Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 Review

Our Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 Experience

We brought the Anker C1000 along on multi-day camping trips, for essential backup during power outages, and even used it to power movie nights off grid.

The C1000 Gen 2 strikes the perfect balance to comfortably power our favorite camping appliances like electric coolers and coffee makers, yet it's one of the most compact units in its class. We could easily stash the C1000 in our car trunk and carry it into campgrounds with ease.

The control panel is one of the cleanest and most intuitive we've used, with important battery and power information at our fingertips. Anker also left ample room for the six AC outlets on the front of the unit. The control panel has multiple USB-C and USB-A ports, which we used to charge phones, laptops, and cameras.

The Gen 2's quick-charging capabilities are even faster than the previous version. We could run into town, quickly top off our power station while grabbing groceries or a coffee, then head back to our campsite with a fully charged power station. It's also a great feature for last-minute recharges before a storm or potential power outage.

It also features 600 watts of solar input, giving you the flexibility to create a sustained off-grid charging solution. We typically use a single 200 watt solar panel, which provides enough output to keep the Anker topped off throughout the day.

Beyond using a power station for traditional camping accessories, it also opens up the possibility to more glamorous experiences off grid. We used the C1000 for events like outdoor movie nights to power up our projector, run string lights, and an electric cooler all together. Unlike a noisy, heavy gas generator the C1000 is a perfect solution to power sensitive devices both quietly and compactly.

Power Output

Using our light bar load bank, we measured 890 Wh out of its advertised 1,024 Wh. This is equal to 87% of its claimed battery capacity, an impressive result, which is well above the average mark for power stations. This is plenty to keep devices and camping gadgets powered up while off-grid and provide brief backup for short power outages.

What does 890 Wh look like? Thats enough power to keep lights, fans, and devices charged while also providing temporary power for higher-draw appliances like coffee makers and induction cooktops for a day or two of camping. The 2,000 watt output and 3,000 watt surge rating provides enough headroom to comfortably run most any camping appliance and can even be used for short outages to keep a refrigerator plugged in overnight. Adding in a solar setup to the C1000 during off-grid camping can also help stretch your usage for multiple days and provide a self sustaining charging solution.

One nuance of the C1000, when used near its maximum wattage, is the fan noise gets frustratingly loud. This was a known issue with the previous generation, and it's unfortunate that it hasn't been addressed in the updated version. While this shouldn't be a problem at night if you're using a single low-wattage device like a fan or a CPAP machine, this could become an issue with larger appliances.

Portability

The C1000 holds one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any power station we've gotten our hands on. Weighing just 25.2 lbs, this unit is well-suited for a weekend of camping or for off-grid travels. The molded handles make it easy to lift individually, and the square flat dimensions help with arranging other items around it.

This unit can also be easily stashed in car trunks and van builds, leaving plenty of room for other gadgets and equipment. The C1000 Gen 2 nails the power to weight combination and makes for a truly portable power station that's well suited for weight conscious travelers.

Charge Speed

The C1000 Gen 2 can recharge in 56 minutes, with the option to toggle an ultrafast mode to reduce charge time even further, down to 49 minutes. During our tests, we recorded the Anker at an average charging rate of 1,097 Wh/hr, with its highest charge rate peaking just above 1,200 watts. The quick charging capability is perfect for last minute recharges before heading out for a weekend of camping or if you need last minute power before a storm or outage.

This unit also supports up to 600 watts of solar, which, under ideal sunlight, can fully recharge in about 2 hours. A more realistic setup with one 200W panel can still keep the Anker topped off throughout a weekend of off-grid camping.

You can also create a custom charge limit in the Anker app, including a charge limit between 80% and 100%, and a discharge limit to fine-tune battery specifications and help preserve battery life.

Features

Anker has consistently provided best-in-class displays across all their power station offerings, but the C1000 Gen 2 may be the best model yet. Information such as input and output has its own dedicated pages that provide the exact wattage for each individual port in use. Multiple USB-C 140W options are ideal for charging cameras and laptops, and the 12V car socket is a great option for camping appliances that use 12V, such as portable fridges and water pumps. We also appreciate the spacing of the AC outlets on the C1000, which gives you plenty of room for larger plugs, such as camera batteries and laptop chargers.

Anker largely improved the second-generation C1000, though we wish it hadn't removed the built-in light bar. A feature we found ourselves using on camping trips and while operating our power station at night. Anker also removed the option to add additional battery packs to increase capacity. For more sustained off-grid travels and multi-day trips without access to AC power charging, we found the additional battery a valuable option to expand capacity down the road.