Verdict
This pocket-size power station is far easier than most to lug around , and it ’s surprisingly well process by porthole and other feature . On the flip side , the Anker Solix C300 does n’t have the oomph for base use . It ’s a good choice where portability is predominate , and you do n’t need powerful mains ports . However , if you’re able to inhabit without them altogether , the DC - only reading is a cheaper , even more portable selection .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
This petite power station is about the modest you ’ll find with two AC baron ports . Anker ’s Solix C300 is plan to be thickset and portable , and to cater just enough electricity for a brace of people camping over the weekend .
The Anker Solix C300 can store 288 W hours ( Wh ) of electricity , which is about enough to charge a laptop and two phone twice over . Crammed into its front panel you ’ll find one USB - A and three USB - C larboard , two of which are rated for a monumental 140 watts ( W ) . There ’s also a car magnate socket and a handy light .
I ’m testing the regular C300 , which come with two AC exponent ports , together rank for a maximal 300W. That ’s not a good deal : while well enough for almost any laptop – and other low-pitched - great power devices like sports fan or most tv – it ’s far short of the kilowatt or more you ’d need to move travel Fe , kettles or toasters .
Image credit: Trusted Reviews
If you do n’t need mains ports , there ’s a DC - only version : the Anker Solix C300 DC . This has a bigger , pop - up Inner Light and a few more USB porthole , but it can neither supply nor be charged by mains power . The DC option gets a three - year warrant , whereas this AC version comes with Anker ’s usual five years .
Design and Features
Anker say that the Solix C300 is 30 % smaller than contend king stations . While that might be a svelte magnification , it ’s impressively clear and compact for a gimmick pack this much ability reposition . At 4.1 kg and with a chunky , moulded handle built into the top , it ’s genuinely possible to carry it for some metre . It ’s not peanut , though – it would total heft to a packsack , and although there are loop for a carrying strap you wo n’t find one in the loge .
The Anker Solix C300 ’s upright stance might look a lilliputian odd , but its small footprint could be an advantage in a cramp collapsible shelter , or where you ’ve specify space on a fold - out mesa . It ’s interesting to liken the C300 with theAnker PowerHouse 521 . That theoretical account has somewhat less energy entrepot , slower charging , and fewer , less knock-down ports , yet it weighs 400 g more and is very slightly bigger .
With the exception of the mains input port on the odd side , all of the C300 ’s ports and features are gain on its front dialog box . At the root word you ’ll find the two power sockets , whose sideways predilection makes cable direction easier , but could be an issue if you have a marvelous main adaptor you want to plug in . Above you ’ll find the car power wall socket , which in this case is n’t protected by the rubber eraser spile I ’m used to seeing on portable power station .
Image credit: Trusted Reviews
Among the Anker Solix C300 ’s most interesting features are its USB interface . There ’s only one 12W USB - A time slot , which could be a problem if you have a few older devices . The first USB - C port is rat only for 15W , so it ’s most suitable for overnight charging duties on a smartphone . The rest two are USB - C world power deliverance ( PD ) ports rated for a pound 140W each – ideal for fast - level laptop , phones , or drone pipe . The primal one is two - direction , so you’re able to use it with a suitably sinewy USB - carbon ability adapter to reload the C300 at up to 140W.
You might notice from my photos that the two - way USB - C interface is mounted above this index station ’s solar remark port . There ’s a movable cover song that prevents you from using both at the same time , so you ca n’t charge from USB and solar at once . The solar port double as a connexion for in - car charging , but unfortunately there ’s no hint supplied – it cost about £ 24 .
Like other Anker power stations , the Solix C300 has an built-in light . Here , it ’s light and has a cool colour temperature , but you ’ll obtain three luminousness stage , along with an ‘ SOS ’ mode that really spells ‘ SO ’ .
Image credit: Trusted Reviews
you’re able to consider most point of the Anker Solix C300 via its low but elaborate screen . This shows you the stamp battery ’ current state , whether they ’re charging or discharge , and how long you have until they ’re full or empty . You ’ll also see how much power is go out via the briny or USB porthole , and how much is amount in from main , solar or USB charging .
The C300 connects via Bluetooth or Wi - Fi to Anker ’s utilitarian app , through which you could see more item , such as the power come into or going out of each single embrasure , plus the shelling temperature . Here you could also shift the AC and automobile power interface on and off , and change the rate at which the unit charge from the mains , but you ca n’t schedule charging , or set the output port to turn on at a given time . you’re able to , however , set an off timekeeper for the car or mains ports once they ’re on .
Charging
When it comes to charging , the Anker Solix C300 is a highly flexible twist . Mains charge defaults to the maximal 330W , but you could lower it to 200W or just 100W – good if you have a very limited electrical hookup , or you just want to extend the barrage fire ’ life-time . As mentioned , you could appoint up to 140W from USB , or 120W from a car cigarette input . It ’s a real pity that Anker does n’t include the cable for this , as the C300 ’s modest battery capacity mean you ’d only need to get for two and a half hour before it was full .
There are a couple of other things of short letter . First , you ca n’t combine main and USB / solar charging to fill up the batteries more rapidly : the C300 switches to briny - only charging as soon as AC power is uncommitted .
The other is that this power post ’s solar input is restrict to 100 James Watt at 28 volts – be certain to purchase compatible panels , along with the necessary transmission line . In sodding conditions , you could recharge from the sunlight in three hours , and in less - than - perfect stipulation , you ’d still be able-bodied to eke out any survive charge for longer .
I emptied the C300 ’s batteries , then reload it from the briny at 330W. This rent 66 minutes , and have 333Wh . assume that took the 288Wh battery from totally empty to totally full , it match to a comely efficiency of 86.5 % . repeat at 200W , charge consumed 335Wh ( 86 % ) , and at 100W it take 343Wh ( 84 % ) . The C300 remained reasonably coolheaded , and there was barely any fan noise .
Performance
We always try out top executive station as near as potential to their maximum specifications . I ’ve never antecedently had any issues with Anker gimmick , but the C300 was n’t perfect . While it mirthfully provide a changeless 120W or 200W until its batteries were exhausted , I could n’t get it to supply the rated 300W.
I usually apply a steady AC load to a power station by connecting one or more other king banks , set to the required charging rate . In this casing , I used theAnker Solix F2000 , which you’re able to go under to reload at several rate including 200W and 300W. At 300W , the C300 cut out directly under load , then endeavor to resume its mains superpower yield before cutting out again , remaining stick in that loop .
I hear the Anker Solix C300 with other low - medium power equipment , including two MeacoDry dehumidifiers , but these cause the same issue . To be comely , compressor often have a big might spike heel as they start , but even when I used beltway power to ride this out , the C300 was unable to keep enough mightiness to keep them running . Having dominate out an issue with unmistakable big businessman ( electrical energy supplied to a machine , but not really used ) , I had to use a combination of devices to get as close as I could to 300W – the C300 was fine with these , supply a constant 255W.
I ’ve commonly got away with momently overloading king supplies by a few per centum , and in a couple of cases I ’ve accidentally done so by a lot . However , my results intimate that while the C300 might be able to provide 300W , it does n’t have much headroom . If I were buying the C300 , I would n’t design to use it with anything other than the lightest - duty mains devices .
I was n’t able to test the Anker Solix C300 at its maximal USB load , but it was happy to supply a total well above 100W to a mix of gimmick . prove with a constant 60W load , it deliver 269Wh from a full direction – a strong efficiency of 93.4 % . Unsurprisingly , given the smash of running an inverter from a comparatively small battery pack , it was less efficient when providing AC superpower . From a full charge , the C300 provided 240Wh at a constant 100W , 238Wh at a constant 200W ( 82.64 % efficiency ) , and 233Wh with a 255W load .
compare the amount of energy I put in with what I could by and by take out , this magnate supplying managed a fair 80.8 % rotund - trip efficiency over its DC output , but only 71.5 % when using the AC port . That ’s some way below the skillful , which can typically go above 80 % efficiency for both .
Image credit: Trusted Reviews
As an indication of value , I divide a power station ’s price by how much electrical energy it might be able to stack away over a life-time . Anker says the C300 can store 288Wh on each charge , and that its battery will still have at least 80 % of that capability after 3,000 kick cycles . Assuming the cells demean in a linear elbow room , that mean the C300 could put in 778 kilowatt time of day ( kWh ) , which works out at a cost of 35p per kWh . That ’s on the gamy side , but not unreasonably so for a supply in this class . However , if you are debate the C300 , you might want to expect until it ’s available with one of Anker ’s regular discounts .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
This is a great small office supply in most agency . If you do n’t have need main baron needs , it could be ideal for weekend away .
The Solix 300C can provide mains electricity , but not much of it . If you have more potent equipment you ’ll need a big major power post .
Final Thoughts
This is a bright packaged force supply with plenty of in effect features . It ’s genuinely portable , hold a sane amount of mightiness , and has a great range of well - specified ports . That hit it a good choice if you call for a fashion to keep equipment running over a camping weekend , where its light will total in very handy , too .
That enjoin , I ’d in person give the Anker SOLIX C300 a miss . Its power sockets do n’t have the puff to power convenience items like a travelling kettle , so unless you need them for low power devices that ca n’t take over USB power , they ’re just adding size and system of weights . The smaller , light C300 DC does without AC port altogether – if you could , too , it ’s likely to be the better choice .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every battery place we refresh thoroughly over an prolonged period of time . We utilize received trial run to equate features in good order . We ’ll always tell you what we get hold . We never , ever , accept money to review a mathematical product .
happen out more about how we try in ourethics policy .
FAQs
Anker usually says that its power stations are plan to last for 10 years , and that their battery will retain 80 % of their original capacity after 3,000 cycles . full turn on and discharge every day , and that ’s more than eight year ! Each tycoon post is backed up with a five - year warrantee , too .
Anker ’s SOLIX range contain example designed for bivouacking and backup power in the home base . While high - end models like the F2000 and F3800 can power laundry and kitchen gismo , they ’re not design to provide backup mains electrical energy for the whole sign of the zodiac .
Test Data
Full Specs
Image credit: Trusted Reviews
Image credit: Trusted Reviews
Image credit: Trusted Reviews
Image credit: Trusted Reviews
Image credit: Trusted Reviews
Image credit: Trusted Reviews
