Customer reviews from goalzero.com
Goal Zero - Sherpa 100 PD Portable Charger for Most USB Devices - Silver
Average customer rating
3.1
(21 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 21 reviews
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
2
1 Star
6
44%of customers recommend this product.
(
8 out of
18)
Customer Reviews for Goal Zero - Sherpa 100 PD Portable Charger for Most USB Devices - Silver
Customer Rating
1
Disappointing paperweight
on October 17, 2024
Posted by: P nor
from Oslo
Gender:Male
Does not hold what it promises (six charges of iPhone) Only able to charge iPhone twice before it depletes completely.
Would not recommend anybody to spend this much on a paperweight
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Posted by: Fred1969
from Port Orchard, WA
Gender:Male
Verified Purchase:Yes
My wife was stopped in Bucharest to inspect the battery. Cleared and ready to fly. Also the battery was very useful on her travels many time without access to power.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
5
Solid power bank in a sturdy package, but pricey
on December 2, 2022
Posted by: Michael Y
Gender:Male
The Sherpa saved me a few weekends ago while camping at ice-covered Yosemite. Temperatures had dipped to below freezing at night, and throughout the day and evening, my Samsung Galaxy S21+ phone kept complaining of moisture. The well-meaning feature tries to minimize phone damage from potential exposure to condensation while charging, but it sometimes gets it wrong like it did during that entire trip. A dead phone would have meant the end of taking pictures and videos of my son, friends, and the beautiful winter landscape.
I had an Anker power bank with me, but charging through USB was no longer an option with my phone. Sherpa's built-in, 15W wireless charging saved the day by getting the phone filled up quickly within the limited amount of time we spent around camp. Hardly any other 100Wh power bank I used charged this fast wirelessly.
Externally, the Sherpa 100PD is rugged and well-built for the outdoors where dependability is a requirement for me. It is worth noting that Goal Zero provides a 2-year warranty.
One of my favorite features is the color LCD showing, like its Yeti X power stations, the amount of energy going in and/or out and how much time is remaining to full or empty, respectively. Do note that wireless charging is a huge battery waster due to energy conversion -- use wired USB whenever possible for the best efficiency and to get the most charge out of the Sherpa.
How much energy a battery can store is measured in Wh (Watt-hours), and how much power is used or produced in W (Watts). The Sherpa 100PD has 94.7Wh (equivalent to 25,600mAh @ 3.7V). If a USB light bulb uses 5W per hour, it could be continuously used up to 18.9 hours (94.7Wh / 5W).
Sherpa's batteries are made with Li-ion NMC. They are more volatile (and potentially dangerous) than Li-ion LiFePO4 -- but that is not as much of a concern at the lower 100Wh capacity. NMC lose 20-25% capacity after every 500 charging cycle and could theoretically last 6-10 years with diminishing capacity over time. NMC batteries are smaller, lighter, and more expensive to manufacture than LiFePO4.
For air travel, airlines have different policies for what battery capacity you can bring on board. TSA and FAA both allow up to 100Wh and, with airline approval, up to 2 power banks of 100Wh max each. The Sherpa's 94.7Wh fits well within that guideline. United allows 300Wh, Southwest 160Wh, but check with the relevant authorities to be certain before you travel.
Sherpa 100PD can both be charged and be used to charge other devices via USB-C. There is an "In/Out/Auto" switch at the back that controls how the USB-C port should operate. By default, it is set to Auto, but sometimes, it can choose the wrong mode. For example, I wanted to have it charge my camping light, but it instead used the light's battery to charge itself. I had to flip the Sherpa's switch to "Out". You may have to do the same when trying to charge a laptop battery. If you wanted to have another battery charge the Sherpa, you would have to switch to "In" ("Auto" may also work).
It can be charged via USB-C at up to 60W with a wall charger, solar panel, or car plug. Goal Zero's own car plug can charge at 60W or 120W, depending on your car's capability, and is one of my favorite accessories to charge power stations and battery banks with. Hardly any other manufacturer offers that, and it makes me question why GZ does not promote that excellent product more.
It can output up to 100W to a compatible device with the right USB-C cable. Its USB-A ports can go up to a quick-charging 12W.
The Sherpa 100PD is a pricey power bank with features that many others, including popular Anker, do not provide. Whether it is worth the price tag depends on how you plan to use it. Its biggest selling points, in my opinion, are ruggedness for the outdoors with fast wireless charging capability and USB-C PD 100W output.
The more expensive Sherpa 100AC model has an extra USB-C PD 60W output port, a 100W AC inverter to power devices using an AC plug, and can be solar-charged with its 8mm port. It essentially is a mini power station akin to its Yeti X siblings, but at its current price tag, it makes it difficult to recommend for most users who do not require "power station" functionality in a small form factor.
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
1
Solar charging is painfully slow
on August 8, 2023
Posted by: Zsolt
from Colorado
Gender:Male
It is not clear (highlighted) in the description that with the USB charging out put of the solar panel you may get up to 9-10W charge max. Sherpa 100PD may work for someone who will care it only with wall charger, but not for extended outdoor trips where you would use the 20W solar charger. Given poor rating because it does not work well for solar applications.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
2
Nice features but performance is disappointing
on November 15, 2023
Posted by: Berticus
from Canada
Gender:Male
I've had this unit for a few months now and have had some opportunities to use it out in the field all day. Generally speaking, the features are nice. I like the display and readout, and having the different USB ports and wireless charging option is great.
Performance wise it's a bit lacking. Biggest issue is, anytime the USB-C port is used whether for input or output, the unit quickly overheats. The little overheat icon comes on and it does get quite hot to the touch. This is terrible when carrying it in a backpack while charging a device.
I also have a Nomad 5 solar panel and it's completely incapable of charging the Sherpa as the battery seems to lose more energy from heat that it gains from the panel. Even with the panel in full sun connected to this battery, it still loses charge. Really disappointing.
Because of the overheat problem, it really limits how long and often I can use it.
Performance wise it's a bit lacking. Biggest issue is, anytime the USB-C port is used whether for input or output, the unit quickly overheats. The little overheat icon comes on and it does get quite hot to the touch. This is terrible when carrying it in a backpack while charging a device.
I also have a Nomad 5 solar panel and it's completely incapable of charging the Sherpa as the battery seems to lose more energy from heat that it gains from the panel. Even with the panel in full sun connected to this battery, it still loses charge. Really disappointing.
Because of the overheat problem, it really limits how long and often I can use it.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
3
USB-C port drops this high quality product down 1.
on July 9, 2023
Posted by: SLC local
from Slc Utah
Gender:Male
I have had my unit for 2 1/2 weeks and really love it. Multiple charges of my cell phones while driving my work vehicle around throughout my shift I can probably charge my phone 6 to 8 times before the battery drops to 70% which is fantastic. The USB-C port, however, is the only flaw I have found in my short time having this product. It comes dislodged very easy and if you don’t pay attention you think your phone is charging and it is not.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Customer Rating
1
Another failing product
on February 11, 2024
Posted by: Baldwin
from Fort Walton Beach
Gender:Male
I own at least eight different Goal Zero products, 70% have failed on me for no good reason. Bought the Sherpa 100PD less than two years ago, used it about four times and now it does not even take a charge. I am going to try to get a replacement but I am DONE with Goal Zero products. Not dependable at all. I have been stranded in desert with brand new gear that does not work, no fun.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com
Posted by: MHammm
from Dayton OH
Gender:Male
Verified Purchase:Yes
I purchased a month or so ago so I could keep my macbook pro charged while away from power. So far it has worked great. I am a little unsure that I could squeeze two full charges out of it, but I have not needed to. I also have a Yeti 200x and Nomad 50 to utilize also. I have seen some reviews about the auto selection for input/output. Mine has worked as it should no problem, but Goal Zero also acknowledges the possibility of this happening and it’s as easy as flipping the switch to your desired function. It is fairly compact and a little heavy, but I love it and it feels solid. I could certainly do without the wireless charging function as I have never been into wireless charging. Everything gets too hot in my opinion regardless of what device or charger. I wish they had the option to not include wireless in a Sherpa.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting goalzero.com