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Head-to-head · Best Rechargeable Headlamps

Knog Bandicoot 250 vs Sofirn HS21

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Knog Bandicoot 250 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about ultralight backpackers — read the strengths below before deciding.

Knog Bandicoot 250
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Rechargeable Headlamps
Knog Bandicoot 250
2 sourcesall derived$54.99as of Aug 1

The Knog Bandicoot 250 is an ultralight headlamp that manages power, comfort, and affordability all at once. Michael Lanza of The Big Outside called it a 'great all-around value' for backpacking, hiking, climbing, and trail running, citing 250 lumens of brightness at 2.1 oz. It recharges, operates simply, and uses a silicone housing that stretches to fit most head sizes. The reading lights angle too far downward for comfortable reading while lying down, according to some users. Outdoor types who want a light, reliable source will be happy; anyone needing maximum waterproofing should keep looking.

Strengths
  • — 250 lumens of brightness with 100+ foot range suitable for hiking and trail running
  • — Ultra-lightweight at 2.1 oz./59.5g, comfortable for extended wear
  • — Rechargeable with USB plug-in charging, no cords needed
Watch-outs
  • — Reading lights are angled too far downward for comfortable reading
  • — IP67 rating offers limited waterproofing (1 meter for 30 minutes)
$54.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Sofirn HS21
Ranked #7 in Best Rechargeable Headlamps
Sofirn HS21
2 sourcesall derived$43as of Aug 1

The Sofirn HS21 is a T-shaped headlamp with an infrared gesture sensor, one spotlight LED, six floodlight LEDs, and three red LEDs. Reviewers liked the hands-free operation and the range of lighting modes, and the floodlight LEDs hit a high CRI at 99. Measured flood lumens didn't match the advertised figures, though: some reviewers reported output up to 30% lower. Bracket durability also came up as a build-quality concern. It suits people who want flexible lighting options with gesture control, but anyone who needs the lumen figures to be exact should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Features gesture sensor for hands-free operation
  • — Provides multiple lighting modes including spot, flood, and red LEDs
  • — Rechargeable 18650 battery with USB-C charging capability
Watch-outs
  • — Flood mode lumens significantly lower than advertised
  • — Build quality concerns with bracket snapping reported by some users
$43 · Buy at flashlightgo.comFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Knog Bandicoot 250

The Knog Bandicoot 250 is significantly lighter than the BioLite Range 500, which weighs 2.6 oz versus 2.1 oz, and offers better adjustability with a silicone housing. However, it lacks the 500 lumens output of the BioLite and doesn't feature the gesture control of the Sofirn HS21.

Sofirn HS21

The Sofirn HS21 distinguishes itself with its gesture sensor for hands-free operation, a feature not found in the Nitecore NU25 400 UL or Silva Trail Runner Free H. However, it's less bright than the Fenix HM50R v2, which offers 700 lumens, and lacks the straightforward operation of the Petzl SWIFT LT.

Specs side-by-side

SpecKnog Bandicoot 250Sofirn HS21
Weight2.1 oz./59.5g87g (without battery), 168.53g (with battery/headband)
Lumens250Up to 2,300 lm
Beam Distanceover 100 feetUp to 230 m
Waterproof RatingIP67IP65
BatteryRechargeable USB1*18650 3.7V Li-ion
ChargingUSB-A, 4 hours to full chargeUSB-C
Modes5 default modes (Spot, Ambient, Red, Reading, Combo)Spotlight, Floodlight, S+F, Red
MaterialPolycarbonate, SiliconeAluminum
LED Type—Spotlight (1*Luminus SFT40), Floodlight (6*CSP1919), Red (3*HFL1-R)
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