Anker SOLIX C300 DC vs C300: Which to Buy? (November 2026)

On this page (5 sections)

1. Anker SOLIX C300 vs C300 DC: what changes?
2. Is the C300 DC really easier to carry?
3. Can the C300 DC run a CPAP or a fan?
4. Which Anker SOLIX C300 model should you buy?
5. Verdict: C300 or C300 DC?

Buy the Anker SOLIX C300 if you need AC outlets for a laptop, fan or small appliance. Buy the C300 DC if you only charge USB devices and want a smaller, lighter station for camping and travel.

In this Anker SOLIX C300 DC vs C300 comparison, the C300 wins for most readers because 3 AC outlets cover far more gear, but the DC model's lower weight earns it a place in a pack.

Both stations carry the same 288Wh LiFePO4 battery and the same 300W output. The split comes down to ports, size, weight and warranty.

The C300 adds AC outlets and a longer warranty, and the C300 DC trims the cabinet to 30% smaller than similar stations while dropping the AC side.

That sounds like a small difference until you think about what you actually plug in. A phone, a laptop and a drone charger all run fine from USB-C.

A box fan, a string of camp lights or a CPAP machine needs a standard wall plug. The table below shows where each model lands.

Anker SOLIX C300 vs C300 DC: what changes?

The C300 adds 3 AC outlets and a 5-year warranty; the C300 DC drops the AC side and saves 1.33 kg. The battery, the capacity and the 300W output are the same on both models.

The C300 carries 8 charging ports: 3 AC outlets rated at 300W total, 1 car socket at 120W, 2 USB-C ports at 140W each, 1 USB-C at 15W and 1 USB-A at 12W. Anker describes the C300 as 15% smaller than similar designs, and it weighs 4.13 kg.

The C300 DC carries 7 ports: 1 car socket at 120W, 2 USB-C at 140W each, 1 USB-C at 100W, 1 USB-C at 15W and 2 USB-A at 12W. Anker says it's 30% smaller than similar power stations, and it weighs 2.8 kg.

There's no AC outlet anywhere on the DC model.

So the real question is whether your gear plugs into a wall or into USB. If you never need a 120V outlet, the DC model gives you the same battery in a lighter shell.

If you do, the C300 is the only one of the two that can help.

Which station has the better port mix?

The C300's port mix is more useful for mixed loads. Three AC outlets let you run a laptop charger, a fan and a lamp at the same time, up to the 300W total.

The 2 two-way 140W USB-C ports can also charge the station itself, and the 120W car socket covers road trips.

The C300 DC trades those AC outlets for extra USB coverage. Its 2 two-way 140W USB-C ports are the headline feature, and the 100W USB-C plus 2 USB-A ports cover smaller devices.

For a family charging 4 phones and 2 tablets, that's plenty. For a cooler or a projector, it isn't.

Read the port list closely and the DC model's weak spot shows up in the small ports. The C300's single USB-C1 tops out at 15W and its lone USB-A at 12W, so small devices share that modest budget.

Anker notes that on the C300, USB-C1 and the USB-A port together are limited to 20W. That's fine for a phone overnight and slow for anything that wants a quick top-up.

The DC model spreads its small-device load across 2 USB-A ports at 12W each and a 15W USB-C, plus the 100W USB-C for a tablet or a second laptop. If your group carries several phones and a couple of tablets, the DC model's spread-out low-power ports are the more comfortable fit.

If one of those devices ever needs a wall adapter, the C300's outlets are the only answer.

If you want to see how the port layout scales in Anker's range, our comparison of the Anker SOLIX C200X vs C300 walks through the smaller sibling's limits. The short version: AC outlets are the feature you notice when you need them and miss when you don't.

Is the C300 DC really easier to carry?

Yes. The C300 DC weighs 2.8 kg against 4.13 kg for the C300, and Anker's own figures put it 30% smaller than similar stations.

That's a real difference when the station rides in a daypack or a tote.

Neither model includes the shoulder strap; Anker sells it separately. The C300 measures 6.46"L x 6.34"W x 9.45"H and carries the strap via its own attachment points.

The C300 DC measures 4.89"L x 7.87"W x 4.72"Th, a flatter, wider shape.

A flatter cabinet is easier to slide into a backpack pocket or under a camp chair. The C300's taller body takes more vertical space but keeps a smaller footprint on a table.

Think about where the station will sit: on a picnic table next to a laptop, or at the bottom of a pack.

The DC model's battery pack weighs 1.74 kg of its 2.8 kg total, so most of its heft is the cells themselves. That tells you the weight saving comes from the cabinet and the missing AC hardware rather than a smaller battery.

You get the same 288Wh in a lighter frame.

For car camping, the weight gap matters less. For a hike into a backcountry site, 1.33 kg is the kind of saving you feel by the second mile.

That's the clearest case for the DC model.

Which one is better for solar charging?

Both models charge from solar at up to 100W. Anker recommends a 100W or 60W Anker solar panel for each, and both need panels between 11 and 28V with an XT60 connector.

Neither works with the Anker SOLIX PS30, PS200 or PS400.

The first charge needs care on both. Anker tells C300 owners to top up before first use with a 9V or higher PD charger, an MPPT solar panel in the 11 to 28V range, or AC.

The C300 DC's activation step is narrower: it needs an 18W or higher USB-C PD wall charger plugged into the USB-C2 or USB-C3 port before you use it. Plan for that setup step before a trip rather than at the campsite.

Anker warns that solar panels over 100W will cause a malfunction on both models, so don't pair either with a large folding panel. Our solar charging guide explains how to size a panel to a 288Wh battery so you get a useful top-up rather than a trickle.

With the same panel and the same battery, the solar side is a draw. The C300's wall charging is the bigger gap: Anker says it reaches 80% in 50 minutes from a wall outlet.

The C300 DC reaches 80% in about an hour from a dual USB-C PD 3.1 connection. A wall outlet is the faster path, and only the C300 has one.

Anker also lists the DC model's charge time at 1.5 hours, so the hour to 80% is the faster half of that cycle.

How do the warranties compare?

Anker backs the C300 with a 5-year warranty and rates its LiFePO4 cells for 3,000 cycles. The company also lists smart temperature control and impact resistance.

The C300 DC also uses a LiFePO4 battery with smart temperature control and an impact-resistant design, but Anker gives it a 3-year warranty.

Two more years of coverage matters over a decade of camping seasons. If you plan to keep the station a long time and use it hard, the C300's warranty tips the decision toward it.

Can the C300 DC run a CPAP or a fan?

No. The C300 DC has no AC outlets, so it can't power a standard 120V fan or CPAP plug.

The C300 can, as long as the device draws less than its 300W AC output.

That one gap decides a lot of purchases. A CPAP machine with a standard plug needs the C300.

A box fan, a small blender or a mini cooler needs the C300. A string of USB camp lights or a portable projector that charges over USB-C works with either station.

The C300's 600W surge also helps with motors and compressors that draw a spike at startup. Anker lists the surge figure as engine power maximum, so check the startup draw on your device before you plan around it.

Our guide to what each station runs covers the appliance math.

If your trips are phone-and-laptop only, the C300 DC is the cleaner fit. It charges 2 laptops at 140W each, tops up 4 phones and keeps a camera and a drone ready.

That's most of what a weekend camper needs.

What about running a CPAP overnight?

A CPAP is the classic camping edge case. On the C300, you plug the machine's normal power brick into one of the 3 AC outlets and keep the draw under 300W.

Many CPAP machines run well under that, but heating and humidifier settings push the draw up, so check your model's rating before you count on a full night.

On the C300 DC, the CPAP only works if the machine takes USB-C power or a 12V car lead. That's rare for standard machines and common for travel CPAPs sold with a USB-C or car adapter.

If your machine only has a wall brick, the DC model can't help no matter how light it is.

This is the single most common reason people return a no-outlet station. The C300's 288Wh pack still won't run a heated CPAP for multiple nights, but one night within the 300W limit is realistic.

The DC model asks you to buy a compatible travel machine or a separate inverter, and that extra gear eats the weight saving.

Which Anker SOLIX C300 model should you buy?

Buy the C300 for most people: it handles AC gear and adds a 5-year warranty for only a little more weight. Buy the C300 DC only if you're certain your kit is USB-only and you want the lighter pack.

The C300 is the better all-round station for home backup and car camping. Three AC outlets mean you can run a fan during a summer outage, charge a laptop and keep a lamp on without hunting for a USB adapter.

The 80% charge in 50 minutes makes it easy to top up before a storm. Anker also lists a 25dB noise figure at 3.3 ft, so it won't keep you awake in a tent.

Our EcoFlow vs Anker SOLIX comparison shows how Anker's lineup stacks up against the other big name in this space.

The C300 DC is the better camping and travel pick. Its 2.8 kg weight and 30% smaller cabinet fit a backpack or a car door pocket, and its 7 USB and car ports cover phones, laptops, cameras and drones.

Anker's 3-year warranty is shorter, so treat it as a travel tool rather than a long-term backup unit. The box includes a 60cm 140W USB-C to C charging cable, so you can top it up from a laptop brick without buying anything extra.

Who should skip both?

If you need to run a fridge, a space heater or a microwave, skip both. A 288Wh battery at 300W won't carry a high-draw appliance for long.

Step up to a larger station; our Anker SOLIX S2000 review covers a much bigger option for home backup.

If you want one station that does camping and whole-home backup, neither model fits that job. These are compact 288Wh units for devices and small appliances, not for a house.

And if you already own a big station for home, the DC model makes more sense as a light travel companion that pairs with it.

Verdict: C300 or C300 DC?

The Anker SOLIX C300 is the overall winner for most readers, and the C300 DC is the better fit for USB-only campers. The C300's 3 AC outlets and 5-year warranty outweigh the DC model's lighter weight for anyone who might plug in a standard device.

The C300's score of 9.3 reflects that balance. It carries the same 288Wh LiFePO4 battery, adds the AC side that most buyers end up needing, and charges faster from a wall outlet.

For backup and car camping, it's the safer buy.

Pick the C300 DC if every device you own charges over USB-C and you carry the station on your back. Its score of 8.5 reflects a narrower tool: strong at what it does, but limited by the missing AC outlets and the shorter warranty.

If you're weighing a bigger step up in Anker's range, see how the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 vs Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 plays out for home backup.

For a backpacking trip with phones and a headlamp, the DC model earns its place. For a blackout kit or a family car-camping setup, spend the extra weight on the C300.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Anker SOLIX C300 and C300 DC?

The C300 has 3 AC outlets for standard plugs and 8 ports in total, while the C300 DC drops the AC outlets and offers 7 USB and car ports. Both hold a 288Wh LiFePO4 battery and both charge at up to 140W over USB-C.

Does the C300 DC have AC outlets?

No. The C300 DC has no AC outlets, so it cannot run a standard 120V plug without a separate inverter.

It charges laptops, phones, cameras and drones through USB-C, USB-A and a 12V car socket.

Which one is lighter, the C300 or the C300 DC?

The C300 DC is lighter at 2.8 kg, against 4.13 kg for the C300. That 1.33 kg gap matters if you carry the station on hikes or in a daypack, but the C300 adds 3 AC outlets and a longer warranty.

How long is the warranty on each model?

Anker backs the C300 with a 5-year warranty and the C300 DC with a 3-year warranty. Both use LiFePO4 batteries, and Anker rates the C300's cells for 3,000 cycles.

Can either one run a CPAP machine overnight?

The C300 has AC outlets, so it can power a standard CPAP plug for a night if the machine's draw stays within its 300W output. The C300 DC has no AC outlet, so it only works with a CPAP that charges over USB-C or a 12V car lead.

Which one should I buy for camping?

Buy the C300 DC for tent camping and backpacking trips where you only charge USB gear, since it is smaller and lighter. Buy the C300 for car camping and family trips where you want to plug in a lantern, a fan or a small cooler.