The £27 Magicshine URBO FL makes sense as a compact front light for commutes that already have street lighting. Its 300-lumen beam covers the next 10 metres well enough for low-speed riding and short dark sections, while a sharp cut-off keeps most of the light aimed down at the road.
The URBO FL was one of six affordable front lights we tested side by side on the same unlit route in the same light conditions. It was compared for its beam, construction, mounting and value. The URBO is an inexpensive city light rather than a compact substitute for a larger night-riding model.
The body is tiny, the controls feel solid and the quarter-turn mount avoids the bulk of some conventional handlebar brackets. Battery life at the maximum 300-lumen output is three hours, which is enough for several shorter commutes between charges.
Velora review
URBO FL
A compact and affordable front light with a useful cut-off beam for riding under street lamps. Its limited reach means it should not be a rider’s only light on unlit roads.
For
- +Compact 48g design
- +Firm top-mounted control
- +Neat quarter-turn quick-release mount
Against
- –Abrupt cut-off limits useful visibility to around 10 metres
- –No dedicated side windows
The sharp cut-off suits streetlit roads
The URBO FL’s beam is stronger in the immediate foreground than its 300-lumen figure might suggest. As you can see in the photo below, it illuminated the next 10 metres clearly, giving enough light for manoeuvring at low speed. Beyond that band, however, the road disappears into darkness. Unless you enjoy having only a fraction of a second to react to potholes or other obstacles, it is best to avoid riding at pace on unlit roads.
Magicshine designed the optic to keep light out of the eyes of approaching drivers and pedestrians. That makes sense on a city commute: it is a great light for trips to the office under street lamps, while still being bright enough for an unlit driveway or other low-speed manoeuvres in the dark.
The beam cut does feel a bit over the top, and I feel a less aggressive cut could have made it viable for unlit roads. Magicshine quotes a maximum throw of 147 metres, which seems unlikely. But it’s plenty enough to be seen and shouldn’t really be judged against the bigger, heavier and more powerful lights in this test.
Magicshine provides four modes. The lower constant setting produces 100 lumens for a claimed 10 hours and 30 minutes, while the 300-lumen maximum lasts three hours. Night flash has a claimed seven-hour runtime, and daytime flash extends that to 14 hours and 30 minutes. Charging takes two hours.
Compact body and quarter-turn mount
Dimensions are 39 x 37 x 48mm, and it weighs 48g on our scales, making it easy to remove and put in a pocket after locking the bike. Its slim profile also looks more discreet on the handlebar than the larger lights in the same test.
The exterior is plastic rather than metal, so it lacks the more substantial feel of Magicshine’s larger HORI 1300. It still feels well assembled for a £27 light. The top-mounted power button has a firm action and doesn’t feel cheap or vague when operated with gloves.
A compact quarter-turn fitting sits underneath the light. It works like a miniaturised bike-computer mount: place the light into the fitting and twist it into position. A rubber strap secures the base to the handlebar, allowing it to fit different bar diameters without a large permanent bracket.
The USB-C charging port sits at the back under a rubber cover, partly beneath the mounting area. Magicshine rates the light to IPX6 for water resistance and includes a two-year warranty. THere’s also a lockout function to stop the light switching on while it is being carried in a bag.
Value and verdict
The closest city-light alternative is the CatEye AMPP 500, which costs about £40. Its 500-lumen maximum and longer-reaching beam give it more scope when dark sections become longer, although it remains closer to an urban light than the larger models in the test. It also weighs 117g and lasts a claimed 90 minutes at full power, compared with the URBO’s 48g body and three-hour maximum-mode runtime.
Regular riding on unlit lanes calls for a larger light. The Towild CL1200 supplies much more output in a conventional torch-style body, while the much heavier Sioyio W617 floods around 100 metres of road. Both sacrifice the compact format that makes the URBO attractive.
The Magicshine URBO FL is a good buy for urban commuters who want a small front light at a low price. Its solid control, quick-release mount and three-hour battery make it easy to live with, while the beam works for sustained riding where street lighting is present. Anyone whose route regularly continues beyond those lights should choose a larger model.
