anker solix c300
Anker SOLIX C300:
The Versatile
300Wh All-Rounder
299Wh LiFePO4, 300W output (600W surge), 58-minute fast charging, and Anker's signature build quality — the most well-rounded small station.
product photo
The "Everyday Carry" Test
Most power stations live in a closet until you need them. The C300 lives on my desk. I use it as a UPS for my work computer, as a charger for my phone and watch, and as a backup for my CPAP when I travel. In six months, I've drained it completely maybe twice. It's not the biggest or the smallest — it's the most usable.
⚡ 58-Minute Fast Charging
0-80% in 50 minutes, 100% in 58 minutes. Nearly as fast as the River 2.
🔋 299Wh LFP
3,000 cycles — a decade of daily use.
📱 2x 100W USB-C
Charge two laptops at full speed simultaneously.
🏗️ Anker Build Quality
Best-in-class materials and fit/finish.
What We Love
- 58-minute charging — among the fastest in its class
- 2x 100W USB-C — charge two laptops, fast
- 8.2 lbs — light enough for a backpack
- Sub-10ms UPS — fast enough for PCs and CPAPs
- Pass-through charging — use while charging
- Anker app is excellent — clean, reliable, intuitive
- Built-in LED light with multiple modes
- 3,000-cycle LFP battery — will last a decade
- 5-year warranty — Anker stands behind it
The Honest Drawbacks
- Only 299Wh — enough for a day, not for extended off-grid
- Single AC outlet — need a power strip for multiple devices
- 600W surge only — won't run larger appliances
- No expansion — what you buy is what you get
- Solar input only 100W — slower than competitors
- More expensive than River 2 ($329 vs $299)
- Fan noise noticeable above 200W (40dB)
The Direct Comparison: C300 vs River 2 vs Explorer 300 Plus
These three are the top small stations. Here's how they stack up:
- Charging speed: River 2 (1 hour) ≈ C300 (58 min) > Explorer 300 Plus (4 hours)
- Portability: River 2 (7.7 lbs) > C300 (8.2 lbs) > Explorer 300 Plus (9.1 lbs)
- USB-C power: C300 (2x 100W) > River 2 (1x 100W) > Explorer 300 Plus (1x 60W)
- UPS performance: C300 (sub-10ms) > Explorer 300 Plus (20ms) > River 2 (30ms)
- Cold weather: Explorer 300 Plus (best) > C300 (good) > River 2 (shuts down below freezing)
- Price: River 2 ($299) < C300 ($329) < Explorer 300 Plus ($349)
The C300 is the best all-rounder. It's not the cheapest, lightest, or fastest in any single category — but it's top-tier in every category.
⚡ The USB-C Advantage Matters
The C300 has two 100W USB-C ports. That means you can charge two MacBook Pros simultaneously at full speed. The River 2 has one 100W port. The Explorer 300 Plus has one 60W port (and needs an adapter for 100W). For laptop users, this is a real differentiator.
The Surprise: Best-In-Class UPS
I use the C300 as a UPS for my work computer. In six months, I've had three power flickers. My computer didn't blink — the sub-10ms switchover is legit. The River 2 (30ms) would have rebooted my PC. The Explorer 300 Plus (20ms) might have. For desk use, this matters.
What No One Tells You
The C300's solar input is only 100W. That means a full solar recharge takes 5-6 hours. The River 2 (110W) is similar, but the Explorer 300 Plus (100W) is the same. None of these are great for solar. If solar is your primary charging method, buy a larger station with higher input.
Also, the single AC outlet is limiting. At $329, I shouldn't need to carry a power strip. Anker should have added a second outlet.
⚠️ 600W Surge — Not for Appliances
The C300 can surge to 600W, but that's still not enough for a microwave (1,200W), hair dryer (1,800W), or space heater (1,500W). This is for laptops, phones, CPAPs, and small electronics — not for kitchen appliances.
Where to Buy
Excellent — A True All-Rounder| Specification | Anker SOLIX C300 |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 299Wh (LiFePO₄) – not expandable |
| AC Output (Continuous/Surge) | 300W (600W surge) – pure sine wave |
| UPS Switchover | Sub-10ms (certified for sensitive electronics) |
| Max Solar Input | 100W (11-28V, 8A max) |
| AC Charging (HyperFlash) | 0-80% in 50 min, 0-100% in 58 min |
| AC Charging Input | 120W max |
| AC Outlets | 1x NEMA 5-15 |
| USB-C Ports | 2x 100W (Power Delivery 3.0) |
| USB-A Ports | 2x 12W |
| 12V Outputs | Cigarette lighter (120W) + 2x DC5521 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (10W pad on top) |
| Built-in Light | Yes (LED with SOS/steady/strobe) |
| Pass-Through Charging | Yes (use while charging) |
| Battery Lifespan | 3,000 cycles to 80% |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) |
| Dimensions | 8.7 x 5.5 x 5.2 inches |
| Warranty | 5 years |
⚡ 2x 100W USB-C — Best in Class
The C300 has two 100W USB-C ports. That's unique at this size. You can charge two MacBook Pros, two high-end laptops, or a laptop and a tablet simultaneously at full speed. The River 2 has one 100W port. The Explorer 300 Plus has one 60W port. This is a real advantage.
AC Fast Charging — 58 Minutes to Full
The C300 pulls 120W from a wall outlet, hitting 80% in 50 minutes and a full charge in 58 minutes. That's slightly faster than the River 2 (60 minutes) and dramatically faster than the Explorer 300 Plus (4 hours).
Solar Charging — Adequate but Slow
With 100W max solar input, the C300 recharges fully in about 5-6 hours of peak sun. That's similar to the River 2 and Explorer 300 Plus. None of these small stations are great for solar — if that's your priority, buy a larger unit with higher input.
Pass-Through Charging Works
The C300 supports pass-through charging — you can use the AC outlet while the unit is charging. That's essential for desk UPS use. Your computer stays on while the battery recharges. The River 2 can't do this.
What 300W (and 600W Surge) Gets You
The C300 delivers 300W continuous output with a 600W surge rating. Anker's output is pure sine wave — clean power safe for sensitive electronics. Here's what works:
- ✅ Two laptops (2x 60W) — 2-3 full charges each
- ✅ Smartphones (20W) — 12+ charges
- ✅ CPAP (no humidifier, 55W) — 5+ hours
- ✅ iPad/tablet — 6-7 full charges
- ✅ Portable projector (80W) — 3.5 hours
- ✅ Drone batteries — 5-6 charges
- ✅ Small TV (50W) — 6 hours
- ⚠️ CPAP with humidifier (90W) — 3 hours
- ❌ Hair dryer, microwave, space heater — impossible
The Desk UPS Test
I've used the C300 as a UPS for six months. My work computer (a MacBook Pro connected to a monitor) draws about 80W. The C300 runs it for 3.5 hours after power is cut. And when power returns, the pass-through charging means my computer never loses power while the C300 recharges. This is the best small UPS on the market.
✅ Best-in-Class for Laptop Users
Two 100W USB-C ports + sub-10ms UPS + pass-through charging = the perfect desk companion. No other small station does all three.
💻 Remote Workers / Digital Nomads
2x 100W USB-C + sub-10ms UPS + pass-through charging = perfect desk companion. Keeps two laptops running during outages.
🩺 CPAP Users (Moderate Runtime)
5+ hours without humidifier. Pass-through charging means you can recharge during the day without interrupting use.
✈️ Frequent Travelers
8.2 lbs and compact. Fits in carry-on. Charges two laptops on the go.
🏕️ Weekend Campers (Non-Extreme Cold)
Enough power for lights, phones, speakers, and CPAP. Not for freezing temps (buy Jackery).
❌ Extreme Cold Campers
Buy the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus instead. It handles freezing temps better.
❌ Tight Budget
The EcoFlow River 2 is $30 cheaper and nearly as good. Save the money.
The 2026 Recommendation — C300 vs River 2 vs Explorer 300 Plus
Buy the C300 if: You need 2x 100W USB-C, sub-10ms UPS, and pass-through charging. You want the best all-rounder.
Buy the River 2 if: You're on a budget ($30 cheaper) and don't need 2x 100W USB-C.
Buy the Explorer 300 Plus if: You camp in freezing temperatures.
What Anker Got Right
The C300 is the most well-rounded small power station on the market. Two 100W USB-C ports, sub-10ms UPS, pass-through charging, 58-minute fast charging, and Anker's excellent build quality. It's the station I actually use every day.
What Still Needs Work
Single AC outlet is limiting. 299Wh is enough for a day but not for extended off-grid. Solar input is slow. And it's $30 more than the River 2.
The Verdict
The C300 is the best all-rounder in its class. If you need a small station for desk use, travel, or weekend camping — and you don't camp in extreme cold — buy this. It's not the cheapest, but it's the most capable.
