Nitecore NU25 MCT UL Head Torch review: The lightest headlamp we’ve ever tested

The Nitecore NU25 MCT UL is a cutting-edge ultralight headlamp designed for weight-conscious adventurers. At just 47g, it’s among the lightest rechargeable head torches on the market, yet still manages to deliver an impressive 400 lumens of output and a beam distance of 132 metres.

What sets this version apart is its Multiple Colour Temperature (MCT) LEDs, which allow you to toggle between warm, neutral and cool white light – a rare and useful feature in such a compact unit.

Its slimline build houses twin spot and flood LEDs plus red-light mode, with a USB-C rechargeable 700mAh battery offering up to 45 hours of runtime (at the 6-lumen ultralow setting).

The minimalist bungee-style headband helps keep the weight down, while the IP66 rating ensures resilience against heavy rain and dust. Controls are split between two top-mounted buttons, though mastering the full array of functions takes some practice.

It’s not the most comfortable for extended wear, and the fiddly buttons can be tricky with gloves, but for fastpackers, trail runners and ultralight hikers, the NU25 UL strikes an impressive balance of performance, features and weight. It’s also great as a reliable backup light or compact camp lantern.

Design and features

The Nitecore NU25 series consists of four models, with small but distinct differences. The standard NU25 and NU25 UL are essentially the same head torches, just fitted with different headbands. The UL shaves around 10g by using simple reflective bungee cord rather than the hybrid cord and elasticated strap combination of the NU25.

Meanwhile, the newer NU25 MCT and MCT UL boast upgraded multiple colour temperature (MCT) LEDs that can switch the beam from cool to neutral to warm white. The warmest light setting (3000K), emits a soft, yellow-toned light much like a traditional incandescent lightbulb, while cool white (6500K), produces a brighter, whiter light with a hint of blue.

The torch body is made from hard and shiny polycarbonate, which houses a front light unit containing a 4 x LED array: twin spot and flood MCT (multiple colour temperature) LEDs, and two smaller red-light LEDs. Despite its diminutive size, this is a robust bit of kit.

It has an IP (ingress protection) rating of IP66, which means it is completely dustproof and rainproof. This ought to give good peace of mind that the lamp will keep on shining even in torrential downpours or on hot, dusty trails.

The light unit is attached to a plastic bracket that adjusts to five positions, with simple mounting points for the bungee cord that acts as a headband.

Operation is not perhaps the most immediately intuitive, which is a shortcoming we’ve also experienced with other Nitecore head torches we’ve tested in recent years, such as the extremely powerful HC65 UHE. Basically, they take a little getting used to compared to more straightforward rivals.

On the other hand, they typically offer a lot of additional functionality. But this means it’s worth sitting down with the user manual to familiarise yourself with the torch before you take it out on the hill for the first time or head out for a run.

Here's an overview. Everything is controlled via two textured, rubberised buttons positioned on the top of the unit: a rectangular power button and a circular mode button. A long press of the power button turns the torch on. By default, it is set to dual mode (combined spot and flood) on its lowest setting of 60 lumens. Another press increases the brightness to 200 lumens and then the maximum setting of 400 lumens.

Pressing the mode button allows you to select the colour temperature – you can pick from warm white (3000k), neutral (4500k) or cool white (6500k). Alternatively, a double press of the power button when the unit is off activates the ultralow setting (neutral white light). This gives you maximum burn time (45 hours at 6 lumens).

To activate the red light, long press the mode button when the unit is off. You can then cycle through two brightness settings by tapping the power button.

To activate strobe, double press the mode button. You can then cycle through white light SOS flashing (three short - three long – three short flashes in succession), as well as standard white strobe or red-light strobe by tapping the power button.

A single press of the mode button whilst the torch is off illuminates the battery power indicator; 4 tiny blue LEDs that display the remaining charge (25, 50, 75 or 100%).

Finally, there’s a button lock function to guard against accidental operation when the torch is stashed in a bag or pack: hold both power and mode buttons simultaneously for 2 seconds when the light is off.

Performance and comfort

If all those button pressing sequences detailed above sound a bit confusing, you’d be right. On test it took me a while to get used to how the NU25 works – and occasionally, I had to take the torch off my head and look at it to see which LEDs I’d managed to turn on.

Admittedly it didn’t help that I was using several different head torches at various times during the test period, each with different operating functions. So, if this was your only torch (or you’re good with tech) you’d probably get more comfortable with it fairly quickly.

However, it's a compact unit, which also means the two top buttons are fairly small. They are differently shaped and textured to help you distinguish them, but they’re not the easiest to use with gloves on. Still, this is an impressive head torch for its size.

Even burn times are quite creditable. The latest models of the NU25 are powered by an in-built 700mAh rechargeable li-ion battery, which is charged via an external USB-C port. Going from completely dead to fully charged (as indicated by the 4 blue LEDs) took just over 2 hours using the supplied cable. Similarly, I found that the claimed battery life (2 hrs 40 mins on maximum power) was pretty accurate.

After that, the unit suddenly switches to a 6-lumen reserve mode, which is slightly disconcerting but at least preferable to plunging you into total darkness.

It’s also surprisingly versatile. I really liked the ability to switch the colour temperature of the combined spot/flood beam from warm white to neutral or cool white, in all three brightness settings. For example, when you want maximum beam penetration on the trail, you can opt for the cool white 400 lumen setting.

But when you want a softer light for general tent illumination, the warm white 60 lumen setting is great, as it doesn’t fatigue the eyes or blind your tentmates.

The bungee cord makes it easy to hang the torch inside a tent and the reflective elements also make it easier to find it again in dim light. The unit is also bundled with a translucent storage sack (almost identical to the ones that Petzl uses) that gives you a nice diffuse light if you’re using the NU25 as a tent lantern.

On the head, its low weight makes it easy to wear, though the elastic bungee cord is not as comfortable as a wider elastic headband, occasionally resulting in pressure points. Similarly, the lamp bracket has a small foam pad to stop it digging into your forehead, but the edges of the casing are fairly hard and sharp. Fortunately, the tension can be easily adjusted via the rear one-pull toggle.

It’s not a torch that I’d use for extended night hikes, partly due to the limited comfort and partly due to its restricted burn times (though they’re comparable to similarly light and compact rivals). However, for runs and hikes where you might start pre-dawn or finish after dusk, it’s a reliable companion.

It slips easily into a pocket or trail running vest and at full beam is still powerful enough to navigate over reasonably challenging terrain or get you off the hill in pitch black if needs be. It would also make a great back up or emergency torch for hikers and climbers, not least because of its excellent SOS and strobe settings.

However, the NU25 really comes into its own for fastpacking and ultralight backpacking, since it offers superb power output for its weight. It also has a range of useful features including multiple light modes (even if they’re not the easiest to operate), while the IP66 waterproof rating means you don’t need to worry about the torch getting a soaking.

Price and competition

Chinese-owned and operated Nitecore is one of a new wave of lighting brands from Asia that, just like Korean-based Claymore, are presenting the more established US and European outdoor brands with serious competition.

Components and build quality are rivalling the old guard, and they normally outstrip them in terms of outright performance and features too.

The Nitecore NU25 is a good example. It’s seriously light and very compact, tipping the scales at around 50g. In terms of power output-to-weight, that makes this arguably the best headlamp on the market, outperforming ultralight rivals like the Petzl Bindi, Silva SMini, Ledlenser NEO1R and Black Diamond Deploy 325.

With a UK RRP of £44.95, it’s also reasonably priced, especially given its low weight in relation to its 380-lumen maximum light output. This makes it an even more attractive proposition for weight-conscious adventurers, from fastpackers and fell runners to ultralight backpackers.

Verdict

For ultralighters, the NU25 MCT UL is a top-tier choice – bright, feature-rich, weatherproof and astonishingly light. It’s not the simplest torch to operate or the most comfortable headlamp to wear for extended periods, but it offers serious performance in a minimal package.

For more lightweight options, check out our roundup of the best running head torches.

About the author

Matt Jones is a freelance journalist based in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, he’s a vastly experienced gear tester and self-confessed outdoor kit geek. Matt’s been one of our main gear testers for the last couple of years and is the first person we call with any complicated kit queries that need in-depth and forensic analysis.