Two headlamps worth lining up side by side. The NU25 UL leans on low weight while the NU27 answers with brightness, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| Nitecore NU25 UL | Nitecore NU27 | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 82✓ | 79 |
| Max lumens | 400 lm | 600 lm✓ |
| Weight | 1.6 oz✓ | 2.0 oz |
| Beam distance | 132 m✓ | 123 m |
| Max runtime | 160 h | 57 h |
| Price | $37✓ | $45 |
| Battery | Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
| Water rating | IP66 | n/s |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: NU25 UL in blue, NU27 in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. Runtime is shown for context and is not scored, since makers publish it at different brightness levels. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full headlamp comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
The Nitecore NU25 UL and Nitecore NU27 take different routes to the same job. The NU25 UL wins on low weight and longer throw, and the NU27 pushes back on brightness.
The NU25 UL is 12 g lighter, a longer beam (132 vs 123 m), and $8 cheaper. The NU27 is brighter (600 vs 400 lm). On the default GearScore the NU25 UL leads 82 to 79.
Pick the NU25 UL if you care most about low weight and longer throw, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the NU27 if brightness matter more to you, or you are focused on your priorities.
The Nitecore NU25 UL. It is 12 g lighter than the NU27.
The Nitecore NU27. It is brighter (600 vs 400 lm) than the NU25 UL.
The Nitecore NU25 UL, 82 to 79 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the NU25 UL for low weight, or the NU27 for brightness. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.