a must-have for anyone at risk of power outages

Key Takeaways

• Versatile with various USB and AC outlets for charging devices.
• Functions as UPS for uninterrupted power during outages.
• Heavy but efficient; an investment tool for power emergencies.

Growing up inTexas , I’ve encountered my fair share of power outages over the years, and I’ve seen loved ones without power for days due to winter storms, summer storms, and hurricanes. Some homes have generators that help them get through, or more recently, solar panel installations with battery backups likeTesla’s Powerwall.

Editor’s Choice

Anker SOLIX F3800

$2799 $3999 Save $1200

The Anker SOLIX F3800 is a sleek and user-friendly portable power station that can charge your phone, laptop, or EV, and even keep vital appliances going in the event of a power outage. 

Pros

• Can be installed as whole house backup
• Functions as a giant UPS
• Various USB and AC outlets to choose from

Less expensive and more portable solutions are just starting to come onto the market, and the Anker SOLIX F3800 is the sleekest and most versatile of the portable power stations I’ve used. I had the opportunity to test the Anker SOLIX F3800 and all its features in my home, and I have to say I was really impressed.

Editor’s Choice

Anker SOLIX F3800

$2799 $3999 Save $1200

Price, availability, and specs

The Anker SOLIX F3800 retails for $4,000 but can regularly be found on sale for up to $1,000 off its usual price. It’s currently available from Amazon, The Home Depot, and directly from Anker.

The Anker SOLIX F3800 is intended to be a one-size-fits-all home backup power station. The portable tower stands just over 2 feet high and sits on wheels to help maneuver its 130lb frame around your home. It features just about any plug you could ever need in the event of a power outage to keep your devices charged or even your appliances running. The F3800 includes 3 USB-C and 2 USB-A outlets just below the front display, and 8 AC outlets on the side, including six standard 20A wall outlets, one 30amp NEMA 13-40 outlet, and one NEMA 14-50 50amp outlet, which can be used for charging your electric vehicle or powering large electronic appliances.

Recent leaps forward in battery technology are partly why power stations like the F3800 entering the market, and the LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries in the F3800 are the perfect candidates for this kind of device. LFP batteries can handle holding a full charge much better than traditional Li-ion batteries and have more charging cycles in their lifespan, extending their usable life. It’s for these reasons, as well as their relative affordability, that we have seen an increasing number of electric vehicles transition to this type of battery.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Anker F3800’s spec sheet is its versatility. The F3800 can optionally be installed directly as a battery for your house and can even be recharged with solar panels. It also functions as a giant UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to protect your most sensitive devices during power surges or outages.

What I liked about the Anker SOLIX F3800

I love my new giant UPS

As I started testing and living with the Anker SOLIX F3800, it became clear to me that this device performed its primary function beautifully. Once I got it out of the box and charged it up, I was able to use it to charge my devices and power things around my home that I might need during a power outage, like air filters, our refrigerator and freezer, or even our laundry machines if we’re out of power that long. Without a doubt, the F3800 is a stellar battery backup.