NPL25 | Nitecore’s New Pistol Light

As I have written, firearm owners who want a home defense weapon must include a light in their setup. A budget light can sometimes help fill that capability gap while providing satisfactory performance. One such light is the new NPL25 from Nitecore.

Nitecore NPL25 Video:

“The NPL25 provides an intense spotlight and ample floodlight simultaneously, offering clear visibility of both distant and nearby surroundings for any tactical scenarios.” ~ Nitecorestore.com

NPL25 Overview

The NPL25, from an initial inspection, is like other pistol lights. The light is 2.2 inches long, 1.3 inches wide, and 1.26 inches high. At the front is the UHi 20 LED, which has an output of 900 lumens. At the light’s back are the high-profile power switches. The light has two modes that the users can choose from to use. The first mode is a momentary illumination mode. Following the temporary mode, the second mode is the constant-on mode. The throw for both modes is 225 meters. The hotspot is bright enough to identify features of a target. Besides the hotspot, the flood is also wide enough to give situational awareness to users.

Next, the weapon light also has a rail latch button next to the rail adjustment bolt on the light’s left side. This rail latch gives users the option of where to position the NPL25 on the pistol. With the rail stop all the way to the front, the NPL25 sits flush with the front of my Glock 19 and Blue Gun Springfield XD model. Nitecore has also allowed users to mount the light on platforms with a Glock rail or a Picatinny rail with an included Picatinny rail adapter. Attaching the light to a weapon’s rail is easy and does not require tools.

“The NPL25 features an ambidextrous switch design catering to both left and right-handed users, allowing for flexible operation.” ~ Nitecorestore.com

Furthermore, the NPL25’s Li-ion battery differs slightly from other pistol lights I have dealt with. The battery is cubed-shaped and plugs into a cutout at the bottom of the light. Removing the battery is easy, and users can either charge the battery using the magnetic charger or check the battery power without needing to remove the light.

NPL25 Features & Specifications courtesy of nitecorestore.com

• 500mAh Li-ion Battery
• Magnetic Charging Cable
• Rail Adapter
• Wrench
• Screw x 2
• LED: UHi 20 LED
• Maximum Brightness: 900 lumens
• Peak Beam Distance: 278 yards
• Peak Beam Intensity: 16000 cd
• IP Rating: IPX6
• Impact Resistance: 1 m
• Dimensions: L-2.2″ x W-1.3″ x H-1.26″
• Weight: 2.33 oz
• MSRP: $89.95

Final Thoughts

The NPL25 does not re-invent the wheel in the pistol light world. However, it still provides decent performance. One current limiting factor is the lack of holsters compatible with the light. Because of that limitation, I would not recommend the light for concealed carry or duty weapons. Instead, this light would work for a home defense pistol.

However, I like the NPL25’s rail adjustment feature and how I can fine-tune how far I want the light to be to manipulate the power switches easily. Additionally, the battery’s design is helpful for quick removal to charge the battery without messing with the light. For $89.95, the NPL25 is a good budget light for shooters looking to add a pistol light to their stockpile of lights or for a home defense setup.