Australian Hiker

Rating

Ledlenser H8R Headlamp Review

This is the first headlamp I’ve tried from the Ledlenser range and if you go to the Ledlenser website there are 38 different options ranging from the ultra lightweight to the large and beefy sizing. In this case the Ledlenser H8R Headlamp sits in the heavier more powerful end of the range. It’s worth noting that as a headlamp model, the HR8 has been around for a while but this ‘special release’ comes with some differences.

This version is the 25th anniversary model which includes two dedicated rechargeable batteries meaning that even at its most powerful, you will get 10 hours of use which is pretty impressive. This model also comes with a 25 year warranty rather than the standard 7 year warranty – all you need to do is register your purchase within 12 weeks of purchase which isn’t a hard impost. I must admit I have never made a warranty claim on a headlamp, ever, but it does provide a piece of mind if you are a heavy user. It’s worth noting that this new version is the same price as the non-25 anniversary model but without the second battery and coming with the standard 7 year warranty.

Headlamp manufacturers try to differentiate brands from competitors and within this range there are plenty of options.. The Ledlenser H8R Headlamp has its own unique set of features. First up is the battery life, even on full power, you will get around 10 hours of use which means that if you are doing a long night hiking in unfamiliar territory or work around the camp you don’t have to be concerned about your light shutting down. Another thing I like about this headlamp is that you can go from a spotlight with a 120 metre range to a floodlight of 20 metres range all with a twist of the light bezel. This means you can go from spotlight to a floodlight and anywhere in between easily and quickly. In addition the lighting unit also tilts up and down which is standard for pretty much all headlamps so you won’t blind others (think high beam and low beam of car headlights).

Still on the lighting there is a single button to turn on this unit and the power settings are easy to navigate. The lower the power, the longer the light duration. To charge this headlamp there is a USB-C charging port with a rubber protector so you don’t have to open the battery case to charge the battery.

The headlamp strap is the standard soft elastic material and given the battery life of this headlamp you want it to be comfortable. The main thing to remember is that you need to adjust the strap so it’s firm but not tight. This seems obvious but it’s not something that everyone does.

This headlamp comes in one colour only; black.

Now for the negatives.  The trade off with battery power and duration comes additional weight and this headlamp weighs 163 grams and that doesn’t include the weight of the second battery. Typical high power headlamps weigh much less but with that you lose duration of use and this is where you need to decide what is important to you.

The second negative is that while this unit comes with two rechargeable batteries, you have no choice but to use propriety batteries. You can’t just change out the batteries to an off-the-shelf lead acid or lithium battery. Given the usage time of 10-120 hours, this shouldn’t be an issue but if you are doing night after night of long usage, you will need to recharge the batteries ready for the next night which is an issue with any rechargeable battery.

The last negative is a minor one from my perspective in that this unit doesn’t have a ‘red light’ mode. The idea is that it allows you to move around the camp/tent without using much power or blinding others. Every other headlamp I own has this function but I’ll be honest, it’s one I rarely if ever use.

Price wise this light comes in at AUD $208.99 RRP but for the light it throws and the versatility it has, it is very good value.

So is this a light worth considering? As someone who is into serious night hiking, the versatility and lighting capacity are key factors I look for but due to the weight of this unit, it is not one I would take on long distance hikes. Having a said that, in the case of short 1-2 night adventures or from a camping perspective, yes I would definitely pick this model.

We Like

• The light packs a real punch throwing 600 lumens of light
• Comes with two rechargeable batteries providing extended use
• Easily adjustable light angle to focus where you want
• Very easily adjustable beam from narrow spotlight to broad floodlight and anywhere in between
• Water and dust resistant
• Three power options
  • High Power option – 600 lumens
  • Mid Power Option
  • Low Power Option – 10 lumens
• Power duration 10-120 hours
• Single button for quick and easy selection of brightness or light colour
• Change from flood to spotlight by twisting the light bezel, you choose

We Don't Like

• Dedicated batteries only
• On the heavier side
• Not for use in heavily wet conditions (rain is OK)
• No red light option, but that won’t bother most people

Best Uses

A powerful headlamp for outdoor users who want extended battery duration

Buy One

You can purchase the Ledlenser H8R Headlamp from Ledlenser

Disclosure: We do not earn any affiliate commission from this product

Investment

AUD $208.99 RRP

Ledlenser HR8 Headlamp

Batteries for Ledlenser 8HR Headlamp. This updated version comes with two batteries as standard and will provide between 10-120 hours of light depending on the power setting of light selected

Tim with the Ledlenser HR8 front view

Tim with the Ledlenser HR8 side view

Tim with the Ledlenser HR8 rear view

Tim with the Ledlenser HR8 wide beam

How to use video

Unboxing video for Ledlenser HR8 Headlamp

Disclaimer

This review was done with product for testing provided by the Australian distributor of Ledlenser

Last updated

28 June 2026

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