Australian Hiker

Rating

Petzl Actik 450 Headlamp Review

Across the world Petzl is one of the dominant outdoor lighting brands and produces a large range of lights ranging from the ultralight E+Lite through to models that have over 1000+ lumens capacity. Over the past couple of years there has been a trend towards higher power, lower weight lights. The Petzl Actik 450 Headlamp sits in what is now a mid range capacity.

This headlamp has a standard configuration with battery housing and light combined in a single front unit and weighs 88 grams which is relatively light for such a powerful headlamp. Recently we tested out the Petzl Actik Core 625 Headlamp and for all intense purposes this headlamp is identical with one exception which is that it doesn’t contain the proprietary Petzl Core Rechargeable Battery. Without the Core battery this headlamp has 450 lumens of power which 5-10 years ago sat at the top end of recreational headlamps. If you do purchase and use the Core battery the power will increase to 625 lumen, an increase of 45%.

What batteries you use will depend on the style of hiking that you do. You can either purchase the Core battery separately or use 3 x AAA batteries. If using disposable batteries I highly recommend using lithiums. As expensive as they are they are the best value for money as far as battery life is concerned.

If you purchase this headlamp in its Petzl Actik Core 625 form which comes standard with the Core battery and will work out cheaper overall, but not by much. This is where you need to make the decision. If you are happy with the lower power output and don’t mind using disposables then the Petzl Actik 450 Headlamp is a cheaper option at AUD $124.99 RRP.

This headlamp has five separate lighting choices which are:

• Red continuous
• Red strobe
• White – low (maximum burn time)
• White – standard
• White – maximum power

While we are still on lighting and battery capacity, this lamp throws a maximum 450 lumen beam around 100 metres  that is more than enough for most hikers but in using full power you will only get two hours of life. At its lowest white light power setting it is quoted that you’ll get approximately 100 hours of in use time. Keep in mind that the maximum beam strength is only going to benefit you if you are in open terrain. If you are walking through dense vegetation opt for a lower beam intensity unless you are walking across very unstable unfamiliar terrain in which case I want as much light as possible.

In reality the power usage is likely to sit between these two figures as it will be rare you will use the full power or low power  for extended periods. Using the red light you will get some serious lifespan of around 60 hours and the red strobe lasting around 400 hours. The only time I ever tend to use the red light is when I’m sitting at camp and need just enough light to head to the bathroom or if I’m in the tent and want to minimise the impact on others when locating what I need.

Like most modern lights these days the change between the different beams is through the press of a single button which is easy to work out. I must admit to being a stereotypical male here and usually don’t read the headlamp instructions but it’s easy enough to work out the sequence if you are using it for any period of time. Each of these modes is apparent after the initial requirement to hold the ‘on’ button for eight seconds to unlock it and then the unit only requires a simple single button press to cycle through the beam choices.

For those who haven’t used a Petzl headlamp before, the strap is a soft elastic material with a reflective strip that sits very comfortable on your head – just remember to adjust it so it is firm but not too tight.

This headlamp come in a range of colour in the USA but in Australia the green and blue choice seem to be the main choice. The other feature not really talked about is that this headlamp comes with a small storage bag that also converts this light into a lantern that you can hang from the tent roof. A nifty feature but one that I rarely use.

So why would you buy the Petzl Actik 450 Headlamp rather the more powerful Petzl Actik Core 625 Headlamp? If you rarely night hike or only do so in familiar territory then either headlamp will do the job. If you are hiking in unfamiliar terrain at night that doesn’t have dense foliage then the Petzl Actik Core 625 Headlamp is the best option and keep in mind that you can use it a a lower power setting to increase battery life.  One thing to note here is that if I am doing extended might hiking I will either need a second core battery or a set of disposables and this can change the maths in both price and beam power.

I would, and am happy to, use both of these headlamps but in the case of my wife Gill she isn’t into night hiking and only ever uses her headlamp for short periods around camp and for this reason she has opted for Petzl Actik 450 Headlamp as her go to headlamp.

We Like

• A powerful 450 lumen beam in a lightweight 98 gram package
• Adjustable angle on light to focus the light where you want it
• Five lighting options including red night vision and red strobe
  • Maximum output 450 lumens with disposable batteries
  • Up to 100 hours on low light setting
  • Two hours on maximum light setting
• Reflective headband for night visibility and reflective strip which enhances visibility from behind
• Can be swapped out for the rechargeable Petzl Core battery which is available as a seperate purchase
• Single button for quick and easy selection of brightness or light colour
• Lock function to avoid accidentally turning it on during transit or storage
• Compatible with mounting accessories that allow the lamp to be attached to any kind of helmet or to a bicycle
• Comes with a storage bag that also doubles as a lantern for use in the tent

We Don't Like

• Nothing

Best Uses

A headlamp for hikers who who want the versatility to do nights hikes with good power beam

Buy One

You can purchase the Petzl Actik Headlamp from Amazon Australia or from Snowys

Disclosure:  We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!

Investment

AUD $124.99 RRP

Petzl Actik Core 450 green colour

Petzl Actik Core 450 blue

Product Video

Optional Extra

Petzl Core 2 USB−C Rechargeable Battery can be purchased as an optional upgrade which provides a 45% power boost.

Disclaimer

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

Last updated

30 August 2026

Shares

Related articles