The Bontrager Flare RT, one of the best bike rear lights, was already one of our favorites, but this all-new version takes it to the next level. It's 30% brighter, with a maximum output of 90 lumens, and 36% smaller, so while it packs a punch, it takes up very little room on your bike. The Flare RT has a specially designed focus and flash pattern for daytime use, as Bontrager was one of the first brands to pioneer daytime bike lights. This, along with the light's raw intensity, makes it visible up to 2 kilometers distant on the highest setting. You may also choose between 45-lumen and five-lumen flash modes, as well as 25-lumen and five-lumen steady-state modes.

The Flare RT has one basic objective — to keep you visible on the road – but it's also a clever tiny light. When the battery reaches 5%, the battery-saver mode kicks in, giving you an extra 30 minutes of usage, while Ant+ and Bluetooth Smart connectivity let you pair the light with your Garmin PC. For example, you can set the Flare RT to turn on whenever your computer is turned on, or you can use one of your Garmin's data screens to monitor the battery life.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum lumens: 90
• Battery life: Up to 15 hours
• Rechargeable: Yes

REASONS TO BUY

• Compact design
• Visible up to 2km away
• Smart connectivity

REASONS TO AVOID

• 25 lumens on steady mode is on the low side

BUY NOW: trekbikes.com/bike-lights/bike-rear-lights/bontrager-flare-rt-rear-bike-light/p/23999/

Number two among one of the best bike rear lights is the Garmin Varia Radar Rear. This lamp may be lacking in brightness and battery life, but it compensates with a wealth of advanced features. When the Garmin Varia Radar detects traffic approaching from behind at 140 meters, it intelligently adjusts its brightness and flashing pattern to alert vehicles that you're approaching. Meanwhile, compatible Garmin computers – Edge 1000, 820, and 520 – or an optional, rather bulky radar device provide an auditory and visual alert whenever vehicles approach from behind at a high rate.

The computers can even display many oncoming vehicles, each with their own relative speed and threat level. Although this is probably more sophistication than most people want, the Radar system could be lifesaving on pitch black country roads.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum lumens: 15
• Battery life: up to 5 hours
• Rechargeable: yes

REASONS TO BUY

• Acts as a radar
• Plays nice with Garmin products

REASONS TO AVOID

• Not that bright
• Short battery life

BUY NOW: garmin.com/en-US/p/518151

The Moon Nebula's super-bright LEDs are great for cyclists who wish to alert fellow motorists to their presence. This nifty little package probably offers too much light for a rear light, which will only ever be an issue for people who routinely ride in groups.

The day flash mode produces a reduced brightness to conserve battery life while still providing adequate visibility, whilst the flashing night mode produces the maximum 180 lumens. The light's long, thin shape may not fit every mounting requirement, but there are plenty of mounting options provided in the box, so with a little hunting, you should be able to find a place for it.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum lumens: 180
• Battery life: 20+hrs
• Rechargeable: yes

REASONS TO BUY

• Lightweight
• Cool design
• Maximum visual impact

REASONS TO AVOID

• Possible mounting issues

BUY NOW: amazon.com/dp/B01IVF5SV6

Instead of a simple set of LEDs, think of the See.Sense ICON as a small computer for the rear of your bike, as it has plenty of smart functions to warrant the above-average price. In short, it links to a smartphone and a custom app to provide low battery notifications and charging indicator, while GPS is utilized to adjust the brightness and flash pattern at busier intersections.

It's easy to install and gives up to 15 hours of run time, or 2-3 hours at the ultra bright 250 lumen maximum brightness. Oh, and it's also a theft deterrent, but that clearly necessitates leaving the pricey light unit attached to the bike when parked. Apart from that, it's a terrific light for both day and night use, with the added benefit of smart functioning.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum lumens: 250
• Battery life: up to 15 hours
• Rechargeable: yes

REASONS TO BUY

• Smart features
• Very bright

REASONS TO AVOID

• Hard to fault really

BUY NOW: amazon.com/dp/B01IVF5SV6

The Lezyne Strip Drive Pro achieves maximum power and brightness by stacking five ultra-high output LEDs into one retina-scorching module. Nine combined lumen and flash modes, including the exceptionally visible 300-Lumen Daytime Flash mode, make it lovely and adaptable for most rides, and a Mode Memory function resets the unit to the selected mode even after turning it off. This light features Lezyne's specialized Wide Angle Optics lens, which provides a 270-degree view. This is excellent for keeping you visible from a variety of angles, which is ideal for urban riders who must navigate numerous lanes of traffic.

The Lezyne Strip Drive Pro 300L Rear Bike Light is a small and ultra-rugged co-moulded structure that protects against road wear and tear. It also features a high level of water resistance for use in inclement weather. However, because of the high power output, battery life isn't the best. It also has a unique aero and round post compatible design, so it fits those chic carbon fiber race bikes that the nighttime club ride crowd prefers.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum lumens: 300
• Battery life: 20.30hrs
• Rechargeable: yes

REASONS TO BUY

• Stupidly bright
• Lots of light modes
• Aero design

BUY NOW: ebay.com/p/17034373952

I was eager to try the Knog Blinder Road R70 after being impressed by the quality and dependability of the Blinder Mob V Four Eyes they tested last season. They had a couple of complaints with the Mob V, which the R70 addresses in part but then brings a couple of niggles of its own. To begin with, this is yet another rear light that performs admirably. A little chunkier, a little brighter, and a little more expensive, but with most of the qualities that made the Mob V Four Eyes so appealing to me.

The same simple mounting technique and convenience of usage from the saddle with the rear button are particularly appealing. Stick your thumb down between the seatpost and the lamp to find the on-off switch. One push to navigate through the five appropriate settings; one push to switch on and off (two steady, three flashing). The Road R70 remembers your previous setting and returns to it automatically the next time you use it.

The light arrived during the summer months and has performed admirably as a high-visibility day-running light. They primarily chose the 'Eco' mode, not so much for the longer battery life as for the strobing pattern's suitability for daylight use. Even from half a mile behind (yep, that's the gap they put in him on that hill), one of my riding buddies commented on how obvious the light was. This is due in part to the high-quality optics, which let the light travel a long distance despite the low advertised power of 70 lumens. Now, in the dead of winter, it's proving to be equally soothing in dim light. Although the robust construction is good at this time of year, they still like to use a mudguard to protect it from salt and grit.

Knog advertises 20 hours on the 'Eco' setting, however they only got 15 hours, which is still adequate in real-world settings, though it may fall short if you wish to ride extended distances with the light in Steady mode. The recharge time, on the other hand, is lightning fast. You may charge it by either inserting the built-in USB bayonet into a socket or using the high-quality Knog-branded extension cord that comes with it. The clear gasket between the two sections of the aluminum case enables some light to escape sideways. This addresses one of my complaints regarding the Four Eyes' lack of side visibility. However, the quantity of light escaping to the sides appears to be fairly minimal, owing to the large fourth LED at the cluster's bottom, which is active in four of the five patterns.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum lumens: 70
• Battery life: up to 20 hours
• Rechargeable: yes

REASONS TO BUY

• Very bright
• Solid battery life
• Side illumination

REASONS TO AVOID

• A bit bulky maybe

BUY NOW: amazon.com/dp/B01789N9MG

The Cycliq Fly6, one of the best bike rear lights, is not just a back light, but also a 1080p video camera. Cycliq's light/camera hybrids have advanced significantly in recent years, with improved resolution, light output, and mounts. Even if it's shot in high HD at 60 frames per second with a wide 135o angle lens, video shot from the back of a bicycle is unlikely to win an Oscar for Best Picture. In fact, it's most likely only useful if the worst happens and you or a family member needs to hold someone liable for a rear-end shunt.

The Fly6 will 'lock' film captured before and after it detects a tilt of more than 30 degrees from horizontal, similar to an automobile dashcam, to prevent overwriting. Four light setting modes, two flash settings, and a maximum high power mode of 100 lumens are also featured. According to Cycliq, there's also a setting that saves charge when it's on its final legs, enabling you a full half-hour to ride home.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum lumens: 100
• Battery life: not quoted
• Rechargeable: yes

REASONS TO BUY

• Built-in action camera
• Fully weatherproof
• Incident detection mode

REASONS TO AVOID

• Rear footage not usually very useful
• No night mode

BUY NOW: cycliq.com/bike-cameras/fly6ce/

With a maximum output of 150 lumens, the CatEye Rapid X3, one of the best bike rear lights, is the most powerful light in the Japanese company's Rapid rear blinker lineup. That's a lot of light, so if you want a real bobby-dazzler for daytime visibility, this is a good option - albeit you'll only get an hour of battery life at that highest setting.

Otherwise, the Rapid X3 has five different modes, with the 30-lumen flashing mode claiming a battery life of up to 30 hours, so there's lots of options depending on when and where you're riding. The Rapid X3 can be fastened to your seat post or seat stays thanks to its thin design and simple rubber band mount, and the clear case ensures excellent side visibility.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum lumens: 150
• Battery life: Up to 30 hours
• Rechargeable: Yes

REASONS TO BUY

• Powerful
• Good side visibility
• Varied mounting positions

REASONS TO AVOID

• Limited run time on most powerful setting, not surprisingly

BUY NOW: ebay.com/p/2086512263