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This is the first ALLPOWERS portable power station that I have reviewed. They don’t have quite the same reputation as Jackery, Anker or EcoFlow, but they are one of the best value options on the market.
The S300 I am reviewing today is a small 288Wh portable power station, and the model I was sent is the solar generator model that includes a 100W solar panel.
The S300 by itself costs around £250, with vouchers often available on Amazon for additional savings. The solar generator model is £390, again, with a voucher available.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALLPOWERS Portable Generator 288Wh Power Station Emergency... | £249.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
| ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station 300W / 288Wh Solar... | £389.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Discount code: 5ER15
Specification
- Battery Capacity: 288Wh / 78000mAh
- Rated Power: 300W, Peak Power 500W
- Output Waveform: Pure Sine Wave
- Protection Circuit: Short circuit, over current, over power, overcharge, over-temperature, ect
- Size: 20.6×16.5x11cm / 8.1×6.5×4.3inch
- Weight: 3986g / 137.3oz
- INPUT:
- AC Input: 220v / 50Hz
- Solar Charger Input/Anderson Power Solar Input: 12V-22V / 3.2A (Max.)
- Car Charger: 12V / 3.2A (Attention: For 12V battery only, not the 24V battery, use this charging method when driving)
- Output:
- AC Output x 2: 220V / 50Hz
- USB Output x 3: 5V 3A (Max.)
- USB-C in(out): PD 5-20V (60w at Max.)
- DC Output: 12V / 5A (Max.)
- Cigarette Output Port: 12V / 5A (Max.)
- Wireless Charging x 1: 5V 2.1A
Specification of Foldable Solar Panel:
- Peak Power: 100W
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 22.4V
- Short Circuit Current (IOC): 6.0A
- Maximum Power Voltage (Vmp): 18V
- Maximum Power Current (Imp): 5.4A
- STC Irradiance 1000W/m² , TC=25℃, AM=1.5
- Unfolded Size：1220×650×10mm/48×25.6×0.4inch
- Folded Size：510×650×30mm/20×25.6×1.2inch
- Net Weight: 3.6kg/7.9lb
Design & Build
ALLPOWERS seems coy about the battery technology used in the power stations. For the larger models, such as the S700, they state that you have 10 years of protection with 1000+ life cycles.
The S300 product page makes no reference to life cycles, but the AliExpress page states the life cycle for charge and discharge is over 500 times. When they talk about life cycles, I assume they mean the normal 500 cycles before the battery is degraded to 80% of its original capacity.
It is safe to say that this is an NMC battery, and this is to be expected at this price point.
It is not the prettiest of power stations, but it has all the things you want. The wireless charging pad on top of the power station is a nice bonus that you don’t see in other competing units.
You also have the bonus of the two lights on the front of the station, which will be useful for blackouts or camping.
I have not used a power station this small before. Its capacity and output obviously limit how useful it can be, but I love its overall size and weight of it. It is a much more convenient size than the other power stations I have. It can fit in my car without it hogging too much room, and I have found myself using it around my house more often than other power stations.
Power Output
This has a rated power output of 300W and a peak of 500W. With the capacity of 288Wh, you are going to get under 1 hour if you use the full rated power. This is not really designed for running appliances, I could keep my office running for around 90 minutes if there was a blackout.
Setting my EcoFlow DELTA 2 to 300W input and plugging it into the ALLPOWERS confirms that it is capable of 300W.
I have been using this for general electronics around the home. Rather than running an extension lead, I have used this for power lights or running a laser engraver I am reviewing.
It is perfect for mobiles and laptops. Anyone that works on the move or goes camping will appreciate it.
For the USB, the USB-C port is rated at 60W, this is what my Huawei Matebook 13 requires so I can charge my laptop directly from the power station without issue.
Mains, USB & Solar Charging
Perhaps the only thing I am not keen on with this power station is the fact it has an external power brick, whereas my EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max plugs directly into the mains with a kettle lead.
My issue is that it’s another power brink to add to all the other devices I have around, and it is another thing to lose. Especially when this is something you will likely take travelling with you, it will be easy for me to forget the power brick.
Mains charging is also quite slow, especially when you compare it to the more expensive EcoFlow models.
If you are desperate for a charge as fast as possible, you can plug the power station into the mains and USB-C.
The solar panel, is a 100W panel which is light and very easy to set up. The S300 can only accept 80W of solar charging, but most panels are about 80% efficient, so a 100W panel isn’t ever going to provide much more than that.
Up north in the UK in January, sunny spells are few and far between. I was lucky enough to get a small amount of sun temporarily. It was a partially cloudy day, and I only managed to get 30W of input, but this is perfectly normal considering the conditions.
I like the fact that the solar panel uses MC-4 output cables and Anderson input. It is better than the DC plugs.
Price and Alternative Options
Discount code: 5ER15
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ALLPOWERS Portable Generator 288Wh Power Station Emergency... | £249.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
|
| ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station 300W / 288Wh Solar... | £389.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The ALLPOWERS S300 by itself costs around £250, with vouchers often available on Amazon for additional savings. The solar generator model is £390, again, with a voucher available.
For competing brands:
The BLUETTI EB3A is probably your best alternative option. It costs a little bit more but uses a LiFePO4 battery with better longevity.
The Jackery Power Station Explorer 240, has around the same RRP. This uses an NMC battery, the same as ALLPOWERS, but it is rated for a lower number of cycles.
The Anker 521 PowerHouse is more expensive and only has one AC output, but it does use a LiFePO4 battery.
EcoFlow has the new River 2, and the smallest model is 256Wh. Again, it costs a bit more but has a LiFePO4 battery.
Overall
I like the ALLPOWERS S300 solar generator a lot. After using lots of high-capacity power stations, I can appreciate the portability of this little thing, it is perfect for taking in my car, and I know I can keep everything I want to be charged for the weekend.
There are some random brands supplying 500Wh options for a similar price point, but I am not sure how much I’d trust them. ALLPOWERS are the most affordable known brand that I am aware of.
ALLPOWERS Solar Generator S300 Review Rating
Summary
The ALLPOWERS S300 solar generator is a superb small portable power station. I love how portable it is, and it is perfect for my car. ALLPOWERS, in general, have some of the best value-for-money options on the market.
Overall
85%-
Overall - 85%85%
Pros
- Best value for money
- Excellent features
Cons
- External power brick
- NMC battery
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
