Anker SOLIX C1000 vs C1000 Gen 2

Gen 2 gets more output from slightly less battery. The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 delivers 2,000 W of AC with a 3,000 W surge from 1,024 Wh, while the original C1000 delivers 1,800 W from 1,056 Wh. The newer unit also weighs 24.9 lb against 28.44 lb, lists 4,000 cycles instead of 3,000 and switches over in 10 ms instead of 20 ms. The price is expansion: the C1000 accepts one BP1000 battery for 2,112 Wh and the Gen 2 does not expand. The maker no longer sells the C1000 new in its US store.

Output and runtime

Gen 2 adds 200 W of AC, and the maker lists a 3,000 W surge for it. The Gen 2 gives up a little capacity, 1,024 Wh against 1,056 Wh, and it barely shows. A refrigerator runs 9.8 h to 26 h on the C1000 and 9.5 h to 25 h on Gen 2. Starlink gets 9 h to 12 h against 8.7 h to 12 h, and a window air conditioner 1.2 h to 2 h against 1.2 h to 1.9 h.

Weight and carrying

The Gen 2 weighs 24.9 lb and the C1000 weighs 28.44 lb. In energy per pound that is 41.1 Wh for the Gen 2 against 37.1 Wh for the C1000. The lighter body arrives together with the higher AC rating, so it is not bought with lower output, and the Gen 2 also lists 3,000 W of surge. Both list the same temperature range, -4 F to 104 F.

Wall, USB-C and solar

Wall input rises from 1,000 W to 1,200 W and USB-C from 100 W to 140 W. Solar stays at 600 W and 11 V to 60 V, with the current rating going from 12.5 A to 14.5 A and the port from XT60 to XT60i. Full-input solar refills are close on both, near 2.3 hours, while the wall refill works out to about 1.05 hours on the C1000 and 0.85 hours on the Gen 2.

Expansion and battery life

The C1000 lists one BP1000 Expansion Battery of 1,056 Wh for 2,112 Wh in total, a way to double runtime later. The Gen 2 lists none, so its 1,024 Wh is fixed. For longevity, the C1000 lists LFP and 3,000 cycles to 80%, while the Gen 2 lists 4,000 cycles to 80%. Both list a 5-year warranty, so cycle count is the only difference in longevity.

Which way to lean

Choose the C1000 Gen 2 if you want a new unit: 2,000 W of AC, 3,000 W of surge and 24.9 lb come in a package with a 10 ms switchover. Keep to the C1000 only if doubling to 2,112 Wh with a BP1000 matters more, and note that the maker no longer sells it new in its US store. Anyone needing far more runtime from one purchase should move up to a larger station instead.