Are portable solar power banks viable? My verdict after a year of testing

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Anker Solix C300 DC power bank station is available for $169, while the Anker 548 power station is available for $104.
• These two are much bigger than regular power banks, but still highly portable.
• Both can be recharged using solar panels, making them great for off-grid use.

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I’m lazy, and I’ll use a power bank rather than an extension cord. Combine that with the fact that I increasingly like to work away from my home office, I generally have a power bank or three on hand. While small power banks are a mainstay for keeping my aging — and soon to be replaced — iPhone 15 Pro Max going through a work day, my MacBook Pro appreciates a bit more power.

Also: The best power banks you can buy in 2025

This means that I’ve been using two of larger power banks. These aren’t power stations because they only output USB-C and DC and not AC power, but they’re considerably bigger than the sort of thing that attaches to the back of a smartphone or you slip into your pocket.

They’re big. And they’re both made by Anker: the Anker 548 and the Anker Solix C300 DC. Both are rectangular boxes with handles, a light, and a bunch of ports on the front.

They hold 60,000 and 90,000 mAh of power, respectively, so there’s a lot of power here, but in a manageable package – they weigh 5.1 and 6.2 pounds, respectively – and both have a comfortable carry handle.  

The light on the top is one of the best I’ve seen on a power bank. It’s a lantern as opposed to a flashlight, and the built-in bellows-style diffuser does a remarkable job of spreading the light. The only thing that I don’t like about the light is that it has that annoying SOS flashing mode, a feature that I think needs to disappear.

Another thing that I love about these units is that both can handle being recharged using solar panels that have the an XT-60 output, like the 100W Anker SOLIX PS100. I have a solar panel outside with a cable coming into my conservatory where I attach these power banks, charging them for free (well, free once the cost of the panel has been covered). 

ZDNET’s buying advice

I’ve put hundreds of hours of use on these units, powering my smartphone and laptop to having them run things like my Starlink dish or outdoor lights, and they just keep on working. They’re also perfect for handling power outages, or for taking power with you on the move when you go camping.  

Also: Why this $25 ratchet tool beats any multitool or Swiss Army Knife I’ve ever tested

The Anker Solix C300 DC is undoubtedly better for situations where you want to push a lot of power over USB-C, as it supports 140W output and can recharge at 280W with the two 140W USB-C ports simultaneously. And this is all for $170. But with a 87W capable USB-C outlet, the Anker 548 is no slouch either, which is competitively priced at $110.

Both I can highly recommend because they’ve been time-tested now for over a year.