Nitecore MH12 Pro vs Acebeam T36
Quick take: The Acebeam T36 costs $5 less; the Nitecore MH12 Pro is brighter (3,300 vs 2,000 lm); the Acebeam T36 throws farther (374m vs 323m); the Acebeam T36 runs longer on high (2.5 vs 2 hrs).
| Spec | Nitecore MH12 Pro | Acebeam T36 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $75 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Tactical | Tactical |
| Lumens | 3,300 lm | 2,000 lm |
| Candela | 26,000 cd | 35,000 cd |
| Beam distance | 323m | 374m |
| Runtime | 2 hrs (high) | 2.5 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 21700 | 21700 |
| LED | Luminus SFT-40 | CREE XHP35 HI |
| Beam type | Balanced | Throw |
| Modes | 5 Stepped | 5 Stepped |
| UI | Simple | Dual Switch |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| CRI | 70 | 70 |
| Weight | 3.9 oz | 4.5 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.5 x 1.0 in | 5.8 x 1.1 in |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 5 Year |
What owners report
Nitecore MH12 Pro
- ✓Slim for a 21700 light, with good grip and controls
- ✓Eight levels from a 1-lumen ultra-low up to 3,300
- ✓Genuinely throwy beam — the reason to pick it over a flooder
- ✓USB-C charging and an IP68 rating
- ✓Interface reviewers rate highly
- ✗Greenish UHi 40 emitter with poor colour rendering — reds, browns and oranges blur together
- ✗Turbo lasts about 22 seconds before stepping down
- ✗Measured output falls short of the claimed figures
- ✗Sustained high output is limited
- ✗Only conditionally recommended by reviewers because of the tint
Acebeam T36
- ✓2,000 lumens and 303 m of reach, comfortably meeting Acebeam's claims
- ✓No PWM on any mode
- ✓Removable, reversible strike bezel
- ✓Onboard USB-C that charges the included cell quickly
- ✓Compact given it packs a tail switch, head ring, 21700 and charging
- ✗Long overall — the reviewer's main reservation
- ✗The USB-C cover pops out when the light gets hot on high or turbo
- ✗An 18650 is too short to power it reliably; a knock switches it off
- ✗Cool XHP35 HI with ordinary colour rendering
- ✗Tactical layout limits its usefulness as a household light