Ledlenser HF4R Core Head Torch review
By Tom Calder
A genuinely lightweight, well-made headlamp that gives you hands-free light for a blackout or a job under the sink without fuss. The USB-C charging, red night-vision mode and IP68 sealing make it a sensible household pick rather than a flashy one.
- Best for
- A light, rechargeable everyday head torch for power cuts, dog walks and camping.
- Skip it if
- You specifically want an emergency torch you can keep running indefinitely on shop-bought AA/AAA…
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.We earn a commission if you buy through the retailer links on this page. It doesn't change our verdict. How we make money →
Researched, not used. We haven't used this product. This review is built from the maker's specifications, owner reports and our own sizing.
What we like
- 500 lumens and IP68 water resistance from just 72 g, with tidy USB-C magnetic charging
- Dimmable white beam plus a red mode that preserves night vision during a power cut
- Long low-mode runtime (up to ~35 hours) is ideal for slow, steady household use
Worth knowing
- The 1800 mAh battery is built in and not user-swappable, so during a long outage you must recharge rather than drop in fresh cells
- The 500 lm Boost is a short burst; sustained output sits lower at 300 lm and below
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Our review
The Ledlenser HF4R Core is a 72 g rechargeable head torch sealed to IP68, with a 500 lumen boost, a 300 lumen power setting for 2.5 hours and a 20 lumen low for 35 hours. It charges in three hours over a magnetic USB-C lead and carries a seven-year warranty if registered. The battery is built in and small, so it is a torch to keep charged rather than one to feed from a drawer of cells.
What it is
Ledlenser's data sheet lists four levels, measured to the ANSI FL1 standard: boost at 500 lumens to 130 m, power at 300 lumens to 100 m for 2.5 hours, mid at 120 lumens to 60 m for 5 hours, and low at 20 lumens to 15 m for 35 hours. Boost has no run time because it is a short burst. The battery is a 3.7 V, 1,000 mAh lithium-ion cell, 3.7 Wh, not replaceable, charged in 180 minutes through a magnetic USB-C cable that comes in the box with a connecting adapter. Weight is 72 g with the battery, the rating is IP68 with a 2 m drop test, and the working range is minus 20°C to 40°C. There is a red light with no published output.
One correction to the figures on our comparison table: the data sheet gives the battery as 1,000 mAh, not 1,800 mAh. The run times above are the ones to plan around.
How it behaves in a power cut
Two and a half hours at 300 lumens is one evening of jobs. The 5 hour mid setting is plenty for a kitchen, and the 35 hour low is a reading light for several nights. Because the cell is built in, a long outage means recharging from a power bank or a power station; a 1,000 mAh cell takes almost nothing from either, so one small power bank keeps this torch going for weeks. Our power cut preparation guide suggests pairing a rechargeable torch with a cell-powered backup.
The IP68 seal and the magnetic charging contact mean there is no port to let water in, which is why this is a good torch for a leaking roof or a flooded cellar, where a lesser rating would worry you.
How it compares
On the head torches page the Black Diamond Astro 300 and Petzl Tikka run on AAA cells, which suits a kit that may sit for a year, but neither is sealed beyond IPX4. The Fenix HM65R-T is the heavier, brighter rechargeable at 1,600 lumens with a removable 18650 cell you can swap, which solves the built-in battery problem at twice the weight. Ledlenser's own H5R Core and H7R Core go brighter still with bigger batteries. The HF4R Core is the lightest of the sealed rechargeables and the one you forget you are wearing.
Our verdict
Buy it if you want a light, properly sealed head torch for everyday use and a power cut, and you will keep it on charge. Skip it if you want a torch that runs on shop-bought cells for a kit you never touch, or hours of high output; an AAA model or the Fenix with its swappable cell suits those better. Register it for the seven-year warranty.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and UK listings; facts checked 2 Nov 2026. Sources: Ledlenser: HF4R Core data sheet (PDF); Electrical Classroom: IP ratings under IEC 60529 explained.
Who shouldn't buy this
Don't buy it if you specifically want an emergency torch you can keep running indefinitely on shop-bought AA/AAA batteries; a cell-swappable model suits a long grid-down grab bag better.
Key specs
| Max output | 500 lm |
| Runtime | Up to 35 h (low); ~2.5 h on power (300 lm) |
| Battery | Built-in 1000 mAh Li-ion, USB-C magnetic recharge |
| Weight | 72 g |
This is a Researched review: we haven't used this product. We check every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the UK price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who it isn't for. Commissions never change a rating.
If this isn’t the one
Best for A featherweight rechargeable head torch for grab bags and everyday power cuts.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for A long power cut kit that needs a head torch you can feed with ordinary shop-bought AAA cells.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for A high-output rechargeable head torch for DIY, tradespeople and long outages.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Questions
How long does the Ledlenser HF4R Core run?
Ledlenser's data sheet gives 2.5 hours at 300 lumens, 5 hours at 120 lumens and 35 hours at 20 lumens. The 500 lumen boost is a short burst with no run time listed.
Can I replace the battery?
No. The 1,000 mAh lithium-ion cell is built in and charges through a magnetic USB-C cable in about three hours.
Is the HF4R Core waterproof?
It is rated IP68, which under IEC 60529 covers dust and continuous immersion beyond one metre. Ledlenser also quotes a 2 m drop test.
How long is the warranty?
Ledlenser gives seven years when you register the torch after purchase.
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