Rechargeable spotlights put to the test: A comparison of charging times and runtime
Matthias Borchers
· 23.09.2026
In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
It’s not just the maximum brightness that determines whether a rechargeable torch is suitable for a post-work ride. Anyone who regularly cycles at dusk or in the dark wants to know: will the battery last for the planned ride, and will the headlamp be fully charged again before the next ride? We answer precisely this practical question by looking at the ratio of runtime to charging time.
In the A detailed comparison of seven battery-powered spotlights for aircraft cockpits The focus was also on the photo, operation, build quality and secure fitting to the front mount. Here, we take a closer look at the battery life.
The seven test participants
- Amazon LF 36 bike light set review: An affordable front light for aero handlebars
- Busch + Müller Ixon Rock review: StVZO-compliant lights for aero cockpits
- Cateye GVolt 80.1 review: Powerful StVZO-compliant light for aero cockpits
- Lezyne Macro 500+ Front Reverse review: StVZO-compliant lights for aero cockpits
- Lupine SL Grano F review: Test winner with high beam for fast night-time cycling
- Sigma Aura 100 review: StVZO-compliant headlamp with a powerful beam pattern for aero cockpits
- Trelock Lighthammer 100 review: A powerful light set with a practical aero mount
All seven individual tests are available on BIKE live and form part of the same comparative test of battery-powered headlights for road and gravel bike aero cockpits. (bike-magazin.de)
How we assess charging time and battery life
To calculate the time balance, we divide the measured light duration by the charging time. A value of 1.0 This means: The lamp provides exactly the same amount of light time as it takes to fully charge it from the mains. Values above 1.0 are particularly useful for anyone who has little time to recharge between two trips.
| Model | Charging time | Burn time | Time balance |
| Busch & Müller Ixon Rock | 2 hours 50 mins | 3 hours 10 mins | 1.12 |
| Amazon LF 36 Bicycle Light Set | 2 hours 20 mins | 2 hours 24 minutes | 1.03 |
| Lezyne Macro 500+ Front Reverse | 4:00 hrs | 3 hours 15 mins | 0.81 |
| Sigma Aura 100 | 3 hours 20 mins | 2 hours 40 mins | 0.80 |
| Trelock Lighthammer 100 | 4 hours 40 mins | 3 hours 35 mins | 0.77 |
| Cateye GVolt 80.1 | 4 hours 10 mins | 3 hours 5 minutes | 0.74 |
| Lupine SL Grano F Silver Edition | 3 hours 30 mins | 2 hours 35 minutes | 0.74 |
Busch & Müller Ixon Rock: The best balance between the mains and the road
The Busch & Müller Ixon Rock delivers the most impressive battery life in the test. After 2 hours and 50 minutes on the charger, it provides 3 hours and 10 minutes of light. This corresponds to a ratio of 1.12. In other words, one hour of charging theoretically provides around 67 minutes of light.
For regular evening rides, this is an impressive result. The Ixon Rock combines a comparatively short charging time with a battery life that can last even for longer training rides. In the overall rankings, the model shares second place with a BIKE score of 2.0.
Amazon set: Back up and running quickly, but with a small reserve
That’s the quickest way Amazon LF 36 Bicycle Light Set Fully recharged. After 2 hours and 20 minutes, the torch is ready for use again; the measured burn time is 2 hours and 24 minutes. With a ratio of 1.03, this model also delivers more burn time than charging time.
This is ideal for short, regular commutes or compact evening rides. However, for longer rides away from well-lit roads, the battery life of less than two and a half hours remains limited.
Trelock Lighthammer 100: The best endurance in the test
The longest recorded duration of luminescence is achieved by the Trelock Lighthammer 100: 3 hours 35 minutes on the highest setting. For long evening runs, this offers the greatest battery life of any model in the test.
The downside is when it comes to plugging it in. At 4 hours and 40 minutes, the Trelock model takes the longest to fully charge. Anyone who charges the light overnight or at the office will find this perfectly acceptable. For spontaneous rides with a short charging break, the Ixon Rock is the more efficient choice.
Battery life alone is not enough to influence a purchasing decision
The time taken is an important factor, but it is no substitute for assessing the beam pattern and mounting. Particularly on fast road cycling and gravel rides, the headlamp must illuminate the immediate area, the road surface and the verges evenly. Equally crucial is a mount that does not slip on rough tarmac.
The overall winner of the Aero Cockpit comparison is therefore the Lupine SL Grano F Silver Edition. It scores top marks for its light pattern, build quality and mounting, but costs considerably more than most of its competitors.
BIKE’s verdict: The right light depends on your everyday life
The Busch & Müller Ixon Rock offers the best combination of charging time and burn time. The Amazon LF 36 Bike Light Set This is the tip for anyone who wants to get their headlamp back up and running as quickly as possible. If you’re looking for maximum endurance for long night-time rides, you’ll find it in the Trelock Lighthammer 100 the longest light reserve.
Regardless of the model, the following applies: a headlamp must be adjusted so that it does not dazzle other road users.
Matthias Borchers
Editor