AllPower R1500 in the test: Robust power station for everyday use with UPS function

Power stations, mobile power storage devices with multiple connection options, supply power not only to USB devices but also to 230-volt consumers. With optionally available photovoltaic panels and integrated solar generators, recharging can also work completely independently, provided you have enough patience and good weather.

Depending on the application, there are compact models for use on the go or very powerful devices with huge, often expandable batteries, which also function as storage for the balcony power plant (guide). Allpower’s R1500 tries to find the happy medium – it is mobile enough and therefore suitable for camping etc., but thanks to its high performance it still supplies more than 90 percent of consumers. Even powerful devices such as kettles, toasters, electric saws and grass trimmers work on the R1500, but with the battery capacity offered, the running time is manageable.

The power station can currently be found on Amazon for 699 euros thanks to a clickable coupon. This test report shows whether Allpower’s R1500 also impresses in practice. The manufacturer provided us with the test device.

In addition to the basic function and reliable security functions of the mobile socket, we particularly liked the following points in the test:

The dark gray and black housing with narrow side ventilation slots leaves a high-quality and solid impression. Carrying it using the handle on the side of the case works perfectly, but you still wouldn’t want to carry it long distances. Since the top is flat, other items can be easily placed on top of the device. The manufacturer took advantage of this and integrated two wireless charging pads of up to 15 watts on the top.

On the right side of the housing are two thick sockets behind a flap for connecting two optionally available additional batteries. On the left side, protected by a flap, are the 3-pin power cable and the fuse and connections for the solar panel or car charger. External power supply is not necessary for charging. According to the instructions, the scope of delivery includes the power cable, an adapter from MC4 to XT60 and a car charging cable.

The controls are clearly arranged on the front. In the top center is a bright, easy-to-read color display that shows the most important data. To the left of this are two 18-watt USB-A sockets and two 100-watt USB-C ports and to the right is a 12-volt port (cigarette lighter) up to 10 A. In addition to the available capacity in percentage, the display also shows the active connection and Bluetooth status, the input and output power as well as the calculated remaining running time. Alternatively, the AllPower app can be used to check data and for some settings. It is up to the user whether the connection to the smartphone works via Bluetooth only in the local area or via WLAN globally.

There are a total of four Schuko sockets protected by rubber covers for up to 1800 watts, including the AC power button on the bottom left. Due to the pure sine wave, the R1500 is also suitable for sensitive consumers. In total, a maximum output of 3000 watts is possible.

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The maximum charging power at the socket is 1500 watts – this means that the power station can be fully charged in just an hour and a half. After about 45 minutes it is 80 percent full. Using a solar panel up to 650 watts is possible. In testing, with the optionally available 200 watt panel, it took us about seven and a half hours to fully charge the battery in good weather.

In our practical tests, we check, among other things, how much of the nominal capacity is actually usable, i.e. how the tools perform in terms of efficiency. We also test technical safety functions such as overload protection. For the latter, we connect consumers that take more power than the R1500. Since there is a plentiful 1800 watts available here, we use a heavy cross-cut saw with a starting current of around 3700 watts. The test takes only one and a half to two seconds and the 230-volt output becomes inoperative. An error message also appears on the display. Low-power tools, such as toasters, grass trimmers, jigsaws or kettles, work without any problems. We test the wireless charging pad with our in-ear headphones, which also works.

To check the actual usable capacity, we run several runs with different levels of power demand. In three runs we were able to draw between 946 Wh and 1031 Wh from a battery with a nominal capacity of 1152 Wh before the power station shut down. We could supply our compressor cool box for the entire weekend using a 12-volt connection. The efficiency is between 82 and almost 90 percent. Overall, a value above average. Other models typically achieve around 80 to 85 percent and we have also seen values ​​well below 70 percent. For the entire charging process, the small power station draws around 1253 Wh from the socket at maximum charging speed. The charging loss in relation to the nominal capacity is therefore around nine percent – an average value.

The uninterruptible power supply advertised by the manufacturer for PCs, smart home components or the like is also reliable in our practical test. The charged power station, which is connected between the socket and the consumer, simply flows electricity without access to the battery. In the event of a power outage, the R1500 switches to the internal power supply in a fraction of a second and the connected consumers continue to work without interruption. This worked in the test with the 3D printer and our gaming PC, but there is a small problem here. In the test, the fans continue to run even without load, i.e. when current flows. The fans sometimes turn on even after charging from the socket. Usually only for a few seconds, but this is annoying and also costs electricity. This is because the 230 volt outputs are always active when the power cable is connected. UPS operation and standby operation required about 10 to 15 watts in the test. In our opinion, the AllPower R1500 is only recommended to a limited extent as a UPS.

Compared to the smaller R600, the larger R1500 performs better overall. The volume is not loud, but the power station is not really inaudible even with moderate USB users. Although the temperature control is functional, the fans are still audible even at low speeds. At 600 watts we measured around 42 dB from a distance of one metre; with more power the background noise rises to around 55 dB. This is a shame, because this device is plenty loud for use in a caravan, bedroom or tent.

The charging time via the power supply can be managed at 90 minutes and is therefore perfectly suitable for everyday use. The manufacturer protects the installed LiFePO4 batteries during the charging process by steadily reducing the charging power at the end of the charging process. The app, which can be used as an option for control, initially seems unimportant, but useful settings can also be made here. For example, you can reduce the charging power or set an automatic switch-off time.

The RRP of the Allpowers R1500 is 999 euros, which seems a bit high. The current actual market price 699 euros (Activate coupon!), however, is fair and reasonable.

The AllPower R1500 is a powerful and economical power station for everyday use. Due to the long-lasting LiFePO4 batteries, the compact solar generator is also suitable for daily use. In addition to the powerful 1800 watts per socket and up to 100 watts via USB-C, the charging power on the socket and solar panel is also impressive. Although the standby consumption as a UPS is very high, the above average efficiency when using mobile is also impressive. The app for important settings and the two wireless charging pads offer additional plus points.