As the nights draw in, and the skies get dark, it’s important for cyclists to remain seen. That goes for any kind of weather, including rain, snow, sleet, and fog. Fog lights for bikes with bright bulbs are an essential part of cycling and anyone that owns a bike should have them. Not only do fog lights—also known as fog lamps—allow you to see where you’re going in the darkest of conditions, they also alert other cyclists and motorists to your presence. This allows them a chance to give you extra room as they pass.
You may be wondering what you should you look out for when fog bike light shopping. To help you along in that department here’s a few things to look out for before making your decision:
The main thing to keep in mind while shopping for a fog light for your bike is safety. Will it keep you illuminated in dark, foggy conditions? If the answer is yes, then you’re halfway there. To help you in your search for the best lights for you, below is a list of the top 5 of lights available for bikes currently.
Price range: Low
For just a few dollars, you can literally save your life with one of these sets. Made from premium silicone alloy these bright beams of light are waterproof, weatherproof, and built to last. There are three different light modes to choose from with this model that will make sure you’re seen in even the thickest of fog and darkest of nights. They’re powered by two lithium-ion batteries that can be seen up to 600 feet away and in flash mode will last up to 160 hrs. With a simple one touch switch, just push the button and immediately you’re illuminated. Then when you’re safe at your destination, simply push the button again to switch them off.
Verdict: These lamps are more effective for people being able to see you then they are at lighting the way for you. However, they’re cheap, easy to fit, and are very effective.
Overall rating: 10/10
Price range: High
Not only will these make you clearly visible to traffic but they’ll shine the way for you too. Made from a high-quality durable metal, this retro-looking fog headlight was built to last. Included in the package is a bracket that allows you to mount the light on either the front or the rear of the frame, helping to keep you safe at night and in foggy conditions. It’s powered by 3xAAA batteries.
Verdict: This light works as it should and being 180 lumens is very bright. But, it’s not the easiest to fit and the materials are a little on the cheap side, considering it's a high-end model.
Overall rating: 8/10
Price range: High
This innovative light will keep you safe in even the darkest of hours. It’s USB rechargeable and takes less than 4 hours to charge. Being fully charged, you’ll get around 4 hours worth of light, depending on the mode the light’s in. One of the really neat things about this bike light is that it has its own automatic adjustment feature built-in. On top of the lamp sits a light sensor than can adjust its brightness depending on the natural light that’s present. It even doubles up as a portable power bank for your mobile phone. It’s weatherproof, waterproof, and useful to have any time of the year.
Verdict: It’s a really bright fog bike light that’s durable, easy to mount, and loaded with cool features.
Overall rating: 10/10
Price range: Mid
For a heavy-duty bike light that will keep you seen in all kinds of weather conditions, these OxyLEDs are a good buy. It's a universal light set so it should fit quite easily to any mountain bike, BMX, or scooter. The light housing is made of top-quality aluminum alloy that’s durable, long-lasting and will ensure your light remains protected. With a fog light bulb that has an output of 300 lumens and a runtime of up to 6 hours on low, this fog bike light makes a great addition to any bike, keeping you and your path lit in the meantime.
Verdict: This bike light is quick and easy to fit and you can easily adjust the angle of the taillight if need be. It does everything you need it to and is really bright. I just wish it was rechargeable.
Overall verdict: 9/10
Price range: Mid
Made by Gobike, this bike light set is durable, functional, and even doubles up as a flashlight. You don’t need any tools to mount them either, so they can be removed easily for security. With these fog bike light bulbs you have a visibility of up to 1500 ft to make sure you’re seen from as far away as possible, keeping you safe among traffic. There are four modes with the Gobike light set that can be set depending on your preference. The lights run off 3xAAA batteries and are both waterproof and shockproof so are ideal for using in harsh weather conditions.
Verdict: These lights are good LED lights that I have no concerns with in terms of durability or reliability. They’re easy to mount and overall fantastic value for money.
Overall verdict: 10/10