When you spend time outdoors, especially on campervan trips, a reliable power source quickly becomes more than a nice extra. It can be the difference between keeping your essentials charged and having to plan your day around finding a socket.
I’ve been using the ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station 300W / 288Wh on recent campervan trips, and it has become a useful part of my setup. It is compact, fairly light, simple to use, and has enough capacity for the kind of weekend trips where you need to keep phones, cameras, laptops and other small devices running.
This is not a technical lab test. It is a practical review based on using it during real campervan travel, including the small things that matter once you are actually away from home.
Capacity and weekend use
The ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station has a 288Wh capacity, which has been enough for my weekend use. For short trips, that makes it a useful backup power source rather than something you have to constantly worry about.
For campervan travellers, this is particularly helpful if you are parked away from mains hook-up or spending time moving between places. For general camping, road trips or days outdoors, it gives you a straightforward way to keep essential gadgets charged without relying entirely on your vehicle.
As with any portable power station, how long it lasts depends on what you plug into it and how often you use it. In my case, it has been more than capable of charging devices across a weekend away.
Size, weight and storage
One of the strongest points of this power station is its size. It measures 21.5 x 9.2 x 20.6 cm and weighs just over 3 kg, so it is easy to store in a campervan without sacrificing much space.
That matters more than it might sound. In a small van, every bit of kit has to justify the space it takes up. This unit is compact enough to bring along without feeling like you are carrying a bulky piece of equipment just in case.
It should also suit car travellers and campers who want a portable power source but do not want something too heavy to move around.
Charging options and ports
The power station includes multiple charging options, with AC, DC, USB and USB-C ports. That makes it useful for a mix of devices, including a smartphone, camera, laptop or other small electronics.
This flexibility is one of the main reasons it has worked well for me. On trips where several devices need topping up, it is easier to have one central power source rather than juggling chargers, adapters and limited sockets.
For van and campervan use, it also gives a bit of separation from the vehicle battery. That extra peace of mind is useful when you are parked up and do not want to think too much about draining power from elsewhere.
Solar charging in British weather
The ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station can be used with a solar charging option, which is a useful feature if you want to make better use of daylight when travelling. In theory, this makes it easier to top up power while you are away from mains electricity.
In practice, British weather has limited how much I have been able to use the 100W solar panel. I have never managed to get more than 50W from it, and sunny days have not always arrived when I needed them.
That does not make the solar option pointless, but it is worth having realistic expectations. It is a useful addition, especially in better weather, but I would not treat it as a guaranteed full recharge solution on every UK trip.
For weekend use, the power station itself has still provided enough charge for my devices, even when the solar panel has not contributed as much as I hoped.
Smartphone app control
Another useful feature is the smartphone app. The app allows you to control the ports on the power station, turning them on or off as needed.
This is a small convenience, but it does make the unit easier to manage, especially if it is stored somewhere slightly awkward in the van. Rather than reaching around for buttons or checking switches in the dark, you can control the main functions from your phone.
It is not the kind of feature I would buy a power station for on its own, but in everyday use it does make the setup feel more practical.
Durability in real use
Outdoor equipment tends to get knocked about, especially when it is being moved in and out of a campervan. Durability matters, and this power station has held up well so far.
I have dropped it several times, and it has survived without damage. It continues to work as expected, which gives me confidence in its build quality.
That kind of resilience is important for camping and road-trip gear. It does not need to feel indestructible, but it does need to cope with normal travel use, movement and the occasional mistake.
One issue to be aware of
The main problem I have had is with one of the side lights. It has a habit of turning itself on, which can be irritating at night.
It has not affected the overall performance of the power station, but it is still something worth mentioning. In my case, I solved it by covering the light with a piece of tape so it would not disturb me while sleeping.
It is a small issue rather than a serious fault, but it is exactly the sort of thing you notice more when you are using a piece of kit inside a van or tent overnight.
Value for money
For the price I paid, I have been pleased with the ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station 300W / 288Wh. It feels competitive compared with other brands, and the combination of capacity, size, app control, charging options and durability makes it good value for my use.
It is not without limitations, particularly if you are relying heavily on solar charging in changeable UK weather. But as a compact power station for weekend trips, camping, campervan travel and general outdoor use, it has been a dependable bit of kit.
Final thoughts
The ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station 300W / 288Wh has been a practical addition to my campervan setup. It is small enough to store easily, light enough to move around, and capable enough to keep essential devices charged during short trips.
The solar panel option is useful, but British weather means it is best treated as a helpful extra rather than something to rely on completely. The side light issue is annoying, although easy enough to work around.
Overall, I am happy with the purchase. For anyone looking for a compact and reliable portable power station for camping, road trips or campervan travel, the ALLPOWERS 300W / 288Wh model is a strong option to consider.