Disclaimer: Allpowers sent this product to us for free for a review. That does not affect our opinion about the product. In this article, we list both what we like and dislike. Read more about this here.
Allpowers S300 – A Small Power Station Packed With Features
The Allpowers S300 is one of the smallest power stations I have ever reviewed. But as I will show you in today’s review, that does not mean it’s not packed with features.
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With its 288Wh battery capacity and 300W inverter, it’s clearly meant to be a power station used to charge and power small devices like phones, tablets, laptops, eReaders, and similar electronics.
Let’s start by looking at what else it can do before I share what I like and dislike after using it for a couple of weeks.
Allpowers S300 – Features
Battery Capacity
As I mention in the intro, the S300 has a battery capacity of 288Wh.
That means it can power a 50W device for almost five hours (288Wh/50W*0.85). A DC to AC inverter like the one in this power station is usually about 85% efficient, which is why I multiply by 0.85% in my estimate calculation.
Power Inverter
The pure sine wave inverter changes the 12V DC power to 120V AC power, which is what makes it possible to charge and power devices with a 15A plug.
Even though it has two regular outlets that look like the ones in your home, it’s not as powerful as a household outlet.
The maximum wattage it can output continuously is 300W. Phones, tablets, laptops, and eReaders don’t require more than 300W. But desktop computers, small kitchen appliances, and gaming consoles do.
You can usually find out how much your specific device requires by looking at its power brick or on the device itself. If you can’t, I recommend getting a Watt Meter (click to view on Amazon). It will tell you exactly how much the device uses.
Ports
There are two AC outlets, capable of outputting up to 300W.
On one side, there are three USB A ports and one USB C port.
The USB A ports can output up to 15W each, while the USB C is a power delivery port rated for up to 100W. We can use this USB C port both as an input and output.
If you have a 100W USB-C PD charger at home, it can be used with a compatible USB-C cable to charge the S300.
Next to the USB ports, there are two 5.5mm DC outputs rated at 60W.
The larger 12V port is on the opposite side. It’s a 12V cigarette lighter port, next to two input ports. Unfortunately, the cigarette port is not regulated.
The cigarette lighter port is rated for 5A at 12V, which means its max output is 60W.
If you plan on using a solar panel to charge the battery, you’re going to plug the panel into the Anderson Powerpole input.
The other input is where the included wall charger plugs in, or the optional car charger.
Last but not least, there is a wireless charging pad on top of the unit. It’s a 5W Qi charging pad.
Charging
Allpowers has put an MPPT solar charge controller in the S300. That’s great for solar charging.
It maxes out at 100W, which is pretty incredible for a power station this size.
The supported input voltage range is 12-22V.
Display
The display, on the front, tells you input/output watts, which ports are on, battery percentage and bars, and time to empty/full.
Bluetooth Support
There is Bluetooth built-in and is how you connect, control, and monitor the power station with your smartphone.
In the app, you can turn on and off ports, and also get the same information that you get from the display on the unit.
Other Features
There are two LED lights on the front, both have a small button next to them to turn them on and off.
A built-in handle on top folds up and down to make it easy to carry the power station.
In The Box
Allpowers include a wall charger. Note that there is no car charger or solar panel included.
Size And Weight
It measures 8.1 by 6.5 by 4.3 inches and weighs 7.5 pounds.
My Review
Before I started testing the Allpowers S300, I read quite a few negative reviews. The main problem in these reviews was that the power station had stopped working.
I have only been able to test it for a little over two weeks, and have yet to come across any issues.
Because of the issues I read about, I recommend purchasing it from a reputable seller that accepts returns. That way you can test all the features as soon as you get it, and return it if there are any problems.
What I Like
The Ports
Allpowers put a lot of ports on this relatively small power station. Two AC outlets, four USB ports, three 12V DC ports, and two inputs.
I have seen power stations with fewer ports but twice the battery capacity.
I especially like that the USB C PD port is a 100W port, since my laptop charges via USB C PD. It’s also neat that it can charge the battery itself.
On top of all the ports, you get a wireless charging pad. Nowadays most new phones and earbuds can charge wirelessly, and that lets you use the ports for other devices.
App Support
I love being able to monitor and control power stations with apps because we often leave a power station inside the RV powering something and go outside.
It’s not usually something you can do with a power station this size, so Allpowers did great here.
Dual Input
Another thing you rarely find on a small power station is dual inputs. You can charge via both USB C and solar or AC and solar, to increase the charging speed.
With a 200W solar panel I was able to max out the 100W input, which is great.
Portability
I don’t call it lightweight, since it weighs 7.5 pounds, but the folding handle on top makes it easy to carry around. The total size of the unit obviously helps as well.
I wish every manufacturer would have foldable handles instead of built-in ones since they often take up a lot of space for no reason.
What I Dislike
The fan is always on when AC is active
I didn’t see this mentioned in any other review, but the inverter fan turns on as soon as you turn on the inverter. Then it will stay on until you turn off the inverter.
It’s not the loudest fan, and it hasn’t bothered me yet, but it surprised me a bit.
I powered a TV with it, with the power station on the floor, and nobody mentioned it. Take that as you will.
Non-regulated 12V Port
It’s not as big of a deal anymore that the 12V cigarette port is not regulated, since lithium batteries sit at a higher voltage than lead acid, but it’s always nice to have a regulated one.
There might be some other 12V devices you want to plug in that require a steady voltage, and the lower the battery percentage goes on the S300, the less reliable it will be.
No car charger or MC4 to DC adapter included
It’s common to not get an MC4 to DC adapter in the box, but a car adapter is often included and I think Allpowers cheaped out here by not including one.
Conclusion
This is the perfect portable power station for somebody that is looking for a small portable battery, but also the latest and greatest features.
It will not power a microwave or your house, but it will charge your small electronics during a power outage or a camping trip.
That’s all some buyers are looking for, and the Allpowers S300 can do that. It can’t do much more, but that’s fine.
Please leave a comment down below if you have had issues with this power station, or have questions.
I’m mostly concerned with the fact that even after charging the power station to 100% it doesn’t hold its charge for a reasonable amount of time just sitting on the shelf.