Nitecore NB10000 GEN2 Powerbank – Reviewed & Tested

Avid hiker and traveller Jess reviews the Nitecore NB10000 GEN2 Powerbank, testing if its ultralight design lives up to the promise of reliable power on the move.

Nitecore is well-known for creating reliable, portable, and rugged power solutions for adventurers, travellers, and professionals alike. Their NB10000 GEN2 is no exception: it’s a featherlight, carbon fibre 10,000mAh power bank that claims to be the most compact in its class. But does it live up to the promise of power without the weight? 

I’ve taken it hiking, camping, and travelling to assess its performance to see if it’s worth splashing the cash on.

You receive the powerbank and cord in the box – the pouch is mine. I’ll explain why that’s important further down the review

Why am I the right person to do this review?

As a frequent hiker and overseas traveller, I rely on powerbanks to boost up my camera, headlamps, and phone for navigation and emergency communication. Phones are pretty useless without charge and powerbanks have saved me many times when international adaptors have failed, I’ve been out longer than expected, or I’ve simply been forgetful and forgotten a wall plug altogether.

I’ve had a range of different models over the years, each with their own limitations and benefits. My major bugbear has always come down to weight. Portable power is heavy! And I’ve never been in a position to shell out a few hundred for one that was considered lightweight.

Since my last purchase, Nitecore has released its NB10000 range of powerbanks which promise to pair performance, affordability, and minimal grams in one sleek useful brick.

Will it turn out to be the powerbank I’ve been searching for?

Quick Specifications

Battery cell: Lithium-ion
Capacity: 10,000mAh
Dimensions: 1.22cm x 5.92cm x 1.06cm
Weight: 150g
Waterproof: Yes, IPX5 (ok if splashed/rained on but won’t survive a swim)
Charging ports: USB-A & USB-C
RRP: $110 for the NB10000 GEN2, $78.90 for the NB10000 GEN3 (the newest model!)

This is what comes out of the box

Performance

Boasting a 20W output and dual charging ports, the slimline NB10000 GEN2 offers power-packed performance in a device so light I initially doubted it.

Testing it with a phone and head torch, the NB10000 delivered consistent juice, topping up my devices quicker than expected. While it won’t power larger devices like laptops, it’s perfect for smartphones, e-readers, and smaller electronics, and the 10,000mAh capacity allows me to charge my phone two-and-a-bit times, with a little leftover for my head torch.

USB-A and USB-C ports are very versatile

Durability

When I tote around a powerbank I tend to treat them like glass. I store them in a well-padded bag or thick hiking sock to buffer them against knocks, and to stop them from getting too cold. If you’re confused about why I’m mentioning temperature it’s because when lithium batteries get too cold – think, below 0°C – it slows down the chemical reactions in the battery.

If you let your powerbank get too icy, it’ll hold less charge, and may even stop working. I’ve had this Nitecore powerbank in cold conditions overnight and it held up fine. But, I stored it in a padded bag, and slept with it inside my sleeping bag for a bonus failsafe.

Highly recommend a padded bag or insulated hiking sock to wrap your lithium batteries and powerbanks in

The exterior of the NB10000 is made from carbon fiber, which provides high-quality impact resistance without being bulky. This has suffered a few accidental knocks and you wouldn’t know it – still looks brand new! The USB-C and USB-A ports also feel snug, showing no sign of looseness or wear over time.

The only thing I don’t love is that there’s no cap to protect the USB ports. This would be a great addition as without a concerted effort to protect them, I can see the ports getting grimy and clogged with extended or repeated multi-day use in the outdoors.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the NB10000 GEN2 truly shines. Rated at 10,000mAh, this little beast reliably gave me two full charges for my phone, with some power left over. This is pretty perfect for a 1-3 day hike, but not for anything longer like a week-long multi-day hike.

But at only 150g each, it’s not a hassle to take two of them for peace of mind that I’ll be able to take all the snappy snaps I want along the way. (And 300g is still lighter than the bulk of equivalent alternatives out there!).

Now that’s a power couple!

Its rated energy output of 6,400mAh at 5V is consistent with what’s expected of a high-quality power bank, and the charge holds well even after extended storage (I’m talking weeks of sitting in a drawer untouched).

Charging Speed

You charge the power bank itself using the provided USB-C to USB-A cord at a max rate of 18W. You can charge your devices using either the USB-C or USB-A ports. Just note that the USB-C port (the smaller one) will charge slightly faster at 20W output, compared to the 18W output of the USB-A. These speeds aren’t anything revolutionary, but to have them in such a small package is pretty neat, and there’s gotta be a compromise somewhere!

It takes about three hours to fully charge up the powerbank. When I’m travelling and only have short stopovers to hunt down a powerpoint in the terminal thanks to the ever-crappy-always-broken aeroplane seat USB ports, this can prove challenging. Being aware of the capacity of this product is key to getting the most out it.

My full kit of input lead, powerbank, and phone charger lead

Design

Nitecore’s attention to detail is evident in the sleek, minimalist design of the NB10000 GEN2. The carbon fiber finish not only looks impressive but also resists scratches and fingerprints, and the reinforced carbon polymer frame is a design commonly used in aerospace and automotive engineering to provide stability without excess bulk. Fancy!

The design is simple and effective, with a slim profile that takes up minimal space. Both ports are well-placed and accessible, though like I said earlier, I’d love a dust cover over them!

Some travellers prefer built-in charging cables, but I find it easier to be able to bring my own depending on the trip. Short cables for hikes, and longer ones for when I’m sitting in airports or cafes.

I really like the battery indicator light. It seems pretty bang on compared to my old power bank which I swear displayed lights purely to mess with me. When it has two or three lights I know I can get a decent charge on my phone. When it’s down to one, it’s got enough juice for my head torch to fully charge, and if it’s flashing, well, that’s power bank-speak for mayday. Any juice from then on is a gift from above.

The blue lights can be harder to see in the daylight but I’m happy to have to take a longer glance than waste charge for brighter lights

Portability

In terms of portability, at just 150g in weight you don’t even know you’re carrying the NB10000 GEN2. Nitecore claims it’s 50% smaller than equivalent 10,000mAh power banks and I’ve got no reason to doubt them.

Its compact design (121.9mm × 59mm × 10.6mm) means it easily fits into a pocket or pouch, and the IPX5 waterproofing means you don’t need to worry about it in the rain. Though I can’t help myself and always have mine stored in a Ziplock Baggie…just in case.

My favourite portability feature of this power bank is that thanks to the 10,000mAh capacity, it meets the ‘airline approved power standard UN38.3’. This means you’re allowed to take it on the plane as carry-on luggage without seeking additional permission beforehand. Batteries and power banks larger than this otherwise have to go in checked bags. This feature and attention to detail make it perfect for the digital nomads and ultralight travellers out there.

It’s a hell of a lot less chunky than my previous Cygnet powerbank (and a lot lighter!)

Sustainability

I had a good old hunt around the Nitecore website hoping to find something about a battery recycling program or similar sustainability initiatives but I came up empty handed. What was clear from their website is that their focus is on ‘leading the industry in new standards of portability, aesthetic, output and functionality’. As a consumer, that’s great, but it seems like sustainability isn’t high on their list of priorities – disappointing.

While sustainability isn’t a major highlight for the NB10000, Nitecore’s choice of carbon fiber — known for its durability — means this power bank is built to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements. The Li-ion cell is a standard choice for power banks, and while there’s room for improvement in terms of using recycled materials, the overall build quality promotes a longer product lifecycle.

I’ll keep tabs on it and return to this review to let you know if either of mine die early or have problems

Price

As luck would have it, Nitcore released the NB10000 GEN3, right as I was reviewing the GEN2 model. You can find the Nitecore NB10000 GEN2 Powerbank around for RRP $110.95, but with Ultralight Hiker selling the updated GEN3 for just $78.90, my advice would be to grab the newer model.

The most notable changes between GEN2 and GEN3 are that the newer model has rubber corners for added protection (huge win), and in-line through charging, and the USB-A port has been replaced by 2 USB-C ports with a USB-C to USB-A adaptor included for convenience. Charging is slightly faster with 22.5W max output, but input (for charging the power bank itself) has remained the same at 18W. The weight is the same for both models.

For the performance and minimal weight, I was perfectly happy paying $110 for a second model of the Gen 2 (in addition to the Gen 2 I received free for review) so the updated model for thirty bucks less feels like an absolute steal.

Final Thoughts

The NITECORE NB10000 GEN2 Powerbank is an impressive fusion of lightweight design and powerful performance, ideal for anyone needing reliable portable power without adding bulk or excess weight.

For under $100, it’s hard to beat in the market of ultra-portable power banks. If you’re looking for a power solution that’s durable, efficient, and won’t weigh you down, the NB10000 GEN2 and the newer NB10000 GEN3 is definitely worth considering.

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