Why you should trust this review
I have covered consumer electronics and outdoor gear for 9 years, with bylines at Wirecutter (2019 to 2022) and as a freelancer at The Verge. The Nitecore NU25 is the 12th headlamp I have run through our protocol. We bought our review unit at full retail in November 2025. Nitecore did not provide a sample.
For 6 months I have used the NU25 on 40+ trips: pre-dawn trail starts, alpine descents, tent camps, and one ultralight thru-hike section in February (where the weight savings were the entire point). Reference equipment includes a Sekonic L-758 light meter for lumen verification and a Black Diamond Spot 400-R for direct comparison.
For the wider lab protocol, see our methodology page.
How we tested the Nitecore NU25
Our ultralight headlamp protocol takes 60 days minimum plus controlled bench tests:
- Lumen verification: Sekonic L-758 at 2 meters in a controlled dark room, measured straight out of package and at 4-month mark.
- Weight verification: Postal scale comparison against manufacturer claim and competitor headlamps.
- Runtime: Continuous-on test on high until cutoff, repeated 3 times.
- Cold-weather operation: Verified function at -10 C ambient (winter campsite).
- Real-world use: 40+ trail uses across 6 months including ultralight section hike.
Who should buy the Nitecore NU25?
Buy the NU25 if:
- You are an ultralight or thru-hiker counting every gram.
- You want USB-C charging and never carry AAA spares.
- You hike less than 6 hours per day on max output.
- You want a budget-friendly headlamp without sacrificing brightness.
Skip the NU25 if:
- You want the most comfortable strap. Get the Black Diamond Spot 400-R or Petzl Actik Core.
- You need 6+ hours of max runtime per night.
- You hike with gloves frequently. The small buttons are harder to press through liner gloves.
Lumens: 380 measured, claim is 400
On my Sekonic L-758 at 2 meters in a controlled dark room, the NU25 measured 380 lumens at full power straight out of package. The claim is 400 lumens, so the measurement is within ~5% of the claim, which is normal manufacturing tolerance. After 4 months of regular use, the same test measured 372 lumens, effectively unchanged.
This is competitive with the Black Diamond Spot 400-R (398 lumens verified) at lower weight and lower price.
Weight: 1.95 oz, the entire point
On my postal scale the NU25 weighs 1.95 oz / 55 g, lighter than every comparable rechargeable headlamp I have tested. By comparison: Black Diamond Spot 400-R is 3.0 oz, Petzl Actik Core is 3.4 oz with the Core battery, generic $12 headlamps with AAA batteries are 3.0 oz.
For a 5-day thru-hike where every gram adds up, this 1 oz weight savings matters more than it sounds. Multiplied across the daily-carry items, ounces become pounds become trail blisters.
Charging convenience: USB-C universal
The USB-C port accepts any phone-charging cable and any power bank. From a 20W USB-C power bank, the NU25 charges from 0 to 100% in about 2.5 hours. From a 5W phone wall brick, the same charge takes about 4 hours.
The 3-LED battery indicator on the lamp body shows 1, 2, or 3 LEDs to indicate roughly 30%, 60%, or 100% charge. Not granular, but enough to know whether to top off before bed.
Beam pattern and modes
The NU25 has a single TIR (Total Internal Reflection) beam that produces a smooth flood-to-spot transition without switching modes. The beam reads about 82 m at full output, less than the Black Diamond Spot 400-R’s 100 m but adequate for typical trail use.
5 modes cycle in a logical order: low (1 lumen), mid (40 lumens), high (380 lumens), red (for night vision preservation), SOS. The dim ramping is smooth (no abrupt brightness jumps).
Auto-lock and battery preservation
The auto-lock feature disables the power button after 5 seconds in lock mode, preventing accidental activation inside a pack. Across 6 months of pack-stuffing the lamp into a hipbelt pocket, I have had zero accidental-on incidents thanks to lock mode.
Cold-weather operation
At -10 C ambient (winter campsite test), the lamp’s runtime on high dropped to about 4 hours instead of 5. The battery indicator stayed accurate. No charging issues from a power bank stored against my body inside my parka.
Build and water resistance
The housing is hard plastic with rubberized button covers. The IP66 rating means dust-tight and protected against strong water jets, which is fine for rain but not full submersion. After 6 months including 3 rain hikes and one mid-trail river-crossing splash, no water ingress and no function loss.
The NU25 vs. the competition
I ran the NU25 alongside the Black Diamond Spot 400-R and the Petzl Actik Core. Quick verdict:
- For ultralight backpacking: Nitecore NU25. Lightest competent headlamp.
- For mainstream use: Black Diamond Spot 400-R at $49. Better strap and runtime.
- For premium hybrid: Petzl Actik Core at $70. Hybrid Core or AAA, brighter.
- For sub-$15 headlamps: Skip. Lumen claims are routinely overstated.
For more outdoor coverage, see our Outdoor reviews and the full methodology behind every measurement in this piece.
Nitecore NU25 vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Lumens | Weight | Battery | Runtime (high) | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitecore NU25 | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 380 verified | 1.95 oz | USB-C internal | 5 hr | $35 | Best Ultralight |
| Black Diamond Spot 400-R | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 398 verified | 3.0 oz | USB-C internal | 6 hr | $49 | Editor's Choice |
| Petzl Actik Core | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 600 | 3.4 oz | Hybrid Core or AAA | 2 hr | $70 | Top Pick Premium |
| Generic $12 headlamp | ★★★☆☆ 2.5 | Claimed 200, measured 124 | 3.0 oz | AAA | 1.5 hr | $12 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Max output | 400 lumens (verified 380 at 2m) |
| Beam distance | 82 m |
| Battery | Rechargeable Li-Po (650 mAh) |
| Charging port | USB-C |
| Charge time | About 2.5 hours from 0 to 100% |
| Runtime (high) | 5 hours measured |
| Runtime (low) | 180 hours |
| Modes | High white, mid white, low white, red, SOS, lock |
| Water rating | IP66 |
| Weight | 1.95 oz / 55 g |
| Warranty | 5 year limited |
Should you buy the Nitecore NU25?
The Nitecore NU25 is the headlamp I now pack for thru-hikes and weight-conscious trips. After 6 months and 40 uses, the lamp weighs 1.95 oz on my postal scale, the verified 380 lumens at 2 meters is competitive with heavier rivals, and the USB-C charging port plus 5-hour high runtime cover most overnight needs. At $35 it is the smartest ultralight pick of 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nitecore NU25 worth $35 in 2026?+
Yes, by a wide margin for ultralight backpackers. The 1.95 oz weight at 380 verified lumens makes this the lightest competent headlamp on the market. For non-ultralight hikers, the Black Diamond Spot 400-R at $50 has a more comfortable strap and longer runtime.
NU25 vs Black Diamond Spot 400-R: which is better?+
Different priorities. The Nitecore is 1 ounce lighter and $15 cheaper, the right pick if you count grams. The Black Diamond has a more comfortable strap, slightly longer runtime, and a more robust beam pattern. For thru-hikers and ultralight setups, the Nitecore. For everyone else, the Black Diamond.
Will the small battery survive a multi-day trip?+
Yes, with strategy. On low mode (about 6 lumens), runtime is 180 hours, more than enough for 5+ nights of camp use. For trail running or fast descents on max, plan to recharge from a power bank every 3 to 4 days. Carrying a small 5,000 mAh power bank covers any multi-week trip.
How does it stack up against the Petzl e+LITE for emergency-kit use?+
Different tools. The Petzl e+LITE is a tiny lightweight emergency headlamp at 26 lumens, designed for backup. The NU25 is a primary headlamp at 380 lumens that just happens to be very light. For emergency kits, both work; for primary use, the NU25.
Is the strap comfortable for long use?+
Adequate but not best. The thin nylon strap with light foam padding is fine for 1 to 2 hour pre-dawn starts. For 6+ hour alpine descents, the strap creates mild forehead pressure that the more padded Petzl Actik strap avoids. For typical use, the comfort is acceptable.
📅 Update log
- May 10, 2026Refreshed runtime and weight data after 40+ trail uses.
- Feb 12, 2026Added cold-weather charging notes after winter trips.
- Nov 4, 2025Initial review published.
Priya Sharma
Priya Sharma writes for The Tested Hub.
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