The 5 Brightest Rear Bike Lights on the Market
Rear Bike Light Buyer's Guide
Whether you are simply traveling to work or going off-road mountain biking, cycling is a fantastic form of physical activity, transportation, and just plain old fun. There are mountain bikes, road bikes, rear suspension bikes, tour bicycles, folding bikes, road bikes... the list is endless. In addition, there are innumerable performance and safety features, such as off-road lights, disc brakes, aluminum frames, carbon fiber frames, rear suspension, and so on. Even though the rate of accidents for bikers is negligible to that of cars, accidents with cyclists can still happen and that is why safety features are not just a good idea, but are vitally important. On a bike, one's safety precautions are limited to that which can be secured to the body of the bike and the body of the rider. This is especially true for those who commute in cities or often bike on roads with automobiles, having bike lights is essential not only for the rider’s safety but also that of other drivers. Smart, safe bikers, will be guided towards getting one of the 5 brightest rear bike lights on the market, as well as to always wear a helmet. Biking is a safe form of activity and transportation if riders take the necessary precautions and use the proper safety measures.
Rear Bike Light Guide
If you are biking without safety lights, you are putting yourself, other bikers, and drivers at great risk. In the middle of a sunny day, lights are more or less unessential to practicing safe biking. However, in the evening, at night, and on dark, overcast days, a bike light can save your life. No driver wants to hit a biker on the side of the road and it is up to the bike rider to enable drivers and passersby to keep themselves safe. Rear bike lights are especially essential to that end.
While biking next to cars on the road—as is required by law—cars will approach the biker from the rear. A rear bike light aims to make approaching cars aware of the presence of a biker and to easily be identified from a distance. Riding in a major metropolitan city is quite different than riding through the Mojave Desert. However, the ability to identify your presence to drivers who are behind you is essential and there exist many rear bike lights on the market, which boast features aimed to benefit riders of differing needs.
Flashing Lights
Anyone can go to WalMart and get a cheap little light to put on their bike. Alternatively, they can rummage through most tool boxes until they find that old flashlight and the duct tape and do a little DIY fix-up. However, this is not smart for a biker. The first step to choosing the right tool for the job is to know your individual needs. If you bike around the city, then brighter the light is the better. Rear bike lights with flashing features and programmable light designs are great for high traffic areas. If you live in a rural area, you may not need the flashing lights; however, a super bright rear light is optimal for long stretches of dark roads.
Battery Life
Another important factor to consider is the battery life of any one unit and what source of power it uses. Many cheaper rear bike lights are designed to take AA or AAA batteries. This is fine if you are not a frequent rider or a commuter. The problem with batteries like this is that they will lose their luminescence as the battery is drained and the rider will not be easily made aware of it until a problem arises. Rechargeable batteries allow a rider to get in the good habit of always recharging their rear bike light at the end of a ride. These units are designed with USB chargers, making them very convenient to charge, even during a ride.
Lighting System
High output lighting systems are the brightest option but often carry a higher price tag. LED lights are extremely common in the bike light market; however, the quality of any unit is variable. Lumens are the standard unit of measurement for the quantity of visible light which is emitted by a light source and the higher the better. LED lights can be designed to produce a high level of luminescence but it will take more searching to find the brightest rear bike lights on the market.
5 Brightest Rear Bike Lights
1. Cygolite Hotshot 50
Under $30 and featuring the ability to adjust the brightness level and flashing pattern, the Cygolite Hotshot 50 is the best classic rear bike light. It doesn't do lots of fancy tricks but what it does do, it does well. This light produces 50 lumens of visible light, which is twice as powerful as the Hotshot 50s predecessor. The lights are LED and this unit offers over 500 hours of battery life. This rear bike light produces a huge amount of visibility from a distance and is a wonderfully functional safety feature for any rider.
2. Ultra Bright Bike Light Blitzu Cyborg
The Blitzu Cyborg Ultra Bright Bike Light is the next step into the present standard of rear bike lights. The rechargeable unit produces over 165 lumens of visible light using red LED lights. The unit is 100% wireless and features an 180-degree visibility range. This is the best rear bike light on the market for the value and the durability, coming in under $20. The Ultra Bright Bike Light is built with a watertight casing, protecting the battery and lights from the worst that mother nature can dish out.
3. BLITZU Cyborg 180T Bike Light
The BLITZU Cyborg 180T Bike Light is the next step up and is still under $20. Producing 180 lumens of light, this rear bike light also comes with a biker’s multi-tool, making it the best rear bike light on the market for the benefits included. Brighter than the Ultra Bright and including a complimentary Allen wrench multi-tool, the Cyborg 180T is a perfect bike light for those who want the ability to mount their rear light in a variety of places. No tools are required for the installation and users can strap the light to any part of the bike’s rear or to the rear of their helmet.
4. REARAND Smart Bicycle Light Bike
Taking the silver medal for the best and brightest rear bike light on the market, the REARAND Smart Bicycle Light Bike allows a glimpse into the future of sports gear. This light is equipped with wireless remote technology so that the rider can change lighting options and toggle pattern controls without taking their hands off of the handlebars. This rear bike light is the brightest and safest bike light on the market, featuring two rear laser beams, which cast a lane of light directly behind the rider. The units 29 LED lights make for superb visibility up to 150 feet away and all for under $35.
5. Cycliq Fly6[v] HD Rear Bike Camera and 30 Lumen Tail light
Coming in as the gold medal winner, the Cycliq Fly6[v] takes the win by a mile. Considerably more pricey than the REARAND, this Cycliq light comes in around $140. However, it is more than a rear bike light. The Cycliq Fly6[v] is also a rear bike camera that features 30 lumens of tail light, an HD lens, and up to 6 hours of battery life. For those who prioritize the safety and security of themselves and their loved ones, the Cycliq Fly6[v] is our choice for the best rear bike light.
