Simple, Comfy Headlamp That Gets the Job Done: BioLite Range Review

Loons call through the falling dusk over an impossibly calm mirror surface of Lake One in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area. I step away from the campfire and press a button on the top of the BioLite Range 500, the newest headlamp from a brand focused on comfortable lighting. A red glow illuminates the path to my food pack, where I join my crew to hoist a bear rope that will swing our food high off the ground.

The mosquitoes are about to arrive, and we hustle to secure the pack before retreating into our tents. I toggle between red light and white, using the bright spotlight to check the dubious tree branch. It holds the 30-pound pack just fine, so I flip back to red as I tie a knot around a tree.

After 4 days in the wilderness, the BioLite Range 500 has proven to be a capable light for camp chores.

In short: The BioLite Range 500 ($70) is a very comfortable headlamp with enough power and versatility to serve campers and hikers. With 500 lumens max output and a nice, adjustable red light, the Range 500 is a capable light. It’s not nearly as powerful or long-running as larger, heavier headlamps. But, for those who value comfort and only need short lighting bursts at low outputs, it’s a great option that won’t make your head cringe.

Compare the BioLite Range 500 to other models in the guide to the best headlamps.

BioLite’s Best Headlamp Yet

The BioLite Range 500 is a pretty simple headlamp. But I’d also argue that it’s the best headlamp that BioLite has ever produced.

That’s because it leans into what BioLite does best: comfort and usability. With a top output of 500 lumens, it’s not winning any brightness battles. And its runtime, while entirely sufficient, isn’t setting any records. But both its brightness and runtimes are in line with the current top-performers for light, comfortable headlamps aimed at campers and hikers.

It wears like a headband. Soft, pliable, and thick, the Range 500 is barely there. It won’t crunch your head. There’s no heavy battery pack on the back, and even the front, which contains both the battery and light, is nicely balanced. It stays firmly in place with motion and casts its light predictably over a nice, wide area.

BioLite has built bigger, brighter headlamps. But I’ve often disliked their form factor, buttons, or overall design — not so with the Range 500. It’s really good, and it should find favor among those who only need modest lighting needs, such as campers, hikers, and dog walkers. It offers plenty of light for small tasks around the house or mechanical tasks.

BioLite Range 500 Review

The BioLite Range 500 is a very easy headlamp for users. It has a large button on the top right. Press it to turn it on, press it again to turn it off. It remains in its last setting, which I love. Was it red the last time you used it? Great, it’s still red when you turn it back on.

The large button also serves to adjust brightness in each mode. Press and hold it to dim the light or brighten it. Left of the large button is a smaller button that changes modes. Press it once to scroll to the next mode, press it again to scroll to the next mode, and one more time to the third. You have the option of red, spotlight, or warm flood. Double-pressing this button turns on the strobe function.

That’s it. This is one very simple, intuitive headlamp. I generally love the ease of use and quality of light. The buttons are reasonably large and usable (albeit with a bit of fumbling) with gloves.

Runtime and Brightness

The Range 500 offers 6 hours on high, but you won’t be getting full brightness for anywhere near that long. It’s a regulated light, meaning that it’ll dial down brightness pretty quickly once you start to deplete the battery.

For optimal use, hit high mode only when you need longer vision. For most uses, a medium to low output will give you plenty of light for close tasks.

For a small headlamp, it’s impressively bright on high, lighting up to 100 yards. It’s by no means a light cannon, but it’s good and perfect for a quick blast to make sure that snapped twig isn’t a bear in the distance.

BioLite Range Lineup: Who Should Buy Them

BioLite launched the Range 500 ($70) today, along with two other options: the Range 300 (300 lumens max, $40) and Range 400 (400 lumens, $60). The Range 300 only offers a spotlight, no red or flood. The Range 400 adds a red light, and the 500 has the red, flood, and spot capabilities.

While price is always a consideration, I think the Range 500 will be worth the extra $10 over the 400 for almost all users. The Range 300 does hit a lower price, but I’d be loath to give up a red light, which I use more than white.

Otherwise, they are quite similar. These are aimed at the hiking and camping crowd and should be well-received. They compete with the best headlamps in their price range and have everything many campers and hikers will want.

The Range 500 should be capable for hunting, although the modest lumen output and burn time are on the minimal side for hunters. I’d consider carrying it as a backup, or using it as a primary with a powerful backup flashlight for blood trailing or longer outings.

But if you’re looking for a light, comfortable, capable headlamp, BioLite’s new options are definitely worth considering. I’ll be testing this one a lot more in the coming months to consider them in comparison with other brands’ offerings. But in the meantime, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for a lighting option for camps, trails, and more.