Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 Power Bank Review

Bottom Line

On the heels of the Gen3, the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 is once again a top performer. There’s a lot to love about the NB10000, including its competitively low weight, stellar efficiency, and new knock-to-wake power indicator. We found ourselves constantly reaching for this power bank thanks to its convenience and portability.

In our testing, the NB10000 emerged as one of the lightest and most compact 10,000 mAH power banks in our lineup. It also took the top spot for efficiency per gram, which is great news for ounce-counting backcountry users who are intentional about what goes in their pack. And Nitecore introduced some handy upgrades with the Gen4 model, including a unique knock-to-wake feature, glowing input/output ports, and a touch-sensitive power button.

Cold efficiency was one area of weakness, with the NB10000’s power decreasing by 13% in our cold-weather simulation. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate this in the field. Overall, the NB10000 has a lot to offer across the board, making it a fantastic choice for anyone looking to cut weight on their next backpacking trip.

How We Tested

We used the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 in a variety of environments, starting with an overnight snowshoe trip in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. We also used it frequently in day-to-day life, toting it along for errands and using it to charge our devices at home. Finally, we brought it along on a longer backpacking trip in the Southwest to get a better feel for its backcountry performance.

Efficiency

Like its predecessor, the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 packs an enormous punch in a small package. To test this, we used a multimeter and a dummy load resistor to measure the total power output (in watt-hours) of each bank. We then divided that number by each unit’s weight to determine the amount of power per gram. The Nitecore was the clear winner, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants the maximum amount of power in the smallest possible package.

We used the NB10000 to charge electronics on backpacking trips in the Southwest as well as on day-to-day adventures and were able to get multiple partial charges out of it. After charging an iPhone 15 Pro from 20% to 80% recently, the battery indicator still showed full bars. Though not the cheapest power bank available, the NB10000 certainly earns its price tag when it comes to efficiency.

Weight & Portability

We love how convenient the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 is to bring on hikes and errands around town. On our kitchen scale, the unit checked in at just over 5 ounces, making it one of the lightest 10,000 mAh banks we tested. We also measured its dimensions to calculate total volume, and the Nitecore again stood out as one of the most compact banks in our lineup.

During testing, we found ourselves continually reaching for the NB10000 due to its low-profile, unobtrusive feel. It easily fits inside a fanny pack, hipbelt pocket, or electronics bag. It also goes unnoticed inside a pack, whether you’re embarking on a long day hike or headed deep into the backcountry on a multi-day trip.

Durability

Overall, the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 is well built and can handle most outdoor use. The device handily passed our eight-foot drop test, emerging with full functionality and no obvious scratches or dings. It also has an IPX7 rating, which indicates it can be submerged in water up to one meter (3.3 feet) deep for 30 minutes. The device isn’t rated for dust, but the submersion rating is ample for rain, humidity, and accidental dunks during water crossings.

Nitecore products get mixed reviews on longevity, but we’ve had zero issues thus far. The device did heat up more than others, but this did not seem to have an impact on performance. Even on our snowshoe trip, the NB10000 functioned flawlessly. 

Charging Speed

The Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 had one of the fastest recharge times of the banks we tested. To gauge this, we used a tablet to record each power bank, making note of when the final power bar stopped flashing. The Nitecore took three hours and two minutes to fill up from empty to full – one of the fastest times in our lineup. 

When charging the NB10000 at home, we often forgot it was charging and came back to find it ready to go. By comparison, some of the slower banks required constant check-ups toward the end of their cycle, leaving us asking, “Is this done yet?”. Suffice to say, charging speed is definitely a strong suit of the NB10000 Gen4.

Features

As with most ultralight gear, the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 has a streamlined design with few features. That said, all of the inclusions are functional and well executed. The first feature that stood out was the new knock-to-wake function, which was very helpful for quick power checks. In place of a regular power button, the Gen4 has an engraved button that sits flush on the front. Past generations suffered from accidental power cycling, so it’s a welcome change. In theory, double tapping near the logo should wake the device, but we usually needed to tap multiple times to find the right spot. 

Nitecore also added handy RGB lights around the charging ports. They glow vibrant rainbow colors, which is both fun and functional – the lights make it very easy to find the ports in the dark. They also change colors to indicate the charging mode. Speaking of which, long-pressing the power symbol for about 7 seconds will toggle between regular and eco modes. Regular mode is less efficient but charges devices faster, while eco mode conserves battery.

Rounding out the NB10000’s feature set are pass-through charging capabilities and a new lanyard-style USB-C cord. The former indicates that the device can be charged while simultaneously charging a device. We found the lanyard-style charging cord to be handy on shorter excursions like local trail runs or quick errands around town. There’s a small hole to attach the lanyard to the power bank to prevent it from getting lost.

Cold Efficiency

Cold-weather efficiency is one area where the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 fell short. We tested this by duplicating our regular efficiency test inside a refrigerator. We then compared the data from each test to determine each bank’s percentage increase or decrease when exposed to cold. In the case of the NB10000, efficiency decreased by 13%, making it one of the worst performers in our testing.

That said, we didn’t notice any problems while using the NB10000 on an overnight snowshoe trip. Keeping it close to our body during the day and sleeping with it inside our sleeping bag at night helped mitigate power loss. Those who do a lot of winter adventuring may want a more cold-capable bank, but the Nitecore strikes us as perfectly suitable for most conditions.

Should You Buy the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4?

There’s a lot to like about the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4. It’s particularly appealing for ultralight backpackers thanks to its extremely light and compact design. We also found it great for local trail runs and errands around town. In terms of efficiency, it packs a serious punch given its diminutive size, and overall durability is solid for frequent backcountry use.

If you’re sticking to a strict budget, there are cheaper power banks available. Winter campers may also want to steer clear, as the NB10000 performed poorly in our cold test (although there are ways to mitigate this in the field). Finally, though it’s rated for submersion, the device isn’t dust-tight, which may be a consideration for those who spend a lot of time in the desert or by the water (sand can get in the ports).

What Other Power Banks Should You Consider?

If the Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 isn’t quite what you’re looking for, check out the options below or the rest of our power banks gear guide for more alternatives.

FLEXTAIL Zero Power Review: For around the same weight as the NB10000, the FLEXTAIL Zero Power is similarly compact and efficient. The Nitecore has more features and better reliability in wet weather (IPX7 vs. the FLEXTAIL’s IPX4 rating), but the Zero Power is cheaper and slightly better in the cold.

OKZU 10000 Review: The OKZU 10000 is an affordable but well-rounded option for those on a budget. It’s very quick to recharge and competitively lightweight, although it’s less compact and more susceptible to wear than the NB10000. 

INIU B41 10000 Review: If features matter to you, the B41 10000 is a worthy alternative. This budget-friendly power bank has an easy-to-read charge indicator, multiple USB ports, and even a built-in flashlight – all at a very solid price.