Lowe’s launched a new Kobalt LED headlamp, and I can’t get over how weird it looks.
They took an LED light strip, added a headband, a rechargeable battery, and single button control.
The new Kobalt LED headlamp delivers up to 400 lumens of illumination and is impact rated to 3m (~10ft). There are two brightness settings.
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It recharges via USB and is described as fitting over a hardhat.
According to the user manual, the battery is rated to 700mAh capacity, and it recharges via USB-C in about 2-3 hours with a 1A charger.
I’ve never seen a flexible light strip headlamp like this before, but apparently there are a bunch available on Amazon.
Light strips tend to emit diffuse light for close-up illumination, and that the strip curves around one’s head should provide floodlighting over a broader area.
What do you think, is this weird-good or not so much?
Price: $25
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James+C
I added some under cabinet lighting to our kids’ play kitchen. It’s just about 20 inches of LED strip. There’s no diffuser. I noticed it creates wild shadows from all the exposed individual LEDs.
I have a feeling this headlamp will create some extremely annoying shadow effects, especially up close. Although if you’re a child you probably won’t notice.
jorhay
I have a similar headlamp I got from Amazon after seeing it on BoingBoing years ago. It’s great for casting a wide area of light so that you can look around an area without turning your head. It doesn’t put out a ton of light, it’s like a low power flood light instead of a high power spot light.
MichaelT
I bought a 3 pack of these off Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMLLJ699/) for $20. I have found them very useful especially for working in an attic, outdoor automotive work, and under sink cabinet work. They are not shadow inducing and appreciate the more generalized lighting especially in peripheral area. Especially for for car work in the driveway, I find my eyes adjust a lot easier moving in and out from under the car and I find it easier to see under the hood where bright sun has my pupils very contracted. In these use cases, I find more focused light distracting.
I will say the motion sensing switch on the side is a little gimmicky as it is easily triggered by close objects (support braces, fender wells, cabinet edges…)
Matt
I have these also, and it is superior to the light from Lowe’s which in my observation is old technology.
David Z
I agree. The linked lights use COB lights. It’s essentially one long light and won’t create multiple shadows as mentioned earlier. Mine are fairly bright, but so much that they overwhelm when working up close.
Travis Riggs
I have the same one and I love it. Very lightweight and great light overall. I gave a few away as gifts and people seem to use them frequently. I have used them for working underneath equipment, in craw spaces and even when walking the dog. Super handy.
Rob GMann
I bought something very similar on one of the Chinese shopping sites for a few bucks. I wanted to see if it was useful or just a gimmick. So far, I’ve been happy with the weight and the light it puts out. I have not experienced weird shadows or other annoying issues with it. The strap on the Kobalt one pictured above looks like it has more a comfortable strap and better weight balance. Not sure I’d shell out $25, but it’s not a hard immediate no.
JR Ramos
I’ve never been persuaded to buy one of these (they’ve been around quite some time and the innards and quality haven’t really changed much)…I have seen a couple of them, though. The 400 lumens is entirely calculated and not measured (normal for mass market lights). That flexible vinyl robs a LOT of light output compared to high quality acrylic or polycarbonate (which can almost rival good glass these days). Additionally, in that “mule” configuration it just spreads everything out to the point that even an honest 400 lumens will seem more like 100 lumens in use…which is about what I would have guessed these as. Seems like a ridiculously long charging time for such a small battery but maybe they’ve applied NiMH charging rates to lithium in the interest of longer life or fewer problems with cheap pouch cells. USB-C is what everyone clamors for now, so it’s good that they used it…good to see the wider market finally adopting it over the last couple years, too.
Two other notes. I don’t know if the Kobalt is improved here, but apparently some of these can allow moisture in the strip pretty easily and I’ve seen photos of one that was just obliterated by nothing more than the guy’s heavy forehead sweat. Also, since these are best used in smaller spaces, consider whether or not that blob of a battery on the back of your head will be a disadvantage or not…under a sink or in a crawlspace where you might want to set your noggin down while drilling or wrenching, it might be better to use a different task light or a headlamp with all the stuff up front.
I’d pass on this one…can get much nicer for the same or just a few bucks more, or you can get the same for quite a bit less. Amazon prices are still ridiculous so if you don’t mind ordering from overseas (and or tracking town the ubiquitous high discount coupons/codes from many sellers) you can often get these same items for 30% to 50% less if you don’t mind waiting a couple weeks and aren’t depending upon returns or warranty to be easy.
David Z
Regard8ng 100 vs 400 lumens, the wider, 100 lumen-like output is exactly what you’d want when working 2 feet in front of you, in my opinion. The lights someone linked to earlier have the battery on the side, which to me is preferable both for ease of access and being able to lay your head back. The Amazon prices on those COB lights aren’t high, either.
Nathan
The multi points of light I could see helping up close
Nate F
I’ve had a few versions from a few manufactures. The first version I had took (3) AAA batteries. I’ve bought a few rechargeable versions since. They were all about half this price and appear to be the same build other than the battery pack and branding.
I do controls engineering and I’m typically looking in control panels at close range and they work excellent distributing light evenly over your work. I keep one on each of my hardhats and they work great at close range. I always carry an inspection light in my pocket if I need to look at anything further away.
I print these clips to hold my lights on my hardhat.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2881374
Chris
Bought this one in June of 2022 for $9 and still going strong. Very similar design, just outdated with the micro usb port for charging. I prefer it in low light work areas to my high power spot headlamps when I’m framing and such where an even light pattern is preferred.
It also makes a great sweatband…
It does have a diffuser unlike this Kobalt which may make the energizer more preferable.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09N5QHX7M
Jared
Not what I would pick – but I never much like strap headlamps like these. I’d rather use a flashlight with a two-way clip on a ballcap (but that does mean you need a ballcap too), or a right-angle light clipped to my shirt.
I both find the head straps uncomfortable and I have lots of small lights anyway.
Scott K
It looks odd. I wonder how well it stays in place if the majority of the weight is in the back – seems like it may continually make the light point upwards. I have an old petzl headlamp that works great. I’d replace it with a newer version or one from black diamond when the time comes.
Bonnie
I had something near identical as a lighted cuff when I used to bike to work. Also seem them as lighted dog collars.
Scott F
Never seen these, but I would like one for working on vehicles in the garage and outside. My garage has poor overhead lighting so I always have something extra on – either my Milwaukee headlamp, i3e in my mouth, or Milwaukee rocket light if working under hood. The Milwaukee headlamp works fine, but I think the wide flood of this style would be more appropriate, and I don’t love covering my Milwaukee in a bunch of oil and grease (too late).
It’s not worth $25 to me, but somewhere between $10-15 for something that’s not a piece of junk would be in range. Based on some of the other comments it seems like the Kobalt is bordering on piece of junk.
Koko The Talking Ape
Yeah, these have been around for a while.
I’d consider one. Having a wider field of view is a Good Thing ™. I don’t care if the light doesn’t go very far.
My only concern, besides durability, water resistance, etc., is whether I might irritate or blind the people near me. That’s easier to avoid with more directional headlamps.
Koko The Talking Ape
I just looked at the Lowe’s product page, and I noticed two things which make this one stand out a little.
One is that, according to one reviewer, the light strip is detachable from the headband. It’s attached with velcro. The reviewer says it’s handy for hanging up the light strip somewhere to act as a lamp, though I don’t know why you couldn’t just leave it on the headband for that.
The other is that it has a “Ix rating for water and dust resistance.” That’s an “I” as in “I don’t know what that means,” not an L or a 1. Any idea what that means, Stuart?
Bob
Typo, in the video it says IPX4.
BigTimeTommy
I’ve had a cheap white label version for a while, very handy. No complaints, no weird shadows or anything. Probably not for people who have a “special obsession” with flashlights.
Jim Felt
I bought a bunch of the original versions of these a year or two ago. Probably from Amazon but in response to direct online seller’s ads. Maybe $20 for a two pack?
I’ve seldom used them but have gifted a bunch and everyone seems to think they’re great.
Most seem to like the hand wave on-off switch and like me only use the center cyclops LED band. The right side spot light is okay but I’ve simply not found a use for it.
Kobalt, as usual, is “a day late and a dollar short” as my dad used to say…
Mich
I have the light bar head light that is almost the same design works good for working close to your body. In crawl spaces or inside cabinets or attics
carl
I have a pair of similarish lights I got off amazon (they also have a nigh-useless spotlight on the side of the band). I’ve got plenty of nice flashlights and headlamps and I these cheapies put out a nice even broad lighting that is actually quite nice in some situations.
DC
Looks like something out of a Harbor Freight ad.
Jody
Have these and their other glassss lights.
They work surprisingly well, mainly used for overwork, crawlspaces and exterior flower gardening.
Battery is decent, could be better. Would purchase again though
Mr. C
Yeah — this is something rather “different”….and without being able to test it in person, I’m hesitant to suggest this over something that I -have- used.
What do I recommend, from personal use?
Zebralight h604d.
It’s an up-to-1600 lumen headlamp with one shining feature — 120 degree fill/flood high CRI light with zero hotspot. It’s an absolute DELIGHT (heehee, pun intended) for closeup work.
The biggest con? It’s decimating to anyone’s retinas if they’re trying to look at your face. Or in your general direction.
Is it cheap at $89? No, not at all. But to be fair, it’s in line with most top-end premium camping headlamps.
Do you need to buy special flat-top 18650 batteries and a charger for them? Yup. I’d suggest getting the ones recommended by the manufacturer, with either a Nitecore or Xtar branded charger (two respected brands in the field). Some of those chargers are 2x or 4x bays and can also charge Eneloop (rechargeable) AA/AAA batteries too. And many of them run off a USB-C connection, so most existing cabling and phone/laptop power bricks you have will probably work (for minimum charge rates at least, low and slow is ideal).
It’s one of those headlamps that’s buy once, cry once. And I legit haven’t found anything better after years of looking, at any price point. Most headlamps are these LED strips or a singular hotspot with a modest fill.
Robert Adkins
Nothing beats 18650 batteries, I won’t buy any light that uses anything else.
MikeK
I prefer my olight perun. Has multiple levels and a comfortable head strap.
Robert Adkins
I have a very nice headlight, very compact yet takes an 18650 battery. Puts out ~1000 lm. If I set it to high, I can only use it about 6-8 minutes before it gets so hot it almost tattoos my forehead. So I have to use it on medium, low, or extra low. The Lowes band light may get hot on the forehead even through a bandana or cap, thus the hard hat recommendation.
nigeldh
Lightbar has offered LED strip headlamps for some time – https://www.lightbarheadlamp.com. Lightbar has white and red LED options. They have exchangeable battery packs including a 3 – AAA battery pack. They offer a belt / waist mount accessory. A translucent stuff sack accessory so the Lightbar becomes a soft area light. For pets they offer Lightbark.
LED strip headlamps are great for near area illumination – instead of a point source LED. When working around people it is best to hang the LED headlamp around your neck – so you don’t blind folks when looking at them. An LED strip headlamp is great for this – much broader area illumination.
SteveP
I have a similar but better (IMO) one bought online a few years back. Good enough that I ordered several more
Mine has a broad forehead band with diffuser and two power settings. Then there is a side single LED “spot” with a red spot option. The switch has a “wave” setting that turns the lamp on and off by simply waving your hand past the side lamp/switch assembly. USB C recharging – about $25