Anker made a name for itself by making reliable chargers and power banks. Now, though, the company has moved into portable power stations that are strong enough to compete with well-known brands like EcoFlow and Jackery. The Solix C1000 (gen 2) can provide 2,000W of continuous power and 3,000W of peak power which is more than the first generation model (which could only provide 1,800W).
The original version is now $436 instead of its usual $799, but the Gen 2 is actually cheaper at $371 instead of $549 which makes it the better deal even though it has more power. The Solix C1000 Gen 2 is the best portable power stations you can buy on Amazon right now and no other competitor offers a better price-to-wattage ratio.
Power Output That Can Handle Real Appliances in the Home
The 2,000-watt continuous output means you can run big appliances that cheaper power stations can’t handle, like full-size refrigerators, microwave ovens, power tools, and space heaters. The 3,000-watt surge capacity kicks in when devices need more power to start up: This is important because many motors and compressors use a lot more power in those first few seconds than they do when they’re running normally. This extra space makes sure that your refrigerator doesn’t trip the station when the compressor turns on and that your circular saw doesn’t stop working when you hit a knot in the wood.
The LiFePO4 battery has 1,024 watt-hours of energy, which is enough to keep a normal refrigerator running for 12 to 15 hours during a power outage or power a laptop for several full workdays when you’re off-grid.
LiFePO4 battery chemistry has a lot of advantages over the lithium-ion cells found in cheaper batteries. For example, they last longer and can be charged more times before their capacity starts to drop. These batteries also work better in extreme temperatures than regular lithium-ion batteries as they can keep working in the cold when other power stations would fail. Anker says this battery can be charged more than 3,000 times before its capacity drops to 80% which means you could use it regularly for years before you notice any significant wear and tear.
The ability to charge quickly in 49 minutes sounds too good to be true, but you’ll see how much it changes the game when you use it. Plugging the Solix C1000 into a wall outlet during lunch will charge it all the way up before you go outside to work or camp for the afternoon. This quick recharge means that you don’t have to charge it overnight like older portable power stations did which makes it much more useful for last-minute trips or emergencies when you need power right away. Solar charging makes the station even more flexible, but you’ll have to buy solar panels separately because they don’t come with the unit.
There are a lot of ways to connect to different devices. For example, there are AC outlets for regular household appliances, USB-C ports for laptops and phones, USB-A ports for older devices, and a 12V car outlet for car accessories. The LCD screen shows the current power draw, the percentage of battery life left, and the estimated runtime based on how you’re using it right now. This lets you make smart decisions about how much power you use.
When you think about what you’re actually getting for $371, a portable power station is a great deal. The original Solix C1000 was a good deal at $436, but the Gen 2 is even better because it costs less and has more power – and this is one of those rare times when the newer model costs less than the older one.