Nitecore NU25 UL Headlamp (2026 Edition) Review
Nitecore took the best headlamp ever made and finally gave it USB-C and a more intuitive dual-button UI.
The verdictStill the benchmark. There is no reason to buy any other headlamp for bikepacking.
The 2026 Nitecore NU25 UL is the undisputed king of bikepacking lighting. By stripping away the bulky traditional headband and replacing it with a minimalist elastic cord system, Nitecore has managed to keep the weight at a ludicrous 45 grams while actually increasing the lumen output and usability compared to previous models. This high-quality gear is designed specifically for the rigors of multi-day bikepacking adventures across varying terrain. It represents a solid investment for anyone looking to build a reliable and ultralight setup without compromising on essential features or durability.
The new dual-button interface makes switching between the high-powered spot, camp-friendly flood, and night-vision-saving red light easier than ever, even with cold or gloved hands. USB-C charging is now the standard, meaning you can top it up using the same cable as your phone or GPS, further simplifying your packing list and reducing unnecessary cable clutter. This high-quality gear is designed specifically for the rigors of multi-day bikepacking adventures across varying terrain. It represents a solid investment for anyone looking to build a reliable and ultralight setup without compromising on essential features or durability.
At 45g with the cell built in, this is the lightest usable headlamp in any of our lists, and the integrated battery is the design decision worth understanding before buying. There is no spare AAA to carry or lose, and it charges from the same USB-C cable as everything else on the bike — but there is also no field swap when it runs flat, which turns the power bank from a convenience into a dependency.
Read 400 lumens correctly too. It is well beyond what a camp light needs and well short of what a bar light provides, so treat it as enough to cook by, find things in a bag and walk a bike down a short section — not enough to descend on. The IP66 rating covers sustained rain but not immersion, which is the right specification for a headlamp and the wrong one for anything that might end up in a creek.
What works
- Incredibly light (45g)
- USB-C charging
- Independent red light
- Lockout mode
- Comfortable strap
What doesn't
- Strap can slip on hair
- Short battery life on max
- Plastic body feels light
Buy it if
- Weight Weenies: Every gram counts on the climb.
- Camp Convenience: Multi-beam options for every task.
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