Who this review is for
This page stays at a list price of $500 or less. A phone, a light, and a laptop are realistic on the smaller ones. A cooler, or a short outage at home, needs one of the larger ones in this price. Decide what you need to run, and for how long, before you look at the brand.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus
An even mix for a phone, a laptop, and a light, and light enough to pick up with one hand.
Who it's for
- A phone, a laptop, and a light.
- A short trip, if you charge it before you leave.
Who it's not for
- A kettle or a microwave.
- A fridge through an outage.
Pros
- The battery can take an add-on pack.
- UPS switchover is about 10 ms.
- It can charge from a solar panel, up to 220 W.
- A laptop can charge from the USB-C port, up to 100 W.
Cons
- Continuous output is under 1,500 W.
Key specs
| Capacity | 286 Wh |
|---|---|
| Output | 600 W |
| Weight | 10.4 lb · 4.72 kg |
| Ports | AC outlets x 3, USB-C x 1 up to 100W, USB-A x 2 |
| Wall charge | About 1 hours |
| Dimensions | 9.2×9.1×5.8 in |
| Solar voltage | 11–55V (car/solar shared input band per PDP car input) |
| Noise | 30 dB · EcoFlow |
| Battery test | No published battery test. |
ALLPOWERS VOLIX P300
The lowest price that still covers a phone, a light, and a small fan.
Who it's for
- A phone, a light, and a small fan.
- A lower price, if those devices are enough.
Who it's not for
- A laptop for a long work session.
- A longer outage, or more devices at once.
Pros
- UPS switchover is about 20 ms.
- It can charge from a solar panel, up to 110 W.
- A laptop can charge from the USB-C port, up to 100 W.
- The easiest of these picks to carry.
- The lowest list price of these picks.
Cons
- Continuous output is under 1,500 W.
Key specs
| Capacity | 256 Wh |
|---|---|
| Output | 300 W |
| Weight | 7.87 lb · 3.57 kg |
| Ports | AC outlets x 1, USB-C x 1 up to 100W, USB-A x 2, 12V car outlet |
| Wall charge | About 1 hours |
| Dimensions | 10.2 x 8.2 x 4.9 in |
| Solar voltage | 11–30V XT60 (GearRanking; confirm) |
| Battery test | No published battery test. |
BLUETTI AC180
Enough stored energy for a cooler, a laptop, and a kettle.
Who it's for
- A cooler, a laptop, and a kettle.
- More than one device at the same time.
Who it's not for
- A full-size refrigerator.
- A whole-house backup.
Pros
- UPS switchover is about 20 ms.
- It can charge from a solar panel, up to 500 W.
Cons
- 35.3 lb. Too heavy to carry far.
- You can't add another battery later.
Key specs
| Capacity | 1,152 Wh |
|---|---|
| Output | 1,800 W |
| Weight | 35.3 lb · 16.01 kg |
| Dimensions | 13.4 × 9.7 × 12.5 in (340 × 247 × 317 mm) |
| Noise | 40 dB · BLUETTI |
| Battery test | 929 Wh via CHIP |
Anker SOLIX C300
Light enough to pick up with one hand, for a phone, a light, and a small fan.
Who it's for
- A pack you can carry in one hand.
- A phone, a light, and a small fan.
Who it's not for
- A laptop for a long work session.
- A long outing with several devices.
Pros
- UPS switchover is about 10 ms.
- It can charge from a solar panel, up to 100 W.
- Quieter than the other picks here.
Cons
- Continuous output is under 1,500 W.
Key specs
| Capacity | 288 Wh |
|---|---|
| Output | 300 W |
| Weight | 9.1 lb · 4.13 kg |
| Ports | AC outlets x 3, USB-C x 3, USB-A x 1, 12V car outlet |
| Noise | 25 dB · Anker SOLIX |
| Battery test | 230 Wh via OutdoorGearLab |
Compare the specs
Our best picks come first. The Also worth a look models follow.
| Model | Role | List price | Capacity | Battery test | Output | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus | Best overall | $299.00 | 286 Wh | No published battery test. | 600 W | 10.4 lb · 4.72 kg |
| ALLPOWERS VOLIX P300 | Best budget | $139.00 | 256 Wh | No published battery test. | 300 W | 7.87 lb · 3.57 kg |
| BLUETTI AC180 | Best for backup | $499.00 | 1,152 Wh | 929 Wh | 1,800 W | 35.3 lb · 16.01 kg |
| Anker SOLIX C300 | Lightest | $429.99 | 288 Wh | 230 Wh | 300 W | 9.1 lb · 4.13 kg |
| BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 | Also worth a look | $489.00 | 1,024 Wh | 890 Wh | 1,800 W | 25.35 lb · 11.5 kg |
| Pecron E1000LFP | Also worth a look | $399.00 | 1,024 Wh | No published battery test. | 1,800 W | 29 lb · 13.5 kg |
| BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 | Also worth a look | $289.99 | 288 Wh | No published battery test. | 600 W | 9.48 lb · 4.3 kg |
| Jackery Explorer 300 v2 | Also worth a look | $279.00 | 288 Wh | No published battery test. | 300 W | 8.16 lb · 3.7 kg |
| Jackery Explorer 300 | Also worth a look | $289.00 | 293 Wh | 260 Wh | 300 W | 7.1 lb · 3.22 kg |
| EcoFlow RIVER 3 | Also worth a look | $319.00 · Sold out | 245 Wh | 211 Wh | 300 W | 7.8 lb · 3.54 kg |
Pick by size
Start with the size. The link is the pick in that range.
| Size | Capacity | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 500 Wh | EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus · Best overall |
| Mid | 500–999 Wh | No pick in this range. |
| Large | 1,000–1,999 Wh | BLUETTI AC180 · Best for backup |
| XL | 2,000 Wh and up | No pick in this range. |
Runtime estimates
About how long these picks run common devices. Estimate, not a measurement: rated watt-hours × 85% ÷ the device's watts. Temperature, startup, and conversion loss change the real time.
| Device | EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus | ALLPOWERS VOLIX P300 | BLUETTI AC180 | Anker SOLIX C300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small fan (10 W) | About 24.3 hours | About 21.8 hours | About 97.9 hours | About 24.5 hours |
| Phone fast charge (15 W) | About 16.2 hours | About 14.5 hours | About 65.3 hours | About 16.3 hours |
| CPAP (40 W) | About 6.1 hours | About 5.4 hours | About 24.5 hours | About 6.1 hours |
| Car fridge (60 W) | About 4.1 hours | About 3.6 hours | About 16.3 hours | About 4.1 hours |
| Laptop (65 W) | About 3.7 hours | About 3.3 hours | About 15.1 hours | About 3.8 hours |
| Electric kettle (1,000 W) | Can't run this. | Can't run this. | About 1 hours | Can't run this. |
Also worth a look
Other models close to these picks.
BLUETTI Elite 100 V2
$489.00 · 1,024 Wh · 1,800 WLess rated capacity than BLUETTI AC180, at a lower list price.
See all the specs
Pecron E1000LFP
$399.00 · 1,024 Wh · 1,800 WLess rated capacity than BLUETTI AC180, at a lower list price.
See all the specs
BLUETTI Elite 30 V2
$289.99 · 288 Wh · 600 WThe same rated capacity as Anker SOLIX C300, at a lower list price.
See all the specs
Jackery Explorer 300 v2
$279.00 · 288 Wh · 300 WThe same rated capacity as Anker SOLIX C300, at a lower list price.
See all the specs
Jackery Explorer 300
$289.00 · 293 Wh · 300 WMore rated capacity than Anker SOLIX C300, at a lower list price.
See all the specs
EcoFlow RIVER 3
$319.00 · Sold out · 245 Wh · 300 WLess rated capacity than ALLPOWERS VOLIX P300, at a higher list price.
See all the specsHow we picked
Every model is compared on the same six checks. The numbers are the brand's specs and the list price on the day we checked. A battery test appears only when another site has published one. The full rules are on How we review.
Questions
Why do some models have no price?
We only show a price after we've checked it on the brand's site and noted the date. No price means we haven't confirmed one. It doesn't mean the station is free.
Did you test the watt-hours?
No. The watt-hour number in the specs is the brand's rating. When another site has published a usable watt-hour test and a link, that row is separate. Two labs can list different numbers.
Is there a score?
Each model page shows a spec index from 7.0 to 10. It weights capacity, continuous output, weight, and the US list price per watt-hour. The formula is on How we review.
Do these buttons earn a commission?
Some View on Amazon and View official site buttons may be affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission. Your price stays the same.
What does Not listed mean?
That detail wasn't published, so it isn't filled in.
Disclosure
Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission. Your price stays the same.
The score rules are on How we review. Independence rules are on the Editorial policy.