Head-to-head test
Anker SOLIX C300 DC vs Anker SOLIX C800 Plus
Real-world runtimes, scenario verdicts, and ownership costs compared — which wins for your use case.
Full profiles: Anker SOLIX C300 DC → · Anker SOLIX C800 Plus →
Written by Wenny ZhengUpdated
Portable Power Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
Spec deltas
Two sizes from Anker's SOLIX C lineup: SOLIX C300 DC at 288Wh, SOLIX C800 Plus at 768Wh. The $449 gap between them buys a fundamentally different tool. One you carry. One you place and leave. The SOLIX C800 Plus has a slight edge, but the margin is close enough that your use case should break the tie.
The SOLIX C800 Plus holds 480Wh more than the SOLIX C300 DC — about 4 hours on a fridge against 2 — a real but modest edge that shows up mainly on longer outages. For camping, tailgating, or keeping devices charged, both have the headroom, so price, weight, and longevity lead the decision instead.
Pick the SOLIX C800 Plus if your primary use is cpap overnight. Go with the SOLIX C300 DC if its specific strengths below line up better with your use. Most buyers stop at the sticker price and miss this: over a full lifespan the SOLIX C300 DC works out to about $0.23/kWh against the SOLIX C800 Plus's $0.28, a gap that compounds in the SOLIX C300 DC's favor the more you cycle it. Keep scrolling for the full breakdown. The scenario verdicts below hold a few surprises.
Bench Notes
What each unit does well, where it falls short, and the trade-offs that matter.
Anker SOLIX C300 DC
At 300W, this unit is strictly for personal electronics (phones, laptops) and small CPAP machines. Do not expect to run kitchen appliances. At only 6.2 lbs, it is exceptionally portable. You can easily carry it one-handed to a campsite or tailgating party.
Strengths
- +Costs $449 less
- +Lighter by 17.8 lb
Trade-offs
- –Weaker inverter (-900W) limits appliance compatibility.
Anker SOLIX C800 Plus
The 1,200W inverter handles most daily devices like laptops, blenders, and TVs, but will struggle with heating elements that require over 1500W. At only 24 lbs, it is exceptionally portable. You can easily carry it one-handed to a campsite or tailgating party.
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Higher AC output
- +Longer warranty
- +Faster solar charging
Trade-offs
- –Substantially more expensive (+$449) than the SOLIX C300 DC.
- –Significantly heavier (+17.8 lbs), making it harder to move.
Will It Power Your Gear?
Scenario math and per-appliance runtimes, modeled from the spec record.
Scenario verdicts
We ran the math on seven real-world scenarios. Here's which unit survives your actual life.
SCN-01 · 2 nights · needs 2,100Wh
Weekend Camping
Two nights off-grid with essential comfort
Neither unit
The SOLIX C300 DC has no AC outlets, so the led lights and box fan in this scenario never plug in — it's a DC station for USB and 12V gear, and no wattage figure changes that, so capacity never gets a say. This is the wrong kind of unit for the job rather than a close call. The SOLIX C800 Plus doesn't have the energy either — 653Wh usable against 2,100Wh, 1,447Wh short — so neither route works.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Phone Charger 15W×6h · LED Lights 40W×8h · Box Fan 75W×14h · CPAP Machine 40W×16h
SCN-02 · 8 hours · needs 1,645Wh
8-Hour Blackout
Keep the essentials running through a night without power
Neither unit
The SOLIX C300 DC has no AC outlets, so the fridge, router + modem and the rest in this scenario never plug in — it's a DC station for USB and 12V gear, and no wattage figure changes that, so capacity never gets a say. This is the wrong kind of unit for the job rather than a close call. The SOLIX C800 Plus doesn't have the energy either — 653Wh usable against 1,645Wh, 992Wh short — so neither route works.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Fridge 150W×8h · Router + Modem 20W×8h · LED Lights (4 bulbs) 40W×6h · Phone Charger 15W×3h
SCN-03 · 8 hours · needs 320Wh
CPAP Overnight
Sleep therapy without interruption — the #1 medical use case
SOLIX C800 Plus
The SOLIX C300 DC doesn't finish — 245Wh usable against the 320Wh this needs leaves it 75Wh short, about 76% of the scenario covered. The SOLIX C800 Plus covers it with 333Wh to spare.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD CPAP Machine 40W×8h
SCN-04 · 8 hours · needs 910Wh
Remote Workday
Full work day off-grid without power anxiety
Neither unit
The SOLIX C300 DC has no AC outlets, so the external monitor and router + modem in this scenario never plug in — it's a DC station for USB and 12V gear, and no wattage figure changes that, so capacity never gets a say. This is the wrong kind of unit for the job rather than a close call. The SOLIX C800 Plus doesn't have the energy either — 653Wh usable against 910Wh, 257Wh short — so neither route works.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Laptop 60W×8h · External Monitor 30W×8h · Router + Modem 20W×8h · Phone Charger 15W×2h
SCN-05 · 4 hours · needs 670Wh
Tailgate Party
Game day power for the crew
Neither unit
The SOLIX C300 DC has no AC outlets, so the blender and led tv in this scenario never plug in — it's a DC station for USB and 12V gear, and no wattage figure changes that, so capacity never gets a say. This is the wrong kind of unit for the job rather than a close call. The SOLIX C800 Plus doesn't have the energy either — 653Wh usable against 670Wh, 17Wh short — so neither route works.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Blender 400W×0.5h · LED TV (55") 80W×4h · Bluetooth Speaker 15W×4h · Phone Charger (×3) 45W×2h
SCN-06 · 24 hours · needs 4,685Wh
Van Life Daily
A full day of mobile living — the ultimate endurance test
Neither unit
The SOLIX C300 DC has no AC outlets, so the mini-fridge, led lights and the rest in this scenario never plug in — it's a DC station for USB and 12V gear, and no wattage figure changes that, so capacity never gets a say. This is the wrong kind of unit for the job rather than a close call. The SOLIX C800 Plus doesn't have the energy either — 653Wh usable against 4,685Wh, 4,032Wh short — so neither route works.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Mini-Fridge 150W×24h · Laptop 60W×4h · Phone Charger 15W×3h · LED Lights 40W×5h · Fan 75W×8h
SCN-07 · an afternoon · needs 100Wh
Afternoon Off-Grid
Phones and a speaker at the park, beach, or campsite — the small-unit job description
Either unit
This row is here for the SOLIX C300 DC's class of job: phones and a speaker, 100Wh across an afternoon. Both cover it — the SOLIX C300 DC finishes at 41% used, and the SOLIX C800 Plus barely notices it. For this job the SOLIX C800 Plus's extra capacity is dead weight, not headroom; at 6.2 lbs the SOLIX C300 DC is the one you'll be glad you brought.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Phone Charger (×2) 30W×2h · Bluetooth Speaker 10W×4h
The Load Test
RUNTIME = (Wh × 0.85) ÷ LOAD
None of the scenarios above exactly yours? Build it. Toggle what you'd plug in; both units are tested against the combined draw.
Essentials
Comfort & Convenience
High-Draw Appliances
Test duration
8h
Continuous draw
205W
Projected runtime
Only the SOLIX C800 Plus can run this load — the SOLIX C300 DC has no AC outlets for the wall-plug gear in it.
$649 list · direct from Anker
Planning for more than this? Describe your whole setup and get it sized →
Modeled from the spec record — same math as the tables below. Methodology
Runtime by appliance
Real-world runtime estimates for common appliances, modeled at 85% inverter efficiency.¹
Essentials
The basics you need runningscale 0–43.5hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0–8.7hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limitsscale 0–0.7h¹ Runtime = (capacity × 0.85) ÷ appliance watts. Within each group, all bars share one time scale (the group's longest runtime), so lengths are comparable across appliances; identical runtimes collapse into a single blue/orange bar. Actual runtime varies with battery age, temperature, and simultaneous loads — see methodology.
Conclusion
July 10, 2026
Verdict: the SOLIX C800 Plus, on Power Score margin
These two units are closely matched on individual specs, but our Power Score analysis gives the SOLIX C800 Plus the edge with a composite score of 2,117 vs 1,610. One class note: the SOLIX C300 DC is DC-only — its output figure is a USB/12V port total, not an inverter rating, and nothing with a wall plug runs on it.
Overall score margin: 1,610 vs 2,117 — note the SOLIX C300 DC is DC-only, so its output enters the score as a USB/12V port total, not an inverter rating (−31.5%)
List prices as of July 10, 2026. The links below open Anker's current price.
$649.00 · direct from Anker
Last checked 28 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
or check the SOLIX C300 DC price$349.99 list
Written by Wenny Zheng, Portable Power Tester · Station Arena Test Desk · Updated July 10, 2026
Black Friday · 26 days out
Prices to beat:SOLIX C300 DC $200SOLIX C800 Plus $649
We have never seen either discounted, so any real cut would be a first.
Measured Data
Benchmark scores and the full spec record, side by side.
Benchmark scores
Not rated for both units (minimum threshold unmet): UPS, CPAP, Solar Generator, Tailgating.
Full specifications
ᵈ Derived: price ÷ rated capacity. See the data behind our comparisons →
Comparison ToolAdd more power stations, side by sideOpen Tool →How these numbers are produced
Numeric verification
Every figure on this page traces to our spec database or arithmetic on it — no estimated numbers.
Owner claims
Statements about owner experience are cited to published reviews.
Runtime model
Runtime = (rated capacity × 0.85 inverter efficiency) ÷ device wattage. Solar recharge estimates assume panels deliver 70% of rated output. Cold weather, battery age, and stacked loads reduce real-world results.
Power Score
Computed from 14 published spec dimensions, weighted per use-case bench. Higher is better; a unit must meet a bench's minimum threshold to be rated.
See the full weight table and data sourcing on our methodology page →Class ranking (the star rating)
Each unit's star score is a category ranking, not customer reviews — no buyer opinions feed it. We score every station on size-independent quality (value, output, portability, endurance, ports, warranty, and more), then percentile-rank it against the other units in its capacity class, so a class-leading compact unit and a class-leading whole-home unit can both earn 5★. Here, SOLIX C300 DC rates 4.4/5 (67th percentile of 25 Personal-class units), and SOLIX C800 Plus rates 3.8/5 (32nd percentile of 20 Compact-class units).
How the class ranking is computed →Test Notes & Caveats
Hidden gotchas and advantages we spotted that you won't find on the product page.
SOLIX C800 Plus: 45dB Published
45dB is about as loud as a running refrigerator. It is Anker's own rating rather than a reading on a shared bench — makers differ on whether they quote a best case or a figure under load, so treat it as a starting point rather than what you would hear at a bedside. For most people, fan noise around 45dB and up is where sleep starts to suffer.
SOLIX C300 DC: No AC Outlets At All
The SOLIX C300 DC's 300W is a DC port total — USB and 12V — not an inverter rating. Anything with a wall plug (a fridge, a TV, a coffee maker, most fans and lamps) never plugs in, at any wattage. That's the design, not a defect: it buys weight, silence, and efficiency for phone, laptop, camera, and 12V-CPAP loads. The SOLIX C800 Plus carries a real inverter behind 5 AC outlets, so it plays in both worlds. Decide which side of that line your gear lives on before weighing anything else on this page.
Only the SOLIX C800 Plus Lists a UPS Mode
The SOLIX C800 Plus can sit between the wall and your gear and hand it to battery when the grid drops — rated ≤20ms — fine on paper for routers and most electronics; the fussiest PC power supplies sit right at this line. Worth it for a router, a desktop PC, or a CPAP. The SOLIX C300 DC's spec sheet lists no UPS mode, so anything plugged into it rides an outage only as far as your reaction time.
Warranty: 5 Years vs 3
The SOLIX C800 Plus is covered for 5 years against the SOLIX C300 DC's 3 years. The cheaper SOLIX C300 DC does buy more warranty per dollar (15 years per $1,000 against 7.7), but that is a statement about price, not about coverage — if a fault appears in year 4, only one of these is still covered. An underrated factor if you're keeping this unit for years.
SOLIX C300 DC: Noise Level Not Disclosed
The SOLIX C800 Plus publishes its noise level (45dB); the SOLIX C300 DC doesn't publish one. That isn't evidence the SOLIX C300 DC is louder — it means there's no figure to hold it to, and no way to compare the two on this without hearing them. If you're buying for a bedroom, a CPAP, or an apartment, treat the SOLIX C800 Plus's 45dB as the only published number on the table — a spec-sheet figure, not a measurement — and look for hands-on reports of the SOLIX C300 DC before deciding.
Full record above — the Test Desk pick is the SOLIX C800 Plus.
Check SOLIX C800 Plus price →or check the SOLIX C300 DC priceOwnership Analysis
What happens after you buy — true cost of ownership, brand trust, and growth potential.
Lifetime value
Service lifeyears at one full cycle per day
Lifetime energy delivered
Cost per delivered kWh
│ warranty ends · Reaching the cycle rating means ~80% capacity remains — degraded, not dead.
Analyst note
Both units have similar long-term ownership costs ($0.23/kWh vs $0.28/kWh). The price difference is what you see on the sticker — neither is a hidden bargain or rip-off. One thing to know reading the table: both carry the same 3,000-cycle rating, so the lifetime rows are sticker price and capacity in disguise — the wear horizon is identical and decides nothing here.
Growth path
SOLIX C300 DC
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 288Wh, with no expansion — so size it for your needs up front rather than planning to add capacity later.
Accepts up to 100W of solar. Limited to a single portable panel.
Adequate ports for most setups, but heavy users may want a power strip.
SOLIX C800 Plus
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 768Wh, with no expansion — so size it for your needs up front rather than planning to add capacity later.
Accepts up to 300W of solar. Limited to a single portable panel.
Adequate ports for most setups, but heavy users may want a power strip.
Realistic full solar rechargeat 70% of rated panel output — see methodology
Analyst note
Neither expands, and that's no knock on either — each is a complete unit at a fixed size. Buy the capacity that covers your needs now (the SOLIX C800 Plus gives you the larger ceiling); you can't add to either later.
The Bottom Line
The full picture comes down to this. The SOLIX C800 Plus edges ahead on our overall analysis, but the margin is narrow enough that your specific use case should drive the decision. Review the scenario verdicts above — if the SOLIX C300 DC wins in the scenarios that match your life, it's the right choice regardless of aggregate scores.
If neither the SOLIX C300 DC nor the SOLIX C800 Plus feels like the right fit, your power needs probably sit outside what these two target. If you're planning whole-home backup or running power-hungry appliances (electric heaters, window AC), you'll want a larger system in the 3,000–5,000Wh range with expansion battery support. Prices on portable power stations fluctuate frequently. Both Anker discount regularly, so check the current price before committing. Prime Day and Black Friday pricing typically drops 20-30%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
Is the SOLIX C800 Plus worth $449 more than the SOLIX C300 DC?
The short answer: yes, if you'll actually use the extra capability. The SOLIX C800 Plus costs $449 more, but that premium buys you 480Wh more battery capacity (that's 3 extra hours of running a mini-fridge); 900W higher AC output (opening the door to more demanding appliances); 200W faster solar charging for quicker off-grid recovery. On a cost-per-watt-hour basis, you're paying $0.85/Wh vs $0.69/Wh. For regular use, we'd pay the premium.
Can I actually carry the SOLIX C800 Plus, or is the SOLIX C300 DC the only portable option?
The SOLIX C300 DC at 6.2 lbs is genuinely grab-and-go. Toss it in a backpack, carry it one-handed to a picnic, take it on a boat. The SOLIX C800 Plus at 24 lbs is a different story. It's like carrying a large suitcase full of books. If you're setting up and breaking down camp frequently, this weight difference will exhaust you by day two.
Can I use the SOLIX C800 Plus as a home UPS to protect my electronics during blackouts?
Yes. The SOLIX C800 Plus has UPS mode with true 0ms switchover (double-conversion). Even hospital-grade equipment won't notice. Plug in your desktop PC, router, NAS, or CPAP machine and it switches to battery seamlessly when the grid drops. The SOLIX C300 DC does not have this feature. Without UPS, a blackout means: your PC reboots (potentially corrupting unsaved work), your NAS may corrupt its drive array, your CPAP alarms and wakes you up, and your security cameras go dark until you manually switch them over. If always-on power protection matters, this is a dealbreaker advantage for the SOLIX C800 Plus.
Bottom line: should I buy the SOLIX C300 DC or the SOLIX C800 Plus?
We'd pay the premium for the SOLIX C800 Plus. Yes, it costs more. The capability jump is real: you're stepping into a tier that handles appliances the base model can't start. The SOLIX C300 DC is still solid if budget is the priority, but the SOLIX C800 Plus will leave you less likely to wish you'd "gone bigger" six months from now. That regret costs more than the price difference.
Where to buy
Anker SOLIX C300 DC
$349.99
$349.99 · direct from Anker
Last checked 28 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Anker SOLIX C800 PlusPick
$649.00
$649.00 · direct from Anker
Last checked 28 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.