NITECORE NB Air USB-C 5000mAh Power Bank Review

The Nitecore NB Air Ultra Lightweight and Slim USB-C 5000mAh Power Bank is a small battery bank that will charge most phones at least once. Though we admire its size, will the capacity be enough for travel? Let’s dive in and find out.

The Rundown

This battery bank is 5,000 mAh, smaller than many we review for travel. If you’re a heavy tech user or have a phone that drains quickly, 5,000 mAh might not be enough. However, this is the perfect size for those who aren’t using their phone a ton and want something to use conservatively or in an emergency.

The rated energy of this power bank is 3,300 mAh, so it’ll charge most modern smartphones around once or a little more. If you’re using the device while charging, you’ll get a little less. Mostly, it will depend on the voltage of the device you’re charging, so expect your results to vary slightly.

The device has a carbon fiber frame with rounded plastic edges, which are comfortable to hang onto. Other battery banks that we’ve tested, especially from NITECORE, have pointy edges, so we dig the look and feel of this one.

The battery bank has an IPX7 rating, which means it can be submerged in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. This rating is higher than that of other battery banks we’ve tested and comes in handy if you’re taking it on a day hike or to the beach. We doubt you’d try this, but don’t try to use it while submerged, as this can damage the battery bank and the device you’re charging!

The battery bank has one USB-C port, which is less than larger battery banks, but it is all that most users need. This rules out pass-through charging, so you can’t charge the battery bank and another device with it at the same time. The USB-C port has an 18-watt input and output, which isn’t groundbreaking but will charge most devices at an adequate speed, though not at fast charging speeds.

A power button to turn on the four indicator lights shows how much charge the battery bank has left. The button isn’t a pushable feature; it’s touch-sensitive, so it can’t accidentally get bumped in your travel backpack or daypack. These have become an industry standard for battery banks, and this one works as expected.

This battery bank doesn’t come with a charging cable, which isn’t typical for NITECORE, though we don’t mind much. Likely, if you’re buying a battery bank with a USB-C port, you likely already have a USB-C cable, and you can better serve the environment by not forcing another cable to sit in your junk drawer for a few years. However, if you need one, you’ll have to purchase it separately.

Packability

This thing is tiny. Yes, it’s only 5,000 mAh, but its thinness makes it more pocketable than other similarly sized devices we’ve tested. It has rounded corners, too, which make it more comfortable to stow in your pants pocket, even if they’re tighter fitting.

You’ll also likely be able to stow the battery bank in your pocket alongside your phone in most pants, which is handy for charging on the go or leaving home without a sling or daypack. Everything can fit into your pockets.

Because of its small size, the battery bank is comfortable in your hand, too. This is handy if you’re sitting outside at a cafe or on a park bench waiting for a friend while playing on (and charging) your phone.

At just 3.14 ounces (89.0175 grams), the Nitecore NB Air Ultra Lightweight and Slim USB-C 5000mAh Power Bank is one of the lightest battery banks we’ve tested. We’ve started to think of it as a ‘lite’ battery bank. Similar to how some brands make a ‘lite’ version of the travel backpacks that axes a few features and comes in at a lighter weight, the NB Air has less capacity and fewer ports but is much easier to carry around all day.

Quick Comparison

Instead of comparing it to another 5,000 mAh battery bank, which will have most things in common, we thought it better to compare it to something larger, like the NITECORE NB10000, so you can decide which capacity you need. Plus, watching siblings battle it out is fun, right?

The NB10000 Gen 3 has a 10,000 mAh battery with a rated energy of 5,400 mAh, a 63.64% increase in rated energy compared to the NB Air’s 3,300 mAh rating. You’d expect a 100% increase from 5,000 to 10,000, so we’re not sure who to give points to on this one. Still, the NB10000 has more juice for charging your devices.

Additionally, the NB10000 has two ports and pass-through charging, which is handy for powering up on the go, though not all travelers need such a feature.

The NB10000 is heavier, bigger, and harder to throw into your pocket, especially while wearing tighter pants. The edges are sharper, too, and it’s less comfortable to hold in the palm of your hand. It isn’t as minimalistic, and fitting into tight spaces is challenging compared to the NB Air.

The NB1000 is the better choice for those who need more power and to charge more devices, but the NB Air stands out for its size and simplicity. They’re both great, but they’re for different travelers!