This is a great little light with a solid range of features. Despite its diminutive size, it can still put out up to 90 lumens - although only on the flashing setting. With a constant beam, that brightest setting is 25 lumens and a run time of only 4.5 hours. The Knog Mid Cobber has a few really nice features which make it stand out against the crowd - but it also has a few limitations which put it out of the running for ‘best overall’. Pretty much all modern cycle lights use LEDs rather than old-school bulbs, and such has been the advancement of technology, these can be blindingly bright. Since the Great British weather is famously unpredictable, it's best to invest in a good light set that can help guide you home when the heavens open. A light set with various modes will come in handy here; these will help you find the perfect amount of light for certain times, as well as helping to save the battery. As you can imagine, these are ideal for cycle routes that take you from brightly lit areas to dim country lanes, enabling you to set the correct amount of light for each situation. Reflectives and staying visible To do this we strap each of the lights to a bike (in turn), wait until it gets dark, and head out to an unlit country lane.

If you like to hit the road after work or on the weekend, it's best to get a light set that enables you to both see and be seen in all climates. This light is really the star performer on test - it’s the least expensive by quite a way, super bright and nicely designed. To augment their bike-mounted torch, many riders also opt for helmet-mounted lights. These can be very effective and have the added benefit of directing the light wherever you are looking. However, these should be in addition to those on the bike, and not your only source of illumination. The beam pattern and visibility for both lights are exceptional. The front throws out a good spread of light and in flashing mode easily lights up road signs for a few hundred metres ahead and the rear daybright mode is searingly bright. Both lights also have an extended lens that enables them to throw out a good level of side visibility, extending the safety levels. Generally, the more you shell out, the brighter your lights will be. You’ll also likely see more choice in terms of light modes – including steady lighting at various intensity levels and numerous flashing modes.

The best bike lights for 2022 are:

We send the most popular front bike lights and rear bike lights away with one of our researchers. He's a keen cyclist, veteran of multiple 100 mile rides, a 200 mile ride, and recently completed an Everesting (other cycling enthusiasts will understand that last reference). There are more innovative products appearing all the time, so do enjoy exploring the world of cycle lighting. Just remember, the basic rules haven’t changed: be safe, be seen. Of course, light power is an important part of your buying criteria, but don’t let that be the be-all and end-all. Beam shape and the effect of the light lens can make a huge difference — we’ve seen lights of supposedly lesser power trounce rivals when it comes to real-world performance. The front bike light should always be positioned as close to the centre of the bike's handlebars as possible. Make sure the light is attached tightly and securely so it won't budge as you roll over bumps in the road.

The lights have to be mounted on the bike centrally or to the offside, positioned up to 1.5m from the ground, and conform to British Safety or EC standards.As soon as daylight starts to fade, the law says you need to have a white front light and a red rear light on your bike, as well as reflectors. Sounds pretty simple, but there are so many different types of lights out there that knowing which one's best for you isn't always straightforward. To help you out, our light gurus have written this guide to bike lights. Types of lights We feel this is a more accurate weight, as you'll be carrying these attachments with you on the light when it isn't attached to your bike. The different types of front bike lights

Though the amount of power you'll need for your front light will vary depending upon where you're riding, no cyclist should be without an adequate rear bike light. Rear bike lights will usually emit around 30 lumens or more, and generally have several modes: steady light, flashing, or a combination between the two. All options are safe and legal, but a flashing mode will usually help to save battery life and attract more attention. It's worth looking at the quotes runtimes in different modes when selecting a light. What does UK law say about bike lights? Portland Design Works’ Lars Rover Power 850 is a solid light with some good features to it. But the competition is stiff and when there are better performers available for less - there’s only one way the recommendations are going to go. That said, if you come across a good discount, that could tip the balance in this light’s favour, depending on the level of performance you need from your lights.

Bike light FAQs

The Trace and TraceR lights are the smallest and most featherweight units Exposure produces and at first glance it's hard to imagine the sort of performance they are capable of. But just like David against Goliath, size isn't everything.