Anker’s SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 isn’t perfect, but it’s perfectly priced

Anker’s latest SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 portable power station has quite a bit to offer. With increased AC output, faster USB-C charging, and a quicker 0% to 100% charge time, a lot has changed here—but not all the changes on this power station are for the better.

Price and availability

The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 portable power station has a retail price of $799 and is available to purchase at Amazon and directly from Anker. However, the C1000 Gen 2 has rarely gone for its retail price and is often found on sale for under $500.

A lightweight battery that can power anything, anywhere

At just under 25 pounds, this battery is definitely in the somewhat light, somewhat heavy segment of power stations. It’s definitely light enough that I plan to bring it just about everywhere I go (outside of things like routine shopping trips), but it’s heavy enough that some people might not feel the same.

I really have enjoyed using the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2. Because it’s so lightweight, I don’t mind bringing it with me when I leave the house. The other day, my wife and I went out with some friends. One of our friends was having some back pain and needed a heating pad. So, we brought along the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 to plug the heating pad into when driving.

My wife and I also brought the power station on our recent trip to Texas from Tennessee. We ended up not using it, but it honestly didn’t take up much space in the van during the trip. The convenience of having it in case we needed it outweighs the hassle of carrying it.

Solid port options make the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 powerful

Overall, I am very satisfied with the port selection of the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2. With five AC plugs (up to 2,000W total continuous output, 3,000W peak at 15A), three USB-C ports (two at 140W, one at 20W), and a USB-A port (that shares the 20W with the third USB-C port), there’s plenty of power to go around here. You’ll also find a 12V at 10A DC car charger port with up to 120W output.

All of this combines to make the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 a really solid option to power anything you need. I have several things I plan to use it for, both during the summer and winter. My wife and I go to craft shows and do laser engraving on-site for customers, and the C1000 Gen 2 will easily power our lasers, air purifier, and laptop for hours.

It’s also great to bring to the beach or on picnics to power various items. The use cases for this power station are endless, and I love that there are five AC plugs right on the front and two 140W USB-C ports for powering things like my iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Pro.

Anker took two steps forward, one step back with this update

As the second generation of the SOLIX C1000, there are a lot of upgrades over the previous iteration—but Anker also took a few steps back.

First, let’s get the bad out of the way. While the first version of this power station had a built-in LED floodlight, this one does not. This is a pretty big drawback, as if you plan to use the C1000 Gen 2 as a portable generator for your home when the power goes out, having a built-in low power draw LED light is pretty nice.

As I already mentioned, there are five AC outlets on this model. The previous generation had six, meaning you can plug in one less device without needing a multi-tap. The C1000 Gen 2 also isn’t expandable in its capacity, unlike the outgoing model. Before, you could add a second battery to the SOLIX C1000 to double your capacity—but that’s no longer possible.

The C1000 Gen 2 also took a step down in total capacity, dropping from 1,056Wh on the first generation to 1,024Wh on the second generation. This 32Wh drop might not seem like much, but in an emergency scenario, it could make all the difference. Anker also didn’t upgrade the 600W solar input limit—but that seems to be where most power stations in this category are capped, even though I wish it supported more.

That sounds like a lot of negatives—and it definitely is—but Anker also upgraded a lot in the latest generation of this power station. For starters, the single 100W USB-C port has now been doubled to two 140W ports. There’s still the 20W USB-C/A circuit available too, giving three total USB-C ports, up from the previous generation’s two.

The new LCD display provides more detailed information and additional insights. It now recharges faster, thanks to higher input charging, going from 0% to 100% in 49 minutes at 1,600W, which is up from 58 minutes at 1,300W. The sustained AC output has also been increased from 1,800W to 2,000W—which might not sound like a lot, but that’s enough to run one extra refrigerator, coffee maker, or heated blanket in the winter.

The UPS time has also been decreased from 20ms to 10ms, which is a pretty nice upgrade if you plan to use this power station as a backup battery for essential household items.

Overall, I’d say that the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is a net positive upgrade compared to the last generation. An additional USB-C port (with more power) is very welcomed, and the extra sustained output is great. I do wish that Anker kept that sixth AC plug, though, especially with the increased output.

Should you buy the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2?

The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is a fantastic portable power station, especially if you can catch it on sale. At the $799 list price, I’m not quite as much of a fan. But, given that it goes for nearly half that fairly often, if you can find it on sale, it’d be an instant buy for me.

While I do wish Anker had left a few of the previous gen’s features on this model, like the sixth AC plug, the built-in LED light, and the expandable function, I don’t think that’s a show-stopper here at all. I really like the fact that there are two 140W USB-C ports, with a third designed to charge my phone. Plus, it’s a few pounds lighter than the original, and overall a bit smaller too.

This is a great power station for those who plan to hit the road, beach, or just their backyard.