This portable power station has a standout feature that makes camping safer

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Anker Solix C800 Plus moveable energy station is presently obtainable on Amazon for $600.
• It is a highly effective, well-made energy station that delivers on all the things it guarantees, and the tenting lights are a helpful addition.
• I simply want it was weather-resistant and the highest compartment was much less fiddly to shut.

Energy stations have completely flipped the script on how I get issues executed once I’m off the grid. Hauling round a strong field filled with energy has been a whole sport changer. Plus, the power to hook it as much as photo voltaic panels for a recharge? That is the form of freedom I used to solely dream about. 

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However now, we have hit some extent the place, apart from the model and the way a lot energy they will maintain, there’s not a lot that units one energy station other than one other. That’s till somebody decides to shake issues up. And guess what? Anker went and did precisely that with the Solix C800 Plus, the primary moveable energy station with removable 3-mode tenting lights.

Word that I’m testing the UK model, so the AC ports are completely different from that discovered on the US model. 

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Anker Solix C800 Plus tech specs

• Capability: 768Wh
• AC Output: 1200W (SurgePad 1600W)
• Ports: 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, 5x AC Output, 1x automobile socket
• AC Output: 120V~10A, 60Hz, 1200W Max
• USB-C Output (100W): 5V⎓3A / 9V⎓3A / 15V⎓3A / 20V⎓3A / 20V⎓5A (100W max)
• USB-C Output (30W): 5V⎓3A / 9V⎓3A / 12V⎓2.5A (30W max)
• USB-A Output: 5V⎓2.4A (12W Max) per port
• Automotive Charger Output: 12V⎓10A
• AC Enter: 750W normal, 1100W UltraFast charging, 1440W max in Bypass charging mode
• XT60 Enter: 300W max
• Battery Kind: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
• Equipment: 2 x tenting lights (8 – 130 hour runtime), 3.3 ft/1 m retractable pole
• Dimensions: 14.61 x 8.07 x 9.96 in/371 × 205 × 253 mm
• Weight: 24 lb / 10.9 kg
• Working Temperature: -4°F-104°F / -20°C-40°C
• Charging Temperature: 32°F-104°F / 0°C-40°C
• Guarantee: 5 years 

The Solix C800 Plus, at its coronary heart, is an influence beast, filled with sturdy LiFePO4 batteries that may stash a whopping 768Wh of energy. Plus, it is acquired ten ports able to cost up all of your devices. It is just like the Goldilocks of energy stations; it is simply the proper dimension, packing loads of punch with out being a trouble to lug round.

That stated, at 24 kilos, it isn’t one thing you are going to slip right into a pocket or be carrying for miles, however it’s gentle sufficient to haul a few residence, workshop, or camp.

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The interface on this unit is strictly what I search for in an influence station — just some buttons to handle powering it on and off, controlling the AC outputs, turning the front-mounted LED gentle strip on and off, and enabling and disabling Bluetooth. Moreover, it is acquired this super-clear LCD panel that is a breeze to learn day or night time.

After I evaluation energy stations, I put them by way of the wringer to examine in the event that they actually dwell as much as what’s promised on the spec sheet — and which means testing battery capability, how rapidly the unit recharges (it takes slightly below an hour), what every port can truly output, and see if the AC can deal with a little bit of overload with out freaking out or exploding. Since you’ve got already learn the headline, you may make certain that the Solix nailed all these exams with flying colours.

The unit can also be extremely well-built. Anker has housed the Solix C800 Plus’ industrial-grade parts and superior circuitry in a tricky, drop-proof, unibody development shell. I can stand and leap on this unit and it would not flex or creak or look like it should implode, which is nice.

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However that is all fairly normal for a good-quality energy station. The place the Solix C800 Plus shines are the equipment hidden inside a flip-top compartment on the highest of the unit. 

Inside this compartment are two battery-powered LED lights and a telescopic pole. 

The lights have variable brightness and might be switched between candle, floodlight, or flashlight mode, and these have a length of between eight and 130 hours relying on the brightness. 

These lights recharge mechanically when housed of their compartment.

Tucked in there with the lights is that this cool telescopic pole. It expands out to three.3ft (about one meter) and attaches securely to the facility station by way of a customized attachment level. 

The actual stroke of genius is in how the lights hook as much as the pole. It is simple however good! On the pole’s tip is a steel ball, and the sunshine snaps on with a magnet. What’s cooler is that you may angle the sunshine any which approach you want.

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This setup is incredible. Certain, plenty of energy stations include a light-weight, however having a light-weight down on the bottom is not at all times the brightest concept. It is far more helpful to have it up at hand peak, proper the place you are working.

At first, I assumed this function was only a flashy gimmick, however having the ability to elevate the sunshine from the bottom to a extra sensible peak turned out to be extremely helpful.

I am completely bought on this function now!

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The Anker Solix C800 Plus isn’t your unusual energy station; it is acquired a particular twist. At first look, it appears to be like like your run-of-the-mill, sturdy energy station constructed for top-notch efficiency and sturdiness. And after a number of weeks of placing it to the check, it hasn’t upset me in any respect. It is managed to energy up all the things I’ve wanted, from kitchen devices to hefty energy instruments.

However here is the place it will get attention-grabbing — the addition of the tenting lights. These aren’t simply any lights; they might double as work lights or be a lifesaver throughout a blackout. What’s cool about them is their adjustable brightness and their surprisingly lengthy battery life, even on the best setting. Belief me, having lights that may transfer up from the ground to wherever you want them is far more helpful than you’d suppose.

For $600 this can be a incredible energy station that will not disappoint and gives you years of service.