Short answer: no. Nikon’s first-party EN-EL14 and EN-EL14a have no USB-C port and can only be charged in the MH-24 series dock. The “EN-EL14+” spelling indicates nothing about charging either — it is not an official Nikon model but a third-party naming convention for compatible packs. Compatible EN-EL14 batteries with a built-in USB-C port do exist, but that is a manufacturer adding a charging circuit inside the case, a product design difference with no fixed link to the model suffix. The only reliable way to tell whether a pack charges directly is to look for the port on the physical item.
Three checks: do not trust the listing title
First, look for a port
A genuine USB-C direct-charge pack has a Type-C socket on the side or base, usually with a small indicator light beside it. The first-party EN-EL14 series has a fully closed shell with no openings beyond the terminals and the latch. Turn the pack over once — no opening means an ordinary battery, whatever the title says.
Second, read the label
The label should carry three figures: nominal voltage, capacity and energy. The EN-EL14 is 7.4V / 1030mAh and the EN-EL14a is 7.2V / 1230mAh, putting energy at roughly 7.7Wh and 8.9Wh respectively. Be cautious if a pack says only “compatible with EN-EL14” without a voltage, or claims a capacity far above first-party (2000mAh and up) — that is usually a bare-cell figure, and the usable capacity will be less.
Third, check thickness and weight
Fitting a charging circuit and a Type-C socket takes up internal space, so direct-charge packs are usually slightly thicker and heavier. The difference is small, but in a tight compartment such as the Coolpix P series it can make the door hard to close. Before buying, check whether the listing mentions extra thickness, or scan reviews for complaints about fit.
Three product types compared
| Type | Physical signs | Charging | Compatibility | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-party EN-EL14 / 14a | Fully closed shell, no openings | MH-24 dock | Manufacturer guaranteed | Users who want stability and no fuss |
| Third-party standard compatible pack | Copy of the original shape, no openings | MH-24 or universal dock | Mostly fine; charge reading may drift | Users needing several spares on a budget |
| Third-party USB-C direct-charge pack | Type-C port and indicator on side or base | Phone charger + C cable | Works; slightly thicker | Light travel without a dock |
All three power the camera normally; the differences are convenience and consistency. The biggest benefit of a direct-charge pack is leaving one dock and one cable at home — but there is a cost: the built-in charging circuit is usually low power, so a full charge takes two or three hours, slower than a dock.
Is a direct-charge pack worth buying
It depends on how often you travel and what you like to carry.
If you often go on short trips with one body and one lens, a direct-charge pack is genuinely convenient: a power bank and a C cable will top up the camera battery without hunting for an outlet. For camping or long hikes where steady power is unavailable, the advantage is even clearer.
If you shoot intensively and swap two or three packs a day, a dock is the better fit. A multi-bay dock charges two at once, quickly and with clear status, whereas direct-charge packs have to be filled one after another and eat time.
There is a middle path: use a first-party or standard compatible pack as the main battery and add one direct-charge pack as an emergency supply for the moments when you run flat unexpectedly. That keeps everyday efficiency while retaining the light-travel option.
Buying checklist
- Do not infer features from a suffix. “14+”, “upgraded” and “Pro” have no agreed meaning. Look only for the port on the actual item.
- Check that the supported bodies are named. The EN-EL14a ships with the D3300, D3400, D5300, D5500 and D5600; the EN-EL14 ships with the D3100, D3200, D5100, D5200 and the P7000 series. Anything claiming to fit “all Nikon DSLRs” can be skipped.
- Be wary of very high capacity claims. When first-party is 1230mAh and a third-party pack claims 2200mAh at a lower price, it is almost certainly inflated or measured differently.
- Look for a protection description. Overcharge, over-discharge and short-circuit protection are the basics, and a serious maker states them on the product page rather than only on the box.
- Make sure the direct-charge port recognises 5V. Some packs are picky and fail to detect certain fast chargers, so check for reports of that before buying.
- Do not stockpile. Lithium packs self-discharge and age, and one left unused for over a year loses noticeable capacity. Buy to actual use. If all you want is a spare with clearly written specs and named compatible bodies, products such as YO are usually unambiguous on the label.
For the compatibility relationship between the EN-EL14 and 14a themselves, see the companion article on the EN-EL14+ category page. If you also shoot full frame, the EN-EL15 series follows a clearer naming logic and is a useful reference for how Nikon numbers its batteries.
FAQ
Can a first-party EN-EL14a be charged over USB?
No. The first-party pack has no charging port and must go into an MH-24 series dock. The camera body also has no USB charging path for this battery, so plugging a cable in will not charge it.
Does a USB-C battery affect the camera warranty?
Using a third-party battery does not in itself affect the body’s warranty, but if a battery fault damages the camera, attributing responsibility gets complicated. Choose a brand with a clear service commitment and keep your receipt.
Can a direct-charge pack still be charged in a dock?
Usually yes — the terminals are in the same place as the original, so it fits an MH-24 or a universal dock. Some direct-charge packs have their own charge management, though, and the double management can make the dock stop early, which is normal.
Are there restrictions when flying?
Lithium batteries must be carried in the cabin and cannot be checked, with capacity and quantity limits set by the airline. The EN-EL14 series holds under 10Wh, far below common thresholds, so several packs are usually fine — see whether camera batteries can fly for the details.