Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
Urth Variable ND2-32 Filter Pro vs Freewell Hard Stop Variable ND
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best ND Filters: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
Urth publishes the numbers that decide whether an ND is actually neutral, including a reflectance figure nobody else gives, and backs it with a lifetime warranty. Freewell matches the practical design with hard stops and no cross-polarisation, in two stop ranges, and also lists a lifetime warranty.
Urth Variable ND2-32 Filter Pro
Buy itThe only filter here that publishes its reflectance, backed by a lifetime warranty.
- SCHOTT B270 optical glass with a CoraNano Max 34-layer dual-side nano coating, the highest published layer count in this comparison.
- Reflectance published at 1.5 percent or less, which is the figure that determines ghosting and flare and which no other maker here states.
- A warp-resistant aerospace-grade aluminium frame, an ergonomic rim for smooth rotation, 1 to 5 stop adjustment, and a lifetime warranty.
- A 1 to 5 stop range only, where two competitors also offer a 6 to 9 stop version for bright light and long exposures.
- Aluminium frame against brass on the Breakthrough, which is softer and more prone to cross-threading.
- Urth does not publish the widest focal length at which it avoids vignetting.
Freewell Hard Stop Variable ND
Buy itHard stops, two ranges, and a coating designed for being carried around outdoors.
- A hard stop threaded design that Freewell says eliminates any chance of cross-polarisation, with zero vignetting at 16mm and wider.
- High definition optical glass with 18-layer multicoating, and each face additionally coated to resist water, dust, oil and scratches.
- Two ranges rather than one: 2-5 stop, equivalent to ND4 to ND32 for cloudy through normal sun, and 6-9 stop, equivalent to ND64 to ND512 for bright days and long exposures.
- The glass is described as high definition optical glass with no brand or type named, where two competitors name SCHOTT.
- No reflectance figure and no transmission data are published.
- No frame material is stated.
Side by side
The 9 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Urth Variable ND2-32 Filter Pro Our pick | Freewell Hard Stop Variable ND | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | General video and photo work where you want one filter and the best published optics. | Run-and-gun video outdoors, and anyone who needs both a light and a heavy ND range. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Type | Variable | Variable, hard stop |
| Stop range | 1 to 5 | 2-5 or 6-9 |
| Glass | SCHOTT B270 | High definition optical, type not named |
| Coating layers | 34, dual-side nano | 18, multicoated |
| Reflectance published | 1.5 percent or less | No |
| Frame material | Aerospace-grade aluminium | Not published |
| Vignetting | Not published | None at 16mm and wider |
| Weather sealing | Not published | Water, dust, oil and scratch resistant coating |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime warranty listed, terms not published |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Urth Variable ND2-32 Filter Pro if
general video and photo work where you want one filter and the best published optics.
Know before buying: a 1 to 5 stop range only, where two competitors also offer a 6 to 9 stop version for bright light and long exposures.
Pick the Freewell Hard Stop Variable ND if
run-and-gun video outdoors, and anyone who needs both a light and a heavy ND range.
Know before buying: the glass is described as high definition optical glass with no brand or type named, where two competitors name SCHOTT.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Urth Variable ND2-32 Filter Pro - The only filter here that publishes its reflectance, backed by a lifetime warranty. Choose the Freewell Hard Stop Variable ND instead if run-and-gun video outdoors, and anyone who needs both a light and a heavy ND range.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best ND Filters: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).