Petzl Tikka review
Petzl Tikka 350 lm Head Torch (AAA, 2025)
By Tom Calder
The Tikka is Petzl's entry hybrid lamp: it ships with three AAA cells and also accepts the separate CORE rechargeable pack. Petzl rates it at 350 lumens under ANSI/PLATO FL 1, with a single button and a red mode. It is a step down in output from the Actik on this page, so it suits households that want cheap, swappable cells over raw brightness.
- Best for
- A simple, light AAA head torch for a power-cut drawer or grab bag.
- Skip it if
- You want USB charging in the box or a water rating for heavy wet work
as of 2 Nov 2026, 13:07 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
- Runs on ordinary AAA cells, so spares keep for years and can be swapped mid-outage
- Petzl says the lowest white level lasts about 110 hours
- Wide, even beam suits close work and moving around the house
- Petzl gives a 5-year guarantee
Worth knowing
- Petzl rates it IPX4, so it handles rain but not immersion
- Top level lasts only about 2 hours on the maker's figures
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Our review
The 2025 Petzl Tikka is a simple 350-lumen head torch that runs on three ordinary AAA batteries, or on Petzl's CORE rechargeable pack if you add one later. One button, a wide beam and a red light make it easy for anyone in the house to use. It is the dependable drawer lamp, not the brightest.
What it is
Petzl rates the Tikka at 350 lumens to the ANSI/PLATO FL 1 standard, weighs it at 94 g with batteries, and ships it with three AAA cells. It takes alkaline, lithium or NiMH AAAs, and it will also run on Petzl's CORE pack, bought separately. The rating is IPX4, meaning weather resistant rather than waterproof, and gives a five-year guarantee. It is made in Malaysia.
The beam is wide and even, built for close work and moving about rather than throwing light down a lane. A lock function stops it switching on in a bag, and a phosphorescent reflector glows faintly so you can find it in the dark.
Runtime on AAA cells
Petzl's table for three AAA batteries gives 7 lumens for 110 hours, 100 lumens for 12 hours and 350 lumens for 2 hours, with a reserve of around 20 hours of dim light after the main output fades. The red light runs at 2 lumens for 60 hours, and the red strobe for 400 hours.
With a CORE pack, maximum output rises to 450 lumens for 2.5 hours, and the standard 100-lumen setting gives 7 hours. For a power cut, the 100-lumen setting is the useful one: enough to cook or read by for an evening, many evenings over on a set of cells.
Why AAA cells suit a kit
AAA batteries are sold everywhere, keep for years in a drawer and can be swapped in seconds, so a lamp that uses them never sits flat when you need it. Lithium AAAs suit a kit that may sit for a long time and work better in the cold; our power cut preparation guide lists the batteries to keep in. Petzl notes the lamp is not certified for road use, so it is no substitute for bike lights. Take the cells out if the lamp will sit unused for many months, as with any battery torch, and check it each time the clocks change.
How it compares
On the head torch comparison the Petzl Tikkina is the cheaper sibling at 300 lumens and 92 g. The Petzl Actik Core reaches 625 lumens at 88 g and ships with the CORE pack. The Fenix HM65R-T V2.0 gives up to 1,600 lumens from a rechargeable cell but weighs 140 g. The Tikka sits in the middle: brighter than the Tikkina, simpler than the rechargeables.
Our verdict
Buy it for the kitchen drawer, the car or a grab bag, where swappable cells and a single button matter more than raw output. Skip it if you'd rather recharge from USB straight out of the box, or need a lamp for heavy rain and wet work; a rechargeable IP68 lamp suits that better. Keep a spare set of AAAs taped to it. Petzl publishes the instructions for use and its ANSI information sheet on its technical page for the lamp.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and UK listings; facts checked 2 Nov 2026. Sources: Petzl UK: TIKKA head torch, specifications and lighting performance; Petzl: TIKKA technical notice, ANSI sheet and declaration of conformity.
Who shouldn't buy this
You want USB charging in the box or a water rating for heavy wet work; a rechargeable model such as the Ledlenser H7R Core fits better.
Key specs
| Max output | 350 lm |
| Runtime | Max 2 h; 100 lm 12 h; 7 lm 110 h (maker) |
| Battery | 3x AAA included; CORE pack optional |
| Weight | 94 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, 13:07 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, 13:07 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, 13:07 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 Petzl Tikka last on AAA batteries?
Petzl gives 110 hours at 7 lumens, 12 hours at 100 lumens and 2 hours at 350 lumens on three AAA cells.
Is the Petzl Tikka rechargeable?
Not as supplied. It runs on three AAA cells, but accepts Petzl's CORE rechargeable pack, sold separately, which also raises maximum output to 450 lumens.
Is the Petzl Tikka waterproof?
Petzl rates it IPX4, which is weather resistant. It copes with rain but is not designed to be submerged.
Does the Petzl Tikka have a red light?
Yes. Petzl gives 2 lumens of red light for 60 hours, plus a red strobe, which preserves night vision and won't wake others.
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