This portable power station has a standout feature that makes camping safer.

ZDNET’s key findings

• He Anker Solix C800 Plus The portable power station is currently available on Amazon for $600.
• It’s a powerful, well-made power station that does everything it promises, and the camping lights are a useful addition.
• I just wish it was weatherproof and the top compartment was less of a hassle to close.

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Power stations have completely changed the way I do things when I’m off the grid. Hauling around a rugged box full of power has been a game-changer. Plus, the ability to plug it into solar panels to recharge it? That’s the kind of freedom I could only dream of before.

Also: The best portable power stations you can buy: tested by experts

But we’ve now reached a point where, aside from the brand and how much power they can store, there’s not much that sets one power station apart from another. That is until someone decides to change things up. And guess what? Anker did exactly that with the Solix C800 Plus, the first portable power station with detachable 3-mode camping lights.

Please note that I am testing the UK version, so the AC ports are different to those found on the US version.

See on Amazon

Technical specifications of the Anker Solix C800 Plus

• Ability:768 Wh
• AC outlet: 1200 W (SurgePad 1600 W)
• Ports: 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, 5x AC outlets, 1x car socket
• AC outlet: 120V ~ 10A, 60Hz, 1200W max.
• USB-C output (100W): 5V⎓3A / 9V⎓3A / 15V⎓3A / 20V⎓3A / 20V⎓5A (100W max.)
• USB-C output (30W): 5V⎓3A / 9V⎓3A / 12V⎓2.5A (30W max.)
• USB-A output:5V⎓2.4A (12W max) per port
• Car charger output: 12 V ⎓ 10 A
• AC input:750W standard, 1100W ultra-fast charging, 1440W max in Bypass charging mode
• XT60 input:300 W max.
• Battery Type:Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4)
• Accessories:2 camping lights (8 to 130 hours of operation), 1 m/3.3 ft retractable pole
• Dimensions: 14.61 x 8.07 x 9.96 inches/371 × 205 × 253 mm
• Weight: 24 lbs / 10.9 kg
• Operating temperature:-4°F to 104°F / -20°C to 40°C
• Charging temperature:32°F-104°F / 0°C-40°C
• Warranty: 5 years

The Solix C800 Plus is, at its core, a power beast, equipped with long-lasting LiFePO4 batteries that can store a massive 768Wh of energy. Plus, it has ten ports ready to charge all your devices. It’s like the Goldilocks power station – it’s the perfect size and offers plenty of power without being a hassle to charge.

That said, at 24 pounds, it’s not something you can fit in a pocket or carry with you for miles, but it’s light enough to carry around a house, workshop, or campsite.

Also: I tested the world’s smallest power station and it’s a solar-powered beast

The interface on this unit is exactly what I look for in a power station: just a few buttons to turn it on and off, control the AC outlets, turn the front-mounted LED light strip on and off, and enable and disable Bluetooth. Plus, it has a super-clear LCD panel that’s super easy to read day or night.

When I review power stations, I put them through a thorough scrutiny to see if they actually live up to what they promise on the spec sheet, and that means testing the battery capacity, how quickly the unit recharges (it takes just under an hour), the actual wattage of each port, and checking whether the air conditioner can handle a bit of overcharging without panicking or exploding. Since you’ve already read the headline, you can rest assured that the Solix passed all of these tests with flying colors.

The unit is also incredibly well built. Anker has housed the Solix C800 Plus’ industrial-grade components and advanced circuitry in a rugged, drop-proof unibody construction casing. I can stand and jump on this unit and it doesn’t bend or creak or feel like it’s going to implode, which is nice.

Also: The longest lasting power station I’ve ever tested challenges Mother Nature to do her worst.

But this is all pretty standard for a good quality power station. Where the Solix C800 Plus shines is the accessories hidden inside a flip-top compartment on the top of the unit.

Inside this compartment are two battery-operated LED lights and a telescopic pole.

The lights have variable brightness and can be switched between candle, floodlight or lantern mode, and last between eight and 130 hours depending on brightness.

These lights automatically recharge when stored in their compartment.

There, next to the lights, is this fantastic telescopic pole. It expands to 3.3 feet (about a meter) and attaches securely to the power station using a custom attachment point.

The real genius is how the lights attach to the pole. It’s simple but genius! At the tip of the pole is a metal ball and the light attaches to it with a magnet. The best thing is that you can angle the light in any direction you need.

Also: Best Portable Power Stations for Camping in 2024 – Tested and Reviewed by Experts

This setup is fantastic. Sure, many power stations come with a light, but having a light on the ground isn’t always the best idea. It’s much more useful to have it at hand level, right where you’re working.

At first I thought this feature was just a flashy gimmick, but being able to raise the light from the ground to a more practical height turned out to be incredibly useful.

I’m totally sold on this feature now!

ZDNET’s buying advice

He Anker Solix C800 Plus This isn’t your average power station, but it has a twist. At first glance, it looks like a regular, rugged power station, designed to deliver top-notch performance and durability. And after putting it through its paces for a few weeks, I haven’t been disappointed at all. It’s managed to charge everything I’ve needed, from kitchen appliances to high-powered power tools.

But here’s where it gets interesting: the addition of camping lights. These aren’t just any lights; they can double as work lights or be a lifesaver during a power outage. The great thing about them is their adjustable brightness and surprisingly long battery life, even on the highest setting. Trust me, having lights that can be moved from the ground to wherever you need them is a lot more practical than you think.

For $600 this is a fantastic power station that won’t let you down and will give you years of service.