Anker - SOLIX C1000X Gen2 Portable Power Station 2000W (1024 Wh Capacity) - Dark Gray

Get it on sale, and it's worth every penny. I actually use mine as a charging station for drones, cameras, and photography equipment right out of my truck bed. I charge everything "on the fly" between job sites. I usually only have to re-charge it like once every couple weeks? I actually have the larger version of this, as well...the C2000X and I keep that one inside the house as a backup power source. It's much larger and heavier than this one. This one is the perfect size / weight for travel / charging stuff out of your vehicle.

Anker has available their SOLIX C1000X Generation 2, a 4-plug variation of the C1000 which has 5 plugs. The box includes the C1000x power station, power cable, 12V car charger cable, and quick user guide/paperwork. The unit comes with a manufacturer's 5-year warranty. PROS: ----------- * Extremely easy to use. Nearly fully-charged out of the box. * 2 140W USB-C charging ports and 1 15W USB-C charging port in addition to a regular USB port at 12W. * Great easy-to-read display with 3 different types of information (see pictures) * Easy to connect to phone via bluetooth (BT) using the Anker app * Power station can be charged via AC cable or by using a car charger (provided) or even a solar panel. Anker has a specific panel that can be used as well, sold separately. This would be great for campers when you need extended power... and if there is sun. * The unit is built well and feel extremely durable. There is a vent on the upper left side of the unit. * It operates quietly when in use. There is a fan, but even with a good load, dB levels aren't excessive. * Anker claims after 10 years, the unit will still have 80% battery levels possible... that remains to be seen, but if so, that's pretty awesome. * The unit can be easily factory-reset with the reset button on the front of the unit. * 2 very grippy rubber feet on the bottom will keep it in place no matter where you put it. CONS: ----------- * A firmware update needed to be done, but it took me 4 tries to get it to completely finish. It continued to fail with each time, getting a higher percentage of charging completion. I don't understand why getting the update was made so complicated in the app and the constant failures. Once it was updated, it appeared ok. OTHER OBSERVATIONS: ----------- * You can turn on the display area, but all ports aren't turned on unless you hold down the circle button in each power area. * This 4-AC outlet model differs from the C1000 model in that the C1000 is primarily sold online. The 4-outlet models are typically sold in big-box stores, based on some of my research. * It's medium weight at approximately 25 lbs. CONCLUSION: ===================== This is my first power station, and I definitely love the portability of this unit. I have a gasoline generator that normally stays outside but can power up some circuits in our home. This battery-powered unit will give us the ability to keep a few more things powered up in the event our power goes out or if we have a natural disaster. If it gets low and we're without power, even the main gas generator can charge it back up. So far, I'm impressed, and as usual, Anker backs up their products if you have issues with it. I'm confident I'll enjoy this power station for years to come. Great job, Anker!

We have quite a few Anker batteries in the house, from smaller portables to a DIY friendly F3800 for whole house blackouts. This battery continues with the great LiFePo (or LFP) batteries that are more safe and reliable than more typical lithium batteries and provide even greater power output (140w in 2 of the USB-C ports) and up to 3000w peak output. ___ Design and Features ___ When compared to our C800, it’s about the same size and weight, but packs in 25% more capacity and stronger output. It’s the first battery that we use for always-on backup (UPS style) for our chest freezer. When power is cut, this battery kicks in. For our medium-sized chest freezer it lasted around 36 hours in our testing, with no difference in freezer performance. This is exactly while this model appealed to us. It’s great for ensuring food won’t go bad if the power goes out of ran extended period while we’re away. After testing and plugging it back in, this power is capable of pulling around 1200w of power to quickly recharge itself. Even during this, I could use ports on the front to simultaneously charge a phone, etc. It’s also the first battery we own that has a Time of Use setting (to charge and discharge based on a schedule reflecting changing grid pricing) as well as a Storm Guard mode to charge at max power when a storm is forecasted in the near future - ensuring that it has the best chance to fully charge before a likely need. While it’s not well documented, the right-most AC outlet is special, a ‘SurgePad,’ capable of allowing higher-power draw tools and equipment up to 2400w (beyond that base 2000w of the other outlets). I tested this battery with our power-hungry espresso machine. As advertised, this battery had no issue providing the 1300w of immediate power it needed. The screen is also improved in these Gen 2 models, it’s no longer just segmented and is instead a vibrant display showing capacity, input, output etc in real time. The screen is arguably not all that important, but it makes for a product that feels all that much more modern and advanced. The solar power input port can also handle 600w (60v), as an improvement over the last model. Some things have been removed in this iteration, however… Gone is the seldom-used LED light bar, as well as a reduction in overall AC outlets (4 instead of 5) in the ‘X’ model, but at just over 1000 kwh, it’s slightly more compact and lighter in design, while having higher power output - I’m not bothered. Dropping a single AC outlet is fine by me, but it’s worth noting that the current non-‘X’model, which comes in a two-tone grey color, retains that 5th outlet at just about the same price. I prefer the dark grey color of this model, but it’s worth noting that you’re getting a little less when buying this one. ___ App ___ The app connectivity continues to be good with these Solix products. It does a nice job of cleanly illustrating the available ports and their current draws, as well as overall battery status in an attractive way. My only gripe is that no actual history is shown, just live readings and a few small graphs that only show the last minute or so (they cannot be expanded.) For something like our freezer, which only pulls power every few minutes when the motor kicks in, it would help to see that behavior over time. Similarly, the battery seemed to have a hard time predicting remaining power in based on actual use over time. Instead, it appears to predict in the moment, assuming the current load will remain consistent. This led to a prediction that it could power our chest freezer for 3 1/2 days, when in actuality it could go about 36 hours. That actual battery life is still very good for our use, but not at all accurate to it’s own in-app time remaining labels. ___ Summary ___ Despite losing an AC port in the ‘X’ model this time around, it offers very good input and output speeds and capacity. New Time of Use and Storm Guard features are nice, as is the faster 10ms response time when using as a UPS. The nicer screen is an appreciated improvement, as is the smaller size and lower weight while retaining the same capacity. The removal of the LED bar is only slightly missed, as we did use that during power outages a few times on another model. It’s new features makes this battery great for leaving as an always connected backup battery for devices like our chest freezer while also allowing it to remained topped off and ready for other uses. Even with a few gripes, I still find it to be one of the best values, offering great functionality and features in a solid design. **** What I liked **** - Updated design is a nice modernization of the last version - More powerful, great selection of ports - Recharges very quickly - Time of Use and Storm Guard features **** What I Didn’t Like **** - App still doesn’t show a history of output beyond a few seconds. - Removal of LED is slightly disappointing (but wasn’t that important) - This dark grey ‘X’ model lacks a 5th AC port this time around, for seemingly no functional reason or cost difference when compared with its sister C1000 model.

Anker has made a name for themselves as a go-to brand for consumer charging solutions. Expanding on their brand they have entered into the portable power station market. Their newest entry, the Solix C1000 Gen 2, is designed as a portable solution to provide power in a very compact package that is relatively light weight. Does this power station deliver? Time to open the box and find out. In the aforementioned box you’ll find the power station, a decently long power cord (complete with a Velcro wrap to keep it neat when not in use), a cable to charge it from a car “lighter” plug, and documentation. Pulling it out of the box, I was immediately struck by how light (for a battery) and compact the unit is. While using the app is not required, it is recommended to set up the power station, update firmware, etc. Press and hold the power button for a couple of seconds and the station powers right up. Mine shipped with a healthy 78% battery right out of the box. It connected easily to the app and then to wifi (you can choose between local connection through Bluetooth for when you are on the go or the power is out, or wifi connected when at home to check on the power station when you aren’t close to it). An easy firmware update later, and I was ready to go. For an “entry level” power station, Anker has included a ton of features. While many of the features can be set using the front screen and the main button, it is kind of counterintuitive, requiring a ton of button pushes to move through the options as there is no directional control. It’s much easier to use the app, which is intuitive and provides a lot of detail on the power station. With the app, you can see the current power draw, remaining estimated time, connected ports, etc. Conversely, when plugged in, you can see the power draw, charge amount, and remaining time to full. There are several modes and options available, including the ability to charge when power rates are low and discharge to a connected device (like a refrigerator or other appliance) when rates are high if you live in an area where the current market price for power is reflected on your power bill. It also has a mode where, if you limit the peak charge to a certain % to protect the battery (say 80%), if a storm is predicted it will charge to full and be ready to go if the power goes out. It can also serve as a classic UPS, providing bypass power while plugged in to other devices, or as a backup power source for a sump pump in an emergency. It also has a charging mode that can draw an incredible 1600W – basically the full power available on a typical 15amp circuit in your home. This can charge the bank in around 49 minutes, but there is a warning in the app that it will stress the battery and can impact overall life of the battery pack. This would be more for emergency use during a power outage when you want to charge the power station from something like a gas generator and then take it back indoors. Anker says the battery is rated for 4,000 duty cycles and about a decade of regular use, but continually charging to 100% and using the rapid recharge can impact that life. The charge rate, charge %, discharge limit are all configurable, allowing limits to be put on the unit to protect the battery pack. Connection-wise, the power station features 5 AC output ports, including a 20watt one designed for high draw appliances or tools, 1 USB-A, 3 USB-C, and a car “lighter” port. Two of the USB-C ports support power deliver up to 140W, making it able to power most laptops and other devices. In testing, I was able to use the power station to provide portable power for several things, including a shop vac I used to pull water out of some pool equipment. Not having to manage an extension cord was great. I can see a ton of uses for this thing outside of emergency power for various outdoor activities such as powering speakers, keeping food warm, powering a pressure washer (minding the water, unless you have the water resistant bag accessory), to name a few. Overall, this is a great “entry level” power station. It has a decent capacity, and a ton of features, all in a portable package. For emergency use or just providing power where it’s hard to get to, this is an affordable, compact, and accessible option to consider.

The Anker SOLIX C1000X Gen 2 is an impressive power station. Perfect for emergency situations to power household devices, but also small enough for camping or road trips. Perfect AC port placement. Support for DC and solar charging. Full AC charge in under an hour. There are so many positives, it is hard to mention them all. I really like this power station. Unboxing: Anker includes the charging station, an AC charging cable, and a DC charging cable perfect for charging via your car’s DC port. Note: Users will need the Anker application on their smart phone or tablet to update the power station’s firmware and to control the station via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. There was a firmware update out of the box. Experience: I have been using and discharging the power station for a week now. There are a surprising number of features. You could use this power station as a UPS for your gaming PC or medical device. In my test, the C1000 Gen 2 performed brilliantly, and I did not notice any hiccups or glitches when switching from AC to battery power. Charging ports are perfectly placed with enough space to allow for big charging bricks. The USB-C ports are powerful enough to power a powerful laptop. The onscreen display is easy to read and supplies plenty of information. The unit is not light, but it is not too heavy either considering everything packed inside. In my testing, the unit never got too hot, but users should know that should the fans crank up, the power station produces a decent level of white noise. I drained the unit completely twice. Charging back over AC is super quick with the battery fully charged in about an hour. I was unable to test out solar charging at this time. The DC charging was slow. At the 98 W I was receiving via DC charge, it would take an entire day to charge. At best, I could see using DC charging to top the unit off. I mentioned the Anker App, but you can set the app to optimize charge and discharge based on grid peak hours. You can also set up a storm emergency mode assuming your station is connected to wi-fi. The station has an Output Port Memory switch. If the AC outlet or car charger switch is on when the battery is depleted, those ports will automatically turn on when the station reaches ten percent above the discharge limit. I could see this being an excellent feature for those who plan to hook up solar panels to the station. Conclusion: The SOLIX C1000X Gen 2 has a lot to like. If necessary, I could use this in an emergency to run my fridge for six hours. Or I could take it on a trip and charge phones and cameras while running small fans. This is a great little power station. Quite easy to recommend. 5/5