Are Portable Solar Power Banks Viable? My Verdict After A Year Of Testing

3 hours ago

The Anker 548 (left) and nan Anker Solix C300 DC (right).

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

The Anker Solix C300 DC powerfulness slope position is disposable for $169, while nan Anker 548 powerfulness position is disposable for $104.
These 2 are overmuch bigger than regular powerfulness banks, but still highly portable.
Both tin beryllium recharged utilizing star panels, making them awesome for off-grid use.

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I'm lazy, and I'll usage a powerfulness slope alternatively than an hold cord. Combine that pinch nan truth that I progressively for illustration to activity distant from my location office, I mostly person a powerfulness slope aliases 3 connected hand. While mini powerfulness banks are a champion for keeping my aging -- and soon to beryllium replaced -- iPhone 15 Pro Max going done a activity day, my MacBook Pro appreciates a spot much power.

Also: The champion powerfulness banks you tin bargain successful 2025

This intends that I've been utilizing 2 of larger powerfulness banks. These aren't powerfulness stations because they only output USB-C and DC and not AC power, but they're considerably bigger than nan benignant of point that attaches to nan backmost of a smartphone aliases you gaffe into your pocket.

They're big. And they're some made by Anker: nan Anker 548 and the Anker Solix C300 DC. Both are rectangular boxes pinch handles, a light, and a bunch of ports connected nan front.

They clasp 60,000 and 90,000 mAh of power, respectively, truthful there's a batch of powerfulness here, but successful a manageable package – they measurement 5.1 and 6.2 pounds, respectively – and some person a comfortable transportation handle.

Both together measurement little than 12 pounds.

The ray connected nan apical is 1 of nan champion I've seen connected a powerfulness bank. It's a lantern arsenic opposed to a flashlight, and nan built-in bellows-style diffuser does a singular occupation of spreading nan light. The only point that I don't for illustration astir nan ray is that it has that annoying SOS flashing mode, a characteristic that I deliberation needs to disappear.

Another point that I emotion astir these units is that some tin grip being recharged utilizing star panels that person nan an XT-60 output, for illustration nan 100W Anker SOLIX PS100. I person a star sheet extracurricular pinch a cablegram coming into my conservatory wherever I connect these powerfulness banks, charging them for free (well, free erstwhile nan costs of nan sheet has been covered).

ZDNET's buying advice

I've put hundreds of hours of usage connected these units, powering my smartphone and laptop to having them tally things for illustration my Starlink crockery aliases outdoor lights, and they conscionable support connected working. They're besides cleanable for handling powerfulness outages, aliases for taking powerfulness pinch you connected nan move erstwhile you spell camping.

Also: Why this $25 ratchet instrumentality thumps immoderate multitool aliases Swiss Army Knife I've ever tested

The Anker Solix C300 DC is undoubtedly amended for situations wherever you want to push a batch of powerfulness complete USB-C, arsenic it supports 140W output and tin recharge astatine 280W pinch nan 2 140W USB-C ports simultaneously. And this is each for $170. But pinch a 87W tin USB-C outlet, nan Anker 548 is nary slouch either, which is competitively priced astatine $110.

Both I tin highly urge because they've been time-tested now for complete a year.

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