Head-to-head test
Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS vs BLUETTI Apex 300
The Apex 300 costs far less, weighs far less and is rated for twice the cycles. The F3800 PLUS answers with a bigger battery, much more output and more solar input, and the one place that shows up in an outage is the second night.
Full profiles: Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS β Β· BLUETTI Apex 300 β
Looking for a different matchup? Anker SOLIX F3800 vs BLUETTI Apex 300
Written by Gunner GustafsonUpdated
Whole-Home Backup Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
Spec deltas
Where I live, storms take the grid out often enough that the first night of an outage is routine. The second night is the one I'd plan around. On that night these two part company.
Run the same eight-hour blackout on both. The F3800 PLUS finishes with enough left for nearly all of a second night. The Apex 300 finishes with enough for less than half of one. That gap comes from the bigger battery, and the Anker charges for it: $2,600 against $1,699.
The Apex 300 answers with twice the rated cycles, a much lighter frame and a lower cost per lifetime kWh, $0.10 against $0.23. If your outages are one-nighters, or you can refill from solar every day, the cheaper box does the job.
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first β the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
Capacity
For a single evening that difference never shows. In a storm that lasts, it decides whether you are rationing the fridge by the second morning. The Apex 300 can close the gap with sun or an expansion battery. It cannot close it on its own.
8-Hour Blackout: the F3800 PLUS finishes with 1,619Wh left, 98% of a second night8-Hour Blackout: the Apex 300 finishes with 705Wh left, 43% of a second nightCapacity: 3,840Wh vs 2,764.8Wh
Why it mattersIf your outages often run past one night and you can't count on daytime solar, the F3800 PLUS is worth its price.
cost / lifetime kWh
Put the lower price on top and the Apex 300 is the cheaper one to buy and the cheaper one to own. The F3800 PLUS's extra capacity arrives at a premium on both counts.
F3800 PLUS: 3,000 rated cycles, 11,520 kWh of rated lifetime energyApex 300: 6,000 rated cycles, 16,589 kWh of rated lifetime energyCost per lifetime kWh: $0.23 vs $0.10
Why it mattersIf the battery will cycle daily off solar, the Apex 300 is the one rated to keep doing it longer.
solar input
Extra input only counts if you own the panels to fill it. Below 2,400W of array, both take everything the roof makes. Above it, the F3800 PLUS keeps refilling where the Apex 300 stops.
F3800 PLUS solar input: 3,200W, which reviewers confirm works with standard MC4 panelsA11Apex 300 solar input: 2,400W
Why it mattersIf you're planning an array past 2,400W, credit the Anker for it. A few folding panels will never find the difference.
Neither is a casual carry. One reviewer could barely move the Apex 300 a few feet at a timeB8, and the F3800 PLUS's wheels balk at small bumpsA8. The missing USB ports on the Apex 300 matter more day to day. Phones and laptops will need their own wall chargers plugged into it, or the extra-cost hubB7.
F3800 PLUS: 132.3 lb, rear wheels that reviewers found stopped by small bumpsA8Apex 300: 83.78 lb, heavy but manageable with its handles, per one reviewerB6Apex 300: no USB or DC ports on the unit; a separate hub adds themB7
Why it mattersBudget for the hub or a power strip of USB chargers if you go with the Apex 300.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units β everything else is a tie.
Lifetime Value
Selected because: The Apex 300 is the cheaper box to buy and the cheaper one to own, and that is the core of the verdict.
cost / lifetime kWh
The lifetime line reads $0.10 a kilowatt-hour for the Apex 300 and $0.23 for the F3800 PLUS. Two things push it there. The Apex 300 costs $901 less, and BLUETTI rates it for twice the cycles.
Cycled daily, that is 16.4 rated years against 8.2. Both carry 5-year warranties, so the difference lands after the paperwork runs out. On this row I'd buy the Apex 300 without a second look.
Your Life, Your Pick
Selected because: The F3800 PLUS wins the blackout on margin, and its second night in reserve is the clearest case for paying more.
The F3800 PLUS takes the eight-hour blackout and the remote workday on margin. The Apex 300 takes camping and the tailgate on weight, though camping leaves it only 250Wh to spare. The CPAP night is a tie, and the van-life day beats both.
The blackout row is the one I'd read twice. Both finish the night. The F3800 PLUS finishes with almost a full second night left, and the Apex 300 with less than half of one.
Growth Path
Selected because: Both expand, and the F3800 PLUS's higher solar ceiling is its strongest long-term argument.
solar input
Both take their maker's expansion batteries, so neither is stuck at its nameplate. The difference is on the roof. The F3800 PLUS accepts 3,200W of solar and the Apex 300 2,400W.
That only matters once the array outgrows the Apex 300's input. If you're building toward that, the F3800 PLUS gives the bigger bank a faster way to refill. If you're not, both take everything your panels make.
What the Specs Don't Tell You
Selected because: Weight, switchover, noise and the Apex 300's Power Lifting mode all need a plain reading.
rated cycles
The switchover card favours the Apex 300, rated no worse than 10ms against the F3800 PLUS's 20ms. Switchover is the gap between the grid dropping and the battery taking over. The tighter rating is kinder to a desktop PC. Both are manufacturer ratings.
The Apex 300 also has Power Lifting, BLUETTI's mode for running a resistive appliance rated up to 7,680W from its 3,840W inverter. A resistive load is a heater, a kettle, an old-style bulb. The appliance simply gets less power and works more slowly. It does nothing for a fridge compressor or a pump, and BLUETTI publishes no surge figure for the Apex 300 in our record. On noise, BLUETTI publishes 45dB and Anker publishes nothing.
Strengths & trade-offs
Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Higher AC output
- +Faster solar charging
Trade-offs
- βSubstantially more expensive (+$901) than the Apex 300.
- βSignificantly heavier (+48.5 lbs), making it harder to move.
- βVery heavy unit that may be difficult for one person to lift.
- βShorter-lived battery β rated for 3,000 charge cycles vs the Apex 300's 6,000, so it wears out sooner.
BLUETTI Apex 300
Strengths
- +Costs $901 less
- +Lighter by 48.5 lb
- +Rated for 6,000 charge cycles β much longer battery lifespan
Trade-offs
- βWeaker inverter (-2,160W) limits appliance compatibility.
- βVery heavy unit that may be difficult for one person to lift.
Will It Power Your Gear?
Scenario math and per-appliance runtimes, modeled from the spec record.
Scenario verdicts
We ran the math on six real-world scenarios. Here's which unit survives your actual life.
SCN-01 Β· 2 nights Β· needs 2,100Wh
Weekend Camping
Two nights off-grid with essential comfort
Apex 300
The Apex 300 takes this one because the F3800 PLUS is too heavy to bring. Read the margin, though. The weekend uses 89% of the Apex 300's usable charge, leaving 250Wh. One extra cold night of a fridge would eat that.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Phone Charger 15WΓ6h Β· LED Lights 40WΓ8h Β· Box Fan 75WΓ14h Β· CPAP Machine 40WΓ16h
SCN-02 Β· 8 hours Β· needs 1,645Wh
8-Hour Blackout
Keep the essentials running through a night without power
SOLIX F3800 PLUS
Both finish the night. The F3800 PLUS has 1,619Wh left, nearly a full second night. The Apex 300 has 705Wh, under half of one. For storms that last, this row is the reason to pay more.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Fridge 150WΓ8h Β· Router + Modem 20WΓ8h Β· LED Lights (4 bulbs) 40WΓ6h Β· Phone Charger 15WΓ3h
SCN-03 Β· 8 hours Β· needs 320Wh
CPAP Overnight
Sleep therapy without interruption β the #1 medical use case
Either unit
The Plus uses about 10% of its charge and the Apex 300 about 14%. Neither unit's extra capacity or solar input matters for a CPAP. Decide on price.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β CPAP Machine 40WΓ8h
SCN-04 Β· 8 hours Β· needs 910Wh
Remote Workday
Full work day off-grid without power anxiety
SOLIX F3800 PLUS
The SOLIX F3800 PLUS clears the workday at 28% used, banking 2,354Wh β late work, extra calls, or a second laptop charge without arithmetic. The Apex 300 at 39% also finishes, with 1,440Wh of slack for the unplanned.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Laptop 60WΓ8h Β· External Monitor 30WΓ8h Β· Router + Modem 20WΓ8h Β· Phone Charger 15WΓ2h
SCN-05 Β· 4 hours Β· needs 670Wh
Tailgate Party
Game day power for the crew
Apex 300
21% used on the Plus against 29% on the Apex 300. Both clear the load easily, and the Apex 300 is the one you'd actually lift into a truck with help.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Blender 400WΓ0.5h Β· LED TV (55") 80WΓ4h Β· Bluetooth Speaker 15WΓ4h Β· Phone Charger (Γ3) 45WΓ2h
SCN-06 Β· 24 hours Β· needs 4,685Wh
Van Life Daily
A full day of mobile living β the ultimate endurance test
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 4,685Wh: the SOLIX F3800 PLUS comes up 1,421Wh short (about 69% covered), the Apex 300 2,335Wh (50%). Either gets you most of the way, so this is a scenario you plan around rather than one you should rule them out for.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Mini-Fridge 150WΓ24h Β· Laptop 60WΓ4h Β· Phone Charger 15WΓ3h Β· LED Lights 40WΓ5h Β· Fan 75WΓ8h
The Load Test
RUNTIME = (Wh Γ 0.85) Γ· 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
For this load: SOLIX F3800 PLUS runs 15.9h vs 11.5h.
$2,599.99 list Β· direct from Anker
Planning for more than this? Describe your whole setup and get it sizedΒ β
Modeled from the spec record β same math as the tables below. Methodology
Runtime by appliance
Real-world runtime estimates for common appliances, modeled at 85% inverter efficiency.ΒΉ
Essentials
The basics you need runningscale 0β217.6hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0β43.5hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limitsscale 0β3.3hΒΉ Runtime = (capacity Γ 0.85) Γ· 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 β see methodology.
Conclusion
October 25, 2026
Verdict: the BLUETTI Apex 300
Take the Apex 300. It costs $901 less ($1,699 against $2,600), is rated for 6,000 cycles to the F3800 PLUS's 3,000, and weighs 48.5 lb less. That puts its cost per lifetime kWh at $0.10 against $0.23. The F3800 PLUS has real capability: 3,840Wh against 2,764.8Wh, 6,000W of continuous output against 3,840W, and 3,200W of solar input against 2,400W. It wins the eight-hour blackout and the remote workday on margin. Pay for it if your outages run into a second night or your array is bigger than the Apex 300 can take. Confidence stops at 6 because both files are thin, and the Apex 300's has a run of firmware complaintsB1B2B3.
Today the Apex 300 is $1,599, $100 under its typical $1,699. The verdict weighs typical prices, not today's. Prices checked 28 days ago.
Editor-assigned confidence, based on cited owner research and spec analysis.
List prices as of October 25, 2026. The links below open Anker's and BLUETTI's current prices.
$1,599.00 Β· direct from BLUETTI
down from $1,699 Β· 6% below usual
Last checked 28 days ago. Prices move β check before you buy.
or check the SOLIX F3800 PLUS price$2,599.99 list
Written by Gunner Gustafson, Whole-Home Backup Tester Β· Station Arena Test Desk Β· Updated October 25, 2026
Black Friday Β· 26 days out
Prices to beat:SOLIX F3800 PLUS $2,300Apex 300 $1,499
The lowest we have recorded for each. A Black Friday price above it is a sale that unit has already had.
Measured Data
Benchmark scores and the full spec record, side by side.
Benchmark scores
Not rated for both units (minimum threshold unmet): UPS.
Full specifications
α΅ Derived: price Γ· rated capacity. See the data behind our comparisons β
Comparison ToolAdd more power stations, side by sideOpen Tool βHow these numbers are produced
Numeric verification
Every figure on this page traces to our spec database or arithmetic on it β no estimated numbers.
Owner claims
Statements about owner experience are cited to published reviews β see Sources & Research Notes below.
Runtime model
Runtime = (rated capacity Γ 0.85 inverter efficiency) Γ· 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 βClass ranking (the star rating)
Each unit's star score is a category ranking, not customer reviews β 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 5β . Here, SOLIX F3800 PLUS rates 4.4/5 (63rd percentile of 20 Home Backup-class units), and Apex 300 rates 4.9/5 (93rd percentile of 28 Large-class units).
How the class ranking is computed βTest Notes & Caveats
Hidden gotchas and advantages we spotted that you won't find on the product page.
The Apex 300 Is 48.5 lb Lighter
83.78 lb against the Plus's 132.3. Neither is a casual carry. The Plus's rear wheels balk at small bumps, and one reviewer could barely move the Apex 300 a few feet at a time.
45dB, BLUETTI's Own Figure
About as loud as a running refrigerator. It's BLUETTI's rating, and makers differ on whether they quote a quiet best case or a figure under load.
Power Lifting Is for Heaters
BLUETTI's Power Lifting runs a resistive appliance rated up to 7,680W by feeding it less power than it asks for. A heater or kettle still works, just more slowly. It won't start a compressor, a pump or a power tool.
10ms vs 20ms
The Apex 300 is rated no worse than 10ms and the F3800 PLUS no worse than 20ms. Routers and fridges won't notice either. A desktop PC with a fussy power supply might notice the second.
Warranty: No Difference
Both units carry the same 5-year warranty, so coverage isn't a tiebreaker here. The Apex 300's figure is a maximum rather than a guarantee β it depends on buying direct from BLUETTI or registering the unit, since reseller purchases carry a shorter term. Worth saying because the per-dollar framing can suggest otherwise: the Apex 300 works out at 2.9 years of cover per $1,000 spent against the SOLIX F3800 PLUS's 1.9, but that spread is the price gap, not the terms.
Battery Lifespan in Real Years
The Apex 300 is rated for 6,000 cycles vs 3,000. In real life: at daily use, that's 16.4 vs 8.2 years. At weekend use (twice a week), it's 58 vs 29 years. One caution reading years across different sizes: a cycle is 2,765Wh on the Apex 300 and 3,840Wh on the SOLIX F3800 PLUS, so count lifetime energy β roughly 16,589 kWh against 11,520 kWh over the rated life. After hitting the cycle limit, the battery doesn't die β it drops to ~80% of original capacity, which is still very usable.
No Noise Figure From Anker
Anker publishes no noise figure for the SOLIX F3800 PLUS. That leaves nothing to check it against. Look for hands-on reports if it's going near a bedroom.
Full record above β the Test Desk pick is the Apex 300.
Check Apex 300 price βor check the SOLIX F3800 PLUS priceOwnership Analysis
What happens after you buy β 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
β warranty ends Β· Reaching the cycle rating means ~80% capacity remains β degraded, not dead.
Analyst note
The Apex 300 wins on both sticker price and long-term value. At $0.10/kWh over its lifetime, it's meaningfully cheaper to own. Clear value winner.
Delivers each lifetime kWh for $0.13 less β check the Apex 300 price β
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 β 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) Β· 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 β 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.
BLUETTI
Ecosystem
One of the broadest lineups β 15-20+ models from budget (AC2A) to flagship portable (Apex 300, 2764.8Wh). Includes specialized products: vehicle solar hubs, sodium-ion cold-weather units, and balcony storage systems.
Support
The most inconsistent support in the space. Heavily email-based with China timezone delays. Some users get smooth, efficient service; others report weeks of troubleshooting runarounds, being offered discounts on new units instead of repairs, and confusing third-party purchase claim processes. Buying direct from Bluetti's website tends to produce better support outcomes.
Community
Active and growing β Reddit r/bluetti has a dedicated community. Second-largest after EcoFlow in engagement.
App experience
Rated 4.5/5 iOS and Android β tied for best app experience in the category. V3.0 UI redesign was well-received.
Unique strength
Among the best capacity-to-price ratios available β several Elite and Apex units are the lowest $/Wh in the catalog. Widest product diversity including industry-firsts like sodium-ion cold-weather units and dual solar+alternator vehicle hubs. LFP across the rest of the range, though rated cycle life spans 2,500 (EB3A) to 6,000, and it varies WITHIN the Elite range rather than tracking it β the Elite 300 and Elite 200 V2 are rated 6,000 while the Elite 30 V2, Elite 10 Mini, Elite 320 and Elite 400 are rated 3,000+ and the Elite 100 V2 4,000+, so check the specific model. Dual-voltage (120V/240V) in flagships.
Worth knowing
Customer support inconsistency is the #1 risk factor. Older/discontinued units may become unrepairable β no spare parts policy for some models. Some reports of erratic communication from support agents.
Analyst note
Anker and BLUETTI are close competitors. Both have established support channels and growing ecosystems. Compare their specific warranty terms and community size for your peace of mind.
Growth path
SOLIX F3800 PLUS
EXPANDABLESupports Anker expansion batteries, so you can add capacity later without replacing the base unit β useful if your needs may climb past 3,840Wh.
Accepts up to 3,200W of solar. Enough for a serious multi-panel array.
Generous port selection supports complex multi-device setups.
Expansion batteries are Anker-specific. You're investing in the Anker ecosystem.
Apex 300
EXPANDABLESupports BLUETTI expansion batteries, so you can add capacity later without replacing the base unit β useful if your needs may climb past 2,765Wh.
Accepts up to 2,400W of solar. Enough for a serious multi-panel array.
Limited ports. You'll likely need a power strip or splitter.
Expansion batteries are BLUETTI-specific. You're investing in the BLUETTI ecosystem.
Realistic full solar rechargeat 70% of rated panel output β see methodology
Analyst note
Both expand, but the SOLIX F3800 PLUS's higher solar ceiling (3,200W vs 2,400W) gives it the stronger off-grid growth path β more panels can feed a bigger bank as it grows.
What Owners Report
Patterns from published owner reports and long-term reviews β every claim cited to its source below.
Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS
The F3800 PLUS's file is mostly reviewers who lived with it for weeks or months. Our research found almost no grassroots owner threads on the Plus itselfA0. Reviewers confirm the 3,200W solar input works with standard MC4 panelsA11. One reviewer got about 17 hours on light household duty and a little over seven with a fridge and freezer togetherA4A5.
The rougher edges: one owner describes a battery pack making alarming noise and more than five unanswered emails to supportA1. A reply in the same thread describes fast advance replacementsA2, though our research couldn't confirm that reply is about the Plus, so take it as character only. Early standby-drain complaints appear to have drawn a firmware update said to cut idle use by about halfA9, with no second source behind it.
βI've called them and submitted tickets via their portal, always very responsive. They've even done advanced replacement for me.β
Sources
campingsolar.us Β· cleanenergybusinesscouncil.com
BLUETTI Apex 300
The Apex 300 is recent, and our research found mostly press coverage with little long-term owner commentaryB0. The recurring theme in the community threads is software. Owners describe firmware updates that locked the unit in Backup mode, threw an error mid-charge, or broke a Home Assistant connectionB1B2B3.
On the hardware, one reviewer calls it heavy but manageable thanks to its handles and modular designB6, and another calls its fans relatively tameB5. Reviewers also note the face has no DC or USB ports, which pushes buyers toward an extra-cost hubB7B11.
βI was using Bluetti-bt until the latest Bluetti firmware update. I then started having disconnects.β
Sources & Research Notes
Every owner claim in this report is traceable to a published source. The bracketed references above resolve here.
Recurring owner themes
- Owner support experiences with Anker/Solix diverge sharply β some report being ghosted after repeated contact attempts over a hardware fault, while others describe fast, responsive advanced-replacement service. [SOLIX F3800 PLUS Β· 2 entries]
- Real-world runtime drops off steeply with load: light loads (lights, router, occasional laptop/e-bike charging) stretch toward the ~17-hour mark, but running a fridge and freezer together drains the base unit in around 7 hours. [SOLIX F3800 PLUS Β· 2 entries]
- Fan noise is reported as low/background during normal household loads and only becomes noticeably audible under heavy loads (4,000W+) or max-speed charging. [SOLIX F3800 PLUS Β· 2 entries]
- The unit's near-137 lb weight is a recurring friction point: reviewers note the wheels/handles work for moderate use but struggle over rough terrain, and aggregated user feedback flags portability and packaging as concerns despite praise for raw performance. [SOLIX F3800 PLUS Β· 2 entries]
- Multiple owners report firmware updates causing app glitches, mode-lock issues, error codes, or Bluetooth/Home Assistant disconnects shortly after updating. [Apex 300 Β· 4 entries]
- Reviewers consistently flag the lack of built-in USB/DC ports as a design tradeoff requiring costly add-on accessories (Hub D1, Hub A1). [Apex 300 Β· 4 entries]
- The unit's extreme weight (~85 lbs) is repeatedly described as making it barely 'portable' and hard to carry alone. [Apex 300 Β· 2 entries]
- A1
βI think it may be a fire hazard with this crazy noise it's making. I have emailed Anker support over 5 times... Anker support is ghosting me after I spent over 20k on their solix line and solar panels within a month.β
DIY Solar Forum β "Big issue with Anker Solix F3800 plus battery pack (Large Anker Solix setup)" Β· 2025-08 Β· [negative]
- A2
βI've called them and submitted tickets via their portal, always very responsive. They've even done advanced replacement for me.β
DIY Solar Forum β "Big issue with Anker Solix F3800 plus battery pack (Large Anker Solix setup)" (reply from another Solix owner) Β· 2025-08 Β· [positive]
- A4
βYou would be able to keep a fridge or freezer running, charge a few laptops or phones, maybe charge up an e-Bike and the F3800 Plus base unit would last about 17 hours before needing a recharge.β
Digital Trends β "Anker Solix F3800 Plus review: this power station wins for versatility and value" Β· 2025-05 Β· [positive]
- A5
βWith both the freezer and my fridge plugged in at the same time, I was about to get 7.34 hours before the unit was completely drained.β
Digital Trends β "Anker Solix F3800 Plus review: this power station wins for versatility and value" Β· 2025-05 Β· [mixed]
- A8
βThe big wheels in the back are enough to go over grassy terrain, but avoid anything too challenging. Small bumps can be enough to slam everything to a halt.β
AppleInsider β "Anker Solix F3800 Plus portable power station review: investment in reliable home power" Β· 2025-08 Β· [mixed]
- A9
βEarly reviews focused heavily on the standby drain of the Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus. Anker later released a firmware update that said it can cut idle use by about 50%.β
VoltNest β "Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus Review: My Honest Test Results" Β· 2026-04 Β· [mixed]
- A10
βUnder normal loads (lights, fridge, TV), the fans are barely audible. It only gets loud when you're pulling over 4,000W or charging at max speed.β
CampingSolar.us β "Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus Review: The Ultimate 240V Home & RV Power" Β· 2026-02 Β· [positive]
- A11
βAnker really addressed this issue with the F3800 Plus. You now get a true 3,200W solar input, which is compatible with normal MC4 solar panels.β
TheSolarLab β "Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus Review: Big Power, Big Price?" Β· unknown Β· [positive]
- B1
βI updated my Apex 300 to the latest firmware yesterday. Now it's stuck in 'Backup' mode... Now when I go into the app to try to change it back, it flashes to...β
BLUETTI Community forum β 'Apex 300 stuck in Backup mode after last firmware update' Β· 2025-11 Β· [negative]
- B2
βWhen the system reached 97% charge, I decided to install the firmware updates. After the update completed, the charging stopped and I received Error 004.β
BLUETTI Community forum β 'Error E004 Apex 300' Β· 2025-11 Β· [negative]
- B3
βI was using Bluetti-bt until the latest Bluetti firmware update. I then started having disconnects.β
GitHub bluetti-official/bluetti-home-assistant issue #95 β 'APEX 300 and Hub A! now working' Β· 2026-05 Β· [mixed]
- B5
βSome units sound like small jet engines under load, but the Apex 300's fans are relatively tame.β
Techspective β 'Bluetti Apex 300 with B300K Review' Β· 2025-09 Β· [positive]
- B6
βIt's heavy, no question, but the handles and modular battery design make it manageable.β
Techspective β 'Bluetti Apex 300 with B300K Review' Β· 2025-09 Β· [mixed]
- B7
βNot having DC or USB ports on the face is a tradeoff. The Hub D1 solves the problemβbut it's an additional $300 accessory that you then have to bolt on after the fact.β
Techspective β 'Bluetti Apex 300 with B300K Review' Β· 2025-09 Β· [negative]
- B8
βIn fact, it's so heavy I can hardly carry it more than a few feet at a time and have been unable to lift it onto a table.β
T3 β 'Bluetti Apex 300 review: transform your off-grid life' Β· 2025-11 Β· [negative]
- B11
βThat Bluetti D1 Power Hub that gives you your DC and USB ports costs about $300, which is a steep price for what you're getting.β
TheSolarLab β 'Bluetti Apex 300 Review: Cheap, Practical Home Backup?' Β· unknown Β· [negative]
Research compiled October 25, 2026.
What Owners Actually Report
Drawn from 43 comments on independent review channels β not from retailer reviews, which skew to the first week of ownership. Each line is our summary of one commenter's claim, linked to the original. We record what they said, including where it contradicts the spec sheet.
Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS
32 claims from 20 comments Β· 18 from owners Β· 4 with figures
- Solar input
- 4 Β· 0% negative
- Price & value
- 3 Β· 44% negative
- Expandability
- 5 Β· 77% negative
- Charging
- 4 Β· 15% negative
- Inverter & surge
- 3 Β· 88% negative
What owners complain about
F3800 Plus shuts down above 20A charging from the battery expansion port; 16A is stable.
Expandabilitymeasuredowner1 agreedsource β
Could not start two 240V hoist pumps or a well pump; motors shudder and the unit shuts off.
Inverter & surgeowner4 agreedsource β
Returned within 48 hours; would only have kept it at half the price.
Price & valueowner4 agreedsource β
What owners praise
Anker tech support was friendly, a native English speaker, and taught him things he didn't know.
Warranty & supportowner13 agreedsource β
Generator recharged it from 15% to full in under an hour while powering the house.
Chargingmeasuredowner4 agreedsource β
Got an F3800 Plus with an expansion battery and home backup kit for $4,200.
Price & valuemeasuredowner3 agreedsource β
BLUETTI Apex 300
36 claims from 23 comments Β· 18 from owners Β· 6 with figures
- Price & value
- 10 Β· 8% negative
- Solar input
- 6 Β· 53% negative
- Inverter & surge
- 2 Β· 0% negative
- Build quality
- 2 Β· 0% negative
- Runtime
- 2 Β· 100% negative
What owners complain about
TV, router, Tablo and Firestick drain it from 100% in 7-9 hours; runtime figures are lies.
Runtimemeasuredownersource β
Dropping to a 60V PV max is a deal killer versus the 150V per string they run on the AC300.
Solar inputowner1 agreedsource β
App is portrait-only.
App & firmwareownersource β
What owners praise
Two paralleled units give 7,680W and run dryer, 2-ton AC or oven plus fridges and sump pump.
Inverter & surgemeasuredowner5 agreedsource β
$2,600 for two units plus $659 for the Hub A1 was worth the extra over the Anker.
Price & valuemeasuredowner5 agreedsource β
Three Apex 300s with a Hub A1 give him 18kW solar input and 12kW output.
Solar inputmeasuredownerafter 1 months10 agreedsource β
Claims are weighted by how specific they are, whether the commenter owns the unit, and how many readers agreed. Comments that mention a product under a rival's review count for more, because the commenter had no reason to be there. This is what buyers report, not our test results β for measurements we ran ourselves, see the methodology.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the SOLIX F3800 PLUS if youβ¦
- βYour outages often run past one night and you can't count on daytime solar. The F3800 PLUS ends a long night with almost a second one in reserve.
- βYou're building a solar array past 2,400W. The 3,200W input works with standard MC4 panels, reviewers sayA11.
- βYou run two compressor appliances at once, a fridge and a chest freezer, and want the bigger battery and 6,000W inverter behind them.
Buy the Apex 300 if youβ¦
- βYour outages are mostly one-nighters, or you can refill from solar every day, and you'd rather keep the $901.
- βYou'll cycle it daily and want the battery rated for twice as many cycles, at the lower cost per lifetime kWh.
- βA desktop PC sits on the backed-up circuit and you want the tighter 10ms switchover rating.
If neither fits
If the job is a full-time van day of about 4,685Wh, skip both. That is 144% of the F3800 PLUS's usable capacity and 199% of the Apex 300's. Pair either with an expansion battery, or look at a bigger system.
The Bottom Line
The Apex 300 is the cheaper box to buy, the cheaper one to own and the lighter one to move, with the tighter switchover rating. For one-night outages and daily solar cycling, it's the better buy.
The F3800 PLUS earns its price in two situations: a storm that runs into a second night without sun, and a roof array bigger than 2,400W. If either describes your house, pay for it. Otherwise, keep the money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
Is the Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS worth $901 more than the BLUETTI Apex 300?
Only if you need what the extra money buys: a bigger battery for outages that run past one night, 6,000W of output, or 3,200W of solar input. If your loads fit the Apex 300, its lower price and twice the rated cycles give it the lower cost per lifetime kWh, $0.10 against $0.23.
Does the F3800 PLUS work with ordinary solar panels?
Reviewers confirm the Plus takes a true 3,200W of solar input from standard MC4 panels. The Apex 300 tops out at 2,400W.
How long does the F3800 PLUS actually run a fridge?
One reviewer measured about 17 hours running a fridge with light extra loads like laptop charging, and about 7.34 hours running a fridge and a freezer together. Size your expectations to the combination you actually own.
Which lasts longer in cycles, the F3800 PLUS or the Apex 300?
The Apex 300, rated for 6,000 cycles against the Plus's 3,000. Both carry 5-year warranties. With its lower price, that is why the Apex 300 has the lower cost per lifetime kWh despite the smaller battery.
Which is quieter, the F3800 PLUS or the Apex 300?
BLUETTI publishes 45dB for the Apex 300. Anker publishes no figure for the Plus, though one reviewer describes its fans as barely audible under normal loads and louder above roughly 4,000W or during max-speed charging. There is no published Anker number to compare.
Related comparisons
Where to buy
Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS
$2,599.99
$2,599.99 Β· direct from Anker
Last checked 28 days ago. Prices move β check before you buy.
BLUETTI Apex 300Pick
$1,599.00
$1,599.00 Β· direct from BLUETTI
down from $1,699 Β· 6% below usual
Last checked 28 days ago. Prices move β check before you buy.
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.