Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 power station review: Smaller, lighter and charges faster than the original

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If you want reliable technology that performs well without causing the pain of checking your bank account, Anker is your best friend. From travel friendly charger to big projectorAnker (and its family of brands Soundcore, Solix, and Eufy) consistently manages to offer superior products with thoughtful designs at prices that aren’t outrageous.

Portable power stations have become That hot product recently, and that’s for good reason. Who doesn’t want to keep their phone charged while camping or WiFi routers turns on when the power goes out? Anker has proven itself to be a leader in the world of portable power stations, and in testing, we found the answer Solix C1000 to achieve the perfect balance between usability and affordability. Now, Anker has released the Solix C1000 Gen 2, which comes with some noticeable changes. Which one is better? We put these new models to the test to decide which version wins our hearts (and gadgets).

Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 show off features

The Gen 2 version of the Anker Solix C1000 feels like the original has reached its final stages and is coming out with a new level of refinement. It’s a little shinier, has a fancy LCD screen, two USB-C ports can now handle 140W, and charges faster. Its charging capabilities have earned it a Guinness World Record for the fastest recharging portable power station in the 1,000Wh category, with a run time of 49 minutes.

This blazing fast time comes with an asterisk that requires you to go into the accompanying Anker app and enable UltraFast recharging. Simply plugging it into AC power won’t be that fast. If you choose to recharge with a solar panel, you can connect up to 600W for a full recharge in about two hours.

The LCD screen on the Solix C1000 Gen 2 is very slick and very user-friendly, especially for beginners. If you’re looking for a portable power station for camping, the Solix C1000 Gen 2 weighs just under 25 pounds, and the two-side handles make this model very portable. I find it easier to carry compared to the original Solix C1000.

Powerful enough to keep your fridge cool during a power outage and run the espresso machine in the morning. Its quiet operation at under 20 decibels when power is under 200W means it’s great for a CPAP machine or keeping an air purifier running in the baby’s room at night.

Anker also upped its game with the Solix C1000 Gen 2 in terms of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), which is just 10 milliseconds. This is useful if you are going to turn on your desktop workstation and are unable to turn it off during a power outage. The same applies to medical equipment.

The port layout on the Gen 2 is also good, and there’s plenty of room around each AC outlet to connect larger chargers like camera batteries or rechargeable batteries.

The C1000 Gen 2 comes with a capacity of 1,024Wh, and cannot accept expansion batteries. This is different from the original C1000 which has 1,056Wh of power and can be connected to an additional battery so that the capacity is doubled, bringing the total to 2,112Wh. Here are some specifications to study when deciding whether the Gen 2 Solix C1000 is suitable for your needs:

Specification

• Capacity: 1,024Wh

• Continuous output: 2,000W pure sine wave

• Peak output: 3,000W

• Weight: 24.9 pounds

• Dimensions: 15.1 inches L × 8.2 inches W × 9.6 inches H

• Power options: AC, USB-C (140W), USB-A

• Recharging options: Grid electricity, solar power, car

• Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)

• Cycle life: 80 percent capacity after 4,000 cycles

How does the Solix C1000 Gen 2 compare to the original Solix C1000?

Whenever a brand offers a new version, it’s a good idea to compare the specifications carefully. The original shines in some areas, while the updated Gen 2 has some nice improvements. Here’s a breakdown of the main differences:

Solix C1000

• List price: $999

• Power capacity: 1,056Wh

• Peak output: 2,000W

• UPS: 20 msec

• Weight: 28.44 pounds

• Dimensions: 14.8 inches L × 8.1 inches W × 10.5 inches H

• Light bar: Yes

• Expandable: Yes

• AC recharge time: 58 minutes

• Port options: 6 AC, 2 USB-C (1 at 100W), 2 USB-A

Solix C1000 Gen 2

• List price: $799

• Power capacity: 1,024Wh

• Peak output: 3,000W

• UPS: 10 ms

• Weight: 24.9 pounds

• Dimensions: 15.1 inches L × 8.2 inches W × 9.6 inches H

• Light bar: No

• Expandable: No

• AC recharge time: 49 minutes

• Port options: 5 AC, 3 USB-C (2 at 140W), 1 USB-A

Overall, Anker made some big improvements with the Solix C1000 Gen 2. The Solix C1000 Gen 2 recharges faster, is lighter and more compact, has higher peak output, and has a more responsive uninterruptible power supply (UPS). It also has two 140W USB-C ports, while the original Solix C1000 is rated at 100W.

On the downside, the new Gen 2 has slightly less power than the original Solix C1000: 1,024Wh compared to 1,056Wh on the original. Anker also removed the lightbar on the new model, and it’s not compatible with expansion batteries. Presumably, Anker had to cut these extras to reduce weight and size.

Overall price is another major consideration. In terms of price alone, the Solix C1000 Gen 2 offers much better value as it is $200 cheaper. But if we’re honest, we almost never see this model sold at full price. They are almost always discounted on Amazon.

In short, unless you can’t live without a lightbar or you really intend to add an expansion battery, the C1000 Gen 2 is likely your best choice. However, if one model is much cheaper than the other, we will choose whichever model is cheaper. The differences are small enough that many people won’t notice much of a difference at all.

Buyer beware: The Solix C1000 Gen 2 has two versions, and one is not ideal

Life is difficult enough now that we don’t need to make things complicated. But Anker has done something confusing here, and you need to take a moment to fully check which Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 you buy because there are two versions.

There’s the standard Solix C1000 Gen 2, which we tested, and it comes with a full-width LCD screen and five AC ports. But there is also the Anker Solix C1000X Gen 2. Note the extra “X” there. This “X” model, which is sold at some retailers including Best Buy, has a smaller LCD screen and only four AC ports. The guts and other statistics of both portable power stations are exactly the same. Both the Solix C1000 Gen 2 and Solix C1000X Gen 2 come with the same price tag, which makes us reluctant to go with the C1000X Gen 2. You lose one AC port and get a smaller screen with the X version, so the C1000 Gen 2 is a better value.

Is Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 worth buying?

The Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 builds on the perfection of the original Solix C1000, but is lighter, charges faster, features a 140W USB-C port, and has a more user-friendly display. Its MSRP is lower, and at full price, the Gen 2 offers better value. However, if you prioritize a lightbar, want the ability to add an expansion battery, or you don’t want to spend the extra 10 minutes to fully recharge, you’re probably better off with the original Solix C1000.

However, these two models have very similar performance and features so most people should buy whichever model is currently cheaper. At the time of writing, the Anker Solix C1000 is getting a better discount on Amazon. This was especially true at the time Prime Day event when we have seen the price drop to $375.

In the end, you can’t go wrong with the Anker Solix C1000 model. This brand offers solid portable power that is easy to use and affordable.