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Fed up of feeling like you’re risking your life by cycling almost unseen through these dark early winter hours to work? You can never spend too much on safety – but the truth is, you don’t have to blow your whole budget, either.
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Clip-on LED bike lights are just as easy to mount on to your bike as they are effective at keeping you seen, and won’t cost an arm and a leg, either.
We’ve picked out three of our favourites at unmissable, cheap prices below, so you can save your hard-earned cash and feel more visible than ever before on the roads:
Why LED Lights Are Best for Cycling
- Hugely increase your visibility to other road users; more so than most other lights.
- Many will provide a rapid flashing function, to make others particularly aware that the light is coming from your bike and not elsewhere.
- Most will also offer various settings of light – so that, for instance, you can dim them in built-up areas to avoid dazzling drivers and save battery power all the while.
- Reliable, energy-efficient, and a long shelf life to boot.
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Top 3: USB Bike Light Sets under £30
Best Clip-On Bike Lights
1. Knog Plus Twin Clip-On Bike Lights (£31.24)
Best commuter bike lights for beginners
- Extremely light and easy to carry – can clip on to a bag, etc.
- One of the best bike light brands
- Can attach to just about anywhere, not only your bike frame
For a brand you can rely on, look no further than this pair of Knog bike lights, which offers five lighting modes and 40 and 20 lumens on the front and rear lights respectively.
At just 12 grams, it’s also extremely lightweight, while these bike lights clip on to your frame easily thanks to the mounting straps that are included in your delivery.
Although if you need something a little more noticeable, check out our review of another Knog product – their particularly bright R70 taillight.
Brightest Clip-On Lights under £20
2. OCCOPA Rechargeable LED Bike Light Set (Price not available)
A long-lasting, super-bright light for all bicycles
- 520mAh battery with up to 10-hour runtime
- 1200-Lumen brightness
- 3 light modes
With a runtime of eight hours on even the highest of their three light settings, this OCOOPA light was built to last for the longest of bike rides.
Rechargeable via a USB port, it not only eliminates the need for batteries, but takes only two hours to fully charge up again. Plus, there’s a free taillight with an ultra-bright LED included.
If that wasn’t enough, it’s durable, lightweight, water-resistant, and easy to install within seconds with no tools required.
Best Cheap Bike Lights Set
3. Ascher Rechargeable LED Bike Lights (Price not available)
A great multi-function headlight and taillight combination
- USB-rechargeable
- 4 light modes
- Easy installation
Another USB-rechargeable LED with four lighting modes (including flashing), the headlight and taillight are both tailored to an easy installation and tight fit, on both the handlebar and under your bike seat.
Don’t feel you’re limited to just using these for cycling, either. These Ascher lights are just as ideal for plenty of other outdoor activities, including hiking and camping, or even as an emergency flashlight.
And they also boast an IPX4 waterproof rating, meaning they’ll offer solid protection against water splashing on you from any angle.
- ✔ADVANCED DESIGN: USB rechargeable front and back light, built in 2000mAh rechargeable lithium battery for Headlight and built in 330mAh rechargeable lithium battery for Taillight. Waterproof rated...
- ✔FOUR LIGHT MODE OPTIONS: The Headlight and Taillight feature an one-touch switch with four different lighting modes depending on your preference. Include full brightness, half brightness, fast...
- ✔EASY INSTALLATION: The Headlight is equipped with a mounting bracket that can be easily fixed to the handlebar. The silicone mount strap for Taillight is designed with four openings that tightly...
Budget Bicycle Lights – FAQs
Where to attach bike lights?
On the front of your bike, the centre of your handlebars is the ideal place to fit your headlight. That said, you can always place it lower down if, for instance, that space is already taken by reflectors.
As for the taillight, you’re not so spoilt for choice; the only real place to fit a rear light is right underneath your saddle.
How bright should bike lights be?
Play to the conditions. Going too bright in certain environments is unnecessary and will not only waste your LED’s battery, but could potentially dazzle other drivers or passers-by.
As a general rule:
- To be seen in daylight: 100+ Lumens
- To be seen in urban areas: 50 – 200 Lumens
- To see far ahead of you: 400 – 600 Lumens
- To clearly see everything around you: 600+ Lumens
How to choose bike lights?
Again, the best value bike lights for you will depend on what you’ll need them for. If you just need a little extra boost of light during those winter rides to work, you’ll find that LED commuter lights don’t need to be glaringly bright.
But if you’re a more adventurous, intrepid cyclist who won’t always be riding along built-up areas or well-lit roads, you’ll probably find yourself looking for a light with a bit more oomph.
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