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Nitecore NB10000 150g 10000mAh 18W USB-C powerbank

$52 USD Nitecore NB10000 powerbank
Small size and weight
The Nitecore NB10000 10000mAh 18W USB-C powerbank is available for $51.95 USD delivered on Aliexpress.

  • Ultralight and compact 10000mAh USB-C powerbank with a carbon fiber body
  • Supports 18W 2-way fast charging on USB-C and USB-A outputs and on USB-C input
    • e.g. iPhone 11: 0 to 50% in ~30m; 0 to 100% in ~1hr 25m
    • e.g. powerbank: 0 to 66% in ~1hr; 0 to 100% in ~3hr 30m 
    • Capacity to fully charge a iPhone 11 2 (and a bit) times
    • 121.9 x 59 x 10.6mm, 150g


    A USB powerbank helps keep your smartphone and electronic devices charged, and also is a source of backup power in emergencies.

    Fast charging is also important - as modern smartphones will never charge in a timely fashion without it.

    The NB10000 10000mAh USB-C powerbank weighs only 150g which is around 40% lighter compared to similar capacity, fast charging powerbanks.

    It uses a slimline "pouch" battery (instead of cylindrical cells), and a casing made of lightweight carbon fiber.

    e.g.:
    and also supports 2-way 18W fast charging.

    It has 2 USB ports (USB-C and USB-A) which both support 18W fast charging when used as outputs, and support 18W fast charging the powerbank on the USB-C input (using a 18W USB-C AC adapter).

     (e.g. in a coffee shop, airport, etc). 

    NB10000 "pouch" battery
    18650 cylindrical battery (requires ~4.5 for 10000mAh)

    Specifications
    • Lithium-Ion Polymer (LiPo) 10000mAh 3.85V battery
      • Power Capacity: 38.5Wh
      • Rated energy: 6400mAh (5V @ 1A)
      • Output efficiency (@5V) = (6.4A x 5V) / 38.5Wh = ~83%
    • Input: USB-C (5V @ 2.4A, 9V @ 2A)
    • Output: USB-C, USB-A
      • Separately: 5V @ 2.4A, 9V @ 2A, 12V @ 1.5A
      • Combined: 5V⎓3A (MAX) 
      • Fast charge standard support:
        • QC2.0 / QC3.0 Output
        • FCP / AFC / SFCP Input & Output
        • MTK PE+1.1 & 2.0 Output
        • BC1.2, Apple, Samsung Fast Charging
        • PD2.0 Input & Output
        • PD3.0 Input & Output
        • PPS Output
    • Mode Button with integrated LEDs (3x blue + 1 white)
    • IPX5 water resistant
    • -10~40℃ temperature range of use
    • Safety protections: overcurrent, short-circuit, overcharge, over-discharge, overvoltage, thermal
    • Dimensions: 121.9 x 59 x 10.6mm
    • Weight: 150g

    Operation:
    • Activates when USB the cable is plugged in, or on short press of Mode Button
    • While active, blue Mode Button LEDs indicate power:
      • 3 LEDs = 100%
      • 2 LEDs + 1 LED blinking = between 66.6% and 100%
      • 2 LEDs = 66.6%
      • 1 LED + 1 LED blinking = between 33.3 and 66.6% 
      • 1 LED = 33.3%
      • 1 LED blinking = lower than 33.3%
    <insert picture here>

    Other modes:
    • Sleep Mode: after 30s when current draw drops below minimum 
    • Pass-through charging: the powerbank charges while also passing through to another USB device (although doesn't fast charge in this mode)
    • Output to 2 USB devices simultaneously: @ 5V, 3A max combined
    • Low current mode: long press the Mode Button to enable low current mode on the USB-A output (white LED on the Mode Button indicates this)
      • Charge low current devices that don't ordinarily draw enough current to activate the powerbank (e.g. wireless headphones, smartwatches, headtorches, etc )
      • Long press Mode Button again to exit (white LED turns off) 
    <picture of low current mode LED>

    Pros
    • Best-in-class weight (150g) and volume (121.9 x 59 x 10.6mm) 
    • 18W fast charging on input and output
    • Carbon fiber casing lightweight, yet durable and impact resistant
    • Adequate capacity for a 3 day trip when using efficient devices (e.g. smartphone + inReach mini + Nitecore NU25 headlamp)
    • Better energy density than 18650 batteries
    • UN38.3 airline approved (less than 100Wh)
    • IPX5 water resistant (protects against torrential rain) 
    Cons
    • Much more expensive than peers (which average ~$30 USD + shipping)
    • 50g not a big weight saving overall
    • 10000mAh becomes 6400mAh after boosting voltage from 3.85V to 5v for USB output - all powerbanks do this
    • 83% output efficiency is on the lower side - but reviews indicate output efficiency more like 92% - at least initially anyway
    • 4x LED power indicators would be better than 3x
    • "Pouch" LiPo battery not as rugged as cylindrical cells (e.g. not as well protected from piercing)
    • Fit and finish issues due to the carbon fiber material
      • Cuts may be slightly rough and need finishing with sandpaper or superglue
      • Corners are relatively sharp
      • IPX5 water resistance comes from the shell being sealed with glue - the application quality can vary
    Possible minor imperfections
    • The Mode Button LEDs blur together
    • LED indicators blur together somewhat
    • Needs an 18W+ AC adapter to fast charge the powerbank
      • Such as the 18W+ USB-C AC adapter included with the Apple iPhone Pro, iPad or Macbook 
      • or a 3rd party solution like the Anker Powerport nano
    • Lightning to USB-C PD cable required for lightning port Apple devices supporting fast charge (cheap on ebay)
    • Included cable USB-A to USB-C, not USB-C to USB-C 
    • "optimized charging" on Apple devices will increase charging times in the last 20% of charging
    • No indication what speed charging is activated 
    • Perhaps better to use 2x mini 18W AC adapters rather than using passthrough charging
    • Input / output is limited to 18W (rather than 40W+)
      • Not adequate for USB-C charging laptops
      • ~4 hours to charge the powerbank from 0-100% with an 18W charger is still not extremely fast
    • 18W fast charging unavailable when both USB outputs are used. Output is limited to 5V @ 3A combined 
    • LiPo general drawbacks
      • 0-50% time is quick, 50-100% slower
      • Very low, high or humid conditions are not ideal for the battery
      • Don't leave fully discharged for a long time (e.g. 3 months+)
    Package contents:
    • Nitecore NB10000 Powerbank
    • USB Cable (USB-A to USB-C) with velcro strap
    • Paper manual and other papers
    • Box
    Ports and button
    Frame
    Battery / Board
    LED indicator on button
    Low current mode LED indicator on button


    Further Resources

    Initial Impressions: The Nitecore NB10000 vs My Old RAV 67000
    Budgetlightforum: Review NITECORE NB10000 10000mAh Ultra Lightweight Carbon Fiber Power bank
    Zeroair reviews: Nitecore NB10000 Powerbank Review

    Teardown of the NB10000
    Nitecore NB10000 (weights) 

    Reddit
    New ultralight 10,000mAh battery from Nitecore
    Nitecore NB10000 - Load Test
    I Tested the New 5.3oz Nitecore 10,000mAh Power Bank
    Any reason not to get the Nitecore NB10000?
    Nitecore NB10000 Review
    Youtube
    NITECORE NB10000 USB/USB-C Dual Port 10000mAh Power Bank with QC 3.0
    NITECORE powerbank NB10000 Weight Comparison !!!
    The Nitecore NB10000 Carbon Fiber Energy Brick (10,000mAh 3A) FIRST LOOK!

    Misc
    Nitecore NB10000 user manual (pdf)

    Reddit
    Fast charging power bank for thru-hiking? 
    [meta] Please understand these basics of powerbanks when you either review one, or read a review of one.
     
    Wikipedia: Quick Charge
    Wikipedia: USB Power Delivery (USB PD) 
    Wikipedia: Lithium polymer battery 
    Apple: Fast charge your iPhone and iPad (devices that support fast charging)