The best bike lights for commuting and weekend rides

The genuinely impressive Super Bright light from Exposure is the headlamp I’d buy for my bicycle if I ever went on the long adventures I plan in my head. As it stands, I rarely cycle further than the supermarket, and this extra-bright version of the Strada MK12 (reviewed above) is overkill.

At 1,700 lumens, it feels like the headlamp on a small motorcycle, properly lighting up paths that are otherwise pitch black. Like the RS we tested, the SB has several modes and a handy remote button that plugs into the charging port.

The shape of the beam, which has been made to resemble that of a car headlight, provides excellent forward illumination while also making your position known to cars far away – useful if you plan to ride on rural B-roads, less so if you live in the suburbs.

For casual users, this is too powerful and expensive, but for serious cyclists in need of better illumination of dark roads, it’s difficult to beat even at this price point. 

With a reputation for reliability and build quality, Exposure’s exemplary customer service and British-built robustness is worth investing in if you expect to rely on this light in treacherous situations.

Key specifications

• Output (max): 1,700 lumens
• Beam: Road-optimised (narrow and wide)
• Run time: Up to 36 hours
• Power: USB-C rechargeable
• Water resistance: IP65