Equipment / lighting
Top 5 caving headlamps
Top 5 caving headlamps based on the comparison: practical strengths, field limits, and recommendations by profile and use case.
Selection method
This top 5 follows the highest-ranked models in the global comparison, then filters them through the same field-oriented criteria used on SpeleoDocs: wet-use reliability, regulation stability, real ergonomics, and total ownership cost.
Full multi-brand comparison
To filter all models, compare detailed scores, and adjust the choice by profile, open the full interactive comparison.
Open full comparisonCurrent top 5 (comparison-based)
| Rank | Model | Score | Field strengths | Field limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argolamp 2.0 | ~4.2/5 | Clear caving/immersion focus, field-oriented controls, high energy reserve. | Premium pricing, narrower distribution, fewer recent independent reports than mainstream brands. |
| 2 | Stoots Yeti | ~4.0/5 | Compact format, strong waterproofing level, practical caving use in progression. | Total system cost can rise quickly, paddle switch not ideal with muddy/thick gloves in some feedback. |
| 3 | Phaethon Dual | ~4.0/5 | Fine beam control, clear diving/caving orientation, advanced customization. | Lower availability in France, possible lead times, handling requires adaptation. |
| 4 | Meandre Prowide 4.5 | ~3.8/5 | Highly specialized caving/diving product, reliability often rated positively in available feedback. | High entry price, lower volume of public reports than large-distribution brands. |
| 5 | Scurion 1500 Speleo | ~3.7/5 | Long-term reliability frequently cited, appreciated beam uniformity, well-documented maintenance. | Very high total cost (purchase + energy), heavier setup depending on chosen battery configuration. |
See more models and full ranking
At equal score, ranking is weighted by reliability and total ownership cost. Petzl DUO RL is also around ~3.7/5 in the main comparison.
Recommendations by profile
| Profile | Short recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner (budget / simple) | Armytek Wizard or Sofirn HS20 | Lower entry cost, straightforward use for club trips, practical starting compromise. |
| Intermediate (club / progression) | Stoots Yeti | Strong balance between compactness, useful output and waterproofing for regular practice. |
| Advanced / exploration (long / committed / equipment) | Argolamp 2.0, Scurion 1500, Meandre Prowide 4.5 | Runtime and robustness are better aligned with long-duration and high-constraint technical trips. |
| Cave-diving | Phaethon Dual or Argolamp 2.0 | Explicit immersion orientation and interfaces more suitable for glove use. |
By trip type
- Frequent club outings: prioritize reliability, simple maintenance, and controlled ownership cost.
- Committed exploration: prioritize robustness, sealing, and lighting redundancy.
- Fast progression / large volumes: prefer versatile beams with stable regulation.
- Immersion use: keep to explicitly diving-oriented systems and validate full setup (lamp + connectors + battery).