Battery-powered headlights for road & gravel bikes: Which one shines the longest?

A second important criterion is the charging time of the battery. The faster an empty battery is fully charged and ready for the next use, the more flexibly the next night ride can be planned. Three hours or less is considered a good value. However, if the battery has to be plugged in for six hours or more until it is fully charged, the decision for the next dark tour must be made by midday at the latest if you want to set off on time for the end of the day.

Lighting and charging time: six current battery-powered headlights tested

We tested the light output and charging time of a total of six current rechargeable headlamps. Before the measurements, we completely discharged and then recharged all test candidates several times. Three discharge and charge cycles were followed by two measurement cycles under identical test conditions, whereby we ensured sufficient cooling from the airstream to counteract the automatic power reduction caused by overheating. We gave a small bonus to headlights with a reserve light that do not switch off immediately as soon as the battery is empty. We measured the charging time using the manufacturer's charging accessories.

Best list of light duration

1. Lezyne Super StVZO 600+, light duration 4:50 hours, price 110 Euro
2. Sigma Aura 100, light duration 3:20 hrs, 70 Euro including rear light
3. Busch & Müller IQ-XM Speed, light duration 2:20 hours Price 300 Euro
4. Trelock LS 760 IGo Vision, light duration 2:15 hrs, Price 145 Euro
5. Cateye GVolt 100, light duration 2:00 hrs, Price 149 Euro
6. Lupine Sl MiniMax AF, light duration 1:30 hrs, Price 535 Euro

Charging time leaderboard

1. Cateye GVolt 100, charging time 2:45 hrs
2. Lupine Sl MiniMax AF, charging time 3:00 hrs
3. Sigma Aura 100, charging time 3:30 hrs
4. Trelock LS 760 IGo Vision, charging time 4:00 hrs
5. Busch & Müller IQ-XM Speed, charging time 5:30 hrs
6. Lezyne Super StVZO 600+, charging time 6:20 hrs

>> Headlights for road & gravel bikes: six models compared

What's the bottom line? In our test, the Lezyne Super StVZO impresses with its long light duration of almost five hours. The Sigma and Busch & Müller models follow a little behind in second and third place, with the latter offering a light reserve of more than three hours. Although this means that the road is no longer as well lit, it is still suitable as a powerful position light.

Due to its short charging time of just under three hours, the GVolt 100 from Cateye is the most spontaneous way to plan a night ride. The Lezyne battery has by far the longest charging time at over six hours.