We compared two front-and-rear bike light sets: the CatEye EL-135 Omni 5 and the LEZYNE Femto Drive Pair.
What we looked at
Stated brightness, runtime, mounting, size and weight, and price.
The verdict
If you want a stated 150-lumen front light with up to 80 hours of runtime on the front and 120 hours on the rear, powered by AA batteries, the CatEye Omni 5 is the longer-runtime pick, at £21.99. If you would rather pay £8.00 more for an ultra-compact, 31g CNC-aluminium pair with a versatile 2-in-1 strap mount, the LEZYNE Femto Drive is the lightweight option, though its stated maximum output is much lower at 15 lumens front and 7 lumens rear.
A £21.99 set with a stated 150-lumen front light and up to 120 hours of rear runtime.
A £29.99 pair of ultra-compact 31g lights with a versatile strap mount.
CatEye EL-135 Omni 5 Bike Light Set Front LED Rear Tail Lamps — Longer Runtime
Intended for: Marketed as a bike light safety kit with a 3-LED front light delivering a stated 150 lumens through an Opticube lens for a wide beam, and a wide-angle 5-LED rear tail light, with a tool-free FlexTight bracket fitting 22-32mm handlebars.
What we liked
- Stated 150 lumens from the front light through an Opticube lens
- Up to a stated 80 hours of runtime from the front lamp and 120 hours from the rear, on AA batteries
- Tool-free FlexTight bracket fits handlebars from 22-32mm
- Constant, flashing and rapid modes on both lights, per the listing
- Cheaper than the LEZYNE Femto Drive on these listings
Worth knowing
- AA-battery powered, so it is bulkier than a coin-cell clip-on set
- The listing does not give a weight figure
Best for
- Commuters who want a brighter, longer-runtime front light
- Buyers who want the lower price
- Riders who prefer AA batteries over coin cells
Not ideal for
- Anyone who wants the lightest possible clip-on lights
- Riders who want a 2-in-1 strap mount
LEZYNE Femto Drive Front and Rear Light Set - Black/Red — Most Compact
Intended for: Marketed as an ultra-compact, lightweight pair of bicycle lights with a CNC aluminium body, a stated maximum of 15 lumens front and 7 lumens rear, one fixed and four flashing modes, a 2-in-1 strap mount and CR2032 batteries, weighing a stated 31g.
What we liked
- Ultra-compact CNC aluminium body, stated at 31g, per the listing
- Versatile 2-in-1 strap mount, per the listing
- One fixed mode and four flashing modes to choose from
- Small enough to carry as a spare or backup light set
Worth knowing
- Costs £8.00 more than the CatEye Omni 5 on these listings
- Stated maximum output is much lower: 15 lumens front and 7 lumens rear
- Uses CR2032 coin cell batteries rather than AA
Best for
- Riders who want the lightest possible lights
- Anyone who wants a spare set that packs small
- Buyers who prioritise size and weight over brightness
Not ideal for
- Anyone who wants the brightest stated front light
- Buyers who want AA-battery power
