Nitecore NU25
Buy the older Classic or UL version, not the Gen 2
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- Power
- Built-in rechargeable, USB
- Red light
- Yes on the original, weak on the Gen 2
Why it ranks here. The NU25 is the default answer on r/Ultralight and r/flashlight: $35, under 50 grams, fast USB charging, and a low red mode owners night-hike by. It ranks first on that consensus. The catch is the redesign, which is heavier, drops the low red, and dims itself, so owners hunt for the older version.
'The throw is more than I ever need, the flood neutral white light is great for inside tent or cooking, the red light is perfect levels for slow hiking'↗, says one owner of the old version. One used the UL 'for both pct and cdt'↗ and night-hikes on red because it 'barely drains the battery'↗. A 2017 unit has 'been used hard'↗ and 'still runs for 2+ hours on medium'↗. When a headband bracket broke after five years, its owner printed a new one 'For about 12 cents in material'↗. Then the new one: 'a giant leap backwards'↗, says a long-time owner, 'How on earth did the the team at nitecore, who worked on the NU25, get it so wrong?'↗. Another: 'Too bad the new one doesn't have a low red light mode'↗. A third: 'It dims itself over 150 seconds to below half brightness. WTF nitecore?'↗. Buyers now 'ordered the original version'↗ on purpose.
What owners like
“I use a Nitecore NU25 headlamp: the old version at least. The throw is more than I ever need, the flood neutral white light is great for inside tent or cooking, the red light is perfect levels for slow hiking or around other people in the dark. It's ultralight and easy.” — Reddit comment · u/EarlGreyHikingBaker · r/flashlight · 2026-09-06
8 positive · 2 mixed · 2 negative · 12 voices · ✓ all 12 linked to source
Read all 12 quotes (12 voices)
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I use a Nitecore NU25 headlamp: the old version at least. The throw is more than I ever need, the flood neutral white light is great for inside tent or cooking, the red light is perfect levels for slow hiking or around other people in the dark. It's ultralight and easy.
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My favorite lights are Nitecore NU25 for backpacking/multi-day trips, and armytek wizard for quick trips (it's pretty heavy but works extremely well)
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So my favorite headlamp, the Nitecore NU-25, has an integrated battery, and costs about $35. The oldest one I have is from 2017. It's been used hard, and while the battery life is significantly diminished, it still runs for 2+ hours on medium.
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The bracket that connects the lamp to the elastic headband finally broke after much use and 5 years. Didn't care to buy a whole new headlamp so I challenged myself to make one in Blender and 3D print it myself. For about 12 cents in material, I now have a new bracket! Originally bought the NU25 because I needed a headlamp with a red light for my night flying when I was getting my pilots license Now I use it all the time for crawling around attics for work, car maintenance, hiking, etc. Love this little thing!
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If not night hiking, just using in camp, I can go several days without recharging my old-school NU-25 (similar to the current NU20). When I do need to recharge it, it charges very fast.
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Used the nitecore nu25 ul for both pct and cdt, love that the redlight is pretty bright bc i night hike with it a lot and red barely drains the battery.
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Had nothing but the original NU25 since the PCT and all hiking (and around the house, dog walks, early skiing etc) since. Strap modded.
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I just got the new version of the NU25 and find it a giant leap backwards. I use a single length of shockcord on the older version and find it much more comfortable than the new tangle. The sweaty itchy forehead piece looks cheap on the new one... How on earth did the the team at nitecore, who worked on the NU25, get it so wrong? I'm going to be using the old NU25.
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Too bad the new one doesn't have a low red light mode. I like the USB Type-C but I won't trade in the low power red light for it.
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I had high hopes for this, but the throttling on all three brightness modes is off the charts. It dims itself over 150 seconds to below half brightness. WTF nitecore?
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Just ordered the original version due to the simple user interface, smaller form factor and great reputation. Maybe Gen 3 will solve what people seem to dislike about Gen 2. I don't think the Gen 2 is a bad product, but it is a pretty big departure from what made Gen 1 so beloved.
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1-2 night hikes from my NU25-medium brightness. High brightness I have found kills most lights regardless of what run times are claimed... Nitecore NU20, NU25 charge fine, never an issue.
