Anker SOLIX S2000 review: Impressive battery backup in a surprisingly compact package

Anker has pulled out all the stops for the SOLIX S2000, a portable power station that takes home and office UPS use to new levels of stylish sophistication.

Without wishing to sound alarmist, there has rarely been a time when the best portable power stations have seemed quite so relevant as they are right now.

With increasingly frequent warnings about preparing for emergencies, concerns over the resilience of national infrastructure and some decidedly unsettling predictions about what might happen if the lights really did go out, the idea of having a dependable source of clean, silent backup electricity at home is beginning to look less like a luxury and more like a sensible precaution.

While a portable power station like the brilliantly-designed Anker SOLIX S2000 I’m reviewing here won't keep an entire household running indefinitely, it could still make a significant difference, keeping essential home appliances like lighting, heating and, to some degree, cooking operational when the mains supply is no longer available.

And if you add a solar panel into the mix and the sun’s shining, you could harness some invaluable energy from our old friend the Sun and perhaps extend the SOLIX S2000’s use beyond the widely stated 72 hours of blackout. Here’s my review of the Anker SOLIX S2000.

Anker SOLIX S2000 review

Price and availability

The Anker SOLIX S2000 is available in both the UK and USA, either directly from Anker or through selected online retailers. In the UK, it is listed on the Anker website at £849, reduced from an recommended retail price of £1,099. You can also purchase it from Amazon and Currys for the same low price.

In the USA, the RRP is listed as $999.99 but you can purchase the SOLIX S2000 direct through Anker for a knockdown $729.99. Alternatively, try Amazon where it’s selling for $1,199.

Specifications

• Power output: 1,500W
• Battery capacity: 2,010Wh
• Max surge power: 3,000W
• Battery cell chemistry: LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
• Battery cycle life: 10,000
• AC outputs: UK spec: 4 x 230V; US spec: 5 x 110W
• USB outputs: 1 x USB-C 100W; 1 x USB-C 15W; 1 x USB-A 12W
• DC output: None
• AC input: 230V
• Solar input: 400W max
• UPS auto switch: 10ms
• Charging time: 2 to 2 hours and 30 mins; 3-4 hours using a 400W solar panel
• Dimensions: 323 x 282 x 208mm (12.7 × 11.1 × 8.1in)
• Weight: 16.2kg (35.78lbs)
• Warranty: 5 years

Design and features

I’ve reviewed a number of portable power stations over the years, but I have never come across a model that looks as elegant as this. In fact, the SOLIX 2000’s understated casing and glossy fascia make it look more like a PC tower or TV subwoofer than a power station.

The Anker SOLIX S2000’s compact, upright enclosure measures just 32cm in height, 28cm in depth and an exceedingly storable 20cm in width, giving it a footprint not much larger than a small desktop tower. Its 16.2kg weight, meanwhile, makes it reasonably portable for something packing such a substantial 2,010Wh battery.

However, unlike most other models that feature proper handles that fold down, this one has hidden recesses on the front and back with just one inch of grip space, which isn’t much given the weight. Put another way, it’s not especially camping-friendly since you cannot carry it with just one hand, though I can see it fitting the lifestyle of a van lifer or motorhome user.

The SOLIX S2000’s chic faux carbon fibre casing is complemented by a prominent and elegantly designed 10cm (4”) LCD display that provides all the usual information at a glance, including remaining battery capacity, input and output wattages, along with estimated charging or running times, depending on the device or devices plugged in.

This model’s connectivity is particularly generous, with four three-pin UK-spec AC sockets distributed between the front and rear, as well as three USB outlets (100W USB-C, 15W USB-C and 12W USB-A) and an XT60i solar input supporting up to 400W positioned just above the display.

The SOLIX 2000’s AC output layout is pretty much spot on because you can use the two rear hidden inputs when using the unit as a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for a home office, a TV system, a fridge or your most-used kitchen items without upsetting its aesthetics, and save the two front ports for ancillary devices as and when you need them.

In fact, I think it's a perfect choice for UPS use since it not only looks aesthetically lovely – at least by power station standards – but it has oodles of power on tap to keep a myriad of home appliances and devices fully juiced should the mains go bang.

As to be expected, the SOLIX 2000’s UPS function seamlessly switches from AC mains to battery power in an industry-standard 10 milliseconds. And that means a desktop computer screen will show zero signs of any flickering on switchover.

One second you’re working on an important work project when mains power suddenly ceases, and the next you’re continuing to work as if nothing happened.

However, I should add that this model doesn’t have a dedicated 12v cigarette lighter-style DC output, which is another reason why I think it is much better suited for home use rather than camping, where DC is a big thing. And anyway, I really do think this power station is far too posh and therefore precious to take outdoors for long periods lest the beautiful casing and shiny screen are scratched or marked – easy to do.

All good portable power stations now use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) for their battery chemistries, and that’s the case here. LiFePO4 is favoured for its excellent thermal stability, overall durability and impressive cycle life – in this case up to a tremendous 10,000 charging cycles and a very generous battery lifespan of 15 years.

In terms of charging the SOLIX S2000 from the mains, standard mode draws approximately 1,050W and the app-enabled ultra-fast mode around 1,450W. The battery itself pumps out 2,010 watts hours while its inverter delivers up to 1,500W of continuous AC power and a surge capacity of 3,000W to accommodate higher initial power demands from appliances like air conditioners and some power tools.

These are not record-breaking specs, mind you, because the not especially handsome but lighter and more camp-friendly Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 dishes out the same level of output and surge power for half the price, though it has admittedly been on the market for a lot longer.

One of the less glamorous but genuinely important features of the Anker SOLIX S2000 is its lower-than-average 10W idle power consumption, and this is particularly relevant if you're buying the unit for emergency household backup.

Idle power draw is the electricity the power station consumes just by being switched on and ready to supply power, even when nothing is being drawn from its outlets. This matters quite a bit when you're relying on a finite battery during a prolonged power cut because any power station that constantly consumes even a small amount of its own stored energy simply by remaining switched on can gradually undermine its usefulness.

As to be expected, the SOLIX S2000 comes with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, so it can also be controlled via the Anker Power app, which is something I recommend, mostly because it’s so thoughtfully designed and easy to use. But more on this in the next chapter.

Anker Power app

The Anker Power app provides a clear overview of remaining battery capacity, incoming charge, power consumption and estimated running time. It also lets you remotely switch outputs on or off, adjust charging limits and AC recharging power (it takes about two hours to fully charge at 1,100W), adjust the Smart AC output and screen timeout, activate Silent Mode and receive a grid outage alert when grid power is interrupted.

It even has a function called Storm Guard, which will automatically fully charge the power station before any severe incoming weather hits home. In the arena of power station apps, this is one of the better ones.

Performance

I’ve previously stated that I prefer smaller-bodied portable power stations when it comes to UPS use, mostly because they can be placed right next to the appliance or devices they’re servicing, and you don’t need to run extension cables all over the home.

As a result, I have a small, compact EcoFlow River 3 UPS next to my Wi-Fi set-up, including several powered smart hubs, and a marginally bigger Bluetti Elite 30 V2 behind the TV, which provides UPS power to my Samsung TV, PlayStation 3, Sky Q box and JBL soundbar. Both power stations have already saved the day during a number of rural power cuts this year.

Nevertheless, I’m willing to bend my house rules on size when it comes to the SOLIX S2000 because a) it’s such an aesthetically pleasing unit and b) its stature is pretty small for the output it provides. For these reasons, I consider this model the perfect choice for a home office comprising a desktop computer, printer, WiFi Mesh router, a couple of desk lamps and a small fan heater or below-table infrared heater.

According to my calculations, the SOLIX S2000 will run a desktop computer, printer, WiFi and two lamps for just over eight hours with a slight reduction if printing out, say, ten sheets of paper. Adding an 800W fan heater into the mix will reduce the running time to around 1 hour 45 mins. These are marvellous stats considering the size, weight and cost of the SOLIX S2000, which is currently retailing at £849 (£250 less than the RRP).

Before I get to my tests, a quick shout-out regarding the ease with which I was able to set up the SOLIX S2000. Everything seamlessly connected to my WiFi and Apple iPhone 16 Pro, and both firmware updates have gone smoothly. And that’s all I have to say on the matter.

My first test was to see how well the SOLIX S2000 could handle a handsome new Meaco Grisos fan heater I have in for review. This heater’s output is 2,000W which is way above the 1,500-watt output capacity of the SOLIX S2000.

While the power station had no issues running the Meaco at a very acceptable heat level of 4 (around 1,525 watts), as soon as I switched it to its highest level 5 setting, the power draw spiked above the unit’s capacity, at which point the inverter expectedly shut off. Thankfully, setting 4 on the Meaco was well hot enough to properly heat up my jeans to 'ouch' level.

I then tried it with my trusty Smeg Lavazza coffee pod machine, and the SOLIX S2000 didn’t even blink. While it was heating the boiler, the Smeg’s draw was around 1.4kW and when I hit the extraction button, the output on the SOLIX S2000 briefly showed 606W before settling at an exceedingly modest 38W. So plenty of coffee time with this set-up.

As is the case with any power station, it’s always a good idea to research the power consumption stats of any household items you think will need juice during an outage. This model will easily handle most household appliances and devices, but if you think 1,500 watts might not be enough, I would definitely consider a more powerful model.

In the meantime, here are some calculations on what the SOLIX S2000 is very capable of running.

What devices can the Anker SOLIX S2000 run?

With 1,500 watts of output and up to 3,000 watts of power lifting oomph, the SOLIX S2000 should be able to handle a multitude of home and outdoor devices. Here are some examples:

WiFi router (around 12W) = 77 hours

Full home office (up to 250W with printer, router and lamp) = 6 hours 30 mins

iMac M4 (max 105W) = 14 hours 50 mins

iPhone/Samsung Galaxy = up to 100 charges

Apple iPAD = approx 42 charges

Portable induction hob (medium power 1,200W) = 1 hour 25 minutes

Russell Hobbs travel kettle (approx 1,000W) = approximately 30 five-minute boils

Tall-standing modern fridge/freezer (up to around 90W) = 17 hours

Espresso pod machine (approx 1.45kW) = about 100 coffee extractions

Worcester Bosch Greenstar combi boiler = approx 16 hours

De’Longhi Dragon 4 oil heater (medium heat 1,100W) = 1 hour 30 minutes

Five household LED lamps (approx 50W) = 34 hours

49” LCD TV plus Sky Q box and sound bar with sub woofer (around 127W) = 12 hours 30 mins

CPAP machine for sleep-related breathing disorders (up to 90W) = 17 hours

Air purifier (average 60W) = 24 hours 25 mins

Fan heater (800W) = approx 2 hours

Small hair dryer (around 1,200W) = approx 1 hour 25 mins

Verdict

The Anker SOLIX S2000 is a rather splendid piece of kit that gets an awful lot right. Its generous fore-and-aft output layout and beautifully understated styling make it an excellent proposition for domestic use, particularly as a home UPS and emergency backup solution.

However, the absence of a proper one-handed carrying handle makes it less convenient to lug around, while the omission of a conventional 12V DC output will likely be considered a frustrating oversight by most campers and outdoorsy types.