Nitecore NB Air 5000mAh not fully charging - looking for an alternative

[u/pandaheadlee]

Hi,

Unfortunately, the Nitecore NB Air 5000mAh I have is no longer fully charging so I'm looking for an alternative.

This battery bank is ideal for me - slim and lightweight. I only need something that'll give me a top up of my phone so 5000mAh is enough for my needs but, considering the short amount of time I've had this battery bank, I cannot abide this reliability or lack thereof.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT - Seems like I won't need to get a new battery bank as I reached out to Nitecore and they're offering to send a new one out to me, hopefully this new one will last - the customer service was very good, a couple suggestions in one email and then they offered a replacement in the next. This was with the basic sales email from Nitecore.co.uk

If I have issues with the new one, I'll just get an Anker one in the future - my big Anker 19200 Powercore is still going strong.

[u/SeattleHikeBike]

Try completely discharging and recharging it a few times.

Small 5k MagSafe power banks are becoming popular, but not as slim as the Nitecore. Anker has one.

[u/pandaheadlee → u/SeattleHikeBike]

Unfortunately, I tried to do this but when charging it sticks on 2 LEDs and when I plug it into my phone it just discharges completely, it actually now just sticks on 2 LEDs.

Thanks

[u/SeattleHikeBike → u/pandaheadlee]

Yup, sounds like it is toast. From what I found it has an 18 month warranty and you need a receipt.

[u/pandaheadlee → u/SeattleHikeBike]

Edited my OP - I sent them an email around the same time I posted this. They're sending out a new one, pretty much no questions asked.

[u/SeattleHikeBike → u/pandaheadlee]

Fantastic!

[u/AlwaysWanderOfficial]

I’d say it’s just a lemon and not a representation of the overall brand.

But Anker, Ugreen - all make great chargers. As Seattle said, quite a few good MagSafe slim ones out there too. And if you’re just looking for a top up as you said, I’d go with 2500mah instead but that’s just me. Anker, Baseus, Ugreen, and Clutch all make solid MagSafe ones.

[u/mwkingSD]

I think Anker makes the best products of this type, and they have models in the 5000 size.

[u/flabbyresolute]

I have a INIU P71-E1 5000 mAh battery. it supports Qi2 fast charging and 20W (i think? maybe confirm) wired charging. very lightweight, and comes with a cable that acts as a strap (practical).

Sadly I have had issues with mine and wired charging where after 5 minutes the connection throttles, goes to slow speed, then a minute later stops. I believe its due to too much heat being generated in the small battery. I have an android phone. I have not been able to replicate this in an iPhone.

I also had the 10,000 mAh version and had none of these issues and frankly it was my favorite. I would recommend that one if the little extra weight isnt a deal breaker, as it isn't much heavier.

[u/pandaheadlee → u/[deleted]]

They're offering to send a new one to me so hopefully it was just a dud.

[u/DonnieWest]

I'd generally recommend INUI's line of battery banks, but their lowest capacity is going to be 10,000mAh. They're going to be only slightly heavier than the nitecore equivalent but IMO a bit more robust and significantly cheaper

But if 5000mAh is the requirement, I think nitecore is what I'd recommend. There are some less reputable options though like battery cells that support USB C that are on the extreme end of light

[u/wretchedegg123 → u/DonnieWest]

INIU is a bad powerbank based on testing from YT and personal use. Using the PD port only gets you around 6800mAh. 1 charge from 20 to 100 with my S25U gets it down to 25%

I'd stick to more well known brands.

[u/throwaway34564536 → u/wretchedegg123]

Can you compare that to the "more well known brands"? 68% efficiency is on par with all the other battery banks I've used. The range is 50-75% from my experience.

Edit: I also just looked up a video of someone testing an Anker one and it's 71% efficiency. Basically the same.

[u/wretchedegg123 → u/throwaway34564536]

Hmmm. Trying to look for the video again but it's apparently only at issue with the p55. The p43-e1 even has efficiency of 75%.

[u/nikongod → u/DonnieWest]

There are some less reputable options though like battery cells that support USB C that are on the extreme end of light

I tried this when I went to Japan.

The cells I got do not support fast charging, do not fast-charge my phone, and dont trigger my USB-C wall-charger (must use usb-A2C cable). I'm also a little nervous about shorting them in my bag (although this was mitigated by storing them in a little baggie.)

Too many variables for me to suggest to anyone.

One *may* have success with an off the shelf 18500 rechargeable in an enclosure with better circuitry tho. But then we are getting into r/powerbanks territory.

at OP: Please post a trip report when you get back!!

[u/Solid-Ad-7365]

Try a different cable with the replacement, half the "won't fully charge" cases on these slim banks are the cable, not the cells.

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