Review: Nitecore NB10000 Gen 4 Power Bank
An ultralight, trail-friendly power bank that packs strong charging capability into a compact design built for backpacking, hiking, and everyday carry.
The Nitecore NB10000 has been a popular power bank amongst hikers and backpackers for several years. The Gen 4 version is a modest but meaningful upgrade over the Gen 3. It’s slightly lighter, charges faster, and improves durability with a higher IPX7 water-resistance rating. It also adds a more modern battery design with better efficiency and small usability improvements like a tap-to-check battery indicator. The Gen 3, by contrast, is a bit heavier and more basic, but still performs well if you don’t need the extra speed or weather resistance.
Specs
- capacity: 10,000mAh
- weight: 5.1 oz
- dimensions: 4.57″ x 1.84″ x 0.57″
- input: USB-C (22.5W max)
- output: USB-C (22.5W max)
- weather resistance: IPX7
- price: $83.95
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Weight and Packability
One of the biggest advantages of the NB10000 is its low weight. At just 5.1 ounces, it’s noticeably lighter than many 10,000mAh power banks, which often weigh closer to 8–10 ounces.
I’ve used this power bank while hiking to recharge my phone and while backpacking to keep several devices charged during a weeklong trip. In both cases, I liked that it didn’t take up much space in my pack or essentials kit. It’s also airport-compliant, which makes it easy to bring along for trips that combine backcountry and flying.
Nitecore uses dual-sided carbon fiber sheets with a reinforced composite frame, so it feels extra durable for outdoor use while still staying lightweight. The IPX7 waterproof rating is another useful feature for wet conditions and unpredictable weather.
Charging Features
The NB10000 includes regular mode for faster charging, and eco mode that prioritizes efficiency to stretch battery output a bit further. In regular mode, the 22.5W output makes a noticeable difference for quick phone top-ups, especially when you just need to get a usable charge in a short amount of time. That flexibility is useful depending on whether I want a fast recharge or want to maximize battery life on longer trips.
It also supports pass-through charging, allowing you to recharge the power bank and another device at the same time. It can charge two devices simultaneously and supports fast-charging protocols.
One feature I really liked was the touch button. It makes checking battery level simple, and it also controls the charging modes. There are four indicator lights that clearly show remaining power.
That said, switching between regular fast-charging mode and eco mode was more finicky than I expected. The long-press function took some trial and error, and it wasn’t always intuitive. This is one of those products where it’s helpful to hang on to the small manual until the controls become familiar.
Extra Features
The included USB-C lanyard cable is a clever addition. Keeping it attached to the device helps ensure it doesn’t get lost, and it reduces the need to carry an extra charging cord. I find that the short length works well for stacking the power bank directly on a phone while charging.
Gen 4 adds a few more features, including a “knock-to-wake” function that activates the charging indicators and port lights with a double tap. The port lights indicate which charging mode the device is in — yellow for fast charge mode and green for eco mode. They briefly shift into glowing RGB indicators rather than staying on continuously, so they don’t meaningfully impact battery life.
Final Thoughts
I take the NB10000 on both hikes and backpacking trips, and I really appreciate its low weight and small form factor. The dual charging modes are useful in practice, whether I’m topping off quickly or trying to stretch battery life on longer trips. Overall, it’s been reliable in use, with solid build quality for outdoor conditions.
Disclosure: this item was donated for the purpose of a review.