Sofirn SP40 vs Sofirn HS20
Quick take: The Sofirn HS20 costs $3 less; the Sofirn SP40 is brighter (1,200 vs 1,100 lm); the Sofirn SP40 throws farther (173m vs 161m); the Sofirn HS20 runs longer on high (2.5 vs 2 hrs).
| Spec | Sofirn SP40 | Sofirn HS20 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $25 | $22 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Headlamp | Headlamp |
| Lumens | 1,200 lm | 1,100 lm |
| Candela | 7,500 cd | 6,500 cd |
| Beam distance | 173m | 161m |
| Runtime | 2 hrs (high) | 2.5 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 18650 | 18650 |
| LED | LH351D 5000K | LH351D 5000K |
| Beam type | Flood | Flood |
| Modes | 4 Stepped | 4 Stepped |
| UI | Simple | Simple |
| IP rating | IPX8 | IPX8 |
| CRI | 90 | 90 |
| Weight | 2.2 oz | 2.0 oz |
| Dimensions | 4.1 x 1.0 in | 4.0 x 1.0 in |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year |
What owners report
Sofirn SP40
- ✓Magnetic base turns it into a stick-anywhere work light off the headband
- ✓Aircraft-grade aluminium with machining quality well beyond the price
- ✓Four genuinely useful brightness levels, with a very bright 1,200 lumen turbo
- ✓Headband comfort improved over earlier Sofirn models
- ✓Long-standing reputation as the best-value 18650 headlamp with onboard charging
- ✗Micro-USB charging rather than USB-C — the clearest sign of its age
- ✗Output is unregulated and tracks the cell voltage down
- ✗No strobe or SOS mode at all
- ✗The head strap is thinner than premium brands'
- ✗Superseded by newer Sofirn headlamps with USB-C and better emitters
Sofirn HS20
- ✓Independent flood and spot emitters, each with its own dedicated button
- ✓USB-C with PD support, and it runs while charging at reduced output
- ✓High CRI available on the flood channel
- ✓Around $40 for output and runtime well beyond that price
- ✓Long runtime from the 21700, extendable indefinitely from a power bank
- ✗Heavy — uncomfortable over long sessions and prone to causing headaches
- ✗Poorly balanced; reviewers advise against it for running
- ✗The headband mount is secure but frustrating to remove the light from
- ✗No magnet on either tailcap
- ✗Almost too many brightness levels, several of which feel redundant