Are portable solar power banks viable? My verdict after a year of testing

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Anker Solix C300 DC energy financial institution station is accessible for $169, whereas the Anker 548 energy station is accessible for $104.
• These two are a lot greater than common energy banks, however nonetheless extremely transportable.
• Each might be recharged utilizing photo voltaic panels, making them nice for off-grid use.

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I am lazy, and I will use an influence financial institution slightly than an extension wire. Mix that with the truth that I more and more prefer to work away from my house workplace, I typically have an influence financial institution or three readily available. Whereas small energy banks are a mainstay for holding my getting old — and shortly to get replaced — iPhone 15 Professional Max going via a piece day, my MacBook Professional appreciates a bit extra energy.

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Which means I have been utilizing two of bigger energy banks. These aren’t energy stations as a result of they solely output USB-C and DC and never AC energy, however they’re significantly greater than the form of factor that attaches to the again of a smartphone otherwise you slip into your pocket.

They’re huge. They usually’re each made by Anker: the Anker 548 and the Anker Solix C300 DC. Each are rectangular containers with handles, a light-weight, and a bunch of ports on the entrance.

They maintain 60,000 and 90,000 mAh of energy, respectively, so there’s a variety of energy right here, however in a manageable bundle – they weigh 5.1 and 6.2 kilos, respectively – and each have a snug carry deal with.  

The sunshine on the highest is without doubt one of the finest I’ve seen on an influence financial institution. It is a lantern versus a flashlight, and the built-in bellows-style diffuser does a exceptional job of spreading the sunshine. The one factor that I do not like in regards to the mild is that it has that annoying SOS flashing mode, a function that I believe must disappear.

One other factor that I like about these items is that each can deal with being recharged utilizing photo voltaic panels which have the an XT-60 output, just like the 100W Anker SOLIX PS100. I’ve a photo voltaic panel exterior with a cable coming into my conservatory the place I connect these energy banks, charging them without cost (nicely, free as soon as the price of the panel has been lined). 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

I’ve put a whole lot of hours of use on these items, powering my smartphone and laptop computer to having them run issues like my Starlink dish or outside lights, and so they simply carry on working. They’re additionally good for dealing with energy outages, or for taking energy with you on the transfer while you go tenting.  

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The Anker Solix C300 DC is undoubtedly higher for conditions the place you wish to push a variety of energy over USB-C, because it helps 140W output and may recharge at 280W with the 2 140W USB-C ports concurrently. And that is all for $170. However with a 87W succesful USB-C outlet, the Anker 548 is no slouch either, which is competitively priced at $110.

Each I can extremely suggest as a result of they have been time-tested now for over a 12 months.