Head-to-head test
Anker SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 vs Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC
Real-world runtimes, scenario verdicts, and ownership costs compared — which wins for your use case.
Full profiles: Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC →
Written by Gunner GustafsonUpdated
Whole-Home Backup Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
Anker
SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000
19,325Power Score · Whole-Home Capable
$12,299.00 · direct from Anker
Last checked 43 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
$249.95 · direct from Goal Zero
Last checked 1 day ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Spec deltas
The Anker SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 (30,720Wh) and Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC (95Wh) sit in different weight classes. The real question: do your power needs justify the larger unit, or would you be overpaying for capacity that sits unused? These two aren't alternatives to each other. The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 holds 324× the energy and costs 49× as much, so this comes down to the load you need to cover rather than which unit is better. If the Sherpa 100AC carries your load, the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 is capacity you pay for and never use; if it doesn't, no amount of saving makes the Sherpa 100AC the answer.
What the spec gap means in practice: the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000's 7,680W inverter has the headroom for a window AC, a full-size fridge, and power tools. The Sherpa 100AC's 100W inverter can't run the heaviest of those — a window AC or a high-surge power tool needs more than it can hold, whatever its 150W surge ceiling does at the instant of startup. On stamina, the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 keeps a fridge alive for roughly 174 hours vs the Sherpa 100AC's 1 hours. The cost? Portability. At 710.6 lbs, the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 is spread across boxes you site once and leave. The Sherpa 100AC at 2.1 lbs is something one person can actually carry.
Pick the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 if your primary use is 8-hour blackout or cpap overnight. Go with the Sherpa 100AC 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 E10 + 5×B6000 works out to about $0.1/kWh against the Sherpa 100AC's $5.28, a gap that compounds in the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000'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 E10 + 5×B6000
With a massive 7,680W output (and 1,000,090W surge), the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 can run high-wattage appliances like space heaters, hair dryers, and electric grills without tripping. Weighing in at 710.6 lbs, this is not a unit you want to carry far. It's best suited as a stationary backup or RV companion. A standout feature is the value proposition: at roughly $0.40 per watt-hour, it's one of the most cost-effective options on the market.
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Higher AC output
- +Longer warranty
- +Faster solar charging
- +Rated for 4,000 charge cycles — much longer battery lifespan
Trade-offs
- –Substantially more expensive (+$12,049.1) than the Sherpa 100AC.
- –Significantly heavier (+708.5 lbs), making it harder to move.
- –Very heavy unit that may be difficult for one person to lift.
Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC
At 100W, this unit is strictly for personal electronics (phones, laptops) and small CPAP machines. Do not expect to run kitchen appliances. At only 2.1 lbs, it is exceptionally portable. You can easily carry it one-handed to a campsite or tailgating party.
Strengths
- +Costs $12,049.1 less
- +Lighter by 708.5 lb
Trade-offs
- –Weaker inverter (-7,580W) limits appliance compatibility.
- –Lacks smartphone app control for remote monitoring.
- –Shorter-lived battery — rated for 500 charge cycles vs the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000's 4,000, so it wears out sooner.
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
Neither gives you a powered weekend: the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 has the energy but is wired to the building, and the Sherpa 100AC covers about 4% of the 2,100Wh. One can't go; the other can't finish.
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
SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000
The Sherpa 100AC can start the 150W peak but not hold it — 150W of surge gets it going, then the 100W continuous rating takes over. The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 handles this scenario with 24,467Wh to spare.
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 E10 + 5×B6000
The Sherpa 100AC doesn't finish — 80Wh usable against the 320Wh this needs leaves it 240Wh short, about 25% of the scenario covered. The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 covers it with 25,792Wh 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
SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000
The Sherpa 100AC doesn't finish — 80Wh usable against the 910Wh this needs leaves it 830Wh short, about 9% of the scenario covered. The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 covers it with 25,202Wh to spare.
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
Neither gives you a powered game day: the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 has the energy but is wired to the building, and the Sherpa 100AC can't run the 400W peak at all — 150W is the most its inverter will pass even momentarily. One can't go; the other can't finish.
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
Neither gives you a powered van: the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 has the energy but is wired to the building, and the Sherpa 100AC can start the 150W peak but not hold it — 150W of surge gets it going, then the 100W continuous rating takes over. One can't go; the other can't finish.
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
SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000
The Sherpa 100AC doesn't finish — 80Wh usable against the 100Wh this needs leaves it 20Wh short, about 81% of the scenario covered. The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 covers it with 26,012Wh to spare.
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 E10 + 5×B6000 can start this 205W load.
$12,299 list · direct from Anker
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 0–1740.8hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0–348.2hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limitsscale 0–26.1h¹ 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 E10 + 5×B6000, on Power Score margin
These two units are closely matched on individual specs, but our Power Score analysis gives the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 the edge with a composite score of 19,325 vs 682.
Overall score margin: 19,325 vs 682 (+2733.6%)
List prices as of July 10, 2026. The links below open Anker's and Goal Zero's current prices.
$12,299.00 · direct from Anker
Last checked 43 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
or check the Sherpa 100AC price$249.95 list
Written by Gunner Gustafson, Whole-Home Backup Tester · Station Arena Test Desk · Updated July 10, 2026
Measured Data
Benchmark scores and the full spec record, side by side.
Benchmark scores
Not rated for both units (minimum threshold unmet): Home Backup, Food Truck.
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 E10 + 5×B6000 rates 4.1/5 (46th percentile of 29 Whole-Home / Off-Grid-class units), and Sherpa 100AC rates 3.3/5 (1st percentile of 22 Personal-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 E10 + 5×B6000: 710.6 lbs Is a Commitment
At 710.6 lbs, this is an installed system: an electrician mounts it at the electrical panel and its weight matters exactly once. It backs up the building — it was never going to be carried anywhere.
Sherpa 100AC: No App Control
Without app control, you have to physically walk to the Sherpa 100AC to check battery level, adjust settings, or monitor power draw. The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 lets you do all that from your phone, including getting low-battery alerts.
Only the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 Lists a UPS Mode
The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 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 Sherpa 100AC'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 2
The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 is covered for 5 years against the Sherpa 100AC's 2 years. The cheaper Sherpa 100AC does buy more warranty per dollar (8 years per $1,000 against 0.4), but that is a statement about price, not about coverage — if a fault appears in year 3, only one of these is still covered. An underrated factor if you're keeping this unit for years.
Battery Lifespan in Real Years
The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 is rated for 4,000 cycles vs 500. In real life: at daily use, that's 11 vs 1.4 years. At weekend use (twice a week), it's 38 vs 5 years. One caution reading years across different sizes: a cycle is 30,720Wh on the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 and 95Wh on the Sherpa 100AC, so count lifetime energy — roughly 122,880 kWh against 47 kWh over the rated life. After hitting the cycle limit, the battery doesn't die — it drops to ~80% of original capacity, which is still very usable.
Full record above — the Test Desk pick is the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000.
Check SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 price →or check the Sherpa 100AC 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
The Sherpa 100AC is cheaper to buy, but the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 is cheaper to own. At $0.1/kWh over its lifetime vs $5.28/kWh, the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000's higher cycle life and capacity make each dollar go further over the years.
Delivers each lifetime kWh for $5.18 less — check the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 price →
Brand trust
Anker
Ecosystem
7-8 SOLIX portable power stations across C-series (compact) and F-series (flagship), plus the X1 home energy system
Support
US-based support. Historically known for incredible no-hassle replacements, but recent reports describe AI-driven support agents giving generic responses and complex return logistics for heavy units (hazmat shipping). The Anker brand reputation is still strong, but SOLIX-specific support quality is trending down.
Community
Moderate — active Reddit (r/Anker, r/AnkerSOLIXCommunity) and growing. Benefits from Anker's massive consumer electronics brand awareness.
App experience
Rated 4.5/5 iOS (~1,100 ratings) · 4.3/5 Android
Unique strength
Parent brand trust from Anker's consumer electronics dominance. InfiniPower technology for long cycle life. Strong $/Wh value in the mid-size and larger units — the S2000, F2600 and C1000 are among the better buys per watt-hour in the catalog.
Worth knowing
Support quality appears to be declining from its historically excellent level. Firmware updates have removed features without warning. Expansion ecosystem is smaller than EcoFlow's.
Goal Zero
Ecosystem
Focused — a compact current line (6th-gen Yeti and Yeti Pro series), the previous-gen X series now out of stock across every model on Goal Zero's own store (checked 2026-09-13: 200X, 500X, 1000X, 1500X, 3000X, 6000X, some listed only as open-box), so buying one new means finding retailer stock, Sherpa power banks for the under-100Wh tier, plus Alta coolers, Nomad/Ranger solar panels, and vehicle integration kits
Support
US-based company (Salt Lake City, owned by NRG Energy). Historically considered premium support, but 2025-2026 reports describe long wait times, unresponsive email communication, and tickets going unaddressed for weeks. The "premium support justifies premium pricing" argument is weakening.
Community
Small but loyal — strong following in overlanding and preparedness communities. Official community forums were recently shuttered, frustrating long-time users.
App experience
Rated 4.4/5 iOS (~1,200 ratings) but recent reviews skew negative — recurring connectivity issues, crashes, and stability problems.
Unique strength
Pioneer of the portable power market — strongest brand heritage. US-based company with ruggedized, weather-resistant designs (IP ratings vary by model). Integrated "Yeti-Ready" ecosystem with coolers, lights, and vehicle kits.
Worth knowing
Typically the priciest brand per watt-hour — though individual pairings vary, and on some pages the Yeti is the cheaper energy. Support quality has declined from its "premium" standard. Perceived as competitively stagnant vs. faster-innovating Chinese competitors. Reliability reports on newer models are concerning.
Analyst note
Goal Zero positions itself as a premium brand with stronger support infrastructure, while Anker competes on value. The question is whether the Goal Zero ecosystem and support premium is worth it for your use case.
Growth path
SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 30,720Wh — a sealed, complete system rather than a starting point. There's no expansion port, so that figure is the ceiling: check it against your longest unplugged stretch before you buy.
Accepts up to 9,000W of solar. Enough for a serious multi-panel array.
Limited ports. You'll likely need a power strip or splitter.
Sherpa 100AC
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 95Wh, with no expansion — so size it for your needs up front rather than planning to add capacity later.
Accepts up to 60W of solar. Limited to a single portable panel.
Limited ports. You'll likely need a power strip or splitter.
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 E10 + 5×B6000 gives you the larger ceiling); you can't add to either later.
The Bottom Line
The full picture comes down to this. The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 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 Sherpa 100AC wins in the scenarios that match your life, it's the right choice regardless of aggregate scores.
If neither the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 nor the Sherpa 100AC feels like the right fit, your power needs probably sit outside what these two target. Use our comparison tool above to explore alternatives that better match your specific wattage and runtime requirements. Prices on portable power stations fluctuate frequently. Both Anker and Goal Zero 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 E10 + 5×B6000 worth $12,049.1 more than the Sherpa 100AC?
The short answer: yes, if you'll actually use the extra capability. The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 costs $12,049.1 more, but that premium buys you 30,625.3Wh more battery capacity (that's 174 extra hours of running a mini-fridge); 7,580W higher AC output (opening the door to more demanding appliances); a longer-lasting battery rated for 4,000 cycles — that's 11 years at daily use; 8,940W faster solar charging for quicker off-grid recovery. On a cost-per-watt-hour basis, you're paying $0.40/Wh vs $2.64/Wh. Factor in cycle life and the math flips: the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 costs $0.10/kWh over its lifetime vs $5.28/kWh. The "expensive" unit is actually cheaper to own. For regular use, we'd pay the premium.
How does the 30,625.3Wh capacity difference actually affect daily use?
The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000's 30,720Wh battery keeps a mini-fridge running for roughly 174 hours vs the Sherpa 100AC's 1 hours. Where it really matters: during an 8-hour blackout running your fridge, router, lights, AND charging your phone simultaneously (about 1,645Wh total), the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 handles it while the Sherpa 100AC runs dry. What specs don't mention: runtime drops 20-30% in cold weather (below 32°F/0°C) as battery chemistry slows down. The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000's extra capacity provides a critical cold-weather buffer. For occasional phone and laptop charging, both are overkill. This gap only matters for sustained, multi-appliance use.
Can I actually carry the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000, or is the Sherpa 100AC the only portable option?
The Sherpa 100AC at 2.1 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 E10 + 5×B6000 at 710.6 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.
How fast can each unit recharge from solar panels in real conditions?
On paper, the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 accepts 9,000W vs the Sherpa 100AC's 60W of solar input. What the spec sheet won't tell you: solar panels typically deliver only 60-80% of their rated output due to panel angle, cloud cover, and temperature. In realistic conditions, expect full recharge in about 4.9 hours for the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 and 2.3 hours for the Sherpa 100AC. That gap widens on cloudy days, when the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000's higher input ceiling captures more of whatever sunlight is available. One more thing: summer gives you ~7 productive solar hours per day. Winter drops to ~4. If solar is your primary recharge method, the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000's advantage is substantial.
"4,000 vs 500 cycles" — what does that actually mean for me?
In real years: the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 (4,000 cycles) lasts 11.0 years at daily use, 38 years at weekend use (twice a week), or 167 years at twice-monthly camping trips. The Sherpa 100AC (500 cycles): 1.4 years daily, 5 years weekends, or 21 years twice-monthly. What most people miss: hitting the cycle limit doesn't kill your battery. Capacity drops to about 80%. Your 30,720Wh unit becomes a ~24,576Wh unit. Still very usable. For weekend users, both batteries will outlast the warranty by years.
Can I use the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 as a home UPS to protect my electronics during blackouts?
Yes. The SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 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 Sherpa 100AC 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 E10 + 5×B6000.
Is Anker or Goal Zero more reliable for long-term ownership?
Both brands have strengths and trade-offs. Anker: 5-year warranty standard on portable stations, 10-year on home energy systems. Historically very reliable, though some recent firmware updates have altered product functionality without notice or rollback option. Goal Zero: 5 years on LFP models, 2 years on older NMC models. Battery must be charged within 7 days of purchase and every 6 months to maintain warranty (strict). Product reliability concerns have increased — repeat "Battery Fault" errors reported even on newer Yeti Pro 4000. One piece of advice from the power station community: regardless of brand, buy from Costco or Amazon. Their return policies provide a safety net that manufacturer warranties alone can't match, especially for a product you'll rely on in emergencies. Both brands use LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries in their current lineup, the most proven chemistry for longevity and safety.
Bottom line: should I buy the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 or the Sherpa 100AC?
We'd pay the premium for the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000. 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 Sherpa 100AC is still solid if budget is the priority, but the SOLIX E10 + 5×B6000 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 E10 + 5×B6000Pick
$12,299.00
$12,299.00 · direct from Anker
Last checked 43 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC
$249.95
$249.95 · direct from Goal Zero
Last checked 1 day ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.