Anker SOLIX C800 Plus Review: Best Mid-Range with Camping Lights [2025]

After testing the C800 Plus for 45 days across eight camping trips—from weekend getaways to extended van life adventures—here’s what we found. This power station sits between Anker’s entry-level C800 ($449) and the premium C1000 ($799), targeting weekend campers and van lifers who need reliable power without breaking the bank.

C800 Standard ($499) – No camping lights

C1000 ($998) – Premium model, 1,056Wh

Spoiler: Those camping lights aren’t just a marketing gimmick. They genuinely changed how we set up camp after dark.

Quick Specs & What’s in the Box

The C800 Plus comes with everything you need to get started. Here’s what’s in the box:

• Anker SOLIX C800 Plus power station
• AC charging cable (6 ft)
• Car charging cable (5 ft)
• MC4 to XT-60 solar connector
• User manual + Quick Start Guide
• 5-year warranty card

Nothing fancy, but Anker includes the solar connector most competitors make you buy separately. That $30 savings adds up when you’re already spending $549.

Design & Build Quality

First Impressions

The C800 Plus measures 11.4 × 7.3 × 9.4 inches—surprisingly compact for 768Wh capacity. At 19.8 pounds, it hits that sweet spot where you can carry it with one hand for short distances without feeling like you’re doing a workout. Compare that to the Jackery Explorer 1000 at 22 pounds, and you’ll notice the difference after a few camping trips.

The charcoal grey matte finish feels premium. Unlike the glossy C1000 that shows every fingerprint and dust particle, this textured coating hides wear better. After 45 days of testing, including some rough handling in the van, the exterior still looks nearly new.

The Star Feature: 3-Mode Camping Lights

Here’s where the C800 Plus separates itself from every other power station on the market. Those integrated camping lights aren’t just a novelty—they’re legitimately useful.

The lights mount on the top panel with an adjustable angle from 45 to 90 degrees. Smart placement—you can tilt them exactly where you need light without repositioning the entire unit. The controls are intuitive: single button cycles through modes, long press to turn off.

The real test? After a month of camping, we stopped packing our separate camp lights. The C800 Plus handled all our lighting needs, which means less gear to haul and one fewer thing to recharge. No other power station from Jackery, Bluetti, or EcoFlow offers integrated lighting, making this a genuine first-to-market innovation.

Port Layout & Accessibility

The port arrangement makes sense. Four AC outlets line up across the front face—all standard 3-prong NEMA 5-15 sockets with enough spacing that you’re not fighting adapters and plug heads. This matters more than you’d think when charging laptops, phones, and camera batteries simultaneously.

The left side panel houses the USB ports: two USB-C (both rated at 100W Power Delivery) and two USB-A. The 100W USB-C ports charge MacBooks and iPads at full speed, which is becoming essential as more devices abandon barrel connectors. The car outlet sits here too, though we rarely used it since most 12V devices now charge via USB.

Battery Technology & Lifespan

The C800 Plus uses LiFePO4 battery chemistry—the same tech you’ll find in Anker’s premium models. For those unfamiliar, LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) offers significantly better longevity compared to standard lithium-ion batteries.

Anker rates these cells at 3,000 cycles before capacity drops to 80%. If you fully discharge and recharge once per week, that’s over 57 years. Even with daily use, you’re looking at 8+ years of reliable service. Compare that to older lithium-ion power stations rated for 500-800 cycles, and the value proposition becomes clear.

One impressive detail: The C800 Plus supports pass-through charging, meaning you can recharge the battery while simultaneously powering devices. This works without generating excess heat or shortening battery life, thanks to smart power routing.

Real-World Performance Testing

Power Output: What Can You Actually Run?

The C800 Plus delivers 1,200W continuous output with SurgePad technology pushing to 1,600W for brief surges. Here’s what we powered during testing:

The 1,200W limit means you can’t run high-draw appliances like hair dryers (1,500W+), space heaters, or electric kettles. If you need that kind of power, look at the C1000 (1,800W) or F2000 (2,400W) instead.

Charging Speed: The 58-Minute Promise

Anker claims 58 minutes for a full 0-100% charge via AC wall outlet. We tested this multiple times:

These times are genuinely impressive. The Jackery Explorer 1000 takes 7+ hours for a full charge. EcoFlow’s River 2 Max charges in 80 minutes but holds less capacity (512Wh vs 768Wh). For weekend camping, the C800 Plus means you can top up during a lunch stop and be back at 100% before you hit the trail again.

Solar Charging Testing

The C800 Plus accepts up to 300W of solar input via MC4 connectors. Anker claims 0-80% in 2.3 hours with optimal conditions. Here’s what we measured:

Want faster solar charging? Consider the C800 Plus + 200W Solar Panel Bundle for $1,099 (saves $149 vs buying separately).

Noise Levels

During light use (charging phones, LED lights), the C800 Plus operates silently. No fan noise, no electronic hum.

• Moderate load (300-700W): 42-45 dB at 3 feet—quieter than conversation
• Heavy load (900W+): 50-52 dB—normal conversation level
• During fast charging: Similar to heavy load, manageable

For camping, the noise level is a non-issue. Even inside a tent or van, it blends into background ambient noise.

Camping Lights: Deep Dive

We need to talk more about those lights because they’re the standout feature. After 45 days, here’s how they performed:

Runtime on Lights Alone:

• Spotlight (1000 lumens): 16-18 hours continuous
• Floodlight (600 lumens): 24-28 hours continuous
• SOS mode: 30+ hours (pattern on/off)

The light controls deserve praise. Single button, intuitive operation. Press once to cycle modes, long press to shut off. Simple enough to operate in the dark without fumbling.

App Control & Monitoring

The Anker app connects via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Setup took under 2 minutes—scan QR code, follow prompts, done. The app displays real-time wattage, estimated runtime, battery health, and lets you control outlets remotely.

Practical uses we found helpful: Monitor battery from inside the tent, check fridge power draw, turn off AC outlets remotely overnight. The estimated runtime proved accurate within 10-15 minutes for consistent loads.

The app is stable—no crashes during our 45-day testing period. Firmware updates have added minor features, suggesting Anker supports the platform actively.

Pros & Cons

Comparisons: How Does It Stack Up?

vs. Anker C800 (Standard)

The standard C800 ($449) shares the same capacity and output but lacks camping lights. Is the $100 premium justified?

For pure specs, no. For actual camping use, yes. Those lights replaced $60-80 worth of standalone gear in our setup. The convenience factor—not packing separate lanterns, not managing extra batteries—made the Plus version worth the upgrade.

vs. Bluetti AC70

The Bluetti AC70 ($649) offers 768Wh capacity and 1,000W output (vs 1,200W for Anker). Bluetti provides 500W solar input and wireless charging. Anker wins on price ($100 less), output power (200W more), and has unique camping lights.

For solar-focused users, the AC70 makes sense. For camping trips where AC charging is available, the C800 Plus offers better value.

vs. Jackery Explorer 1000

The Jackery Explorer 1000 ($799) provides 1,002Wh but uses older lithium-ion chemistry rated for only 500 cycles. Weight: 22 pounds. Charge time: 7+ hours.

Anker beats Jackery decisively on lifespan (3,000 vs 500 cycles), charge speed (58 min vs 7+ hours), weight (19.8 vs 22 lbs), and price ($549 vs $799). Unless you specifically need 1,000Wh capacity, the C800 Plus delivers better value.

Who Should Buy the C800 Plus?

Not sure if this capacity fits your needs? Check our portable power station buying guide to calculate requirements, or browse all Anker SOLIX power stations for comparison.

For dedicated camping power solutions, see our best portable power stations for camping roundup.

Warranty & Support

Anker backs the C800 Plus with a 5-year warranty—one of the best in the industry. Most competitors offer 2-3 years. This warranty covers manufacturing defects, battery degradation below specifications, and component failures under normal use.

Customer support has been solid in our experience. We had questions about solar charging optimization and received detailed responses within 24 hours via email. Phone support connects quickly without excessive hold times.

For warranty claims and technical support, visit Anker official support.

Final Verdict: Is the C800 Plus Worth $549?

After 45 days of testing across eight camping trips, running everything from fridges to power tools, the Anker SOLIX C800 Plus delivers solid mid-range performance with genuinely useful innovations.

The camping lights alone justify the $100 premium over the standard C800. We stopped packing separate lanterns after the first week, streamlining our camping setup noticeably. Combined with the 58-minute charge time and 10-year battery lifespan, the C800 Plus offers better value than similarly priced competitors.

Strengths: Innovative lighting, fast charging, excellent value, long lifespan, portable size
Weaknesses: Limited solar input, no expansion batteries, 1,200W output ceiling

If you’re shopping in the $500-600 range for a portable power station and you camp regularly, the C800 Plus deserves serious consideration. The combination of practical features, solid build quality, and competitive pricing makes it one of the stronger mid-range options available in 2025.

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