Backside Line
One of many lightest, best, and most moveable energy banks available on the market, it’s no surprise that the Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 3 is one in every of our favourite energy banks. Whereas testing the Nitecore over the course of a number of weeks, we had the chance to weigh it, run it by way of some effectivity and charging assessments, and convey it together with us on backpacking journeys within the San Juan Mountains.
We like how simple it’s to hold because of its low weight. It additionally packs a punch with many fees out there in its small body. Its draw back is that it was inconvenient throughout testing that there weren’t any USB-A ports, which meant we wanted to discover a new charging cable. And although it’s a bit pricier, the Nitecore is a unbelievable selection for anybody seeking to lower weight on their subsequent backpacking journey.
Fast Specs
Nitecore NB 10000 Gen 3
Greatest Energy Financial institution General
Rating:
82/100
Worth:
$65
Weight:
5.3 oz.
mAh:
10,000
Time to full cost:
4 hrs (USB-C)
Professionals
- Compact
- Ultralight
- Sturdy
- Recharges rapidly
- Fast cost output
- Cross-through charging
- Can cost two units without delay
Cons
- Costly
- Battery life indicator isn’t very clear
Effectivity
One other huge win for Nitecore is that it packs an unlimited punch in a small package deal. It had essentially the most energy out there per ounce of any financial institution we examined. Whereas the bigger capability energy banks have extra Watt hours out there total, their heavier weight means they aren’t as environment friendly because the Nitecore. To check this, we used a multimeter and a dummy load resistor to measure the whole energy output of every financial institution. The Nitecore was the clear winner and a very good selection for anybody who desires the utmost quantity of energy within the smallest potential package deal.
Weight & Packability
It’s onerous to beat the Nitecore in the case of weight. When positioned on our scale, this financial institution got here in at 5.3 ounces, making it the lightest 10,000 mAh financial institution we examined and one of many lightest available on the market. The distinction in weight is important sufficient to be noticeable when held even with energy banks that solely weigh a bit extra. Equally, its small dimension makes it simple to make use of in varied conditions, resembling whereas watching a film within the tent at evening or for a mid-day recharge in a backpack aspect pocket.
Sturdiness
Because of some new options, the Gen 3 has elevated sturdiness and carried out properly throughout our hands-on assessments. This era has an IPX5 ranking, which suggests it will probably survive getting rained on, and the brand new rounded rubber corners assist it deal with drops higher than earlier than. We examined this by dropping it from a peak of eight ft onto loosely packed filth, and it will probably nonetheless cost a telephone afterward.
Although some scratches grew to become obvious after a number of weeks of carrying the financial institution round in a bag, the carbon fiber body usually reduces and hides scratches. Nitecore energy financial institution merchandise have traditionally had a status for poor high quality and sturdiness, however this was not our expertise. After a number of backpacking journeys, the NB10000 Gen 3 continues to work like new.
Charging Velocity
A lackluster efficiency space for the Nitecore NB10000 is the time it takes to recharge. We’ve discovered the recharge time to be common at finest. Throughout our assessments, we used a QC 3.0 wall charger and customary USB-C wire with the supplied USB-A to USB-C adapter, and it took 4 hours and 9 minutes to cost totally from empty. This charging time is longer than many of the 10,000 mAh energy banks we examined. We have been disenchanted with this efficiency given the value level. On the plus aspect, there have been enhancements to the battery life indicator, which make it simpler to learn, and it nonetheless fees quicker than larger-capacity energy banks.
Options
The NB10000’s options are streamlined and simple. Some might discover this to be a very good factor, whereas for others, it might go away one thing to be desired. This is determined by person desire and the meant use for the facility financial institution For instance, we discovered the shortage of a USB-A port to be irritating as there have been a number of instances once we went to make use of it and realized we had the improper wire. Nonetheless, different folks might discover the USB-C-only interface a very good factor as electronics are regularly shifting away from USB-A cords.
Another options are value mentioning, together with the Gen 3’s pass-through charging means. Which means that one other system may be charged from the facility financial institution whereas the system itself is charging. One other is its means to detect when trickle charging is required and modify accordingly with out urgent any buttons. Lastly, we recognize that Nitecore eradicated the hibernation mode that earlier generations sported, because it gave many backpackers vital issues within the backcountry.
Chilly Charging
The vital flaw for the NB10000 is the numerous lower in effectivity in chilly temperatures. We all know it isn’t at all times potential to maintain an influence financial institution heat, significantly when recreating in shoulder season or winter, so we examined all our energy banks with that in thoughts. After putting the NB10000 within the fridge with our multimeter and dummy resistor load attached, we discovered that it had an 8.9% lower in effectivity. This was essentially the most vital lower out of all of our energy banks. Luckily, this downside may be mitigated by holding the financial institution in a heat location, resembling a sleeping bag or near the physique when utilizing it to cost a tool.
Ought to You Purchase the Nitecore NB10000 Gen 3?
As one in every of our favourite energy banks, the Nitecore NB10000 Gen 3 makes an ideal all-around selection for nearly anybody. Those that depend each ounce and wish the best stage of efficiency in a ten,000 mAh energy financial institution will discover that this one is tough to beat.
On the flip aspect, hikers on a funds or those that want a bigger capability energy financial institution for longer journeys may discover that different decisions will higher go well with their wants.
What Different Energy Banks Ought to You Take into account?
Zendure Tremendous Mini: Should you just like the portability of the Nitecore however need one thing smaller and extra inexpensive, this is a superb choice.
OKZU 10,000 Evaluate: This can be a cheaper choice with a quicker recharge time and a barely bigger body.
INIU Megapower 10000 Evaluate: This one is nice for its stable total efficiency and quick recharging instances. Additionally it is a contender in the case of weight and portability.
