I Powered My Laptop for 7 Days With a 5-Square-Inch Power Station: A Solix C300 DC Portable Power Station Review

I recently tested one of the newest portable power banks, the Anker Solix C300 DC Portable Power Station. Anker built its business on batteries and charging solutions, so whenever it drops a new product, it’s worth taking note. The Solix C300 DC is a compact power bank designed to keep portable devices running during emergencies or on the go. As a frequent camper, I first keyed in on its pop-out lantern, but during three weeks of testing I noted other details that differentiate this device from similar models. In this review, I will share my observations, including the pros and cons as I experienced them. 

Anker Solix C300 DC: At a Glance

Our rating: 4.5/5

Buy the Anker Solix C300 DC at:

Testing the Anker Solix C300 

Three weeks gave me plenty of time to test the Anker Solix C300 DC Portable Power Station on a camping trip and at home. It’s a simple device that was quite literally “plug-and-play,” and it’s an “internet of things” (IoT) device that requires a connection to the Anker mobile app for access to all of the available control options. After unboxing the unit, I had to charge it, download the mobile app, and pair the power bank to the app. Total setup time, not including charging time, was about 5 minutes. After that, testing it was a matter of creating different scenarios to understand how it would work in real life.

The two broad use-cases that I explored were home emergencies and travel. When a power outage occurs at home, the top priorities are lights, refrigeration, sensitive electronics, and temperature control. The C300 DC does not have the capacity to power large appliances, but it does have a pop-out lantern that is surprisingly bright, and it can keep phones, laptops, and other small electronics powered up for several days. While traveling, a portable light and the power to recharge portable devices are precisely what’s needed. The C300 DC held plenty of battery capacity for all of my weekend camping needs. 

Features

The C300 DC’s most prominent feature is its small size and lightweight build. Its footprint is less than 5 inches square, and it stands less than 8 inches tall with the lantern closed. It weighs a little over 6 pounds. The lantern pops out 2 inches above the body of the power station. The unit also has a nylon webbing handle that takes up no extra space, instead of a rigid plastic one. The small size was one of the characteristics that I especially liked about this unit. It’s way too easy to overpack for a weekend, and this unit stores a lot of energy in a small space.

As for inputs and outputs, the power station has 8 total ports. Two of the USB-C outlets are 2-way ports that can be used to recharge the station or power up other devices. When plugged in simultaneously, they are the key to charging the station to 80 percent in one hour. But only one 140 watt USB-C-to-USB-C cable is included with the purchase, so I had to charge the slow way. No wall plug is included, either. The other input option is an MPPT port that works with solar or a DC car outlet. The rest of the USB ports and the car outlet on the power station are one-way, output only. 

The port configuration can be a bit confusing at first. The bottom row of USB-C ports includes an output only, and the two 2-way ports. Above those, the MPPT input is positioned next to the other output-only USBC. Clustering the MPPT with the two 2-way ports instead would have kept the input options together and reduced beginner confusion. The only other criticism that I had was the lack of dust and moisture protection for the open ports, most notably the car outlet.

Portability

As noted earlier, this unit is one of the most portable of the portable power stations thanks to its diminutive size and light weight. It was small enough to pack in a tote with our camp gear, and light enough that it didn’t make a noticeable difference in the weight. The popout LED lantern also saved space, because it allowed us to leave a similarly-sized camp lantern at home. For a little additional weight and a very slight reduction in light quality compared to the lantern we left behind, we gained a dedicated charging station that kept our devices running without resorting to charging in our cars. 

The short handle/strap that comes attached to the power station can be supplemented with an optional shoulder sling strap. I didn’t buy the shoulder strap, but it could be a nice addition for some users. I used the handle to suspend the station in lantern mode, and noted that the handle was just long enough that it did not prevent fully popping out the lantern. 

Performance 

From a purely practical standpoint, the Anker Solix C300 DC delivered precisely what I anticipated. At home, I was able to maintain my laptop and cell phone for a week from a single charge, with a 32 percent charge remaining at the end of the week. Since I haven’t experienced a power outage longer than 24 hours in the 20 years I’ve lived in this house, that would more than cover my needs for most emergencies, and the additional light sure would help. Similarly, since most of my buddies also arrive with fully charged devices, we could realistically go for five or more days without depleting the power station. In either scenario, adding a solar charger for good measure would mean nearly unlimited charging with average usage patterns.

From a durability standpoint, Anker does not label this unit with a weatherproof, dustproof, or impact resistance rating, so I used average caution to avoid messes and accidents while testing it. Technically, the Solix C300 DC is not quite as potent as some of the larger power stations. For instance, charging on all of the output ports at the same time could max out the available current and cause poor performance. Also, unlike some other power stations, this one is not designed to output while it is being charged. But keeping in mind that it is designed to operate as a relatively simple portable power bank, it did a fantastic job for my basic needs at home and in camp. 

The Anker Solix C300 DC Portable Power Station is nice, but don’t pay full price.

The size and capabilities of the Solix C300 DC are a unique combination that fills a distinct niche. It packs a lot of power for the size, but access to that power is mostly limited to USB devices. It’s designed primarily as a portable charging station for cordless devices, and secondarily to run low-draw corded devices, such as small fans and lamps. This makes it perfect for emergency desktop and travel use, but less helpful when the power goes out at home and you need to keep the fridge running. It was not designed to “do it all”, but what it does it does well.

I really like this power station, but I also like a fair deal. The Anker Solix C300 DC Portable Power Station sells for a premium regular price of $199.99. That puts it on par with bigger competitors that offer more home backup support, but are not as well designed for travel. If you like the size and weight savings, be sure to catch this model on sale. Sale prices typically run $50 off the MSRP or better. The good news is that sales seem to be more frequent than full price offerings. 

Buy the Anker Solix C300 DC at:

Product Comparisons

So, is the Anker Solix C300 right for you?

This power station could be the perfect solution for car camping and occasional short term power outages. Powered by long lasting lithium-ion batteries, with proper care and storage it could provide decades of dependable service. It delivers a lot of power for such a small unit, but may not be the ideal purchase for every shopper. It has no AC wall-type outlets for larger appliances, and may not be able to run all of your devices at the same time. But the number and types of output ports ensure that there’s a place to recharge or power most small devices, including phones and laptops, as well as camera equipment, electric coolers, CPAP machines and more. 

When I car camp, I only use a few electrical devices, and this power station incorporates one of the most important—a light. It provides all of the charging power that I ever need outdoors, and can be recharged in just 2.5 hours with a solar panel or a car outlet. Sometimes bigger is just bigger; smaller and simpler is better. If you only have a small electrical gap to fill, the Anker Solix C300 DC might be right for you.

Meet the Tester

Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with a background in the green industry. He’s also an avid DIYer who lives in an older home. When he isn’t writing, he spends his time upgrading, repairing, and replacing anything and everything in his home, yard, and garden. He tests and writes reviews about tools, lawn care and home repair products, and outdoor living goods.

 

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