Allpowers SPo12 100W Panel Review

The Allpowers is extremely portable. It only weighs 6.1 pounds and folds down six times to a seriously small size for a 100-watt panel. It consists of 15 individual 5 x 10.5-inch solar panels sewn into a canvas rectangle. The result is something akin to a quilt where each square generates energy from sunlight when you lay it on the ground or hang it from a tree.

Performance Comparison

Direct Solar Charging Speed

A solar panel's ability to convert sunlight into electricity is the most important for most people. For this reason, we've weighted our direct solar charging speed tests the most heavily. In direct solar charging speed tests, the Allpowers performed about average. It looks very different than most of the other 100-watt panels we tested, so we didn't have high hopes for this panel's solar charging efficiency. However, it surprised us. But, it only surprised us by being average.

The Allpowers is a 100-watt panel made up of 15 individual monocrystalline silicon panels. Most large 100-watt solar panels fold once, or twice, but the Allpowers folds so many times we were shocked when it performed as well in direct solar charging speed.

On a very hot and sunny afternoon at 5,000 feet in Colorado, the Allpowers generated 59.2 watt-hours while charging one of our Jackery test batteries. These results are pretty middle of the road, with slightly more than half of our testing lineup performing better than the Allpowers.

During testing in direct sunlight, we monitored each panel's watt output. In this test, the Allpowers performed well, consistently putting out 63 watts, which is near the top of the pack.

For most panels, the watt output fluctuated as the sun grew and diminished in intensity. This was no different with the Allpowers, and it shifted as we felt the sun get more or less intense on our backs.

Indirect Solar Charging Speed

The sun isn't always as bright as it shines in the American Southwest. And on the days when it's cloudy, you'll still want to use your solar panel. That's why we tested every solar panel in indirect sunlight as well. We weighted indirect solar charging speed as heavily as direct solar charging speed for this reason, too. After all, you'll still need to charge your laptop and phone on cloudy days, perhaps even more so.

To simulate cloudy conditions, we placed a large white sheet over each panel. This creates consistent and repeatable conditions for every panel during every test. Under our Big White Sheet, the Allpowers didn't perform as well, generating 25.6 watt-hours of charge in one hour.

No panel is particularly efficient in cloudy conditions, and the Allpowers had an average efficiency drop relative to its direct solar charging results and the other panels we tested. In other words, this model performed about average in our indirect solar charging speed tests, too.

While monitoring the watt output during indirect solar charging, we found that the Allpowers produced 20 watts of power consistently. This isn't the most power output, but it's not nearly the least, either. If you need to get maximum power during cloudy conditions, there are better options. But this certainly generates enough power to keep your phone and laptop charged.

Portability

The Allpowers is among the most portable large solar panels we tested. Weighing only 6.1 pounds and folding into a 12.5 by 7.5 by 3.5-inch block, this is one of the easiest models to carry. It's the only model we tested that folds in this way, which makes it the only model we can fit in an average day pack.

Many of the panels we tested are designed to be at least somewhat portable. However, most 100-watt panels are more portable in the “pack them into your trunk and carry 100 feet to your campsite” type of way. The Allpowers, however, is portable enough to bring backpacking.

Most solar panels designed for backpacking are definitely smaller than this, but not many of them are 100 watts. This is enough to power your entire base camp indefinitely. 6.1 pounds is a big weight penalty, but this panel will fit in an average backpacking pack with a full kit of gear.

It's even small enough to fit in a 20-liter daypack, though you won't have room for much else. This is a great option if you're doing a lot of filming in the backcountry while on a hike.

Functionality

The Allpowers is relatively functional overall. It has two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a DC power output. It comes with the cables you'll need to charge with either the USB-A or the DC output, and it has a Velcro pouch to carry those cables, too.

It doesn't have kickstand legs to angle at the sun and maximize low angled light. And since it's basically a blanket, you can't lean it against objects as you would with a fully rigid solar panel. This makes it more challenging to set this panel up at an angle to point at the sun. For this reason, we mostly use it lying flat on the ground and hang it vertically when we want it angled.

It has looped cord sewn in around its edges and comes with a pair of carabiners, though. This potentially allows you to “pitch” the panel as you would a tarp. With a tree branch, some cord, and a pair of tent stakes, you could rig this at any angle you want. This would be a lot more work than unfolding some kickstand legs, but you could do it.

Should You Buy the Allpowers SPo12 100W Panel?

If you're looking for the most portable 100-watt solar panel and are willing to give up some functionality and solar charging efficiency, this is your best option. There are panels with faster charging speeds and more robust designs for all-weather solar charging. However, if portability is your top priority, you can't do better than the Allpowers.

What Other Solar Camping Panels Should You Consider?

For a more efficient panel that isn't quite as portable, check out the BioLite Solar Panel 100. For an even more efficient panel that you can throw in your trunk with ease, consider the Jackery SolarSaga 100. For an all-weather panel that would take a tornado to blow away, check out the Renogy 100W Foldable