Nitecore i4000R vs Nitecore EDC27
Quick take: The Nitecore EDC27 costs $5 less; the Nitecore i4000R is brighter (4,400 vs 3,000 lm); the Nitecore i4000R throws farther (230m vs 220m); the Nitecore i4000R runs longer on high (2 vs 1.3 hrs).
Which one to buy
Neither of these is made anymore. The EDC27 was replaced by the EDC27 UHi, and the i4000R is out of production too, so this choice only comes up when you find old stock of one or both. Priced $5 apart, they're two takes on a bright short-range Nitecore EDC: a quad-emitter 21700 tube and the flat slab that started the trend.
The EDC27's case is its shape and its screen. Owners say the thin body carries on a belt or in a pocket far better than a tube, and the OLED readout of output and remaining charge removes the guessing. Some testers measured its turbo above 3,500 lumens, and owners praise turbo and strobe. But heat is a serious complaint: owners report it running very hot on turbo and even at 1,000 lumens, and one reviewer went as far as calling it a fire hazard and advised keeping it in lockout. Owners also note there's no true low mode, the beam has a greenish cast, and the box has no holster or adapter. It's rated IP54, and the cell is sealed in.
The i4000R is the safer carry in a bag. Owners say its tail switches need a firm, deliberate press, so it doesn't switch on by accident, and it has thermal control and over-discharge protection. It's sealed to IP68 and runs a 21700 you can swap, though owners point out it ships with a special i-series cell, so check compatibility before buying spares. They describe it plainly as a short-range floodlight rather than a thrower, they find it too large to carry every day, and the clip isn't reversible.
On throw they're nearly level, 230 m against 220 m, so reach decides nothing. The real trade is the EDC27's display and pocket shape against the i4000R's weatherproofing, swappable cell and switches that won't fire in a bag.
Nitecore i4000R
Best if you find one and want a wide-area light for a bag, vehicle or worksite that won't switch on by accident and survives rain.
Nitecore EDC27
Only if the OLED readout and flat carry matter enough to live with the heat owners warn about; the current EDC27 UHi is the better route to the same idea.
| Spec | Nitecore i4000R | Nitecore EDC27 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $85 | $80 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | EDC | EDC |
| Lumens | 4,400 lm | 3,000 lm |
| Candela | 13,300 cd | 12,200 cd |
| Beam distance | 230m | 220m |
| Runtime | 2 hrs (high) | 1.3 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 21700 | Built-in |
| LED | CREE XP-L2 V6 | Dual Luminus SST-40 |
| Beam type | Balanced | Balanced |
| Modes | 5 Stepped | 5 Stepped |
| UI | Dual Switch | Dual Button |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP54 |
| CRI | 70 | 70 |
| Weight | 3.8 oz | 4.3 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.2 x 1.1 in | 5.4 x 1.2 in |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
What owners report
Nitecore i4000R
- ✓4,400 lumens from four XP-L2 emitters for genuinely broad coverage
- ✓Tail switches need a firm, deliberate press — no accidental activation
- ✓Built-in thermal control and over-discharge protection
- ✓Owners rate the in-hand feel above comparable Olights
- ✓USB-C rechargeable on a 21700
- ✗More a short-range floodlight than a thrower despite the reflector
- ✗The supplied pocket clip isn't reversible
- ✗Uses a special 21700 rather than a standard cell
- ✗Output steps down under thermal control, as any quad this size must
- ✗Too large to carry daily
Nitecore EDC27
- ✓OLED display showing real-time output and remaining charge
- ✓Flat, thin profile that carries on a belt or in a pocket properly
- ✓3,000 lumens claimed, measured above 3,500 by some testers
- ✓Solid construction with USB-C charging
- ✓Excellent turbo and strobe
- ✗Runs very hot in turbo and even at 1,000 lumens — one reviewer called it a fire hazard risk
- ✗No genuinely low mode
- ✗Limited throw
- ✗Greenish beam tint from the SST-40 pair
- ✗No holster, and the box has a cable but no adapter
Nitecore i4000R vs Nitecore EDC27: common questions
How serious is the EDC27's heat problem compared with the i4000R?▾
Owners take it seriously. The EDC27 runs very hot on turbo and even at 1,000 lumens, and one reviewer recommended keeping it in lockout. The i4000R also steps down under thermal control, but owners describe that as normal protection rather than a hazard.
Does the i4000R take a standard 21700 battery?▾
It ships with a special Nitecore i-series 21700, and owners advise checking compatibility before buying spares. Even so, it's swappable, unlike the EDC27's sealed cell, which ends the light's life when it wears out.
Should I buy either of these discontinued lights now?▾
Only if the price reflects that they're out of production. For the EDC27's flat, display-equipped design, its successor, the EDC27 UHi, is the current version. For the i4000R, a leftover unit is the only way to get one, so judge it against current 21700 lights at the price you find.