Head-to-head test
EcoFlow RIVER 2 vs Anker SOLIX C300
Two tiny ~300W units for phones and gadgets — the RIVER 2 is cheaper and lighter, but the C300 packs more capacity and a 10ms UPS that's genuinely rare at this size.
Written by Wenny ZhengUpdated
Portable Power Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
EcoFlow
RIVER 2
1,585Power Score · Device Hub
$189.00 list · direct from EcoFlow
Anker
SOLIX C300
1,664Power Score · Device Hub
$299.99 list · direct from Anker
Spec deltas
These are the little ones — sub-300Wh units built to keep phones, laptops, and small gadgets going on a hike or a desk. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 is $219; the Anker SOLIX C300 is $239.99, a $21 gap.
The C300 holds a bit more (288Wh vs 256Wh) and brings two standout touches for its size: dual 140W USB-C ports for fast device charging and a 10ms UPS switchover that reviewers call legitimately unique at this price and scale.
The RIVER 2 answers on price and weight: $21 cheaper and 1.3 lbs lighter at 7.8 lbs, on the same core platform as EcoFlow's RIVER 3. At this size, small differences matter, and each unit stakes out a clear one.
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first — the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
Capacity
It packs 32Wh more (about 12.5%) and a 10ms UPS that reviewers single out as rare at this size and priceB3, where the RIVER 2's under-30ms is slower.
the C300 holds 288Wh vs the RIVER 2's 256Whthe C300's UPS switches in under 10ms vs the RIVER 2's under 30msreviewers call the C300's 10ms UPS unique in this size and price classB3
Why it mattersFor a bit more runtime and genuine small-scale backup, the C300 leads.
weight
For the tightest budget and lightest carry, the RIVER 2 wins — it rides EcoFlow's proven RIVER platformA2 and is positioned as the indoor value pickA3.
the RIVER 2 costs $219 vs the C300's $239.99the RIVER 2 weighs 7.8 lbs vs the C300's 9.1the RIVER 2 shares the RIVER 3 platformA2
Why it mattersBudget- and weight-first buyers should take the RIVER 2.
Its extra capacity on the same cycle life edges its cost-to-own just below the RIVER 2's, so the $21 price gap narrows over the unit's life.
the C300 costs $0.28 per lifetime kWh vs the RIVER 2's $0.29both share the same cycle ratingthe C300 holds more capacity
Why it mattersThe C300's small premium is largely recovered in value over time.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units — everything else is a tie.
What the Specs Don't Tell You
Selected because: Capacity and UPS versus price and weight is the whole decision at this size.
At this scale the spec gaps are small but decisive. The C300 holds 288Wh to the RIVER 2's 256Wh and switches over in under 10ms versus under 30ms — plus it has dual 140W USB-C ports for charging laptops and phones fastB1. The RIVER 2 is lighter and $21 cheaper.
So the C300 is the more capable little unit, the RIVER 2 the leaner, cheaper one. For a device you'll toss in a bag, the RIVER 2's 1.3-lb weight saving is real; for one that might sit and back up a router, the C300's fast UPS is the draw.
Your Life, Your Pick
Selected because: Small backup versus pure portable charging splits the buyers.
The C300's 10ms UPS opens a use the RIVER 2 handles less gracefully: keeping a small always-on device — a modem, a security hub, a mini-PC — running through a brief outage without a rebootB3. That's genuinely unusual in a unit this size.
If instead you just want to top up phones and a laptop on a hike or at a campsite, the RIVER 2 does that for less and weighs less to carryA3. Decide whether you want a tiny backup or a tiny charger, and the pick follows.
Brand Trust
Selected because: The C300's USB-C and UPS vs the RIVER 2's EcoFlow platform round it out.
The C300 leans on features and design. Reviewers describe it as impressively light and compact — Anker claims 30% smaller than rivals — with dual 140W USB-C and that standout 10ms UPS, aimed at buyers who value reliability and smart featuresB2B3B4.
The RIVER 2 leans on EcoFlow's ecosystem, sharing the same core platform as the well-regarded RIVER 3A2, and is framed as the budget choice for strictly indoor use where every dollar countsA3. Both are dependable little units; the C300 is the more featured, the RIVER 2 the more frugal.
Lifetime Value
Selected because: Cost-to-own is a near-tie worth spelling out.
cost / lifetime kWh
On cost-to-own the two are nearly identical — $0.28 per lifetime kWh for the C300, $0.29 for the RIVER 2 — since they share a cycle rating and the C300's extra capacity offsets its higher price.
So value isn't a strong tiebreaker; both are economical for their size. The RIVER 2 keeps $21 in your pocket today, while the C300 gives more capacity and a better UPS for almost the same lifetime cost. Pick by feature needs, not by the money.
Strengths & trade-offs
EcoFlow RIVER 2
Strengths
- +Costs $111 less
- +Lighter by 1.3 lb
- +Faster solar charging
Trade-offs
- –No major technical downsides compared to rival.
Anker SOLIX C300
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
Trade-offs
- –Substantially more expensive (+$111) than the RIVER 2.
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
Neither unit
Neither unit can fully handle this scenario (needs 2,100Wh). You'd need a higher-capacity station or to cut back on usage.
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
Neither unit
A full blackout's roughly 1,645Wh is many times what either unit holds. Both are for keeping phones, a router, or a laptop alive through a short outage, not powering a home — the C300's 10ms UPS makes it the better of the two for riding a router or modem through the moment the grid drops.
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
Neither unit
A CPAP's roughly 320Wh overnight draw just edges past both units' capacity (256Wh and 288Wh), so neither reliably runs one all night — the C300's larger battery gets closer but still can't guarantee a full night with a humidifier. These are device-and-gadget units, not CPAP backups; size up to a 500Wh-plus station for that.
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
Neither unit
Neither unit can fully handle this scenario (needs 910Wh). You'd need a higher-capacity station or to cut back on usage.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Laptop 60W×8h · External Monitor 30W×8h · Router + Modem 20W×8h · Phone Charger 15W×2h
SCN-05 · 4 hours · needs 670Wh
Tailgate Party
Game day power for the crew
Neither unit
An afternoon tailgate's roughly 670Wh of loads is well beyond either sub-300Wh unit — they'll keep phones, a speaker, and a camera topped up, but they won't run a blender or griddle. Match the unit to devices, not appliances.
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: SOLIX C300 runs 1.2h vs 1.1h.
$299.99 list · direct from Anker
Modeled from the spec record — same math as the tables below. Methodology
Runtime by appliance
Real-world runtime estimates for common appliances, modeled at 85% inverter efficiency.¹
Essentials
The basics you need runningscale 0–16.3hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0–3.3hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limits¹ 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 12, 2026
Verdict: the Anker SOLIX C300
A close call between two pocket-scale power stations. The Anker SOLIX C300 is $239.99 to the EcoFlow RIVER 2's $219, holds more (288Wh vs 256Wh), switches over far faster as a UPS (under 10ms vs under 30ms) with dual 140W USB-C ports, and is marginally cheaper to own ($0.28 vs $0.29 per lifetime kWh). The RIVER 2 counters by being $21 cheaper and 1.3 lbs lighter, on EcoFlow's shared RIVER platform. Take the C300 for more capacity and a rare small-unit UPS; take the RIVER 2 for the lowest price and lightest carry.
Editor-assigned confidence, based on cited owner research and spec analysis.
List prices as of July 12, 2026. The links below open EcoFlow's and Anker's current prices.
$299.99 list · direct from Anker
or check the RIVER 2 price$189.00 list
Written by Wenny Zheng, Portable Power Tester · Station Arena Test Desk · Updated July 12, 2026
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
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, RIVER 2 rates 4.1/5 (48th percentile of 22 Personal-class units), and SOLIX C300 rates 4.4/5 (67th percentile of 22 Personal-class units).
How the class ranking is computed →Test Notes & Caveats
Hidden gotchas and advantages we spotted that you won't find on the product page.
RIVER 2: 50dB Under Load
The RIVER 2 is rated at 50dB and reviewers note it runs noticeably louder under load than newer units in its family; the C300 is far quieter at 25dB. For a small unit that often sits on a desk or in a tent, that's a real, audible difference in the C300's favor.
UPS Speed: line-interactive (<10ms) vs basic standby
The C300 switches over in about 10ms — a line-interactive UPS speed reviewers call genuinely rare at this size and price — while the RIVER 2 is a slow 30ms basic standby. If you want a pocket-sized unit to keep a router or modem alive through an outage, the C300 is the clear pick.
Warranty Value Comparison
Both carry the same 5-year warranty, so coverage length isn't a differentiator — the RIVER 2 simply spreads that identical warranty over $21 less hardware.
Full record above — the Test Desk pick is the SOLIX C300.
Check SOLIX C300 price →or check the RIVER 2 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 RIVER 2 wins on both sticker price and long-term value. At $0.25/kWh over its lifetime, it's meaningfully cheaper to own. Clear value winner.
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
EcoFlow runs the deepest ecosystem in portable power and the fastest charging tech, with a highly rated app — balanced against polarized support and a 2025 recall on an unrelated model. Anker leans on parent-brand trust from its consumer-electronics dominance and class-leading value per watt-hour, though SOLIX-specific support has drawn more criticism lately. Both apps rate well; at this small size the practical difference is less about ecosystem and more about the hardware — where the C300's USB-C power, faster UPS, and quieter operation are the standouts.
Growth path
RIVER 2
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 256Wh, with no expansion — so size it for your needs up front rather than planning to add capacity later.
Accepts up to 110W of solar. Limited to a single portable panel.
Limited ports. You'll likely need a power strip or splitter.
SOLIX C300
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 288Wh, with no expansion — so size it for your needs up front rather than planning to add capacity later.
Accepts up to 100W of solar. Limited to a single portable panel.
Adequate ports for most setups, but heavy users may want a power strip.
Realistic full solar rechargeat 70% of rated panel output — see methodology
Analyst note
Neither expands, and that's no knock on either — each is a complete unit at a fixed size. Buy the capacity that covers your needs now (the SOLIX C300 gives you the larger ceiling); you can't add to either later.
What Owners Report
Patterns from published owner reports and long-term reviews — every claim cited to its source below.
EcoFlow RIVER 2
The RIVER 2 shares the same core platform as EcoFlow's well-regarded RIVER 3A2, which gives it a proven base for a small, cheap unit.
Reviewers frame it as a budget pick for strictly indoor use where every dollar countsA3. One note on refinement: it runs noticeably louder under load than newer units in its familyA1. A frugal, light little charger.
“Shares the same core platform as the RIVER 3 — 300W output, LiFePO4 chemistry, and roughly 60-minute fast charging — and remains a popular, proven budget small-format unit.”
Sources
backuppowerhub.com · ecoflow.com · versus.com
Anker SOLIX C300
Reviewers praise the C300 as impressively light and compact — Anker claims it's 30% smaller than rivals — with 288Wh, 300W output, and dual 140W USB-C ports for fast device chargingB1B2.
Its standout is the 10ms UPS switchover, which reviewers call legitimately unique at this size and price classB3. It targets buyers who value reliability, smart features, and compact designB4.
“288Wh capacity with 300W output (600W with SurgePad) and dual 140W USB-C ports for fast device charging.”
Sources
ankersolix.com · trustedreviews.com · im.com.au · solarwaypoint.com · backuppowerhub.com · powerstationlab.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
- The RIVER 2 is the older, cheaper unit on the same core platform — reasonable for budget indoor use but louder and less refined than the RIVER 3. [RIVER 2 · 2 entries]
- Compact, light design; dual 140W USB-C fast charging; and a standout 10ms UPS rare at this size are the highlights. [SOLIX C300 · 3 entries]
- A1
“The RIVER 2's spec data doesn't include a specific dB rating, and owner reports suggest it's noticeably louder under load than the newer RIVER 3.”
backuppowerhub.com — EcoFlow RIVER 2 vs RIVER 3 · 2026 · [negative]
- A2
“Shares the same core platform as the RIVER 3 — 300W output, LiFePO4 chemistry, and roughly 60-minute fast charging — and remains a popular, proven budget small-format unit.”
ecoflow.com / versus.com — RIVER 2 vs RIVER 3 · 2026 · [positive]
- A3
“For strictly indoor use where every dollar counts, the RIVER 2 is still a reasonable choice — but it lacks the RIVER 3's refinements like waterproofing, faster UPS, and quieter operation.”
backuppowerhub.com — RIVER 2 vs RIVER 3 recommendation · 2026 · [mixed]
- B1
“288Wh capacity with 300W output (600W with SurgePad) and dual 140W USB-C ports for fast device charging.”
ankersolix.com / trustedreviews.com — SOLIX C300 review · 2026 · [positive]
- B2
“Anker claims the C300 is 30% smaller than competing power stations; reviewers call it impressively light and compact for the capacity, aimed at keeping phones and gadgets charged on hikes and camping trips.”
im.com.au / solarwaypoint.com — SOLIX C300 review · 2026 · [positive]
- B3
“Its 10ms UPS switchover is legitimately unique in this size and price class.”
backuppowerhub.com / powerstationlab.com — SOLIX C300 review · 2026 · [positive]
- B4
“Targets users who value reliability, smart features, and compact design.”
backuppowerhub.com — SOLIX C300 review · 2026 · [positive]
Research compiled July 12, 2026.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the RIVER 2 if you…
If neither fits
Both are tiny sealed units for gadgets, not appliances. If you need to run anything bigger or want real runtime, step up to a 500Wh-plus unit instead.
The Bottom Line
The Anker SOLIX C300 is the more capable little unit: more capacity (288Wh), dual 140W USB-C, and a 10ms UPS that's rare at this size, for almost the same cost-to-ownB1B3. If you want a tiny unit that can also back up a small device, it's the pick.
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 is the leaner value: $21 cheaper and 1.3 lbs lighter, on EcoFlow's proven RIVER platformA2, and framed for budget indoor useA3. If you just want the cheapest, lightest way to keep gadgets charged, it's the smarter grab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 vs Anker SOLIX C300 — which should I buy?
The C300 for capacity and backup: at $239.99 it holds more (288Wh vs 256Wh), has a rare 10ms UPS and dual 140W USB-C, and is marginally cheaper to own. Choose the RIVER 2 to save $21 and carry 1.3 lbs less — it's the leaner, cheaper option on EcoFlow's RIVER platform.
Which holds more capacity?
The Anker SOLIX C300, at 288Wh versus the RIVER 2's 256Wh — 32Wh more, about 12.5%. At this small scale that's a modest but real runtime edge for keeping phones and a laptop going a bit longer.
Which is a better backup unit?
The C300, thanks to its under-10ms UPS switchover — reviewers call it legitimately unique in this size and price class. That lets it keep a small always-on device running through a brief outage, where the RIVER 2's under-30ms switchover is slower.
Which is cheaper and lighter?
The EcoFlow RIVER 2, at $219 and 7.8 lbs versus the C300's $239.99 and about 9 lbs — $21 cheaper and 1.3 lbs lighter. For the tightest budget or the lightest carry, it's the pick, though cost-to-own between the two is nearly identical.
Where to buy
EcoFlow RIVER 2
$189.00
$189.00 list · direct from EcoFlow
Anker SOLIX C300Pick
$299.99
$299.99 list · direct from Anker
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.