Nitecore NU05 Headlamp Review

Here’s the Nitecore NU05, a multi-emitter headlamp with a thin lightweight headband. This light has a built-in cell and charging.

Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the Nitecore NU05 Headlamp product page.

Versions

Just one version!

MSRP

$14.95 for just the light, $19.95 for the kit. The kit includes all the stuff you’d want (headband, bike mount, USB cable).

Short Review

This is a great fun little light. The user interface could be a bit better, and I think the green emitter is underutilized. But it’s a fun thing to have!

Long Review

The Big Table

Nitecore NU05
Emitter:	Unspecified (Red secondary)
Price in USD at publication time:	$14.95
Cell:	Internal
Turbo Runtime
LVP?
Switch Type:	E-Switch
Quiescent Current (A):	?
On-Board Charging?	Yes
Charge Port Type:	micro-USB
Chargetime
Power off Charge Port with no Cell?	–
Claimed Lumens (lm)	35
Claimed Throw (m)	–
Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s)	13lux @ 1.356m = 24cd
Throw (Calculated) (m)	9.8^
All my Nitecore reviews!

^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.

What’s Included

Nitecore NU05 Headlamp
Headband
Bike mount
USB cable
Manual

Note: The product I received is the kit. The non-kit has only the light itself as far as I can tell.

Package and Manual

Typical black and yellow Nitecore package here, with a window in to see the tiny NU05.

A Nitecore NU05 Kit Headlamp Mate in black and yellow packaging, showing the device and diagrams illustrating attachment to a bicycle, helmet, backpack, dog collar, and wrist.

The back of a Nitecore NU05 Kit box is shown on a wooden surface, displaying product information, a diagram labeling the on/off switch and micro USB port, mode selection details, and manufacturer information.

Here’s a pdf of the manual. I’m really glad Nitecore provides those! Lots of manufacturers don’t. The manual is just fine, especially since there’s not much to this light as far as warnings and the like. It’s a very simple unit.

I’m not sure if the lockout was a late addition or what, but my package came with this slip of paper:

Nice that there’s a lockout! This information is included in the manual itself too, though.

Build Quality and Disassembly

It’s a plastic headlamp. Those often get dumped on but honestly, I quite like many of them. This one has great build quality – it seems to use the same type of plastic that is used in the Nitecore F1/F2 (i8, etc). And I believe the front and back are sonically welded together. They could be separated, sure, but I believe that’d be a permanent separation.

The micro-USB port is well covered, with a rubber boot. The boot stays in place nicely and is appropriately sealed.

A small, rectangular electronic device with a transparent case and black clip stands upright on a wooden surface. The background is blurred.

A small, rectangular LED light with a clear top and black base is placed on a weathered wooden surface. The background is blurred, emphasizing the light as the main subject.

A small, black and clear rectangular electronic device sits on a wooden surface in an outdoor setting. The background is blurred, keeping the focus on the object.

A small, round electronic device with a translucent top and a black base sits on a wooden surface. A black rubber cover is open, revealing a micro USB charging port.

A small, clear plastic device with a black clip stands upright on a wooden surface. The background is blurred and the image has a shallow depth of field.

A small, rectangular rechargeable lithium battery labeled NU05, 3.7V 320mAh, stands upright on a blurred wooden surface. The battery displays certification markings and symbols.

A small black rechargeable Li-ion battery labeled NU05, CE, and 3.7V 120mAh stands upright on a wooden surface with a blurred background.

Size

The NU05 is a small light, with small output.

Dimensions:
Height ─ 29.5mm (1.16″)
Width ─ 30.3mm (1.19″)
Length ─ 16.3mm (0.64″)
Weight: 10.4g (0.37oz)

Below is the NU05 with a Susan B. Anthony dollar coin.

Retention

There are two ways to hold this light. As a headlamp, on the provided headstrap. This is a thinner headstrap than usual. The light is easy to get on and off the strap – it just slips in the hook on the back. It’s secure though, and I can’t imagine a scenario where it’d accidentally fall off the strap. The strap is highly adjustable and has a squeeze adjustment too. It’s actually a very nice strap.

A close-up of a yellow headlamp with an adjustable strap and a clear plastic casing, resting on a wooden surface. The background is blurred.

A close-up of a gray and yellow lanyard with plastic adjusters resting on a weathered wooden surface. The image is slightly out of focus in the background.

There’s also a bike mount. The mount itself can be left on the bike as seen below. Then the NU05 can be put on and off easily (easier than getting the NU05 on and off the headstrap, for what that’s worth).

A black metal clip is attached to a vertical wooden pole, with a blurred brown and gray background. The clip wraps around the pole securely.

A close-up of a wooden pole with a black rubber or plastic ring wrapped around it; the background is blurred. The text ZEROAIR @ R/FLASHLIGHT is visible on the left side of the image.

A black plastic or metal clip is attached around a vertical, light-colored cylindrical pole. The background is blurred with brown and neutral tones. Text on the left side reads ZEROAIR @ R/FLASHLIGHT.

A small rectangular light with a clear cover is attached to a wooden pole using a black elastic strap. The background is blurred.

This would be a nice setup as a rear light on a bike. The red flasher is fairly bright. It’s not a light you’d use as a front light on a bike, though. The white light just isn’t direct enough (whether it’s bright enough or not).

Power

The NU05 is powered by a “120mAh” internal cell. This is a pouch cell and is not removable – only rechargeable via micro-USB.

Here’s the runtime on the white light, solid output. It’s respectable and seems to actually trend upward throughout the runtime. There is a hard dropoff once the cell is depleted, and the light shuts off.

Charging

Charging is also very solid, at 1C. Just 0.12A charging may seem low, but remember this is a small cell. I find this to be acceptable, and also note that the rated 120mAh cell actually looks to be a fair bit higher than 120mAh.

User Interface and Operation

There’s a single silicone clicky in the center of the front of the light. Maybe not the best place but certainly good for aesthetics. It’s positively clicky and low-travel. It’s actually a nice fidget.

The user interface is very simple. The modes always cycle from secondary red, primary reds slow flash, primary reds fast, white slow flash, white solid. To cycle the modes, one must click quickly – wait too long and the next click will turn the light off. The only other thing one can do with the user interface here is hold for 1s to lockout (or unlock) the light.

These beamshots always have the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level, and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.

LED and Beam

There are 6 emitters in this light. Nitecore doesn’t really go into detail on what the emitters are. Two of these (not the main 4) are used as charging indicators. They are red and green. The green is used only as a charging indicator (unfortunately!). Then there are two ‘primary’ reds, which are used for slow flash and fast strobe. And finally, the two white emitters, which have a slow flash and a steady on mode. The beam on all modes is completely, fully flood. There’s no focus whatsoever. In fact, the beam is so diffuse on all the modes that the only light that would show up in my normal beamshots is the solid white, and even then just barely.

A small, transparent, square electronic device with red LED lights on two corners sits on a wooden surface. The background is blurred.

A small, square-shaped electronic device with a lens and a red indicator light sits on a wooden surface. The background is blurred, and there is text along the left edge that reads “ZERGBAIR @ R/FLASHLIGHT.”

A small, rectangular LED flashlight with a black clip stands upright on a wooden surface. The flashlight is turned on, emitting a white light. The background appears out of focus.

A small, transparent, square-shaped flashlight with four illuminated LED lights sits on a wooden surface. The background is blurred.

Conclusion

What I like

Size and shape
Small headband
Bike connector is included with kit

What I don’t like

Underutilized green emitter
Beam shape is only useful for very close applications

Notes

This light was provided by NitecoreStore.com for review. I was not paid to write this review.
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