With the winter months closing in and the days getting darker, it's more important than ever to make sure you're visible when cycling on the roads. Whether you're commuting to work, heading out for an evening ride or simply nipping to the shops, having good-quality bike lights can make a huge difference to how visible you are to other road users.
But what if your bike lights could do more than simply help you see and be seen? What if they could also tell drivers when you're turning, slowing down or coming to a stop?
That's exactly what UNIT 1 is trying to achieve with its Smart Light system.
UNIT 1 is an award winning company, having won the iF and Red Dot Awards for Product Design, the Micromobility Award, and the Eurobike Award. They launched in 2017 with the mission of combining technology and design to make gear that will not only keep you safe, but that you want to wear as well.
At Electroheads, UNIT 1 is one of our top choices when it comes to bike accessories, from helmets to lights. So, we were particularly interested to see what its Smart Light had to offer.
But is it really worth spending more on smart bike lights, and are indicators actually useful for everyday commuting? Let's take a closer look.
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price: £79.90 - £239.70
Good for:
- Cycling in the dark
- City commuting
Pros:
- Bright and visible
- Help you to be seen in the dark
- Compatible with other UNIT 1 products
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
Meet the UNIT 1 Smart Light
One of the first things you'll notice about the UNIT 1 Smart Light is just how compact it is. It's a slim, lightweight light that weighs just 41.7g, so it won't add much bulk to your bike. Despite its small size, it has a clever design that allows it to work as either a front or rear light. Rather than having to buy separate front and rear lights, you can simply flip the Smart Light over to switch between a solid white front light and a red rear light. The white light produces up to 100 lumens, while the red rear light offers up to 50 lumens. Both are designed to make you more visible to other road users, with a wide-angle optic helping the light be seen from different directions. Of course, if you want to have lights at both ends of your bike at the same time, you'll need two Smart Lights. This is where some of UNIT 1's bundles come in handy.
Another thing we really like is the magnetic mounting system. Rather than fiddling around with straps every time you want to attach or remove your light, you can simply click it into place. The lights are compatible with UNIT 1's universal mounts, as well as additional mounting options for different positions on your bike. And you're not limited to using them on your bike, either. They can also be attached to other UNIT 1 products, including the TORCH backpack. This makes the Smart Light a particularly versatile accessory if you're already invested in the UNIT 1 ecosystem.
Another big selling point is the ability to customise your lighting through the UNIT 1 app. You can switch between different lighting modes, including solid and flashing patterns, and adjust the brightness depending on your surroundings. There's also a Weather Mode, which is designed to increase your visibility when conditions are poor, particularly useful during the British winter when rain, mist and gloomy afternoons are all part of the daily commute. The app also allows you to keep track of your battery level, so you can check how much charge you have left before heading out. It's a nice addition because it gives you more control over your lights than you'd get with a traditional on/off system.
The Remote
The real cleverness comes when you pair the Smart Light with UNIT 1's Remote which is arguably the most interesting feature of the entire Smart Light system. On its own, the Smart Light is a rechargeable front or rear bike light, but connect it to the UNIT 1 Remote and it becomes something much more useful for everyday commuting.
The Remote attaches to your handlebars and allows you to activate turn signals without having to take your hands away from the bars. When approaching a junction or preparing to change direction, you can simply press the relevant button to activate the indicator. This means you can communicate your intentions to drivers and other road users without having to rely solely on hand signals. The Remote also has built-in motion sensors that detect when you slow down or stop, automatically activating the brake light.
One of the things that makes UNIT 1 different from many other cycling accessory brands is that its products are designed to work together. The Smart Light, Remote and compatible UNIT 1 helmets can all connect through the same ecosystem. This means that if you already own a UNIT 1 helmet, you can integrate your Smart Light into your existing set-up, rather than having lots of separate devices that don't communicate with one another.
Charging and battery life
Charging is another area where UNIT 1 has clearly put some thought into everyday convenience. The Smart Light can be charged using a standard USB-C cable, making it easy to top up at home, at work or wherever you have access to a charger. However, if you opt for one of the packages that includes the charging case, things become even easier. The case works in a similar way to an AirPods charging case. Simply pop your lights inside and they'll recharge while you're travelling or when they're not in use.
As for battery life, this will depend on which lighting mode and brightness setting you're using. UNIT 1 quotes up to three hours when running in solid mode at 100% brightness. Switch to Beacon mode at full brightness and this increases to up to 18 hours, while using Beacon mode at 50% brightness can provide up to 32 hours.
So, while battery life is impressive in the lower-power settings, it's worth remembering that running the light at maximum brightness continuously will mean charging it much more frequently. The charging case is therefore a worthwhile addition if you're planning on using your lights regularly.
So, is the UNIT 1 Smart Light worth the money?
There's no denying that the UNIT 1 Smart Light is more expensive than your average bike light.
You can pick up a basic set of front and rear lights for considerably less money, and if all you need is something to help you see and be seen on your commute, you might not need all the additional technology.
However, that's not really what UNIT 1 is offering here.
The Smart Light is designed to be part of a wider cycling safety system. Its customisable lighting, magnetic mounting, app connectivity, turn signals and automatic brake light functionality all give it an advantage over traditional bike lights.
The indicators are particularly interesting for city commuters. Being able to communicate your intentions without taking your hands off the handlebars is a genuinely useful feature, especially when navigating busy roads and junctions.
We also really like the flexibility of being able to move the lights between your bike, backpack and other compatible UNIT 1 accessories.
The only thing to bear in mind is that you'll need the additional Remote to unlock the turn signal and automatic brake light features. So, if those are the features you're most interested in, make sure you choose a package that includes it.
