The Anker Solis is a mid-size power bank that punches above its weight – it’ll charge your phone, tablet, and even a laptop, and it has a built-in flashlight that’s actually useful. If you’ve ever sat in the dark after a storm wondering if your phone is going to make it through the night, this is the kind of thing you’ll wish you’d had charged up and ready.
What It Does
The Solis is a portable battery pack with multiple charging ports: USB-A outputs for standard devices, USB-C that works both as input and output, and a solar input port so you can trickle-charge it from a panel when wall power isn’t available. It’s not a generator – it won’t run your refrigerator or your CPAP – but for keeping communication devices alive and providing some light, it handles the job well.
The built-in flashlight surprised me. I expected the typical feeble LED that most power banks slap on as an afterthought. This one’s actually bright enough to navigate a dark hallway or find the fuse box after the power goes out. It’s not going to replace a dedicated flashlight, but it’s a real, usable feature rather than just a checkbox on the spec sheet.
Why It Belongs in Your Kit
Down here on the Gulf Coast, a 3-day power outage after a tropical storm isn’t a hypothetical – it’s a regular part of life from June through November. I’ve had this Anker in my hurricane kit for the past two seasons, and it’s earned its spot. After Idalia knocked out power for about 36 hours in my area, this was what kept my phone charged enough to track the storm, check road conditions, and stay in contact with family. That’s not a small thing when cell towers are stressed and you’re trying to figure out if your street flooded.
Beyond storm season, this thing travels well. It’s compact enough to throw in a day bag for camping, and the solar input means if you’re going to be out for multiple days and have a compatible panel, you’re not necessarily burning through a fixed charge. The USB-C output also means it can top off a laptop in a pinch – useful if you’re working remotely during an outage and need to get a few more hours out of a work machine.
The car breakdown scenario is one people overlook. If you’re stuck on the side of a back road in August heat waiting for a tow, your phone battery is your lifeline. Having this in the glovebox – already charged – means you’re not rationing screen-on time while you wait for help.
Honest Limitations
The solar charging is genuinely slow. This isn’t a knock specific to the Solis – all solar-input power banks with built-in or small external panels are. It’s a backup option for a backup, not a primary charging method. Don’t expect to drain it completely and refill it from solar in a single day unless you have a large dedicated panel and ideal sun conditions.
It won’t power high-draw devices for long. Charging a laptop works, but depending on the laptop and the Solis’s capacity, you may get one partial charge rather than a full top-up. Manage expectations accordingly – this is a communication and light device first, laptop charger second.
Like all power banks, capacity degrades over time. If you’re storing this in a kit and not cycling it regularly, make a habit of charging it fully every few months. A power bank that’s been sitting uncharged for a year in a hot car is going to underperform when you actually need it.
How It Stacks Up
The Goal Zero Sherpa line is the main alternative worth considering if you want a more robust solar-charging ecosystem with compatible panels. Goal Zero’s integration between their power banks and panels is genuinely better – but you’ll pay significantly more for it, and the system is heavier and bulkier. If you’re building a serious off-grid or base-camp setup, Goal Zero makes sense. For everyday carry, hurricane prep, and travel, the Anker Solis delivers more value per dollar.
If you just need a cheap phone-charger power bank without the solar input or flashlight, something like the basic Anker PowerCore line costs less and keeps things simple. But if you want the added utility of a flashlight and the option to solar-top-off, the Solis is worth the step up.
Who Should Buy This
This is a solid pick if you’re in a hurricane zone, tornado alley, or anywhere that loses power regularly – and you want one device that covers charging, a backup light, and some solar flexibility without spending serious money. It’s also a good fit for campers and hikers who want a capable power bank without going full expedition-grade.
Skip it if you’re looking for a primary power station for multi-day off-grid living or need to run anything beyond personal electronics. At that point, you’re shopping for a different category of gear entirely – something like a Jackery or EcoFlow unit.
Common Questions
Can it actually charge a laptop?
Yes, through the USB-C output, it can charge most USB-C laptops. How much charge you get depends on your laptop’s battery size relative to the Solis’s capacity. Expect a meaningful top-off rather than a guaranteed full charge for larger laptops. It’s enough to finish a work session or make sure you can submit that file before the meeting.
How long does it take to fully charge the Solis itself?
Using a standard wall charger via USB-C, expect a few hours depending on how depleted it is. Solar charging alone will take much longer and is really only practical as a supplemental top-off method. Always charge it from the wall before an anticipated outage if you have the warning.
Is the flashlight actually useful or just a gimmick?
It’s actually useful – brighter than most power bank lights I’ve tested. It’s not going to replace a dedicated flashlight for serious use, but for navigating your house in a blackout or finding something in a dark car, it does the job without making you hunt for a separate device.
How should I store it in my emergency kit?
Keep it charged to around 80% for long-term storage – most lithium batteries hold up better slightly below full charge. Check it every two to three months and top it off as needed. Avoid storing it in a hot car long-term; heat degrades battery capacity faster than anything else.
Bottom Line
The Anker Solis does what a good emergency power bank should – it keeps your devices alive, provides real light, and gives you a solar-input option without asking you to spend a fortune. Check current price on Amazon and keep one charged in your kit before you need it.
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