We are here to ask the all-important question: is Ameo’s Powerbreather genuinely the future of snorkeling respiration? Ameo claims that their Wave Snorkel is a so-called Snorkel 2.0. The claim is bold, but the technology certainly has some promise.
So, you’ve seen the Ameo Powerbreather official YouTube video and are thinking about getting one of their new swimming snorkels – that’s awesome, and you’ve come to the right place.
If you want to know all the crucial details regarding the Ameo Powerbreather keep reading as we explore what’s great about it, what it is, what it is not designed for, and what product options are available to you. So, let’s dive in!
AMEO POWERBREATHER SNORKEL
AMEO POWERBREATHER SNORKEL
REVIEW SUMMARY
General Impression
The Ameo Powerbreather is a dynamic and capable snorkel. It is designed to be robust yet flexible enough to suit different users and needs. It has a comfortable, easily adjustable head-strap and some models come with tube extensions or even a dive mask.
Below we’ve included a technical breakdown of what the Powerbreather is, what it does, the different models available, the Pros and Cons of the Powerbreather, and any problems we encountered thus far. Essentially we’ve done a deep-dive so you don’t have to! (Well at least not until you hit the water that is.) Here’s what we found:
PROS
- Every breath you will be breathing in clean air
- The mouthpiece gets rid of any water, spit and all the spent air
- It’s lightweight
- It’s compact
- It’s a one size fits all – users must be 10 years and older
- Comes with customizable tubes
- It’s available in two colors
CONS
- It’s pricey compared to regular snorkels
- It’s made from rigid plastic, so semi-fragile
- Limited color range compared to model availability
- Difficult to use at first
- Could be uncomfortable for some users
COMPETITOR COMPARISON TABLE
Full-face cover
Single/Twin Snorkel
Scuba compatible
Breathing comfort
Colours/Options
Ameo Powerbreather
No
Twin
No
Med
2/5
Cressi Gringo
No
Single
Yes
Low
3
Tribord Easybreath
Yes
Single
No
–
3
PRODUCT OPTIONS
Powerbreather Wave
This package will give you everything you need for every snorkeling scenario. It comes in the standard color and has two extension tubes, one for calmer waters and one for choppier seas.
Powerbreather Adventurer
A more stylish model would be the adventurer – it comes in a sleek grey and silver-ish color that will blend in with those out in the wild. It has the standard length intake tubes and is ideal for its purpose of short dives in more turbulent waters, rougher surf, or untamed coastlines. It is the sensible snorkel choice should you wish to spearfish or free-dive for shellfish.
Powerbreather Lap
Want to get into training for that next triathlon? Perhaps you’re wanting to block out distractions while you churn up the lane doing laps – then this Powerbreather model is perfect for you. It comes with the standard body and shorter intake tubes so you can do flip-turns with greater efficiency and maneuverability.
Powerbreather Beach
The name says it all – whether that beach is your local stomping ground or an exotic tropical island, this is the model you want packed and ready to go. It comes with the standard length intake tubes. These tubes make it perfect for duck-diving or exploring coral reefs. With a Cressi dive mask included, the only other thing you’ll need is some fins. If you don’t have any yet, I’d suggest looking here: the Best Snorkeling Fins.
Powerbreather Sport
This model is the quintessential Ameo Powerbreather and the concept in its purest essence. There’s nothing extra, just a great snorkel that’ll get you in the water and swimming like a fish within a matter of moments.
TECHNICAL EVALUATION
So, what is the Ameo Powerbreather ideally designed for, and how does it work? In a nutshell, it’s a game-changing twin-snorkel for all swimmers, snorkelers, and freedivers. However, it is not a replacement for your scuba diving snorkel!
The Ameo Powerbreather snorkel will increase the amount of time you can swim for and it will aid in improving your fitness regime. As such, it is best suited for two bespoke uses: snorkelers looking to spend a lot of time in the water, and swimmers competing in any form of endurance sports.
There’s a great video here that discusses the Ameo Powerbreather for endurance athletes: Endurance Hour YouTube video.
Ameo Powerbreather Construction
The snorkels are made from rigid plastic, so unlike other snorkels that have flexible hose components, the Powerbreather will not flop about or fall over.
The mouthpiece is made from a flexible rubber material and many users have commented on the comfortable fit compared to some snorkels that can feel bulky or too small.
The snorkel operates by selecting the appropriate ‘notch’ on the sides of the snorkel and fitting the headband accordingly. Then, you just tighten or loosen as required. It’s kind of like fitting a hard-hat, set it up once, and you’re good to go!
Ameo Powerbreather Complaints and Concerns
The main complaint with the Ameo Powerbreather is the resistance when breathing; several owners have commented that it’s too difficult. Ameo is aware of this problem and they have issued a reassuring statement that this perceived problem is due to purchasers not following the directions on how to familiarize themselves with the product before use.
As many scuba divers will attest, diving comfortably for a long period comes from airflow management; breathing slowly and deeply. This is usually a foreign concept to snorkelers who are used to the freedom of breathing freely. The Powerbreather does not work that way; it relies on the same deep-breathing style scuba divers use. When slowly inhaling and exhaling the vents work fully, and the mouthpiece can expel all the air and any moisture build-up (i.e. spit or water).
The other concern is that removing the Ameo Powerbreather during an emergency, or just because you want to say something to your snorkeling buddy, is a nuisance. There, let it be said: you can’t simply pull it out, or spit it out, of your mouth and get on with talking. Instead, you must turn the tightening knob at the back of your head until it loosens up, then let the Powerbreather slip down your neck to rest on your collarbones. If you simply yank it out of your mouth, you’ll break it as the rigid plastic cannot flex. Is this a real safety issue? It could be, depending on the swimmer and their experience. It may also cause a gag-reflex as the snorkel mouthpiece is forcibly held in your mouth by the headband and some users may not feel comfortable with this.
What does the Ameo Powerbreather do?
What sets the Powerbreather apart from other snorkels is its emission control? To answer simply it fully expels all the CO2 that you exhale unlike with your traditional single snorkel. Using a traditional snorkel as you exhale oxygen-depleted air some CO2 can linger inside the snorkel pipe, which you then inhale again with the next breath. Over time, breathing in this compromised air lowers your endurance and lung capacity as your body builds up CO2. This will also in effect make it harder to breathe. The more CO2 you inhale the more your energy levels decrease which may make for an all-round bad swimming experience. In extreme cases, it can also cause a medical emergency.
In addition to this, the powerbreather has remarkable stability in the water. Unlike single snorkels, which endurance swimmers use, it will not wobble or fall out of your mouth when you turn in the pool or when you do flip-turns. No more coughing out a lungful of water or desperately trying to grab your snorkel before it floats away!
With this in mind if one of your favorite past-times is snorkeling, then the Powerbreather will bring the seafloor to life as never before. Unlike a full-face swim-snorkel, the Powerbreather will not make you feel claustrophobic, it fits over your head and into your mouth only, leaving your eyes protected by your standard goggles or scuba mask. This disconnected mask and snorkel setup is a godsend for those of us with special masks.
If you need to upgrade your mask, or just want a mask for snorkeling, then check out the feature here for the Best Prescription Masks.
The Wave model will further lessen the chance of water leakage as it comes with a wave-deflecting tube extension and here’s how it works; the Powerbreather design deflects water away from the top of the snorkel with an extended length of D-shaped tube, which angles the vents away from on-coming choppiness or small waves. Then when you are breathing out its specially designed mouthpiece pushes all the used air through the downward mouth-vent – without pulling air or water back in! If you’re still confused as to how this works, have a look at this video, as it gives a great introduction to the product.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There you have it, the Ameo Powerbreather in all its snorkeling glory. As you’ll now know, it’s perfect for recreational snorkelers, or those athletes needing to up their training regime.
If you’re a snorkeler or a freediver, you’re going to love the Powerbreather’s CO2 emission-expulsion design. Being able to swim and dive for longer without building up harmful gases in your body is a game-changer. Once you’ve trained yourself to breathe a bit more like your cousins, the scuba divers, you’ll be able to maximize every trip into the blue. If you want to see just how you’d do this, check out this video below.
If you’re an endurance swimmer or triathlon athlete in training, then the Powerbreather will be your new training buddy. Increasing your stamina, honing your focus, and making your training hours in the pool all the more enjoyable. The design is well thought through and comfortable even making flip turns less uncomfortable as you don’t have to worry about the snorkel being pushed out of your mouth or the tube obscuring your view as you do lap after lap.
All in all, the Ameo Powerbreather is a winner, and we’re sure it’ll appeal to everyone who loves spending time at his or her favorite waterhole.
FAQs
What is a Powerbreather?
It’s a revolutionary twin-snorkel that provides clean, pure air to you while you swim or snorkel.
How does the Ameo Powerbreather work?
You breathe in slowly and deeply, then exhale the same way. The clean oxygen comes in through the two d-shaped tubes and the old air is expelled out the mouthpiece.
What’s in the box: Ameo Powerbreather?
Depending on which model you purchase you’ll receive the Powerbreather, extension or customizable tubes, and a Cressi dive mask. Please see the full list of models in this article for more information.
Can you swim laps with a snorkel?
Absolutely! Many swimmers who do endurance training can use the Powerbreather, helping them to build up stamina and greater focus while minimalizing distractions.
What is the best snorkel for lap swimming?
Ameo recommends the Powerbreather Lap Edition for those wanting the optimum lap experience.
Can you breathe underwater with the Ameo Powerbreather?
No, this is not a replacement for scuba diving gear. It will not convert H2O into oxygen. It’s not a miracle snorkel, water remains water, and air remains as air. You cannot and should not stay underwater for too long a period with the Powerbreather.
Is the Powerbreather Wave Snorkel 2.0 better than regular snorkels?
Depending on what you want to use it for, yes and no. If you’re into snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, then hell yes! If you would like to swim better in your next triathlon, go for it! However, if you want to swim for hours at the bottom of the ocean, then no, do not be silly. The Powerbreather is an incredible tool, but a snorkel nonetheless – it is not a set of gills.
Is the Ameo Powerbreather safe?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe when used for its intended purposes. It works miracles as a lap swimming and endurance training snorkel. It is terrific fun for snorkeling, exploring the seaside, light freediving, and brief underwater forays. It is not safe, or recommended, for scuba diving in any way!
REACH OUT
As always, we create our content with you, fellow adventurers, in mind. So, how’d we do? Did you find this informative? Did it help you make a decision? Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you below. Thanks for reading and we hope your next adventure is a great one!