Dirt Cheap Power Stations - Here’s What You Get…

Introduction

Power station reviews often focus on the big-name, pricier brands, and in response, there’s a demand for affordable alternatives. In our quest to find a budget-friendly power station worth recommending, we stumbled upon the All Powers R1500. Despite being a bit confusing in its specifications, we decided to put it to the test. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of its performance based on thorough testing.

Quick Specifications Overview

Before diving into performance and testing, let’s take a brief look at the All Powers R1500's specs:

Weight: 37 lbs
Battery Capacity: 1,152 Wh
Inverter: 1,000 W pure sine wave (with a 3,000 W surge capacity)
AC Input: Max of 1,500 W, charges in approx. 45 minutes (theoretically)
Solar Input: Up to 650 W, charges in about 2 hours (ideal conditions)

In terms of ports, it features:

Four 120 V AC outlets
One 12 V car socket
Two USB-C ports
Two standard USB ports
Two wireless charging pads on the top
Expansion battery ports

With a price tag of $ 499, the All Powers R1500 is marketed as an entry-level power station. However, does it live up to expectations?

Performance Testing Results

Efficiency Testing

Efficiency is critical for power station performance. If the R1500 is rated for a 1,152 Wh battery, theoretically, a 100 W device should last around 11 hours. We pushed the unit to its limits by testing it with a 1,560 W load. Here’s what we found:

Efficiency Rate: The unit lasted 25 minutes—way below expectations.
Overheating Issue: The device overheated, preventing it from maintaining functionality. Even upon plugging it to recharge, it had a red light indicating overheating.

Charge Speed Test

Regarding the charging speed:

Advertised AC Input: 1,500 W, but it never exceeded 1,200 W.
Actual Charge Duration: Charged in 2 hours and 8 minutes instead of the advertised 45 minutes.

Further Testing

After cooling down, we tested the efficiency with a lower load of 1,326 W:

Result: Lasted approximately 43.5 minutes at about 83% efficiency.
Surge Performance: Successfully operated at 1,850 W for over a minute but shuts down at 3,000 W.

Solar Input

The solar input reportedly reaches up to 650 W, but we encountered limitations:

We reached the upper limit of approximately 400 W with compatible panels.

Pass-Through Charging

The All Powers R1500 supports pass-through charging effectively using both AC and solar, allowing devices to run while the station is being charged.

Sound Level

The unit operates at a medium loudness level. However, a significant concern arose: the fans failed to kick on during overheating while charging.

Strengths of the All Powers R1500

Design & Handling: The sleek handles are convenient for transport.
Port Variety: Multiple ports, including USB-C and wireless charging pads, are advantageous for versatile usage.
Affordability: At $ 499, it’s substantially cheaper than many competitors, making it an accessible option for budget-conscious consumers.

Weaknesses of the All Powers R1500

Overheating Issues: The unit frequently overheats under load.
Misleading Marketing: Claims regarding expansion, app connectivity, and charging speed do not hold true.
Voltage Limitation: The limitation to 108 volts affects overall efficiency and device compatibility.

Conclusion

While the All Powers R1500 boasts a good price point and an attractive design, its performance raises significant concerns. It may be suitable for light use, but those needing reliability and efficiency might want to look elsewhere or consider reputable brands like Anker or Jackery.

Keywords

All Powers R1500, budget power station, efficiency testing, overheating issues, solar input, pass-through charging, portability, user experience.

FAQ

1. What is the actual battery capacity of the All Powers R1500?
The All Powers R1500 has a battery capacity of 1,152 Wh.

2. How long does it take to fully charge the All Powers R1500?
It takes approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes to recharge the unit under optimal conditions, despite claims of a 45-minute charge time.

3. Does the All Powers R1500 support solar charging?
Yes, but it’s limited to a maximum of 650 W; however, the unit struggled to accept more than 400 W in testing due to voltage constraints.

4. Can the R1500 pass power through while charging?
Yes, it can pass through power efficiently, allowing connected devices to operate while the power station is charging.

5. Is the All Powers R1500 suitable for heavy-duty use?
No, the unit frequently overheats under load and is not recommended for heavy-duty performance due to reliability concerns.