This ultra-portable power station gives you AC power on the move (and now get $70 in this Black Friday deal)

What's the deal?

Currently Amazon is offering $60 off the price of the Anker SOLIX C300 bringing the price down to $180.

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I remember many moons ago wiring an AC inverter into my car so I could charge a laptop when on the move (this was a big AC brick power adapter, well before laptops could be charged via USB-C). That inverter would push out about 100W of power before tripping the fuse, but as far as I was concerned, it was a miracle of technology. Something that offered next-level freedom. 

Also: The best portable power stations you can buy: Expert tested

Fast forward to today, and I have a small box that I can carry that not only pushes out 300W of AC power (600W surge), but it can also handle all my USB and 12V power needs too.

Oh, and it also has a handy light!

The Anker SOLIX C300 is quite a powerhouse! 

Anker SOLIX C300 tech specs

Capacity: 288WhPorts:
3× AC 300W (600W surge)
1× 12V car socket (120W)
2× USB-C (140W)
1× USB-C (15W)
1× USB-A (12W)
1x XT60 100W/28V solar input portBattery tech: LiFePO4 good for around 3,000 recharge cyclesRecharging:
AC (recharge to 80% in just 50 minutes)
100W XT60 solar
140W USB-C
12V car socketLED: Built-in 3-level light bar with three levels of brightnessDimensions: 6.5 x 6.3 x 9.5 inWeight: 9.1 lb 

Regular readers will remember that earlier this year I looked at the SOLIX C300 DC, a version of this portable power station that doesn't have AC power. This is a unit that I love. It packs a massive amount of power into a small space, and can happily charge my MacBook Pro, as well as all my other gadgets, at the full 140W.

The SOLIX C300 is the same, but different. You have a selection of USB-C and USB-A ports, a 12V car adapter port (again, no cover over this port), and a light, with this one being a light bar as opposed to the pop-up type on the DC version. And for those who like such things, this unit can also be controlled remotely using the Anker app.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Oh, and for total off-grid capability, it also features an XT60 port (which does feature a sliding cover) capable of taking in 100W solar power, to which you'd connect a 100W solar panels.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Where it differs the most in the AC output, with this version adding three AC mains outlet ports (UK version shown in the photos has two outlets) capable of pushing out 300W (600W surge). This comes at the price – increased weight. The DC version is a svelte 6.2 pounds, whereas its AC counterpart needs a lot of additional hardware to convert the battery power to AC, which pushes the weight up to 9.1 pounds.

Not a deal-breaker, but something to bear in mind.

Also: The best power banks you can buy: Expert tested  

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The carry handle is also different, with the AC version opting for a hard plastic handle as opposed to the soft webbing handle on the lighter unit. Oddly, while I'd expected the plastic handle to be more uncomfortable, especially given the additional weight, it does the job well.

Finally, you get a five-year warranty, two years more than the DC version for additional piece of mind. 

ZDNET's buying advice

I know what you're going to ask me – which is best?

It depends.

Do you need that AC output feature and is it worth the extra weight that you're going to be lugging around? If it's going to sit in an RV or truck, or at home, it's no problem. If you're going to lug it about, then that extra weight might become an issue. Anker sells an optional shoulder webbing strap, but at $30, it feels quite expensive (there are a couple of third-party straps for half the price, but I have no idea of the quality). 

I'm also not sure how far you would want to carry a power station slung across your shoulder.

But if you want truly portable AC power from a unit that's going to last, and one that you can pick up for a good price, it's hard to go wrong with the Anker SOLIX C300, even with the $250 price tag.

I've thrown a lot at my test unit over the past few weeks, and it's performed flawlessly. Like everything Anker makes, you get a quality product that delivers on what it promises, and something that will give you years of service.