Nitecore NU27 Review | CleverHiker

Bottom line

Nitecore may not yet be a household name in the United States, but they are quickly making waves in the headlamp space with their lightweight, highly functional, and affordable options in this market. The NU27 is one of Nitecore’s newest offerings, and it initially caught our attention thanks to its unique set of features. Most notably, the ability to adjust the color temperature of the light. Users can toggle between warm white, neutral white, and cool white light, with five brightness levels available for each color temperature. This makes the NU27 an incredibly versatile headlamp option.

Weighing 1.98 ounces, the NU27 just barely qualifies as ultralight, but it still fits into our ultralight category. Its 600-lumen output creates a bright beam with a throw that outperforms many more expensive headlamps. The NU27 has the best weight-to-brightness ratio of any headlamp in our lineup, making it an excellent choice for ultralight hikers, runners, and thru-hikers.

The NU27 offers exceptional value, delivering impressive brightness and lightweight performance. However, it’s not without quirks. We found the lack of a memory function a bit frustrating since it resets to the lowest neutral light setting each time it’s turned off. The beam also isn’t ideal for flood lighting and has some flare-like artifacts around the edges. That said, for what it offers, it’s a top option for its weight and functionality. Overall, the NU27 is an exciting new headlamp from Nitecore. Wondering if the NU27 is right for you? Check out our comprehensive review below and explore our Best Headlamps Gear Guide to see how it compares to the competition.

Illumination & Light Quality

When it comes to overall illumination, the NU27 impressed us the most. The headlamp has a lumen rating of 600, but as we often point out, lumen ratings don’t always tell the full story. For example, the Petzl Actik CORE also has a 600-lumen rating, but when tested side by side, the NU27 appears significantly brighter. Interestingly, the “high” setting on the NU27 is rated at only 400 lumens.

The additional 200 lumens are activated in turbo mode. This means the NU27 is brighter than its rating suggests. We were also impressed with the throw of the NU27’s beam, which outperforms even some of our favorite headlamps with similar lumen ratings.

That said, there is room for improvement. The beam is somewhat spotty, and we’d like to see a flood function added in future models or at least improved floodlighting overall. The headlamp also produces some odd lens-flare-like artifacts near the edges of the beam, which can be disorienting at times. Additionally, the color rendering isn’t the best, meaning the NU27 doesn’t do an excellent job of accurately reproducing color across all three color temperature settings.

Overall, the NU27’s illumination exceeded our expectations, while the light quality is mostly mid-tier but satisfactory.

Burn Time

The burn time of the NU27 is a mixed bag, though mostly positive overall. Compared to some of our top performers, it’s on the lower end, but when compared to other ultralight headlamps, it’s on par or even slightly better than its competitors. Thanks to the ultralow function, you can get up to 57 hours of light per charge under ideal conditions. However, the ultralow function only provides 6 lumens, making it suitable for around camp but insufficient for on-trail use.

From there, burn time decreases significantly: about 13 hours on low, 6.5 hours on medium, and just 3 hours on high. Nitecore doesn’t provide a burn time for the turbo setting, but in our experience, the battery drains quickly, and you can expect no more than an hour on turbo. That said, the high setting is bright enough for most activities. Real-world burn times will vary based on the settings used and how long they’re engaged. Overall, while the higher settings perform well, we’d like to see better burn time from the low and ultralow settings.

Weight

Weighing just 1.98 ounces, the Nitecore NU27 great for ounce counters. While not the absolute lightest in our testing pool, it ranks among the top three ultralight options. It is perfect for ultralight backpackers, trail runners, or anyone looking to minimize pack weight. Any headlamp under two ounces is a solid choice for those aiming to reduce gear weight. 

The lightweight design is especially noticeable during long-term use, as it minimizes fatigue. We found it easy to forget the headlamp was even on our heads, whether during a night hike on the Colorado Trail or running in the front range. The reduced weight means less strain, making it easier to enjoy the task at hand.

While lighter headlamps are available, the NU27 strikes a great balance between its low weight and overall brightness.

Comfort

Ultralight headlamps can be tricky to evaluate for comfort. While they’re not inherently uncomfortable, weight savings are typically prioritized over comfort, especially when compared to heavier headlamps. Ultralight models often use fewer materials, resulting in less padding and strap material, sometimes impacting comfort.

That said, we found the NU27 to perform very well in terms of comfort. Naturally, weight plays a significant role—less weight on your forehead leads to a more comfortable experience during prolonged use. Despite lacking heavier, softer materials, the lightweight, balanced design helps minimize fatigue, making this a headlamp you can wear all night.

Nitecore does a good job of minimizing plastic-to-skin contact, although some exposed plastic remains on the back of the headlamp body. We also found the strap more comfortable than the shock-cord style straps often found on ultralight headlamps. The strap features air holes to enhance breathability.

Ease of Use

Similar to other Nitecore headlamps, the NU27 is designed with dual-button functionality. On the top of the headlamp body, there are two buttons. The larger button is the power button, which turns the headlamp on and off and adjusts the overall brightness when it’s on. The smaller button is the mode button, which cycles through the headlamp’s three color temperatures and accesses the red light function.

Headlamps with a lot of features often have a bit of a learning curve, but we were able to figure out most functions during our first use without needing the instructions. However, we did consult the instructions to learn how to access the special modes (SOS, Beacon, Slow Flashing). Unlike some instructions with poorly thought-out illustrations, Nitecore provides clear,easy-to-understand directions.

The charging port is easy to access, and attaching the cable is straightforward. The strap is easy to remove, and the included pocket clip attaches easily as well, though removing the clip can feel a bit tricky without the concern of breaking it.

Our main complaint is that the buttons’ small size and low profile make them difficult to press with medium to heavy gloves on which was an issue for us during chilly night hikes in the mountains.

Features

The features of the Nitecore NU27 are another standout aspect. As we’ve mentioned, the NU27 allows you to switch between three different color temperatures. While color temperature is a matter of personal preference, these options also improve visibility in various environmental conditions.

The warm light (3000K) is easier on the eyes and works well in foggy or rainy conditions. Neutral white (4500K), the most common color temperature found on headlamps, offers a more natural light for everyday activities. Finally, cool white (6500K), though a bit harsh, enhances visibility in outdoor environments. You can also select from five different brightness settings across all three color temperatures. Additionally, the red light function offers two brightness settings.

Beyond that, the NU27 includes SOS and Beacon modes, USB-C charging, a battery life indicator, and a locking feature. The box also contains a diffusing stuff sack, which allows you to use the headlamp as a lantern, as well as a clip that can replace the strap.

While the features of the NU27 are a major plus, the variety of brightness levels and lighting modes would benefit from the addition of a memory function. This would save you from having to reset the color temperature and brightness each time you turn the headlamp off and on again.

Should You Buy Nitecore NU27?

The Nitecore NU27 offers excellent value, providing impressive illumination, versatility, and features in a surprisingly affordable, lightweight package. Its thoughtful features—such as the ability to select multiple color temperatures, up to five brightness levels in white light mode, two brightness levels in red light mode, USB-C charging, a battery life indicator, and a locking feature—enhance its versatility.

At 2.98 ounces, with a 600-lumen max output and impressive beam throw, the overall brightness-to-weight ratio makes this a solid choice for ultralight backpackers, casual night hikers, hunters, runners, dawn-patrol skiers, and more. The low price point and versatility also make it an excellent option for all casual outdoor activities.

What Other Headlamps Should You Consider?

If you like the NU27 but want other options as well, check out these models or the rest of our lineup on the list of our favorite headlamps:

Nitecore NU25 UL Review: The NU25 UL is a favorite among the ultralight community for its low price point and light weight. While it is similar to the NU27, it lacks some key features found in the NU27. However, the NU25 UL saves you four-tenths of an ounce and $8.

Petzl Bindi Review: If ultralight is what you’re after, then the Bindi is worth a look. While you’ll be sacrificing features and illumination, the Bindi weighs a mere 1.2 ounces, saving you eight-tenths of an ounce compared to the NU27.