Best ebike lights: front and rear picks from Knog, Lezyne

Many e-bikes ship with a basic headlight and a rear reflector. A bright, separate set is a cheap upgrade, and it works on any bike, whether or not it has a lights output.

What to look for

1. Lumens for the speed you ride. E-bikes travel faster than most bicycles, so a front light with several hundred lumens on a dark road gives you more time to see. Lumens alone do not tell you the beam shape, so read how the maker describes it.
2. Runtime on the mode you will use. Makers list a runtime for each mode. The top output often lasts only a couple of hours, so look at the medium mode. Knog's Blinder 1300 lists 1,300 lumens for 1.5 hours and 650 lumens for 3 hours.
3. Battery-powered or bike-powered. A USB light you charge yourself needs no wiring. A bike-powered light runs from the e-bike's battery, so there is nothing extra to charge, but it must match the bike's output. Read your bike maker's manual, or ask a shop to fit it.
4. Water resistance. Look for an IP rating. Knog lists IP67 for the Blinder lights and Lezyne lists IPX7 for the Macro Drive 1300XXL.
5. A rear light that flashes and stays on. Rear lights have more modes than you need. Pick one with a steady mode and a flash mode.
6. Mount and bar fit. Check the bar diameter range and whether the mount stays put on rough surfaces. Knog lists bar fit of 22 to 28 mm and 29 to 35 mm for the Blinder 1300.
7. Local rules. Many states require a front white light and a rear red light or reflector at night. Check your state's rules before you ride.

Our picks

Knog Blinder 1300 (front)

• Why: A USB-C rechargeable headlight with a big battery and two mounts in the box.
• Key spec: 1,300 lumens maximum, 5000 mAh battery, 180 g, IP67. Knog's runtime table lists 1.5 hours on High Steady, 3 hours on Medium Steady (650 lumens), 8 hours on Low Steady (230 lumens) and 120 hours on Eco Flash.
• Check: USB-C cable is not supplied. Knog lists a 5-hour charge time.
• Source: Knog Blinder 1300.

Knog Blinder R-150 (rear)

• Why: A small rear light with nine modes, charged from a built-in USB-A plug.
• Key spec: 150 lumens in its brightest mode, IP67. Knog lists a weight of 40 g in the spec table and 48 g in the description, and a charge time of 3 hours in one place and 4 hours in another.
• Check: Knog's table lists its "High" mode at 35 lumens for 3.5 hours and its 150-lumen mode as Strobe for 7.5 hours. Pick a mode on purpose.
• Source: Knog Blinder R-150.

Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL (front)

• Why: An aluminum-bodied USB light from Lezyne with a wide gap between its highest and lowest modes.
• Key spec: Lezyne's listing gives 1,300 lumens for about 2.5 hours at full output and 15 lumens for 148 hours on its lowest setting, a micro-USB charge, IPX7 and a listed weight of 199.5 g. It works with Lezyne's remote switch.
• Check: Lezyne lists a slightly different weight (208 g) for the loaded kit. Check which version you are buying.
• Source: Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL.

Lezyne E-Bike Power StVZO Pro E115 (front, bike-powered)

• Why: A headlight that takes power from the e-bike instead of its own battery, with nothing extra to charge.
• Key spec: Lezyne lists 310 lumens (115 lux), a 6 to 12 V input at about 6 W, and a 130 cm power cable. It lists compatibility with motor systems from makers including Bosch, Shimano and Yamaha.
• Check: StVZO is a German road-vehicle regulation, so the beam pattern is cut off to avoid dazzling oncoming riders. It is not a US requirement. It needs to be connected to your bike's lights output, so check your bike maker's manual first or ask a shop to fit it. A version with an integrated switch exists.
• Source: Lezyne E-Bike Power StVZO Pro E115.

FAQ

How many lumens do I need on an e-bike? There is no single figure. More lumens help on unlit roads, while a lower, well-aimed beam is enough on lit streets. Read the runtime for the mode you will use.

Do I need lights in the daytime? A flashing rear light and a front light in daylight make you easier to see. Many riders leave them on all the time, but follow your state's rules.

Can I wire a light to my e-bike myself? Only use the lights output and connection your bike's maker describes. If the manual does not cover it, ask a qualified e-bike shop. Do not open the battery, controller or motor.

Should a helmet light replace bike lights? No. A helmet light helps with visibility, but it supplements the lights on the bike. See our helmet picks.

Where do the figures come from? From Knog's and Lezyne's own product pages, linked in the sources.