Anker Solix F3000 and C1000 Gen 2 Review: Real-World Backup Power Test

A couple of weeks ago, our neighbourhood experienced something that almost never happens — a random daytime power outage. Around 2:30 p.m., a transformer blew just up the road, knocking out power for the entire street.

The timing was almost uncanny. Anker had recently sent us its new Solix portable power stations to test, including the heavy-duty Solix F3000 and the smaller, more portable Solix C1000 Gen 2. When BC Hydro kept pushing back the restoration time, these backup batteries quickly became essential. You can connect both of these units to the Anker iOS and Android app to monitor their state of charge and more.

The Anker Solix F3000 — weighing 91.5 pounds (it’s really heavy) but equipped with wheels and a pull handle — became our main lifeline. We plugged in our refrigerator, and it powered through the outage with ease, still showing enough battery to last another full day. The F3000 also ran our microwave so we could reheat dinner and charged multiple devices at once. It also easily powered a blow dryer for kids after showers at night after sports.

Meanwhile, downstairs, the C1000 Gen 2 kept our internet modem and Wi-Fi router online the entire time, proving how handy it is to have two separate power stations for different parts of the house.

After 8.5 hours without power, electricity finally came back just after 10:30 p.m. — and our food was still cold. Without these backup units, we would have likely tossed a lot of perishable groceries. Since I had just recently recharged the F3000 to 100%, it showed 20.6 hours remaining while keeping the fridge running at 107W output.

Anker Solix F3000 — Heavy-Duty Backup Power

The Anker Solix F3000 is currently on sale for Prime Day at $2,299 CAD (regular $3,899) and is built for serious home backup or RV use.

• Battery Capacity: 3,072 Wh (3.07 kWh) LFP battery rated for 4,000 cycles
• Output: 3,600 W continuous (7,200 W peak with dual-unit setup)
• Pass-Through Charging: Can power devices while charging at full 3,600 W
• Dual Solar Input: Up to 2,400 W (60 V & 165 V); fully recharges in under 2 hours with optimal sunlight
• Low Power Consumption: Can keep a 190 W fridge running for about 42 hours; idle standby up to 5 days
• Expandability: Capacity scalable up to 24 kWh, enough to power essentials for over a week
• Design: 25.6 × 11.8 × 14.8 in, 91.5 lb with suitcase-style wheels
• Lifespan: 10 years (InfiniPower LFP technology)

The F3000 can even combine solar and fuel generator input for a 6,000 W hybrid recharge, and it supports plug-and-play pairing for 240 V high-demand appliances — no electrician required. It’s definitely expandable and future-proof if you want to power your entire home through different means.

Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — Compact and Fast

The C1000 Gen 2 is the smaller counterpart, ideal for lighter household needs or off-grid camping. It’s on sale right now on Amazon as part of Prime Big Deal Days, at $597 CAD (down from $1,199), which is 50% off:

• Battery Capacity: 1,024 Wh (1.024 kWh)
• Output: 2,000 W continuous / 3,000 W peak across 10 ports
• UltraFast Recharge: 0–100% in 49 minutes (1,600 W AC HyperFlash)
• Solar Input: Up to 600 W (60 V max) for full solar recharge in 1.8 hours
• UPS Function: 10 ms switch-over keeps routers and computers running
• Port Selection: 5 AC outlets, 3 USB-C (up to 140 W), 1 USB-A, 1 car socket
• Battery Life: LFP chemistry, 4,000 cycles, 10-year design lifespan
• Size & Weight: 15.1 × 8.2 × 9.6 in / 24.9 lb — 14% smaller and 11% lighter than similar models
• Smart Control: Monitor and schedule charging via the Anker app

A 30-minute charge on the C1000 Gen 2 can power a refrigerator for 12 hours, keeping essentials running well beyond the average Canadian outage.

Here’s a picture of the F3000 doing its job during our afternoon to evening power outage:

Again, if you’ve ever been considering a portable power station (if you live in an area prone to storms), Prime Day is always a good time to jump on them.