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 out there for $169, whereas the Anker 548 energy station is out there for $104.
• These two are a lot greater than common energy banks, however nonetheless extremely moveable.
• Each may be recharged utilizing photo voltaic panels, making them nice for off-grid use.

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I am lazy, and I am going to use an influence financial institution fairly than an extension twine. Mix that with the truth that I more and more prefer to work away from my residence workplace, I usually have an influence financial institution or three available. Whereas small energy banks are a mainstay for maintaining my ageing — and shortly to get replaced — iPhone 15 Professional Max going by means of a piece day, my MacBook Professional appreciates a bit extra energy.

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Which means that 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 type of factor that attaches to the again of a smartphone otherwise you slip into your pocket.

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

They maintain 60,000 and 90,000 mAh of energy, respectively, so there’s a number 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 among 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 outstanding job of spreading the sunshine. The one factor that I do not like concerning the gentle is that it has that annoying SOS flashing mode, a characteristic that I feel must disappear.

One other factor that I really 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 outdoors with a cable coming into my conservatory the place I connect these energy banks, charging them at no cost (nicely, free as soon as the price of the panel has been lined). 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

I’ve put a whole bunch 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 once you go tenting.  

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The Anker Solix C300 DC is undoubtedly higher for conditions the place you need to push a number 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 advocate as a result of they have been time-tested now for over a yr.