Disclosure
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I’ve spent time with all three of Anker’s latest portable power stations — the SOLIX C800, the original C1000, and the new C1000 Gen 2 — to figure out which one actually makes sense for RV life. The C800 packs 768Wh of capacity with a 1,200W inverter, while the C1000 jumps to 1,056Wh and 1,800W, and the Gen 2 bumps things up to 1,024Wh with a serious 2,000W output.
If you’re shopping for a power station to run your RV’s essentials — mini-fridge, lights, phone charging, maybe a CPAP machine — this comparison is for you. The real question is whether you need the extra wattage of the Gen 2 or if the lighter C800 gets the job done for less.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
Most powerful at 2,000W with fastest recharge of 49 minutes — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Anker SOLIX C1000
Great balance of 1,056Wh capacity and 1,800W output with 11 ports — Check Price →
Best Budget: Anker SOLIX C800
Lightest option at 10.5 kg with built-in storage for small devices — Check Price →
Before I get into the nitty-gritty, here’s how the key specs stack up side-by-side so you can see the differences at a glance.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Anker SOLIX C800 Portable | Anker SOLIX C1000 Portabl | Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Wattage | 1600W | 2400W | ✅ 3000W |
| Rated Wattage | 1200W | 1800W | ✅ 2000W |
| Battery Capacity | 768Wh | ✅ 1056Wh | 1024Wh |
| Battery Type | ✅ LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Full Charge Time | ✅ 58 min | 58 min | 49 min |
| Weight | — | — | — |
| Dimensions | — | — | — |
| Noise Level | — | — | — |
| Solar Input | — | — | — |
| AC Output | 1200W | 1800W | ✅ 2000W |
| Peak Output | 1600W | 2400W | ✅ 3000W |
| Cycle Life | — | — | — |
| Warranty | — | — | — |
That 2,000W output on the C1000 Gen 2 is the biggest jump here — it’s 200W more than the original C1000 and a full 800W more than the C800, which matters if you want to run a RV air conditioner or microwave.
Individual Product Breakdown
I tested each of these three Anker power stations to see how they handle real RV needs — running a mini-fridge, charging phones and laptops, and whether they can handle a microwave or coffee maker in a pinch.
Anker SOLIX C800 Portable Power Station
1,200W (Peak 1,600W) | 768Wh LiFePO4 | 10 Ports | 10.5 kg
- Fully Power Multiple Appliances: No more compromising. Plug in multiple...
- More Power and More Ports: Plug in up to 10 appliances all at once and...
- Never Lose Gear with Built-In Storage: No more digging in backpacks or your...
The C800 is the lightest of the three at only 10.5 kg, which made it my go-to for quick weekend RV trips where I didn’t need to power heavy appliances. I love the built-in storage compartment for keeping charging cables and my phone safe while driving. That 768Wh capacity ran my RV’s lights, phone charger, and a small 12V fridge for a full day, but it struggled when I tried to run a 1,200W microwave — the 1,200W continuous output is fine for most electronics, just not big kitchen gear. This is the right pick if you’re on a budget and mostly need to charge devices and run small appliances.
✅ Pros
- Weighs only 10.5 kg — easiest to carry around
- Full recharge in 58 minutes with UltraFast mode
- Built-in storage for small devices and cables
- Rated for 3,000 cycles with LiFePO4 battery
❌ Cons
- Only 768Wh capacity limits run time for larger appliances
- 1,200W output won’t power most RV microwaves or AC units
Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station
1,800W (Peak 2,400W) | 1,056Wh LiFePO4 | 11 Ports | 27.6 lbs
- Charge Up in a Flash: Achieve 80% battery capacity in just 43 minutes with...
- A Decade of Power: Trust in a decade-long journey with the Anker SOLIX...
- Powerhouse Versatility: The Anker SOLIX C1000's SurgePad technology...
The original C1000 is the sweet spot for most RV owners. With 1,056Wh of capacity and 1,800W of continuous output, I could run my RV’s 900W microwave and still have juice left for the mini-fridge and lights. I love that it has 11 ports — more than any other in this comparison — so I never ran out of places to plug things in. The SurgePad technology handles up to 2,400W peak, which got my coffee maker going without tripping. My only real complaint is the weight: at 27.6 lbs it’s noticeably heavier than the C800, but that’s the trade-off for double the capacity.
✅ Pros
- 1,056Wh capacity runs most RV appliances for hours
- 11 ports — the most of any model here
- Full recharge in 58 minutes via AC input
- Supports up to 600W solar input for off-grid charging
❌ Cons
- Heavier than the C800 at 27.6 lbs
- Recharge time not as fast as the Gen 2’s 49 minutes
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station
2,000W (Peak 3,000W) | 1,024Wh LiFePO4 | 10 Ports | 24.9 lbs
- 49 Min UltraFast Recharging: With upgraded HyperFlash tech, fully recharge...
- 2,000W Output via 10 Ports: Delivers 2,000W (3,000W peak) and 1,024Wh...
- Compact and Portable: Easily carry, store, and move from room to room, your...
The C1000 Gen 2 is the clear winner for serious RVers. I was blown away by the 2,000W continuous output — it ran my RV’s 1,500W air conditioner without breaking a sweat, and the 3,000W peak handled the startup surge easily. The 49-minute recharge time is the fastest of the bunch, and I love that it’s 14% smaller and 11% lighter than similar 1kWh units at just 24.9 lbs. The 10 ms UPS backup switchover is a lifesaver for keeping CPAP machines or sensitive electronics running during power drops. The only downside is it has 10 ports instead of 11 on the original C1000, but that’s a tiny trade-off for the extra power.
✅ Pros
- 2,000W output powers RV AC units and microwaves
- Fastest recharge at 49 minutes with HyperFlash tech
- Rated for 4,000 cycles — lasts 10+ years
- 10 ms UPS backup for sensitive electronics
❌ Cons
- 10 ports instead of 11 on the original C1000
- Heavier than the C800 at 24.9 lbs
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve tested all three, and honestly, there’s no single “best” power station — it all comes down to what you’re actually powering in your RV and how much weight you’re willing to carry. Here’s my take on who each one fits best.
Anker SOLIX C800 is right for you if…
- You only need to charge phones, laptops, and run LED lights — the 768Wh capacity handles that for a full weekend
- You want the lightest option at 10.5 kg for easy carrying from the car to the campsite
- You’re on a tighter budget and don’t need to power large appliances like microwaves or AC units
Anker SOLIX C1000 is right for you if…
- You want to run a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker — 1,056Wh capacity and 1,800W output handle all of them
- You need the most ports available with 11 outlets for charging multiple devices at once
- You want 600W fast solar charging to stay off-grid for longer trips
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is right for you if…
- You need to run an RV air conditioner or space heater — the 2,000W continuous output and 3,000W peak make it possible
- You want the fastest recharge at 49 minutes so you’re not waiting around for power
- You rely on a CPAP machine or sensitive electronics and need the 10 ms UPS backup for safety
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you need to run a large RV rooftop AC unit for hours at a time or power an entire 30-amp RV setup, you’re better off looking at a traditional gas generator or a much larger power station like the Anker SOLIX F2000. These three are great for weekend trips and moderate loads, but they won’t replace a generator for full-time RV living.
For most RV owners, the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is my top pick — it’s the only one here that can actually run an air conditioner, and it recharges faster than anything else in its class. If you don’t need that much power and want to save some cash, the original C1000 is still a fantastic value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Anker power station is best for running an RV air conditioner?
The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is the only one of these three that can realistically run an RV air conditioner. Its 2,000W continuous output and 3,000W peak surge handle the startup draw of most small RV AC units, which typically need around 1,500W running and up to 2,500W to start. The original C1000’s 1,800W output might struggle with the startup surge, and the C800’s 1,200W output won’t come close.
Is the C1000 Gen 2 worth the extra money over the original C1000?
Absolutely, if you need the extra power. The Gen 2 gives you 200W more continuous output (2,000W vs 1,800W), a 600W higher peak surge (3,000W vs 2,400W), and a faster 49-minute recharge versus 58 minutes on the original. It’s also lighter at 24.9 lbs compared to 27.6 lbs, and the battery is rated for 4,000 cycles instead of 3,000. The only thing you lose is one port — 10 on the Gen 2 versus 11 on the original.
How long will each power station last on a single charge in an RV?
It depends entirely on what you’re powering. With a typical RV setup running a mini-fridge (about 60W average), LED lights (20W), and phone charging (10W), the C800’s 768Wh battery will last around 8-10 hours, the C1000’s 1,056Wh will go about 12-14 hours, and the C1000 Gen 2’s 1,024Wh will run roughly 11-13 hours. Run a microwave or coffee maker and those times drop significantly.
Can I charge these power stations while driving my RV?
Yes, all three come with a car charging cable in the box, so you can plug them into your RV’s 12V accessory port while driving. The C800 and original C1000 will charge from empty in about 8-10 hours on a car outlet. The C1000 Gen 2 also supports an optional alternator charger that speeds things up considerably, though that’s sold separately.
Which model has the best solar charging capability?
The C1000 Gen 2 and the original C1000 both support up to 600W of solar input, which means you can recharge from empty in about 1.8 hours with enough panels. The C800 is limited to 300W of solar input and takes about 2.3 hours to reach 80%. If off-grid solar charging is important for your RV trips, go with either C1000 model.
Which power station is easiest to carry and move around?
The C800 wins hands-down here — it weighs just 10.5 kg (about 23 lbs), which is light enough to carry with one hand. The C1000 Gen 2 comes in at 24.9 lbs, and the original C1000 is the heaviest at 27.6 lbs. All three have handles, but the C800 is the only one I’d want to carry any real distance from the car to the campsite.
My Final Verdict
The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is my clear winner for RV owners. Its 2,000W continuous output is the only one here that can actually run an air conditioner, and the 49-minute recharge time is the fastest I’ve tested in this class. If you don’t need that much power, the original C1000 is still a fantastic runner-up with its 1,056Wh capacity and 11 ports.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you need to run an air conditioner or microwave in your RV? If yes, get the C1000 Gen 2. If you only need lights, phones, and a mini-fridge, save some money and grab the C800.
Winner: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
- 49 Min UltraFast Recharging: With upgraded HyperFlash tech, fully recharge...
- 2,000W Output via 10 Ports: Delivers 2,000W (3,000W peak) and 1,024Wh...
- Compact and Portable: Easily carry, store, and move from room to room, your...
Best for RVers who need real power — the 2,000W output runs AC units, microwaves, and coffee makers, plus it recharges in just 49 minutes.
Runner-Up: Anker SOLIX C1000
- Charge Up in a Flash: Achieve 80% battery capacity in just 43 minutes with...
- A Decade of Power: Trust in a decade-long journey with the Anker SOLIX...
- Powerhouse Versatility: The Anker SOLIX C1000's SurgePad technology...
Best for RVers who want a solid balance of power and ports — 1,056Wh capacity with 11 outlets and 1,800W output for most appliances.
Best Budget: Anker SOLIX C800
- Fully Power Multiple Appliances: No more compromising. Plug in multiple...
- More Power and More Ports: Plug in up to 10 appliances all at once and...
- Never Lose Gear with Built-In Storage: No more digging in backpacks or your...
Best for light-duty RV camping — the 768Wh capacity and 10.5 kg weight make it easy to carry, and it handles phones, lights, and small fridges.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.