Nitecore NB10000 Gen 4 power bank commands premium price for ultralight carbon fibre build
Independent testing confirms high efficiency and improved thermal management, though RGB lighting and touch controls divide opinion among users.
Nitecore has released the NB10000 Gen 4, a 10,000mAh portable battery unit that the manufacturer claims is its lightest and most compact model to date. Weighing 146 grams, or 152 grams with the included USB-C lanyard, the device measures 1.45 x 11.6 x 4.68cm. The unit is constructed from carbon fibre sheets and carries an IPX7 water resistance rating, positioning it for use in outdoor and adventure contexts.
The NB10000 Gen 4 is priced at $83.95, a significant increase from the previous Gen 3 model which launched at $64.95 two years ago. This pricing places the device well above the typical market range for similar capacity units, which generally cost between $28 and $42. The premium reflects the weight savings, with the Gen 4 shedding approximately 50 grams compared to competitors, a factor that may appeal to endurance athletes and backpackers prioritising load reduction.
Testing conducted by The Verge, a technology news outlet founded in 2011, recorded an actual capacity of 33.58Wh against the claimed 39Wh, resulting in an efficiency rate of 86.1 percent. This represents a slight improvement over the Gen 3 model, which measured 33.33Wh. The Gen 4 achieves an energy density of 229.98Wh/kg, or 220.90Wh/kg with the cable attached, figures described as class-leading for its category.
In performance trials, the power bank successfully recharged an iPhone 15 Pro twice and was able to top up a 14-inch MacBook Pro. It supports up to 22.5W output and includes pass-through charging capabilities. The device also features an eco mode that reduces output to 5W to prevent automatic shutdown when charging low-draw devices such as headlamps or wireless earbuds, while also reducing heat waste to improve efficiency.
The Gen 4 addresses thermal issues present in the previous generation, specifically overheating and shutdowns that occurred when battery levels were low. However, the device introduces features such as animated RGB lighting around the USB-C ports and a touch-sensitive wake button. The lighting can be toggled between regular and eco modes via a long press of the power button, and a knock-to-wake feature is also available, though it reportedly functions reliably only about 75 percent of the time.
