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This video reviews the SmallRig Nano power bank series, featuring the Nano 36 and Nano 72 models. These compact, airline-approved batteries are designed for content creators to maintain a minimal yet efficient workflow, offering versatile charging options and convenient mounting systems to ensure devices stay powered during shoots without interrupting the creative process.
This video is sponsored by SmallRig.
When I'm out shooting, I usually keep my setup minimal.
Most of the time, that means I'm bringing my Sony ZV-E1
or a pocket camera or my iPhone with me, nothing too bulky.
But no matter what I'm shooting on,
there's always one thing that always comes with me
and that's a power bank.
Now recently, SmallRig reached out
about their new power bank, the Nano,
and this one really caught my attention.
It's compact, it's not too heavy, portable, and versatile.
And I've actually got a ton of power banks
from SmallRig at home that I've used regularly in the past.
So this felt like a perfect fit for my workflow.
So just to show you, I've got here a bunch
of V-mount batteries from SmallRig.
And I used to bring this one with me
to charge up my smaller cameras,
but now with the Nano 36, I prefer that one
due to the retractable USB-C cable.
So the Nano comes in two sizes,
the Nano 36 and the Nano 72.
The 36 is a 10,000 milliamp battery.
It has 36 watt hours of capacity,
about the size of a soda can,
easily fits in your pocket and weighs only 300 grams.
The 72 doubles that to 20,000 milliamps, 72 watt hours,
and comes in at 500 grams.
Now both are under 100 watt hours,
so they're airline approved if you're traveling with one.
So the first feature I want to point out
is the built-in retractable USB-C cable.
It's 50 to 70 centimeters,
and you can easily pull it out when you need it,
and it also retracts back into the unit when you're done.
And this always bugged me with other power banks
having to bring a separate cable,
and sometimes I would even forget it.
Beyond the cable, each one also has a USB-C port
and a USB-A port, so you've got three ways
to charge off one unit.
Now on the Nano 36, the total output across the ports
is 24 watts, with the overall unit capable
of 45 watts output and 30 watts input.
On the Nano 72, output goes up to 100 watts,
and it also takes 100 watts input, so it charges up fast.
And you're also not limited to charging one thing at a time.
You can charge multiple devices at once,
camera, monitor, phone, all of the same power bank
if you need to.
There's also an LCD screen on the front,
too, showing power level, wattage, temperature,
battery health, and charge cycle,
so you always know exactly what's left.
For mounting, it comes with a V-mount rigged bracket,
so you can clip onto your cage setup.
There's also a built-in 1.25 screw hole,
which gives you other mounting options.
And if you need more security when holding the power bank,
it also comes with a lanyard.
So here's where I actually reach for each one.
I use the larger battery, the Nano 72,
for more demanding projects where I need
to charge multiple devices that need more power,
or when I'm filming the whole day and doing client projects.
Now in most cases, though, when I'm shooting content
for YouTube on the go, I bring the smaller one with me,
since it weighs less and is enough
to charge most of my devices.
Now, like I said, I try to keep everything minimal,
and I prefer filming on compact cameras in general.
And this is one of my main newly improved setups.
When I'm filming myself with a tripod on set,
and whatever device I'm using runs low on battery,
I can grab the Nano out of my bag
and mount it onto the tripod
using the V-mount quick-release system,
and then simply use the built-in retractable USB-C cable
to charge the device, allowing me to continue my shoot.
I also like to use my phone to read off my talking points,
so I like to have that mounted onto the tripod via MagSafe,
and I can mount the Nano right behind it,
so this way I can also charge either my phone
or the camera that I'm filming on.
Now, this has genuinely been a game changer for me
before I would just have to wait and charge my device.
Now I don't have to stop shooting at all with this setup,
and since most devices these days run on USB-C,
I can charge pretty much anything off this power bank,
including multiple devices at once if needed to.
So I highly recommend picking up
the quick-release mount alongside it.
They make it so easy to attach and detach the Nano
from whatever setup you're using.
I'll be sure to link the whole setup
and all the accessories in the description below.
Now, at the end of the day,
it's all about improving your workflow.
Having something this simple
just makes creating content more fun and makes me efficient.
In terms of price, because I know you'll ask,
the Nano 36 is $59.99,
and the Nano 72 is $79.99.
Now, for my daily use, the 36 covers it,
but if you're regularly doing longer days
or powering more gear at once,
the 72 is worth the extra $20.
Now, at the end of the day,
this is one of those pieces of gear
you don't think twice anymore.
You just grab it and go.
It's compact, it's reliable,
and it fits into pretty much any extra setup
without adding extra hassle.
And that's really all I ask for
from the gear I bring along.
Now, like I said, links to both of these power banks
are in the video description below
if you want to take a closer look.
Now, if you do have any questions,
feel free to leave a comment below,
and I'll be happy to answer them.
Thank you so much for watching,
and I will see you in the next one.
