BioLite Dash 450 headlamp review

As I've said already, we loved both the BioLite 425 and, before that, the BioLite 330, so we were excited to test run the new BioLite Dash.

For this review, I took the BioLite Dash on a five-day trekking expedition in China, where the sun set just before 6 pm. I was able to get a lot of use out of it when navigating the dark Hutons of Beijing, to safely traversing the rocky mountainous terrain around my guest house at night.

Taking something new on your travels is always a risk but given our previous experience with BioLite, I knew it wouldn't let me down.

Read on for my thoughts but this headlamp will definitely be making its way into our best headlamps buying guide.

BioLite Dash 450 Headlamp Review

BioLite Dash 450 Headlamp: Design

★★★★ 1/2

• Available in three colorways
• Lightweight design
• Low-profile lamp

On first glance, the Dash 450 looks just like the 425 but there are some subtle differences. The profile of the lamp is smaller — at just 10 mm, it doesn't protrude from the head as much and it's easy to forget you're wearing it. The snug fit means bounce is reduced. This is especially convenient for runners or fast hikers.

Because the battery sits at the back of the head, the lamp is much more likely to stay put. It is less likely that the lamp will slide off your forehead as you adjust your astronomy or astrophotography equipment.

Obviously, the smaller the package, the more travel-friendly things become. The Dash 450 weighs just 2.75 oz / 78 g — much lighter than several models in our existing best headlamps guide. Because it has a locking function, you can throw it in your backpack worry-free.

The moisture-wicking headband features much more reflective material than the previous iteration, which is great for being spotted in the dark by other walkers, cyclists and motor vehicle drivers.

Three colorways are available: Ocean Teal (our review sample), Midnight Grey and Ember Fade.

BioLite Dash 450 Headlamp: Performance

★★★★

• Comfortable to wear
• One-button operation
• Reserve mode is handy

I'll start with a low point: On full power, the battery only lasts for three hours. The 450 lumens are thrown 90 m, which is a lot and you're unlikely to need this for more than three hours so I understand. The burn time of the lowest 5-lumen setting, with a distance of 15 m, is 60 hours.

Each lighting mode (spot, flood, spot and flood, red flood and strobe) can be made dimmer or brighter by long pressing the single operation button. The articulating front lamp allows you to either light up the floor immediately in front of you, point the beam at a 90-degree angle from your face and anywhere in between. Adjusting it to suit your lighting needs becomes second nature.

BioLite Dash 450 Headlamp: Functionality

★★★★★

• Charges using USB-C
• IPX4 Water resistance
• The rear red light is helpful in group situations

USB-C charging, hurrah! Unfortunately, some major brands still use micro-USB charging. On my recent trip, I was happy to only have to carry one USB-C charging cable, not having to remember different cables for different devices. You can also charge the headlamp while it is in use. Aside from being able to do things like read in your tent as it charges, you could also use this functionality in the field by running a charging cable from the lamp to a portable power bank in your pocket or backpack.

The rear red light is helpful for group situations, whether a skywatching party or a group run. It lets nearby people see you're there without dazzling or ruining their night vision. I've used it on my bike helmet on a couple of occasions for increased visibility for vehicles approaching from behind.

The Dash 450 has an IPX4 waterproof and dustproof rating. It is resistant to light rain, sweat and humidity but it will not stand being submerged — very few headlamps would (one example that can be submerged is the Knog Bilby).

Unlike the Petzl Tikka Core, which we recently reviewed, the downside to a built-in battery is that you can't carry spares. If you're likely to need more power when you're out and about, you either need to carry a portable power bank with you or take a spare headtorch.

Should I buy the BioLite Dash 450 Headlamp?

This is a great grab-and-go headlamp with a beam that stretches far enough and is plenty bright enough for most adventures, especially fast-paced ones.

If you want to be able to change the battery on the move, I'd recommend the Petzl Tikka Core (or the Petzl Actik Core). With this headlamp, you can swap the 'Core' battery for another one or use three AAA/LR03 batteries instead.

If you need something with a higher waterproof rating, you can't go far wrong with the Black Diamond Storm 400. We're reviewing this as we speak, so we'll update you with our thoughts. It takes 4 AA batteries and has a green light that helps show details on maps and star charts but the downside is that it is quite heavy. Avoid it if you're a runner but go for it if you're into caving, fishing or simply enjoy nighttime wanders in the rain!

I also recommend the Nitecore NU31. Like the Dash 450, it has a comfortable, reflective headband and USB-C charging. It has an impressive waterproof rating of IP66 which means it's protected from powerful water jets from all angles.