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, for far less money.
Urth Variable ND2-32 Filter Pro
Buy itThe only filter here that publishes its reflectance, and the only one with 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
| Urth Variable ND2-32 Filter Pro | 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 |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Urth Variable ND2-32 Filter Pro - The only filter here that publishes its reflectance, and the only one with 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).