Anker’s S5000 keeps 240V output available while charging from 120V

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The Anker SOLIX S5000 can keep its 240V output available while charging from a 120V outlet. That gives equipment with a higher-voltage connection a way to stay connected while you recharge from a standard household supply, within the station's supported load and connection limits. The 5,024Wh power station is now available in the US following its October 27 launch.

Its inverter supplies a rated 4,500W continuously across its 120V and 240V outputs. Anker also lists an 8,000W peak, but says that burst lasts only a fraction of a second. A sustained load above 4,500W triggers overload protection, so the peak figure isn't extra running capacity.

Price: $2,499.99
Where to buy: Anker SOLIX S5000

A 97-pound battery with wheels

The S5000 weighs 97 pounds and Anker's current dimensions are 10.6 by 22 by 15.2 inches. Its built-in wheels and telescoping handle are a welcome addition: a 97-pound backup does not have to remain dead weight wherever you first set it down. You can roll it between suitable locations instead of lifting the whole station every time. Stairs, thresholds and the distance to your equipment still belong in your placement plan. Leave access to the connections and ventilation instead of choosing a space by the enclosure dimensions alone.

Its battery capacity is stored energy, rather than a guarantee of a particular number of hours. The connected load, conversion losses and the unit's own consumption all affect what reaches your equipment. Anker specifies an 8.8W idle draw in 120V mode and 13.7W in 240V mode. Idle consumption keeps drawing on the battery between an appliance's operating cycles.

The company's up-to-86-hour refrigerator figure comes from its own test of a 700-liter refrigerator in a 77°F room, with the fridge at 37°F and freezer at 0°F. A different appliance, room temperature or pattern of opening the doors changes the comparison.

Expansion to 30kWh uses BP5000 batteries

Anker says the S5000 and five BP5000 expansion batteries can take the system to 30kWh. It also supports up to 3,000W of solar input. More stored energy and more simultaneous load are different needs: adding capacity doesn't turn the 4,500W inverter into a higher-output one.

For home circuits, Anker documents a compatible transfer switch or power inlet box. Have a qualified installer establish a suitable connection for your home; plugging individual equipment directly into the station is a separate setup.

99-minute charging needs a 240V supply

The 99-minute full-charge claim uses a 4,500W, 240V supply. Anker's specification sheet lists 1,800W charging from a 120V AC outlet, so a standard household outlet isn't the setup behind that fastest figure. Anker also lists 64 minutes from empty to 80% using that 240V supply.

Solar input is split between two connections, rated up to 2,000W and 1,000W for a combined 3,000W. A panel's advertised wattage alone doesn't establish compatibility: its electrical specifications also have to fit the input. Anker's current product page lists 16–165V at up to 17A for the 2,000W input, and 11–60V at up to 17A for the 1,000W input.

The connections separate AC loads from USB devices

Anker lists four NEMA 5-20 outlets rated at 2,400W, a TT-30 rated at 3,600W and a 240V L14-30 connection rated at 4,500W. These connection ratings don't increase the station's overall 4,500W continuous limit. The USB connections are separate from those AC outlets, with the highest USB-C output reserved for the C2 port.

Keeping essentials running during an outage

A refrigerator, a router and a few lights are concrete reasons to keep backup power close. Refrigeration helps preserve food, lighting makes a dark room easier to navigate, and a powered router can keep a local network running. Internet access still depends on the modem, service provider and their network staying online. Add up the connected loads rather than assuming the 5kWh label promises a fixed number of hours.

A compatible water pump is another potential use, but its startup surge and running demand need to fit the S5000's limits. The brief 8,000W peak is not permission to run a pump that needs more than 4,500W continuously. Home-circuit connections still require the appropriate installation described above.

Anker's app supports remote monitoring, pre-storm charging and scheduled shut-offs. Those controls let you prepare the battery and manage connected equipment without standing at its front panel.

Battery life and the five-year warranty

The S5000 has a specified 10-millisecond UPS transfer time. Equipment that depends on uninterrupted power needs its own compatibility check; that number alone doesn't establish how a particular device will behave.

Anker's advertised battery life of up to 15 years is based on up to 10,000 cycles at one or two cycles a day, retaining more than 60% of the original capacity. That is a lifespan estimate, not the warranty period. Standard product coverage is five years.

Price: $2,499.99
Where to buy: Anker SOLIX S5000

The standalone S5000 costs $2,499.99 at Anker's US store, down from its $3,599.99 list price. Expansion batteries and solar-panel bundles are separate configurations. Check the exact package at Anker's S5000 page.

We'll have our full S5000 review up shortly.

S5000 FAQ

Can I reuse batteries from another Anker power station?

The S5000 accepts BP5000 expansion batteries only. Anker lists BP3800, BP3000 and third-party packs as incompatible.

Does it work with Anker's Home Power Panel?

No. Anker says the S5000 isn't compatible with its Home Power Panel. Use the supported transfer-switch or inlet-box installation route described above instead.

Which USB-C port provides 100W?

USB-C2 supports up to 100W. USB-C1 is limited to 15W and USB-A to 12W; USB-C1 and USB-A share an 18W maximum when used together.

What comes with the standalone S5000?

Anker lists the power station, an AC charging cable, a high-voltage solar adapter, and a safety and warranty card. Expansion batteries and solar panels are separate purchases unless you choose a bundle that includes them.

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