SmallRig has been rapidly expanding its power solutions over the past few years, moving from simple battery plates to sophisticated batteries. Today, we are looking at the company’s latest flagship offering: the X-Touch Smart Triple-Proof X99. With a built-in touchscreen, IP54 rating, and app integration, this battery aims to be a compact powerhouse for your productions.
A New Standard for Ruggedness
In the past, we have tested rugged batteries from brands like Bebob and Hawk-Woods. SmallRig’s new X99 enters this “premium-rugged” category with what it calls “Triple-Proof” protection. This battery was developed in collaboration with Renan Ozturk, climber, filmmaker, artist, and National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.
The battery features a reinforced internal structure, aluminum alloy side plates, and a fire-resistant PC shell with thickened silicone corners. It is rated for 1.5m (4.9ft) drops and carries an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance.
Measuring 125 x 79 x 68 mm and weighing approximately 810g, it is larger and heavier than SmallRig’s compact VB99 SE battery, but it also feels significantly more robust.
SmallRig X99
Ports and Connectivity
One of the most impressive aspects of the X99 is the sheer number of independent ports. Most mini V-mounts offer one or two D-tap and USB connections; the X99 provides eight connections in total:
- 2x USB-C: Bi-directional, supporting PD 3.0 up to 100W.
- 1x USB-A: QC 3.0 (up to 30W).
- 2x DC Barrel: 8V and 12V outputs.
- 2x D-Tap: 16.8V output.
- 1x BP Interface: Standard V-mount contact.
Lots of connections X99
App and Touchscreen
The standout feature of the battery is the 2.0-inch color touchscreen. Most modern V-mounts (like the earlier VB99 Pro) use small displays. The X99’s screen is much larger, frosted to prevent glare, and provides real-time data on battery health, temperature, and individual port wattage.
SmallRig also introduced the SmallGoGo App for this battery. The user needs to turn on the BT in the battery screen by swiping down from the top, long-pressing the wireless icon, and then clicking on the battery icon in the app.
You can monitor multiple batteries from your phone or tablet, check remaining run times, and, most interestingly, remotely turn individual ports on or off. All these functions are particularly useful if the battery is mounted high on a light stand where the physical buttons are hard to reach.
App support – remote control your battery
Performance and Charging
The X99 uses premium LG cells (3400mAh x 8), which SmallRig claims are safer and more durable over long-term power cycles.
Fast charging at close to 100W
In our real-world tests:
- Charging: Using a 100W GaN charger and a 240W USB-C cable, we were able to reach a full charge in under 2 hours (charging at between 60W and 97W most of the time).
- Output: Powering a 60W LED panel from iFootage at full brightness, we got approximately 82 minutes of run time. (about 27 min more than the Came TV 99Wh battery), For a standard mirrorless setup (Sony A7 IV or A1 + 7″ Monitor), the battery lasted for several hours of 4K shooting.
One minor detail we liked is the built-in “penlight” on the rear of the battery. It’s a small LED that helps you see your V-mount plate when swapping batteries in a dark studio or at night, or light the inside of your camera bag, a simple but very practical addition.
Back LED
Using the battery
We have used the battery on several productions in our studio, and it has been working great so far. However, studio work is not necessarily where this battery really shines. For this, we loaned the battery to a colleague, Ariel Shirazi, who participated in an expedition to the Himalaya mountains led by nature and wildlife photographer Matan Sharon.
We interviewed Shirazi about his experience in our video (above), and he shared his experience working with the battery at altitudes above 4000 meters at freezing -20 degrees Celsius conditions, running his Sony camera and 7” monitor all day long without any issues.
The X99 in the Himalayas (Credit: matanwildphotography)
Conclusion
SmallRig has evolved from making “budget” accessories to producing high-end, feature-rich hardware. The X-Touch X99 is not just a battery; it’s a smart power hub. While it is more expensive and slightly bulkier than the more basic VB series, the build quality, extra ports, IP54 rating, and monitoring capabilities via the app and touchscreen make it a fantastic tool for professional users.
X99 in our podcast setup
Pros:
- Excellent build quality with an IP54 rating and drop protection.
- 8 independent output ports (including dual 100W USB-C).
- High-quality 2.0″ touchscreen with detailed metrics.
- Smart App control for remote monitoring and port management.
- Includes 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 mounting threads.
Cons:
- Heavier than most “mini” 99Wh V-mounts.
- Premium pricing compared to the standard VB99 series.
- App connectivity can be overkill for single-battery users.
Larger compared to the VB99 SE battery (on the left)
Pricing
The SmallRig X99 is currently priced at around $299 (though often found on sale for $220-$260).
You can find more gear reviews on our LensVid.com gear section.
Iddo Genuth 
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