Whether I’m spending days in the backcountry or out for a day hike, the Nitecore 10000 Gen 3 and NBAir power banks provide the juice I need to keep my rechargeable-battery gear going.
The 10000 Gen has two input/output USB-C ports and the NBAir has one.
Overview: Nitecore 10000 Gen 3 and NBAir Power Banks
The Gen 3 and NBAir bring power banks to a new level of ultralight. The Gen 3 weighs 5.29 ounces and can charge battery-run gear for days in the backcountry. The NBAir weighs 3.14 ounces and is good for day hikes, trail running, or any other activities when I might need some extra juice for my phone or headlamp.
Nitecore 10000 Gen 3
MSRP: $64.95
Weight: 5.29 ounces
Battery: 10,000 mAh
Charge Capacity: About two phone charges
Input, Output: Two USB-C ports
NBAir
MSRP: $39.95
Weight: 3.14 ounces
Battery: 5,000 mAh
Charge Capacity: About one phone charge
Input, Output: One USB-C port
About the Nitecore Power Banks
The Nitecore 10000 Gen 3 keeps my cell phone, satellite communicator, and headlamp charged on multiday trips into the backcountry. The power bank handles two electronic devices at a time, and lighted bars on the battery case let me know how much power is left.
The NBAir is better suited to day hikes or trail running, with a 5,000 mAh battery. That’s enough for one phone charge. But if you use your rechargeable-battery gear sparingly it could be possible to go several days without recharging the power bank.
Power Bank Features
Battery Storage Capacity: 10,000 mAh (milliamp hours) for the Gen 3, 5,000 mAh for the NBAir.
Weight: 5.29 ounces for the Gen 3, 3.14 ounces for the NBAir. Both power banks go a long way toward helping me keep my pack light.
Charging Ports: Both power banks use USB-C ports; the Gen 3 has two ports, the NBAir has one. Pass-through charging is possible with the Gen 3 and its two ports, but not possible with the NBAir and its one port. USB-C ports provide faster charging and are becoming more widely used on power banks and rechargeable gear, but I still have some gear that uses USB-A ports. So I’m glad that the Gen 3 includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter. The NBAir does not come with a charging cord.
Charging Inlet: Neither power bank comes with a USB-C charging cord, so for the fastest charge I bought a USB-C charging cord for my phone. The USB-C to USB-A adapter included with the Gen 3 handles the rest of my rechargeable gear. Using a 20W wall block with a USB-C port provides the fastest charge for the power bank.
Pass Through Charging: If the Gen 3 and my phone battery are low I can connect the Gen 3 to an electrical outlet and my phone to the Gen 3, and charge both.
Charge Indicator: When either power bank is not in use tap the on button to see the battery level. The lights turn off in about 10 seconds.
- Four: 75% to 100%
- Three: 50% to 75%
- Two: 25% to 50%
- One: 10% to 25%
- One Flashing: Less than 10%
Water Resistance: The NBAir power bank has an IPX7 rating, meaning it can be submerged in water up to three feet deep for as long as 30 minutes. Nitecore does say the NBAir is not designed for underwater use and should be dried thoroughly if it’s dropped into water. The Gen 3 has an IPX5 rating, meaning the power bank can withstand rain but not submersion in water. The Gen 3’s IPX5 rating also means it can handle dust, which is good for use on desert trails.
Good to Know
Durability: Both power banks are encased in a solid carbon fiber frame with rounded corners that help reduce impact if the power bank is dropped.
What’s New: The 10000 Gen 3 has two USB-C ports, an upgrade from the Gen 2 that had a USB-C port and a USB-A port. The Gen 3 also has rounded, rubber corners for better protection from dropping. The Gen 3 also costs $5 more than the Gen 2.
About mAh: Power banks are rated by milliamp hours, or mAh, a measure of how many hours a battery can maintain its output. A 1 mAh battery can maintain an output of one milliamp for one hour, so if you want to know how many devices a power bank can charge it’s good to know the mAh of the battery. My cell phone battery is about 4,000 mAh, so the 10000 Gen 3 would charge it twice, with some battery juice left. Nitecore’s NU25 MCT UL headlamp, reviewed here, has a 700 mAh battery, so that’s a lot of charges on either Nitecore power bank.
Pros
Ultralight: Both power banks weigh less than six ounces, putting them solidly in an ultralight category.
Fast-Charging Ports: Both power banks have USB-C ports that provide faster charging than the older-style USB-A ports.
Small and Smaller: The Gen 3 is about the size of a half-deck of cards; the NBAir borders on tiny.
Cons
Charging Cords: Because older rechargeable gear uses USB-A ports, their cords cannot connect to either power bank. The Gen 3 comes with an adapter to connect a USB-A cord but the NBAir does not.
Overall Value
The two Nitecore power banks reviewed aren’t the least expensive in their power category, but they are at the top for ultralight weight. The 10000 Gen 3 is $10 more than the Gen 2, and the price may increase because of the new US tariffs on Chinese-made products. Both power banks are rugged and seem able to stand up to some hard use. I’ve had a Nitecore headlamp for many years and am satisfied that the brand is reliable. So if you’re serious about cutting ounces the Nitecore 10000 Gen 3 and NBAir are good choices.
Similar 10000 and 5000 mAh Power Banks
MSRP: $25.99
mAh: 10,000
Weight: 7.5 ounces
MSRP: $59.95
mAh: 10,000
Weight: 9.3 ounces
MSRP: $39.95
mAh: 6,000
Weight: 5.8 ounces
This product was donated for purpose of review.