Still the Best Ultralight Headlamp?: NEW Nitecore NU25s

Disclaimer: Nitecore sent me both of the new NU25s to review for free

A while back, I suggested that the Nitecore NU25 was the best ultralight headlamp on the market.

I stand by that statement and love my NU25 headlamp. It goes everywhere with me and I use it on all my trips, not just in the outdoors.

Nitecore reached out to me and asked if I’d like to try out the new and improved NU25 that comes in two models: a “lightweight” – which they also refer to as the “sports” model and “ultra lightweight” version.

New NU25 First Impressions

I took a lot of notes when I tried out the new Nitecore NU25s; comparing them to the old version.

• Weight (slightly heavier than older model — hard to compare, since old model weight didn’t include headband (1.9oz with headband on old one)
  • UL: 1.59oz
  • Sports (lightweight): 1.98oz
• No longer has 1 Lumen “moonlight” mode – changed to 6 Lumens
• More confusing button/operation configuration
• Still has lock mode — long press both buttons (I really don’t like the flashing light to indicate locked mode)
• Red light will cycle through some white light modes (Mix, Spotlight, Floodlight) — not really a fan of this one. If you’re wanting a red light, you want it to avoid white light. Why mix those?
• Really like the shock cord headband option — also, the shock cord is reflective!
• I like that it’s now USB-C charger instead of old version (micro USB) — fewer cords I have to carry into the backcountry
• Old = 360 Lumen max, New = 400 Lumen max
• No “Turbo” mode
• Throw is shorter in new version (70yds vs. 88yds)
• Max run time is 45 hours (in ULTRALOW mode) vs. 16 hours with old version
• Much better battery level indicator (old one was flashing lights and I could never remember what each pattern meant — now, it’s a scale – 3 level lights)

Still The Best Ultralight Headlamp?

The short answer: no.

I would say it’s probably a first place tie with the Petzl Bindi. Nitecore clearly tried to copy the popular shock-cord configuration of the Petzl Bindi, but they also copied the complicated button structure that I hated about the Bindi. The old NU25 just worked. It wasn’t complicated and didn’t have button functions that didn’t make sense (like white lights cycling in with the red lights). Why, Nitecore?

Also, I loved the “moonlight” mode. Why did they take that away? There’s not much difference between 1 and 6 lumens, unless you’re in a really dark place (you know, like backpacking in an area with no artificial light). They also made getting to moonlight mode slightly more complicated. This should be the easiest mode to enter with a light with the red light modes being a close second.

The extra 40 lumens in the brightest mode don’t really matter to me, as I almost never use the full brightness of the light. However, I do love the HUGE increase in battery life! They last so long on one charge that I forget that I have to charge them up. As to charging, again, Nitecore made a great choice by switching from micro USB to USB-C charging port. Almost everything I need to charge in the backcountry uses USB-C (thanks, Apple /sarcasm).

Conclusion

The new versions of the Nitecore NU25 present some quirks that irritate me. Given the choice, I’m picking my old version over the two new ones. It’s still a great headlamp at a great price. I just don’t believe it’s “the best ultralight headlamp,” anymore. It’s equal to the Petzl Bindi….also a great headlamp. With the old version, I would choose the NU25 over the Bindi every day and twice on Sunday. Now, it’s a toss up.