Head-to-head test
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 vs Anker SOLIX F3800
The F3800 is $500 cheaper and out-guns the DELTA Pro 3 on the spec sheet, but its solar port comes with owner-reported strings attached that the sheet doesn't show.
Written by Gunner GustafsonUpdated
Whole-Home Backup Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
EcoFlow
DELTA Pro 3
5,693Power Score · The AC & Fridge Zone
$2,399.00 list · direct from EcoFlow
Anker
SOLIX F3800
6,237Power Score · The AC & Fridge Zone
$1,999.99 list · direct from Anker
Spec deltas
The SOLIX F3800 costs $500 less than the DELTA Pro 3 and beats it everywhere the spec sheet looks: 6,000W of continuous output against 4,000W, a 9,000W surge against 6,000W, and 2,400W of solar input against 2,000W. Read only the numbers and this is a short review.
Read the owner reports and it gets longer. Multiple F3800 owners describe its solar and DC input as restrictive enough to effectively require Anker's own panels rather than a generic MC4 arrayB1B2B13B14, and one backed the unit off its rated wall-charge speed after the power cord ran uncomfortably hotB3. It also has no pass-through mode — you can't charge from the wall while discharging to a loadB4, a real limitation for workshop or job-site use.
The DELTA Pro 3 costs $500 more but sidesteps all three issues, plus it's cheaper to own over time and its UPS switches over twice as fast. Whether that $500 is worth it comes down to whether you already own solar panels the F3800's port won't play nicely with, or need to charge and discharge at the same time.
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first — the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
solar input
The F3800's 2,400W ceiling looks 400W stronger than the DP3's 2,000W, but multiple owners report the port only reliably performs with Anker's own, pricier panelsB1B2B13B14 — for anyone building a generic array, that spec advantage shrinks or disappears entirely, leaving the DP3's smaller number as the one you can actually count on.
the F3800's solar spec is 2,400W against the DP3's 2,000Wowners consistently report the F3800's solar/DC input is restrictive and effectively locks in Anker's own panelsB1B2B13B14the F3800 costs $500 less than the DP3
Why it mattersBuyers already invested in generic MC4 solar panels should discount the F3800's solar spec and lean toward the DP3.
An owner backed the F3800 off its rated wall-charge rate because the cord ran hotB3, and it can't run a load while charging at allB4 — the DP3's fast multi-charge tops off in about 50 minutes without either restriction.
one F3800 owner throttled back the charge rate after the wall cord ran hot at full speedB3the F3800 has no pass-through mode and can't charge while dischargingB4the DP3 reaches 0-80% in about 50 minutes on up to 7,000W of inputA3
Why it mattersAnyone who needs to charge and run the unit at once, or plans to charge at its rated wall speed regularly, should weigh these F3800 quirks against its lower price.
rated cycles
1,000 more rated cycles spreads the DP3's extra $500 over more total lifetime energy, landing three cents lower per kWh than the F3800 — a real but modest gap compared to the DP3-vs-Plus matchup, since the F3800's price is already lower to start.
the DP3 costs $0.20 per lifetime kWh against the F3800's $0.23the DP3 is rated for 4,000 cycles against the F3800's 3,000the DP3 costs $500 more upfront
Why it mattersBuyers planning years of regular use should weigh the DP3's cheaper lifetime cost; buyers replacing gear within a warranty cycle should just take the F3800's lower price.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units — everything else is a tie.
Lifetime Value
Selected because: DP3 costs $500 more but is still cheaper per lifetime kWh.
cost / lifetime kWh
The DP3 costs $500 more at checkout ($3,199 vs $2,699), but its 4,000-cycle battery against the F3800's 3,000 still lands it cheaper per lifetime kWh — $0.20 versus $0.23. Smaller gap than against the pricier Plus, but the direction holds: more cycles wins the long game.
Within the shared 5-year warranty, the F3800 is meaningfully cheaper — $540 per warranty year against the DP3's $640, a $100 gap. If you replace gear on a warranty cycle instead of running it for a decade, that favors the F3800 outright.
PowerScore Breakdown
Selected because: F3800 wins the raw spec score, but the solar figure needs a field-evidence asterisk.
overall power score
5,501 to 6,013 — the F3800 wins on paper, and it's not a small gap. Its 6,000W continuous output and 9,000W surge outclass the DP3's 4,000W and 6,000W, and its 2,400W solar ceiling beats the DP3's 2,000W by 400W.
The field evidence complicates that solar number specifically: owners describe the F3800's DC input as restrictive enough to effectively require Anker's own panelsB1B2 — the kind of real-world asterisk a power score can't capture, and worth weighing against the raw figure.
What the Specs Don't Tell You
Selected because: Weight, UPS speed, and noise disclosure separate the two.
rated cycles
The F3800 is about 20 lbs heavier at 132.3 lbs to the DP3's 112.4, and its UPS switches over in 20ms against the DP3's 10ms — twice as slow, worth knowing if you're protecting a networked device or anything sensitive to a longer gap.
EcoFlow publishes 30dB for the DP3; Anker lists nothing for the F3800. Field reports on the F3800 are themselves mixed — quiet at idle for some, an intermittent buzz under load for othersB6B12 — which is a less predictable picture than a published number.
Brand Trust
Selected because: Both brands show polarized owner support experiences worth surfacing.
Anker's support on the F3800 splits sharply by owner: one describes being ghosted after a five-figure Solix purchase over a hardware issueB8, while another in the same forum thread calls the company 'always very responsive,' with an advanced replacement offeredB9. A third contrasts it favorably against months of EcoFlow firmware headaches on a different unitB10 — this isn't a clean story either direction.
EcoFlow's own support is similarly polarized — some buyers get hassle-free prepaid-label swaps, others long waits and refurbished units on new claims. Both brands are large enough that a bad support experience is a real possibility either way; buying from a retailer with a strong return window matters more here than the logo on the box.
Strengths & trade-offs
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3
Strengths
- +Lighter by 19.9 lb
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Rated for 4,000 charge cycles — much longer battery lifespan
Trade-offs
- –Weaker inverter (-2,000W) limits appliance compatibility.
- –Very heavy unit that may be difficult for one person to lift.
Anker SOLIX F3800
Strengths
- +Costs $399 less
- +Higher AC output
- +Faster solar charging
Trade-offs
- –Significantly heavier (+19.9 lbs), making it harder to move.
- –Very heavy unit that may be difficult for one person to lift.
- –Shorter-lived battery — rated for 3,000 charge cycles vs the DELTA Pro 3's 4,000, so it wears out sooner.
Will It Power Your Gear?
Scenario math and per-appliance runtimes, modeled from the spec record.
Scenario verdicts
We ran the math on 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
Either unit
Both handle two nights comfortably. The SOLIX F3800 uses 64% and the DELTA Pro 3 uses 60%. With this little difference, pick based on weight and portability instead. The lighter unit wins for car camping.
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
Either unit
Both survive the blackout with similar margin. Since the capacity difference doesn't matter here, focus on which unit has UPS mode — seamless switchover protects your router and PC from the split-second power gap.
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
Neither unit
Neither unit can fully handle this scenario (needs 4,685Wh). You'd need a higher-capacity station or to cut back on usage.
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: DELTA Pro 3 runs 17h vs 15.9h.
$2,399 list · direct from EcoFlow
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 0–232.1hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0–46.4hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limitsscale 0–3.5h¹ 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 14, 2026
Verdict: the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3
The SOLIX F3800 is $500 cheaper than the DELTA Pro 3 ($2,699 vs $3,199) and beats it on continuous output (6,000W vs 4,000W), surge (9,000W vs 6,000W), and solar input (2,400W vs 2,000W). On paper that's a clean win. In the field, though, owners repeatedly describe the F3800's solar and DC input as restrictive — effectively steering buyers toward Anker's own, pricier panels rather than a generic arrayB1B2B13B14 — plus a hot charging cord at its highest wall-charge rate that one owner had to throttle backB3, and no pass-through mode for charging while running a loadB4. The DELTA Pro 3 costs more but avoids all three, runs cheaper per lifetime kWh ($0.20 vs $0.23), switches over twice as fast (10ms vs 20ms), and publishes a noise figure the F3800 doesn't. If you already own generic solar panels or need to charge and run loads at once, that tips it to the DELTA Pro 3 despite the higher price.
Editor-assigned confidence, based on cited owner research and spec analysis.
List prices as of July 14, 2026. The links below open EcoFlow's and Anker's current prices.
$2,399.00 list · direct from EcoFlow
or check the SOLIX F3800 price$1,999.99 list
Written by Gunner Gustafson, Whole-Home Backup Tester · Station Arena Test Desk · Updated July 14, 2026
Measured Data
Benchmark scores and the full spec record, side by side.
Benchmark scores
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, DELTA Pro 3 rates 4.1/5 (47th percentile of 16 Home Backup-class units), and SOLIX F3800 rates 4.5/5 (73rd 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 DELTA Pro 3 (112.4 lbs) is a two-person lift. The SOLIX F3800 (132.3 lbs) is firmly a two-person lift. It goes where you put it and stays there. That's a 20 lb difference.
UPS Speed: line-interactive (<10ms) vs standby (<20ms)
The DELTA Pro 3 switches to battery in 10ms (line-interactive (<10ms)), while the SOLIX F3800 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.
1,000 more cycles is years, not marketing
The DP3's 4,000-cycle rating against the F3800's 3,000 is 1,000 more full charge-discharge cycles before either battery degrades to 80% of its original capacity. It only shows up if you keep the unit long enough to feel it, but at daily or near-daily use, that gap is measured in years, not months.
A number on one side, silence on the other
The DP3 publishes 30dB. Anker hasn't published a figure for the F3800, and field reports are themselves mixed — quiet at idle for some owners, an intermittent rattle under load for others that Anker traced to a loose internal component. That inconsistency, more than the missing number itself, is the real reason to ask before buying if this is going in a quiet room.
Full record above — the Test Desk pick is the DELTA Pro 3.
Check DELTA Pro 3 price →or check the SOLIX F3800 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 is cheaper to buy, but the DELTA Pro 3 is cheaper to own. At $0.15/kWh over its lifetime vs $0.17/kWh, the DELTA Pro 3's higher cycle life and capacity make each dollar go further over the years.
Brand trust
EcoFlow
Ecosystem
Largest in portable power — 12-15 models across DELTA Pro, DELTA 3, and RIVER 3 series, plus solar panels and smart home panels
Support
US-based phone/email/chat support (1-800-368-8604). Experiences are polarized — many report hassle-free prepaid-label replacements, but others report long waits and refurbished units sent for new claims. Pro tip: buying from Costco or Amazon gives you a stronger return safety net.
Community
Largest community in the space — Reddit r/Ecoflow_community (~31K members), multiple Facebook groups, and an official community forum
App experience
Rated 4.6/5 iOS (~8,400 ratings) · 4.2/5 Android (~17,000 ratings)
Unique strength
Fastest-charging technology (X-Stream), deepest product ecosystem, and most active innovation cadence. Supports up to 180kWh modular expansion with DELTA Pro Ultra X.
Worth knowing
The Oct 2025 DELTA Max 2000 recall (overheating/fire risk, 6 incidents) is worth noting. Also tested subscription paywalls for advanced app features in early 2025 before community backlash paused the plan. No parts or service offered out of warranty.
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.
Analyst note
Anker's support on the F3800 splits sharply by owner — ghosted after a five-figure purchase in one account, 'always very responsive' with advance replacements in another posted in the same forum thread. EcoFlow's own support carries a similar split personality: hassle-free prepaid-label swaps for some, long waits and refurbished units sent for new claims for others. Neither brand has cleanly solved support at this price point, so lean on the retailer's return window — Costco or Amazon over a direct manufacturer order — more than the logo on the box.
Growth path
DELTA Pro 3
EXPANDABLESupports EcoFlow expansion batteries, so you can add capacity later without replacing the base unit — useful if your needs may climb past 4,096Wh.
Accepts up to 2,000W of solar. Enough for a serious multi-panel array.
Generous port selection supports complex multi-device setups.
Expansion batteries are EcoFlow-specific. You're investing in the EcoFlow ecosystem.
SOLIX F3800
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 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.
Realistic full solar rechargeat 70% of rated panel output — see methodology
Analyst note
Both expand, so neither locks you out of growth — decide on capacity, price, and the rest, not the expansion checkbox.
What Owners Report
Patterns from published owner reports and long-term reviews — every claim cited to its source below.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3
The DP3's headline in the field is its dual-voltage 120V/240V output on a 4,096Wh LFP pack, expandable to 48kWh without swapping the base unitA1 — the kind of spec that matters more here, against an F3800 whose own solar input comes with owner-reported strings attached. Its battery carries a 4,000+ cycle rating to 80% with an IP65 ratingA2, ahead of the F3800's 3,000-cycle spec.
Reviewers describe it as a gold-standard whole-home unit for 2026 at about 113.5 lbsA4, and its multi-charge technology reaches 0-80% in about 50 minutes on up to 7,000W of inputA3 — fast enough that the F3800's slightly higher solar number matters less than it looks on the spec sheet.
“4,096Wh LFP battery with 4,000W continuous AC output (6,000W with X-Boost) and dual-voltage 120V/240V, expandable to 48kWh.”
Sources
ecoflow.com · amazon.com · homedepot.com · thepowerpick.com · outboundpower.com · techradar.com · thesolarlab.com
Anker SOLIX F3800
Owners consistently describe the F3800's solar and DC input as restrictive, saying it effectively locks them into pricier Anker-branded panels rather than a generic arrayB1B2B13B14. One backed the unit off its rated wall-charge speed after the cord ran uncomfortably hotB3, and it has no pass-through mode — you can't charge from the wall while discharging to a loadB4.
Day-to-day performance still earns real praise: one owner ran it off a single 120V outlet through a transfer switch and it handled everything thrown at it, including a water pumpB5, and fan noise is generally described as quiet at idle with only occasional buzzing under load or fault conditionsB6B12. Anker's support is polarized on this unit specifically — ghosted after a large purchase in one accountB8, 'always very responsive' in anotherB9 — so buy from a retailer with a solid return window.
“I 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.”
Sources
diysolarforum.com · thesolarlab.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
- Huge 4,096Wh LFP capacity, 4,000W dual-voltage output, very fast charging, and big expandability are the standout praise; it's heavy at ~113 lbs. [DELTA Pro 3 · 2 entries]
- Owners consistently complain that the solar/DC input is restrictive, effectively locking users into pricier Anker-branded panels rather than generic arrays. [SOLIX F3800 · 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 · 3 entries]
- Anker support experiences are polarized — some owners report fast, responsive replacements while at least one reports being ignored after a major purchase. [SOLIX F3800 · 3 entries]
- A1
“4,096Wh LFP battery with 4,000W continuous AC output (6,000W with X-Boost) and dual-voltage 120V/240V, expandable to 48kWh.”
ecoflow.com / amazon.com — DELTA Pro 3 · 2026 · [positive]
- A2
“LiFePO4 rated for 4,000+ cycles to 80% (10+ years), with an IP65 battery rating.”
homedepot.com / thepowerpick.com — DELTA Pro 3 review · 2026 · [positive]
- A3
“Multi-charge technology reaches 0-80% in about 50 minutes using up to 7,000W input, with a full charge in roughly 90 minutes; up to 2,600W solar.”
outboundpower.com / techradar.com — DELTA Pro 3 review · 2026 · [positive]
- A4
“Weighs about 113.5 lbs; reviewers call it a gold-standard whole-home backup unit for 2026.”
techradar.com / thesolarlab.com — DELTA Pro 3 review · 2026 · [positive]
- B1
“The 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.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' · 2024-07 · [negative]
- B2
“The 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.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' · 2024-07 · [negative]
- B3
“if 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.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' · 2024-07 · [negative]
- B4
“the lack of passthru mode, you cannot charge via the 120VAC input while discharging.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' · 2024-07 · [negative]
- B5
“I 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.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' · 2024-07 · [positive]
- B6
“I 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.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Big issue with Anker Solix F3800 plus battery pack' · 2025-08 · [mixed]
- B8
“Anker 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.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Big issue with Anker Solix F3800 plus battery pack' · 2025-08 · [negative]
- B9
“I've called them and submitted tickets via their portal, always very responsive. They've even done advanced replacement for me.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Big issue with Anker Solix F3800 plus battery pack' · 2025-08 · [positive]
- B10
“I've had zero issues - especially compared to the EcoFlow firmware issues I fought with for months.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Anker solix f-3800 diy solar array' · 2024-02 · [positive]
- B12
“Sometimes the fans are completely silent, then they kick in and out intermittently.”
thesolarlab.com — 'Anker SOLIX F3800 Review: Did It Kill the Competition?' · unknown · [mixed]
- B13
“no 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.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' · 2024-07 · [negative]
- B14
“other than the solar input problem having limited panel array choices to max out it's input capability it's a great unit so far.”
diysolarforum.com — 'Anker F3800 user reviews and opinions welcome' · 2024-07 · [mixed]
Research compiled July 14, 2026.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the DELTA Pro 3 if you…
- →You already own, or plan to build out, generic MC4 solar panels rather than Anker's own — owners report the F3800's DC input is restrictive toward third-party arraysB1B2.
- →You need to charge and run a load at the same time — the F3800 has no pass-through modeB4.
- →You want the lower cost per lifetime kWh, a faster 10ms UPS switchover, and a published noise figure instead of an unlisted one.
Buy the SOLIX F3800 if you…
- →You want the lower price and more continuous output — $500 less than the DP3 while outputting 6,000W against 4,000W.
- →Your charging routine doesn't require running loads at the same time, so the lack of pass-through mode doesn't affect you.
- →You can live with a polarized support record — some owners get fast advanced replacements, others are ghostedB8B9.
If neither fits
If your day includes running the unit while it's actively charging — a workshop, a job site, a food truck — the F3800's lack of pass-through modeB4 rules it out regardless of price, and the DP3's fast charge-then-run cycle isn't true simultaneous operation either. Look at a unit built specifically for continuous charge-and-discharge instead of either of these.
The Bottom Line
The DELTA Pro 3 is the safer buy for most people despite its $500 premium: it avoids the F3800's owner-reported solar restrictions, hot-cord charging caveat, and lack of pass-through mode, while also running cheaper per lifetime kWh and switching over twice as fast.
The F3800 remains a legitimate pick for a specific buyer — one who doesn't need pass-through charging, isn't relying on third-party solar panels, and wants more raw output for $500 less. Know which of those two buyers you are before you check out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 vs Anker SOLIX F3800 — which should I buy?
The DELTA Pro 3 for most buyers, despite costing $500 more ($3,199 vs $2,699). Owners consistently report the F3800's solar/DC input is restrictive toward non-Anker panels, it lacks pass-through charging, and one owner had to throttle back its wall-charge rate after the cord ran hot. If none of those apply to you and you just want more output for less money, the F3800's $500 lower price and higher wattage specs are a legitimate pick.
Is the F3800's higher solar spec actually usable with any panels?
Not reliably, according to owners. The F3800 lists 2,400W of solar input against the DP3's 2,000W, but multiple owners describe the port as restrictive enough to effectively require Anker's own, pricier panels rather than a generic MC4 array. If you already own third-party panels, the DP3's smaller but more dependable solar spec may serve you better in practice.
Can I charge the F3800 while running a load?
No — owners confirm it has no pass-through mode, so you can't charge from the wall while discharging to a connected load. The DP3 doesn't offer true simultaneous charge-and-discharge either, but its fast multi-charge (0-80% in about 50 minutes on up to 7,000W) shortens the window where that matters.
Which has better support?
Neither brand has a clean record on these specific units. F3800 owners report both being ghosted after a large purchase and receiving fast advanced replacements from Anker, and DELTA Pro 3 buyers see a similar split with EcoFlow support. Buy either from a retailer with a strong return policy rather than counting on the manufacturer alone.
Where to buy
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3Pick
$2,399.00
$2,399.00 list · direct from EcoFlow
Anker SOLIX F3800
$1,999.99
$1,999.99 list · direct from Anker
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.