Petzl
Petzl Actik Core
$87.95
Best Headlamps · head-to-head
Petzl Actik Core vs BioLite Range 500
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. BioLite Range 500 is cheaper at $69.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
BioLite
BioLite Range 500
$69.95Cheaper
Released 2025
Which is better: the Petzl Actik Core or BioLite Range 500?
The BioLite Range 500 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The BioLite Range 500 is the cheaper at $69.95. The BioLite Range 500 both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Petzl Actik Core | BioLite Range 500 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $87.95 | $69.95 |
| Brand | Petzl | BioLite |
| Released | — | 2025 |
| Max lumens | 625 | 500 |
| Max beam distance meters | 115 | 100 |
| Runtime max hrs | 100 | 200 |
| Weight grams | 88 | 75 |
| Battery type | hybrid | built-in-li-ion |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 1250 | 1634 |
| Recharge port | usb-c | usb-c |
| Waterproof rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Red light | Yes | Yes |
| Reactive lighting | No | No |
| Beam type | mixed | mixed |
Sources — Petzl Actik Core: petzl.com (verified 2026-07-11). BioLite Range 500: bioliteenergy.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the Petzl Actik Core and BioLite Range 500?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- Max lumens: Petzl Actik Core 625 vs BioLite Range 500 500
- Max beam distance meters: Petzl Actik Core 115 vs BioLite Range 500 100
- Runtime max hrs: Petzl Actik Core 100 vs BioLite Range 500 200
- Weight grams: Petzl Actik Core 88 vs BioLite Range 500 75
- Battery type: Petzl Actik Core hybrid vs BioLite Range 500 built-in-li-ion
- Battery capacity (mAh): Petzl Actik Core 1250 vs BioLite Range 500 1634
- Waterproof rating: Petzl Actik Core IPX4 vs BioLite Range 500 IP67
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Petzl Actik Core
Two whitelisted hands-on testers (CleverHiker, Switchback Travel) rank the 625-lumen Petzl Actik Core a top all-around headlamp: bright, reliable, with a swappable USB-C rechargeable Core battery or three AAAs and long, dependable burn time. Both flag its IPX4 splash-only rating against IP67/IPX8 competitors. Comfort and bulk are contested between the two. Neither published lab-measured output or runtime, so there is no measured data. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Bright and reliable performance; Battery versatility with dependable long burn time — swappable USB-C rechargeable Core battery or three AAAs; USB-C rechargeable Core battery and strong all-around value and versatility.
Flagged: Only IPX4 splash resistance — not fully waterproof compared with IP67/IPX8 competitors; At 3.1 oz it is not the lightest — heavy for trail running or ultralight use; Battery compartment historically stiff and hard to open (CleverHiker notes it is improved on the latest model).
BioLite Range 500
No sourced tester review yet.