EcoFlow River 3 vs Anker C300 (2026): Which Small Power Station for Tent Camping?
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product picks were chosen on the merits — no brand pays for placement.
How we evaluated: WildJoule has not bench-tested either unit. Specifications come from EcoFlow’s and Anker’s published listings, checked against Anker’s US product page and the Amazon listings in September 2026. Runtime figures are our calculations, not measurements.
River 3 vs Anker C300 is closer than the spec sheets make it look. The Anker holds 288 Wh and the EcoFlow 245 Wh, but the Anker also weighs 9.1 lb to the River 3’s 7.8 lb. Work it out and they store almost exactly the same energy per pound, about 31.5 Wh. So the choice isn’t really about capacity. It’s about ports, charging and how you camp.
WildJoule verdict
Pick the Anker SOLIX C300 if a laptop or USB-C gear is a big part of your load: its 140 W two-way USB-C charges a laptop at full speed and can refill the station from a USB-C charger, and it switches over in 10 ms if you use it as a CPAP backup. Pick the EcoFlow River 3 if you want the lightest box that still runs a CPAP overnight and refills fully from a wall outlet in about an hour. Both are 300 W stations; neither runs a kettle or a hair dryer.
Being upfront: I haven’t taken either of these into a tent. I compared EcoFlow’s and Anker’s spec sheets line by line and did the runtime math for the loads tent campers actually bring. Small batteries like these interest me for a simple reason: when the power’s unreliable, the little box that keeps a phone and a light going is the one you reach for first.
River 3 vs Anker C300: specs side by side
| Spec | EcoFlow River 3 | Anker SOLIX C300 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 245 Wh LiFePO4 | 288 Wh LiFePO4 |
| AC output | 300 W (X-Boost / surge 600 W) | 300 W (600 W surge with SurgePad) |
| USB-C | 1 port, 100 W max | 140 W, two-way on one port |
| Wall charging | 0–100% in about 60 min | Up to 330 W; 0–80% in about 50 min |
| Solar input | 110 W | 100 W (11–28 V, XT60) |
| Car charging | 0–100% in about 2.8 h | Supported (cable sold separately) |
| Weight | 7.8 lb | 9.1 lb |
| Backup switchover | <20 ms | 10 ms |
| Noise (listed) | <30 dB | 25 dB at 3.3 ft |
| Cycle life / warranty | 3,000 cycles to 80% | LFP “for a decade” per Anker; 5-year warranty |
What each one runs on a tent camping night
These estimates assume about 85% efficiency through the AC inverter. DC and USB loads come out a little better.
| Load | River 3 (245 Wh) | Anker C300 (288 Wh) |
|---|---|---|
| CPAP, no humidifier (~30 W) | ~7 h | ~8 h |
| Phone charges (~15 Wh each) | ~14 | ~16 |
| Laptop (~60 Wh battery) | ~3 full charges | ~4 full charges |
| String lights + small fan (~20 W) | ~10 h | ~12 h |
The CPAP row is the one that decides it for many people. Neither unit comfortably covers a full night with a heated humidifier switched on, which can more than double the draw. Our best power station for CPAP guide covers that case, and the camping power calculator lets you total your own loads.
River 3 vs Anker C300 on charging
From the wall, both are fast: the River 3 goes from empty to full in about an hour, and the C300 reaches 80% in about 50 minutes. If you top up at a campground outlet or in the car on the drive in, either will be ready.
The C300’s two-way 140 W USB-C port is the practical difference. It means a single USB-C laptop charger can refill the station, which is handy if you don’t want to carry the AC cable, and it charges most laptops at full speed. The River 3’s single USB-C port tops out at 100 W. On solar, the two are effectively even at 100 to 110 W, which is roughly one small folding panel. A full solar refill takes most of a sunny day on either, so don’t pick between them for solar.
Carrying and living with it
At 7.8 lb, the River 3 is the easier one to carry from the car to a walk-in site. The C300 is 1.3 lb heavier, and Anker sells an optional strap for it. Both are quiet enough for a tent; Anker lists 25 dB at 3.3 ft and EcoFlow under 30 dB. If you plan to leave it plugged in at home as a backup for a router or CPAP, the C300’s 10 ms switchover is the safer bet for equipment that restarts on short dropouts.
One availability note: when we checked in September 2026, the C300 was listed as sold out on Anker’s own store. Amazon stock varies, so check the listing.
River 3 vs Anker C300: which to buy
Buy the EcoFlow River 3 if weight matters most, your loads are phones, lights and a CPAP without humidifier, and you want the fastest full recharge from a wall outlet. The biggest reason not to: less capacity and a slower 100 W USB-C port.
Buy the Anker SOLIX C300 if you camp with a laptop or a lot of USB-C gear, you want a little more runtime, or it doubles as a home backup for sensitive electronics. The biggest reason not to: it’s the heavier of the two for about the same energy per pound.
If neither quite fits: the Anker SOLIX C300 DC drops the AC outlets for more USB-C ports, and the EcoFlow River 3 Plus adds capacity (286 Wh, expandable) and a higher output rating. Our guide to using a power station while tent camping covers setup, and best power station under 500 dollars ranks the wider field. For campsite electrical rules on public land, check the National Park Service page for the park you’re visiting.
Using a small station to keep camera or drone batteries topped up? The drone photographer solar guide runs the recharge math for DJI batteries on stations this size.
Frequently asked questions
Can the River 3 or Anker C300 run a CPAP all night?
Without the humidifier, most CPAPs draw around 30 W, which works out to roughly 7 hours on the River 3 and 8 hours on the C300 through AC. Running the CPAP from a DC adapter stretches that further. With a heated humidifier, neither is enough for a full night.
Which charges a laptop faster?
The Anker C300, with 140 W USB-C against the River 3’s 100 W. For most laptops under 100 W the difference disappears.
Can either run a coffee maker or hair dryer?
No. Both are rated 300 W continuous. Surge and boost modes help with brief motor starts, not with 1,000 W heating appliances.
Is River 3 vs Anker C300 even close on solar?
Yes. 110 W versus 100 W is a negligible difference; both suit one small folding panel.
Looking at more sizes? Best power station car camping ranks five units, including both of these.
Last updated: September 26, 2026. This River 3 vs Anker C300 comparison uses manufacturer specifications; runtimes are calculated estimates. We do not display live prices.