Head-to-head test
Anker SOLIX F3800 vs BLUETTI Apex 300
The Apex 300 costs less, weighs a lot less and is rated for twice the cycles. The F3800 holds more and runs a far bigger inverter. The question is whether your house would ever use what the extra money buys.
Full profiles: Anker SOLIX F3800 β Β· BLUETTI Apex 300 β
Written by Gunner GustafsonUpdated
Whole-Home Backup Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
Spec deltas
When a storm takes the grid down in my canyon, it rarely comes back by dinner. So the first thing I look at on a pair like this is what's left in the battery the next morning. Run an 8-hour blackout on both and the Anker SOLIX F3800 still has nearly a whole second night in it. The BLUETTI Apex 300 has a bit under half of one.
The Apex 300 answers on the receipt and in your back. It costs $501 less. It weighs 83.78 lbs to the F3800's 132.3. BLUETTI also rates its battery for twice the charge cycles, so each kWh it stores over its life costs $0.10 against the F3800's $0.19.
Both take add-on batteries, both list a UPS mode, and both carry five years of warranty. What splits them is headroom against cost. The F3800's extra money buys capacity and a much bigger inverter. Those matter in a house where the well pump, the fridge and a heater all want power at the same moment.
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first β the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
continuous output
Continuous output is what a unit can hold for as long as the battery lasts. Surge is the brief spike a motor pulls at switch-on. BLUETTI's 7,680W figure for the Apex 300 belongs to its Power Lifting mode, which runs heaters and kettles slowly and does nothing for a compressor.
The F3800 runs 6,000W continuous against the Apex 300's 3,840WThe F3800 publishes a 9,000W surge peak; the Apex 300 publishes no surge figure above its continuous rating
Why it mattersIf you'd ever run a table saw while the air conditioner is on, the F3800 has room for both. If your heavy loads take turns, 3,840W covers the biggest of them.
rated cycles
Over its rated life the Apex 300 stores roughly 16,589 kWh against the F3800's 11,520, despite the smaller battery. That works out to $0.10 per lifetime kWh against $0.19.
The F3800 costs $2,200 and is rated for 3,000 cyclesThe Apex 300 costs $1,699 and is rated for 6,000 cycles
Why it mattersUnless you already know the extra capacity will get used, the Apex 300 is the better value.
Outages up here can run past one evening while a crew waits for the wind to drop. On the second night, the reserve in the box matters more than anything printed on it.
In an 8-hour blackout the F3800 finishes with 1,619Wh left and the Apex 300 with 705WhBoth clear the Remote Workday, the F3800 at 28% used and the Apex 300 at 39%
Why it mattersIf your outages tend to outlast a night, the F3800's reserve is the argument for it. If they're over by bedtime, the Apex 300 finishes with plenty left.
Several forum owners say the F3800's input limits make third-party panels a struggle, and that Anker's own panels are pricey for a full arrayA1A2. Some work around it with a second charge controllerA13. We found no matching complaint about the Apex 300, though its owner record is still youngB0.
Both units publish a 2,400W solar input ceilingF3800 owners report its solar input is hard to fill with anything but Anker's own panelsA1A2A13
Why it mattersIf you already own panels, check them against the F3800's input before you buyA14.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units β everything else is a tie.
PowerScore Breakdown
Selected because: The F3800 leads the composite on capacity and inverter size.
overall power score
The F3800 leads the engine's composite score comfortably. Its battery is 1,075.2Wh bigger and its inverter is over half again as large. On raw capability it's the stronger box.
The composite doesn't price anything in, though. The Apex 300's case lives further down the page, in the cost and the weight.
Your Life, Your Pick
Selected because: The six scenarios split two each way, with one tie and one that beats both.
The scenarios split down the middle. The F3800 takes the 8-hour blackout and the remote workday, finishing each with far more left over. The Apex 300 takes weekend camping and the tailgate, and not on capacity. At 132.3 lbs the F3800 is a unit that lives in one place. I wouldn't put it in a truck for a weekend unless the truck had a liftgate and I had a friend.
CPAP Overnight is a tie, since either covers the night many times over. Van Life Daily beats both. Its 4,685Wh day leaves the F3800 1,421Wh short and the Apex 300 2,335Wh short, so either one needs sun or an expansion battery to finish it.
Lifetime Value
Selected because: The Apex 300 wins on cost per lifetime kWh, the counterweight to the F3800's headroom.
cost / lifetime kWh
This section belongs to the Apex 300. It costs $501 less up front and is rated for twice the cycles, so each lifetime kWh comes out at $0.10 against the F3800's $0.19.
If I were buying for a house where the grid drops a few times a winter and the big loads take turns, I'd buy the Apex 300 and put the difference toward a transfer switch.
What the Specs Don't Tell You
Selected because: Weight, Power Lifting, the UPS ratings and the F3800's missing noise figure all come up here.
rated cycles
BLUETTI lists Power Lifting at 7,680W on the Apex 300. It's a mode for resistive loads like heaters and kettles, and it works by giving them less power than they ask for, so they heat slowly. It does nothing for a compressor or a pump. The Apex 300 publishes no surge figure, so the F3800's 9,000W peak is the only starting number on the table.
UPS mode is the handover to battery when the grid drops. The Apex 300 is rated no worse than 10ms and the F3800 no worse than 20ms, and neither is a lab result. The Apex 300 also publishes a noise figure and the F3800 doesn't, so on noise there's only one number to go on.
Strengths & trade-offs
Anker SOLIX F3800
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Higher AC output
Trade-offs
- 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 $501 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 covers the 2,100Wh weekend with 250Wh to spare. The F3800 would finish with more left, but at its weight it stays home.
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
Both survive the night. The SOLIX F3800 finishes at 50% used with 1,619Wh left β 98% of a second night. The Apex 300 finishes at 70% with 705Wh, 43% of a second night. If your outages tend to run past one evening, that difference is the whole argument between them.
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
Either unit covers a CPAP night many times over, at about 10% of the F3800's usable capacity and 14% of the Apex 300's. Let the other scenarios decide.
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
The SOLIX F3800 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
Both clear a tailgate easily. The Apex 300 takes it because a 132.3 lb F3800 doesn't come to a parking lot. At 83.78 lbs the Apex 300 is still plenty to carry from the car.
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 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 runs 15.9h vs 11.5h.
$2,199.99 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
The Apex 300 is the better buy for most homes. It costs $501 less, weighs 48.5 lbs less, and is rated for 6,000 cycles against 3,000, which puts its cost per lifetime kWh at $0.10 against $0.19. The F3800 is the stronger machine. It holds 3,840Wh to 2,764.8Wh, runs 6,000W continuous to 3,840W, and finishes an 8-hour blackout with almost a full second night in reserve. If a shop, a pump and an air conditioner all draw from one battery at once, that headroom is worth paying for. If your loads take turns, the Apex 300 does the job for less.
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 price$2,199.99 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 $1,980Apex 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 rates 4.5/5 (68th 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.
Apex 300 Is 48.5 lbs Lighter
83.78 lbs against 132.3. Neither one is light. The F3800 is a two-person lift that stays where you put it. The Apex 300 is manageable for one person who lifts with their knees and isn't in a hurry.
Apex 300 Publishes a 45dB Rating
It's the only one of the two with a published noise figure. It's BLUETTI's own rating, so treat it as a starting point rather than what you'd hear at a bedside.
Apex 300: Power Lifting to 7,680W
The Apex 300 has BLUETTI's Power Lifting mode, which runs a resistive appliance rated up to 7,680W from its 3,840W inverter. It does that by delivering less power than the appliance asks for, not more than the inverter has: the heater still works, it just heats more slowly. Two things follow. BLUETTI scopes the mode to purely resistive loads β a heater, a kettle, an incandescent lamp β so it does nothing for a fridge compressor, a pump or a power tool, and this record publishes no surge figure at all, so read the mode as a resistive-load feature rather than as starting ability. And it is not a reason to size down, because running a load that big from 2,765Wh is a short session either way. Genuinely useful if a heater or a kettle is why you're buying; beside the point otherwise. The SOLIX F3800 publishes no equivalent.
Rated β€10ms vs β€20ms Switchover
UPS mode is the handover to battery when the grid drops. The Apex 300 is rated no worse than 10ms and the F3800 no worse than 20ms. Routers and most electronics ride through either. The fussiest desktop power supplies sit near the 20ms line, so for a computer holding unsaved work the Apex 300's rating is the safer one.
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's 2.3, 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, 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.
SOLIX F3800 Doesn't Publish a Noise Figure
There's no number to hold it to. Owner reports lean quiet outside heavy draw, but that isn't a spec. If it's going near a bedroom, look for hands-on reports first.
Full record above β the Test Desk pick is the Apex 300.
Check Apex 300 price βor check the SOLIX F3800 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.
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
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 2,400W 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, so neither locks you out of growth β decide on capacity, price, and the rest, not the expansion checkbox.
What Owners Report
Patterns from published owner reports and long-term reviews β every claim cited to its source below.
Anker SOLIX F3800
The loudest complaint from F3800 owners is about solar. Forum posts describe the input as fussy enough that Anker's own panels are the easy route, and one owner only uses solar when nothing else will doA1A2A13. Another found the line cord ran hot at the full wall-charging rate and turned the rate downA3. On the plus side, one owner feeds his house through a single outlet into a Reliance transfer switch, water pump includedA5. My own house runs through the same kind of switch, so I read that post twice.
Support reports split. One owner says Anker stopped answering after a large SOLIX order, though our researcher couldn't confirm which model that post describesA8. Another in the same thread got quick advance replacementsA9. Fan noise is mostly described as quiet, with the odd buzz when a heavy load kicks inA6A12.
βI have been using the F3800 for a couple weeks now, using only a single 120V outlet into a reliance transfer switch and it runs everything I throw at it including a water pump.β
Sources
diysolarforum.com Β· thesolarlab.com
BLUETTI Apex 300
The Apex 300 is new, and most of what's written about it comes from press reviewers rather than long-term ownersB0. The owner posts that do exist are mostly about firmware. Updates have left units stuck in Backup mode, thrown a charging error, or kept offering an update that was already installedB1B2B4. One reviewer found the fans tame next to louder rivalsB5.
The other recurring gripe is what isn't on the front. There are no USB or 12V car ports on the unit, and adding them means buying BLUETTI's Hub D1, which reviewers call expensive for what it doesB7B11. One reviewer could barely carry it more than a few feetB8. Lighter than the F3800 still isn't light.
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
- Owners consistently complain that the solar/DC input is restrictive, effectively locking users into pricier Anker-branded panels rather than generic arrays. [SOLIX F3800 Β· 4 entries]
- Fan/inverter noise is generally reported as quiet at idle but with occasional intermittent buzzing/rattling under load or fault conditions. [SOLIX F3800 Β· 3 entries]
- Anker support experiences are polarized β some owners report fast, responsive replacements while at least one reports being ignored after a major purchase. [SOLIX F3800 Β· 3 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
βThe solar input for charging is a pain, so much so that I'm only using it if there is no other way to charge the F3800.β
diysolarforum.com β 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' Β· 2024-07 Β· [negative]
- A2
βThe limitations of the inputs make it very difficult to use solar panels other than Anker's panels, which are pricey for a "full up" config.β
diysolarforum.com β 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' Β· 2024-07 Β· [negative]
- A3
βif you charge the F3800 from a 120VAC wall outlet at full rate (1800 watts), the line cord gets very hot. I've backed off the charge rate to 600-800 watts.β
diysolarforum.com β 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' Β· 2024-07 Β· [negative]
- A5
βI have been using the F3800 for a couple weeks now, using only a single 120V outlet into a reliance transfer switch and it runs everything I throw at it including a water pump.β
diysolarforum.com β 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' Β· 2024-07 Β· [positive]
- A6
βI have 4 BP3800s and one of them made similar buzzing/rattling noise when a heavy AC load was starting up... only for around a second while inverter was ramping up.β
diysolarforum.com β 'Big issue with Anker Solix F3800 plus battery pack' Β· 2025-08 Β· [mixed]
- A8
βAnker support is ghosting me after I spent over 20k on their solix line and solar panels within a month... they are not answering/returning my calls or emails.β
diysolarforum.com β 'Big issue with Anker Solix F3800 plus battery pack' Β· 2025-08 Β· [negative]
- A9
βI've called them and submitted tickets via their portal, always very responsive. They've even done advanced replacement for me.β
diysolarforum.com β 'Big issue with Anker Solix F3800 plus battery pack' Β· 2025-08 Β· [positive]
- A12
βSometimes the fans are completely silent, then they kick in and out intermittently.β
thesolarlab.com β 'Anker SOLIX F3800 Review: Did It Kill the Competition?' Β· unknown Β· [mixed]
- A13
βno one on Youtube is addressing the solar input problem directly. But People smarter than myself with secondary charge controllers... are able to navigate around the problem.β
diysolarforum.com β 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' Β· 2024-07 Β· [negative]
- A14
βother than the solar input problem having limited panel array choices to max out it's input capability it's a great unit so far.β
diysolarforum.com β 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' Β· 2024-07 Β· [mixed]
- 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]
- B4
βProblem is every time I connect to the power station it shows that I still have an update, and I need to tap to upgrade which then tells me I am up to date.β
BLUETTI Community forum β 'Check For Update App issue' Β· 2025-09 Β· [negative]
- 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]
- 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 114 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
137 claims from 91 comments Β· 76 from owners Β· 26 with figures
- Charging
- 19 Β· 46% negative
- Price & value
- 16 Β· 47% negative
- Runtime
- 8 Β· 15% negative
- Other
- 19 Β· 50% negative
- Expandability
- 12 Β· 36% negative
What owners complain about
Sarcastic about the $1600 price of each official expansion battery versus cheaper alternatives.
Price & valuemeasuredowner20 agreedsource β
A single Chargeverter only gives ~1200W due to the no-common-ground XT-60 DC inputs.
Chargingmeasuredowner12 agreedsource β
AC charging kills 240V and caps output to one bank at ~1200W of the 6000W inverter.
Inverter & surgemeasuredowner7 agreedsource β
What owners praise
Ran 2 fridges, 2 freezers, lights, pellet stove and Starlink for 6.5 hours using only 32%.
Runtimemeasuredowner61 agreedsource β
Recharged in 1 hour 15 minutes at just under 3000W from the grid.
Chargingmeasuredowner61 agreedsource β
Uses an F3800 for peak shaving on a 6c off-peak / 25c on-peak time-of-use plan.
Price & valueowner10 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 if youβ¦
- βYou run heavy loads at the same time, like a shop compressor and an air conditioner, and need more than a 3,840W inverter.
- βYour outages regularly run past one evening, and the F3800's reserve after a full night matters more to you than $501.
- βThe unit will live in one spot beside a transfer switch and never ride in a truck.
Buy the Apex 300 if youβ¦
- βYour heavy loads take turns, so 3,840W continuous covers the biggest of them.
- βYou want the lower cost per lifetime kWh and twice the rated cycles.
- βIt may have to move. At 83.78 lbs it's manageable for one person, where the F3800 is a two-person lift.
If neither fits
If the job is a full van-life day of about 4,685Wh, neither base unit gets there. The F3800 comes up 1,421Wh short and the Apex 300 2,335Wh short. Plan on an expansion battery or solar from the start, or look at a bigger system.
The Bottom Line
The F3800 is the bigger, stronger unit. It holds more, runs a much larger inverter, and finishes a long outage with more in reserve. The Apex 300 costs $501 less, weighs 48.5 lbs less, and is rated for twice the cycles.
Buy the F3800 if your loads really do pile up at once, or your outages outlast a night. Buy the Apex 300 if they don't. You'll pay less per kWh over its life and won't miss headroom you never reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
Is the Anker SOLIX F3800 worth $501 more than the Bluetti Apex 300?
If your loads use the extra capacity and continuous output, yes. The F3800 holds 1,075.2Wh more and runs 6,000W continuous against the Apex 300's 3,840W. If your loads already fit the Apex 300 with room to spare, its lower lifetime cost per kWh ($0.10 vs $0.19) makes it the better value.
Which has more capacity, the F3800 or the Apex 300?
The F3800, by 1,075.2Wh: 3,840Wh against the Apex 300's 2,764.8Wh. That gap is why it wins the 8-hour blackout and the remote workday with far more left over. The Apex 300 takes weekend camping and the tailgate because it is much lighter to move.
Which lasts longer in cycles, the F3800 or the Apex 300?
The Apex 300, rated for 6,000 cycles against the F3800's 3,000. Combined with its lower price, that's the main reason the Apex 300 wins on lifetime cost per kWh despite the smaller battery.
Does the Anker F3800 work with any solar panels?
Owners flag restrictive solar input as a recurring problem, describing it as effectively requiring Anker's own panels for a full-capability setup. If you're planning a mixed or third-party solar array, research panel compatibility before buying.
Which is quieter, the F3800 or the Apex 300?
The Apex 300 publishes a 45dB rating; the F3800's spec sheet lists none. Owner reports describe the F3800 as quiet under normal household loads, with fans that cut in and out under heavier use. With only one published number, there's nothing to compare directly.
Where to buy
Anker SOLIX F3800
$2,199.99
$2,199.99 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.