The myCharge Adventure H2O Turbo is a rugged, waterproof portable power bank. It’s great for outdoor adventurers who want to recharge their phones or satellite communicators when they’re off-grid outside.
The myCharge Adventure H2O Turbo is basically a faster, more powerful version of the myCharge Adventure H2O. I’ve used both versions in the field, and I’ve used non-waterproof myCharge chargers for years with excellent results. Here’s what I learned during the testing and review process:
myCharge Adventure H2O Review
myCharge makes two versions of its Adventure H2O waterproof chargers: The ‘Turbo’ version includes a USB-C in/out charging port, which lets it charge faster than the standard version with two USB out ports.On the outside, both the myCharge Adventure H2O and Turbo versions look similar. Both have rugged hard exteriors with a rubberized flap to protect the charging ports. Both come with a lightweight carabiner. They all have an 1P67 rating for waterproofness, which means they can withstand submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
The Adventure H2O series comes in multiple size options ranging from a lightweight 3,350 mAh battery to a large 20,100 mAh battery. Both versions have excellent build quality.
The key difference between the Adventure H2O and the Adventure H2O Turbo is in the charging ports and charging speed.
The Ports
The Adventure H2O Turbo (top) includes a USB-C in/out port while the Adventure H2O (bottom) has a USB-C port for in-charging only.The myCharge Adventure H2O has two standard USB charge out ports and one USB-C charge-in port.
The myCharge Adventure H2O Turbo has one standard USB charge out port, one USB-C charge-in/out port and one USB-C charge-in port.
As more new mobile devices transition to USB-C charging cables, the Turbo version is a bit more versatile (but it’s easy enough to find charging cables in various configurations these days).
But that’s not the most important difference between the Adventure H2O and Adventure H2O Turbo: The Turbo version can charge your device much faster. The Turbo can output up to 18W of fast charging. This extra speed is handy for high-capacity smartphones, but it’s also important if you plan to charge larger devices like tablets.
Shop multiple versions of the Adventure H2O/Turbo series side-by-side at Amazon!
Waterproof Chargers
While there are many competitive portable chargers available these days, there aren’t many waterproof portable chargers. So how waterproof is the myCharge Adventure H2O series?
The rubbery flap that covers the charging ports works well. The seal is suitable for keeping out rain, splashing, and the charger can even survive a dunking. The key thing to remember is that once you open the rubber flap, the charger is no longer waterproof. This means that the myCharge Adventure H2O is not waterproof while you’re using it to charge a device.
The real benefit of the waterproofing is the ability to toss it into something like a fishing backpack or pocket and not have to worry about it getting wet.
Because it’s rugged and waterproof, the myCharge Adventure H2O series has earned a spot in our gift guide to the best gifts for outdoor lovers this year, as well as in our guide to the best outdoor gifts for men.
Key Size Options
The 10,050 mAh Adventure H2O Turbo (left) is just a bit bigger than the 3,350 mAh Adventure H2O (right).If you’re looking for a small, waterproof device charger, choose the 3,350 mAh or 6,700 mAh standard Adventure H2O. If you’re wondering how much the charge capacities might work out for you, compare the capacities to the battery that comes in your phone.
For example, an iPhone 14 has a 3,279 mAh battery. This means that the smallest Adventure H2O charger should be able to fully — or near fully — recharge an iPhone 14. Of course, charging systems are not 100% efficient, so keep that in mind.
However, this isn’t the full story. While the standard Adventure H2O versions are a bit lighter and cost less, the Turbo offers more capacity with not much extra weight. Here is a comparison: The 10,050 mAh Adventure H20 Turbo has 3x the capacity as the 3,350 mAh Adventure H2O . . . but it only weighs 1.3 oz more:
Relative Capacity/Weight:
- Adventure H2O – 3,350 mAh – 7.1 oz
- Adventure H2O Turbo – 10,050 mAh – 8.4 oz
The Adventure H2O Turbo in the 10,050 mAh size is particularly versatile. The only drawback to choosing the Turbo version is the increased cost compared to the non-Turbo versions. It’s small enough to pack around in the backcountry but has enough capacity to recharge a device multiple times. Plus, the extra speed and USB-C out port is handy.
Competitive Options & Alternatives
If you’re considering the myCharge Adventure H2O series of chargers, there are also a couple of competitive options worth considering:
Goal Zero Venture 35 or 75 — The GoalVenture 35 has a 9,600 mAh capacity while the 75 has a 19,200 mAh capacity. One key difference is that the Goal Zero Venture chargers have two standard USB charge-out ports in addition to one 18W USB-C charge-in/out port.
Dark Energy Poseidon Pro — The Dark Energy Poseidon Pro is a 10,200 mAh rugged charger with a better IP68 waterproof rating. It has a standard USB charge out port as well as a fast-charging USB-C in/out port.
Shop multiple versions of the Adventure H2O/Turbo series side-by-side at Amazon!
The Bottom Line
The myCharge Adventure H2O and Adventure H2O Turbo are rugged and waterproof. The quality is excellent and they do their job well. They’re particularly good for hiking, backpacking, hunting, and taking to the beach or lake. Very highly recommended.
Get the Gear:
