Power Banks
Nitecore, Varta & Fenix – from EDC carry to expedition battery

Power banks – mobile, robust, outdoor-ready

A power bank is now standard equipment – whether for daily commuting, business trips, trekking camps or as an emergency reserve in the car. At Swiss-Sale.ch you’ll find three brands with clearly different focus areas. Our main focus is Nitecore, the specialist for outdoor power banks with ultralight, cold-resistant and waterproof models. Complemented by Varta classics as the German all-round brand for daily use and travel, and by Fenix hybrids that combine a power bank and an LED flashlight in one housing. For the Swiss alpine market, the cold- and waterproof Nitecore models are particularly relevant: on a ski tour, mountaineering trip or winter bivouac, standard power banks often fail at moderate frost.

What do you want to charge? Use cases at a glance

The right power bank depends on which devices you want to keep running and for how long. Here are the most important use cases and the model that fits each:

Smartphone backup for daily use

For your daily commute, day pack or as a reserve in your handbag, a compact 5’000 to 10’000 mAh power bank is sufficient. Models like the Varta Power Bank Energy 5’000 or 10’000 fit in any pocket and provide one to three full smartphone charges. If you have a modern USB-C smartphone, choose a model with USB-C Power Delivery – charging is significantly faster than via USB-A.

Trekking and bikepacking – ultralight matters

For multi-day tours, thru-hiking and bikepacking, the capacity-to-weight ratio is decisive. The Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 weighs only 143 g at 10’000 mAh and charges via USB-C PD with 22.5 W – one of the best ratios on the market. If you need more reserve, go for the Nitecore NB20000 Gen3 with 20’000 mAh at 291 g. The Nitecore CARBO 10000 goes one step further with a carbon unibody housing – featherlight and especially robust.

Mountain sports and winter – cold-resistant and IPX7

Lithium-ion batteries lose significant performance in frost – at 0 °C, 20 to 30 % of capacity is gone, and below −10 °C standard power banks may fail completely. For alpine touring, ski tours and winter bivouacs, the Nitecore Summit 10000 and Summit 20000 are the only models in the range that remain functional down to −40 °C. For kayak trips, multi-day tours in continuous rain or ski tours in powder snow, the Nitecore NB Plus with IPX7 certification offers decisive protection.

Travel and air travel – up to 100 Wh allowed

Power banks may only be transported in carry-on luggage. The ICAO limit is 100 Wh, which corresponds to about 27’000 mAh at 3.7 V – all models in the range are below this threshold. For travel, the Varta Power Bank Energy 20’000 is the affordable all-rounder, the Nitecore NB20000 Gen3 the ultralight premium variant with laptop charging capability.

Hybrid: power bank with flashlight

For emergency equipment, camping and anyone who prefers two functions in one device, Fenix hybrids are the right choice. The Fenix E-CP is a compact power bank with a built-in LED flashlight, the Fenix E-SPARK combines a mini lamp and emergency power bank in keychain format, and the Fenix CL28R is a multifunctional outdoor lantern with power bank function for camp use.

Family and multiple devices

When smartphones, tablets, headphones and cameras need to be powered simultaneously on family trips, a 20’000 mAh power bank with multiple outputs is the way to go. The Varta Wireless Power Bank 20’000 additionally offers cordless Qi charging – convenient for modern smartphones that support this feature.

Nitecore, Varta & Fenix – the brands in our range

Nitecore – outdoor power bank specialist from Hong Kong

Nitecore is the outdoor specialist in our range and covers the demanding segment. The NB series stands for ultralight construction with USB-C Power Delivery, the Summit series for cold resistance down to −40 °C, the CARBO series for robust carbon unibody housings, and the NB Plus for IPX7 waterproofing. All current models are built for the Swiss alpine environment and demanding trekking. 24-month manufacturer warranty on all power banks.

Varta – German all-round classics

Varta is the established German brand for energy storage and the classic in our range for daily use, office and family travel. The Power Bank Energy series covers the entire capacity range from 5’000 to 20’000 mAh at fair prices, and the Wireless Power Bank models enable cordless Qi charging. For anyone looking for a reliable brand product at a reasonable price without needing outdoor specialty features, Varta is the right choice.

Fenix – clever hybrid solutions

Fenix is primarily known for flashlights, but builds clever dual-purpose devices. The Fenix E-CP and E-SPARK are compact power banks with built-in LED flashlights, the Fenix CL28R is an outdoor lantern with power bank function. The Fenix ARB-L21 series combines classic 21700 lamp batteries with USB-C power bank function – one battery, two functions.

Power bank models at a glance

For 18650 and 21700 lamp batteries with additional USB-C power bank function, see Rechargeable Batteries. For matching chargers, see Chargers.

USB connections and charging standards

The connection determines the charging speed. For modern smartphones, tablets and laptops, USB-C Power Delivery (PD) is the most relevant standard – most power banks in our range support it:

The usable charging power is always the lower of the two sides – both the power bank and the end device must support the standard. High-quality USB-C cables are a prerequisite for PD fast charging; cheap cables often limit power to 5 W.

Safety and travel with power banks

Lithium-ion batteries are safe energy storage devices when you follow a few basic rules. Five safety and travel rules:

• Carry-on only on flights: Power banks up to 100 Wh (approx. 27’000 mAh at 3.7 V) are allowed in carry-on luggage – all models in the range are below this. In checked baggage, power banks are strictly forbidden.
• Avoid heat: No summer sun in the car (over 40 °C). Heat permanently damages the cells and shortens lifespan.
• Manage cold: In frost, carry the power bank close to your body (inside jacket pocket) instead of in an outer backpack pocket – body warmth keeps the cells warm. Exception: the Nitecore Summit line is rated down to −40 °C.
• Avoid deep discharge: Top up at least every 2 to 3 months, even if the power bank isn’t in regular use. Deeply discharged lithium cells often cannot be revived.
• Use quality cables: For PD fast charging, you need a cable with an E-Marker chip and adequate gauge. Cheap cables often significantly limit charging power.

Care and storage

With proper care, lithium-ion power banks last for many years. Three care rules:

• Store at 50 %: For longer periods of non-use, keep the charge level at about 50 %. Neither empty nor completely full – both reduce lifespan.
• Cool and dry storage: The optimal location is dry and cool (10 to 20 °C), not in summer sun and not in a frost-cold car. Original packaging is a good solution.
• Keep ports clean: Clean USB-C sockets with compressed air (a short burst from a spray can) if dirt or lint enters. Never poke metallic objects into the socket.

Recommendation matrix – which power bank fits you?

Why power banks from Swiss-Sale.ch?

We are a Swiss outdoor specialist with over 20 years of experience and stock three clearly positioned brands – Nitecore, Varta and Fenix. From the 5’000 mAh emergency unit to the 20’000 mAh expedition power bank. All from a Swiss warehouse, with personal advice in our showroom in Menzingen.

• 🇭🇰 Nitecore – outdoor power bank specialist from Hong Kong
• 🇩🇪 Varta – German all-round classics since 1887
• 🌡️ Nitecore Summit – the only models down to −40 °C in our range
• 💧 Nitecore NB Plus – IPX7 waterproof for rain, snow, watersports
• 🪶 Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 – ultralight from 143 g for trekking
• 📐 Capacity range 5’000 to 20’000 mAh
• 🔄 Fenix hybrid devices – power bank and LED light in one
• 🔌 Varta Wireless – cordless Qi charging with 15’000 or 20’000 mAh
• 🏅 Full manufacturer warranty, claims handled via Swiss-Sale.ch
• 🇨🇭 Direct Swiss shop – no customs fees, no waiting times
• 📞 Personal advice by phone, e-mail or in our showroom
• 📦 Stocked in Switzerland – free shipping from CHF 100

Here’s the link to Nitecore power banks: Nitecore Power Banks. Or to Varta classics: Varta Power Banks. Find the Fenix hybrids under Fenix Power Banks. For matching lamp batteries, see Rechargeable Batteries, and for chargers go to Chargers.