Anker C300 and C300 DC Review: Small Size, Portable Power

Looking for a compact and reliable portable power station? The Anker Solix C300 might be the one for your needs, including a 300W AC inverter to power devices that must use a traditional outlet. Or you can turn to the Anker C300 DC, a nearly-identical sibling with a lower price due to its lack of an AC inverter.

In this power station review, we’ll walk you through the C300 and C300 DC in a way you can understand. By carefully going through the details, you’ll be able to see what these can power and for how long. 

Will one of these meet your power needs? Let’s find out in this Anker Solix C300 review.

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Power in Portability: Quick Analysis

The Anker Solix C300 is here to solve your portable power needs in a small but mighty package. Whether you’re out camping or prepping for a short blackout, this device is the small and ultra-portable energy that can keep your devices running. 

While the C300 and C300 DC are not the largest power stations on the market, the lightweight designs and low price tags make them top contenders. 

Our favorite things about the Anker C300 are:

• 300W AC inverter with <10ms UPS feature
• Four USB ports and three AC outlets
• Fast recharge times and long-lasting battery

The C300 DC features the same size battery and similar features, but it leaves out the AC inverter in favor of a lower price tag. Since these are small power stations and most small devices can use USB ports, this can make a lot of sense to go with. The largest downside is the warranty drops to 3 years, instead of 5 years with the C300 (with inverter).

The C300 DC includes:

• Five USB ports with three high-watt Type C
• Sub-$200 price
• Larger pop-up lantern LED light

Anker offers these little workhorses at excellent values. To compare prices, we usually look at cost per battery watt-hour. If it’s below $1.00, that’s usually among the industry’s best deals. The MSRPs of these are well below that, at $0.87 for the C300 and an unbelievable $0.69 per Wh for the C300 DC. That’s before any discount or sale price.

Get 15% off most Anker Solix orders with ANKERSOLARWAY discount code. This takes the price of both units down to a nearly-unbeatable price per Wh.

If you’re looking for a small power station to keep your devices charged and light on while camping or at home during an outage, the Anker C300 is a great choice. While the unit with an inverter is a great deal, you can save even more by going with the Anker Solix C300 DC. You also get an extra high-watt USB-C port and bigger light.

With Inverter	Anker Solix C300 288Wh battery and 300W inverter 10ms UPS for constant backup power Great value	C300 on Anker C300 on Amazon
Lower Price	Anker Solix C300 DC 288Wh battery but no AC inverter More USB-C ports Pop-up lantern in the top	300 DC on Anker 300 DC on Amazon

Comparing to the Anker Lineup

In Anker’s lineup, the Solix C300 sits toward the most affordable end of the spectrum. You can find quite a few more powerful power stations, as well as less powerful power banks, which offer much more l limited outlets and ports. 

While the C300 is more versatile than a power bank, it doesn’t compete with their larger models in terms of sheer output or battery capacity. For those who don’t need more than 300W, it can work well. But heavier-duty tasks will need to look further up Anker’s lineup for models with beefier inverters and larger battery reserves. 

Think of the C300 as a balance between light load versatility and affordability.

Here’s a quick look at some of the top Anker power stations and power banks to see how the C300 and C300 DC fit in:

Most Powerful	Anker Solix F3800 Most powerful Anker power station Up to 53.8Kwh battery and 12kW output High-amp 240V for heavy-duty needs	F3800 on Anker F3800 on Amazon
Upper Midrange	Anker SOLIX F2000 Superb value and capabilities Up to 4.1kWh battery and 2.4kW output 30-amp output included	Buy on Anker Buy on Amazon
Top Pick	Anker SOLIX C1000 Up to 2.1kWh battery and 1.8kW output Can double battery with modular expansion	Buy on Anker Buy on Amazon

Comparing the C300 to Other Brands

The Anker Solix C300 finds itself in a highly competitive field, with other big names offering similarly compact and capable power stations. Here’s how it stacks up against its closest rivals:

• EcoFlow River 3: The innovative and recently-released EcoFlow River 3 has a smaller battery and a similar 300W inverter, but it boasts a higher AC output at 600W with specialized X-Boost technology. When sales apply, it also has rock-bottom pricing. However, the River 3 has more limited outputs and a shorter 2 year warranty.
• Bluetti AC2A: While the Bluetti has faster solar charging, the C300 brings a bigger battery, more ports, and a faster UPS transfer time.
• Jackery Explorer 300 Plus: The C300 and the Explorer are neck and neck in terms of AC output and battery size. The main advantages of the C300 are its additional outlets and faster UPS transfer time. The Anker is also much more affordable.
• BougeRV Flash 300: The Flash 300 takes the price pretty high but also throws in a larger inverter and super-fast charging speeds. The C300 is much more affordable and still has plenty-fast charging rates.

In this compact power station segment, the Anker C300 and the even cheaper C300 DC are very hard to beat. Every other option has fewer outlets and ports, while almost every one is priced much higher too. This Anker showcases the brand’s ability to deliver what people need: a well-designed power station with all the connections you need, at an unbeatable price.

	EcoFlow RIVER 3 245Wh battery and 300W inverter Super fast charging and <20ms UPS Extremely compact	R3 on EcoFlow R3 on Amazon
	BLUETTI AC2A Portable Power Station Affordable solar generator 300W output and ~200Wh battery Great for phones and lights Limited power	AC2A on Bluetti AC2A on Amazon
	Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station Updated product with improved features Advanced LiFePO4 battery with 288Wh capacity 300W AC output and 100W solar input	300 Plus on Jackery 300 Plus on Amazon
	BougeRV Flash300 Fast Charging Power Station Excellent starter solar generator 286Wh battery and 600W AC output Incredibly fast charging rates for battery size Not meant for large devices	Buy on BougeRV Buy on Amazon

Power Station Breakdown: Anker Solix C300 and C300 DC

In this review, we’ll break down the most important features and specs of the C300, helping you understand whether it’s the right power station for your needs.

Here’s how we’ll tackle the review:

• What Can It Power? Inverter and Outputs
• How Long Does It Last? Battery Details
• How Fast to Charge? Charging Inputs
• Is It Small Enough? Size and Portability
• What’s the Verdict? Our Recommendation

Powering Up: Inverter and Outputs

The Anker Solix C300 offers a mix of convenience and versatility with its 300W inverter, which is perfect for powering essential devices when you’re off-grid or during an outage. The inverter plays a critical role in converting the power from the battery (DC) into something your household devices (AC) can use. In simpler terms, it lets you plug in your devices just like you would at home.

The C300 DC lacks the inverter. That means you no longer have the ability to use a “regular” household plug. You must stick to USB ports or a car cigarette lighter. These are DC connections, hence the “DC” in the model name.

Two of the USB-C ports on both models can run at up to 140W. The car cigarette lighter  outlet is a standard 120W (12V at 10A). These are high-powered ports ready to handle a lot of devices, including many laptops and portable fridges too.

Here’s a breakdown of common devices, what power and ports they use, and how it relates to the C300 options:

• Low-Watt Devices (30W or less): Charging phones and tablets, running LED lights. Most of these use USB ports.
• Medium-Watt Devices (30W to 100W): Laptops, portable fridges, and fans. Many laptops can use USB ports, but some require AC outlets. Quite a few portable refrigerators can use the 12V car cigarette lighter port. 
• High-Watt Devices (100W to 300W): Televisions, desktop computers, some small kitchen appliances. These typically require an AC outlet and this the max output of the C300.
• Larger Devices (Over 300W): These exceed the output of the C300 and will need a bigger inverter to run. Full-size fridges, blenders, microwaves, coffee makers, etc.

When you run multiple devices at once, you can hit these limits faster. Anker does a great job at designing these to evenly distribute power and make sure you can run a lot of devices at the same time, but you’ll hit some maximum limits even with USB ports. For example, you can’t use the max output from all USB-C ports while also using the max from other outlets. However, it’s usually only limited to about 60W which is still capable of handling most laptops and portable fridges, even when all outlets and ports are used. 

These are very capable for their size, in big part thanks to Anker’s intelligent design and software behind the scenes.

The C300 comes equipped with a variety of outlets, making it versatile for different situations:

• 3 AC outlets with 300W max and <10ms UPS function
• 4 USB ports including one USB-A, one low-watt USB-C, and two high-watt USB-C (140W)
• 1 12V cigarette lighter with 120W

When you look at the C300 DC, you simply drop the AC outlets and add one 100W USB-C port. This gives the C300 DC four total USB-C ports, with three being 100W or higher. 

Output Verdict: The Anker Solix C300’s inverter can handle small devices and some medium-size electronics, including a fast <10ms UPS transfer time. The C300 DC removes the AC outlets but has a full array of USB-C ports that can make up the difference, if your devices can use them. Both are not capable of powering anything over 300W.

Power That Lasts: Battery Capacity and Real-World Performance

At the heart of the Anker Solix C300 and C300 DC is a 288Wh battery. In real-world terms, it packs enough juice to keep your essentials powered for hours. For example:

• 10Wh phones: Can recharge ~23 times 
• 10W LED light: Power for ~23 hours
• 30Wh tablet: Recharge about 7.5 times 
• 40W portable fridge: ~6 hours
• 60Wh laptop: Recharge nearly 4 times

The C300 is ideal for keeping your small devices charged. It can keep your phones, cameras, tablets, and laptops charged for some days. Using it for continuous use of some devices, even a small fridge, can work for short bursts but not long overnight stints.

With a 5-year warranty, the C300 is designed to be a reliable, long-lasting investment. To keep price down, the C300 DC only comes with a 3-year warranty. This difference is something worth considering when you are trying to decide which is better for your needs. Two extra years of warranty coverage is nothing to overlook.

But both feature a LiFePO4 (LFP) battery rated for over 3,000 cycles. You could theoretically charge and discharge it every day for over eight years before noticing any major reduction in performance.

Battery Verdict: The Anker Solix C300 and C300 DC offer a solid 288Wh of power, making it ideal for lightweight use like camping or emergency home backup for small devices. Its LiFePO4 battery ensures long-term durability, but it’s not designed for heavy-duty use. If your power needs are moderate and you want a reliable, portable solution, the C300’s battery checks the right boxes.

Fast and Flexible: Charging Inputs and Speeds

Charging speed is critical to quickly top off their power station between uses. The faster you can recharge, the sooner you’re ready for your next adventure – or back in business during an outage. The Anker Solix C300 offers several charging options, making it versatile for a variety of situations.

• AC Charging: The C300 can charge via a wall outlet at 330W, fully topping up in about 1 hour. This makes it ideal for those who need quick turnarounds between uses. The C300 DC doesn’t have a traditional AC input. You can use AC outlets through its USB-C inputs though at 140W.
• Solar Charging: With a solar input capacity of 100W, the C300 and C300 DC can recharge from the sun in roughly 3.5 hours, if you max out the input.
• Car Charging: At 120W, the C300 can be charged quickly while driving. It’s a great road trip companion that makes sure you have power even when the vehicle isn’t running.

Charging Verdict: The Anker Solix C300 has fast charging across the board. The 100W solar is fast enough to get a full charge on most sunny days, while even car charging from a standard cigarette lighter can fill you up.

Compact and Portable: Weight and Size

The Anker Solix C300 is designed for easy portability, weighing just 9.1 lbs (4.1 kg) and measuring about the size of a 2L jug. Its compact size makes it ideal for camping, RV trips, or emergency home use, giving you reliable power without weighing you down.

By removing the inverter, the C300 DC takes it down to 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg). You can’t beat it.

Portability Verdict: The Anker C300 is an excellent power station if portability is a priority. It’s light enough to travel anywhere yet still delivers reliable performance.

Final Verdict: Our Recommendation

Before clicking the buy button, consider what you need most from a portable power station. The Anker Solix C300 offers a solid balance of portability, quick charging, and reliable battery capacity.  The UPS function can be well worth the cost alone, but it will also keep your campsite running and your road trip powered up.

However, if you’re looking for an even lighter option and don’t require an AC inverter, the C300 DC might be the better fit. And you’ll keep some cash in your wallet.

Anker C300	Anker C300 DC
300W inverter UPS function Longer warranty	More USB-C ports 288Wh battery Ultra-portable
More expensive	No AC inverter

Here’s a quick recap of the highlights:

• Inverter & Outputs: The C300’s 300W inverter can power small to medium devices and comes with <10ms UPS function. It’s great for keeping lightweight electronics running. The C300 DC, on the other hand, skips the AC inverter and comes with a lower price.
• Battery Capacity: Both the C300 and C300 DC have the same 288Wh battery, ensuring solid performance for light to moderate use, with over 3,000 charge cycles for long-term durability.
• Charging Speeds: The C300 charges via AC at 330W, topping off in about an hour, while the C300 DC charges at 140W from its USB inputs. Both offer 100W solar input, great for off-grid charging.
• Portability: The C300 and C300 DC are easy to carry on the go.
• Value: Anker knocks it out of the park with low prices for both units, but especially the C300 DC. When you factor in any sales or discounts, the per Wh cost is among the lowest in the industry. These are top values from a reliable brand.

Final Recommendation: The Anker Solix C300 is the better option for users who want a well-rounded power station with a small AC inverter and UPS function. It’s perfect for camping, road trips, or as an emergency backup. However, if you don’t need AC output, the Solix C300 DC is a lightweight alternative that delivers similar battery capacity in a smaller, more affordable form. And it adds an extra USB-C port.

Get 15% off most Anker Solix orders with ANKERSOLARWAY discount code.

With Inverter	Anker Solix C300 288Wh battery and 300W inverter 10ms UPS for constant backup power Great value	C300 on Anker C300 on Amazon
Lower Price	Anker Solix C300 DC 288Wh battery but no AC inverter More USB-C ports Pop-up lantern in the top	300 DC on Anker 300 DC on Amazon

Side-by-Side Specs Comparison Chart

Check out the full Anker Solix C300 and Anker Solix C300 DC spec comparison chart below to see how these match up side-by-side. You can click links to the user manuals for any lingering questions.

Get 15% off most Anker Solix orders with ANKERSOLARWAY discount code.

With Inverter	Anker Solix C300 288Wh battery and 300W inverter 10ms UPS for constant backup power Great value	C300 on Anker C300 on Amazon
Lower Price	Anker Solix C300 DC 288Wh battery but no AC inverter More USB-C ports Pop-up lantern in the top	300 DC on Anker 300 DC on Amazon

Wrap Up

The Anker Solix C300 is a great little power station offered at an extremely competitive price. We generally prefer the flexibility of the C300 with its 300W AC inverter and UPS function, but if you don’t need those features, the C300 DC is an excellent alternative that lets you keep some cash in your bank account. Just know that you’re also getting a shorter 3-year warranty instead of 5 years.

Looking for more power station information? Check out our other popular articles covering top options and comparisons:

• EcoFlow RIVER 3 vs. Bluetti EB3A
• EcoFlow RIVER 3 vs. Anker PowerHouse 522
• EcoFlow Delta 2 Max vs. Anker F2000
• Bluetti vs. Jackery vs. EcoFlow

Ready to power up your life? Choose the right solution and stay prepared for whatever life throws your way.