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Avid hiker and traveller Jess opinions the Nitecore NB10000 GEN2 Powerbank, testing if its ultralight design lives as much as the promise of dependable energy on the transfer.
Nitecore is well-known for creating dependable, transportable, and rugged energy options for adventurers, travellers, and professionals alike. Their NB10000 GEN2 isn’t any exception: it’s a featherlight, carbon fibre 10,000mAh energy financial institution that claims to be essentially the most compact in its class. However does it stay as much as the promise of energy with out the load?
I’ve taken it mountaineering, tenting, and travelling to evaluate its efficiency to see if it’s price splashing the money on.
You obtain the powerbank and twine within the field – the pouch is mine. I’ll clarify why that’s vital additional down the evaluation
Why am I the appropriate individual to do that evaluation?
As a frequent hiker and abroad traveller, I depend on powerbanks to spice up up my digicam, headlamps, and cellphone for navigation and emergency communication. Telephones are fairly ineffective with out cost and powerbanks have saved me many instances when worldwide adaptors have failed, I’ve been out longer than anticipated, or I’ve merely been forgetful and forgotten a wall plug altogether.
I’ve had a spread of various fashions through the years, every with their very own limitations and advantages. My main bugbear has all the time come all the way down to weight. Transportable energy is heavy! And I’ve by no means been able to shell out a couple of hundred for one which was thought-about light-weight.
Since my final buy, Nitecore has launched its NB10000 vary of powerbanks which promise to pair efficiency, affordability, and minimal grams in a single glossy helpful brick.
Will it transform the powerbank I’ve been trying to find?
Fast Specs
Battery cell: Lithium-ion
Capability: 10,000mAh
Dimensions: 1.22cm x 5.92cm x 1.06cm
Weight: 150g
Waterproof: Sure, IPX5 (okay if splashed/rained on however gained’t survive a swim)
Charging ports: USB-A & USB-C
RRP: $110 for the NB10000 GEN2, $78.90 for the NB10000 GEN3 (the latest mannequin!)
That is what comes out of the field
Efficiency
Boasting a 20W output and twin charging ports, the slimline NB10000 GEN2 provides power-packed efficiency in a tool so mild I initially doubted it.
Testing it with a cellphone and head torch, the NB10000 delivered constant juice, topping up my units faster than anticipated. Whereas it gained’t energy bigger units like laptops, it’s excellent for smartphones, e-readers, and smaller electronics, and the ten,000mAh capability permits me to cost my cellphone two-and-a-bit instances, with a bit leftover for my head torch.
USB-A and USB-C ports are very versatile
Sturdiness
After I tote round a powerbank I are inclined to deal with them like glass. I retailer them in a well-padded bag or thick mountaineering sock to buffer them towards knocks, and to cease them from getting too chilly. For those who’re confused about why I’m mentioning temperature it’s as a result of when lithium batteries get too chilly – suppose, beneath 0°C – it slows down the chemical reactions within the battery.
For those who let your powerbank get too icy, it’ll maintain much less cost, and will even cease working. I’ve had this Nitecore powerbank in chilly circumstances in a single day and it held up high quality. However, I saved it in a padded bag, and slept with it inside my sleeping bag for a bonus failsafe.
Extremely suggest a padded bag or insulated mountaineering sock to wrap your lithium batteries and powerbanks in
The outside of the NB10000 is comprised of carbon fiber, which supplies high-quality impression resistance with out being cumbersome. This has suffered a couple of unintentional knocks and also you wouldn’t understand it – nonetheless seems to be model new! The USB-C and USB-A ports additionally really feel cosy, exhibiting no signal of looseness or put on over time.
The one factor I don’t love is that there’s no cap to guard the USB ports. This might be an awesome addition as with out a concerted effort to guard them, I can see the ports getting dirty and clogged with prolonged or repeated multi-day use within the outside.
Battery Life
Battery life is the place the NB10000 GEN2 really shines. Rated at 10,000mAh, this little beast reliably gave me two full fees for my cellphone, with some energy left over. That is fairly excellent for a 1-3 day hike, however not for something longer like a week-long multi-day hike.
However at solely 150g every, it’s not a problem to take two of them for peace of thoughts that I’ll be capable to take all of the snappy snaps I would like alongside the best way. (And 300g continues to be lighter than the majority of equal options on the market!).
Now that’s an influence couple!
Its rated vitality output of 6,400mAh at 5V is in line with what’s anticipated of a high-quality energy financial institution, and the cost holds nicely even after prolonged storage (I’m speaking weeks of sitting in a drawer untouched).
Charging Pace
You cost the facility financial institution itself utilizing the offered USB-C to USB-A twine at a max fee of 18W. You’ll be able to cost your units utilizing both the USB-C or USB-A ports. Simply be aware that the USB-C port (the smaller one) will cost barely quicker at 20W output, in comparison with the 18W output of the USB-A. These speeds aren’t something revolutionary, however to have them in such a small bundle is fairly neat, and there’s gotta be a compromise someplace!
It takes about three hours to completely cost up the powerbank. After I’m travelling and solely have quick stopovers to search out a powerpoint within the terminal because of the ever-crappy-always-broken aeroplane seat USB ports, this will show difficult. Being conscious of the capability of this product is essential to getting essentially the most out it.
My full package of enter lead, powerbank, and cellphone charger lead
Design
Nitecore’s consideration to element is clear within the glossy, minimalist design of the NB10000 GEN2. The carbon fiber end not solely seems to be spectacular but additionally resists scratches and fingerprints, and the strengthened carbon polymer body is a design generally utilized in aerospace and automotive engineering to offer stability with out extra bulk. Fancy!
The design is easy and efficient, with a slim profile that takes up minimal house. Each ports are well-placed and accessible, although like I mentioned earlier, I’d love a mud cowl over them!
Some travellers favor built-in charging cables, however I discover it simpler to have the ability to deliver my very own relying on the journey. Quick cables for hikes, and longer ones for once I’m sitting in airports or cafes.
I actually just like the battery indicator mild. It appears fairly bang on in comparison with my previous energy financial institution which I swear displayed lights purely to mess with me. When it has two or three lights I do know I can get an honest cost on my cellphone. When it’s down to at least one, it’s received sufficient juice for my head torch to completely cost, and if it’s flashing, nicely, that’s energy bank-speak for mayday. Any juice from then on is a present from above.
The blue lights may be tougher to see within the daylight however I’m pleased to should take an extended look than waste cost for brighter lights
Portability
When it comes to portability, at simply 150g in weight you don’t even know you’re carrying the NB10000 GEN2. Nitecore claims it’s 50% smaller than equal 10,000mAh energy banks and I’ve received no purpose to doubt them.
Its compact design (121.9mm × 59mm × 10.6mm) means it simply matches right into a pocket or pouch, and the IPX5 waterproofing means you don’t want to fret about it within the rain. Although I can’t assist myself and all the time have mine saved in a Ziplock Baggie…simply in case.
My favorite portability function of this energy financial institution is that because of the ten,000mAh capability, it meets the ‘airline approved power standard UN38.3’. This implies you’re allowed to take it on the airplane as carry-on baggage with out in search of extra permission beforehand. Batteries and energy banks bigger than this in any other case should go in checked baggage. This function and a spotlight to element make it excellent for the digital nomads and ultralight travellers on the market.
It’s a hell of loads much less chunky than my earlier Cygnet powerbank (and loads lighter!)
Sustainability
I had a very good previous hunt across the Nitecore web site hoping to seek out one thing a couple of battery recycling program or comparable sustainability initiatives however I got here up empty handed. What was clear from their web site is that their focus is on ‘leading the industry in new standards of portability, aesthetic, output and functionality’. As a shopper, that’s nice, nevertheless it looks like sustainability isn’t excessive on their record of priorities – disappointing.
Whereas sustainability isn’t a serious spotlight for the NB10000, Nitecore’s alternative of carbon fiber — identified for its sturdiness — means this energy financial institution is constructed to final, lowering the necessity for frequent replacements. The Li-ion cell is a regular alternative for energy banks, and whereas there’s room for enchancment by way of utilizing recycled supplies, the general construct high quality promotes an extended product lifecycle.
I’ll maintain tabs on it and return to this evaluation to let you already know if both of mine die early or have issues
Value
As luck would have it, Nitcore launched the NB10000 GEN3, proper as I used to be reviewing the GEN2 mannequin. You will discover the Nitecore NB10000 GEN2 Powerbank round for RRP $110.95, however with Ultralight Hiker promoting the up to date GEN3 for simply $78.90, my recommendation can be to seize the newer mannequin.
Probably the most notable adjustments between GEN2 and GEN3 are that the newer mannequin has rubber corners for added safety (big win), and in-line via charging, and the USB-A port has been changed by 2 USB-C ports with a USB-C to USB-A adaptor included for comfort. Charging is barely quicker with 22.5W max output, however enter (for charging the facility financial institution itself) has remained the identical at 18W. The load is similar for each fashions.
For the efficiency and minimal weight, I used to be completely pleased paying $110 for a second mannequin of the Gen 2 (along with the Gen 2 I acquired free for evaluation) so the up to date mannequin for thirty bucks much less seems like an absolute steal.
Last Ideas
The NITECORE NB10000 GEN2 Powerbank is a powerful fusion of light-weight design and highly effective efficiency, ultimate for anybody needing dependable transportable energy with out including bulk or extra weight.
For underneath $100, it’s laborious to beat out there of ultra-portable energy banks. For those who’re in search of an influence resolution that’s sturdy, environment friendly, and gained’t weigh you down, the NB10000 GEN2 and the newer NB10000 GEN3 is certainly price contemplating.
