Ledlenser
Ledlenser HF8R Core (2023, 1600 lumens boost)
- Brightness: 9/10 How much light it gives at full power, for finding your way in the dark.
- Runtime: 9/10 How long one charge or set of batteries lasts at a level you can walk and cook by.
- Weight: 1/10 How much it adds to your pack and your head.
Winter and mountain use where a very bright lamp that adjusts itself matters more than weight
- Brightness
- 900 lumens (FL1)
- Runtime
- 10 h at 300 lumens
- Weight
- 194 g
- Power
- Rechargeable
- Water rating
- IPX8
Where to buy
Ledlenser UK £103.95 In stock. Free delivery. Standard delivery (Royal Mail) from £2.99 under £75, free over £75, up to 5 working days (shipping page). Free UK returns. On sale: 20% off its regular £129.95. The 2024 reviews quote £119.95 and £120.
View at shop: Ledlenser UKUltralight Outdoor Gear £119.99 In stock. Free delivery.
View at shop: Ultralight Outdoor GearPrices checked 8 Nov 2026 on each shop's own page; shops can change them. We earn no commission on these links; shops are listed by price. More
Our ratings (out of 10)
1 to 10, compared with the whole market. Each says what it's based on. How we score
Brightness
From maker's figures 9/10How much light it gives at full power, for finding your way in the dark. 9: Among the best you can buy for this.
Ledlenser gives 900 lumens in Standard Power mode (3.5 hours), and its UK FAQ says it measures its lights to ANSI/FL1 (the product page doesn't repeat it): the 800+ band. The 1,600-lumen boost is a short burst (Live for the Outdoors says 10 seconds) and is not counted.
Runtime
From maker's figures 9/10How long one charge or set of batteries lasts at a level you can walk and cook by. 9: Among the best you can buy for this.
The 300-lumen Mid Power mode runs 10 hours (Ledlenser's figure), in the 10 h and over band. The 900-lumen mode lasts 3.5 hours; the 20-lumen low mode runs 90 hours but is under 80 lumens, so it doesn't count.
Weight
From maker's figures 1/10How much it adds to your pack and your head. 1: A real weak point.
Ledlenser lists 194 g including the battery, in the 150 g and over band (Ultralight Outdoor Gear gives 192 g, the same band).
In short
Good for
- Winter and mountain use where a very bright lamp that adjusts itself matters more than weight
- Wet UK trips and caving: IP68 handles 1.5 m of water for 30 minutes
- Looking far ahead: a 200 m beam at 900 lumens (Ledlenser's figure)
Strengths
- 900 lumens for 3.5 hours and 300 lumens for 10 hours (Ledlenser's figures)
- Adaptive Light Beam dims and focuses by itself as you look near or far (both reviewers: works very well)
- Digital focus wheel from spot to flood, and a front red light
- IP68, a 2 m drop test and an aluminium body
- Magnetic charging inside the housing; 7-year warranty with online registration
Weaknesses
- 194 g with the weight at the front: both reviewers needed the over-head strap
- Magnetic charging cable only: you must carry Ledlenser's own cable
- The 1,600-lumen boost is a short burst: the lamp holds 900 lumens for 3.5 hours
- Controls take getting used to (Live for the Outdoors)
- Comfort and beam are estimates, not reviewed scores: only two reviews found
Sources
We haven't tested this ourselves. Every score comes from these specs, tests and reviews.
ShowHide sources (4)
- Ledlenser UK: HF8R CORE Rechargeable Head Torch 2023, 1600 Lumens (specifications, item 502801)
- Ledlenser UK: FAQ (how Ledlenser measures and reports its lighting specifications)
- The Great Outdoors: Ledlenser HF8R Core review (Chris Townsend, night walks and camping in the Cairngorms)
- Live for the Outdoors: Ledlenser HF8R Core tested and reviewed (Snowdonia hills and mine workings)