Head-to-head test
EcoFlow RIVER 3 MAX vs Anker SOLIX C800
At nearly the same price, the C800 doubles the RIVER 3 MAX's continuous output — but the RIVER 3 MAX weighs less than half as much, 10.4 lbs against 23.8. Pick your double.
Written by Wenny ZhengUpdated
Portable Power Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
.webp)
EcoFlow
RIVER 3 MAX
2,472Power Score · Appliance Class
$319.00 list · direct from EcoFlow
Anker
SOLIX C800
2,245Power Score · Appliance Class
$599.00 list · direct from Anker
Spec deltas
The EcoFlow RIVER 3 MAX weighs 10.4 lbs. The Anker SOLIX C800 weighs 23.8, more than double. That single number is most of what separates these two roughly $300 units.
The C800 spends that extra weight on real capability: 1,200W continuous output against the RIVER 3 MAX's 600W, exactly double, plus 196Wh more capacity and a solar input almost triple the RIVER 3 MAX's 110W. At $349 against $319, that's a $30 premium for a genuinely more powerful unit.
The RIVER 3 MAX spends its lighter weight on real advantages too: an expansion path the C800 doesn't have, a faster 10ms UPS switchover, and a quieter 30dB rating. Whether that trade is worth it comes down to one question — are you carrying this by hand often, or mostly moving it by car?
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first — the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
continuous output
That's not a coincidence: more output generally means a bigger inverter and battery, and bigger means heavier. The RIVER 3 MAX isn't underbuilt for its size, it's a genuinely different size class wearing a similar price tag.
RIVER 3 MAX weighs 10.4 lbs against the C800's 23.8 lbsC800's continuous output is 1,200W against the RIVER 3 MAX's 600W
Why it mattersBuyers should stop comparing these as if they're the same category sized differently — decide first whether you need 600W or 1,200W of continuous output, then let that decide the weight you're carrying.
solar input
A 7.4-hour solar recharge means the RIVER 3 MAX needs the better part of a full sunny day to refill from empty, while the C800's larger solar input cuts that meaningfully. The RIVER 3 MAX's portability advantage front-loads the trip; its recharge speed can work against you once you're actually camped.
RIVER 3 MAX takes about 7.4 hours to recharge from its 110W solar inputC800 accepts 300W of solar, almost triple the RIVER 3 MAX's input
Why it mattersMulti-day off-grid buyers who need to recharge from the sun mid-trip should weigh the C800's faster solar input against the RIVER 3 MAX's lighter carry — the RIVER 3 MAX wins getting there, the C800 wins staying there longer.
If your 572Wh starting point ever feels tight, the RIVER 3 MAX lets you add capacity without replacing the unit; the C800 at 768Wh is what you'll have permanently. For a buyer unsure how their needs will grow, the cheaper unit is also the safer long-term bet.
RIVER 3 MAX supports EcoFlow expansion batteries; the C800 is a closed systemRIVER 3 MAX costs $319 against the C800's $349
Why it mattersBuyers who might scale up later should note the RIVER 3 MAX is the rare case here where cheaper and more flexible are the same choice; buyers who need more power right now should still take the C800.
That headroom doesn't change what either unit can actually start in absolute terms — the C800's 1,600W surge ceiling is still higher in raw watts than the RIVER 3 MAX's 1,200W. The ratio measures inverter design margin, not which unit can start a bigger appliance.
RIVER 3 MAX's surge rating is 1,200W against its 600W continuous output, a 2x ratioC800's surge rating is 1,600W against its 1,200W continuous output, a 1.33x ratio
Why it mattersDon't read the RIVER 3 MAX's better surge ratio as more absolute starting power than the C800 — for anything with a real motor or compressor, the C800's higher raw surge ceiling still wins.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units — everything else is a tie.
Portability & Form Factor
Selected because: The 13.4-lb weight gap is the single largest, most decisive fact in this comparison.
weight
This is the whole comparison in physical terms. The RIVER 3 MAX at 10.4 lbs is a one-hand carry you'd sling in a daypack without thinking about it; the C800 at 23.8 lbs is a two-hand lift you set down at least once between the car and the campsite. More than double the weight, for double the continuous output — the C800 isn't overbuilt, it's simply carrying more inverter and more battery.
If you're hiking in, backpacking, or just tired of hauling a heavy box, the RIVER 3 MAX's weight class isn't a minor edge, it's the entire reason to consider it over a unit that otherwise out-specs it almost everywhere else.
What the Specs Don't Tell You
Selected because: Solar recharge time, UPS speed, and noise all fire as real, spec-true differentiators.
The RIVER 3 MAX's 110W solar input means a full recharge from the sun takes about 7.4 hours, the better part of a clear day. The C800's 300W input, almost triple, cuts that meaningfully, which matters if you're relying on solar mid-trip rather than topping off before you leave.
Two smaller gaps favor the RIVER 3 MAX: a 10ms UPS switchover against the C800's 20ms, and a 30dB noise rating against 45dB. Neither is as decisive as the weight or output gap, but both are real if you're protecting sensitive electronics or sleeping near the unit.
Lifetime Value
Selected because: cheaperToOwn favors the C800 but the gap is close enough to need honest context.
cost / lifetime kWh
The C800 is cheaper to run: $0.15 per lifetime kWh against the RIVER 3 MAX's $0.19, though the RIVER 3 MAX's lower price gives it a slightly better $64-per-warranty-year figure against the C800's $70. Both numbers are close enough that neither should be the deciding factor on its own.
What the lifetime-cost math doesn't capture is that the C800 is also moving 196Wh more energy per cycle — some of its cost-per-kWh advantage is simply the economy of a bigger tank, not a fundamentally more efficient design.
Growth Path
Selected because: Unusually, the cheaper unit is also the one with the expansion path — worth calling out directly.
solar input
The RIVER 3 MAX is the one with a growth path here — it accepts EcoFlow expansion batteries, while the C800 is sealed at 768Wh permanently. That flips the usual pattern where the more expensive unit gets the flexibility: here the cheaper, lighter unit is also the one that can grow.
It's worth taking only if you actually plan to use it. A buyer who's happy with 572Wh forever gets nothing from a growth path left unused, and the C800's larger starting capacity might already cover the same ground without ever needing to add a battery.
Strengths & trade-offs
EcoFlow RIVER 3 MAX
Strengths
- +Costs $280 less
- +Lighter by 13.4 lb
Trade-offs
- –Weaker inverter (-600W) limits appliance compatibility.
Anker SOLIX C800
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Higher AC output
- +Faster solar charging
Trade-offs
- –Substantially more expensive (+$280) than the RIVER 3 MAX.
- –Significantly heavier (+13.4 lbs), making it harder to move.
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 is remotely sized for a two-night trip — the RIVER 3 MAX needs 432% of its capacity, the C800 322%. If weekend camping is the actual use case, both of these are the wrong size.
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
Neither unit can fully handle this scenario (needs 1,645Wh). You'd need a higher-capacity station or to cut back on usage.
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
SOLIX C800
Both units handle a CPAP's 320Wh easily. The C800 has more margin (49% of its tank against the RIVER 3 MAX's 66%), but at this load size neither unit is close to its limit — weight and noise matter more here than the percentage gap.
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
Neither unit quite covers a tailgate afternoon's 670Wh need — the RIVER 3 MAX needs 138% of its capacity, the C800 103%. The C800 comes closer, but both fall short; plan for less than a full afternoon or bring a way to recharge.
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 C800 runs 3.2h vs 2.4h.
$599 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 0–43.5hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0–8.7hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limitsscale 0–0.7h¹ 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 14, 2026
Verdict: the Anker SOLIX C800
Take the C800 unless raw portability is the deciding factor. At $349 against the RIVER 3 MAX's $319, a $30 gap, the C800 delivers double the continuous output (1,200W vs 600W), 196Wh more capacity, and a lower cost per lifetime kWh ($0.15 vs $0.19). The RIVER 3 MAX's answer is weight: at 10.4 lbs it's less than half the C800's 23.8 lbs, genuinely a different class of portable — a one-hand carry that fits in a daypack rather than a two-hand lift you set down at least once. It's also expandable, where the C800 is a closed system, and its 2x surge ratio (1,200W surge against 600W continuous) beats the C800's 1.33x. If you're carrying this regularly on foot or might grow into more capacity, the RIVER 3 MAX's tradeoffs are worth it. If you mostly move the unit by car and want more headroom for what you actually run, the C800's extra output and capacity are worth $30.
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.
$599.00 list · direct from Anker
or check the RIVER 3 MAX price$319.00 list
Written by Wenny Zheng, Portable Power Tester · Station Arena Test Desk · Updated July 14, 2026
Measured Data
Benchmark scores and the full spec record, side by side.
Benchmark scores
Not rated for both units (minimum threshold unmet): Solar Generator.
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 3 MAX rates 4.7/5 (83rd percentile of 19 Compact-class units), and SOLIX C800 rates 4.1/5 (50th percentile of 19 Compact-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.
30dB vs 45dB — a Real Bedside Gap
The RIVER 3 MAX's 30dB rating is noticeably quieter than the C800's 45dB under load. If either unit is running near where you sleep, that gap is worth weighing.
7.4 Hours Is the Real Cost of Portability
The RIVER 3 MAX's 110W solar input means a full recharge from empty takes about 7.4 hours, nearly a full day of sun. The C800's 300W input, almost triple, refills meaningfully faster once you're actually in the field.
The Cheaper Unit Is Also the One That Grows
The RIVER 3 MAX accepts EcoFlow expansion batteries; the C800 is sealed at 768Wh forever. Unusually, here the lighter, cheaper unit is also the more flexible one long-term.
Better Ratio, Lower Ceiling
The RIVER 3 MAX's surge rating is 2x its continuous output against the C800's 1.33x — a better ratio, but the C800's 1,600W surge ceiling is still higher than the RIVER 3 MAX's 1,200W in absolute terms. Ratio measures design margin, not raw starting power.
UPS Speed: line-interactive (<10ms) vs standby (<20ms)
The RIVER 3 MAX switches to battery in 10ms (line-interactive (<10ms)), while the SOLIX C800 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.
Both 5 Years, Slightly Different Cost
Identical 5-year terms, but the RIVER 3 MAX's lower price works out to $64 per warranty year against the C800's $70, a small gap that mostly reflects the $30 price difference, not the coverage itself.
Full record above — the Test Desk pick is the SOLIX C800.
Check SOLIX C800 price →or check the RIVER 3 MAX 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 3 MAX wins on both sticker price and long-term value. At $0.19/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
EcoFlow's RIVER 3 line is built specifically for grab-and-go portability, sitting below the DELTA series in both size and price within the same expansion-capable ecosystem.
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
Anker's SOLIX C800 has no lighter sibling in this exact capacity range — the C-series trades portability for a lower price point instead.
Analyst note
EcoFlow is offering a genuinely different size class with a growth path attached; Anker is offering more power for a similar price with no path to add more later. Which one 'wins' depends entirely on whether weight or output is the constraint you're actually solving for.
Growth path
RIVER 3 MAX
EXPANDABLESupports EcoFlow expansion batteries, so you can add capacity later without replacing the base unit — useful if your needs may climb past 572Wh.
Accepts up to 110W of solar. Limited to a single portable panel.
Adequate ports for most setups, but heavy users may want a power strip.
Expansion batteries are EcoFlow-specific. You're investing in the EcoFlow ecosystem.
SOLIX C800
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 768Wh, with no expansion — so size it for your needs up front rather than planning to add capacity later.
Accepts up to 300W 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
Don't read the RIVER 3 MAX's expandability as a straight win here: it starts at 572Wh, below the SOLIX C800's 768Wh, so a first expansion battery largely buys back capacity the SOLIX C800 already includes. It only pulls ahead if you'd grow past 768Wh — short of that, the SOLIX C800's larger fixed capacity is the simpler value.
What Owners Report
Patterns from published owner reports and long-term reviews — every claim cited to its source below.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 MAX
Field coverage for the RIVER 3 MAX leans on the RIVER 3 platform generally rather than this specific configuration, but the pattern is consistent: reviewers point to sub-30dB whisper-quiet operation and IP54 outdoor ruggedness across the lineA2, with LiFePO4 cells rated for 3,000+ cycles, roughly a decade of everyday useA3.
The recurring praise across the line is aimed at buyers who don't need to power a whole house — genuine, well-engineered portability rather than a scaled-down home backup systemA4. Given this unit's own 10.4 lb weight and modest continuous output, that reputation tracks directly with what it's built to do.
“Offers up to 858Wh of LFP battery storage — the largest capacity in the RIVER 3 line — as a compact, portable unit.”
Sources
powerstationadvisor.com · ecoflow.com · backuppowerhub.com · amazon.com · portablepowernerd.com
Anker SOLIX C800
Weight is the recurring complaint in the C800's own reviews, and it lands harder in this matchup than most: one reviewer measured it nearly 3kg heavier than the Anker River 2 Pro and 2.5kg heavier than the Grecel T1000B4, and another flatly recommends a sub-5-lb power bank instead for anyone actually hiking with itB12. Against a 10.4-lb RIVER 3 MAX, those complaints are the whole story in miniature.
What the weight buys is a chassis reviewers call genuinely rugged, impact-resistant, and built to withstand outdoor handlingB14 — not a fragile tradeoff for the extra pounds, just a heavier one.
“We dropped it from a tailgate (30 inches) onto gravel—only minor scuffing, no damage.”
Sources
backuppowerhub.com · portablepowergeek.co.uk · batteryskills.com · batteryessence.com · toolsandtoys.net · bikmantech.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
- Largest RIVER 3 capacity (up to 858Wh), quiet IP54 build, and 3,000-cycle LFP are the standout points. [RIVER 3 MAX · 3 entries]
- Build quality/chassis is repeatedly called solid and drop-resistant, but reviewers flag the lack of an IP weather rating as a real-world caveat for outdoor use. [SOLIX C800 · 3 entries]
- The 58-minute AC fast-recharge is the single most-mentioned standout feature, praised as faster than rivals like the Jackery 700. [SOLIX C800 · 2 entries]
- Reviewers note the unit can briefly exceed its 1200W rating for heavy appliances, but caution it can't sustain full-size continuous loads like a full-size fridge. [SOLIX C800 · 2 entries]
- Long 5-year warranty and strong retailer star ratings are cited as reassurance/value signals. [SOLIX C800 · 2 entries]
- Weight (~23-24 lbs) is repeatedly flagged as a downside relative to lighter rivals despite the compact footprint. [SOLIX C800 · 2 entries]
- A2
“Built on the same RIVER 3 platform reviewers praise for sub-30dB whisper-quiet operation and IP54 ruggedness.”
backuppowerhub.com — RIVER 3 review · 2026 · [positive]
- A3
“LiFePO4 chemistry rated for 3,000+ cycles to 80% — roughly a decade of everyday use.”
backuppowerhub.com / amazon.com — RIVER 3 line · 2026 · [positive]
- A4
“Reviewers value the RIVER 3 family for quality engineering and genuine portability for those who don't need to power a whole house.”
portablepowernerd.com — RIVER 3 review · 2026 · [positive]
- B4
“The Solix C800 is nearly 3kg heavier than the River 2 Pro, and 2.5kg heavier than the Grecel T1000.”
portablepowergeek.co.uk — Anker Solix C800 Review · 2024-11 · [negative]
- B12
“At 23.15 lbs (10.5 kg), this is too heavy for carrying far on foot. For hiking, a smaller, lighter power bank under 5 lbs is a better fit.”
batteryessence.com — Anker SOLIX C800 Portable Power Station 768Wh Review · 2026-03 · [negative]
- B14
“Both models feature a rugged, durable chassis made from high-quality, impact-resistant materials, ready to withstand the rigors of outdoor use.”
bikmantech.com — Anker SOLIX C800 vs C800 Plus - Ultimate Camping Power Comparison · 2025-06 · [positive]
Research compiled July 14, 2026.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the RIVER 3 MAX if you…
- →You're carrying this by hand regularly — hiking, backpacking, or just tired of hauling a heavy box — the RIVER 3 MAX's 10.4 lbs is less than half the C800's weight.
- →You might need more capacity later — its expansion path lets you add a battery instead of buying a second unit, something the C800 can't do.
Buy the SOLIX C800 if you…
- →You need real continuous output — 1,200W against the RIVER 3 MAX's 600W is the difference between running one appliance and running several at once.
- →You mostly move the unit by car, not on foot — the weight difference barely registers, and the extra 196Wh and faster solar input are worth more than the RIVER 3 MAX's portability.
If neither fits
If your real need is a two-night camping trip (about 2,100Wh) or an 8-hour blackout with a fridge running (about 1,645Wh), both units fall well short — they land between 252% and 432% of what's needed. Look at a larger-capacity unit before choosing between these two.
The Bottom Line
The C800 weighs more than double the RIVER 3 MAX and delivers exactly double the continuous output — the two numbers move together for a reason. For $30 more, it's the more capable unit if you're not the one carrying it far.
Take the RIVER 3 MAX if 10.4 lbs against 23.8 is the deciding fact of your trip. Take the C800 if 600W isn't enough power and you're mostly moving the unit by car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 MAX vs Anker SOLIX C800 — which one should I buy?
Take the C800 if you need more continuous power — it doubles the RIVER 3 MAX's 600W output and holds 196Wh more capacity, for just $30 more. Take the RIVER 3 MAX if weight is the priority: at 10.4 lbs it's less than half the C800's 23.8 lbs, and it has a growth path the C800 doesn't.
Is the weight difference between these two actually significant?
Yes — the C800 weighs 23.8 lbs against the RIVER 3 MAX's 10.4, more than double. That's the difference between a one-hand carry you barely notice and a two-hand lift you'll set down at least once between the car and the campsite.
Can the RIVER 3 MAX run the same things as the C800?
Not at the same time. The C800's 1,200W continuous output is exactly double the RIVER 3 MAX's 600W, so it can run more appliances simultaneously or handle a single higher-draw device the RIVER 3 MAX can't sustain.
How long does the RIVER 3 MAX take to recharge from solar?
About 7.4 hours from its 110W solar input, roughly a full clear day. The C800's 300W input, almost triple, refills faster, which matters if you're relying on solar mid-trip rather than topping off before you leave.
Does the RIVER 3 MAX's expansion path matter for most buyers?
Only if you expect to need more than 572Wh eventually. If that's a real possibility, the RIVER 3 MAX lets you add a battery instead of buying a second unit — a genuine advantage the sealed C800 can't offer, even though the C800 starts out with more capacity.
Where to buy
EcoFlow RIVER 3 MAX
$319.00
$319.00 list · direct from EcoFlow
Anker SOLIX C800Pick
$599.00
$599.00 list · direct from Anker
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.