Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Novoo provided the product in this review.

Model: NVPBPWK22AORFSD

Tech Specs:

• Ports: USB-C, USB-A
• USB-C Output:
  • 18W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 (5V/2.4A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
  • Quick Charge 3.0
  • Huawei FCP
  • Apple 2.4A
• USB-A Output:
  • 18W Quick Charge 3.0
  • Huawei FCP
  • Apple 2.4A
• Input: 18W USB-C PD (5V/3A, 9V/2A)
• Capacity: 10,000mAh | 37Wh
• Size: 5.5 x 2.8 x 0.7 inches | 141 x 71 x 17 mm
• Weight: 7.7 oz | 218 grams

Included In Box:

• Novoo Explorer 10000
• USB-C to USB-A cable, 12 inches (56k Ohm resistor)

Good For:

• Camping
• Emergency Preparedness
• Commute
• Travel
• iPhone
• Android
• Nintendo Switch (handheld)
• iPad Pro (pre-2018)

Estimated Number of Charges:

• iPhone 6/7/8: 4 charges
• iPhone Plus/X/XR: 2 charges
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9: 2 charges
• iPhone 11, Samsung Galaxy S10: 2 charges
• Nintendo Switch (2017): 4.5 hours of play
• Nintendo Switch (2019): 6.5 hours of play
• Nintendo Switch Lite: 6.5 hours of play

First Impression

The Novoo Explorer 10000 looks like other heavy-duty electronics. It has rubberized edges. And a cover that goes over the two USB ports. The overbuild adds size and weight. Though it isn’t the largest or heaviest 18W/10,000mAh power bank I’ve seen.

Removing the orange cover (tethered to the power bank) reveals the USB-C and USB-A port. And next to those is the flashlight. A loop for hanging with the included carabiner completes the made for camping look.

 

Compared To Similar Power Banks

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-04-25.

 

You can see more USB-C power banks here.

Device Testing

Check with your device’s manufacturer to verify which charging standards it supports.

USB Power Delivery & Quick Charge 4+ Phones

• Apple iPhone 8/X/XR/XS/11
• Essential Phone
• Google Pixel
• LG ThinQ/V30
• Razer
• Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/S10
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8/9
• Xiaomi Mi 8/9
• ZTE Axon Pro 9/10

 

Using an iPhone 8 for testing we find USB PD phones will fast charge over the USB-C port. iPhones will need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable, not included. And Android phones will need a USB-C to USB-C cable, also not included.

For iPhones both of the USB-A port supports Apple 2.4A. An older, but still functional fast charging standard. Older iPhones (4-7) can fast charge using USB-A. Newer iPhones will charge ~15 minutes faster using USB-C.

Quick Charge 3.0 Phones

• HTC
• LG
• Motorola
• Nokia
• Samsung Galaxy
• Sony
• Xiaomi Mi 5/6
• ZTE

 

Using a Moto G6 for testing we see Quick Charge will fast charge over the USB-A port. Any QC supporting Android phone with USB-C can use the included USB-C to USB-A cable.

The Moto G6 doesn’t engage fast charging with Quick Charge over USB-C. But other Quick Charge phones can. Samsung Galaxy, LG, and other QC supporting Android phones would be expected to fast charge.

Nintendo Switch

 

Works well for all model Nintendo Switch in handheld/tabletop mode.

• Nintendo Switch (original) – Charges while you play, but the original model Switch underdraws at 12V. So it won’t charge as fast as a similar charger offering 9V or 15V (12W vs 18W).
• Nintendo Switch (2019 update) – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.
• Nintendo Switch Lite – Charges near its max rate while playing and sleeping.

It will not support the Switch’s dock, as it doesn’t offer the required output.

Learn more about charging the Switch.

IP67 Rating

Ingress Protection (IP) rates how well a device is protected again solids and liquids. How well it keeps them out to protect delicate electronics or moving parts. The first digit is for solids (0-6). The second digit is for liquids (0-8).

An IP67 rating means:

• Protection from total dust ingression (max rating)
• Protected from immersion up to 1 meter in depth

These ratings assume the protective cover over the USB ports is closed.

Flashlight

The built-in LED flashlight operates using the button on the side. Press it once to check power levels of the power bank. Press and hold it to turn on and off the flashlight.

The light itself is nothing fancy. A basic floodlight that works best at short range. Handy for rooting around in your tent. Not so great at illuminating the path ahead in the woods. I recommend treating it as a backup. If you know you’ll need a flashlight bring an actual flashlight. Which will give you better performance. And won’t take power away from your phone.

No Fast Charging With Two or More Devices

If you connect two or more devices to the power bank it will disable all fast charging tech. When you connect the second device you’ll notice the charging resets on the first. This is the power bank stepping down to a 5V output level. If you disconnect the second device you’ll want to unplug and replug the first. To make sure fast charging turns back on.

This limitation is typical of most power banks. The few I’ve seen which allow for two fast charging devices are unusually large. There is a limit to how much current can cross its circuits without extra hardware. Which adds size, weight, and cost.

Most smaller devices will revert to their normal charging rate. Which will continue to charge the battery while they are in use. Total charge time for two devices is about the same. Whether you fast charge them one at a time. Or charged them at a slower rate together.

Quick Charge 3.0 Over USB-C

The presence of Quick Charge over USB-C is against USB-C specifications. Such chargers have been around for years without issue. But we don’t know what the future holds.

Under section 4.8.2 of USB-C specifications a proprietary charging method cannot change the voltage of USB-C output (between 4.40V and 5.25V) in a manner not defined by USB methods. Quick Charge operates at higher than default voltages. And so goes against the specifications. USB Power Delivery is an open source charging method. Created alongside USB-C, it is with specs even though it also increases voltage. The big difference is USB PD uses communication lines to negotiate power transfer. While proprietary methods take over the data lines for their negotiation. They do so because legacy USB connections, such as USB-A, don’t have comm lines.

There is no known risk with running proprietary charging standards over USB-C. Manipulating the data lines does disrupt data transfers. But when plugging into a wall charger or power bank there is no data transfer anyway. Some USB-C engineers warn against using any USB-C chargers with third party standards. Their concern is unforeseen consequences. Future technology may prove to be incompatible with such configurations. And pulling out a charger several years from now with a new device could have a bad result.

I have not run into any issues with these fast charging standards on this or any other charger. But as it is a spec violation I want you to be informed. If you’re a stickler for meeting USB-C specifications this isn’t a good charger for you. If you’re more pragmatic it works fine and has no known issues.

Summary

The Novoo Explorer 10000 is a power bank made for my kind of camping. Other options in the same niche are twice the capacity. And twice the size and weight. Including add-ons like solar panels. But that’s overkill for a weekend camping trip. Novoo’s approach give me what I actually need, a few recharges for my phone. And durability to survive being left outside overnight. Or dropped during a hike.

For phones it fast charges iPhones and most of the popular lines of Android. Including Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, LG, and Motorola. Huawei phones will fast charge using an older FCP standard. OnePlus phones will charge at normal USB-C rates.

For the Nintendo Switch it charges in handheld mode while you play. It is slower than some other options with the original model Switch (12V underdraw, see above). But the updated model and Switch Lite will charge near their max rates.

It’ll also fast charge all model iPads and keep up with most other types of tablets. It does not have the output needed to support a laptop while in use.

I could do without the built-in flashlight. It doesn’t take away from anything, so it’s fine. And maybe it’ll come in handy while looking for something in a dark tent or bag. But compared to the higher end LED flashlights I take camping it is a backup option at best.

Its dustproof and waterproof claims are backed up by its IP67 rating. Provided the USB port cover is closed. The rubberized sides will help with drops. But like any ruggedized electronic it can only take so much abuse.

About Novoo

Novoo is a subsidiary brand under Wellmade Brands. Who also makes Omars power banks. They have U.S. based support (web, email) and a 12 month warranty on both Omars and Novoo branded products.

Bottom Line

The Novoo Explorer 10000 is a camping power bank that meets the needs of the weekend camper. It doesn’t include the week long capacity or add-ons similar outdoor models do. Keeping it as small and light as some non-ruggedized 18W/10,000mAh power banks. It would also be at home in an emergency preparedness kit.

Buy if you:

• Go weekend camping and need to keep your phone charged up
• Need a durable power bank to keep in your emergency preparedness kit
• Have worse than normal bad luck with devices being damaged from falls, drops, or spills

Don’t buy if you:

• Will be away from a power source for more than a few days
• Aren’t comfortable with the spec violation of Quick Charge over USB-C
• Need to charge devices larger than a tablet

You’ll want a USB-C wall charger to quickly recharge this USB-C power bank. I recommend the Anker PowerPort III Nano. It’ll fast charge the same devices, as well as this power bank. But it won’t take as well to being dropped in water.

Be sure to check the Deals page to see if this or a similar charger is on sale.

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