Silva Smini review: Bigger isn't always better

We don’t talk enough about headlamps, especially this time of the year. They aren’t just mountaineers and people who like to fix their cars; a trusty head beacon can come in handy in a variety of situations, from walking the dog and running or cycling to reading in the dark.

Often, though, head torches are bulky and have an unnecessarily high light output for everyday use. Put another way, they are too hardcore. Most people who use head torches in urban environments need a small and easy-to-use model, which is exactly what the Silva Smini is.

Based on the suggestion of ultra-runner and Silva athlete Philipp Ausserhofer, the Smini – or ‘Silva Mini’ – is a compact backup lamp for athletes that can also be used for urban running and lightweight hikes. With a maximum light output of 250 lumens, it’s bright enough in most situations but not too bright to instantly blind people who happen to look you in the eye when you wear them.

I’ve been putting the Silva Smini through its paces (even did an after-dark trail running race with it), and it’s a lovely little light that won’t weigh you down. The light output and the functionality are perfectly matched to what the Smini is for, which is why it will certainly be added to T3’s best headtorch guide.

Silva Smini review

Price and availability

The Silva Smini was launched in early 2024 and is available to buy now directly from Silva for the recommended price of £49.99 (approx. $63.17/ AU$96.93). It comes in two versions, the Smini and Smini Fly, the latter of which has a lightweight 3mm headband as opposed to the standard Smini’s 15mm strap. The Smini Fly is a tad cheaper at £39.99 (approx. $/ AU$). The Smini comes in three colours: Black, Mint and Rose.

Specifications

• Maximum light output: 250 lm
• Throw distance: 80m/ 262ft (Max mode)
• Weight (with battery): 53 g/ 1.87oz
• Max battery life: 20h (Min mode/ 10 lm)
• Charge time: approx. 3 hours
• Durability: IPX5

Design and build quality

As the name suggests, the Silva Smini is a compact, lightweight headtorch. It weighs 53 grams, and that includes the head unit, the band and the rear safety light. The 15 mm headband can be adjustable using one buckle, which is super handy. The band is made from 65% recycled polyester and 35% latex.

The lamp head is also made with recycled plastic and includes the front LEDs and a USB-C rechargeable battery. The front is tiltable at 90 degrees in steps, ensuring you don’t blind your fellow runners when you’re all waiting for the group run to start.

Silva says the Smini is its ‘’first step on a circular design journey and is a modular headlamp.” Care has been taken to make the torch mode repairable; for example, screws are holding the front of the lamp head to the back to allow people to adjust/ and change it easier.

Operating the Smini is as easy as it gets. There is only one button on the unit, which is the large I/O button at the top. Press it once for half a second and the light comes on. Once on, you can increase the light output by short-pressing the button again. Press it again and you get maximum 250 lumens.

There is also a red light function, which helps retain your night vision while navigating in the dark. To summon it, press the button for one second when the light is turned off. Foolproof operation!

Finally, the detachable rear safety light has always been my favourite Silva feature, and I’m glad it’s included with the Smini. It has two modes – solid red light and strobe – and fulfils its purpose perfectly. Although it’s designed to be used at the back of the headband, you can attach it to your bag or any other object using a string or a 15mm band.

Performance

The Silva Smini has a maximum light output of 250 lumens in Max mode, 100 lumens in Med mode, and 10 lumens in Min mode. To test the Smini, I took it for an after-dark, off-road trail race in November. It was only 15K, which I thought was an excellent opportunity to see how the unit holds up in real-life conditions.

We were moving fast in pretty dire conditions on occasions, with overhanging branches, rocks hidden under vegetation, and deep boggy sections. The race started as the sun was about to set, so I went with the lowest setting first. It was bright enough to illuminate the tarmac path at the beginning of the race.

As the race progressed and it got darker, I switched to Med, then Max mode. I also ended up tilting the front LED unit to direct the light closer towards me. Silva says the lamp unit is compromised of a long-reach spotlight and a close flood light, which in theory, should be able to provide enough light both closer and further away.

In my experience, the 250-lumen output is enough to do either of those but not both simultaneously. Truth be told, the Smini has a good throw, and the light output feels more than adequate when you aren’t running. Considering it’s supposed to be a backup head torch for ultra-running, I’d say it does a pretty good job!

One thing I must mention is comfort. The Smini is small and lightweight and sits perfectly flat on your forehead. I didn’t experience any bobbing or chafing under the lamp unit; if anything, wearing the Smini felt comfortable, which I appreciate is a crazy thing to say when it comes to head torches.

Battery life and charging

The Silva Smini has a 700 mAh battery Li-Po battery that can be changed via USB-C (cable included in the box). Officially, the maximum burn time is 20 hours in Min mode, 2.5 hours in Med mode and 1.5 hours in Max mode, which I found accurate during testing.

The battery charges from 0 to 100% in around three hours, depending on the charging conditions. If you plug the Smini into a wall socket in a room, it should take much longer than 180 minutes. If you use a portable power station out in the Scottish wilderness at 2 Celsius degrees, it might take a little longer.

I’d like it if the battery charged a bit faster, but I appreciate quick charging would have made the head unit more complicated and potentially heavier. Let’s hope you won’t forget to charge the Smini before heading out on a multi-day trip…

Verdict

The Silva Smini is an uncomplicated head torch that goes above and beyond the call of duty. It might have been designed as a backup unit for endurance athletes, but it’s so much more than that. Most importantly, it’s a reliable, lightweight lighting unit that’s also priced well.

Thanks to the affordable price point and the quality we’re used from Silva, the Smini is the best choice for those who don’t need technical, feature-rich head torches, which is 90% of people who might use one. Throw in the modular approach and circular nature of the Smini, and it won’t be hard to see why it’s destined to be a fan favourite.

Also consider

Petzl Tikkina: A slightly brighter headlamp at 300 lumens, the Tikkina offers longer battery life and multiple power options (AAA or rechargeable). However, it’s bulkier and lacks the modular design of the Smini.

Black Diamond Spot 400: With 400 lumens and waterproofing up to 1 meter, this headlamp is more rugged and suitable for harsh conditions. But it’s heavier and pricier, making it less ideal for casual use.

Ledlenser MH5: A versatile option with 400 lumens and a removable lamp head that doubles as a handheld torch. It’s feature-rich but costs more and sacrifices the lightweight simplicity of the Smini.