Nitecore NU25 vs Nitecore TIKI
Quick take: The Nitecore TIKI costs $6 less; the Nitecore NU25 is brighter (400 vs 300 lm); the Nitecore NU25 throws farther (113m vs 69m); the Nitecore TIKI runs longer on high (40 vs 4 hrs).
| Spec | Nitecore NU25 | Nitecore TIKI |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $36 | $30 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Headlamp | Keychain |
| Lumens | 400 lm | 300 lm |
| Candela | 3,200 cd | 1,200 cd |
| Beam distance | 113m | 69m |
| Runtime | 4 hrs (high) | 40 min (high) |
| Battery | Built-in | Built-in |
| LED | CREE XP-G3 S3 | Osram P8 |
| Beam type | Flood | Flood |
| Modes | 4 Stepped | 3 Stepped + UV |
| UI | Simple | Twist |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP66 |
| CRI | 90 | 70 |
| Weight | 1.0 oz | 0.4 oz |
| Dimensions | 3.5 x 1.5 in | 1.9 x 0.6 in |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
What owners report
Nitecore NU25
- ✓45 grams — one of the lightest headlamps available anywhere
- ✓Dual spot and flood optics that blend well for varied activities
- ✓Feels as bright as headlamps rated much higher
- ✓USB-C charging, full in about an hour
- ✓IP66 weatherproofing and a broad consensus as best in class among thru-hikers
- ✗The minimal strap can feel tight around the temples over long sessions
- ✗Newer versions dropped the 0.9-lumen super-low red mode
- ✗Sealed 650mAh cell — no swapping in a fresh one on a long trip
- ✗Runtime is limited by that small cell at high output
- ✗IP66 handles rain but isn't submersion-rated
Nitecore TIKI
- ✓Three emitters — main white, high-CRI white and UV — in a keychain-sized body
- ✓300 lumens from the main OSRAM P8, which is a lot for the format
- ✓Keyring rated to around 30 kg, with no breakage reports from owners
- ✓Priced competitively for the amount of functionality
- ✓Small and light enough to genuinely live on a keyring
- ✗High plastic content makes it look and feel cheap
- ✗The button and charging port are hard to use with larger fingers
- ✗Built-in battery and no disassembly — disposable once the cell degrades
- ✗Reviewers note the design closely follows RovyVon's without improving on it
- ✗Runtime is very short at higher output