Headlamp Review: Nitecore UT27 MCT (2025)
- Stephen Knight
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 24 hours ago
Nitecore have been one of my favourite headlamp manufacturers during the last decade. This review is of the innovative UT27 MCT (2025) model.
Disclaimer
This headlamp was sent to me by Nitecore for an honest and independent review. These links are non-affiliate links.
Design and Construction
For some reason, Nitecore keep re-using the same model numbers. This is the 2025 version of the UT27 headlamp, with the Multi Colour Temperatures (MTC) lighting system, which can switch between different Correlated Colour Temperatures (CCT), all with a different Colour Rendering Index (CRI). The options are 3000K CRI 97 warm white, 4500K CRI 83 neutral white, and 6500K CRI 73 cool white light. The light also has Red output.
The Nitecore UT27 is primarily designed for night/trail runners and joggers, and is thus of a compact and lightweight plastic construction. The weight is just 74g, and dimensions are 56mm x 47mm x 30mm. At the time of writing, the price was approximately AU$85 or US$60.
The light can run using the included HLB1500 1,500mAh Li-ion battery pack (with USB-C charging port), or 3xAAA Alkaline or NiMH batteries. This dual fuel design is useful for longer treks or camping trips. The inside of the battery compartment has glow in the dark finish, making it easier to change batteries in the dark. Charging the HLB1500 from empty to full took approximately 100 minutes. The light has a 1m impact resistance and is rated at IP66, so it can withstand being used in the rain and dusty environments.
The light arrived in branded packaging, with instructions, USB-C to USB-C cable, a useful utility clip, and a diffusion stuff sack. This can be used to carry the light or be used as a diffuser. The headband is included, which is of high quality, with a silicone strip for grip, holes for breathability, and reflective sections. The latter is useful for night runners, but maybe not so good for light painting and night photographers trying to stay invisible (though so far, this hasn't been an issue).
The light has a plastic double hinge, which can be used to tilt the light (5 different angles), and also open the battery compartment. The battery compartment has to be opened up allow charging, or battery insertion/removal. I can see this as being a potential weak point, though my previous plastic Nitecore headlamps have been surprisingly robust.
User Interface
The light has two buttons - W and Y. The user interface is as follows:
W button - controls Cool/Neutral White:
Long press - on/off.
Short click then long press from off - switches between Cool and Neutral (or vice versa).
Short click from on - cycles Low>Med>High (no last mode memory).
Double click from on - Turbo.
Double click from off - Red (short press Red>Red flashing).
Single click from off - illuminates 4 step battery charge indicator.
Y button - controls Warm White:
Long press - on/off.
Short press from on - cycles Low>Med>High (no last mode memory).
Double click from on - Turbo.
Double click from off - Red (short press Red>Red flashing).
Single click from off - illuminates 4 step battery charge indicator.
Additionally, a long press of both buttons will lock/unlock the light.
The user interface is fairly easy to use, and not too dissimilar to some other headlamps. As most flashlights use a single click for on/off and hold to change modes, it can be a bit confusing at first as the UI is the opposite. I'm neutral over the lack of last mode memory. As a light painting/night photographer, I prefer lights to turn on in the mode where I last turned off the light. On the other hand, having kids who often go to scout camps, the default low mode will help maximise the runtimes.
Optics, Output, and Runtime
The Nitecore UT27 MCT has twin quad core MCT UHE LEDs, and twin Red LEDs. These are all placed in TIR optics. Both of the main optics illuminate at the same time.
Tested brightness in lumens:
Neutral Low: 107lm
Neutral Medium: 305lm
Neutral High: 514lm
Cool Low: 124lm
Cool Medium: 331lm
Cool High: 594lm
Warm Low: 90lm
Warm Medium: 256lm
Warm High: 475lm
Turbo: 862lm
The manual shows lumen ratings of 100, 280, 500, and 800 lumens for each mode. As warmer and higher CRI LEDs are less efficient (less lumens/watt) than cooler and lower CRI LEDs (more lumens/watt) then the testing showed that the rated specs are more of an average between all of the modes. Taking this into account, the light performs close to specification, and even exceeded specification for Turbo mode (which is only available for neutral white). My testing setup can be biased towards floody lights.
As with almost all headlamps, initial brightness doesn't show the whole story. In order to maintain decent runtimes, there is a significant step down in brightness of each mode. The reality is:
Low: Gradual decline in brightness to 30-50lm during the first two hours.
Medium: Gradual decline in brightness to 75-100lm during the first hour.
High: Brightness step-down to around 175-225lm during the first few minutes.
Turbo: Brightness step-down to around 250-300lm during the first few minutes.
For real world use, the lumens are enough for the light's intended use of trail running, though due to brightness step-down I would use Medium mode for urban night running, and High for night running away from streetlights. The ANSI FL1 runtimes are claimed to be Turbo 2hr30mins, High 3hr30mins, Medium 6hr30mins, Low 14h30mins. These are pretty decent runtimes for to the light's compact size, taking into account the brightness step-downs. I tested Turbo and High mode to be within 10% of the claimed runtimes. The light will provide very dim light for a few minutes after end of the ANSI FL1 runtime, so there is no sudden light shut-off leaving the user in the dark. Runtimes are expected to be less if using Alkaline or NiMH AAA batteries. If the user keeps reactivating the light, then the runtimes are likely to be shorter than specified.
A major omission is a lack of moonlight, or very low mode. Whilst low mode is about right for night running, it is way too bright for in-tent use when camping.
Red brightness wasn't tested, and is rated at 10lm. Whilst this is better than most headlamps, I would prefer a brighter maximum Red output with high/low settings.
Tested peak beam intensity/throw:
Neutral Low: 881cd / 59m.
Neutral Medium: 2501cd / 100m.
Neutral High: 4221cd / 130m.
Cool Low: 1019cd / 64m.
Cool Medium: 2716cd / 104m.
Cool High: 4873cd / 140m.
Warm Low: 738cd / 54m.
Warm Medium: 2101cd / 92m.
Warm High: 3901cd / 125m.
Turbo: 7090cd / 168m.
Note: my testing equipment typically overestimates peak beam intensity by 25%. The optics are floody optics with a very wide spill beam, and more than adequate throw for night running, jogging, or running, even on low mode. I think the optics match the use case well. For running, I would advise tilting the headlamp angle down (1st or 2nd notch from straight ahead) so that the hotspot is illuminating the immediate path ahead.
Tested correlated colour temperature (CCT Kelvin), colour rendering index (CRI Ra), and tint (DUV):
Neutral Low: CCT 4076K, CRI 84.2 Ra, Tint +0.0030 DUV.
Neutral High: CCT 4221K, CRI 82.2 Ra, Tint +0.0035 DUV.
Cool Low: CCT 5149K, CRI 68.8 Ra, Tint +0.0080 DUV.
Cool High: CCT 5281K, CRI 69.2 Ra, Tint +0.0064 DUV.
Warm Low: CCT 2927K, CRI 97.3 Ra, Tint +0.0020 DUV.
Warm High: CCT 3017K, CRI 96.3 Ra Tint +0.0043 DUV.
Turbo: CCT 4149K, CRI 83.2 Ra, Tint +0.0031 DUV
The warm white LEDs have a very high CRI, and very slight green tint. The neutral white LEDs have a CRI in low 80s (similar to many household lightbulbs). I would have preferred >96 CRI though. The neutral white LEDs have a very slight green tint. The cool white LEDs have a CRI of around 70, which is standard for consumer flashlights (which can create a more washed out effect). The tint is also slight green, again fairly standard for modern cool white LEDs.
The mix of different CCTs is potentially quite useful for night/light painting photography to illuminate a scene with different CCTs using just one light. For running, I'm not sure if the 3 CCT and CRI options is a sales gimmick, or actually useful. Personally, I think a >95CRI neutral white light would actually cover most use cases. for headlamp use. I can't see any reason to use the low CRI cool white mode on urban night runs or around the house, as the neutral white output is so much better on the eye.
Nitecore UT27 MCT (2025) Beam Profiles
Conclusion
Positives:
Multiple CCT options from warm to cool white.
Lightweight and compact.
Decent brightness and runtimes for the light's size.
Fairly easy to use.
Good beam profile for night/trail running.
USB-C charging and dual fuel options.
Good headband.
Useful accessories - clip and diffuser bag.
Neutral:
No last mode memory - good or bad depending on the use case.
Negatives:
I would prefer >95 CRI neutral white.
Red output could be brighter.
No moonlight/very low mode.
Case needs to be opened to recharge via USB.
The Nitecore UT27 MCT (2025) is a very useful lightweight headlamp for night running, many use cases around the house, and with some caveats - camping. With 3 different CCT options, this headlamp may be useful for light painting/night photography. The brightness and runtimes are decent for the light's size and weight as long as you factor in the brightness step-downs during the runtime. I will certainly be keeping this light for urban night runs and for the kids to take on Scout camps.
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