Anker 548 vs. C300 DC: I Tested Both—Here is the Honest Truth

If you are looking at the Anker 548 and the SOLIX C300 DC, you’re likely trying to solve the same problem I had: How do I keep my MacBook and phone alive for 3 days without a wall outlet?

Both are "lunchbox" power banks, but after using them in real-world camping trips and one very annoying 6-hour power outage, I realized they are completely different tools. One is a glorified (but great) camping lantern; the other is a high-speed workstation hub.

Key Takeaways 

• The Winner for Pros: The SOLIX C300 DC is vastly superior for laptops. It charges at 140W (PD 3.1), meaning it can actually fast-charge a MacBook Pro.

• The Winner for Campers: The Anker 548 is lighter and has a much better "vibe" for lighting a tent with its warm pop-up lantern.

• The Secret Difference: Both use LiFePO4 batteries (3,000+ cycles), so both will last you 10 years. But only the C300 DC has a 12V car socket for mini-fridges.

• The Annoyance: The C300 DC has a "low-power auto-shutdown" feature that can be frustrating for tiny devices like routers.

The Feel Test: Design and Portability

When you pick these up, the first thing you notice is the weight.

The Anker 548 (The Green Beast): It weighs about 5 lbs. It feels like a piece of vintage military gear. The canvas strap is high-quality, and the green color looks great outdoors. The "magic" is the pop-up light. You press the top, it slides up, and it glows with a warm light that doesn't hurt your eyes at night.

The SOLIX C300 DC (The Tech Grey): It’s a bit heavier (6.2 lbs). It feels denser. Instead of a pop-up lantern, it has a modern light bar. It doesn't feel as "cozy" as the 548, but the digital screen is 10x better. It tells you exactly how many minutes of power you have left based on what you’re charging.

Power Performance: Real World vs. Spec Sheet

The MacBook Pro Test

I plugged my MacBook Pro 14" into both.

• Anker 548: It maxed out at 60W. It kept my battery from dying while I worked, but it didn't really "charge" it quickly.

• SOLIX C300 DC: This thing is a monster. Using the PD 3.1 (140W) port, my laptop went from 10% to 50% in about 30 minutes. If you are a digital nomad, the C300 is the only choice.

The Honest talk (What the Box Doesn't Tell You)

The Anker 548’s Solar Problem

I tried charging the 548 with a 100W solar panel. Warning: If you plug in the panel while it’s in full sun, the 548 sometimes "trips" its safety breaker because of the power surge. You have to be careful to plug it in slowly or cover the panel first. It’s a bit finicky for "off-grid" use.

The C300 DC’s "Auto-Shutdown" Quirk

Here is something that annoyed me: The C300 DC has a safety feature where if a device pulls very low power (under 100mA) for 2 hours, it shuts the port off. This is fine for phones, but if you are trying to run a tiny travel router or a low-power Raspberry Pi, it might shut off in the middle of the night.

Battery Health: Why You’re Safe with Both

One thing I love about Anker in 2026 is that they stopped using cheap lithium batteries for these models. Both use LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate).

• They don't get as hot.

• They won't catch fire easily.

• You can charge them every day for 10 years before the battery starts to get weak.

Final Verdict: Which one should you buy?

Go with the Anker 548 if: You want an emergency light for your house or a simple "big battery" for your family’s phones while camping. It’s cheaper, simpler, and the lantern is genuinely useful.

Go with the Anker SOLIX C300 DC if: You are a "Power User." If you need to charge a laptop, run a 12V car fan, or want the fastest possible recharge time from the wall, the C300 DC is worth the extra $70. It is a true portable power station, not just a big power bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I take the Anker C300 DC or Anker 548 on a plane? 

A: No. Both devices exceed the 100Wh limit set by most airlines (FAA/TSA). The C300 DC is roughly 288Wh and the Anker 548 is 192Wh. These are for road trips and home backup only.

Q: Can these power an AC device like a coffee maker or a hair dryer? 

A: No. These are "DC-only" power stations. They do not have standard AC wall outlets. They are designed for USB-C laptops, phones, and 12V car appliances (on the C300 DC model).

Q: How long does it take to recharge these from 0%? 

A: The SOLIX C300 DC is significantly faster, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours if using dual USB-C inputs. The Anker 548 takes about 7 hours via a single USB-C port.

Q: Which one is better for a "Digital Nomad"? 

A: The SOLIX C300 DC. The 140W output is essential for fast-charging high-end laptops like the MacBook Pro or Dell XPS.

If you need more power than a wall charger, check out my deep dive into the Anker a2667 vs a2668 power banks here