![\"2026-Exposure-Boost-3-side.jpg\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-Exposure-Boost-3-side.jpg\")
2026-Exposure-Boost-3-side.jpg (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)<\/p>\nThe Exposure Boost 3 is a lightly upgraded version of the Mk2, with a small case change and max power going from 350 to 600 lumens. The extra power (or run-time, if you prefer) makes it more useful, but unfortunately the needlessly complex controls and high price remain.<\/p>\n
The Boost 3 is very small and light, yet easily bright enough to get you seen, whether you\u2019re using flashing mode or a solid beam. It\u2019s worth noting that it only puts out 600 lumens in Pulse mode \u2013 the brightest Constant setting is only 400 lumens.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, that\u2019s a truly useful amount of light. Even the previous version, the Mk2, was bright enough at 300 lumens (on Constant) to get you through completely unlit sections with a bit of care. With the extra power, the Boost 3 is usable as a headlamp in fully dark areas. It\u2019s a fairly narrow beam, but it\u2019ll keep you safe at 18-20mph through unlit rural voids\u2026 unless you\u2019re in the wrong mode when you get there, when it\u2019ll be awkward at best \u2013 more on that in a second.<\/p>\n
The 600-lumen DayBright setting (Exposure\u2019s name for its flashing pattern) is more than up to getting you noticed, even on bright days, while the 270\u00b0 lens means you\u2019re visible from the side too. It\u2019s all rated IP67, so is completely sealed against dust and capable of laying underwater for at least 30 minutes. Basically, you don\u2019t need to consider the weather.<\/p>\n
Pleasingly, the extra power has not reduced the run-time \u2013 roughly two hours on max \u2013 thanks to a 200mAh bump in battery capacity to 1600mAh. I\u2019d hoped for a Mk2-matching power setting as the middle brightness of the three, but unfortunately it steps right down to 135 lumens and, lastly, 75. The 135 setting is good for urban riding as a be-seen light, but had it been 250-300 lumens, it would have covered you for both lit and unlit sections while burning usefully longer than two hours.<\/p>\n
This is especially true as the Boost 3 shuts off without warning when flat. The best I got at full power was 2h10m at room temperature, while on a windy 2C ride, it was under two hours.<\/p>\n
2026-Exposure-Boost-3-side.jpg (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)<\/p>\n
Full power run-times wouldn\u2019t matter so much if changing the brightness was easy \u2013 but it\u2019s not. The light seems designed to be set before riding and left alone. While most lights cycle their power outputs with single clicks, Exposure tucks that option away in a programming mode you can only access with the light switched off. To use it, you must remember the right button presses and the meaning of the flashes that follow, and you may need to refer to the table etched into the bottom of the light. (You\u2019ll need a second light to read the table.)<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t honestly think of a benefit to doing it like this.<\/p>\n
![\"2026-Exposure-Boost-3-run-times.jpg\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-Exposure-Boost-3-run-times.jpg\")
2026-Exposure-Boost-3-run-times.jpg (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)<\/p>\n
Here are Exposure\u2019s instructions on changing the brightness:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lights have three programs with different intensities and run times. To select a program, start with the light off. Hold the Function Button down. The light will then start to emit single flashes. Count these flashes and release the button on the number of flashes that correspond to the program you want to be in. The Runtimes in each program are etched onto the product in the bellow [sic] table.\u201d<\/p>\n
For comparison, here are the instructions for Knogg\u2019s Blinder Pro 600:<\/p>\n
\u201cQuick press \u2013 change mode.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like many modern lights, that Knog uses a long press to switch on and off, whereas the Exposure only turns off that way \u2013 to turn it on requires a double press. This means the Knog is free to assign the double press to switching to flash mode, meaning it \u2013 like so many competitors \u2013 does everything without needing a separate programming mode. It achieves this without being turned off, and without asking the user to memorise or count flashes or refer to a table.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t help that the button (Exposure calls it an Optimised Mode Selector, or OMS) is quite small and stiff. When riding in thick gloves, it\u2019s not that easy to find, as the Boost 3 will spin and slide back and forth in the clamp as you prod. The button\u2026 sorry, OMS is not lit or even coloured. You have to get a firm pinch on the lamp itself to actually press it, which isn\u2019t that easy with such a tiny light.<\/p>\n
Remove the Boost 3 from the bike and the button is pretty easy to operate, and left alone in its clamp the unit stays still and secure. The clamp \u2013 both the silicone ladder and the microphone-stand-type upper bit \u2013 is very nicely shaped and strongly built. Attaching it is quick and easy.<\/p>\n
![\"2026-Exposure-Boost-3-bar-mount.jpg\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-Exposure-Boost-3-bar-mount.jpg\")
2026-Exposure-Boost-3-bar-mount.jpg (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been a small change to the case for this version, which is that the anti-dazzle shield on top of the lens is now part of the metal body instead of the silicone charging port seal. The change makes zero difference, so presumably it\u2019s a manufacturing decision rather than an attempt at an upgrade.<\/p>\n
Speaking of manufacturing, our test light had a small issue. On the Solid setting, it would suddenly drop in brightness, fade smoothly back up over a few seconds and then repeat, constantly. It wasn\u2019t that noticeable, but Exposure confirmed it was a fault \u2013 it should shine steadily.<\/p>\n
A customer would have theirs replaced under warranty, which lasts three years if you buy directly or two years if you\u2019ve bought from a third party. Exposure also offers \u2018lifetime repairs\u2019 on all its products, which is reassuring \u2013 though these aren\u2019t free.<\/p>\n
Value<\/p>\n
The good news is that, at \u00a380, this is exactly the same price as the old version. The bad news is that \u00a380 is pretty high for a light like this.<\/p>\n
> See and be seen with our top front bike lights for on the road, trail or path<\/a><\/p>\n The Knog Blinder Pro 600 front light<\/a> I mentioned earlier, for instance, is \u00a320 cheaper at \u00a359.99. It too has a machined aluminium body, runs two hours on full power and is IP67 rated \u2013 though the Knog actually produces 600 lumens in a constant beam, and lasts four hours on its useful 300 lumen medium setting.<\/p>\n Cheaper still is the Cateye AMPP400S<\/a>, which matches the Boost 3\u2019s 400 lumen on constant and is also bright enough to use as a proper headlamp. It\u2019s \u00a334.99.<\/p>\n
![\"2026-Exposure-Boost-3-USB-C-port.jpg\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-Exposure-Boost-3-USB-C-port.jpg\")
2026-Exposure-Boost-3-USB-C-port.jpg (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)\u00a0<\/p>\n