Best Headlamps Compared: ThruNite TH30 V2, Olight Perun 2, and Fenix HM50R

Introduction

A headlamp is one of those tools you only truly appreciate when it fails you. On a night ski a couple of hours in, it becomes obvious when a light is a little underpowered or when the runtime is not quite what you hoped. That moment is what prompted a closer look at the headlamps already in use around the homestead, plus two newer contenders, to find out which one deserves to be the everyday carry light.

The comparison covers three lights: the ThruNite TH30 V2, the Olight Perun 2, and the well-loved little Fenix HM50R. All three are second-generation designs, which is a good sign in itself, because it usually means the manufacturer has refined the awkward edges of the original.

What to Look For in a Serious Headlamp

Before picking a winner, it helps to define the criteria. High lumen numbers get all the attention, but they drain fast and are rarely what you actually need. The practical checklist looks like this:

1. On-board recharging, preferably USB-C, so the light can be topped up constantly and kept at the ready.
2. Battery swappability, so a standard disposable cell (like a pair of CR123s) can substitute for the rechargeable when needed.
3. An extremely low setting. Many headlamps bottom out at 5 lumens, and some only go as low as 30, which is far too bright for close-quarters work or inside a tent.
4. A setting that delivers roughly 8 hours of runtime, for true all-night use.
5. Easy operation with gloves on, without fiddly buttons or complex interactions.
6. A strong, full-range tilt mechanism, ideally able to rotate a full 360 degrees so the beam can point straight up to bounce ambient light off a ceiling, or almost straight down for close work like first aid.

That tilt detail matters more than most people expect. Many headlamps only tilt downward, and their little bouncy hinges are often the first thing to break.

ThruNite TH30 V2: The Overall Pick

The ThruNite TH30 V2 is the light that ended up checking every box, including a few that were not on the list. It runs on an 18650 rechargeable cell (a 3100 mAh unit in this case), can be swapped to standard CR123s if needed, and charges on-board via USB-C. With the battery included it weighs about 5.8 oz, a substantial but manageable figure, and it comes with a top strap that makes a real difference in stability once you get much above 4 oz.

Its standout feature is the firefly mode: a genuinely useful 1/3 of a lumen, dim enough to read by without blinding anyone or destroying your night vision. Many competitors only manage around 5 lumens on their lowest setting, and the newest generation of the old favorite Fenix dropped its lowest setting entirely.

The interface is simple and glove-friendly. It remembers its last setting, a long hold toggles through additional modes, and holding it down from off gets you that lowest setting instead of a full-blast surprise. A double click triggers turbo mode instantly, and a triple click gives you an SOS mode rather than a fairly useless strobe. A battery indicator shows blue for fully charged and red when it needs attention. Output peaks at 3320 lumens, and the beam tilts a full 360 degrees, so it can point straight up or almost straight down in front of your face.

For roughly $60 to $70, it is hard to argue with what the TH30 V2 delivers. It is the light that feels like a grown-up version of the small favorite described below, with more power, longer runtime, and better waterproofing while keeping the same simple cylinder-and-two-ends operation that works perfectly with gloves.

Olight Perun 2: Big Battery, Big Weight

The Olight Perun 2 is the other strong contender, and it brings some impressive numbers. It uses a larger 21700 battery rated at 4000 mAh, roughly a third more capacity than the ThruNite’s cell, which is appealing for people who want maximum runtime between charges.

The trade-offs are weight and bulk. Measured with the battery installed, it comes in at over 7 oz, a big chunk of mass bouncing around on your forehead compared to the TH30 V2’s 5.8 oz. Its maximum output is also lower than the ThruNite’s despite the bigger battery. Charging relies on Olight’s proprietary magnetic system on the back rather than a standard USB-C port, which is a practical downside if you prefer to carry one cable for everything.

It also costs a bit more at list price, though Olight’s frequent sales tend to bring most of these lights down to the $60 to $70 range anyway. It does include a top strap over the head, which is essential at this weight. It remains an interesting option for other uses, particularly where runtime matters more than weight, but as an all-around headlamp it is the heavier, pricier choice.

Fenix HM50R: The Tiny Favorite

The Fenix HM50R is a long-standing favorite, and it is not going anywhere. It is a teeny tiny light that runs on a single CR123 battery (a rechargeable one works fine here), with an external charging port on the unit itself. The entire thing fits in a palm, and the whole light weighs about 2.8 oz including the headband, so light that it does not even need a top strap.

It delivers exactly what matters most in a small light: a reasonably bright mode and a very low mode. The LED unit swivels inside its cradle, and the light can be pulled out of the cradle to work as a small handheld flashlight, though it is designed as a headlamp first. It does not have a red mode, which some people genuinely need, and its maximum output and runtime are modest, which is precisely why the search for something more substantial began in the first place.

For anyone who values minimal size and weight above all else, the HM50R is still one of the best small headlamps around. The TH30 V2 simply adds the power, runtime, and refinements on top of the same basic formula.

Overall Buying Advice

A few patterns emerged from living with these lights:

• Weight matters, and top straps are not optional. Once a headlamp goes much above about 4 oz with the battery installed, a strap over the top of the head stops being a luxury. Both the ThruNite and the Olight include one; the Fenix is light enough not to need it.
• The lowest mode is the most-used mode. A 1/3-lumen firefly setting is worth more in daily use than an extra thousand lumens of turbo.
• Proprietary charging is a long-term cost. Standard USB-C on-board charging means one cable for everything and easy top-ups.
• 360-degree tilt is quietly brilliant. Pointing the beam straight up lights a space without blinding anyone you are talking to; pointing it almost straight down puts light exactly where close work happens.

Conclusion

For most people, the ThruNite TH30 V2 is the headlamp to buy. It combines strong output, USB-C on-board charging, swappable batteries, a genuinely useful 1/3-lumen low mode, glove-friendly controls, and a full 360-degree tilt, all for around $60 to $70. The Olight Perun 2 makes sense if maximum battery capacity outweighs the extra weight and proprietary charging. And the Fenix HM50R remains the pick for anyone who wants the smallest, lightest option that still does the basics beautifully.