A close look at two headlamps buyers cross-shop. The NU25 UL leans on brightness while the Swift LT answers with low weight, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| Nitecore NU25 UL | Petzl Swift LT | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 82✓ | 79 |
| Max lumens | 400 lm✓ | 380 lm |
| Weight | 1.6 oz | 1.5 oz✓ |
| Beam distance | 132 m✓ | 70 m |
| Max runtime | 160 h | 60 h |
| Price | $37✓ | $55 |
| Battery | Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
| Water rating | IP66 | IPX4 |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: NU25 UL in blue, Swift LT 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.
Put the Nitecore NU25 UL next to the Petzl Swift LT and the trade-offs are clear. The NU25 UL wins on brightness and longer throw, and the Swift LT pushes back on low weight.
The NU25 UL is brighter (400 vs 380 lm), a longer beam (132 vs 70 m), and $18 cheaper. The Swift LT is a little lighter. On the default GearScore the NU25 UL leads 82 to 79.
Pick the NU25 UL if you care most about brightness and longer throw, which makes it the better call for your priorities. Pick the Swift LT if low weight matter more to you, or you are focused on counting grams on long miles.
The Nitecore NU25 UL. It is brighter (400 vs 380 lm) than the Swift LT.
The Petzl Swift LT. It is a little lighter 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 brightness, or the Swift LT for low weight. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.