Lights for road bikes STVZO - battery sets and dynamo headlights in the test

A road bike dynamo is worthwhile for cyclists who often ride their road bike in the dark. We have analysed five dynamo headlights. For occasional use, sets of battery-powered headlights and rear lights also provide good visibility. These are our findings:

Test results for battery-powered lights:
The Lupine SLA7 set with rear light was convincing across the board and was the clear test winner

Our price-performance tip is the VDO Eco Light M30 + VDO rear light Red package

Test results for dynamo headlights:
The Supernova E3 Pure 3 was the clear test winner

The assessment of the products in detail:

Battery lighting

Busch & Müller Ixon Space* + Ixxi
The light profile is homogeneous and bright; very convenient operation, precise charge level indicator; only satisfactory light duration overall, but long reserve; the headlight sits very high above the handlebars; the compact rear light shines for a long time

Contec LS-247+
Inexpensive headlamp with acceptable light profile, but weak at close range; clear, practical charge level control with four green bars; in sensor mode, the light automatically adjusts to the brightness; the rear light holder can be easily aligned

Knog Blinder Beam 300* + MOB
Weak light output; the toggle fasteners of the rubber straps can pop open when pulled hard; the headlamp's light duration is short in relation to the charging time; the charge level indicator gives a brief warning before going out; tail light switch is difficult to operate

Lezyne Pro 80 + Strip
Relatively narrow light profile of the headlight, weak at close range; charging times are very long in relation to the light duration, especially for the headlight; only approximate charge level display due to the poorly placed indicator at the rear; brightest rear light in the test

Lupine (test winner) SL A7 + rear light
The only headlight in the test with high beam, very homogeneous, large and bright light profile in both light levels; good ratio between charging and lighting time; precise charge level control; the headlight gets very hot at medium temperatures; tail light and brake light

Sigma Aura 60 + Nugget 2
Bright beam of light at long range, the close range remains relatively dark, the edges are only just illuminated; good light duration of the headlamp; the charge level indicator informs you quickly when the battery is running low; easy-to-use rear light with short charging time

Specialised Flux Elite + Taillight
Headlight and rear light comparatively dark, but with a homogeneous light profile; very short charging times, whereby the headlight shines for a short time and the rear light for a very long time; the indicators provide precise information about the charging status; both holders are top; the rear light also fits on non-round or aero seatposts

Supernova Airstream 2 + Tail Light 2
Homogeneous, bright light profile, only slightly narrower at the edge of the road; safe light reserve; the headlight battery feeds the rear light via a cable that has to be laid separately; the charging time is almost twice as long as the lighting time; very high-quality workmanship; swivelling bracket

Trelock LS 760 Vision + LS 720 Reego
The brightness is good, the light profile at close range and at the side of the road slightly worse than the best; the display in the headlight provides clear and precise information about the light level and charge status; plenty of reserve light; rear light shines for a long time in relation to the charging time

VDO Eco Light M30 + Red
Cheapest and lightest set in the test; headlight and rear light shine relatively long with still short charging times; the light profile of the headlight is weak, the close range remains dark; practical rotating bracket for stem mounting; very short rubber of the rear light holder

Dynamo headlights

Busch & Müller IQ-X
Homogeneous light profile, good close-range and side illumination. Sensor control for day and night mode, the headlight can be switched off completely; high-quality workmanship, cables for the rear light are available; simple holder

Contec Aurora 200 N+
Cheapest headlight in the test. Overall darker than the competition, light profile with clear edges, the near field is weak, the side strip is well illuminated. The workmanship is decent; only parking light function (can be switched off). Short holder

Son Edelux II
The light is bright and illuminates the test track very homogeneously; sensor control for day and night driving light; top workmanship and available in many colours; rear light connection available. Without its own holder as standard, but fits many others

Supernova (test winner) E3 Pure 3
Test winner. Bright and very homogeneous light profile, all areas are well illuminated, only slightly narrower at the edge of the road; top workmanship, very compact; a long cable is pre-assembled for the rear light. Sensor controls day and night lights. Very good holder

Trelock LS 905 Bike-I Prio + HBC
Light profile with light edges, significantly brighter at long range than at close range, narrow overall; switches between day and night driving light via sensor; remote control for selecting light levels or switching off; well made; with rear light connection; various colours