SmallRig V Mount Battery VB99 (99Wh) with PD 100W fast charging and OLED screen

What it is and why you might want it

The SmallRig V Mount Battery VB99 is a V-mount power pack designed for video and photo setups where you want more than “just a battery”. On paper, it’s built around three things: a fairly high capacity (99Wh / 6800mAh), fast USB-C bi-directional charging/discharging up to 100W, and a front OLED screen so you can see status at a glance.

If you shoot on a camera rig, run a monitor, feed power to a video light, or support smaller accessories like wireless transmitters, this kind of V-mount battery can simplify your day. Instead of juggling multiple power bricks, you get a single battery with several outputs, so you can power more than one device at once.

That said, it’s not a universal “one battery fits everything” solution. V-mount batteries are a specific ecosystem, and you’ll want to be sure you actually need a V-mount form factor (and the voltage requirements of your devices) before buying.

The essentials: power, charging, and ports

The standout feature here is the USB-C bi-directional PD 100W fast charging capability. In practice, that matters if you want quicker turnaround when you’re topping up batteries between takes. The description also points to support for multiple fast-charging protocols (including PD3.0, QC2.0, QC3.0, PPS, DCP-1.5A and Apple 2.4A), with a maximum power of 100W for charging/discharging.

Ports-wise, the VB99 is aiming to be flexible. It includes USB-C and USB-A, plus DC outputs (DC 5.5 x 2.1mm for 8V and DC 5.5 x 2.5mm for 12V) alongside BP and D-TAP. The intent is clear: you can drive different devices from one battery, such as a DSLR or camcorder, a monitor, a smartphone/tablet, and typical on-set accessories.

One practical detail to keep in mind: the VB99’s ability to charge in roughly “full in 2 hours” is stated for max charging, but real-world time depends on what you connect and how fast your charger/device negotiates. So it’s fast, but it’s not magic.

OLED status screen and day-to-day handling

The VB99 has a bright OLED screen on the front for checking working status. The control behaviour is also described in some detail: a single click wakes the screen, double clicks switch the display voltage/power, and a long press (3 seconds) forces the USB-C, USB-A and DC ports off for discharge control.

In day-to-day use, this is one of those features you either appreciate instantly or you never think about again—if you often swap batteries mid-shoot or you’re powering multiple devices, being able to check status without guessing is genuinely handy.

It’s also described as “airline friendly” in a portability sense, with a compact size and relatively light weight for a V-mount style battery. It’s not a guarantee for every airline or every routing, but if travel is part of your workflow, the more compact build is a sensible direction.

Capacity and battery life expectations

The VB99 is rated at 99Wh (6800mAh / 14.54V). The inclusion of built-in high-quality LG power battery cells is part of the pitch, alongside a cycle claim: using and recharging the VB99 more than 300 times before it hits 80%.

That “over 300 cycles” figure is useful as a planning reference. It suggests the VB99 is meant for people who shoot regularly and don’t want a disposable-feeling battery. Still, cycle life can vary with charging habits, temperatures, and how deeply you discharge—so it’s best treated as an expectation based on typical conditions rather than a strict guarantee.

Safety and certifications (what matters for peace of mind)

This battery includes an intelligent Battery Management System (BMS) for protections against short circuit, over-temperature, over-voltage, over-current, over-charge and over-discharge. The VB99 is also stated to have passed a long list of certifications (including MSDS / UN38.3 / IEC 62133 / UL2054 / UL 62368 and others such as CE and RoHS).

For buyers, the real value of all that paperwork is simple: fewer headaches around safe operation. It still won’t replace sensible handling—don’t crush it, don’t ignore heat, and don’t use it outside its intended setup—but having the protections built in is the right baseline.

Who it suits, and who should be cautious

It makes sense if you’re building a multi-device camera workflow—camera plus monitor, or a monitor plus video light—and you want one battery that can output through several connection types (USB-C/USB-A/D-TAP/DC). The V-mount form factor also suggests a more “rig-ready” approach than small USB-only power banks.

It may not suit you if:

• You only need to power a single low-draw device from USB, because then a simpler power solution could be less fuss.
• Your setup isn’t V-mount compatible, or you can’t match your device inputs to the VB99’s available output types.
• You prioritise a purely straightforward approach with minimal ports, the VB99 is feature-rich, which is great, but it can be overkill for very basic setups.

A quick micro-example: imagine you’re on location with a small camcorder and a field monitor. You top up the VB99 via USB-C for faster turnaround, power the monitor and accessories from the corresponding outputs, and check the OLED status before changing shots—less uncertainty, fewer random cables.

What to check before you buy

Before committing, it’s worth double-checking a few basics based on the information provided:

• Whether you actually need a 99Wh V-mount battery for your kit (and whether your devices can accept power from the outputs listed, like D-TAP or the 5.5mm DC options).
• Whether your charging routine supports USB-C PD fast charging up to 100W, since that’s the main “speed” advantage.
• How you plan to secure it: the V-mount backplate includes 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 threaded holes, so you’ll want a compatible clamp or ball head setup.

Final verdict

Final verdict

Worth considering if you run a camera/video rig and you want one V-mount battery that can handle fast USB-C PD charging/discharging and multiple outputs at the same time, with an OLED screen for quick status checks. The cycle-life claim and built-in BMS protections make it feel more “serious” than basic entry batteries.

You may want to skip it if you don’t need V-mount power, or if your setup only needs a single simple power path. In that case, the extra ports and system-specific nature could be more complexity than value.

Mini FAQ

Mini FAQ

Does the VB99 charge in both directions?

Yes. The description states bi-directional PD fast charging/discharging via USB-C up to 100W.

What devices is it aimed at?

It’s described for camera and camcorder setups, plus monitors, video lights and typical accessories that can use the provided interfaces.

Is the OLED screen useful?

It’s designed to show working status and can display voltage/power via button presses, so it’s mainly for quick checking during shoots.

Is it suitable for travel?

It’s described as airline friendly due to its compact size and weight, but you should still consider airline rules for lithium battery carriage.