I’ve lost count of the headlamps I’ve tried that promised the world but delivered bounce on the run, sudden battery death, or buttons that are near impossible to use with gloves.
The BioLite Range 400 stood out from the start with its practical focus on quick charging and comfort.
After months of regular use on low light runs and evening dog walks, it’s the one I now grab without thinking; dependable when reliable light matters most.
Key Specifications
- Price: $59.95 at Amazon.com
- Max brightness and beam: 400 lumens with focused spot reaching ~90 meters
- Runtime: Up to 6 hours on high, 200+ hours on low dimmed settings
- Battery: 1634 mAh Li-Ion, USB-C rechargeable
- Charging: 8 minutes for ~1 hour on high, 30 minutes to 80%, full in ~80 minutes
- Resistance: IP67 (fully waterproof/dustproof)
- Weight: 2.6 oz (75g)
- Modes: Dimmable white spot, white strobe, dimmable red, red strobe (memory for last brightness on white/red)
- Extras: 60-degree one-hand tilt, SlimFit moisture-wicking headband, lock/reserve modes, reflective details
Fit and Everyday Comfort
At just 2.6 ounces, the Range 400 feels light and balanced from the moment you put it on.
The SlimFit dual-adjustment headband spreads tension evenly, eliminating pressure points and staying secure even during faster efforts or under a hat.
Moisture-wicking fabric handles damp, cold conditions well, and reflective logos on the sides and rear provide useful passive visibility.
It’s comfortable for extended use without constant readjusting or fatigue.
Performance Review
One of the coolest features is the fast charging: an 8-minute top-up reliably delivers an hour on high; perfect for those times I’ve forgotten to charge overnight and need light right away.
It removes the usual battery anxiety on longer outings.
The 400-lumen spot beam provides clear, usable distance, lighting the way ahead effectively for spotting uneven ground or obstacles.
Dimming is smooth and precise with large, glove-friendly buttons, and the memory function restarts at your last setting, avoiding harsh surprises.
Red mode preserves night vision well for quick checks without glare.
Runtime performs solidly in cold weather, and reserve mode adds an extra hour at low output when needed.
The 2 button controls are straightforward once familiar (double-tap for strobe), and IP67 rating handles rain or drops easily.
Reflective elements (the logo and striped line on the band) boost safety in traffic.
A few practical limitations: the beam prioritizes spot distance over wide flood, and there’s no burst mode or rear red light (features on pricier models).
And pass-through charge is made difficult by the USB-C charging port being on the rear of the unit, so charging it on the run is not very practical (if you wanted to use this for longer than 6 hours on high power).
Overall, it delivers dependable, no-drama performance focused on everyday winter needs.
My Verdict
The BioLite Range 400 has become my default winter headlamp.
At $60, it offers excellent value, with practical rapid charging, secure all-session comfort, intuitive controls with memory, and a reliable beam for low-light training.
It’s ideal for runners wanting straightforward light for dark mornings, evenings, or variable conditions, without premium cost or unnecessary complexity.
If bounce, quick fading, or complicated operation have put you off headlamps before, this one gets the essentials right.
Questions about the Range 400 or winter visibility? Ask in the comments, I’m happy to help. And subscribe to my YouTube for more tested gear insights.
If you have any questions about this headlamp, just ask me in the comments below and I'll be happy to help you out! Oh and if you haven't already, go subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more reviews like this one (mostly shoe reviews).
-Alastair
