Nitecore NB10000 Gen 4 Review: The Lightest and Most Compact Power Bank
The new adventure-ready 10,000mAh power bank weighs just 146 grams and features silicon-carbon battery technology.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The Nitecore NB10000 Gen 4 weighs just 146 grams with dimensions of 1.45 x 11.6 x 4.68cm.
- It utilizes silicon-carbon anode technology to reduce weight while maximizing capacity.
- Delivers a 39Wh capacity with up to 22.5W output and IPX7 water resistance.
- Minor quirks include hit-or-miss knock-to-wake controls and superfluous RGB lighting.
For backpackers, trail runners, and outdoor enthusiasts who strive to trim every possible gram from their gear, carrying lightweight accessories is paramount. Nitecore has answered this call with the release of its latest generation ultralight battery, the Nitecore NB10000 Gen 4, which builds upon previous models to offer even better portability.
Priced at $83.95, the Gen 4 tips the scales at just 146 grams on the reviewer's scale and measures 1.45 x 11.6 x 4.68cm according to Nitecore's specification sheet. This makes it the lightest and most compact 10,000mAh power bank available. Even when factoring in the extra 6 grams from the included braided USB-C lanyard, it still outperforms its predecessor, the NB10000 Gen 3. The secret behind this impressive weight reduction is a silicon-carbon anode, the same advanced battery tech increasingly found in flagship smartphones like Samsung's.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Despite its tiny footprint, the Gen 4's 39Wh battery successfully recharged an aging iPhone 15 Pro twice with watt-hours to spare. Offering up to 22.5W of output, it can even top up a 14-inch MacBook Pro when needed, and it supports pass-through charging so you can power your gadgets while the power bank itself is plugged in.
The integration of silicon-carbon anode technology in portable power banks represents a major leap in energy density. By storing more electrical charge within a smaller volume and lighter physical footprint, it directly addresses the historical capacity limitations of traditional lithium-ion batteries faced by outdoor adventurers.
Constructed from carbon fiber sheets with IPX7 water resistance, the unit can withstand heavy rain or temporary submersion. Testing revealed 33.58Wh of delivered energy from the claimed 39Wh capacity, resulting in an impressive 86.1 percent efficiency. It also supports PD, QC3.0, and Huawei SCP charging protocols without experiencing the low-battery overheating shutdowns seen in earlier generations.
The only superfluous addition is the animated RGB lighting around the dual USB-C ports, intended to help locate ports inside a dark tent. Users can activate the lights and battery indicator by double-knocking near the top, which assists when wearing gloves since Nitecore opted for a touch-sensitive wake button. While the knock-to-wake feature worked about 75 percent of the time, both the lights and the feature can be disabled if preferred.
Source: The Verge
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