NRGVault 10,000mAh Outdoor Activity Power bank review: Energy for the bush
The NRGVault is a perfectly serviceable power bank that's great for campers or hikers, though has a few minor design flaws that hold it back.
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Pros
- Rugged design
- Integrated torch works well
- Charge two devices simultaneously
Cons
- USB cover is fiuddly and insecure
- Carabiner not robust
- Battery life indicator a bit simplistic
In my younger days (ugh, the fact I can even write that without irony is depressing), I spent a lot of time hiking and camping.
We didn’t have mobile phones back then, though, so we didn’t really need a power bank. But these days, being able to keep a smartphone (or GPS, or smartwatch) charged while going bush is critical.
But even better than a high-capacity power bank? A rugged high-capacity power bank, that also has an integrated torch.
This is precisely what Laser’s NRGVault 10,000 mAh Outdoor Activity Power Bank is offering. It does a pretty good job, though it has a few design aspects that hold it back from being the perfect product for campers.
What is the NRGVault 10,000 mAh power bank offering?
At its core, there’s not a huge amount to talk about with this product. It’s a portable power bank with a 10,000 mAh battery capacity.
That’s about the equivalent of two full charges for a typical modern-day smartphone.
Measuring in at about 117 x 55 x 26 mm and weighing 206 grams, its compact and lightweight enough to carry on a trek.
@bttr_reviews Is this the perfect hiking partner? Today I’m Unboxing the 10,000mAh NRGVault outdoor activity bank. It has a torch and a carabiner built in, can charge two devices simultaneously and is IP64 rated. #unboxing #tech #technology #techtok #powerbank #laser #reviews
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You get a combination USB-C and USB-A ports, which can be used to charge two devices simultaneously. It offers 30W fast charging over the USB-C cable, which is enough to charge a MacBook Pro.
You can only use the USB-C port to charge the power bank, though.
There are a few LED lights on the front to indicate the battery’s current capacity.
But these are all features you expect in just about any power bank on the market. The NRGVault is designed to be taken into the wilds, which is why it has a bunch of ruggedised features.
For a start, it’s IP64 rated for dust and water resistance. That doesn’t mean you should be taking this swimming, but it also means it can handle a bit of rain or moisture.
There’s a carabiner integrated into the design, so it attaches easily to your rucksack or belt strap.
And there’s a dedicated LED torch, which uses the NRGVault’s battery to give you plenty of light when the sun goes down. There are three brightness levels and a flashing mode for gaining attention in emergencies.
So all in all, a solid collection of features for a power bank.
What does the NRGVault 10,000 mAh power bank do well?
It does just what you need it to do. It’s easy to use, and it charges well.
Charging a phone using the USB-C port is quick enough. Charging speeds vary depending on your phone and the cable used, but I had no issues plugging in the iPhone 16 Pro Max and having it charge while I was out and about.
The power bank can charge two devices simultaneously using the USB-C and the USB-A ports, though it’s important to recognise that when you do this, it slows down the USB-C charging to a maximum of 15W.
That means it is better suited to overnight charging situations if you want to top up your phone and smartwatch on a must-day hike, for example.
I also found the torch bright and easy to use. It’s a simple one button control to cycle through the brightness settings.
What could the NRGVault 10,000 mAh power bank improve?
There are a couple of minor tweaks I would have liked to have seen with the 10,000 mAh power bank. Nothing that impacts performance too much, but I found the dust cover over the USB ports a bit flimsy and insecure.
It’s meant to offer a proper seal against dust and water, but it just doesn’t feel like a secure fit. I would like to see it more robust and easier to attach and remove.
The carabiner is also a little flimsy. I wouldn’t trust it attached to my backpack if I couldn’t see it easily, as it can’t lock in place or be secured.
Verdict
This is a power bank designed for those who go outdoors often. It will work well enough in an office or suburban environment, but its key differentiators, including the rugged design and the IP64 rating, won’t really make a difference if you just want to charge your phone on the train.
But the rugged design is also where the device’s flaws are. The USB cover port is too flimsy, and the integrated carabiner doesn’t feel secure enough to trust it as the sole connection to a bag or belt strap.
It’s still better than nothing though, and when combined with the affordable $79 RRP, it’s difficult to be too disappointed by the NRGVault 10,000 mAh power bank.
