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Yalumi LED 140-Lumen Review

The Yalumi is a good light, at a good price, that provides basic functionality
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yalumi led 140-lumen headlamp review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $29 List
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Manufacturer:  
By RJ Spurrier ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  May 28, 2018
63
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 27
  • Trail Finding - 35% 6.0
  • Close Proximity - 20% 5.0
  • Battery Life - 15% 6.0
  • Weight - 15% 6.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Yalumi LED is a quality and easy to use headlamp sold at a competitive price. We found it to offer average or above average performance on every category. It throws a good quality beam 94 meters, which is unusual performance for a light that sells for around $20 online. And, we love that it is so easy, and simple to use, with single button control. It is a yeoman light, a good light, at a good price, that provides basic functionality in a quality way.
REASONS TO BUY
Good performance for the price
94 meter beam throw
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Average in most ways

Compare to Similar Products

 
yalumi led 140-lumen headlamp review
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Bottom Line A good value that offers basic functionality, slightly better than average performance, at a good priceThe $20 Tikkina is a great light around the campsite, for general use, in your thingy drawer, or car glove boxThe Zipka is a good option for backpacking where small weight and size are crucialOur favorite budget light if your needs are limited to close proximity workA good light, but not great, sold at an attractive price, but the Tikkina is a better value
Rating Categories Yalumi LED 140-Lumen Petzl Tikkina Petzl Zipka Black Diamond Astro Energizer Vision HD
Trail Finding (35%)
6.0
5.0
5.0
3.0
3.0
Close Proximity (20%)
5.0
4.0
4.0
7.0
5.0
Battery Life (15%)
6.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Weight (15%)
6.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Ease of Use (15%)
9.0
10.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
Specs Yalumi LED 140-Lumen Petzl Tikkina Petzl Zipka Black Diamond Astro Energizer Vision HD
Measured Beam Distance 94 m 62 m 62 m 38 m 45 m
Claimed Distance 90 m 55 m 60 m 35 m 40 m
Measured High Mode Run-time (ANSI) 4.3 hrs 3.5 hrs 5 hrs 4.8 hrs 8.7 hrs
Claimed High Mode Run-time Not specified 60 hrs 60 hrs 20 hrs 8 hrs
Measured Low Mode Run-time 47 hrs 223 hrs 141 hrs 95 hrs 74 hrs
Claimed Low Mode Run-time 100 hrs 220 hrs 240 hrs 80 hrs 8 hrs
Measured Weight 2.7 oz, 77 g 2.9 oz, 83 g 2.3 oz, 64 g 3 oz, 86 g 3.1 oz, 89 g
Battery Type 3 AAA 3 AAA 3 AAA 3 AAA 3 AAA
Water Resistance IPX4 splash proof IPX4 splash proof IPX4 splash proof IPX4 splash proof water resistant
Manuf Claimed Lumens 140 lumens 150 lumens 200 lumens 150 lumens 180 lumens
Beam Type flood/spot flood flood/spot flood, dimmable flood/spot
Red Light yes no yes no no
On Switch Lock no no no yes no

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Yalumi takes a "just the facts, Maam" approach to performance. It doesn't excel in any way, other than offering great simplicity in use, but instead delivers performacne that is good to better across the board, at a good price.

yalumi led 140-lumen headlamp review
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Likes


The Yalumi is one of the easiest to use lights we have tested. Part of that comes from its restraint, in offering basic, core, functionality, and nothing more. With a single button that is easy to operate, even with gloves on, controlling the light is very simple and obvious.


For a light selling around $20 street price, the Yalumi offers a long beam throw of 94 meters. While it doesn't have as wide a beam as our favorites, it is more than adequate, and we scored it just above average at 6 of 10 for trail finding. We found the Yalumi to be just a tad better for trail finding than the Petzl Tikkina, which typically sells for a lower street price, but no match for the BD Spot which typically sells for a little bit more.


Beam Distance Photos
Beam photo of Yalumi LED 140-Lumen
Beam photo of Black Diamond Spot

Yalumi LED 140-Lumen
Black Diamond Spot

Battery life is slightly better than average, with 4.3 hours in high mode, and 47 hours in our low mode test.


yalumi led 140-lumen headlamp review
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Dislikes


There is not much to dislike about this solid, base-hitter, of a headlamp. But, close proximity lighting is something of a weak suit, where performance is only average. The flood light is wide, which we like, but dim around the edges and with moderate light distortion. Not bad, and certainly functional, but not outstanding in any way.


Conclusion


You would not make a mistake by buying the Yalumi. It offers a simple, no-nonsense approach; a quality, basic headlamp, sold at a reasonable price.

RJ Spurrier