Reviews You Can Rely On

Allpowers SPo12 100W Panel Review

This 100-watt panel folds down into an extremely small and portable package
gearlab tested logo
Allpowers SPo12 100W Panel Review
Credit: Sam Schild
Price:  $229 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Allpowers
By Sam Schild ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 15, 2024
73
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 13
  • Direct Solar Charging Speed - 35% 6.5
  • Indirect Solar Charging Speed - 35% 8.0
  • Portability - 15% 10.0
  • Functionality - 15% 5.0

Our Verdict

The Allpowers SPo12 100W Panel is one of the most portable 100-watt panels we've ever seen. It folds down to the size of a large textbook, so it can easily fit in a small daypack or anywhere else you need to stuff it for transportation. We didn't expect this panel to do very well in terms of solar charging efficiency since it was so uniquely designed. But it performs well in both direct and indirect charging. Whether you're using this in full sun or on a cloudy, overcast day, you'll still get some power from the sun. It's not the most efficient, but it makes up for its lack of efficiency with portability. If you're looking for a seriously portable solar panel that's still 100 watts, this is the best option. Our full solar panel for camping review outlines how all the models in our test performed comparatively to each other.
REASONS TO BUY
Super portable
Lighter than most panels
Folds into small package
REASONS TO AVOID
Only average capabilities
Difficult to angle panel

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
A Seriously Portable 100-watt Panel
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Solar Panel For Camping
 Best Buy Award
Best Value Solar Panel For Camping
Best Buy Award
Best Solar Panel For Extremely Tight Budgets
Price $229 List
$193.99 at Amazon
$299 List
Check Price at Backcountry
$299 List
$299.00 at Amazon
$200 List
$189.99 at Amazon
$130 List
$129.90 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
73
85
83
77
71
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line This large panel folds into a very small size and works well at converting sunlight to energy as wellThis option works better than the competition at a lower price, and is super easy to useThis large-capacity solar panel gets you great watts per dollar under cloudy skiesAn inexpensive panel that outperforms its price and is a great value overallThis 110-watt panel is crazy lightweight, very thin, and costs less than half as much as many panels we tested
Rating Categories Allpowers SPo12 100... Jackery SolarSaga 100 Bluetti PV120 BigBlue SolarPowa 1... Dokio 110W 18V Port...
Direct Solar Charging Speed (35%)
6.5
9.0
9.0
8.5
6.0
Indirect Solar Charging Speed (35%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
6.5
Portability (15%)
10.0
8.0
5.5
8.0
10.0
Functionality (15%)
5.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
Specs Allpowers SPo12 100... Jackery SolarSaga 100 Bluetti PV120 BigBlue SolarPowa 1... Dokio 110W 18V Port...
Power Output Rating (Watts) 100 W 100 W 120 W 100 W 110 W
Energy Generated in 1 Hour of Direct Sun 59.2 Wh 68 Wh 68.8 Wh 66.7 Wh 57.6 Wh
Energy Generated in 1 Hour Indirect Sun 25.6 Wh 25.8 Wh 29.4 Wh 21.6 Wh 20.8 Wh
Measured Output in Direct Sun (Watts) 63 W 62 W 64 W 64W 55 W
Measured Output in Direct Sun (Volts) 21.7 V 20.6 V 19.4 V 21.4 V 19.5 V
Measured Output in Indirect Sun (Watts) 20 W 23 W 34 W 26 W 16 W
# of USB A Outlets 2 1 0 0 2
# of USB C Outlets 1 1 0 0 0
Max USB Output Current (Amps per Port) 2.4 amps 3 amps N/A N/A 2 amps
Weight (Measured) 6.1 lb 10.3 lb 12.6 lb 8.8 lb 5.1 lb
Size Folded 12.5 x 7.5 x 3.5 in 24 x 21 x 0.5 in 21 x 16.5 x 1.5 in 25 x 21 x 0.5 in 26 x 19 x 0.5 in
Size Opened 36.8 x 36 x 0.25 in 48 x 21 x 0.25 in 65 x 21 x 0.5 in 42 x 25 x 0.25 in 38 x 26 x 0.25 in
Battery Included No No No No No
Tablet Charging Yes Yes No No Yes
Laptop Charging Yes No No No Yes
Charge iPhone/Smartphone Yes Yes No No Yes
Panel Outside Material Canvas Canvas Canvas Canvas Canvas
Panel Type Monocrystalline silicon Monocrystalline silicon Monocrystalline silicon Monocrystalline silicon Monocrystalline silicon
Able to Daisy Chain No Yes Yes Yes No
12-Volt Connection Yes No Yes Yes No
DC Output Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

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


allpowers spo12 100w panel - testing allpowers spo12 100w panel in sunny colorado at 8,000 feet.
Testing Allpowers SPo12 100W Panel in sunny Colorado at 8,000 feet.
Credit: Sam Schild

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.

Testing the Allpowers near our campsite in Colorado.
Credit: Sam Schild

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.

allpowers spo12 100w panel - the allpowers performs well under direct sunlight.
The Allpowers performs well under direct sunlight.
Credit: Sam Schild

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.

allpowers spo12 100w panel - the allpowers performed better than some but not as well as others...
The Allpowers performed better than some but not as well as others in our indirect solar charging speed tests.
Credit: Sam Schild

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.

The Allpowers unfolds from a small size into a large quilt of solar panels.
Credit: Sam Schild

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.

allpowers spo12 100w panel - the allpowers is small enough to bring backpacking or throw in your...
The Allpowers is small enough to bring backpacking or throw in your daypack.
Credit: Sam Schild

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.

allpowers spo12 100w panel - the allpowers weighs a mere 6.1 pounds and folds down to the size of...
The Allpowers weighs a mere 6.1 pounds and folds down to the size of a textbook.
Credit: Sam Schild

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.

allpowers spo12 100w panel - the allpowers has two usb-a ports, a usb-c port, and a dc ouput.
The Allpowers has two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a DC ouput.
Credit: Sam Schild

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.

allpowers spo12 100w panel - the carabiners and cord loops sewn around its edges allow you to...
The carabiners and cord loops sewn around its edges allow you to hang this panel most places or pitch it as you would a tarp.
Credit: Sam Schild

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

allpowers spo12 100w panel - getting the most out of that angled sun while van camping in colorado.
Getting the most out of that angled sun while van camping in Colorado.
Credit: Sam Schild

Sam Schild