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The EcoFlow RIVER 3 and Anker SOLIX C300 are direct rivals in the compact 300W power-station class. EcoFlow is lighter and accepts slightly more solar input, while Anker stores more energy and offers a much stronger USB-C and AC-outlet layout.
This comparison uses the Anker SOLIX C300 AC model A1722, not the smaller C300 DC. That distinction matters because the C300 DC has no AC outlets and is a different product. The original article compared the RIVER 3 with a Jackery model that did not have a clean exact Amazon US listing, so we replaced it rather than attaching an unverified ASIN.
Anker SOLIX C300 is the better all-around hardware pick, while RIVER 3 wins on weight and slightly better solar input
Choose the Anker SOLIX C300 if you want more runtime headroom and more useful ports. Its 288Wh battery is 43Wh larger than the RIVER 3’s 245Wh pack, yet both are rated for 300W continuous AC output. Anker also gives you three AC outlets and three USB-C ports, including two rated up to 140W.
Choose the EcoFlow RIVER 3 if compact carry weight matters more than the extra capacity. It weighs about 7.8 lb versus 9.1 lb for the C300, accepts up to 110W solar instead of 100W, and EcoFlow publishes an IP54 rating for the battery pack.
For most buyers choosing strictly between these two, the SOLIX C300 gets our narrow overall recommendation. The extra 43Wh and stronger port selection change day-to-day usefulness more than the RIVER 3’s 1.3 lb weight advantage. The EcoFlow remains the more attractive choice for a lighter grab-and-go kit.
Which One Should You Buy?
For the lighter compact setup
Best fit for day trips, photography, tent electronics, router backup, and buyers who prioritize 7.8 lb carry weight, 110W solar input, and an IP54-rated battery pack.
For more energy and more high-power ports
Best fit for laptops, multi-device charging, light outage backup, and camps where 288Wh, three AC outlets, and dual 140W USB-C matter more than minimum weight.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 vs Anker SOLIX C300: Specs That Matter
| Decision point | EcoFlow RIVER 3 | Anker SOLIX C300 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 245Wh | 288Wh | Anker |
| Rated AC output | 300W total | 300W total | Tie |
| High-load claim | X-Boost up to 600W for compatible loads | SurgePad up to 600W for compatible loads | Similar class, not a 600W continuous rating |
| Weight | About 7.8 lb | About 9.1 lb | EcoFlow |
| Dimensions | 10 x 8.3 x 4.4 in | 6.5 x 6.3 x 9.5 in | Different shapes |
| Battery chemistry | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 | Tie |
| Published cycle rating | 3,000 cycles to 80% capacity | 3,000-cycle design claim | Comparable class |
| AC recharge | 0-100% in about 60 min | 0-80% in about 50 min | Both fast |
| Maximum solar input | 110W | 100W | EcoFlow, slightly |
| AC outlets | 2 | 3 | Anker |
| USB-C | 1 x 100W | 2 x 140W + 1 x 15W | Anker |
| USB-A | 2 x 12W max | 1 x 12W | EcoFlow for legacy port count |
| App control | EcoFlow app via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth | Anker app via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth | Tie |
| Backup switchover | Under 20 ms published | 10 ms published | Anker on paper |
| Outdoor protection claim | IP54 applies to the battery pack, not the whole station | No comparable whole-station IP rating published | EcoFlow, with limits |
| Amazon listing | Check availability on Amazon | Check availability on Amazon | Exact US listings verified |
245Wh / 300W
7.8 lb
1 x 100W
110W max
2
288Wh / 300W
9.1 lb
2 x 140W + 15W
100W max
3
1. Capacity and Output: Anker Stores About 18% More Energy
The biggest practical difference is 288Wh versus 245Wh. The SOLIX C300 starts with 43Wh more nominal battery capacity, which is about 18% more than the RIVER 3. That is useful when you are charging laptops, phones, camera batteries, lights, a router, or another low-draw device for several hours.
Do not read that 18% as a guaranteed runtime increase. Actual delivered energy changes with inverter losses, DC conversion, battery temperature, standby overhead, and the size of the load. Still, when two stations share the same 300W continuous output ceiling, the larger battery gives Anker the clearer runtime advantage.
The larger Anker battery does not make it suitable for a 1,000W kettle, hair dryer, space heater, or other high-draw appliance. SurgePad and X-Boost are compatibility features for certain loads, not replacements for the continuous-output rating.
If you are sizing a station for a fridge, CPAP, or overnight outage, calculate the required watt-hours before buying. Our portable power station capacity guide explains how to turn your actual device wattage into a more realistic battery target.
2. Ports: SOLIX C300 Is Much Better for USB-C-Heavy Gear
Anker wins the connectivity comparison by a wide margin. The C300 has three AC outlets, two USB-C ports rated up to 140W, another 15W USB-C port, one 12W USB-A port, and a 120W car socket. That is a strong layout for a modern laptop, camera charger, phone, tablet, and AC accessory without immediately reaching for a power strip or extra USB-C charger.
The RIVER 3 has two AC outlets, one 100W USB-C port, two 12W USB-A ports, and a car output. EcoFlow is actually more convenient if you still carry several USB-A cables, but Anker is the better match for newer electronics.
The dual 140W USB-C setup is especially meaningful for power-hungry laptops. It can let you avoid the AC inverter for compatible USB-C devices, which is often a cleaner way to use a small battery station.
3. Recharging: Both Are Fast, EcoFlow Has a Small Solar Advantage
EcoFlow rates the RIVER 3 for a full wall recharge in about 60 minutes. Anker rates the C300 for 80% in about 50 minutes from AC. Those claims use different endpoints, so we would not call one decisively faster from the marketing numbers alone.
Independent testing of the C300 has also shown a full AC recharge around the one-hour range, which supports the broader point that both are unusually quick to refill for their size. Recharge speed is unlikely to be the reason to choose one over the other.
Solar input is similarly close: 110W maximum for the RIVER 3 and 100W for the C300. EcoFlow gets the edge on paper, but a 10W difference is small enough that panel angle, clouds, shade, and temperature can matter more in real use.
4. Portability and Controls: RIVER 3 Is Lighter, Both Have App Control
The RIVER 3 weighs about 7.8 lb. The SOLIX C300 is about 9.1 lb. A 1.3 lb difference is noticeable if you carry the station in one hand across a campsite, move it between rooms often, or pack a photo kit where every pound matters.
The shape is also different. EcoFlow is wider and flatter, while Anker is taller and more vertical. Neither footprint is universally better, so measure the shelf, vehicle cubby, or gear tote where the station will actually live.
Both brands support app control over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. That means remote status, settings, and charging behavior are not a one-sided reason to buy either model. EcoFlow’s more distinctive outdoor claim is its IP54-rated battery pack. The wording matters: that is not the same as saying the entire power station can be left exposed to rain.
5. UPS and Backup Use: Anker Has the Faster Published Transfer Time
Anker publishes a 10 ms UPS switchover for the C300, while EcoFlow publishes under 20 ms for the RIVER 3. On paper, that favors Anker for router, network, and light office backup.
Do not treat either compact station as a universal substitute for a dedicated UPS. Owner discussion around the C300 shows that picky desktop power supplies can still behave badly during changeover or restoration even when the load is within the nominal watt limit. That is a use-case warning, not evidence that every C300 has a fault.
For a workstation, NAS, medical device, or anything where a reboot has meaningful consequences, verify the connected equipment’s transfer-time tolerance and follow the equipment manufacturer’s power guidance before relying on either station.
6. What Owner and Reviewer Evidence Adds
RIVER 3 feedback repeatedly reinforces its role as a small electronics station. Owners commonly use it for routers, laptops, phones, lights, camera gear, and modest fridge duty. The recurring limitation is not mysterious: 245Wh is intentionally small, so buyers expecting multi-day backup can outgrow it quickly.
SOLIX C300 feedback is strongest around port flexibility and compact form factor. Owners like the high-power USB-C options and the ability to handle a laptop plus other electronics without a separate charger. Independent measurements also support Anker’s basic performance class, including roughly 240Wh delivered through AC in one published lab test and a full recharge a little over an hour.
The caution on Anker is UPS behavior with sensitive desktop hardware. We found owner reports where the C300 worked well as a general portable station but did not behave like a dedicated computer UPS under a particular desktop load. That is why our recommendation focuses on its battery and ports rather than treating the 10 ms figure as a blanket compatibility guarantee.
Who Should Buy Each One?
Do Not Confuse the SOLIX C300 With the C300 DC
Anker sells two similarly named 288Wh products. The SOLIX C300 model A1722 in this article has AC outlets and a 300W AC inverter. The SOLIX C300 DC is a different, lighter product designed around DC and USB output and does not belong in this exact comparison.
The Amazon CTA on this page is tied to the exact C300 AC listing, ASIN B0D62GMQ3F. If Amazon shows a bundle or another C300-family variation, confirm that the selected variation is the standalone SOLIX C300 AC model before checkout.
Pick Anker for capability per charge, EcoFlow for capability per pound
The SOLIX C300 earns the overall win because it adds 43Wh of capacity, a third AC outlet, and far stronger USB-C connectivity while staying in the same 300W inverter class. For a laptop-centered kit or small emergency setup, those advantages are easy to use every day.
The RIVER 3 remains the better minimalist choice. It is lighter, accepts slightly more solar input, and carries EcoFlow’s IP54 battery-pack claim. If your loads are modest and you would rather save 1.3 lb than gain 43Wh, that is a reasonable trade.
How We Compared Them
We used EcoFlow RIVER 3 model EFR705 and Anker SOLIX C300 AC model A1722. The C300 DC was kept separate because it is a different product without AC outlets.
We verified the current Amazon US listings for RIVER 3 ASIN B0DB1S36YP and SOLIX C300 ASIN B0D62GMQ3F. Both CTAs in this article resolve through the Content Manager product map rather than hardcoded Amazon links.
Manufacturer and support pages supplied exact specifications. Owner discussions and independent reviews were used to identify use patterns and practical limitations, not to imply physical Gear & Home product use.
We prioritized usable differences in capacity, continuous output, ports, charging, weight, solar input, and backup behavior because those factors change what a buyer can actually do with a compact station.
For a closer look at the EcoFlow model itself, read our EcoFlow RIVER 3 review. If either 300W station is too small, compare larger options in our portable power stations under $500 and best portable power stations for camping guides.
FAQ
Is the Anker SOLIX C300 better than the EcoFlow RIVER 3?
For most buyers, yes. The C300 has 288Wh versus 245Wh, three AC outlets versus two, and three USB-C ports including two 140W ports. The RIVER 3 is better if lower weight, 110W solar input, and the IP54-rated battery pack matter more.
Which lasts longer on one charge, EcoFlow RIVER 3 or Anker SOLIX C300?
The SOLIX C300 starts with about 18% more nominal capacity, so it has the stronger runtime case for similar loads. Actual runtime will vary with inverter efficiency, device wattage, temperature, and whether you use AC or DC outputs.
Can either station run a coffee maker or space heater?
Do not plan on it. Both are rated for 300W continuous AC output, while common coffee makers, kettles, hair dryers, and space heaters usually draw far more. X-Boost and SurgePad do not turn these into 600W continuous stations.
Does the Anker SOLIX C300 have an app?
Yes. The C300 supports Anker app control over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 also supports app control, so connectivity is not a major separator between them.
Is the Anker SOLIX C300 the same as the C300 DC?
No. The C300 model A1722 in this comparison has AC outlets and a 300W AC inverter. The C300 DC is a different, lighter model focused on DC and USB output. Verify the exact variation before buying.
Which is better for camping?
Choose RIVER 3 if minimum carry weight is the priority. Choose SOLIX C300 if you expect to charge more devices or want the extra 43Wh. For fridge, CPAP, or long no-recharge trips, calculate your actual watt-hour requirement first because both are small-capacity stations.
