Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp Review

Bottom line

The Black Diamond Spot 400-R is a fantastic headlamp for most people and activities at a great price. General night hikers and campers will love this headlamp and need to look no further. While we wouldn’t consider the Spot 400-R a specialty headlamp—for night climbing, marathon running, or mountaineering—it’s a well-rounded, adequately bright option that’s easy to use and comfortable, making it an ideal choice for most users. It’s also rechargeable, which is a huge plus.

We did notice some stretching of the strap over time, and the overall light quality can be a bit harsh, especially when set to its brightest setting. However, these minor issues can be easily compensated for or ignored. 

We tested the Black Diamond Spot 400-R over six weeks, across seven different states, and through a wide range of activities, including hiking, running, biking, general camp use, and even an impromptu moonlight paddleboarding session, to ensure we thoroughly understood its intricacies. While you won’t regret having this headlamp in your toolkit, explore our other contenders in our guide to the best headlamps.

Illumination & Light Quality

At 400 lumens, the Spot 400-R is on the lower end of the headlamps we tested, making it less suitable for specialty activities like rock climbing, night skiing, or mountaineering. However, it’s bright enough for less high-stakes activities like night hiking. We noticed repeatedly that when you cycle the Spot 400-R to its brightest setting, the light quality tends to be a bit harsh, sometimes to the point of hurting our eyes in certain situations. Additionally, the beam of the Spot 400-R is more of a spotlight, true to its name. While the beam isn’t particularly wide, the overall throw of the light is quite impressive.

Burn Time

With a burn time of 2.5/4 hours on high, 5/8 hours on medium, and 200/225 hours on low, we found the overall burn time and battery life to be more than adequate. The battery life ranks among the best of all the headlamps we tested, especially considering that this version of the Spot 400 is rechargeable. Throughout our testing, we rarely found the need to use the headlamp at full power. For casual night hiking, camping, or just going for a walk, the intensity provided by the full 400-lumen power is seldom necessary.

Weight

Weighing in at just 2.6 ounces, the Black Diamond Spot 400-R is light enough for everyday use. While measured weight alone doesn’t always tell the whole story, the Spot 400-R feels incredibly light when wearing it. This headlamp’s design ensures it won’t weigh you down, even during extended activities. Whether hiking all night or simply using it for a quick evening walk, the Spot 400-R is so lightweight that you might forget it’s there. Its minimal weight and overall slim profile make it a perfect choice for anyone looking for a headlamp that won’t add unnecessary bulk to their gear.

Comfort

We found the Spot 400-R quite comfortable, thanks to its soft strap that strikes a nice balance—not too thick and not too thin. Unlike the ultralight cord-style straps common on many specialty headlamps, the Spot 400-R’s strap feels more substantial and supportive. It’s also more slim than we see on most traditional headlamps. It’s well-suited for long-term, all-night use. Although two small plastic pieces inevitably touch your forehead, most skin contact is with the soft strap, which minimizes any discomfort. The lightweight design also plays a significant role in comfort, as the Spot 400-R is light enough to prevent fatigue during extended use. Overall, we found this headlamp exceptionally comfortable, making it a solid choice for those who want reliable performance without sacrificing comfort.

Ease of Use

Overall, the Spot 400-R is more complicated than some of the other headlamps we tested this year. It features two buttons and Black Diamond’s “PowerTouch” area on the side, instantly switching the headlamp to its brightest setting, regardless of the mode you’re in. This feature came in handy when we unexpectedly encountered a black bear rummaging through a campground trash can in the middle of the night. One downside of the PowerTouch feature is that it is a little sensitive. We accidentally activated it more often than we’d like, shedding more light on the situation than we intended.

Features

The Spot 400-R has all the features we want in a headlamp, including a one-touch dimmable light. It also features a mode selector button that switches the light from its normal spot to red light and a peripheral light function, which we love for hanging around camp. Additionally, the Spot 400-R has an emergency strobe function that is arguably too easy to activate by pressing the main power button once while the light is in spot mode.

The most unique feature of this headlamp is Black Diamond’s “PowerTap” functionality, which is an area on the side of the headlamp that instantly switches it to its brightest setting, perfect for when you need extra light quickly. Lastly, we appreciate that this headlamp is rechargeable. In this day and age, we believe all headlamps should transition to a rechargeable power source.

Should You Buy the Black Diamond Spot 400-R?

The Black Diamond Spot 400-R is reasonably priced and offers impressive value compared to its competitors. It provides everything most everyday hikers and campers need at a great price point. This headlamp delivers ample brightness in a convenient rechargeable package.

It’s lightweight, fully waterproof, easy to use, and comfortable to wear, making it a versatile choice for various outdoor activities. Whether hiking at night, setting up camp after dark, or needing reliable illumination on the trail, the Spot 400-R has you covered. You’ll be hard-pressed to find such a well-rounded product that balances performance, durability, and affordability so well. If you’re looking for a dependable headlamp that doesn’t break the bank, the Black Diamond Spot 400-R is an excellent choice.

What Other Headlamps Should You Consider?

If you like the Spot 400-R but want other options as well, check out these models or the rest of our lineup on the list of our favorite headlamps:

Black Diamond Spot 400 Review: If budget is a concern, you can opt for the Spot 400 – R’s non-rechargeable cousin, the Black Diamond Spot 400. For about 25% less, you can have a headlamp that offers the same quality and functionality but without the ability to recharge. You can always purchase the rechargeable battery separately to upgrade later. 

Petzl Actik CORE Review: Gear experts often recommend the Actik CORE, along with the Black Diamond Spot series. If you don’t mind the higher price point, the Actik CORE offers a higher lumen rating in a rechargeable package.