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Travel Essentials: How to pick the BEST Waterproof Phone Pouch

3/23/2025

Atop any summer, beach, pool, and general travel essentials packing list for vacation should be a waterproof phone pouch. A watertight phone pouch will not only save your phone from potential disaster, but is also the answer of how to take photos underwater! I have reviewed a BUNCH, and I'm going to be going over key features to keep in mind when picking out your waterproof phone pouch, and including a detailed review (with videos!) of two of my favorites.

how to pick the best waterproof phone pouch - travel essentials - usjapanfam.com

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by ProCase and JOTO but all thoughts and opinions are my own. I honestly never go to the pool, beach, or waterpark without 1 of these for myself, my husband, and my son (our twins don't have phones yet but they'll be using waterproof pouches as soon as they do!) This post also includes affiliate links - as an Amazon affiliate, I earn commission from qualified purchases made after clicking my links.

KEY FEATURES TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SHOPPING:

SCREEN FUNCTION: I've tested MANY phone pouches, and some of them make your screen not function underwater, which means you can only take photo and start/stop a video by usign the side button. I've had others where going in and out of the water triggered the video to start or stop on its own. This malfunction RUINED my waterpark footage on one vacation because I would start the photo and then during the waterslide, the video would start and stop every time water hit the screen. Phone didn't get wet but it was still a disaster IMO. Suffice it to say, both the pouches I review later in this post past the screen function test on every level!
SIZE: In regard to waterproof phone pouches, size DOES matter... some are just big enough for your phone WITHOUT it's regular case, some are meant for regular size phones, some are big enough for your Max / Ultra size phone. Make sure to double check size before ordering.
FLOATING: Most waterproof phone pouches on the market do not float, and if you're doing snorkeling or diving, maybe you'd rather it didn't. But for me it's a bonus if they do float. It's nice to know retrieval should be easy if you or your kid accidentally drops it in the water, or if it's hanging by the lanyard around your neck and gets knocked off your body when you get hurled off the banana boat (I speak from experience). Of the 2 pouches I review below, 1 floats and 1 doesn't, so depending on which you prefer, I've got you!
EASE OF ACCESS: I find pouches much easier to get your phone in and out than, let's say, a waterproof cell phone case. I like the extra large pouches best because your phone goes in and out quickly, and you can often fit extras in there as well like your hotel room card and/or credit card. So it becomes more of a dry bag than just a phone pouch.
WINDOW SIZE: Many phone pouches have 1 side with a full window (for your screen) and the opposite side has a small window for your back cameras, which can cause trouble if you have one that doesn't fit your phone well, or if you're throwing other items in with your phone. I prefer pouches that have both sides of the pouch fully clear, like both of the pouches I'm reviewing below.

ProCase Waterproof Phone Pouch

This ProCase floating phone case gets my vote as the best floatable waterproof phone case. It doesn't have air inside with your phone that could interfere with function, but rather it has a really unique built-in air padding bubble frame that keeps it from sinking and makes it easy to retrieve in the water. Just a really cool design for a floating phone pouch!

BOTH sides of this are fully clear, but it's worth mentioning that (in my experience anyway) only the logo side has full functionality underwater with a high-sensitivity TPU window, so just make sure you put your phone in the correct way. Above water, underwater, no worries - you can scroll, switch selfie to regular mode, take photos and videos, you name it!

It's got a great snap-and-seal closure, a lanyard for hands-free carrying, and comes in a bunch of colors!

Shop this waterproof ProCase phone floatation device on Amazon (affiliate link).

JOTO Waterproof Phone Pouch

This is the best-selling classic Joto waterproof phone pouch has a full window on both sides, utilizing thick, transparent material that ensures keeping your phone dry while helping you take crystal-clear photos and videos! It features a sturdy, secure lock so you can rest assured not a drop of water will get in there, and the lanyard is strong and durable.

This one passed my in and out of water test with flying colors as well, with great screen functionality, and the water tension did not trigger the photo or video button.

Available in many colors, get a few so you'll always have one matching your swimsuit! Do note, this one does NOT float, so you want to be extra careful not to drop it in the water., but it might be the preferred choice for someone who snorkels and dives and doesn't want their underwater phone pouch to float.

Shop for this Joto Waterproof Phone Pouch on Amazon (affiliate link).

I hope this post helped you realize a waterproof phone case should be at the top of your pool, waterpark, and beach essentials packing list! And helped you figure out which features are most important for selecting YOUR best waterproof phone pouch and phone dry bag.

Here are some related posts and resources we think you'll like:

Travel Essentials - How to pick the BEST Waterproof Phone Pouch - usjapanfam blog cover vertical

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IPL At Home Hair Removal Review: Salloot Trinity i15 Pro vs. Ulike Air 10

3/17/2025

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IPL Hair Removal Comparison - Salloot Trinity i15 Pro vs Ulike Air 10 - US Japan Fam - blog cover

Are you ready for the ultimate IPL at home hair removal device review?? I'm no expert (or professional), but I've dabbled enough in the IPL hair removal world to know what the standout and gold standard features are for a device that will give you the best bang for your buck (i.e. powerful, painless, + fast). I had my armpits professionally treated in Japan over a decade ago, and have been doing my own IPL treatments (underarms, legs, feet/toes, + bikini zone) over the past year, having tested out a whopping SIX IPL at home hair removal devices. Yes... six!!

I'm here today to review the latest one, the Salloot Trinity i15 Pro (HUGE discount code at the bottom of this post), which is hands down my new favorite, AND to compare it to the Ulike Air 10, my previous favorite, and now a close 2nd!I've got a FULL demo and review of the latest and greatest IPL on the market, the Salloot Trinity i15 Pro (who sponsored this review, but don't worry, I'm not biased!!) AND comparison to my other favorite, the Ulike Air 10!! What I love about each, what I don't love, how it feels, everything!! Watch my video, read on, and don't miss my DISCOUNT CODE at the bottom of this post!! Let's go!!

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links - as a Share a Sale and Amazon affiliate, I receive commission from qualified purchases made after clicking the links in this post.

Features in BOTH the Trinity i15 Pro + Air 10:

They both feature DUAL lights which is incredibly rare, most IPL devices have a single bulb. Dual lights means more power and quicker hair removal results! They both also offer multiple pulses per trigger (max 4 for i15 Pro, max 2 for Air 10), and work fast - up to 400 flashes per minute for the i15 Pro and up to 120 flashes per minute with the Air 10. They both have manual trigger and auto glide option, the latter makes doing large surfaces such as your legs super easy, and is a MUST for IPL in my opinion. They both also maintain a very cool surface even when using continuously for an hour (i15 Pro stays under 53*F and Air 10 stays under 65*F). They also both blow other IPL devices out of the water when it comes to power - the i15 Pro delivers a whopping 27Joules and the Air 10 has a max 26 Joules - this is the light energy transferred to destroy those hair follicles, so it's incredibly important! They're both similar sizes and weights, powered by regular outlet, making them quite portable and coming with nice storage boxes, razor, and protective eye wear.

IPL Hair Removal Comparison - Salloot Trinity i15 Pro vs Ulike Air 10 - US Japan Fam - full comparison chart

Where the Salloot Trinity i15 Pro Stands Out:

PHR (Powerful Hair Removal) Mode: As mentioned, with 100W of power and a maximum energy output of 27J, coming through a 4-pulse burst in PHR mode (and 3 pulses in regular mode), which carbonizes hair follicles rapidly and is amazing at eliminating course and stubborn hair such as underarms, legs, even men's chest hair!

Sapphire Ice Cooling Window: The i15 Pro offers the largest sapphire ice cooling window in the world, a whopping 16.6 c㎡ (most are only 3-4c㎡), which keeps your skin nice and cool during treatment, despite the powerful pulses of light transferring down to your hair follicles. The window is chilled down to 35*F and kept under 53*F when used for 1 hour continuously. This makes it virtually painless, even in the most intimate VIO (bikini) areas!

The CTONE / AI Coaching HR™ APP: This amazing free app is tremendously helpful - providing step by step usage tutorials, personalized treatment plan, tracking treatments, sending smart treatment reminders (it's important to stay on schedule), AI analysis reports, and more!

Wider Treatment Area: With dual lights and a 4.2c㎡ treatment window, you can move quicker and have less concern about missing a spot.

Ergonomic Design: The i15 Pro has a 30-degree shaped design that makes it incredibly ergonomic to hold - no need to awkwardly bend your wrist while gliding it along or reaching VIO areas.

Suggested Schedule + Expected Results: Salloot recommends treatments 3-4 times a week during the first 2 weeks, 2-3 times a week during weeks 3-4, and after the first month is completed, maintenance is suggested twice a month moving forward. This treatment schedule takes away user error such as missing a spot, and ensures each hair is treated at the correct time in its growth cycle.

IPL Hair Removal Comparison - Salloot Trinity i15 Pro vs Ulike Air 10 - US Japan Fam - using Salloot on legs

Curious to learn more, or to SHOP!??

Purchase Salloot Trinity i15 Pro IPL Device (Get $140 off with code HEATHERI15) on Salloot's website or on Amazon

IPL Hair Removal Comparison - Salloot Trinity i15 Pro vs Ulike Air 10 - US Japan Fam - using Salloot on underarms armpits

The Ultimate IPL Hair Removal Show Down Salloot Trinity i15 Pro vs. Ulike Air 10 - usjapanfam vertical

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Toy Fair New York 2025 - Best Toys Roundup!

3/2/2025

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Welcome to my highlights from the 2025 Toy Fair New York! I spent over 6 hours walking through hundreds of aisles and thousands of booths to bring you my FAVORITE new and best toys for 2025 - these are going to be the hottest Christmas toys 2025, amazing for birthday presents, edutainment, MESH / STEM / STEAM, sports + exercise, arts and crafts, you name it, for little kids, big kids, teens and adults!!! Whether looking to treat yourself or your child to a new toy, or searching for the hottest holiday toys 2025, it's all here! Watch my fun highlights video and shop with my commission earning Amazon + Walmart affiliate links below (in order of appearance in the video)!