Fenix HL18R-T vs Nitecore NU25 MCT UL Headlamp

Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.

Fenix HL18R-T is the lighter option — 5 g lighter than the Nitecore NU25 MCT UL Headlamp (11% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.

Spec	Fenix HL18R-T	Nitecore NU25 MCT UL Headlamp
Weight	42 g · 0.042 kg · 0.09 lb	47 g · 0.047 kg · 0.10 lb
Brand	Fenix	Nitecore
Category	Lighting	Lighting

Fenix HL18R-T

42 g

Ultralight 500-lumen rechargeable headlamp for trail running.

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Nitecore NU25 MCT UL Headlamp

47 g

400-lumen USB-C rechargeable headlamp with three color temperatures and ultralight 47g construction for minimalist backpacking.

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Fenix HL18R-T vs Nitecore NU25 MCT UL Headlamp: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Fenix HL18R-T wins — at 42 g it is 5 g (11%) lighter than the Nitecore NU25 MCT UL Headlamp (47 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.

See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest lighting page, or browse the full gear weight database.

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