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Review: BioLite Range 500 Headlamp

The BioLite Range 500 Headlamp Is Easy To Use And Super Fast Charging!


BioLite, an innovator in off-grid renewable energy solutions, today announced the release of The Range HeadLamp Series, an ultrafast USB-C headlamp designed to keep up with outdoor adventure. Featuring rapid charging, IP67 waterproof rating, and performance fit, the new Range Series by BioLite delivers rugged durability and bright reliable light at an impressively small footprint and weight.


BioLite’s new Range Series builds upon a lineage of awards, success, and popularity of the company’s original headlamp series released in 2018. As the original innovator of “bounce-free” headlamps with superior fit and comfort, the BioLite engineering team next turned its sights on solving for longer “range” while in the backcountry, hence the series's namesake.


“Customers indicated they love the efficiency of rechargeables but worried about being stranded without a quick AAA swap,” says BioLite CEO Jonathan Cedar. “So we upgraded the battery tech to charge as fast as everyday electronics. Now, Range delivers best-in-class run-time and rapid recharge all without expensive single-use batteries.”


Engineered for everyone who loves the outdoors, the Range Series features 3 models based on lumen brightness: Range 300, 400, and 500. Range 300 features a single-button design with an efficient and dimmable all-purpose white spot, while the Range 400 and 500 feature both white and red-light modes alongside an intuitive 2-button interface, making operation quick and effortless — even in the dark. All Range models feature IP67 waterproof rating, rapid charging technology that delivers 1 hour of runtime from just 8 minutes of charge, and a 3-year warranty.


“We’ve all been there—your hike runs long and daylight runs out,” says Cedar. “With Range’s long runtimes, Reserve Mode programming, and rapid recharge, we built this headlamp series so you can venture with confidence.” 


The Range Series is now available nationwide at REI and BioLiteEnergy.com.


Gray BioLite headlamp with a black adjustable strap. A prominent light fixture is at the front, and the brand name is visible on the band.
A compact gray headlamp with LED lights, attached to a black elastic headband, on a white background.
Close-up of a gray plastic device with buttons and a strap, set against a white background. The device has a sleek, modern design.
The Large Button Powers On And Off And Also Operates Dimming. Smaller Button Cycles Through Modes.
Gray headlamp with black strap, showing fast charging feature. Text: "Fast Charging, 8 min charge = 1 hr of light." Minimalist background.
Two people with headlamps and backpacks walk in a forest meadow at dusk. One pets a brown dog. A serene sunset colors the sky.
Two people with headlamps explore a dark rocky cave, illuminating the textured walls. The scene is dramatic with shadows and beams of light.
A person with a headlamp walks through a dark, dense forest at dusk, light illuminating green foliage. Sky shows hints of sunset.
Man in a tent using red flashlight, wearing a beige shirt. Green tent fabric in foreground, creating a cozy, focused atmosphere.
A person crouches by a river, reaching into clear water to retrieve a lit blue flashlight. Sunlight filters through trees in the background.
Comparison chart of BioLite headlamps Range 300, 400, 500. Includes details like price, lumens, weight, burn time, beam distance, and other features.

Using The BioLite Range 500


The Range headlamp will be available in a 300, 400 and a 500 verison. Those numbers are referring to peak lumens of course. I have been using the BioLite Range 500 headlamp. This is a great headlamp! I have been using it for camping, hiking/trail running and even had it with me on an mtb ride when we took a bit longer than expected on a ride and ran out of light. (Although I would not use this for lighting up the trail on a real mtb ride, it did the job in a pinch getting back to our truck.) The BioLite Range 500 offers up plenty of brightness for most activities, especially in the spot setting. It has a strobe, flood setting in white mode as well, with flood and strobe in red mode. Within each of those modes the light is dimmable by holding down the large button which can be release when your preferred brightness reached. This is great for inside a tent or in a vehicle when the full brightness is just a bit too much. The battery on this lasts a long time. I have yet to run it out of juice while operating the headlamp at full brightness in the spot setting for 3 to 4 hours at a time. BioLite says the battery is good for 6 hours on HI and 200 hours on LO. While I have not gotten it wet, the Range headlamps have a waterproof rating of IP67 Submersible. Charging is done via USB-C and is super fast! 8 minutes of charge time will give you an hour of light at full brightness. A full charge from empty is achieved in about 80 minutes. One thing that really sets this headlamp apart is how comfortable it is! The fabric is soft and stretchy but stays completely in place while trail running or other activities. The light does not bounce or move at all either. Even when it is tilted out a bit, where other lights I have used the light seems to fall all the way down. Weight on this light is only 75g. The Range is super intuitive to use, even in the dark. The larger button powers the headlamp on and off and like mentioned above is also used for dimming the light in each mode. The smaller button is used to cycle the headlamp through each of its modes. The buttons can easily be felt in the dark as well. By holding down the large button for a few seconds until the red light flashes, you can put the lamp into lock mode which is great for packing and storing the light and not have it accidentally turn on and use up all your battery. To get it out of lock mode, simply hold the large button down for a few seconds again until the red light flashes.



A grassy backyard at night is illuminated by a light, with a wooden fence and house in the background. Leaves are scattered on the grass.
Spot Setting
Nighttime backyard scene with illuminated grass and scattered leaves. Dark trees and a lit building in the background. Calm atmosphere.
Flood Setting
A dark yard at night with trees and a fence. Red light casts a glow over the grass, scattered with leaves. A blurred object is in the center.
Red Mode

Pros


  • Easy to use

  • Fast charging

  • Lightweight

  • Waterproof

  • Super comfortable

  • No bounce


Cons


  • I couldn't think of any honestly. This product is super dialed.


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