Nitecore NU25 Head Torch review
By Tom Calder
A genuinely tiny, well-made rechargeable head torch that punches above its size, with a proper red-light mode and sensible weatherproofing. For most households it is an easy, low-fuss choice to keep in a drawer or grab bag.
- Best for
- A featherweight rechargeable head torch for grab bags and everyday power cuts.
- Skip it if
- You want a torch you can keep running indefinitely through a long power cut on spare AA/AAA…
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.We earn a commission if you buy through the retailer links on this page. It doesn't change our verdict. How we make money →
Researched, not used. We haven't used this product. This review is built from the maker's specifications, owner reports and our own sizing.
What we like
- Very light at around 51 g worn, so it is easy to keep to hand or pack away
- USB rechargeable with a genuinely useful red-light mode and a long low-output runtime
- IP66 weather resistance and a solid reputation among UK hikers and fell runners
Worth knowing
- The sealed built-in battery cannot be swapped, so you cannot drop in fresh cells mid-outage
- Older base models charge over Micro-USB rather than USB-C, and full 360 lm turbo lasts only about half an hour
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Our review
Nitecore's NU25 UL is a 47g rechargeable head torch with a 400-lumen high, a 45-hour ultralow, a red light and USB-C charging, rated IP66. Nitecore publishes a full ANSI FL1 table for it. The sealed cell cannot be swapped, which is the one thing to weigh against it for a long power cut.
What it is
The current NU25 UL, sold since 2023, has a built-in 700mAh lithium cell, a USB-C port, a dual beam of spot and flood, and a red light. Nitecore gives 47g with the bracket and headband, 60 by 33 by 26mm, IP66 against dust and water jets, and impact resistance to one metre. The older NU25 from 2017 had 360 lumens, a smaller cell and a Micro USB port, and some listings still show it, so check for USB-C in the photos. Nitecore's UL version uses a thin elastic cord headband; the standard NU25 has a conventional strap.
Output and run times, by Nitecore's table
Nitecore's table, tested to ANSI/PLATO FL1 2019 at 26°C, gives 400 lumens for 2 hours 40 minutes, 200 lumens for 5 hours, 60 lumens for 13 hours and 6 lumens for 45 hours, with beam distances from 132m down to 13m. The red light gives 15 lumens for 10 hours or 5 lumens for 26 hours, and there are SOS and beacon modes. For a power cut the 60-lumen setting is the useful one: enough to cook and move about by for a long evening, and 13 hours covers two of them on one charge.
Living with it
Charge it from any USB-C lead; Nitecore does not state a charging time on its page. Because the cell is sealed, there is no swapping in fresh AAA cells when it runs flat, so pair it with a power bank or keep an AAA head torch as the second light. Store it part-charged and top it up every few months, as with any lithium device, and follow our lithium battery guide. The low weight means children and adults alike will actually wear it, which matters more than peak brightness.
A head torch is the light to put on first in a cut, before you go looking for anything else, because it leaves both hands free for a fuse box, a cooker or a child. The NU25 UL's spot and flood beams can be used together, and a lock-out stops it switching on in a bag.
How it compares
On our head torch comparison the Petzl Actik and Petzl Tikka run on three AAA cells, so they never need a charger, at about twice the weight. The Fenix HM65R-T V2 is far brighter with a replaceable 18650 cell, for more money and weight. The Nitecore is the pick when weight and a red light matter and a USB socket is never far away.
Our verdict
Buy it if you want a head torch light enough to forget in a bag or a coat pocket, with a long low mode and a red light for moving about a dark house without waking everyone. Skip it if your plan for a multi-day power cut has no way to charge USB devices; an AAA torch such as the Petzl Tikka is then the safer choice. The government's Be Ready checklist asks for a torch and spare batteries, and a rechargeable one needs a charged power bank to count.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and UK listings; facts checked 2 Nov 2026. Sources: Nitecore: NU25 UL product page; Nitecore (official Singapore store): NU25 UL specifications and FL1 table; UK Government Be Ready: emergency kit checklist.
Who shouldn't buy this
Do not buy if you want a torch you can keep running indefinitely through a long power cut on spare AA/AAA batteries. A model that takes swappable disposable cells suits prolonged emergency use better; keep the NU25 charged if you rely on it.
Key specs
| Max output | 360 lm |
| Runtime | Up to 160 h on 1 lm low; ~30 min on 360 lm turbo |
| Battery | Built-in ~610 mAh Li-ion, USB (Micro-USB) rechargeable |
| Weight | 51 g |
This is a Researched review: we haven't used this product. We check every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the UK price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who it isn't for. Commissions never change a rating.
If this isn’t the one
Best for A long power cut kit that needs a head torch you can feed with ordinary shop-bought AAA cells.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for A high-output rechargeable head torch for DIY, tradespeople and long outages.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for A very bright, rugged head torch for DIY and outdoor jobs, with a spare-cell fallback.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 16:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Questions
How long does the Nitecore NU25 UL last on a charge?
By Nitecore's FL1 table, 2 hours 40 minutes at 400 lumens, 5 hours at 200, 13 hours at 60 and 45 hours at 6 lumens. The red light runs 10 or 26 hours.
Is the Nitecore NU25 UL waterproof?
It is rated IP66, which covers dust and strong water jets but not submersion. Rain and snow are fine; do not take it swimming.
Can I replace the battery in the NU25 UL?
No. The 700mAh lithium cell is built in and charged by USB-C. If you want swappable cells, choose an AAA head torch instead.
What is the difference between the NU25 and the NU25 UL?
Same light and cell; the UL uses a thin elastic cord headband to save weight, and the standard NU25 has a wider strap. Both have USB-C charging and 400 lumens.
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