While traversing the backcountry, a well-made headlamp is an essential piece of gear. On each multi-day adventure I’ve ever done, I have used a headlamp. It is one of my most-used items in my pack. Most of the time, I use it for moving about camp after dark, ensuring I don’t trip over something and get injured. On less frequent occasions, I will do some night hiking and need a bright light to help navigate the trails.
Nitecore is by far my favorite headlamp manufacturer. I have owned several of their products over the years. They make durable, innovative, and reliable headlamps (among other great products). This review will cover their 2025 model of the UT27 MCT headlamp.
Author’s Note: The Nitecore UT27 MCT Headlamp in this review has been researched and tested by me. Nitecore provided it in exchange for this honest and unbiased review.
How I Tested
I tested this headlamp over 15 days in January 2025, using it in temperatures ranging from highs around 55 °F to lows well below freezing, around 15 °F. The headlamp performed well in rain conditions as well. I did not go on any rugged or difficult hikes during this time and used it around local trails and streets near my home in Northern Virginia. Once I get to take it out on more rugged trails and adventures and put it through a full season of use, I will update this review.
Quick Overview
Nitecore UT27 MCT Headlamp
— Price: $59.95
— Weight: 2.61 oz (including battery)
— Dimensions: L = 2.20” x W = 1.83” x H = 1.26”
— IP Rating: IP66 Resistant to dust and protected against powerful water jets (i.e., rain)
— Impact Resistance 3.28 ft
— Battery: HLB1500 Rechargeable (USB-C) Li-ion Battery Pack, or 3 × AAA batteries
— LED: 2x Quad-core MCT UHE LEDs
— Peak Beam Distance: 183 yards
— Style Options: Shadow Black (pictured on the left) & Titan White
Pros:
— The multiple color options from cool to warm (including keeping a red light option) are a nice innovation.
— Rechargeable USB-C battery that can be removed. The ability to use 3 AAA batteries adds some versatility.
— Simple to use and cycle through the different light modes.
— Compact and comfortable to wear.
Cons:
— Not as light as some of their other options
— This might sound strange, but I would’ve liked an option for a low mode. The dimmest mode on each color is very bright, which is great for night hiking but less so in the tent or around camp.
— No ability to adjust red light brightness
— You have to open the battery compartment to charge the battery.
In-Depth Review
What’s in the Box?!:
The UT27 arrived with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a utility clip, a diffusion stuff sack (which can be used as a makeshift hanging lamp if used in conjunction with the headlamp), a highly reflective, breathable headband, and instructions.
Multicolor Temperature Modes:
This is the most innovative feature of the UT27. The ability to switch between 3 different color temperatures (including a red light option for night). This lighting system can switch between 3000K (CRI 97, warm yellow), 4500K (CRI 83, neutral white), and 6500K (CRI 73, cool white) light.
According to Nitecore, the warm light is more effective in high-risk environments such as rain, fog, and snow. The neutral white is suited for medium-risk scenarios like steep slopes and mud/snow-covered trails. The cool white is best used in low-risk situations, such as at camp and at night in urban environments. The cooler white light is also the best option for preserving battery power. The auxiliary red light is best for maintaining night vision.
I have included a video below that explains and demonstrates the various beam profiles of the headlamp.
Brightness/Runtimes:
I have included a chart from Nitecore’s website that lists all the lumen outputs and runtimes below.
Adjustability:
The headlamp has a plastic hinge and can be tilted at a few different angles, all the way to 90 degrees. For hiking, I would recommend tilting the headlamp down slightly to illuminate the path immediately in front of you.
Button Controls:
With only two buttons, four different colors, and even more brightness options, one might think using the UT27 would be difficult; thankfully, I found it to be easy and intuitive. One thing to note is that there is no memory mode.
- Y Button: This button cycles through the different brightness levels of the 3000K warm yellow light.
— Long button press: Turns the headlamp on/off.
— Short button press while on: cycles through the low, medium, and high brightness levels.
— Double button press while on: Activates turbo mode
— Quick button press while off: Activates the battery charge indicator lights
— Double button press while off: Activates the auxiliary red light. While the red light is activated, a quick button press will cycle between solid red and flashing red.
- W Button: This button cycles through the different brightness levels of the 4500K neutral white and the 6500K cool white lights.
— Long button press: Turns the headlamp on/off.
— Short button press while on: cycles through the low, medium, and high brightness levels.
— Double button press while on: Activates turbo mode
— Quick button press while off: Activates the battery charge indicator lights
— Double button press while off: Activates the auxiliary red light. While the red light is activated, a quick button press will cycle between solid red and flashing red.
— Quick button press, followed by a long button press while off: cycles between the neutral and cool white lights.
Lastly, when the headlamp is off, you can lock/unlock it by long-pressing the W and Y buttons. Immediately after locking, the LEDs will flash 3 times to indicate that it has been locked successfully. This mode prevents accidental activation of the lights.
Battery Options:
The headlamp comes with a rechargeable HLB1500 Li-ion Battery Pack, but if it breaks, or if for some other reason (why?) you don’t want to use the battery pack, you can also use 3 AAA batteries. Please note that using the 2nd option results in decreased runtimes across the board. It arrived with an empty battery, and it took around 1.5 hours to charge to 100%. To get to the battery compartment, you need to tilt the hinge to about 90 degrees and unclasp the back. Another neat little feature is that the battery compartment is glow-in-the-dark, which makes it easier to change batteries in the dark.
Durability:
The UT27 is impact-resistant up to 1 meter (3.28 ft) and rated IP66 for water and dust resistance. This rating basically means it is protected against dust and rain, but it will not survive being submerged underwater. My current headlamp, an older model of the Nitecore NU25, has lasted me over many years and through harsh, rugged conditions. I expect the UT27 will be no different.
Weight:
This headlamp is not close to the lightest headlamp Nitecore offers, but at less than 3oz, it is perfectly acceptable for hiking and trail running. It is similarly small and compact, though, again, not as small as the one I’m currently using.
Price:
As of January 2026, the cost of the Nitecore UT27 MCT is $59.99.
Last Word
I’ve been a Nitecore headlamp user since I started backpacking almost a decade ago. For good reason, they are one of the most popular brands for headlamps (and ultralight battery packs) in the hiking and backpacking community. They make long-lasting, quality products at competitive price points, and every year they seem to add new and interesting features. The new UT27 looks to be another great option in a long line of them.
Overall, the Nitecore UT27 MCT (2025) is a very useful headlamp for outdoor adventuring. It is sufficiently bright and long-lasting to guide you through many scenarios. One added benefit of the 3 different color options, which I have not yet mentioned, would be for photographers. The warm and cool color temperatures could prove useful for light painting. As a landscape photographer myself, I have experimented with light painting foregrounds at night, and I can envision this headlamp being particularly helpful in that regard.
As a current owner of an older model of the Nitecore NU25, I think I will continue using that on most of my long-distance adventures because it is an ounce lighter. Additionally, Nitecore has a newer model of the NU25 UL that adds the multicolor options while maintaining a low weight. However, I will certainly be using the UT27 MCT for shorter hikes, around the house, and beyond. If you do not already have a headlamp or are looking to upgrade to a better one, I can confidently say that the Nitecore UT27 MCT is a great option.
Check out the Nitecore UT27 MCT Headlamp HERE.