Head-to-head test
EcoFlow RIVER 3 PLUS vs Anker SOLIX C300
Pay $41 less and get double the inverter, double the surge rating, and double the solar input — the SOLIX C300's whole case rests on being 1.3 lbs lighter, 5dB quieter, and faster over USB-C.
Written by Wenny ZhengUpdated
Portable Power Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
EcoFlow
RIVER 3 PLUS
1,917Power Score · Device Hub
$259.00 list · direct from EcoFlow
Anker
SOLIX C300
1,664Power Score · Device Hub
$299.99 list · direct from Anker
Spec deltas
The EcoFlow RIVER 3 PLUS costs $259. The Anker SOLIX C300 costs $300. The cheaper one is also the more capable one: a 600W inverter with a 1,200W surge against the C300's 300W continuous, 600W surge, and 200W of solar input against 100W — exactly double, across the board. On the site's blended power score it's 1,917 against 1,664.
The SOLIX C300 doesn't roll over. It weighs 9.1 lbs against the RIVER 3 PLUS's 10.4, measures 25dB against 30, and pushes 140W over USB-C against a single 100W port — three real, measurable wins for the unit that costs $41 more.
Both are small. Run either against the site's six standard scenarios and neither comes close on any of them — not a weekend off-grid, not an 8-hour blackout, not a full day of van life. These are phone-and-laptop batteries first; know that going in, and the rest of this comparison is about which one does that job better.
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first — the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
continuous output
Reviewers have it briefly running a coffee maker, microwave, or space heaterA3 — loads the SOLIX C300's 300W inverter can't start at any charge level. Add that the RIVER 3 PLUS also takes EcoFlow expansion batteries while the SOLIX C300 is fixed at 288Wh for good, and there's no premium to weigh here: the cheaper unit is also the more capable, more future-proof one.
RIVER 3 PLUS costs $259 against the SOLIX C300's $300RIVER 3 PLUS runs a 600W inverter with a 1,200W surge against the SOLIX C300's 300W continuous, 600W surge
Why it mattersAnyone assuming more power costs more money should drop that assumption for this pair — here it doesn't.
weight
They also come at a real premium: $41 more for the lighter, quieter, faster-charging box, not a discount for going smaller.
SOLIX C300 weighs 9.1 lbs against the RIVER 3 PLUS's 10.4 lbsSOLIX C300 measures 25dB against the RIVER 3 PLUS's 30dBSOLIX C300's dual 140W USB-C ports against the RIVER 3 PLUS's single 100W port
Why it mattersThe SOLIX C300 earns that $41 only for buyers who'd trade inverter headroom for a lighter bag and a quieter room — CPAP sleepers, backpackers, anyone charging gadgets and nothing else.
cost / lifetime kWh
EcoFlow's own expansion batteries take it to 572Wh or 858Wh, well past the SOLIX C300's fixed 288Wh, while the SOLIX C300 has no expansion path at all — growing past its ceiling means buying an entirely separate station, full lifetime cost included.
Lifetime value engine prices the RIVER 3 PLUS cheaper to own at $0.30 per lifetime kWh against $0.35 for the SOLIX C300Cost per warranty year runs $52 for the RIVER 3 PLUS against $60 for the SOLIX C300
Why it mattersThere's no economic case left for the SOLIX C300 unless its 1.3 lbs, 5dB, and 40W of extra USB-C speed are worth more to you than being cheaper on every dollar measure the site tracks.
Capacity
That's the honest size class here: neither of these is built to get a CPAP through a full night, a weekend off-grid, or a day of van life. They're built for phones, laptops, cameras, and a few minutes of real appliance use — not anything the site benchmarks as overnight or multi-day coverage.
CPAP Overnight needs 320Wh; the RIVER 3 PLUS holds 286Wh and the SOLIX C300 holds 288WhWeekend Camping needs 2,100Wh and Van Life Daily needs 4,685Wh
Why it mattersIf your real need matches any of the six scenarios this site tests, size up to a station with several times this capacity; buy either of these because your actual use is smaller than that, not despite it.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units — everything else is a tie.
Lifetime Value
Selected because: The cheaper unit also wins on cost-per-lifetime-kWh and cost-per-warranty-year — no tension to resolve here, worth stating plainly up front.
cost / lifetime kWh
At $259 against $300, the RIVER 3 PLUS is the cheaper unit before you look at what it does — and the gap doesn't close once you run each battery through its full service life. The engine prices it at $0.30 per lifetime kWh against $0.35 for the SOLIX C300, and at $52 per year of warranty coverage against $60.
That's without crediting the RIVER 3 PLUS for its 600W inverter and 200W of solar input, both double the SOLIX C300's, or its ability to add capacity later. On every number the site runs, the cheaper battery here is also the better-value one.
Your Life, Your Pick
Selected because: All six standard scenarios compute neither — the reader needs to know that before weighing anything else about these two.
Run these two against six real-world loads and you get the same answer six times: neither is close. Weekend Camping alone calls for more than seven times what either battery holds, and Van Life Daily calls for more than sixteen times it.
CPAP Overnight comes closest — the RIVER 3 PLUS is short by only 34Wh — and even that's a miss. Buy either of these to keep phones, laptops, and a camera charged, or to run a coffee maker for a few minutes at a campsite. Don't buy either one expecting to cover a full overnight, a weekend, or a day off-grid — that's a different, bigger category of station.
Growth Path
Selected because: The one real structural difference between two near-identical batteries: only the RIVER 3 PLUS can add capacity, though the engine's own model says it doesn't pull ahead until you cross 288Wh.
solar input
One of these two can turn into a bigger battery without becoming an entirely new purchase; the other can't, ever. The RIVER 3 PLUS takes EcoFlow's own expansion batteries to 572Wh or 858Wh; the SOLIX C300 is sealed at 288Wh for the life of the unit. But don't score that as a clean win by itself — the RIVER 3 PLUS's 286Wh starting capacity is actually 2Wh behind the SOLIX C300's fixed 288Wh, so a first expansion battery mostly buys back ground the SOLIX C300 already covers on its own.
It only actually pulls ahead once your needs cross 288Wh — at which point every expansion option available blows past that number outright, and the SOLIX C300 has nowhere left to go but a second, separate station. Below that line, it's a wash; above it, only one of these two can follow you.
Portability & Form Factor
Selected because: Weight, noise, and USB-C wattage are the SOLIX C300's only genuine remaining wins — and now they cost $41, worth spelling out directly.
weight
9.1 lbs against 10.4 is a real difference in a backpack, and 25dB against 30 is a real difference two feet from your head at 2 a.m. The SOLIX C300 also pushes 140W over USB-C against the RIVER 3 PLUS's 100W — the port that actually refills most people's laptop.
None of that is free: those three wins sit on the more expensive unit. Weigh 1.3 lbs, 5dB, and 40W of USB-C speed against $41 and double the inverter headroom, and most buyers who plug in anything with a motor or a heating element should take the RIVER 3 PLUS. The exception is genuinely weight- or noise-sensitive use — a CPAP at the bedside, a pack you're carrying for miles.
What the Specs Don't Tell You
Selected because: Expansion and warranty-value are the two concrete, spec-true stakes of the closed-system tradeoff.
The SOLIX C300's fixed-capacity flag is the whole story in one line: what ships in the box is what you own for good, full stop. Warranty terms match at 5 years and 3,000 cycles on both sides, so the RIVER 3 PLUS's lower cost-per-warranty-year comes purely from costing less to buy, not from better coverage.
Neither flag is a defect. They're the fine print behind each pitch: the SOLIX C300 sells a smaller, permanent battery; the RIVER 3 PLUS sells a cheaper starting point with room to grow.
Strengths & trade-offs
EcoFlow RIVER 3 PLUS
Strengths
- +Costs $41 less
- +Higher AC output
- +Faster solar charging
Trade-offs
- –No major technical downsides compared to rival.
Anker SOLIX C300
Strengths
- +Lighter by 1.3 lb
- +Larger battery capacity
Trade-offs
- –No major technical downsides compared to rival.
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
A weekend off-grid calls for around 2,100Wh — more than seven times what either of these holds. Bring one to keep a phone and a headlamp topped off between hikes; bring a bigger station to actually run the trip.
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
An 8-hour outage worth planning for runs toward 1,645Wh, more than five times either battery's capacity. Either of these covers a sliver of it — enough for a phone and a router, not a fridge or medical equipment through the night.
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
This is the closest either battery comes to a real scenario, and it's still a miss. A full night needs about 320Wh; the RIVER 3 PLUS's 286Wh comes up 34Wh short, and the SOLIX C300's 288Wh isn't far behind. Fine for a nap or a partial night — plan real backup for the whole one.
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
A full remote workday's laptop-and-monitor draw runs toward 910Wh, more than three times either battery's capacity. These charge the laptop you carry to a coffee shop, not the one running your home office through an outage.
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
A tailgate's speakers, cooler, and lights add up to roughly 670Wh, more than double what either battery holds. Use either of these to keep phones charged at the tailgate; bring a bigger unit for the speaker.
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
Van life's daily draw is the biggest ask on this page, around 4,685Wh — more than sixteen times either battery's capacity. These are backpack-sized units; van life needs a fixed system built for it.
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
Dead heat — both run this 205W load for roughly 1.2h. Pick on price, weight, or ports.
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 26, 2026
Verdict: the RIVER 3 PLUS
Take the RIVER 3 PLUS unless your specific use is weight- or noise-sensitive. At $259 against the SOLIX C300's $300, it's the cheaper unit and the more capable one: a 600W inverter with a 1,200W surge against the C300's 300W/600W, 200W of solar input against 100W, and the only one of the two that can add capacity later. Every cost lens the site tracks — sticker price, cost per lifetime kWh, cost per warranty year — lands on the RIVER 3 PLUS too. The SOLIX C300 earns its higher price only if 1.3 fewer pounds, 5 fewer decibels, and a faster USB-C port genuinely matter more to you than the extra headroom: a CPAP at the bedside, a pack you're carrying, a device-only use case with no motor or heating element in sight.
Editor-assigned confidence, based on cited owner research and spec analysis.
List prices as of July 26, 2026. The links below open EcoFlow's and Anker's current prices.
$259.00 list · direct from EcoFlow
or check the SOLIX C300 price$299.99 list
Written by Wenny Zheng, Portable Power Tester · Station Arena Test Desk · Updated July 26, 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 PLUS rates 5.0/5 (99th 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.
SOLIX C300: Fixed Capacity
What ships in the box is the permanent ceiling — the SOLIX C300 can't add capacity later, so outgrowing 288Wh means buying an entirely separate station. The RIVER 3 PLUS takes EcoFlow's own expansion batteries to 572Wh or 858Wh, though below that threshold the two batteries are close enough that expansion isn't buying you much you didn't already have.
Same Coverage, Cheaper Per Year
Both carry a 5-year warranty on 3,000-cycle cells, so coverage is identical. The RIVER 3 PLUS's lower cost-per-warranty-year, $52 against the SOLIX C300's $60, comes entirely from costing less to buy, not from a shorter warranty term.
Full record above — the Test Desk pick is the RIVER 3 PLUS.
Check RIVER 3 PLUS price →or check the SOLIX C300 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
Both units have similar long-term ownership costs ($0.3/kWh vs $0.35/kWh). The price difference is what you see on the sticker — neither is a hidden bargain or rip-off.
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 positions itself as a mid-to-premium brand with stronger support infrastructure, while Anker competes on value. The question is whether the EcoFlow ecosystem and support premium is worth it for your use case.
Growth path
RIVER 3 PLUS
EXPANDABLESupports EcoFlow expansion batteries, so you can add capacity later without replacing the base unit — useful if your needs may climb past 286Wh.
Accepts up to 200W 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 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
Don't read the RIVER 3 PLUS's expandability as a straight win here: it starts at 286Wh, below the SOLIX C300's 288Wh, so a first expansion battery largely buys back capacity the SOLIX C300 already includes. It only pulls ahead if you'd grow past 288Wh — short of that, the SOLIX C300'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 PLUS
Reviewers describe the RIVER 3 PLUS as the RIVER 3 with the training wheels off — a genuine 600W inverter with a 1,200W X-Boost surge, doubling the base model's inverter and solar inputA1. That headroom is what lets it briefly run a coffee maker, microwave, or space heaterA3, loads the SOLIX C300's 300W inverter can't start at any charge level.
Its sub-30dB operation is called out as genuinely remarkable, quieter than most refrigerators despite pushing more power than the SOLIX C300A2. The cells are rated for 3,000 charge cycles — reviewers put that at roughly a decade of everyday use before capacity drops to 80%A4, the same cycle count the SOLIX C300 carries.
“286Wh base, expandable to 572Wh (EB300) or 858Wh (EB600), with a genuine 600W inverter (1,200W X-Boost) and 220W solar input — twice the inverter and solar of the base RIVER 3.”
Sources
ecoflow.com · bestgeneratorsolar.com · thepowerpick.com · storagereview.com · phonearena.com · greenreviewshub.com
Anker SOLIX C300
The SOLIX C300 is reviewed as the compact, gadget-first choice: 300W output (600W with SurgePad) and dual 140W USB-C ports built specifically for fast device chargingB1. Anker markets it as roughly 30% smaller than competing stations, and reviewers independently call it impressively light and compact for its capacityB2.
Its 10ms UPS switchover is singled out as legitimately unique at this size and price pointB3, and coverage consistently frames it as built for buyers who prioritize reliability, smart features, and a compact footprint over raw outputB4.
“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
- Expandable capacity, doubled inverter and solar over the base RIVER 3, remarkable sub-30dB quiet, and light weight are the praise. [RIVER 3 PLUS · 3 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
“286Wh base, expandable to 572Wh (EB300) or 858Wh (EB600), with a genuine 600W inverter (1,200W X-Boost) and 220W solar input — twice the inverter and solar of the base RIVER 3.”
ecoflow.com / bestgeneratorsolar.com — RIVER 3 Plus review · 2026 · [positive]
- A2
“Sub-30dB operation is genuinely remarkable — quieter than a library and than most refrigerators.”
thepowerpick.com — RIVER 3 Plus review · 2026 · [positive]
- A3
“Weighs about 10.4 lbs and is highly portable; a small-format station that grows with you, able to briefly run a coffee maker, microwave, or space heater.”
storagereview.com / phonearena.com — RIVER 3 Plus review · 2026 · [positive]
- A4
“LiFePO4 rated for 3,000 charge cycles — around 10 years of everyday use before capacity drops to 80%.”
greenreviewshub.com / bestgeneratorsolar.com — RIVER 3 Plus review · 2026 · [positive]
- 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 26, 2026.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the RIVER 3 PLUS if you…
- →You want to run something with real draw for a few minutes — a coffee maker, a space heater, a small fridge — not just top off phones and a laptop.
- →You'd rather pay $41 less today and keep a path to add capacity later than lock in 288Wh for good.
Buy the SOLIX C300 if you…
- →You're carrying this on your back or setting it by a bed, and 1.3 lbs and 5dB are worth $41 to you.
- →Your only real load is charging a laptop and phones over USB-C, and the 140W port matters more than an inverter you'll never stress.
If neither fits
If your actual need is a full CPAP night, a weekend off-grid, an 8-hour blackout, a workday's laptop-and-monitor draw, a tailgate's speakers and cooler, or a day of van life, both of these fail it — the site's own scenario model shows neither gets within a factor of two of any of those six benchmarks, and the closest miss, CPAP Overnight, still comes up 34Wh short. Look at a 1,000Wh-plus station instead; these two are built for phones, laptops, and a few minutes of real appliance use, not a night or a day of coverage.
The Bottom Line
The RIVER 3 PLUS is the cheaper unit and the more capable one: $259 against $300, double the inverter and solar input, and the only one of the two that can add capacity later. Run every cost lens the site tracks — sticker price, cost per lifetime kWh, cost per warranty year — and it wins all three.
The SOLIX C300 earns its higher price for a specific reader: 1.3 lbs lighter, 5dB quieter, and faster over USB-C, worth it if that's genuinely your use. Everyone else, take the RIVER 3 PLUS and the $41 it saves you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
Which is cheaper, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 PLUS or the Anker SOLIX C300?
The RIVER 3 PLUS, at $259 against the SOLIX C300's $300 — a $41 gap. It's also the more capable unit at that price: double the SOLIX C300's inverter, surge rating, and solar input.
Can either of these get a CPAP through a full night?
Not quite. CPAP Overnight is modeled at 320Wh, and the RIVER 3 PLUS's 286Wh capacity comes up 34Wh short, with the SOLIX C300 close behind at 288Wh. It's the closest either battery comes to any of the site's six standard scenarios, and still a miss — plan on a partial night or a nap, not the whole thing.
Is the SOLIX C300's lighter weight and quieter fan worth paying more for?
That depends on where it's going. 9.1 lbs against 10.4 and 25dB against 30 are real differences for a pack you're carrying or a unit next to your bed. For everyone else, that's $41 spent on a unit with half the inverter, half the surge rating, and no path to more capacity.
Does the RIVER 3 PLUS's expandability make it the better buy?
Mostly, but not automatically. Its 286Wh starting capacity is actually 2Wh below the SOLIX C300's fixed 288Wh, so a first expansion battery mostly buys back what the SOLIX C300 already includes on its own. It pulls clearly ahead once your needs cross 288Wh — at which point the SOLIX C300 has no upgrade path at all.
Which one charges a laptop faster over USB-C?
The SOLIX C300, with dual 140W ports against the RIVER 3 PLUS's single 100W port. If USB-C laptop charging is genuinely your main use, that's the C300's strongest case.
Where to buy
EcoFlow RIVER 3 PLUSPick
$259.00
$259.00 list · direct from EcoFlow
Anker SOLIX C300
$299.99
$299.99 list · direct from Anker
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.