SmallRig has been making batteries for quite a while now, and you may be familiar with their previous NP-Fs, 99VBPROmini, and VB212mini. Recently, SmallRig updated its catalog with a new USB-C NP-F970 battery collection ($79). It is their largest NP-F battery yet, packing 10,500mAh (76WH) plus some features that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a bigger investment compared to their smaller NP-F970 batteries (with only 7800mAh), but I think it’s worth the extra juice.
The case for NP-F batteries
NP-F batteries are lithium-ion batteries that “sit” between your standard AA rechargeables and the big v-mount batteries. This is true not just for size but also for voltage (NP-Fs are 7.4V, compared to the 1.5V AA and the 14.4V v-mount).
This makes sense for devices where AAs do not have enough juice, but v-mount batteries would be too big. Initially, NP-F batteries were primarily used with Cam Corderes. But the industry adopted the standard and today, NP-F batteries are everywhere. They power small lights, monitors, wireless video transmitters, and other video devices. In a pinch, you can even use a two-batteries plate to get the same performance and form factor as a v-mount.
The number after the “F” in an NP-F battery designates the size and capacity, but AFAIK, there are no set standards for what those numbers mean. Only that bigger batteries are marked with bigger numbers (so 970 is a bit taller than 570, and so on). Keep in mind that the number only indicates the physical size of the battery. Some manufacturers will try to sell you a large battery with a capacity that you’ll find in a smaller alternative, so always compare capacities before buying!
NP-F battery evolution
NP-F batteries have been around for ages, and as you’d expect with any technology, they have evolved over time. The three batteries in the photo above are all “NP-F970”, but the oldest on the left is 6,600mAh, the newer middle one is 7,800mAh, and the leftist from Smallrig is a staggering 10,500mAh. But it’s not only capacities that improved. Charge indicators went from none, to status LEDs to OLED screens. And finally, the SmallRig new battery also features two USB-C ports for both charging and using the battery.
The new SmallRig NP-F970 USB-C battery
SmallRig’s new battery is undoubtedly a premium option, and you’ll notice that right off the box. It’s very nicely packed and I love how SmallRig invested in the battery’s textured aesthetics. Between the texture, the saturated color options, and the display, SmallRig made sure it wouldn’t look like your average NP-F battery.
On the power side, the battery has a capacity of 10,500mAh, which is 76WH. It’s quite a lot for a battery, but it is still under the 100WH limit for airlines.
Some NP-Fs have no charge indication, and you can only get the remaining power from the device where they are connected. The previous Smallrig battery has a four-LED power bar, and this battery takes a que from SmallRig’s v-mount battery and includes an OLED that indicates the amount of charge left. You “wake” the OLED by touching the small circle at the bottom. The Screen also provides charging data, and will flash to grab your attention when the charge is low. I wish they also included the draw or time left as they do with the v-mounts, but for the price, I understand the tradeoff.
Putting aesthetics aside, SmallRig made sure to make this battery as safe as possible. I have to admit that I am not a professional battery lab, so I can not test those features, but it’s reassuring to know that the battery includes several protection layers, including temperature protection, overvoltage, overcurrent, and overdraw protection.
We tested the short-circuit protection, which the battery “stop” and “restart” after about 20 seconds. If you are a long-time reader here, you know that battery safety should be taken very seriously.
Something you would not find in “standard” NP-F batteries is the inclusion of two USB ports. This SmallRig battery has one USB-A output port and one USB-C output/input port. This is similar to SmallRig’s previous NP-F970 battery with updated specs. If you are concerned with gaffers “stealing” your juice for charging their phone, you can turn the USB ports off with a quadruple click.
Output-wise, the USB-C socket supports up to 36W output, and the USB-A socket is up to 27W. Combined, you can draw a maximum of 54W from USB devices. If you add the actual NPF ports, you get up to 76 watts of power.
This would provide almost 10 hours of FX3 recording under standard conditions. Or, just under two hours with a Shinobi monitor and a 15W light.
On the input side, you can charge the battery with a USB-C Power Delivery device in about three and a half hours at 36 watts. Of course, you can also charge the battery with any standard NP-F battery charger. (The battery is a bit bigger than a typical NP-F970 battery, and I guess this is where the extra circuitry and capacity are stored).
Here is an example of a typical setup using the SmallRig NP-F970 batteries: I have a Sony FX3 connected to a RODE Wireless Pro and an Atomos Shogun. The Shogun uses two batteries, so I can connect one battery to the FX3 USB-C port and the other battery to the RODE Wireless Pro. If, instead, I opted for the smaller Atomos Ninja, (one battery) I would still be able to power the FX3 (via USB-C) and the Rode Wireless Pro (via USB-A).
SmallRig NPF Battery Specs
ItemSpecifications
Battery TypeLithium-Ion
Battery Capacity Parameters10500mAh / 7.3V / 76.65Wh
Charging Voltage8.4V
Nominal Voltage7.3V
USB-C Input / Output5V / 3A, 9V / 3A, 12V / 3A
USB-C ProtocolPD3.0 / QC3.0 / QC2.0 / FCP / AFC / PPS
USB-A Output5V / 3A, 9V / 3A, 12V / 2.25A
USB-A ProtocolQC3.0 / QC2.0 / FCP / AFC
USB-C Overcurrent Protection≥3.5A
USB-A Overcurrent Protection5V / 9V≥3.5A, 12V≥2.6A
Main Port Max Discharge Current10A
Main Port Over-discharge Current Protection Threshold11A
Discharge Cut-off Voltage5.2V
Operating TemperatureCharge: 0℃ to 45℃ / 32°F to 113°F
Discharge: -10℃ to 45℃ / 14°F to 113°F
Battery Weight362.0 ± 10.0g / 12.8 ± 0.3oz
Material(s):PC+ABS
Product Dimensions:74.6 x 71.6 x 38.5mm / 2.9 x 2.8 x 1.5in
Button FunctionSingle-click to display the battery percentage when not charging; press four times to turn off the USB-C and USB-A ports to enter sleep mode; single-click or re-plug to wake up the ports.
OLED Display ScreenA lightning icon with the units digit of the battery percentage flashing is displayed while charging.
When a device is connected to the USB-C or USB-A port, the battery level is shown for 3 seconds.
If the battery level drops below 10%, the battery level digits flash for 3 seconds.
In the box
SmallRig is pretty generous with its offerings. Aside from the battery, the box includes a one-meter USBC cable and a travel cover to protect the battery’s contact surface.
Comparison to other NP-F batteries in the market
I will never use a “sticker” brand battery with my gear. The risk is just too high. That said, some generic batteries cost as much as $69 and lack any of the advanced features like a screen, USB ports and power delivery. On the other end of the spectrum, you have Sony’s original Lithium NPF-S for $169.99. For what you are getting, this is an incredible value-for-money offer.
Price and availability
The Smallrig L-series NP-F970 USB-C battery costs $79 and is available in black, green, and orange.
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