- Both lights feature an in-built 650mAh rechargeable lithium battery.
Disadvantages
- There have been complaints that it’s not worth the money even at its current price range.
3. Serfas Helmet Safety Light
Overall Score: 84
This helmet safety light from Serfas has a simple and straightforward design that’s perfect for anyone who’s looking for a way to let car drivers know that they’re also on the road.
It comes with all the features that you’d expect from a rear helmet light including three different lighting modes; steady, flash and chase. Each of these modes affects the safety light’s battery life.
For instance, when you set the light to steady then it can run for up to 95 hours, while setting it to flash allows it to run for up to 130 hours, and chase mode allows it to run for about 130 hours as well.
This feature alone makes this one of the best mountain cycle helmet lights for MTB on the market.
However, it’s important to note that this light is powered by two lithium CR2032 batteries which come with the rest of the implements in the package.
The overall package also comes with an in-built belt clip which you can mount on a pet’s collar while running or jogging as well.
This light is typically mounted on the back of a bike helmet and it works great with helmets that come with ventilation vents.
The light’s Velcro strap also comes with a rubber spacer that’s easy to install and use.
Simply make sure that cylindrical post on the rear is aligned with the matching rubber sole component so you can attach them together.
The power button is located in the middle of the triangular light and you can use it to switch between the three different modes and to switch the light on and off as well.
You can also look out for smartphone bike mounts to allow an easy handsfree navigation.
Advantages
- Comes with three different lighting modes.
- Offers generous battery life.
- Simple to install and use.
- Straightforward design.
- Versatile enough for use by cyclists, joggers, hikers and runners alike.
Disadvantages
- It is really small and compact.
- The light can be a bit dim for some users.
4. SIGEM LED Safety Lights
Overall Score: 72
The SIGEM LED safety light is characterized by a straightforward design made up of three compact lights. You can opt to experience it in 6 different light settings or buy them in a single red color.
Each light comes with five LED lights with 2 tiny batteries with a battery life of up to 100 hours.
In addition to these batteries, this package also comes with extra features like three adjustable Velcro straps, a tiny screwdriver, and two additional batteries.
These small SIGEM lights are suitable for different situations, which means you can use them not only when cycling but also on your scooter, baby stroller, wheelchair and even a leash.
This makes them versatile enough for use when jogging, biking, hiking and running or walking the dog. There are three different light modes including fast strobe, flash, and steady.
Each individual light comes with an attached clip at the back which is designed to make it easier for you to attach the light onto your belt if you like.
It’s important to note that the lights are not waterproof but water-resistant which means while they can withstand a bit of moisture, they won’t survive complete submersion underwater or heavy rainfall.
Advantages
- Versatile and suitable for different applications.
- Lightweight and compact.
- Comes with a clip on the rear.
- Available in 6 different colors and 3-pack configuration.
Disadvantages
- It does not really work well with helmets
5. BLITZU Ultra Bright Bike Light
Overall Score: 74
The BLITZU light stand is a compact and lightweight bike light that weighs just 0.3 ounces. It comes with a USB port that you can use to recharge it within two hours on a laptop or even from your car.
Another feature that sets this light apart is its 260-degree beam angles which help to ensure that you’re able to see the road in front of you clearly no matter how dark it is.
There are six different light modes included in this bike, which you can easily change by pressing one button.
This gives you the option to choose between strobe, low, flashing high, steady low, steady medium and steady high light. The battery life also varies according to the particular mode that you’ve chosen.
For instance, the low light mode can run for up to 6 hours without interruptions. But, increasing light intensity can reduce battery power to 1 hour 30 minutes.
This is a totally waterproof bike light which means you can take it out for a spin no matter how harsh the weather conditions are.
Do check out my guide on waterproof biking backpacks to keep your essentials secure during your mountain biking adventures.
Plus, it offers versatile mounting options which means you can mount it on your wheelchair, scooter, bike frame, handlebars or on your helmet.
When the light intensity is too high it can easily reach up to 168 lumens, and can go down to 45 lumens when set to low light intensity.
These and other features are what make it one of the best mountain bike lights.
Advantages
- Comes with 6 different light modes.
- Offers mounting versatility.
- You can use it even while it’s charging, granted you have a portable power bank.
Disadvantages
- It has a shorter battery life compared to its competitors.
6. Cycloving Super Bright LED Bike Lights
Overall Score: 73
This functional bike light from Cycloving features both a rear and front light for an affordable price point.
The dual-purpose light comes with the ability to enable expanded visibility of the road in front of you thanks to a 400 lumens aluminum headlight encased within CREE XPG LED.
You have four light modes to choose from – SOS, Strobe, Low, and High. You can use these different modes to adjust the front light depending on your needed visibility.
The rechargeable backlight is also constructed from aluminum and is designed to improve your visibility on the road.
This backlight comes with five different modes including breathing, double-cruise, single-cruise, slow-flash, and strobe.
You can run each one for several hours and unlike other models in this list, the Cycloving super bright LED light features a Battery Warning Reminder that flashes green when the battery is full and it flashes red when the battery is at 20% or less.
Plus, this rechargeable light is backed by a 12-month product defect-free replacement warranty, as well as a money-back guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Advantages
- Backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
- Offers pretty good visibility on the road.
- The side light will flash green or red depending on whether the battery is low or full.
- Comes with 400-lumen aluminum headlight.
Disadvantages
- The light is quite weak.
7. Topside Bike Helmet Mounted Lights for Mountain Biking
Overall Score: 74
Topside’s model is made with Lumen Cree LED lights and has a number of safety features. There’s a pair of headlights included in this model which are designed to illuminate the path ahead.
Within three hours you can fully recharge this light and enjoy up to 18 hours of run time when fully recharged. This light also comes with a USB port that allows you to recharge it on the go.
You can easily attach it to your laptop or your car to recharge in between trails.
The Topside bike helmet rear light also features five lighting modes including constant front flash rear, double flash, constant flash, constant rear flash front, and fast flash.
The battery indicator is designed to let you know how much juice your light still has left so you don’t get caught unawares when it runs out of energy.
There are two different mounts that you can use to mount this light onto your helmet, including ties and straps to ensure that it’s safely fastened into place and won’t come off by chance.
The choice of mount that you use is up to your own discretion and depends on your unique situation.
Advantages
- Comes with two lights to illuminate both the front and rear of your path.
- Easy to recharge using a USB port.
- Comes with different lighting modes.
- You can easily mount it on your bike handlebars and helmets alike.
Disadvantages
- The included ties do not always fit with certain helmets.
- The USB port is much too deep and sometimes you might need a long micro USB cable.
How to Find the Best Mountain Bike Lights
If you’re serious about cycling then you should definitely invest in good quality accessories such as a bike helmet and mounted bike light.
This will keep you safe when cycling in low light conditions, whether that’s during twilight or fog.
However, you might still feel confused as to what exactly constitutes the best mountain bike lights for night riding.
To help narrow down your options further, check out the following considerations:
Power
The lumen is an indicator of how bright your bike light can get.
300 to 500 lumens is the best category to use if you plan on using your road bike to commune, whereas off-road cycling requires something a bit more sophisticated such as an LED technology bike light with 1000 lumens or more.
In addition to the brightness, the width of the light beam is just as important because you want a wide field of view.
You can also go through my extensive guide to the best bike headlights for knowing more about its desirable features.
Batteries
Most bike lights come with either AA or AAA batteries. But some models are powered by a USB rechargeable battery which means you can recharge it using a USB port.
Most back-mounted headlights use a lithium-polymer battery pack, which is small, lithe and slim.
The most important thing here is to make sure the light is powered by a durable battery whose power can last and last.
Type
Headlights are the most popular type of light and can be mounted on either a handlebar or straight onto the MTB helmet.
An off-road biker who wants to get into dirt biking should definitely consider a handlebar or helmet-mounted light for simplicity and safety.
But, you may also opt for tail lights which are also known as rear lights.
They’re designed to improve biker visibility among car drivers on the road, and can be mounted on the seat post. The best kind are lights that are a combination of the rear and headlight.
You can read my article about the best bike tail lights to learn more about them in detail.
Mode
As you start shopping for bike lights and exploring different models, you’ll see that different brands offer different types of lighting modes.
For best results, opt for a bike light with up to five lighting modes or at least an ability to increase or decrease brightness to suit your surroundings.
A good quality MTB light should also come with some type of pulsating light or flashing light mechanism to improve visibility.
Mounting
Your light and your helmet rear view mirror should fit properly and be easy to attach and detach when necessary.
My article on bike helmet rearview mirrors will guide you through the importance of this essential accessory.
If you’re a mountain bike rider, then you’ll do well to adapt to both kinds of mounted bike light, i.e., the traditional handlebar mount and the helmet mount.
Weight
It’s advisable to opt for a lightweight cycling headlight that’s comfortable to wear and easy to use no matter how short or long the distances you travel.
Before You Shed Light on Your Ride…
The quest to find the best lights for mountain biking isn’t an easy one but it’s doable.
As you’ve seen from this short guide, all it takes is knowing what to look for and choosing between the options we’ve provided.
If you’re still unsure which one to choose, we highly recommend the Bright Eyes Fully Waterproof 1600 Lumen Rechargeable Mountain Lights.
It is suitable for all kinds of applications and comes in different settings with different battery strengths.
Other incredible features that come with this bike light include three diffuser lenses, a built-in wall charger, and a convenient strap.
What feature do you like most in this mountain light model?