Anker F2600 Power Station Review: Can it Really Compete?

Aug 19

Today, we're diving into an in-depth review of the Anker SOLIX F2600 Portable Power Station, one of the latest additions to Anker's lineup of portable power stations.

Anker, a brand with a well-established reputation for offering reliable phone chargers, power banks, and other mobile accessories, has relatively recently ventured into the solar generator and power station space. The new Anker F2600 was released to act as one of their flagship models.

This all sounds great, but does the F2600 actually live up to the hype? To find out, we thoroughly inspected this bulky power station and ran it through a few of our own tests. Let’s find out if this unit can really compete with models from more established power station brands!

Our First Impressions: Bulky and Powerful

The Anker F2600 is a beast, plain and simple. When we unboxed this thing, we could tell Anker meant business. With 2,600 watt-hours (Wh) of capacity and a 2,400 watt (W) pure sine wave inverter, this unit is built to handle serious power demands.

It’s also expandable, meaning you can add an extra battery and boost the total storage capacity to a whopping 4,600Wh. We’ve always been fans of power stations that allow you to increase your power storage without having to go out and buy a completely new model, so this was a huge bonus. It’s also a feature that is sorely missing from the F2600’s little brother, the Anker F1500, so we were really pumped to find out it’s compatible with an expansion battery.

In terms of portability, at 70 pounds, the F2600 is heavy. With that said, it’s definitely portable enough to take on your adventures, you just won't want to be hiking around while carrying it.

Specs Breakdown for the F2600

Before we get too deep into how this thing performed, let’s break down the specs:

Battery Capacity: 2,600Wh
Power Inverter: 2,400W Pure Sine Wave Inverter
Weight: 70 lbs
Expandability: Option to increase storage capacity to 4,600Wh with an additional battery
Charging Options and Charge Times: AC Wall Outlet Charging (1.7 hours to fully charge). Solar Charging (1,000W input, 80% charge in 2 hours)
Output Ports: x3 USB-C ports, x2 USB-A ports, x2 12V car outlets, x1 30-amp outlet, x4 standard AC plug-ins

As you can see, Anker didn’t skimp on the output ports. You’ve got plenty of options for charging and powering all of your devices and appliances. Plus, the F2600 comes with a handy suitcase handle and wheels, making it easier to move around despite its hefty weight.

Overall, the specs and build are really impressive on surface level. It has just about everything we were hoping to see.

The Performance: How Did it Hold Up to Our Tests?

So, how does the Anker F2600 actually perform? In a word: impressively.

Despite its size and power, the unit is relatively quiet. We pushed it to its limits with a full 2,400W load, and while it did make some noise, it handled it perfectly and the noise wasn’t anything too crazy.

Anker’s decision to include their patented IQ Charging Ports and GaNPrime Technology also means this unit is really efficient and can handle much higher voltages than you’d expect. Basically, it uses less power to provide more, which is exactly what you want in a portable power station.

Put simply, it’s just a really solid power station that does everything Anker said it would.

What Did We Really Like About the F2600?

While the whole unit performed well under tests, a few things really stood out to us:

The Attention to Detail:

One of the first things we noticed about the F2600 was the attention to detail. Anker has really put a lot of thought into the design, and they definitely didn’t forget about the small things that make a big difference.

For example, the handle placement is spot on, unlike some other power stations where you end up skinning your knuckles and jamming your fingers just trying to lift them. The rubber feet on the back are another nice touch—they keep the unit stable, prevent it from getting scratched up when you stand it upright, and probably help dampen some of the noise when it’s running.

The layout of the plugs is another area where Anker nailed it. The bottom row of plugs is positioned so the ground faces down, while the top row is ground up. This might seem like a small thing, but it’s a thoughtful design choice that makes plugging in different devices easier, more intuitive, and it just feels far less cramped.

The Intuitive Design and Useful App:

Anker’s Smart App for the F2600 is really user-friendly. You can control everything from a smart device, including turning the inverter on and off, adjusting the screen timeout, and even setting the exact number of watts you want from the output ports at any given time. The app is also responsive, with no noticeable lag, and it’s clear that Anker put some serious thought into making it as useful as possible.

This doesn’t just apply to the app; the entire unit is just really user-friendly. You won’t have to flick through the instruction manual too much, it just works like you’d expect it to.

What Didn’t We Like about the F2600?

As you probably know by now, at The Solar Lab, we always nitpick. The truth is, no product is perfect, and the F2600 has a couple of quirks of its own.

The display screen is decent, but it definitely could be better. We wish it showed the input and output numbers at all times, rather than only when something is running. And while the solar input is solid at 1,000W, we wouldn’t have minded a bit more capacity there. If you could solar charge it a bit faster, you’d have a pretty perfect power station for off-grid camping and RV trips.

Another sticking point is the price. The Anker F2600 is expensive, and it’s not necessarily the best bang for your buck compared to some other options on the market.

For example, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro offers a 3,600Wh battery for only a few hundred dollars more, and the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro provides similar power at a lower price.

So, Should You Buy It?

Is the Anker F2600 worth your hard-earned cash? Really, it just depends on what you need.

If you’re looking for a power station that sits in the space between a portable camping unit and a backup power system for your home, the Anker F2600 could be a great fit. It’s powerful, well-built, and packed with features that make it versatile enough for a wide range of different applications.

However, if you’re on a bit of a budget, or you’re just looking for the absolute best value, you might want to consider Anker’s smaller F2000 model, which offers similar features at a lower price. Or, if you need a true home backup system, something like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro or even the DELTA Pro Ultra might be more up your alley.

Our Final Thoughts

The Anker F2600 is a really solid addition to the portable power station market. It’s well-designed, packed with useful features, and performs exactly as it should in real-world situations. While it might not be the best option for everyone, or the best bang for your buck, it’s definitely worth considering if you’re in the market for a high-quality, versatile power station.

It gets a thumbs up from us!