Head-to-head · Best Rechargeable Headlamps

Black Diamond Spot 400-R vs Nitecore NU25 UL

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Black Diamond Spot 400-R comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about casual campers and everyday users who want a trusted brand and IP67 waterproofing without paying for premium features — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Rechargeable Headlamps

Black Diamond Spot 400-R

4.4

$50as of May 19

The Spot 400-R is the value pick — IP67 waterproofing and a sealed-battery design at a lower price point than the premium picks. PowerTap (tap the side to flip between high and dimmed) is the small UX touch that makes it nicer to use day-to-day. The aging micro-USB port is the obvious downside in 2026, and the sealed battery means you can't swap it on a long trip. For casual campers and everyday users, the Black Diamond reputation alone makes this the safe pick at $60.

Strengths

— IP67 waterproof rating — full submersion to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
— Integrated 1500 mAh battery with USB charging — no separate cells to manage
— PowerTap dimming technology — tap the side to flip between max and dimmed instantly

Watch-outs

— Older micro-USB charging port — slower than USB-C and uses an aging cable
— Sealed battery — when it dies after years, the headlamp is done
— Less bright than the Petzl Actik Core (400 lm vs 625 lm)

$50 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Rechargeable Headlamps

Nitecore NU25 UL

4.3

$70as of May 19

The NU25 UL is the ultralight pick. At 1.59 oz including battery, it's the lightest serious headlamp here by a significant margin, and 400 lumens with USB-C rechargeable is more than acceptable for typical backpacking use. The trade-offs are predictable for an ultralight: lower IP rating, smaller battery, and a thinner strap. For thru-hikers and weight-counting backpackers, this is the canonical headlamp pick — and at $45, it leaves room in the budget.

Strengths

— Just 1.59 oz (45 g) — lightest headlamp in this round-up
— 400 lumens max output is competitive with the Black Diamond Spot 400-R despite the weight savings
— USB-C rechargeable with up to 45 hours of runtime in ultralow mode

Watch-outs

— IP66 splash-resistant only — less robust than the Black Diamond Spot 400-R or Fenix HM55R
— Smaller battery means shorter runtime at high output (2 hr 45 min @ 400 lm)
— Tighter elastic strap may be uncomfortable for users with larger heads

$70 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Black Diamond Spot 400-R

Cheapest pick in this round-up — undercuts the Petzl Actik Core, BioLite HeadLamp 425, Fenix HM55R, and Nitecore NU25 UL on price. Highest waterproof rating tied with the Fenix HM55R (IP67 vs IP68). Loses to the BioLite HeadLamp 425 on comfort and the Petzl Actik Core on battery flexibility.

Nitecore NU25 UL

Lightest pick by a wide margin — 1.59 oz vs the Petzl Actik Core's 2.65 oz and the Fenix HM55R's 3.07 oz. Tied with the BioLite HeadLamp 425 on lumen output (400-425 lm) but in a much smaller package. Loses to the Fenix HM55R and Black Diamond Spot 400-R on waterproofing and to the BioLite HeadLamp 425 on comfort.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Black Diamond Spot 400-R	Nitecore NU25 UL
Max Output	400 lumens	400 lumens
Beam Distance	100 m	64 m
Runtime (High)	4 hours	2 hr 45 min @ 400 lm
Runtime (Low)	225 hours	45 hours @ ultralow
Battery	1500 mAh Li-ion (integrated)	650 mAh Li-ion (integrated)
Charging	Micro-USB	USB-C
Waterproofing	IP67	IP66
Weight	86 g	45 g (1.59 oz)

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