1kWh portable
Explorer 1000 v2 vs C1000 Gen 2
The friendliest 1kWh station meets the most powerful one. We compare output, charge time, solar input, and what each is like to live with.
Best for mostAnker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
1kWh portable · Head-to-head
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus vs Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2: Solar Headroom or Inverter Muscle?
Same 1,024Wh battery, different priorities. One is built for solar and growth; the other for output per pound and price.
Our pick · Best for most
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is the stronger default at 1kWh. It is lighter, cheaper, and puts out 2,000W instead of 1,800W. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus is the better pick for solar-heavy users and anyone who wants to add a battery later.
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Quick take
Which one fits your loads?
Choose EcoFlow if
DELTA 3 Plus
- You plan to charge from 600-1,000W of solar and want the full input headroom
- You want to expand to 2kWh with a DELTA 3 battery
- You value EcoFlow's app and accessory ecosystem
Choose Anker SOLIX if
C1000 Gen 2
- You want 2,000W output from a 24.9 lb box
- You want the fastest wall recharge in this pair at 49 minutes
- You want to spend less and do not need expansion
Specifications
The numbers side by side
Green marks the stronger figure in that row. A stronger spec is not automatically the better product for your loads.
| Spec | EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated capacity | 1,024 Wh | 1,024 Wh |
| Usable (85%) | 870 Wh | 870 Wh |
| Continuous output | 1,800 W | 2,000 W |
| Surge | 3,600 W | 4,000 W |
| Chemistry | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Weight | 27.6 lb | 24.9 lb |
| AC input | 1,500 W | 1,600 W |
| Recharge time | 56 min (1,500W) | 49 min (1,600W) |
| Solar input | 1,000 W | 600 W |
| Expansion | 2 kWh (up to 5 kWh with mixed batteries) | No |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
| Street price | $699–$899 | $699 |
| Cost / usable Wh | $0.92 | $0.80 |
Manufacturer-published figures, checked November 2026. Usable energy uses our 85% rule. Green cells mark the stronger spec, not the better product for your loads.
WattBench score
How the two stations stack up
Weighted across six dimensions. The score is a starting point, not a verdict for your specific loads.
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus · 4.6/10Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 · 4.5/10
Capacity25%
Output20%
Portability15%
Recharge15%
Expandability10%
Value15%
Capacity 25%, output 20%, portability 15%, recharge 15%, expandability 10%, value 15%. Read the methodology.
The short version
These two stations share a 1,024Wh LiFePO4 battery and a five-year warranty. From there they diverge: Anker prioritizes inverter power, weight, and price; EcoFlow prioritizes solar input and expansion.
At typical street prices the C1000 Gen 2 is about $100 cheaper. That makes the decision less about budget and more about which capability you will actually use.
Output and weight both favor Anker
The C1000 Gen 2 delivers 2,000W continuous and 4,000W surge from 24.9 lb. The DELTA 3 Plus delivers 1,800W continuous and 3,600W surge from 27.6 lb. That is a 200W advantage for Anker while carrying 2.7 lb less.
In practice, both run a microwave, a coffee maker, or a fridge. The Anker has more room for a second load or a harder-starting appliance. The EcoFlow is not underpowered, but it is the less flexible of the two.
EcoFlow's solar input is the reason to pay more
The DELTA 3 Plus accepts up to 1,000W of solar; the C1000 Gen 2 caps at 600W. If you own two 400W panels, the EcoFlow can use most of that array while the Anker leaves 200W on the table.
For a single 200-400W panel, the difference is small. For a van or cabin with a fixed array, the extra headroom shortens recharge time and makes the EcoFlow the more sensible solar platform.
Expansion: 2kWh versus none
The DELTA 3 Plus accepts a DELTA 3 expansion battery, taking total capacity to about 2kWh (and up to 5kWh with mixed batteries). The C1000 Gen 2 has no expansion port.
If you are buying for a single apartment outage, 1kWh may be enough. If you want a system that grows with a van build or a cabin, the expansion port is worth more than the $100 price gap.
Recharge and runtime
Anker quotes 49 minutes at 1,600W; EcoFlow quotes 56 minutes at 1,500W. Both are fast enough that recharge is unlikely to decide the purchase.
Usable energy is about 870Wh on either after the 85% adjustment. That is roughly 11.6 hours at a 75W fridge load, 21.8 hours at a 40W CPAP load, or 35 minutes at a 1,500W space heater.
Which should you buy?
Buy the C1000 Gen 2 if you want the most capable 1kWh box for the money and will charge mostly from a wall outlet. It is the easier recommendation for apartments, tailgates, and short outages.
Buy the DELTA 3 Plus if solar is a primary charging source or if you want to add capacity later. The 1,000W solar input and expansion port are real advantages that the Anker cannot match.
Runtime math
How long each station lasts
Same formula for both: rated capacity x 0.85, divided by the load. Real appliances cycle, so treat these as planning estimates.
| Load | Average draw | DELTA 3 Plus | C1000 Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (avg.) | 75 W | 12 hr | 12 hr |
| CPAP (no humidifier) | 40 W | 22 hr | 22 hr |
| Wi-Fi + laptop | 60 W | 15 hr | 15 hr |
| Microwave | 1,000 W | 52 min | 52 min |
| Space heater | 1,500 W | 35 min | 35 min |
Estimates use 85% of rated capacity and a constant average load. Real appliances cycle; a fridge's duty cycle and ambient temperature change the result. Run your own numbers.
FAQ
Questions buyers actually ask
Is 2,000W enough to run a microwave?
Most countertop microwaves draw 1,000-1,500W, so yes. Check the label on the back of your unit; a large over-range model can draw more.
Can the C1000 Gen 2 run a refrigerator?
Yes, for roughly 11-12 hours at an average 75W draw. Startup surge is the bigger question; a standard fridge usually starts well within the 4,000W surge rating.
Does the DELTA 3 Plus really accept 1,000W of solar?
Yes, within its published voltage and current limits. You need panels wired to stay inside those limits; a single 400W panel will not use the full input.
Can you add a battery to the C1000 Gen 2?
No. Anker does not offer a battery-expansion port on the C1000 Gen 2. The DELTA 3 Plus does support one.
Which one is quieter?
Neither manufacturer publishes a meaningful sound rating. Both are fan-cooled and will be audible under heavy load or fast charging. Treat quoted 'quiet' claims as marketing until you hear one.
Before you buy
Check the current price and bundle.
Street prices move. The price band on this page is a research snapshot, not a live quote. Verify the current price, included accessories, and warranty terms at the merchant.