Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000 - A USB-C PD and Quick Charge 3.0 power bank with a small footprint Summary The Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000 is a compact USB-C PD and Quick Charge power bank. Fast charges most phones. Also good for Nintendo Switch and small accessories. Includes a USB-C to USB-A cable for Quick Charge phones. Overall 4.5 Performance (4.5)

Design (5)

Safety (4)

Recharge Time (4.5) Sending User Review 2.4 ( 5 votes) Pros Fast charges iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, LG, and Motorola phones

Charges Switch while you play

Fits in most Switch carrying cases

Includes a USB-C to USB-A cable for Quick Charge devices

Charge two devices at once, but at reduced charge speed

Within FAA limits for lithium batteries and flights Cons Can’t use USB-C PD and Quick Charge at the same time

Quick Charge 3.0 over USB-C is against USB-C specs

Can’t be recharged by Nintendo Switch AC Adapter

Doesn’t included a USB-C cable

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Omars provided the product in this review.

Model: NVPB10KBGBLW

Tech Specs:

Ports: USB-C, USB-A

USB-C Output: 18W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/3A*, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A) Quick Charge 3.0 Huawei FCP Apple 2.4A

USB-A Output: 10.5W USB (5V/2.1A) Quick Charge 3.0 Huawei FCP Apple 2.4A

Input: 12W USB-C PD (5V/2.1A, 9V/1.4A, 12V/1A)

Capacity: 10,000mAh | 37Wh

Size: 3 x 2.3 x 1.1 inches | 76 x 59 x 27 mm

Weight: 6.3 oz | 180 grams

Learn more aboutFast Charging.

Included In Box:

Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000

USB-C to USB-A cable, 12 inches (56k Ohm resistor)

Good For:

Commute

Travel

iPhone

Android

Nintendo Switch (handheld)

iPad Pro (pre-2018)

Estimated Number of Charges:

iPhone 6/7/8: 3 charge

iPhone Plus/X/XR: 2 charge

Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 2 charge

Samsung Galaxy S10: 1.5 charge

Nintendo Switch: 3.5+ hours of play

First Impression

The Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000 has a compact form factor. Most similar power banks go for long and thin, similar a smartphone. Novoo’s design is more cubical. It is thicker with a smaller footprint. For me that fits better into more bag pockets. Thinner accessories can be stacked, but I don’t stack much in my Switch’s carrying case.

Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000 with Moto G6 Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000 with Nintendo Switch Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000 in Switch carrying case

Compared With Similar Power Banks

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2020-09-23.

Top: Anker PowerCore 10000 PD. Bottom: Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000. Top: AUKEY PB-Y13 10000 USB-C PD. Bottom: Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000. Top: Xcentz xWingMan Dual 10000. Bottom: NOVOO PowerCube Mini 10000. Top: Novoo PowerCube Mini 5000. Bottom: Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000.

You can see more USB-C power banks here.

Device Testing

Check with your device’s manufacturer to verify which charging standards it supports.

USB Power Delivery & Quick Charge 4+ Phones

Apple iPhone 8/X/XR/XS

Essential Phone

Google Pixel

LG ThinQ/V30

Razer

Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10

Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9

Xiaomi Mi 8/9

ZTE Axon Pro 9/10

iPhone 8 power meter (USB-C) iPhone 8 power meter (USB-A) iPhone 8 power negotiation (USB-C)

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we find USB PD phones will fast charge over the USB-C port. iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included. And Android phones will need a USB-C to USB-C cable, also not included.

For iPhones the USB-A port supports Apple 2.4A. An older, but still functional fast charging standard. Older iPhones (4-7) can fast charge using USB-A. Newer iPhones will charge ~15 minutes faster using USB-C.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

HTC

LG

Motorola

Nokia

Samsung Galaxy

Sony

Xiaomi Mi 5/6

ZTE

Moto G6 power meter (USB-C) Moto G6 power meter (USB-A) Moto G6 power negotiation (USB-A)

Using a Moto G6 for testing we see Quick Charge will fast charge over the USB-A port. Any QC supporting Android phone with USB-C can use the included USB-C to USB-A cable.

Quick Charge is also offered on the USB-C port. But the Moto only does normal charging. This is typical of Motorola phones when QC is offered over USB-C. Samsung Galaxy, LG, and other QC supporting Android phones would be expected to fast charge.

Nintendo Switch

Switch gaming power meter (USB-C) Switch sleeping power meter (USB-C) Switch power negotiation (USB-C)

The Nintendo Switch charges at the expected rate with a 12V charger. It’ll draw up to 12W, shy of its 18W max draw. This is due to a shortcoming with the Switch itself. But it is more than enough to charge while you play.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

Quick Charge 3.0 Over USB-C

The presence of Quick Charge and other fast charging standards over USB-C is against USB-C specifications. Such chargers have been around for years without issue. But we don’t know what the future holds.

Under section 4.8.2 of USB-C specifications a proprietary charging method cannot change the voltage of USB-C output (between 4.40V and 5.25V) in a manner not defined by USB methods. Quick Charge operates at higher than default voltages. And so goes against the specifications. USB Power Delivery is an open source charging method. Created alongside USB-C, it is with specs even though it also increases voltage. The big difference is USB PD uses communication lines to negotiate power transfer. While proprietary methods take over the data lines for their negotiation. They do so because legacy USB connections, such as USB-A, don’t have comm lines.

There is no known risk with running proprietary charging standards over USB-C. Manipulating the data lines does disrupt data transfers. But when plugging into a wall charger or power bank there is no data transfer anyway. A few USB-C engineers warn against using any USB-C chargers with third party standards. Their concern is unforeseen consequences. Future technology may prove to be incompatible with such configurations. And pulling out a charger several years from now with a new device could have a bad result.

I have not run into any issues with these fast charging standards on this or any other charger. But as it is a spec violation I want you to be informed. If you’re a stickler for meeting USB-C specifications this isn’t a good charger for you. If you’re more pragmatic it works fine and has no known issues.

Summary

The Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000 is among the more compact USB-C PD and Quick Charge power banks on the market. At 10,000mAh it is suitable for commute and travel.

For most iPhone and Android phones it’ll provide a fast charge. Including Huawei models.

With the 12V power profile it is slower charging the Nintendo Switch than other USB-C PD chargers. But still enough to charge the Switch with the most demanding games. It is less efficient than some similar power banks. Costing you 30-60 minutes of play time.

The PowerCube Mini’s own input specs are disappointing. It recharges via USB-C, but only up to 12W. So it takes longer to charge it than it does to use it. On the bright side you can use an older USB-A wall charger without much performance loss.

*I did find a discrepancy between the published specs and my testing. The USB-C output is listed as 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A. My USB Power Delivery PD sniffer reported 5V/2A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A. During testing I didn’t see more than 2A @ 5V, backing the PD sniffer’s report. Under Power Delivery (what my sniffer reads) it is limited to 5V/2A. But under regular USB-C the output is 5V/3A. Given how USB-C PD devices behave I wouldn’t expect a performance hit.

You can charge using both ports at the same time. So two phones at once during lunch. Or your Switch and phone while you travel. But neither device will enjoy fast charging. Total output is limited to ~15W.

About Novoo

Novoo is a subsidiary brand under Omars. They have U.S. based support (web, email) and a 12 month warranty on both Omars and Novoo branded products.

Bottom Line

The Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000 is a compact, portable charger. Which supports all popular fast charging standards. It can do double duty for keeping your phone charged during a commute. Or charging up to two devices on the road. You’ll need to charge it overnight due to less than optimal input specs.

If you like the design but want something smaller check out the Novoo PowerCube Mini 5000.

Buy if you:

Are looking for a budget friendly commute and travel power bank

Want a more compact, square form factor rather than long and thin

Have both a USB PD and Quick Charge phone to charge

Don’t buy if you:

Want as much play time as possible for your Nintendo Switch

Need to fast charge two devices at once

Are uncomfortable with the USB-C spec violation

You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. I recommend the AUKEY PA-Y18 18W PD. It’ll more than provide max input for the power bank. And with a small power bank you will likely want a small wall charger.

Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.

Enjoyed this review? Sign up for the Switch Chargers newsletter and get updates on future reviews and Nintendo Switch related deals.

Leave this field empty if you're human: