Petzl
Petzl Actik Core
$87.95
Best Headlamps · head-to-head
Petzl Actik Core vs Nitecore NU25
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Petzl Actik Core is cheaper at $87.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
Nitecore
Nitecore NU25
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Petzl Actik Core | Nitecore NU25 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $87.95 | — |
| Brand | Petzl | Nitecore |
| Released | — | — |
| Max lumens | 625 | 360 |
| Max beam distance meters | 115 | 81 |
| Runtime max hrs | 100 | 160 |
| Weight grams | 88 | 51 |
| Battery type | hybrid | built-in-li-ion |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 1250 | — |
| Recharge port | usb-c | micro-usb |
| Waterproof rating | IPX4 | IP66 |
| Red light | Yes | Yes |
| Reactive lighting | No | No |
| Beam type | mixed | — |
Sources — Petzl Actik Core: petzl.com (verified 2026-07-11). Nitecore NU25: nitecore.co.uk (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the Petzl Actik Core and Nitecore NU25?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- Max lumens: Petzl Actik Core 625 vs Nitecore NU25 360
- Max beam distance meters: Petzl Actik Core 115 vs Nitecore NU25 81
- Runtime max hrs: Petzl Actik Core 100 vs Nitecore NU25 160
- Weight grams: Petzl Actik Core 88 vs Nitecore NU25 51
- Battery type: Petzl Actik Core hybrid vs Nitecore NU25 built-in-li-ion
- Recharge port: Petzl Actik Core usb-c vs Nitecore NU25 micro-usb
- Waterproof rating: Petzl Actik Core IPX4 vs Nitecore NU25 IP66
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Petzl Actik Core
Two whitelisted hands-on testers (CleverHiker, Switchback Travel) rank the 625-lumen Petzl Actik Core a top all-around headlamp: bright, reliable, with a swappable USB-C rechargeable Core battery or three AAAs and long, dependable burn time. Both flag its IPX4 splash-only rating against IP67/IPX8 competitors. Comfort and bulk are contested between the two. Neither published lab-measured output or runtime, so there is no measured data. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Bright and reliable performance; Battery versatility with dependable long burn time — swappable USB-C rechargeable Core battery or three AAAs; USB-C rechargeable Core battery and strong all-around value and versatility.
Flagged: Only IPX4 splash resistance — not fully waterproof compared with IP67/IPX8 competitors; At 3.1 oz it is not the lightest — heavy for trail running or ultralight use; Battery compartment historically stiff and hard to open (CleverHiker notes it is improved on the latest model).
Nitecore NU25
No sourced tester review yet.