Head-to-head test
Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS vs BLUETTI Apex 300 + B300K
The F3800 Plus refills from the sun 800W faster than the Apex 300 + B300K, but the Apex banks 1,689.6Wh more energy for $300 less — the Plus's speed only matters if you're actually recharging on solar every day.
Written by Gunner GustafsonUpdated
Whole-Home Backup Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
Anker
SOLIX F3800 PLUS
6,265Power Score · The AC & Fridge Zone
$2,499.99 list · direct from Anker
BLUETTI
Apex 300 + B300K
6,552Power Score · The AC & Fridge Zone
$2,599.00 list · direct from BLUETTI
Spec deltas
The Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus accepts up to 3,200W of solar input; the BLUETTI Apex 300 + B300K tops out at 2,400W. That's the Plus's real upgrade over the standard F3800, and it's a genuine advantage for anyone recharging from panels rather than a wall outlet.
It comes at a cost, though: $2,899 for 3,840Wh of storage, against the Apex's $2,599 for 5,529.6Wh. The Bluetti stores 1,689.6Wh more for $300 less, and its lifetime cost per kWh comes out to $0.13 against the Anker's $0.25 — roughly double.
So this is a genuine trade, not a lopsided one: faster solar refill and a bigger inverter on one side, more total energy and a lower price on the other.
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first — the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
solar input
Solar speed and total capacity pull in opposite directions here: the Plus gets back to full faster, but has less full to get back to. Over a multi-day cloudy stretch, the Apex's bigger reserve may still outlast the Plus's faster-but-smaller pack.
F3800 Plus solar input is 3,200WApex 300 + B300K solar input is 2,400WF3800 Plus capacity is 3,840Wh
Why it mattersBuyers in consistently sunny climates who cycle the battery daily benefit most from the Plus's faster refill; buyers planning for multi-day stretches without sun should weight the Apex's larger reserve instead.
continuous output
For a single very high-draw appliance — not sequential loads, but one big simultaneous pull — the Plus's larger inverter has more headroom before it's the bottleneck, even though its total energy reserve is smaller.
F3800 Plus continuous output is 6,000W with a 9,000W surgeApex 300 + B300K continuous output is 3,840W with a 7,680W surgeone reviewer drained the Apex from 100% to 65% running a single wash cycle, and to 20% after adding a heat pump dryerB9B10
Why it mattersBuyers whose deciding factor is a single power-hungry device (a table saw, a large air compressor) should check its rated draw against the Plus's 6,000W ceiling; buyers running multiple appliances in sequence over a day should weight the Apex's bigger total reserve instead.
A buyer comparing $2,599 against $2,899 on price alone is comparing an incomplete Apex configuration to a complete Plus configuration; add the Hub D1 and the real gap shrinks to essentially nothing.
the Apex 300 + B300K ships without USB or DC ports on the base unit, requiring a separate $300 Hub D1 accessoryB1B2the F3800 Plus's app shows charging input, battery percentage, and usage by device within minutes of setupA13F3800 Plus price is $2,899 against the Apex's $2,599
Why it mattersPrice out the Apex with the Hub D1 included before deciding on cost alone — the headline $300 saving assumes you don't need basic USB/DC ports.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units — everything else is a tie.
Lifetime Value
Selected because: Apex's cost-per-kWh is half the Plus's, the biggest single number on the page.
cost / lifetime kWh
$0.25 per lifetime kWh for the F3800 Plus, $0.13 for the Apex 300 + B300K — the Plus is the more expensive unit to own on both the sticker price ($2,899 vs $2,599) and the energy-over-time math (11,520 total lifetime kWh vs 19,354).
Annualized over the shared 5-year warranty, that's $580 a year for the Plus against $520 for the Apex. The gap is real but not enormous — about a dollar a day — which is worth remembering before letting the doubled cost-per-kWh figure do all the talking.
What the Specs Don't Tell You
Selected because: Surge ratio and UPS speed both favor the Plus; noise disclosure and weight both raise real questions.
rated cycles
The Plus's surge ceiling (9,000W) beats the Apex's (7,680W), and its 6,000W continuous output nearly doubles the Apex's 3,840W — real advantages for a single large load. The Apex answers with a 10ms UPS switchover against the Plus's 20ms, and a disclosed 45dB noise rating where the Plus's noise level isn't published at all.
That last point deserves a straight read: at least one F3800 Plus owner described a startling noise loud enough to worry about a fire hazardA1, while reviewers more commonly describe the fans as barely audible under normal loads, getting loud only above 4,000W or during max-speed chargingA10. Anker still hasn't put a published number on it either way.
Your Life, Your Pick
Selected because: Van Life Daily is the one load the Plus's smaller pack can't finish.
Weekend Camping and the 8-Hour Blackout both go to the Apex on cost-efficiency, and the smaller scenarios split as 'both' since neither unit is capacity-constrained at that scale.
Van Life Daily is the clean break: at 4,685Wh needed, the F3800 Plus's 3,840Wh pack covers only 144% of what it would need to use, meaning it can't finish that load without a recharge, while the Apex's 5,529.6Wh pack lands at exactly 100% — full use, no shortfall.
Growth Path
Selected because: The Plus's higher solar ceiling is the one place its price premium is explicitly earning something long-term.
solar input
This is where the Plus's extra $300 is doing real, specific work: its 3,200W solar ceiling against the Apex's 2,400W means faster off-grid refills as your setup grows, and it's the one spec where Anker fixed a documented complaint about the standard F3800 rather than just repackaging it.
Both units support expansion batteries without replacing the base unit, so neither locks you out of adding capacity later — the real difference is refill speed once you're relying on solar, not whether you can grow at all.
Strengths & trade-offs
Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS
Strengths
- +Costs $99 less
- +Lighter by 16.5 lb
- +Higher AC output
- +Faster solar charging
Trade-offs
- –Very heavy unit that may be difficult for one person to lift.
BLUETTI Apex 300 + B300K
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
Trade-offs
- –Significantly heavier (+16.5 lbs), making it harder to move.
- –Weaker inverter (-2,160W) limits appliance compatibility.
- –Very 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 · 2 nights · needs 2,100Wh
Weekend Camping
Two nights off-grid with essential comfort
Apex 300 + B300K
The SOLIX F3800 PLUS cuts it close at 64%. One cold night or an unexpected device and you're rationing power. The Apex 300 + B300K finishes at 45%, leaving real headroom for spontaneous use. If you camp in variable weather, that buffer keeps you relaxed instead of checking your battery app every 20 minutes.
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
Apex 300 + B300K
Both survive, but the Apex 300 + B300K finishes at just 35% used. That's enough reserve for a second blackout night. The SOLIX F3800 PLUS at 50% leaves little margin if the outage runs longer than expected. In storm-prone areas, that remaining capacity is insurance.
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
Either unit
Both are wildly overqualified for CPAP. You're using 10% or less. Save your money and buy whichever is cheaper; the extra capacity is completely wasted on a 40W overnight load. Put the savings toward a second battery for multi-night trips.
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
Either unit
Both power your workstation all day without breaking a sweat. At these utilization levels, prioritize the unit with better USB-C output for direct laptop charging. It's more convenient than using the AC inverter and wastes less energy.
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
Either unit
Both handle game day easily. Since capacity isn't the deciding factor, consider weight: the lighter unit is easier to load into a truck bed. Also check if either has Bluetooth speaker-level noise. Fan sound matters in social settings.
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
Apex 300 + B300K
The SOLIX F3800 PLUS runs out of juice. It only has 3,264Wh usable, but this scenario needs 4,685Wh. The Apex 300 + B300K covers it and still has 1h of phone charging left over.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Mini-Fridge 150W×24h · Laptop 60W×4h · Phone Charger 15W×3h · LED Lights 40W×5h · Fan 75W×8h
The Load Test
RUNTIME = (Wh × 0.85) ÷ LOAD
None of the six 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: Apex 300 + B300K runs 22.9h vs 15.9h.
$2,599 list · direct from BLUETTI
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 0–313.3hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0–62.7hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limitsscale 0–4.7h¹ 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 15, 2026
Verdict: the BLUETTI Apex 300 + B300K
The Apex 300 + B300K wins on the numbers that decide most purchases: $2,599 against $2,899, 5,529.6Wh against 3,840Wh, and $0.13 per lifetime kWh against $0.25. The F3800 Plus answers with a genuinely faster solar ceiling — 3,200W against 2,400W — and more continuous output, 6,000W against 3,840W. If you're off-grid and refilling from panels daily, or running one large continuous load, the Plus's speed and headroom are worth the extra $300. Otherwise the Apex's bigger, cheaper pack is the better buy.
Editor-assigned confidence, based on cited owner research and spec analysis.
List prices as of July 15, 2026. The links below open Anker's and BLUETTI's current prices.
$2,599.00 list · direct from BLUETTI
or check the SOLIX F3800 PLUS price$2,499.99 list
Written by Gunner Gustafson, Whole-Home Backup Tester · Station Arena Test Desk · Updated July 15, 2026
Measured Data
Benchmark scores and the full spec record, side by side.
Benchmark scores
Not rated for both units (minimum threshold unmet): RV Living.
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 — see Sources & Research Notes below.
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 F3800 PLUS rates 4.7/5 (80th percentile of 16 Home Backup-class units), and Apex 300 + B300K rates 4.4/5 (67th percentile of 16 Home Backup-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.
Weight Reality Check
Neither unit is grab-and-go. The SOLIX F3800 PLUS (132.3 lbs) is a two-person lift. The Apex 300 + B300K (148.8 lbs) is firmly a two-person lift. It goes where you put it and stays there. That's a 17 lb difference.
Apex 300 + B300K: 45dB Under Load
45dB is about as loud as a running refrigerator. If you're running a CPAP or sleeping near this unit, the fan noise may be noticeable. Most people find anything above 45dB disruptive for sleep.
Surge Power: Inverter Quality Indicator
The Apex 300 + B300K has a 2× surge-to-continuous ratio vs the SOLIX F3800 PLUS's 1.5×. A higher ratio (≥2×) means the inverter handles motor startup surges better. That's critical for fridges, AC compressors, and power tools that briefly draw 2-3× their rated wattage. The SOLIX F3800 PLUS may trip when starting these appliances even though its continuous wattage looks sufficient.
UPS Speed: line-interactive (<10ms) vs standby (<20ms)
The Apex 300 + B300K switches to battery in 10ms (line-interactive (<10ms)), while the SOLIX F3800 PLUS takes 20ms (standby (<20ms)). Safe for desktop PCs, routers, and CPAP machines. NAS drives are protected. This matters if you're using it as a home UPS for always-on equipment.
SOLIX F3800 PLUS: Noise Level Not Disclosed
The Apex 300 + B300K publishes its noise level (45dB), but the SOLIX F3800 PLUS doesn't. Brands that don't disclose noise specs often have louder units. If noise matters to you (CPAP users, apartment dwellers), this is worth investigating before buying.
Full record above — the Test Desk pick is the Apex 300 + B300K.
Check Apex 300 + B300K price →or check the SOLIX F3800 PLUS 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 SOLIX F3800 PLUS is cheaper to buy, but the Apex 300 + B300K is cheaper to own. At $0.13/kWh over its lifetime vs $0.22/kWh, the Apex 300 + B300K's higher cycle life and capacity make each dollar go further over the years.
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.
BLUETTI
Ecosystem
One of the broadest lineups — 15-20+ models from budget (AC2A) to flagship (Apex 300, 3072Wh). 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 — Reddit r/bluetti has a dedicated community. Second-largest after EcoFlow in engagement.
App experience
Rated 4.5/5 iOS and Android — 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 — 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. Full LFP standardization across lineup (3,500-6,000+ cycles). Dual-voltage (120V/240V) in flagships.
Worth knowing
Customer support inconsistency is the #1 risk factor. Older/discontinued units may become unrepairable — 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 — 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 + B300K
EXPANDABLESupports BLUETTI expansion batteries, so you can add capacity later without replacing the base unit — useful if your needs may climb past 5,530Wh.
Accepts up to 2,400W of solar. Enough for a serious multi-panel array.
Generous port selection supports complex multi-device setups.
Expansion batteries are BLUETTI-specific. You're investing in the BLUETTI ecosystem.
Realistic full solar rechargeat 70% of rated panel output — 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 — more panels can feed a bigger bank as it grows.
What Owners Report
Patterns from published owner reports and long-term reviews — every claim cited to its source below.
Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS
F3800 Plus reviewers report real-world runtime that drops fast with heavy loads: light use (lights, a laptop, occasional e-bike charging) stretches toward 17 hours, but running a fridge and freezer together drains the base unit in about 7.3 hoursA4A5. One reviewer called using it to charge an EV gimmicky, netting about 5 miles of range from a full drainA6.
Anker addressed the standard F3800's most-cited complaint directly: the Plus now takes true 3,200W solar input compatible with standard MC4 panels, instead of steering buyers toward pricier Anker-branded panelsA11. Support experiences remain split — one owner described being ghosted after a five-figure Solix purchaseA1, while another in the same thread got fast, responsive advanced replacementA2.
“I've called them and submitted tickets via their portal, always very responsive. They've even done advanced replacement for me.”
Sources
campingsolar.us · cleanenergybusinesscouncil.com
BLUETTI Apex 300 + B300K
Van lifers get a specific nod in the review coverage: adding a second B300K for another 2.7kWh of capacity is called a strong selling point for anyone planning to grow their setup over timeB13. The tradeoff is day-one connectivity — the base unit ships without USB or DC ports, and the roughly $300 Hub D1 needed to add them is called steep by at least one reviewerB1B2B6.
Coverage is still mostly professional test units rather than a long owner history, since the bundle is new. What's there backs its heavy-load capability specifically: one reviewer called it one of the few systems that could genuinely replace a generator, without the noise, fumes, or maintenanceB4.
“The Apex 300 doesn't have USB ports, DC ports, or much of anything beyond its six AC plugs and high-voltage connectors.”
Sources
thesolarlab.com · techspective.net · digitalreviews.net · thesolarpit.com · cleantechnica.com · trustedreviews.com
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 — some report being ghosted after repeated contact attempts over a hardware fault, while others describe fast, responsive advanced-replacement service. [SOLIX F3800 PLUS · 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 · 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 · 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 · 2 entries]
- Reviewers consistently flag that the base Apex 300 has no USB/DC ports and requires a separate paid Hub D1 accessory, which some feel is overpriced for what it offers. [Apex 300 + B300K · 3 entries]
- Multiple sources note the extreme weight/bulk of the stacked Apex 300 + B300K system, making 'portable' a stretch despite handles/trolley options. [Apex 300 + B300K · 2 entries]
- Reviewers praise fast recharge and the system's ability to genuinely replace a generator for home backup and heavy loads like washers/dryers. [Apex 300 + B300K · 4 entries]
- A1
“I 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.”
DIY Solar Forum — "Big issue with Anker Solix F3800 plus battery pack (Large Anker Solix setup)" · 2025-08 · [negative]
- A2
“I've called them and submitted tickets via their portal, always very responsive. They've even done advanced replacement for me.”
DIY Solar Forum — "Big issue with Anker Solix F3800 plus battery pack (Large Anker Solix setup)" (reply from another Solix owner) · 2025-08 · [positive]
- A4
“You 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.”
Digital Trends — "Anker Solix F3800 Plus review: this power station wins for versatility and value" · 2025-05 · [positive]
- A5
“With 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.”
Digital Trends — "Anker Solix F3800 Plus review: this power station wins for versatility and value" · 2025-05 · [mixed]
- A6
“With my Rivian R1S, I was able to get about 5 miles of charge out of the F3800 Plus – fully drained... Charging an EV with the Solix F3800 Plus is gimmicky in my opinion.”
Digital Trends — "Anker Solix F3800 Plus review: this power station wins for versatility and value" · 2025-05 · [mixed]
- A10
“Under 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.”
CampingSolar.us — "Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus Review: The Ultimate 240V Home & RV Power" · 2026-02 · [positive]
- A11
“Anker 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.”
TheSolarLab — "Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus Review: Big Power, Big Price?" · unknown · [positive]
- A13
“Setting it up was surprisingly easy... Within minutes, I could see everything on the Anker app—charging input, battery percentage, power usage by device.”
ProudHomemaker — "Is the Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus Worth It? Here's What You Need to Know" · 2025-05 · [positive]
- B1
“The Apex 300 doesn't have USB ports, DC ports, or much of anything beyond its six AC plugs and high-voltage connectors.”
thesolarlab.com — Bluetti Apex 300 Review: Cheap, Practical Home Backup? · unknown (2025/2026) · [mixed]
- B2
“That 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.”
thesolarlab.com — Bluetti Apex 300 Review: Cheap, Practical Home Backup? · unknown (2025/2026) · [negative]
- B4
“It's one of the few systems I've tested that feels like it could genuinely replace a generator, without the noise, fumes, or maintenance.”
techspective.net — Bluetti Apex 300 with B300K Review · 2025-09-21 · [positive]
- B6
“I just wonder why Bluetti did not include a USB-C port with some decent output, like 100 or 140W as I only got a measly 8W charge out of it for my phone.”
digitalreviews.net — Bluetti B300K Expansion Battery Review · 2025-12 · [negative]
- B9
“Results: 1 wash took about 1 hour and drained the Apex from 100% down to 65%.”
digitalreviews.net — Bluetti Apex 300 Power Station Tests (Australia) Part II · 2025-09 · [positive]
- B10
“Just for fun we then turned on our heat pump dryer to see that over 1½ hours it would further drain it down to 20%.”
digitalreviews.net — Bluetti Apex 300 Power Station Tests (Australia) Part II · 2025-09 · [mixed]
- B13
“For van lifers, the Apex 300 is a great base station, and the ability to add another 2.7kWh of capacity by simply purchasing another B300K expansion pack is a game-changer.”
cleantechnica.com — The Bluetti Apex 300 & B300K Portable Power Station Tested · 2025-08-05 · [positive]
Research compiled July 15, 2026.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the SOLIX F3800 PLUS if you…
- →Off-grid buyers who recharge from solar panels regularly and want the fastest refill — the Plus's 3,200W input beats the Apex's 2,400W and uses standard MC4 panels rather than requiring Anker's own.
- →Buyers with one large continuous load — a table saw, a big air compressor — where the Plus's 6,000W inverter has real headroom the Apex's 3,840W doesn't.
Buy the Apex 300 + B300K if you…
- →Buyers who cycle a station daily and need it to finish the day — the Apex's bigger 5,529.6Wh pack covers loads the Plus's 3,840Wh pack can't complete without a recharge.
- →Price-conscious buyers who don't specifically need the Plus's solar ceiling: $300 less, more total capacity, and half the cost per lifetime kWh.
If neither fits
If you're recharging almost exclusively from a wall outlet and your heaviest load stays under 2,000Wh a day, both of these units are oversized for the job and priced accordingly; a smaller 2,000-3,000Wh station covers that use case for a fraction of the cost.
The Bottom Line
Take the Apex 300 + B300K unless you're specifically recharging from solar daily or running one very large continuous load — it's $300 cheaper, stores 1,689.6Wh more, and costs roughly half as much per lifetime kWh.
The F3800 Plus earns its premium in one place: a faster, less restrictive solar ceiling than either the Apex or its own predecessor. If that's the spec your setup actually depends on, it's worth the extra money. If it isn't, the Apex's bigger, cheaper pack wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
Is the Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus or the BLUETTI Apex 300 + B300K the better buy?
The Apex 300 + B300K is the better buy for most people: $300 cheaper, 1,689.6Wh more capacity, and $0.13 per lifetime kWh against the Plus's $0.25. The Plus pulls ahead specifically for solar refill speed (3,200W vs 2,400W) and continuous output (6,000W vs 3,840W).
How much faster does the F3800 Plus recharge from solar?
The F3800 Plus accepts up to 3,200W of solar input against the Apex 300 + B300K's 2,400W. Because the Plus also has a smaller 3,840Wh pack, it can theoretically refill from empty in about 1.2 hours of full sun, versus roughly 2.3 hours for the Apex's larger 5,529.6Wh pack.
Does the Apex 300 + B300K really cost less than the F3800 Plus?
On sticker price, yes — $2,599 versus $2,899. But the Apex's base unit ships without USB or DC ports, and adding the roughly $300 Hub D1 accessory to get them closes most of that price gap.
Which one handles daily heavy use better?
The Apex 300 + B300K. On a Van Life Daily load of 4,685Wh, the F3800 Plus's 3,840Wh pack covers only 144% of what it would need — it can't finish the day without a recharge — while the Apex's 5,529.6Wh pack covers the same load at exactly 100%.
Did Anker fix the standard F3800's solar complaints with the Plus?
Largely yes. Owners of the original F3800 consistently complained that its solar input was restrictive and pushed buyers toward pricier Anker panels. The Plus now accepts 3,200W and works with standard MC4 panels, addressing that complaint directly.
Where to buy
Anker SOLIX F3800 PLUS
$2,499.99
$2,499.99 list · direct from Anker
BLUETTI Apex 300 + B300KPick
$2,599.00
$2,599.00 list · direct from BLUETTI
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.