Elisha
HydroPower is a two-in-one insulated water bottle and power bank. I loved the idea when I first saw it: a combined water bottle and power bank all in one! It’s literally the perfect concept for those of us who travel a lot and work on the go.
Staying hydrated and keeping devices powered are probably two of the most important things to keep up with when travelling and moving around. So, being able to do both with one product is a game changer.
I decided to bring the HydroPower from Pulse Charge with me on my recent trip to Indonesia, to see if it was as good as I thought for travelling. And I can certainly say that it got a lot of attention from fellow travellers. It really is the perfect travel companion.
In this review, I’m going to explain a bit more about the HydroPower, how it works and how I’ve found travelling with it so far.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received a free HydroPower bottle and financial compensation for my partnership with Pulse Charge, but all information provided in this post is true and based on my own personal experience.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means I get a commission if you buy a product through my link at no extra cost to you. By doing so, I can keep this blog going and continue to create helpful guides for you. Read more: Privacy Policy
Why Packing a Refillable Water Bottle is a Must for Travelling
One of the most important things to pack for a trip is a reusable drink bottle. I use one everyday and carry it with me everywhere. Many hostels, hotels, and restaurants around the world now offer filtered water or drinking water for guests to refill bottles.
This is a huge step in reducing plastic waste, especially in countries where the tap water may not be safe to consume for tourists.
As travellers, I believe we have a responsibility to reduce our impact as much as possible on the environment when we travel. Making sure you have a refillable drink bottle is easily the best way to prevent plastic bottles from ending up in the ocean or taking hundreds of years to break down in landfill.
If you’re going to pack a reusable drink bottle for your next trip, then taking one that is insulated AND offers a wireless charging bank is a huge bonus. A multipurpose bottle that streamlines your packing even more.
Overview of the Pulse Charge HydroPower Charging Bottle
Let’s get the specs and features out of the way. Here are the essential details you’ll need to know.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 700mL
- Weight: 598g
- Battery capacity: 6,000mAh / 22.2Wh
- USB-C & USB-A output: 5V/2.1A
- Wireless output: 5W
- USB-C input: 5V/2A
- Material: Stainless steel 304
- Colours: 5+ options
Features:
- Insulated, keeps liquid hot or cold for 12 hours
- BPS & BPA-free
- Flip straw lid
- Carry strap
- Qi wireless charging
- Cable storage under the battery
- Wired and wireless charging
The Design
The design of the HydroPower bottle is sleek and stylish. It’s a tall, slim bottle but it still fits comfortably into most bottle holders on backpacks and in cars. The lid has a flip mouthpiece and straw, which is easy to use.
The power bank is screwed onto the bottom of the bottle, so it’s not overly noticeable at first glance. Most people are surprised when I connect the charging cable or unscrew the bottom to start changing my phone.
It’s an easy water bottle to carry around whether by the hand strap or by slipping into a bag or backpack. It’s far from bulky, although it weighs about 600g, which is understandable since it’s insulated and has a 6,000mAh attached to it.
Using the Portable Charging Feature: How Does it Work?
The HydroPower Bottle offers both Qi wireless charging and USB powered charging for your devices. This makes it super versatile, so you can charge your phone or other devices on the go.
It charges virtually any Apple or Android device, plus other products that are compatible with Qi wireless or USB charging.
USB-C or USB-A Output Ports
You can attach your own charging cable to the power bank using the USB-C or USB-A output ports and connect any device. I paired the bottle with the Pulse 4 in 1 Fast Charging Cable for this trip, so I can attach any device that I have all with one cable. But you can also use the one that comes with the bottle or any other charging cable.
Qi Wireless Charging
HydroPower can charge any Qi wireless device. This includes iPhone 8 or later, Samsung Galaxy S6 or later, Google Pixel 4 or later, and other Qi-enabled devices like wireless ear phones.
Just unscrew the power bank from the bottle and place it on a flat surface to use the Qi wireless charging pad.
Recharging the HydroPower
The power bank in the HydroPower can be recharged by using the included USB-C cable or any other compatible cable. Only the USB-C port is for both input (recharging) and output (charging your device), while the USB-A is only for output.
I found that it recharged relatively quickly compared to other power banks that I have, so I could always have power with me at any moment. Depending on your phone, it typically provided nearly two recharges of my phone before needing to be recharged itself.
Benefits of Using the HydroPower for Travel: My Experience
I’ve been really impressed with the Hydropower bottle so far on my trip in Indonesia. I always pack a water bottle with me on any trip, so I just swapped out my old stainless steel bottle for the Pulse Charge HydroPower.
It’s been really useful having the insulated bottle feature so I can use both hot or cold water. Mostly I’ve enjoyed keeping my water cooler in the Indonesian heat, but I think there’ll certainly be countries I visit where I’ll want to keep water warm too.
However, my favourite part of the bottle is obviously the power bank component. I’m someone who uses their phone for everything while travelling (I think we all do, right?), from booking hostels to using Google Maps and taking photos.
On top of that, as a full-time digital nomad, I also use it a lot for work, checking emails, posting on social media and recording notes to add to my blog later.
I’m perpetually running out of battery on my phone, so I usually carry a small powerbank with me everywhere I go while travelling. With the HydroPower, it’s now integrated in my drink bottle, so I know I’ll always be able to recharge my phone while also staying hydrated (honestly two of the most important things while travelling).
Can You Take the HydroPower on the Plane?
Yes, HydroPower is safe for carry-on bags just like most power banks. It’s not allowed in checked luggage because of the lithium battery, but in carry-on it’s completely fine. Just make sure you pass through security with no water inside, otherwise it may be confiscated (it depends on the airport, but better to be safe than sorry)!
What Could Be Better
Honestly, there’s not a whole lot I would change about the drink bottle. I usually always carry a water filter with me when travelling, like a LifeStraw bottle. This means I can refill water anywhere safely. The only feature that would make the HydroPower even better for travel is if it had a filter inside.
However, so far, everywhere I’ve been in Indonesia has offered drinking water refills so it hasn’t been an issue. But for more remote places, I’d need to bring some sort of filter or purification method if I was to continue to use the HydroPower.
But for almost every other activity and everyday use, the water bottle is an ideal addition to my backpack, meaning I don’t have to think about packing both a bottle and a power bank.
Who Should Buy the HydroPower
The Pulse Charge HydroPower is perfect for a lot of different people. For travellers, it’s such a game changer meaning you always have a refillable drink bottle and power bank with you. However, it would also be great for everyday use and at work.
Verdict
Overall, I’ve loved having the HydroPower with me during my trip in Indonesia so far. It’s become my new emotional support bottle, coming with me everywhere I’ve been from yoga classes to surf sessions and cafe visits.
I think it’s such a cool product to take on any overseas trip, offering both constant hydration and power wherever you go. Plus, Pulse Charge is an Aussie based company, which we love to support.
I’ll definitely be packing it on future overseas trips, and probably on trips within Australia too, plus day hikes or any other time I usually pack a water bottle and power bank. If you’re looking for a new drink bottle to go travelling or adventuring with, the HydroPower is worth the investment.
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