A head torch doesn't need to be big to be bright. The Black Diamond Astro 300 gives 300 lumens and a 55 m beam in a lamp that weighs 82 g with its batteries, and it runs on three AAAs or Black Diamond's rechargeable pack. It cost us $31, and it's an easy one to add to an ultralight gear kit.
What’s in the box
A small head torch with one button on top, a lamp that tilts on its bracket and a single elastic headband. It comes with three AAA batteries, and it also takes Black Diamond's BD 1500 rechargeable battery, sold separately, through Dual-Fuel. There's white light only: no red light.
What we like
- 300 lumens, 55 m throw
- Light: 82 g with batteries
- AAA or rechargeable pack
- Up to 140 h on low
- Tilts and clicks into place
- 3-year warranty
What we don’t
- No red light
- BD 1500 battery sold separately
- Max lasts 4 h on AAA
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Black Diamond |
| Colour options | AzulGraphiteOctane |
| Weight | 82 g |
| Brightness | 300 lumens |
| Throw | 55 m |
| Batteries | 3 × AAAOr BD 1500 rechargeable |
| Water rating | IPX4 |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Brightness and run time
On max the beam is stronger than you'd expect from a lamp this small: 300 lumens, reaching 55 m, enough to follow a dark trail or pitch a tent. Low is a soft 6 lumens for reading or jobs around camp, and it runs for up to 140 hours. Black Diamond's figures on AAA batteries:
On the BD 1500 rechargeable battery, max runs about 6 hours.
One button
Everything runs from the one button on top, and it comes back on at the brightness you used last. The buttons, one by one:
Fit and tilt
At 82 g you hardly notice the Astro on your forehead. The single elastic band is easy to adjust and doesn't tangle in hair or catch on a beanie, and the lamp sits close to your forehead. It tilts on its bracket and clicks firmly into each angle, so the beam stays on your work or the trail ahead.
Build and batteries
The casing is a tough polymer, and it's rated IPX4: fine in rain and splashes, but not for going under water. Black Diamond gives it a 3-year warranty. Running on AAAs makes it a good backup light, as spare batteries are easy to find, and Dual-Fuel lets you switch to the rechargeable pack. The one thing missing is a red light for keeping your night vision.
Vs our other head torches
The Astro is the simplest of the three Black Diamond head torches we've tested. The Spot 400 adds a red light and Power Tap for about the same weight, and the Storm 500-R is the big, rechargeable one with the longest throw and coloured light. The Wuben H4 has the most output and a separate spot and flood, but it's fiddlier to use and charge.
This review Astro 300 |  Spot 400 |  Storm 500-R |  Wuben H4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Tap | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Throw | 55 m | 100 m | 120 m | 66 m |
| Light | White | White, Red | White, Red, Green, Blue | White spot, White flood, Red |
| Water rating | IPX4 | IPX8 | IP67 | IP68 |
| Brightness | 300 lm | 400 lm | 500 lm | 800 lm |
| Run time on max | 4 h on AAA | 2.5 h on AAA | 7 h | 2.3 h after turbo |
| Power | 3 × AAA or BD 1500 | 3 × AAA or BD 1500 | 2400 mAh built in, micro-USB | 1700 mAh pack or 3 × AAA |
| Weight | 82 g | 78 g | 101 g | 99 g |
| Our score | 9.0 | 9.4 | 9.1 | 8.5 |
Conclusion: Black Diamond Astro 300 HeadlampConclusion
The Black Diamond Astro 300 is a simple, dependable head torch: 300 lumens and a 55 m beam from one button, up to 140 hours on low, and 82 g with three AAA batteries or the rechargeable pack. There's no red light, the BD 1500 battery is sold separately and max lasts 4 hours on AAA. With a 3-year warranty, at $31 it's a good choice for lightweight camp lighting.
This headlamp is very light, so it stays comfortable when you wear it for a long time.
The 300-lumen maximum reaches far enough for its size, and Dual-Fuel is handy on longer trips where you can’t always recharge.
- Hikers
- Backpackers
- Campers
Yes. It runs on a rechargeable pack or AAA batteries, weighs 82 g and has a three-year warranty, which is great value. There’s no red light and only four hours at full power.
