AnkerSOLIX C800 Plus Portable Power Station, 1200W (Peak 1600W) Solar Generator with Camping Lights, 768Wh LiFePO4 Battery for Outdoor Camping, RVs, Road Trip, Power Outages (Optional Solar Panel)

This SOLIX C800 is a welcomed addition to Anker’s distinguished line of products in this category. The box is heavy (dense), but manageable for an adult or larger child. The number of connectivity options this particular SOLIX box comes with is compelling and diverse. The ability to plug this into a solar panel (sold separately) or other solar system is a key feature that makes this SOLIX product stand out - although this functionality appears to be more and more common. This product comes with the cables to do so. The portable battery bank market seems to move fast and things are “dated” rapidly. Nonetheless, this 1200W box holds its own in the line up. The app integration is well done and it is nice to be able to manage the box from the app, although that is entirely optional and by no means a necessary feature for this box to perform. The visualizations indicating the power remaining and other statuses are easy to understand and simple. The usability of this box is overall very good and the handles are well placed for portability.Perhaps the most innovative feature of this box is the lid. It opens up and contains handheld flashlights that can be attached via a magnet to a telescoping pole. This is perhaps useful outdoors, but is very useful indoors to fill a dark space. The display (or the app) smartly displays the remaining time at current power draws to the user. Make note, you will hear this box as it runs on intense tasks (ie: powering a coffee maker in the kitchen as opposed to charging your cell phone).This is a great box at a great price. As long as one doesn’t expect this to power their house or something, it is respectable for short term power outages or mobile applications (overlanding etc.) without breaking the bank. I own multiple Anker SOLIX products. This is probably my favorite.

I run a computer and some networking equipment that I need to remain on even in the event of a power outage. For a long time, I have relied on traditional uninterrupted power supplies alone, but a couple of recent power outages extended well beyond the batteries of those. I considered a traditional gasoline or LP generator, but decided to go the Anker SOLIX route instead for a couple reasons. Primarily, the necessity of running a generator outside and running heavy-duty power cords into the house. Then, of course, the costs of fuel, the necessity of having said fuel on-hand in the event of a power outage, etc. With this unit, I intend to keep it generally charged up and disconnected for the unplanned outages, but I will run the batteries down occasionally, then recharge it either by solar, AC, or the included car adapter.I have had this solar generator for about a month now, give or take. I am really happy with it so far. With its SurgePad feature, it claims to be able to push out a peak of 1600W. I wanted to see if the overload feature worked, so I plugged in a small space heater, thinking it may well just top the 1600... Sure enough, watching in the Anker sidekick app on my phone, that heater cranked this generator OVER the 1600W. I believe it had peaked in the 1800 range before I got a bit nervous and just killed it. So, the generator certainly can crank out the 1200 it is rated for on a continuous basis and spike even higher.One thing I was VERY pleased with is the fact that the LEFT USB-C port on this generator charges my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra at "Super Fast Charging 2.0" — the fastest charging rate on this phone — meaning the generator's port supports PPS. I cannot confirm if it also supports PD. The right side USB-C port charges at a maximum of 25W, and will achieve just "Super Fast Charging" on my phone, as expected.The only ports I have not tested so far are the car adapter output and the car adapter input. Everything works well. I have charged this unit with both the included standard AC wall adapter and Anker PS100 solar panels. You can easily control the charging rate from around 2-or-300W up to the Ultra Fast rate of 1000W within the app, once connected to AC power. I have only ever pushed it as high as 500W as I believe that's easier on the battery life (the user guide indeed mentions not using Ultra Fast unless necessary for that exact reason — so I assume the lower the wattage, the safer for the battery lifespan, but I'm no electrician!).As to the title, I don't think it is worth dropping this generator to a 4-star review, but I wish it allowed closer monitoring and statistics monitoring. The app shows ONLY the total output wattage of all the AC plugs on the front combined, the output of the USB ports separately, and then the output of the car adapter. On the input, it also only shows the input wattage. All of this is shown in real-time ONLY, so there is absolutely no way to, say, put up your solar panel for awhile and then look back to see if it has been charging steadily or if you're getting big unexpected dips or anything. You have to do your best to monitor these things in real-time if you care about them, or I've actually used a power draw meter connected between my devices and this generator to get a better idea. I sincerely wish Anker would improve the app to record some stats in the background or something like that. Then I could even tell when the free solar energy has paid off the costs of the equipment (something I had sincerely hoped to do, going into this purchase)!!!Bottom line: If the 1200 continuous watts of output power is enough for you, I highly recommend this. It is fairly portable and easy enough to carry in one hand for most folks.I do NOT recommend the Anker PS100 solar panels, however. I will, of course, be writing a separate review for them, which I'm thinking is likely to be a 3-4 star review. Ignoring the quality/build concerns I intend to mention, I do suggest a 200 or 300W set of panels. 100W is too little input most days, and I wish I had started out at the 200W level. I believe the user guide for this particular model states it will charge from solar at a maximum of 300W (even though they "recommend" their own 400W panels.

I’ve been using this item now for about a year both as as a camping resource and on my boat. It is absolutely the best thing I’ve ever bought. I love the lights that it comes with and the way you can control and see it status on your phone. It charges quickly and has enough power to run things through the night.