If you’re in the market for a portable power station this year but don’t need the massive capacity of the beefy SOLIX F2000, the Anker SOLIX F1200 might be the perfect fit. As the little brother of Anker’s popular SOLIX line, it offers a nice balance of power and affordability that’s worth checking out.
Now that 2024 is here, lots of folks have been putting the F1200 through its paces over the past year. So let’s dive into what real users are saying about this mid-sized battery pack’s performance, features and value. Whether you need backup power for camping trips or just want some extra juice at home, the reviews can help you decide if the F1200 is the right portable power solution for your needs.
By getting the insights straight from people who’ve actually used one, you’ll come away with a clear picture of how well this unit delivers. So read on and we’ll cover everything from charging options to power outputs to overall reliability, straight from those in the know.
Design – But How Does It Carry?
Overall Rating: 4.9/5.00
With over 20 pounds of batteries packed inside, the Anker SOLIX F1200 is a hefty piece of kit. But Anker aimed to make this powerhouse as portable as its large capacity allows.
Two wide handles are positioned on either side for balanced lifting, whether navigating tight indoor spaces or traversing the great outdoors. Gripping both provides stability and distributes the weight across both arms. This dual-handle design makes the F1200 feel lighter than its single-grip competitors.
That said, the Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro may still edge out in pure ergonomics with its extra-large centralized handle. Lifting from a single point of contact minimizes twisting motions and distributes weight evenly across the back. Anker could consider beefing up their handles further for maximum comfort on long hauls.
Underneath, the SOLIX’s ribbed rubber base provides sure footing whether used indoors or out. On uneven terrain, its wide contact patches prevent tipping better than slimmer rivals. The added traction also inspires confidence for setting it down without worry of slips or slides.
While no substitute for true lightweight design, Anker took thoughtful steps to make the powerful Anker SOLIX F1200 as user-friendly as its massive capacity allows. With its durable build and balanced grips, this portable powerhouse proves mightier adventurers need not compromise on comfort or control.
LED Display & LED Light of Anker SOLIX F1200
Overall Rating: 4.8/5.00
This power bank places an emphasis on usability. At the top, a warm-white strip light provides illumination so you can find ports or read charge levels even in low-light situations. It offers three brightness levels too, so you’re not left blinking in the dark if you need to use it at night.
One aspect that really stood out to me was the large, clear display. So often, power banks have tiny screens that are impossible to read. Not this one – the large size and clarity must make checking battery stats a breeze. It even tells you useful specifics like how many watts are flowing in and out.
But my favorite feature is its ability to estimate charging or depletion times. Have you ever been in a situation where you desperately need to know if your device will charge before a flight or meeting? Not knowing can cause stress. With this power bank, a quick glance at the display reassures you exactly how long you have until the battery is full or empty. That peace of mind is priceless when you’re in a rush.
Outlets & Ports
Overall Rating: 4.8/5.00
Reliable energy access is so important. Whether for emergencies or off-grid adventures, we seek portable solutions meeting diverse needs.
Units like the Anker SOLIX F1200 aim to power life’s variety through thoughtful design. Multiple outlet types allow convenient charging of any device simultaneously. Controls customize delivery while displays provide transparency.
Features like power-saving modes consider efficiency without compromise. A range of inputs, from AC to solar, broaden sourcing options. And bypass circuits maintain flow even while replenishing stores.
With a massive 1.2 kWh capacity, the SOLIX F1200 solar generator aims to power it all. Anker equipped it with an impressive assortment of outlet options to maximize compatibility.
Up front, dual AC outlets deliver a steady 120V current for large appliances. Individual on/off switches and auto-shutoff modes conserve power for low-load devices. Meanwhile USB ports – including a speedy 100W Type-C – keep smartphones, laptops and more constantly charged.
there are four standard USB-A ports, allowing the use of countless older cables and gadgets that still utilize this connection type. Each port can deliver a solid 12W of power, ensuring devices are fueled up efficiently.
In addition to the tried-and-true USB-A, two USB-C ports are included to future-proof the user experience. One USB-C port boasts a 60W power rating, making it a worthy companion for laptops and other power-hungry devices. But it’s the other USB-C port that really impressed me – it can push out a mighty 100W of power. For context, that’s enough juice to quickly re-energize a laptop or even charge a Nintendo Switch at top speed.
In the back lies additional versatility. A solar input port unlocks renewable energy potential. An AC power inlet turbocharges recharging to 80% capacity in just one hour when plugged into the mains.
Perhaps most helpful, all ports can operate simultaneously. This allows using the full 1.8 kW peak output across devices. Photographers could charge batteries from USB while running lights from AC, for example.
With such a complete assortment of compatible outlets, few power-hungry loads fall outside the Anker SOLIX F1200’s reach. It truly empowers users to take a jack of all trades approach without compromising functionality. For those seeking a one-size-fits-all portable power solution, Anker has delivered in spades with this feature-packed heavyweight.
Battery with Power Capabilities
Overall Rating: 4.9/5.00
At the heart of the Anker F1200 solar generator is its battery – a powerful yet long-lasting LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery similar to those used in electric vehicles. These batteries are known for their stability, safety, and lifespan. Unlike cheaper lithium-ion batteries that may only last 800 charge cycles, LFP batteries can handle up to 3,000 cycles before needing replacement.
Anker rates the F1200 battery for daily use over 10 years, backing it with a strong 5-year warranty. That’s serious battery longevity! For comparison, most small UPS units still rely on sealed lead-acid batteries that need replacing every 2-3 years. Pound for pound, the power station battery holds about 6 times the charge of a typical lead-acid battery of the same weight.
With a battery this beefy, you’d expect fast charging – and you’d be right. Plug it in and the F1200 can recharge up to 80% full in just one hour using its 1kW fast charging. It also features bypass charging, so you can keep devices running from the wall outlet while simultaneously recharging the battery.
When the lights do go out, the Anker SOLIX F1200 switches to battery backup in a mere 20 milliseconds – that’s faster than the blink of an eye. Quick enough to keep your devices running seamlessly through short power interruptions.
With up to 1.8kW of maximum power output across its AC and USB ports, the F1200 can handle almost any home or small office device, from laptops to routers to monitors. Only heavy appliances like washing machines or air conditioners would overload it.
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Performance
Overall Rating: 4.9/5.00
This powerhouse 757 handled everything I threw at it with ease. Whether it was low-level tasks like keeping an air purifier running or more demanding loads, it sailed through with stability and reliability.
Even in medium usage scenarios where I was drawing a few hundred watts over extended periods, it showed no signs of strain or instability. The Anker solix f1200 portable power station just took everything in stride without missing a beat.
One test really showed off its endurance – powering a 33W air purifier for a tremendous 19 hours straight. Through meticulous monitoring, I measured it delivered a whopping 644 watt-hours of power during that time. That’s a huge amount of energy for one device to provide continuously!
Admittedly, that test usage fell short of the unit’s full 1,226 watt-hour capacity. But to still have well over half remaining after such a long period of powering an appliance is mighty impressive. It speaks volumes about the engineering and components that went into this power station.
To really stress test this power station, we assembled a collection of devices that mimic a typical home work station – two laptops, a desktop PC, a large monitor, a network switch, a desk lamp, and a NAS device. This combination drew between 200-300 watts continuously, with peaks up to the maximum 1.5kW rated power level.
Despite these demanding loads, the Anker powerhouse 757 never faltered – power delivery was flawless and uninterrupted. Not a single device crashed, froze or so much as flickered when running on battery or switching between battery and wall power. This is precisely the kind of stable, reliable performance you want from an emergency backup solution.
Interestingly, even under moderate loads or charging, the unit ran almost silently apart from a faint fan noise. However, when really pushing it during printer warmups, the fans did become noticeably louder. Reassuringly though, they slowed back down within just five seconds of the heavy load ending. So noise was never an issue for extended periods.
Besides that, the Anker Solix f1200 power station really came into its own when powering energy-hungry kitchen devices all day long. By connecting my power meter, I was able to precisely measure its output – a very impressive 949 kilowatt-hours delivered before the battery was fully drained.
Taking into account its maximum 1.23 kWh capacity, this corresponds to an excellent 77.2% discharge efficiency under heavy loads. The F1200 lost far less power to heat compared to running lower-wattage devices for extended periods.
On the charging side, it took only 1.36 kWh to completely replenish the battery. Given the battery size, this translates to a laudable 90% charge efficiency.
By factoring discharge and charge numbers, I calculated the overall round-trip efficiency at a respectable 70%. This is a great result, considering the power it was providing and taking on board. It suggests very little is wasted in energy conversion.
All in all, my real-world testing proved the Anker SOLIX F1200 is superb for high-drain appliances and tools that really tax a power source. Its efficiency remains admirably high even under maximum load. It’s clear this power station was engineered for performance.
This Anker solar generator is built for longevity. With LFP batteries rated for 3000 charge cycles and a 5-year warranty backing them up, you can count on it serving your power needs for many years to come. Based on an 80% discharge each cycle, its batteries could store nearly 3 megawatt-hours of electricity over the lifetime – that’s an impressive power capacity!
Dividing the purchase price by that lifetime capacity shows it offers a competitive cost of about 37 pence per kilowatt-hour. So not only does it last, but it delivers good value for money over the long haul.
Putting Anker’s claim of powering 95% of devices to the test, I connected some energy-hungry appliances. The F1200 had no trouble providing around 1.1 kilowatts continuously to my toaster, and about 1.3kW to the microwave separately.
While the cooling fans spun up loudly under such heavy loads, they quickly wound back down once the toast was ready or microwave cycle ended. It’s reassuring to know this powerhouse can reliably surge to meet high-power demands without overheating or straining itself.
Final Verdict
My Rating: 4.9/5.00
While this Anker solar power station was less efficient at handling small, continuous loads compared to other options, it truly shines when power demands increase. Unless your needs are primarily low-wattage devices charged through USB, I’d hesitate to recommend it on that basis alone.
That said, this powerhouse excels in most other areas. It feels ruggedly built to withstand rough outdoor use. With a generous 1.2 kWh capacity, it can provide meaningful backup power or run appliances for extended periods.
Where the Anker SOLIX F1200 really stood out was its composure when pushing it to the max – it had no issues powering loads up to 1.5kW continuously. The fast 1kW recharging and solar charging compatibility also make it convenient to replenish.
In my view, it’s perfect for applications like camping trips with groups that may strain smaller power banks. It also makes an excellent uninterruptible home backup to keep medium-load essentials running during outages.
Provided your needs align more with its strengths of high-power capability versus low-level trickle charging, the Anker SOLIS F1200 delivers impressive performance for the money. It’s a go-to solution for applications demanding reliable backup muscle.
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