Lifesystems Intensity 280

Basics

British brand Lifesystems first made a name for itself with the introduction of the UK’s first travel-specific first aid kits back in 1989.

That’s still the brand’s specialty in 2023, but it’s also branched out to develop and manufacture other expedition kit, such as insect repellents, sun lotion and, as you can see here, lighting.

Lifesystems kit is typically budget-friendly, as demonstrated by the £29.99 price tag attached to the Intensity 280 head torch on test here.

How we tested

Before testing anything, we weighed each head torch on our own scales and measured the light’s size to give an accurate understanding of how light it was and how well it packed away.

Each head torch was worn multiple times on walks in open terrain and on trails with closer features, such as hedges or woodland.

Much of the testing took place after dusk on the Cotswold Way and we conducted a controlled test in the same spot in an attempt to assess the distance and width of each light’s beams.

Comfort, weight distribution and ease of use was rated throughout testing, while we also tried using each torch when wearing thick mountaineering-style gloves, plus thinner gloves.

First impressions

It’s not going to win any awards for how it looks, but then with a product like this, function always trumps form anyway.

Comfort is okay with a band similar to many others in the market, but the plastic unit does make contact with the forehead which sees it lose a few points in this regard.

It never caused me any significant discomfort, but just didn’t feel as nice to wear as some others.

Brightness

For a £30 head torch, the performance of the Intensity 280 is impressive. Light reaches a distance that’s more than adequate for most in the max mode, though this does drop off as you switch over to less lumens.

Illumination of your immediate surroundings is reasonable too, though doesn’t reach the heights of many other head torches I’ve tested in this batch of products.

It’d certainly be adequate, but any drop off in performance would leave you wanting more.

Meanwhile, the red light illuminates more than others in the test and delivers enough visibility for you to move in darkness.

Lighting modes

The Intensity 280 can be used in the following modes:

Max power: 280 lumens, 90m distance, 5.5 hours burn time
Standard: 80 lumens, 47m distance, 11 hours burn time
Max burn time: 6 lumens, 13m, up to 6 days
White strobe
Red continuous
Red strobe
Red SOS

Is it easy to use?

It certainly is. A single press of the large button takes you through the modes and it’s easy to operate even when wearing thick gloves.

Meanwhile the tilt function can be operated with one hand.

Batteries

There’s no option to use standard batteries here, so you’re left with the USB rechargeable battery.

This is fine, particularly if you carry a power bank with you, but it otherwise means that when it runs out you can’t just replace it with batteries if you’re in a pinch.

Resilience

An IPX6 rating makes this stand out from the crowd (many others are just IPX4), which signals it should be able to withstand high-pressure streams of water.

That means it should more than match up to any rainy evenings.

Is it good value?

Very much so. At a few pennies under £30 the Intensity 280 looks like a very attractive proposition.

It doesn’t offer the comfort or lighting performance of some others, but it’s half their price and is pretty lightweight, too.

Best used for...

This head torch seems perfect for Duke of Edinburgh, camping and any times you’re out walking when you don’t need super bright wide lighting.

Verdict

Very good performance for a head torch at this price point; just consider if it’ll be bright enough for you.

			
Facts at a glance: Lifesystems Intensity 280

Weight: 89g
Size: 6cm (w) x 4.2cm (h) x 3.5cm (d)
Waterproof rating: IPX6
Brightness rating in lumens: 280 lumens
Lighting modes: 7
Beam pattern: Mixed
Red light function: Yes
Red rear light: No
Automatic beam adjustment: No
Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
Battery life: Up to six days

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Also consider...

Petzl Tikka Core

If you like the look of the Lifesystems Intensity 280 but you want to step it up a level, the Petzl Tikka Core could be for you.

It has a max brightness of 450 lumens and offers additional features such as a red light mode and a removable battery pack that can be replaced with triple A batteries for extended use on the move. With its bright light and comfortable band, it's an appealing choice for hikers, campers, and travellers alike.

Read our full review of the Petzl Tikka Core.

Looking for more options? Check out our guide to the best head torches on the market in 2023.

Lifesystems Intensity 280