Video recording requires a lot of power, often more than a regular camera battery can provide for a long period of time. An external battery can solve this problem. I tested the excellent SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery.
SmallRig may be best known for their video gear cages and accessories, but that’s not the only thing they offer. Their many other products include the SmallRig VB99 Mini V-Mount Batteries. One of these is the VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount, which SmallRig kindly provided for a review.
First, a disclaimer: Although SmallRig provided the product, the results and conclusions are not influenced or controlled by the company. This is my own honest opinion. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at this little 100W V-mount battery.
The design
The SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery is a small block that features versatile V-mount connectivity. It measures 107.2 x 73.2 x 55.2 mm and weighs 660 grams, making the battery relatively small despite its 100 watts of power. The housing is made of scratch-resistant polycarbonate and acrylic composite materials.
What makes this battery special is the wide range of available connectors. It has an 8 VDC and 12 VDC 2.1 mm barrel connector, two USB-C ports that support PD3.0, a USB-A port and a 14.8 V D-Tap.
A color OLED screen provides a wealth of information about battery operation, including output voltage per port, remaining charge percentage, and remaining operating time per charge in real time.
Energy distribution
The SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount has eight built-in LG A-class 18650 batteries with 3,500 mAh each. Charging and power supply are controlled by an intelligent battery management system. It protects the SmallRig VB99 Pro from over-discharge, overload, over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature, under-temperature and short circuit and ensures stability in voltage and current.
The battery can be charged via the D-Tap port or the USB-C port. If the latter is used, the battery can be charged in around 2.5 hours using a 100W GaN fast charger. It is possible to use the battery while charging.
The OLED screen
The SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount offers plenty of operational information. Most importantly, the bright OLED color screen displays the battery level in percentage, which is a huge improvement over the regular LEDs found on many standard V-mount batteries.
When the battery is charging, the remaining charging time is displayed. When the battery is in use, the remaining time is displayed. This time is updated in real time and changes as more devices are connected or disconnected.
The OLED screen provides information about the voltage used per port and the total wattage. If the total wattage reaches or exceeds the maximum 100 watts, the letters TDP (Total Discharge Power) are highlighted in red. If the battery reaches 45 degrees Celsius, a yellow HT (High Temperature) warning lights up. There are also warning signals for undertemperature, overcurrent and overvoltage.
If the battery is not in use, the OLED screen remains dark. If you want to know the available charge, you can press a button on the side. The OLED screen lights up and shows the charge level.
The SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery in use
Most V-mount batteries require a battery plate with connectors, which makes using a V-mount battery quite bulky. The SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount can also be used on a battery plate like regular batteries.
However, since the SmallRig VB99 Pro has its own connectors, a bulky battery plate is no longer necessary. This allows for a smaller and more compact video rig. SmallRig of course also offers compact connector plates.
Thanks to its ports, the SmallRig VB99 Pro also functions as a power bank. The capacity is large enough to fully charge a 14-inch MacBook Pro or charge multiple devices at the same time.
I used the SmallRig VB99 Pro to power a camera via the 12VDC or USB-C port for longer night shots and time-lapse photography. At the same time, an anti-fog belt or any other device that accepts power via USB-C can be connected.
The battery can also power a video light, such as the SmallRig RC 60B COB LED light or the Zhiyun Molus X100. The latter allows the maximum output of 100 watts on the SmallRig VB99 Pro battery to last for more than 40 minutes. In comparison, the original Zhiyun battery only offers 30 minutes of power.
Diploma
At first, I thought the SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery was just another battery. After using it for a while, I discovered how versatile this small but powerful battery really is. Its strength lies not only in its compact form factor, but also in the excellent information displayed on the colorful OLED screen.
There are plenty of accessories available for the V-mount connection that allow the battery to be conveniently placed on a video rig, light stand or tripod. The V-mount adapter also has a 1/4 inch and a 3/8 inch connection.
Although it can be used on a regular V-mount battery plate, this battery allows for a smaller setup. This is perfect for handheld video shooting without having to sacrifice space. I’ve used the SmallRig VB99 Pro to power an Atomos Ninja V, an audio recorder, and a camera, and still had room left over.
SmallRig has paid attention to small details, such as the attachment of the rubber flap on the top of the battery. The glossy material on the front of the battery, on the other hand, is prone to fingerprints. Although it looks smooth at first glance, the surface smears very quickly.
While the SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery isn’t cheap, I believe the many benefits make it worth it. It’s also worth mentioning that the battery doesn’t require the purchase of a battery plate for the connectors and all additional accessories for attaching it to a video rig are included in the package.
What I like
- Compact form factor
- Excellent connectivity (USB-C, USB-A, 8 VDC, 12 VDC, D-Tap)
- Excellent OLED color screen
- Comprehensive information display on the OLED screen
- Fast charging possible with a 100 W GaN charger (2.5 hours)
- Battery management system provides additional protection
- 1/4″ and 3/8″ holes in V-mount connection
- 240-watt USB-C cable included
- Rubber flap can be fixed in open position for easy access
What could be improved
- The 12VDC port is not compatible with some Atomos external displays and recorders (but the 8VDC port is).
- Replacing the battery in a video rig requires reconnecting all devices individually
- No protective cover for the lower contacts of the battery plates
- The glossy surface is prone to fingerprints
The SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount also comes in a smaller 50-watt version. However, if 100 watts isn’t enough, you might also be interested in the 155-watt or 212-watt versions. Keep in mind that these are not pro versions. No matter what capacity you need, I can recommend this great battery.
