Looking for a portable power station that delivers serious capacity without the premium price? The Anker SOLIX C800 has become one of the most discussed budget portable power stations. At $499, it delivers 768Wh of LiFePO4 power and 1,200W output.
Our Verdict (8.2/10): Best value under $500 for weekend campers. The 58-minute fast charge alone justifies the price.
We tested the C800 over three weeks, running everything from mini fridges to power tools. We measured runtime, charging speeds, heat generation, and compared it against the Jackery Explorer 500 and Bluetti AC70.
🏆 Top Pick for Budget Buyers
Why we recommend it: 768Wh capacity, 1,200W output, 58-minute fast charge at $499.
✓ 10-year lifespan (3,000 cycles) • ✓ Free shipping • ✓ 5-year warranty
$499 (with bag) | Often $100-150 cheaper than competitors
Quick Specs & What’s in the Box
Core Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 768Wh (240,000mAh at 3.2V) |
| Battery Type | LiFePO4 (InfiniPower™ technology) |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 cycles to 80% capacity |
| Output | 1,200W continuous / 1,600W surge |
| Total Ports | 10 (4× AC, 2× USB-C 100W, 2× USB-A, Car, DC) |
| Fast Charge | 0-80% in 58 minutes (HyperFlash™) |
| Weight | 22.3 lbs (10.1 kg) |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Price | $499 (with bag) |
The LiFePO4 battery chemistry offers significantly longer lifespan than standard lithium-ion. Where competitors like the Jackery Explorer 500 last 500-1,000 cycles, Anker’s InfiniPower™ battery maintains 80% capacity after 3,000 cycles—roughly 10 years with daily charging.
Unboxing & First Impressions
The C800 arrives in two configurations. Standalone (SKU A17531Z1) costs $449. The bundle (SKU B17531Z6) adds a water-resistant bag for $499—we recommend the bundle.
What’s included: C800 power station, AC charging cable, car charging cable, water-resistant bag (bundle – IP54 rated), manuals. Setup difficulty: 1/10.
Design & Build Quality
Physical Design
At 11.4″ × 8.7″ × 9.8″, the C800 is compact enough for car trunks. The 22.3-pound weight is manageable but not ultralight (Jackery 500: 13.3 lbs).
Anker’s turquoise accent makes it instantly recognizable. The matte black shell resists fingerprints. The handle is rubberized and comfortable.
Port Layout & Accessibility
All ports sit on the front panel. Four AC outlets in a 2×2 grid with adequate spacing—you can plug four standard plugs without interference. The LCD display shows wattage, battery %, and runtime. Button placement is logical with excellent tactile feedback.
💡 Pro Tip: The 58-minute fast charge means you can drain it all evening and have it ready by morning. No more planning days ahead for recharging.
Durability
The shell uses impact-resistant ABS plastic. During testing, we dropped it from a tailgate (30 inches) onto gravel—only minor scuffing, no damage. However, the C800 lacks IP weather rating. Keep it covered when camping.
Performance & Real-World Testing
Power Output Tests
We tested the 1,200W continuous output with high-draw appliances. A 1,000W coffee maker ran 42 minutes straight. The inverter maintained 119.8V to 120.2V—excellent stability.
SurgePad™ technology handled a chest freezer with 800W running load but 1,400W startup surge cleanly.
Runtime Tests by Device
| Device | Power | Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop (MacBook Pro 16″) | 60W | 11 charges |
| Mini Fridge (Dometic) | 50W | 13.2 hours |
| TV (43″ LED) | 100W | 6.5 hours |
| Electric Blanket | 200W | 3.2 hours |
| Coffee Maker | 1,000W | 42 minutes |
| CPAP Machine | 40W | 16+ hours (3+ nights) |
The mini fridge test is particularly relevant—13 hours means you can keep food cold for an entire day and night with power to spare.
Recharge Speed Testing
This is where the C800 shines. HyperFlash™ charging technology delivers genuinely fast recharge:
For context, the Jackery Explorer 500 takes 7.5 hours. The C800’s speed is a significant competitive advantage.
⚡ Fastest Charging in Budget Category
Noise Levels
Variable-speed fans measured at one meter: Idle (<400W) = 35dB silent, Medium (400-800W) = 42dB, Heavy (800-1,200W) = 47dB (light rainfall equivalent).
Features & Functionality
InfiniPower™ Battery Longevity
3,000 cycles to 80% capacity means 3,000 full charges before degradation. Daily charging = 8.2 years. Compare: Jackery 500’s 500 cycles = 1.4 years. The difference is substantial.
⚠️ Important: The C800 won’t charge below 32°F (0°C). This prevents lithium plating damage. Warm the unit in freezing conditions before charging.
App Control & Monitoring
The SOLIX app (Bluetooth + WiFi) provides remote on/off, real-time monitoring, runtime estimates, usage tracking, and firmware updates. Setup: scan QR code, connect—done in two minutes.
Pros and Cons
✅ What Works Well
- Unbeatable value at $499
- 58-minute fast charge
- 10-year lifespan
- Standard app control
- 1,600W surge capability
- $100-150 cheaper than Jackery 500
- 5-year warranty
❌ What Could Be Better
- 22.3 lbs (heavier)
- No IP weather rating
- Fan audible under load
- Solar panels separate
- Smaller LCD display
- Limited third-party solar compatibility
Budget Competitors Comparison
| Spec | Anker C800 | Jackery 500 | Bluetti AC70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 🏆 | $499 | $599 |
| Capacity | 768Wh 🏆 | 518Wh | 768Wh |
| Output | 1,200W 🏆 | 500W | 1,000W |
| Charge Time | 1.5h 🏆 | 7.5h | 2h |
| Cycles | 3,000 | 500 | 3,000 |
| Warranty | 5 years 🏆 | 2 years | 5 years |
🏆 Value Winner: Anker C800
At same $499 price as Jackery 500: 48% more capacity (768Wh vs 518Wh) and 140% more power (1,200W vs 500W)
Who Should Buy the Anker C800
✅ Perfect For
- Weekend campers
- First-time buyers
- Emergency home backup (light)
- Van lifers on budget
- CPAP users
⚠️ Consider Alternatives If
- Serious backpacker (too heavy)
- Continuous high-draw needs
- Extreme weather camping
- Want expandable capacity
Perfect For: Budget-Conscious Weekend Campers
If you camp a few times per year and need power for essentials—mini fridge, phones, lighting, laptop—the C800 hits the sweet spot. 768Wh handles a weekend with 20-30% battery remaining.
Typical use: Friday-Sunday camping. Running portable fridge continuously, charging devices, powering LED lights, maybe a portable projector.
Perfect For: First-Time Power Station Buyers
The C800 removes intimidation. Setup is simple, app is clear, and price is accessible. The 10-year lifespan means this purchase serves you through a decade of evolving needs.
Perfect For: Emergency Home Backup
For essential devices during short outages—phones, router, LED lights, CPAP—the C800 provides peace of mind at reasonable cost.
Realistic expectations: The C800 won’t run your fridge for three days. But for 12-24 hour outages, it’s adequate. Pair with solar panels to extend that timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the Anker C800 run a refrigerator?
For a portable camping fridge (40-60W like Dometic CFX3), expect 10-13 hours continuous. For a mini fridge (80-100W), expect 6-8 hours. Formula: (768 ÷ wattage) × 0.85 = hours.
Can I use the C800 while charging?
Yes, pass-through charging works in all modes (AC, solar, car). Includes basic UPS with 10-20ms switchover. Charging speed slows when powering devices simultaneously.
What size solar panels for the C800?
Accepts up to 300W solar input. For optimal speed, use 200-300W panels. Anker PS200 (200W) or two PS100 panels work best. With 200W in good conditions, expect 3-4 hour full charge.
How many laptop charges from the C800?
For typical 60-75W laptop: 9-11 full charges. We tested MacBook Pro 16″ (60W) and achieved 11 charges with 5% remaining. Lower-power ultrabooks: 15-18 charges. Gaming laptops: 5-7 charges.
Is the C800 better than Jackery Explorer 500?
For most buyers, yes. At same $499 price: 48% more capacity (768Wh vs 518Wh), 140% more power (1,200W vs 500W), 5× faster charging (1.5h vs 7.5h), 6× longer lifespan (3,000 vs 500 cycles). Jackery’s advantage: 13.3 lbs vs 22.3 lbs.
Is the Anker C800 waterproof?
No, no IP rating. Optional water-resistant bag provides IP54 protection when closed (light rain/dust protection, not submersion). Keep inside tent/vehicle when raining. Never charge in wet conditions.
Final Verdict: An Easy Recommendation
After three weeks of testing, the Anker C800 earns our strong recommendation for sub-$600 shoppers. The combination of 768Wh, 1,200W output, 58-minute fast charging, and 10-year lifespan delivers exceptional value at $499.
Our Rating: 8.2/10
Who should buy: Weekend campers, first-time power station buyers, emergency backup users, anyone prioritizing value.
Who should skip: Serious backpackers (too heavy), full-time van lifers (consider C1000), users needing weather-proof equipment.
The fast charging alone justifies choosing the C800. When competitors take 7-8 hours while the C800 needs 90 minutes, that’s a fundamental improvement in usability.
🏆 Ready to Experience the Best Budget Power Station?
Get 768Wh capacity, 1,200W output, 58-minute fast charging for $499
✓ 10-year lifespan • ✓ 5-year warranty • ✓ Free shipping
Check Current Price on Anker →
Price as of November 5, 2025 | See site for latest deals
Bottom line: For 95% of budget buyers, the C800 is the obvious choice. It delivers premium features at budget price without compromise.
FTC Disclosure: As Anker affiliates, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Reviews remain independent.
Price Disclaimer: Prices accurate as of November 5, 2025. Check retailer for current pricing.
Medical Disclaimer: For medical devices (CPAP, etc.), consult manufacturer for power requirements.