What does a battery need to bring to the table in 2025? High capacity, flexible outputs, easy charging, yes, but what’s the special sauce that can elevate it above hundreds of competitors? SmallRig has been putting that question to the test, releasing batteries of all shapes, sizes, and specialties. Even looking exclusively at their 99Wh V-mount offerings, you have a standard VB99 Mini, a scaled back VB99 SE Mini, and a souped-up VB99 Pro Mini. So how does SmallRig’s new X-Touch Smart Triple-Proof X99 V-mount differentiate itself? Let’s take a look.
Specs and Ports
The X99 is 14.5V, 6800mAh, and 99Wh. It’s called “Triple-Proof” because the battery is drop-proof up to 4.9’, waterproof, and dustproof. It’s IP54 rated, meaning it can handle splashes but not full submersion. The first thing that stands out design-wise is its bright, intuitive 2” touchscreen. You can use this screen to monitor the exact voltage and pull of each port, turn the ports on and off, as well as see overall diagnostic information like temperature, battery health, and more. SmallRig touts the ability to also use all this functionality from their smartphone app, and we’ll dive into that a little later on.
Inputs and outputs on the X99 are versatile, with the traditional V-mount connection, two D-Taps, two 100W USB-C ports (both bi-directional), one USB-A, an 8V barrel port, and a 12V barrel port. These all run on independent circuits and can be used simultaneously. A BMS (Battery Management System) control chip allows for USB-C fast charging, meaning that with a capable 100W charger, you can get the X99 from 0 to 100% in just two hours. During my testing, all the ports worked as expected. The flaps on the D-Taps are a little hard to secure back in, but feel nicely safe when closed.
Rugged Design
The X99 is a collaboration between SmallRig and the adventure cinematographer Renan Öztürk, so the key selling point is its durability. The battery has silicone shock-absorbing pads around all its edges and corners, and SmallRig says they used flame-retardant silicone seals throughout. Though I sadly wasn’t able to take it to the top of a mountain this go-round, I ran the X99 through some light drop and bump tests. The battery didn’t break a sweat—no scratches, cracks, or power losses.
For many rigs, a V-mount battery can be the first point of contact if the camera is hit from behind or dropped at an angle, so while most users probably won’t push the X99 to its limits, the extra silicone padding could be a lifesaver in certain scenarios, and I’d love to see it become a standard feature in larger SmallRig batteries. Something else sure to be appreciated by shooters in tough conditions is a wide operating temperature of 5°F to 140°F during discharge and 32°F to 113°F during charging. Again, I wasn’t able to push those limits this time, but it stood up admirably during an NYC heat wave.
App Control
One of the other major selling points for the X99 is the ability to control it remotely from SmallRig’s smartphone app SmallGoGo. Turning off and on individual ports via the app could definitely be useful if the X99 is out of reach, and the ability to label and easily manage a whole fleet of batteries in the app is nice, but these are both fairly specific use cases. Many user reviews on Google Play and the Apple App Store raise concerns with the app’s compatibility and reliability. If you’re already controlling SmallRig lights with SmallGoGo, it’s certainly worth adding your batteries, but for some users, headaches persisted.
I could get the X99 connected in the app’s Guest Mode, but closing the app made it forget the connection and forced me to go through the setup process again each time. I was hesitant to make a full account on the app due to email inbox fatigue, but it would make sense for someone managing a large fleet or trying to control equipment remotely.
Ideal Use Cases
The X99 is a good V-mount battery, at least in my initial testing. It charges quickly, has all the ports I typically need, and feels tougher and more durable than most V-mounts I’ve used in the past. But is it worth the price jump from other comparable options? If you’re often braving difficult conditions—mountains, rivers, oceans, deserts, rainforests—this is a battery for you. If you’re typically working in a studio or more controlled environments, I don’t think the “Triple-Proof” design is necessarily a must-have.
It's also important to note that the X99 is heavier and larger than all three versions of the VB99 due to its wider array of ports and protective elements. The X99’s smartphone control is an interesting idea that will hopefully see more development and refinement in the future, but the sharp, responsive touchscreen works plenty well for right now. Though I only used the X99 for a week, I never saw anything that gave me reason to question its long-term durability and dependability. If that peace of mind is important to you, or if you’re going on demanding shoots that test the limits of your equipment, the X-Touch X99 is a great V-mount option to consider.
For more information about the SmallRig X-Touch X99 V-mount battery, including features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page.
