The best bike lights for cycle commuting from Magicshine: Light the way, whatever your budget

Anybody who wants to understand how far cycling and cycling technology has come over the last few decades need look no further than bicycle lights. It wasn’t actually that long ago when bike lights were frankly massive, chunky things powered by heavy batteries (remember Ever Ready lights?) with the only distinguishing feature being that you used a red light at the back, and a white light at the front.

Global lighting manufacturer Magicshine has seen at first hand – and played a role in – much of the progress in bike lights since then. Formed in 1999, Magicshine made its first bicycle light, the MJ-808, in 2008. But in the 15 years since, its offerings have expanded and developed – to the point where Magicshine now has more than 5,000 retail partners around the world and is firmly established as one of global cycle lighting’s top 10 brands. 

We’re going to look some of the current products that have helped cement Magicshine’s reputation as one of the best bike light brands. And we start with the new EVO 1700.

Front lights

EVO 1700 $89.99 

Proving that there’s always the option to innovate, the EVO 1700 is Magicshine’s first ever underneath-mounted bike light. Using a lightweight out-front mount with a GoPro quick-release design, it means riders can keep their cockpit nice and tidy by fixing their bike computer right above the EVO 1700. 

Because of this unique placement, the EVO 1700 has been specifically designed to work with Magicshine's remote control - so there's no difficulty reaching forward to switch it on.

All this this innovation doesn’t come at the cost of performance. Using a high-power LED, the EVO 1700 boasts an immense 1700 lumens of output with the option of high and cut-off low beam – to avoid blinding oncoming road users or pedestrians – specifically tailored for daily commuting in urban settings. The EVO 1700 can also be connected to the Magicshine App to add new modes or adjust performance.

So when we talk about Magicshine being at the forefront of modern bike lights, the EVO 1700 shows exactly what we mean.

Key features

• Max output: 1700 lumens
• Lightweight out-front mount installs underneath most handlebars
• Unique combination of up-close low beam and far-reaching high beam
• Cut-off low beam, glare-free for oncoming road users
• Lighting settings can be customised via the Magicshine App
• Robust aluminium housing for efficient heat management and optimum performance
• Memory function saves the last selected mode
• Battery: 4000mAh 
• Max run time: 11hrs
• Max throw: 193m
• IPX6 waterproof rating
• USB-C charging

ALLTY 1500S $109.99 

If you want a truly smart light that will let you know exactly what’s going on, meet Magicshine’s ALLTY 1500S with its built-in OLED screen display that clearly shows battery level, function mode, and available run time at minute level precision.

It’s all built around a super-capable light with 1500-lumen main beam and an always-on daylight running light, housed in a sturdy aluminium body with a long-lasting battery that can be removed without needing tools. In fact, if you buy a second USB-C rechargeable battery, you can keep riding long after others have to head home.

The ALLTY 1500S is also wireless control and Magicshine App compatible. So, for people who demand the very best performance from their commuting bike lights, this is hard to beat. 

Key features

• Max output: 1500 lumens 
• Built-in OLED screen display
• Lighting settings can be customised via the Magicshine App
• Wireless remote control 
• Daytime running light
• Battery (removable): 5000mAh 
• Max run time: 31hrs
• IPX5 waterproof rating
• USB-C charging

ZX Pro StVZO Bike Light $59.99 

In the EVO 1700 and ALLTY 1500S we’ve seen one of the most technically-advanced front lights that Magicshine makes, but what about at entry level? Even here, Magicshine’s products are astounding. Utilising a super power-efficient OSRAM LED, the ZX Pro provides 350 lumens of front lighting power, with up to 4.5 hours of run time. And, proving that Magicshine is a truly global brand, it has been specifically designed to be 100% compliant with German road traffic regulations StVZO.

Key features

• Max output: 350 lumens 
• German StVZO compliant
• Garmin mounting mechanism allows universal compatibility
• Memory function saves the last selected mode
• Side lighting for better peripheral visibility
• Battery: 1600mAh
• Max run time: 4.5hrs
• IPX6 waterproof rating
• USB-C fast charging

ALLTY 800 $59.9

Another really well-priced option, Magicshine’s ALLTY 800 model uses a high-efficiency optical lens to deliver its maximum 800 lumens output. Like the EVO 1700, it’s not just about pure power, though: the anti-glare lens levels off the upper light, to avoid blinding other road users and helping to increase rider safety. If all that clever tech wasn’t enough, the ALLTY 800 also offers USB-C charging and discharging – meaning you can use it as an emergency power bank if you need to. 

Key features

• Max output: 800 lumens 
• Anti-glare lens
• Side lighting for better peripheral visibility 
• Garmin mounting mechanism allows universal compatibility
• Robust aluminium housing for efficient heat management and optimum performance
• Battery: 4000mAh
• Max run time: 11hrs
• Max throw: 141 m
• IPX7 waterproof rating
• USB-C fast charging and discharging

Ray 2600B $159.99 

We’ve seen what Magicshine can do, even on a relatively modest budget, but what about if you want ultimate performance and you’re able to pay for it?

The Ray 2600B uses two LEDs to put out a staggering 2600 lumens of lighting which, combined with its ability to offer both close-range floodlighting and far-reaching hybrid lighting, means you can confidently hop from the city street to trails and beyond, and never feel lacking in your ability to see the way ahead. In fact, with the Ray 2600B’s own built-in smart sensor, it can even automatically adjust the lighting required for you. 

And this incredible level of universal ability and appeal is enhanced even further when you realise it can be used as a helmet light, or a power bank, and it can be teamed with Magicshine's remote control.

Key features

• Max output: 2600 lumens 
• Option to have up-close floodlighting or far-reaching high beam
• Lighting settings can be customised via the Magicshine App
• Wireless remote control 
• Built-in smart sensor
• Garmin mounting mechanism allows universal compatibility
• Robust aluminium housing for efficient heat management and optimum performance
• Battery: 6700mAh
• Max run time: 14.5hrs
• IPX6 waterproof rating
• USB-C fast charging and discharging

Rear lights 

SEEMEE 50 $24.99 

It’s not only in helping you to see the way ahead that Magicshine excels; when it comes to helping you been seen by other road users, the brand’s rear lights are hard to beat. The perfectly-named SEEMEE 50 has an output of 50 lumens but that only tells part of the story. It also has a visibility angle of 260 degrees and a visibility range of a full kilometre. However, its most unique quality is Magicshine’s Auto Group-Sync technology, which means all compatible lights in your group can flash at exactly the same time.

Key features

• Max output: 50 lumens
• Auto Group-Sync technology
• Simple O-ring mounting system 
• Visibility range: 1000m
• Visibility angle: 260°
• Max run time: 30.5hrs
• IPX6 waterproof rating

SEEMEE DV $119.99

And now into the realms of Magicshine innovation with a couple of special products. Sometimes, when you’re on the road, you feel like you could do with another set of eyes and ears – should you find yourself in an accident, the SEEMEE DV can help provide that with its in-built high definition camera. The SEEMEE DV's ultra-wide 146-degree angle lens captures every detail in stunning 1080p/30fps, and it can be easily accessed and shared via the Magicshine App.

You can customise the camera settings via the app, too. And don’t forget, also within the robust, waterproof housing is a super-reliable rear light with a simply awesome run time - 110 hours!

Key features

• HD Camera - 1080P / 30fps 
• 146-degree ultra-wide angle camera lens
• Smart loop recording to protect crucial footage
• Light max output: 30 lumens
• Smart app support for footage access and camera settings
• Robust aluminium housing 
• Battery: 3400mAh
• Max run time: 110hrs
• IPX6 waterproof rating

Combos 

SEEMEE 150 Smart Bike Light Combo $69.99

It’s amazing how much technology – and power – you can squeeze into one tiny package or, in this case, two tiny packages. With the SEEMEE 150 combo you get both a front and matching rear light that have been purposely designed for the urban and commuting cyclist. But don’t let the apparent simplicity fool you: the front light has 260-degree visibility and a built-in power indicator, while the rear light is a real box of tricks with a built-in braking sensor, auto-adjust brightness, and auto-activate and auto-sleep motion sensor. 

Key features

• Max output: 150 lumens
• Braking sensor 
• Motion sensor 
• Ambient light sensor
• Low power mode
• Memory function
• Smart battery indicator 
• Garmin mounting mechanism allows universal compatibility
• Visibility angle: 260°
• Rear light max run time: 27hrs
• IPX6 waterproof rating
• USB charging 

For more information and to see the full range, visit the Magicshine website.