Bike Helmet Lights
Bike lights designed specifically for bike helmets. Portal is our first pick for the trail, with the most power we put on a helmet. Hangover is the light one, and the one we'd put on a road or commuter helmet.
Both have a smooth beam pattern that fills your field of view, USB-C charging to get your night started quickly, and a low profile so when you duck under that tree branch you won't get snagged. Most importantly? No wires! Fully self contained means no dorky cords hanging off your head. Two helmet mounts come in the box.
Pair either one with a Trail Evo handlebar light for the full setup, or get them together in the Portal Downhill Package or Evo Downhill Package.
Bike Helmet Light Specs, Side by Side
Two helmet lights. One is the most power we make for a helmet, the other is the least weight.
| Light | Output | Runtime (Adaptive Mode) | Weight | Mounts in the Box | Built For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portal | 1,600 lumens | 2.5 hours | 170 g | Wide and curved | Our first pick for trail, the most power |
| Hangover | 900 lumens | 1.6 hours | 105 g | Wide and curved | The lightest option, and our pick for road and commuter helmets |
Why Run a Bike Helmet Light?
A helmet light puts light exactly where you're looking. Your handlebar light points where the bike points, which isn't always the same place. Picture a switchback: the handlebar is still aimed straight ahead, but you're already looking deep into the turn to pick your line. That's the gap a helmet light fills.
On its own, a helmet light sits close to your eye line, so the trail looks flat. Paired with a handlebar light like Trail Evo you get texture and direction at once. It's a popular enough combination that we sell it as a package: the Portal Downhill Package with Portal up top, or the Evo Downhill Package with Hangover.
Bike Helmet Light Questions
What's the best bike helmet light?
For most riders it's Portal: 1,600 lumens, 2.5 hours in Adaptive Mode, and a beam that fills your whole field of view instead of one bright spot down the trail. If the weight on your head matters more than outright power, or the light is going on a road or commuter helmet, go with Hangover. It's 105 g and you'll forget it's there.
What's the best helmet light for mountain biking?
Portal, with Trail Evo on the handlebar. The handlebar light shows you the trail surface, the helmet light follows your eyes into the corner. That pairing is the Portal Downhill Package. Want less weight up top? The Evo Downhill Package swaps in Hangover.
Can I just run a helmet light?
You can, and plenty of people start there. You'll see where you're going but the trail will look flat, because the light is coming from right next to your eyes. Add a handlebar light when you can.
Can I add a light to the bike helmet I already own?
Yes, that's the whole idea. You don't need a helmet with lights built in. Both of our helmet lights use action camera style mounts that stick to your helmet with 3M VHB tape, and both ship with two of them: a wide mount that bridges the vent hole on a lot of bike helmets, and a standard curved mount. No wires and no battery pack, everything is in the light.
Which helmet mount do I need?
Probably none. The wide and curved mounts in the box cover most helmets out there. If yours is an odd shape, or you want the light on a second helmet, the rest are in bike mounts.
Can't I just use a headlamp on my bike helmet?
It'll make light, but it's the wrong light. A headlamp is built for walking pace, so it throws a narrow spot. At riding speed you want your whole field of view filled evenly, so you can see the exit of the corner and the branch at head height at the same time. That's what a purpose built bike helmet light is for, and it stays low profile on the helmet so it doesn't snag.
How long does a helmet light battery last?
In Adaptive Mode, the default, Portal runs about 2.5 hours and Hangover about 1.6. Lower modes go a lot longer, and every product page has the full runtime chart. Going all night? Both charge over USB-C and support pass-through charging, so a small power bank in your pack keeps them running.
What happens when I crash and break it?
Tell us what happened and we'll sort it out. Every light has a three year warranty, plus our Don't Be A Dick lifetime extension. Two rules: be kind, and be honest, even if it was your fault. Details are on the warranty page.