Welcome back! In this post, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at EcoFlow’s new Delta Pro Ultra portable power station and comparing it to one of the top competitors on the market – the Anker PowerHouse Solix F3800.
Portable power stations have become an increasingly popular way to bring energy on-the-go for camping, RVing, emergency power, and more. With new advancements in lithium battery technology, the latest models like the Delta Pro Ultra boast impressive power capacities that can rival whole-home generators.
We’ll be examining all the key factors – from power output and battery capacity to price and portability – to see how the Delta Pro Ultra stacks up against the Solix F3800. From max wattage to solar charging capabilities, we’ll compare the specs side-by-side so you can determine which high-capacity portable station best fits your needs and budget.
Whether you’re looking to invest in off-grid power for your home or need a power solution for outdoor adventures, this overview will provide an in-depth look at two of the top contenders in the portable power station market. Let’s get started!
Appearance and Design
The EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra has a sleek, modern, and stackable design with a futuristic appearance that looks like it’s from the future. It has rounded edges and a compact, portable form factor.
The Anker Solix F3800 also has a sci-fi inspired design that can be stacked and has a modular setup for flexibility. The Solix has a more angular and rugged aesthetic.
Both power stations have touchscreen displays and LED lights to indicate charge levels and status. The Delta Pro Ultra seems optimized for mobility with its integrated handle and compact shape. The Solix F3800 has a more modular and configurable layout by separating the batteries from the main console.
So in terms of looks, the Delta Pro Ultra has a smoother, curvier aesthetic while the Solix F3800 has a more angular sci-fi appearance. But both evoke a modern high-tech feel with their advanced designs. The Delta leans more portable while the Solix offers more modularity.
Power Output
The Delta Pro Ultra and Solix f3800 both offer impressive power output capabilities, but the Delta Pro Ultra edges out the competition.
The Delta Pro Ultra has a max power output of 7,200 watts (7.2kW) continuous, with surge capacity up to 10kW. That’s enough to run high-draw appliances like an air conditioner or electric kettle with power to spare.
In comparison, the Solix f3800 has a max continuous output of 3,000 watts (3kW). You can connect two together to get up to 6kW continuous, but that’s still less than the Delta Pro Ultra’s capacity.
For quick power needs, the Delta Pro Ultra shines with its ability to deliver up to 10kW surge power. The Solix doesn’t disclose its surge wattage, but it’s likely much lower than 10kW.
So if you need to power multiple appliances or devices simultaneously, the Delta Pro Ultra is the clear winner. It delivers over double the continuous power of a single Solix unit. And with surge capacity reaching up to 10kW, the Delta Pro Ultra can handle starting those heavy loads or intermittent high power draws.
Battery Capacity
When it comes to battery storage capacity, both the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and the Anker 538 PowerHouse offer impressive specs, though the Delta Pro Ultra does have a slight edge.
Right out of the box, the Delta Pro Ultra offers 6kWh of capacity, while the PowerHouse has 3.8kWh. Both can be expanded for even greater capacity, with the Delta Pro Ultra able to reach 90kWh max and the PowerHouse 50kWh max.
The Delta Pro Ultra’s base 6kWh is enough to power most appliances and electronics for days without needing a recharge. Even a full-size refrigerator can run for around 24 hours on that capacity. With expansions, you could potentially go weeks without plugging the Delta Pro Ultra in.
The PowerHouse’s 3.8kWh is still substantial, but it is noticeably less than the Delta Pro Ultra. You’ll get shorter runtimes for appliances before needing to recharge. But with expansions, the PowerHouse can still provide days of power if needed.
So while both offer excellent expandable battery capacity, the Delta Pro Ultra simply offers more both out of the box and when fully expanded. Its 6kWh base capacity gives it over 50% more initial storage than the 3.8kWh PowerHouse.
Expandability
Both the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and the Anker 538 PowerHouse can be expanded to increase power output and battery capacity.
The Delta Pro Ultra comes with a 6kWh battery but can be expanded up to 90kWh with additional smart extra batteries. This allows you to increase the power station’s capacity significantly. Each smart extra battery adds 2kWh, so you can add up to 42 more batteries.
As for power output, the Delta Pro Ultra starts at 7200W but can be expanded up to 21kW by connecting multiple units together. So you can scale up the power by linking several Delta Pro Ultras.
The Anker 538 PowerHouse comes with a 3.87kWh battery that can be expanded up to over 50kWh. Extra batteries can be added to increase capacity. For power, two Anker 538s can be connected to reach 10kW output.
So both stations allow you to expand capacity and power, with the Delta Pro Ultra being able to scale higher in both areas. The modular, stackable designs allow multiple units and batteries to be connected as your needs grow.
Charging
When it comes to charging speed and power input, both the Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra and Anker Solix F3800 offer fast charging capabilities.
The Anker Solix F3800 can charge at up to 6000W from an EV charger, allowing it to charge its 3.8kWh battery from 0-100% in under an hour. This makes the Anker slightly faster at charging than the Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra.
The Delta Pro Ultra has a maximum input of 5600W, so its 6kWh battery will take a bit over an hour for a full charge. Still respectable, but a bit slower than the Anker.
One advantage of the Ecoflow is that it can charge through solar input up to 3400W with an optional solar panel kit. The Anker is limited to solar input of 1100W. So for solar charging, the Delta Pro Ultra is significantly faster.
Overall, the Anker Solix F3800 has a slight edge for AC charging speed, while the Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra can charge faster from solar. Both offer fast charging capabilities to minimize downtime. For most users, the small differences in charging won’t make a major difference in real world use.
Portability
The portability and transportability of portable power stations is an important consideration for many users. The EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra has a relatively compact and stackable design at 28.7 x 13.3 x 12.56 inches and 99.2 pounds. In comparison, the Anker PowerHouse Sol X f3800 has larger overall dimensions of 28 x 11 x 16 inches but weighs less at only 88 pounds.
So in terms of pure size and weight, the Anker PowerHouse Sol X f3800 may have a slight edge for portability. However, the modular and stackable nature of the Delta Pro Ultra allows it to be configured in different ways to optimize portability. Both units have a built-in handle and wheels to aid with transport.
Ultimately, both of these portable power stations should be relatively easy to move around and transport for most users. Unless extreme compactness and light weight is the highest priority, both models offer reasonable portability that makes them viable for RVing, camping, emergency preparedness, and off-grid events. Their transportability will allow you to take backup power with you wherever you need to go.
Durability
When it comes to durability and ruggedness, both the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and Anker Solix f3800 perform well.
The Delta Pro Ultra has an IP55 rating, meaning it’s protected from low pressure water jets and limited dust ingress. The tough plastic body seems durable enough for outdoor use. EcoFlow also claims that the Delta Pro Ultra can handle drops up to 3 feet, though I’d still use caution and handle it with care.
The Anker Solix f3800 also has an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance. The exterior is made of durable plastic that appears it can stand up to bumps and drops when transporting or using outdoors. Anker doesn’t specify a maximum drop height though.
Both of these units seem to meet the basics for ruggedness and durability expected of a portable power station. As long as you don’t subject them to extreme weather or drop them from heights, they should hold up well for outdoor adventures and emergency power needs. I wouldn’t leave either out getting rained on continuously.
For most users, the durability of both these stations should suffice. Neither seems to have an edge when it comes to ruggedness based on specs. Real world testing over time will show how they hold up.
Connectivity
With portable power stations, wireless control and connectivity are becoming increasingly important features. Both the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and Anker 538 Portable Power Station offer WiFi connectivity to control and monitor your power station through a smartphone app.
The EcoFlow app lets you turn ports on and off remotely, set up scheduled charging, monitor power usage, and check the battery level and charging status. Anker’s app offers similar monitoring and control capabilities. The ability to wirelessly manage your power station gives you more flexibility, especially if the unit is located far away or in an inconvenient spot.
In terms of wireless charging, the Delta Pro Ultra has a built-in 15W wireless charger. The Anker 538 does not include wireless charging capabilities out of the box.
Both power stations can be connected to solar panels to recharge via solar energy. The Delta Pro Ultra is optimized to work with EcoFlow’s 400W solar panels, while the Anker 538 works with Anker’s 200W solar panels. With a solar connection, you can sustainably recharge the batteries while off the grid.
Overall, both power stations provide decent wireless connectivity and control through their apps. The Delta Pro Ultra pulls ahead with its built-in wireless charger, but the Anker can still be a good option if wireless charging is not a priority. The solar charging enables both units to effectively utilize the sun for off-grid power needs.
Price
The Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra has a base price of around $3,000 (though early bird pricing can bring it down to the $2,000 range). The Anker Solix f3800 has a base price of around $2,600.
So in terms of base pricing, the Anker Solix f3800 has a slight edge. However, the Delta Pro Ultra offers significantly more capacity and power output for the price. The Delta Pro Ultra has 6kWh capacity and can output over 7kW continuously, while the Solix f3800 has only 3.8kWh capacity and 6kW output.
When you factor in expandability, the Delta Pro Ultra pulls further ahead in value. You can expand the Delta Pro Ultra up to 90kWh capacity with additional batteries, while the Solix f3800 maxes out around 50kWh. That’s almost double the potential capacity for similar pricing.
The Delta Pro Ultra’s modular and stackable design also lends itself better to expansion than the more spread out Solix f3800 setup. And the Delta Pro Ultra can handle up to 21kW output with expansion, far beyond what the Solix f3800 can offer even with expansion batteries.
So while the Solix f3800 has a slight base price advantage, the Delta Pro Ultra offers far more power and capacity for the dollar when you look at full expandability and modularity. The Delta Pro Ultra is the clear winner in overall value.
Availability
Both the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and the Anker Solix F3800 are set to begin shipping in January 2023. This means customers who pre-order now can expect to receive their unit at the start of the new year.
The Delta Pro Ultra launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign in July 2022 and has already passed its funding goal. EcoFlow states that the first 500 units will ship to early backers in January.
Meanwhile, the Anker Solix F3800 recently finished its Kickstarter campaign in November 2022 after raising over $1.7 million from backers. Anker estimates delivery of the first Solix F3800 units also in January 2023.
So if you’re looking to get your hands on either the Delta Pro Ultra or Solix F3800, be sure to get your pre-order in soon. Both companies are poised to start fulfillment in early 2023. The waitlist may grow as these innovative portable power stations continue to garner interest and hype.
Use Cases
Both the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and Anker Solix F3800 are portable power stations designed for off-grid power needs, but they each have strengths that make them better suited for certain use cases.
The Delta Pro Ultra’s extremely high power output makes it a great choice for high-draw devices like electric stoves, RV air conditioners, power tools, etc. Its large battery capacity also means it can power those devices for longer. With the ability to stack multiple expansion batteries, the Delta Pro Ultra is a top choice for off-grid homes, outdoor events, construction sites, food trucks, and other applications that demand consistent, heavy-duty power over extended periods.
On the other hand, the modular and stackable design of the Anker Solix F3800 may make it better suited for some applications. You can combine the base unit with additional batteries and solar panels in different configurations. This flexibility allows you to customize the system to your specific space and power needs. So the Solix F3800 may be better for more portable setups like overland vehicles, camping, pop-up events, or emergency power where compact storage and transportability are priorities.
Both can meet most basic off-grid power needs like charging devices and running small appliances. But the Delta Pro Ultra’s immense power capacity gives it an edge for high-power applications, while the Anker Solix F3800’s modular flexibility suits it well to more portable scenarios. Consider your most common use cases and power requirements to choose the best fit.
Pros and Cons
Comparing the pros and cons of the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and the Anker 538 PowerHouse can help you determine which portable power station is the better fit for your needs.
EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra
Pros
- Higher peak power output (7200W vs 6000W continuous)
- Larger base battery capacity (6kWh vs 3.8kWh)
- Ability to expand capacity up to 90kWh
- More compact, stackable design
- Futuristic, sleek appearance
Cons
- Lower maximum input charging speed (5.6kW vs 6kW)
- Higher initial price
Anker 538 PowerHouse
Pros
- Faster maximum charging speed (6kW input)
- More affordable initial price
- Modular, flexible setup options
- Widely available from major retailer
Cons
- Lower peak power output
- Smaller base battery capacity
- Limited expandability to 50kWh max
Conclusion
After reviewing the key features and capabilities of the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and the Anker PowerHouse Sol x F3800, it’s clear that both portable power stations have their strengths and ideal use cases.
The Delta Pro Ultra shines when it comes to raw power output and capacity expandability. Its stackable modular design allows users to scale up to massive 90kWh capacity and over 20kW of output. This makes it well-suited for off-grid living, emergency power, and other applications requiring high capacity and output. However, it does have limitations when it comes to charging speed.
The Anker PowerHouse Sol x F3800 is extremely fast-charging thanks to its 6000W AC input. It can fully recharge in under an hour. The modular cube design also provides flexibility in setup configurations. While it can’t match the Delta Pro Ultra in max capacity or output, the PowerHouse Sol x is more portable and easier to transport. It’s a great choice for RV and van life, outdoor adventures, and short-term backup power needs.
Ultimately, the Delta Pro Ultra is ideal for those needing maximum expandable capacity and power output. The Anker PowerHouse Solix is recommended for those needing ultra-fast charging and a more nimble portable power station. Both represent the cutting edge in lithium iron phosphate battery technology and deliver robust off-grid and backup power capabilities.