Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus keeps the original F3800’s 3,840Wh LiFePO4 battery and 6,000W 120/240V inverter but changes how energy gets in, according to Anker’s own comparison: solar input rises from 2,400W to 3,200W with a much wider 11–165V range, and a 240V generator can now feed the unit directly through its Home Power Panel port. Anker also swapped one outlet: the Plus trades the F3800’s NEMA 14-50 for an RV-style TT-30. On October 17, 2026, Anker’s US store listed the F3800 at $2,199.99 and the F3800 Plus at $2,599.99. Here’s what that $400 buys and who needs it.
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Sources: Anker’s F3800 Plus product page and its FAQ (including “What are the differences between F3800 and F3800 Plus?”), the F3800 product page and the F3800 user guide. Calculations are labelled estimates.
The five differences, per Anker
Anker’s support FAQ lists exactly five changes between the two models:
- Solar input: F3800 takes 11–60V at up to 27A, 1,200W per port. F3800 Plus takes 11–165V at up to 17A, 1,600W per port.
- Generator connection: F3800 can use a 120V pure sine generator (THD under 5%) in place of grid power. F3800 Plus connects a 240V or 120V generator through its Home Power Panel port.
- EV charging: F3800 charges EVs from either the L14-30R or the 14-50R. F3800 Plus uses the L14-30R only.
- TT-30R outlet: only the Plus has one.
- NEMA 14-50R outlet: only the original F3800 has one.
Everything else, from battery size and inverter rating to expansion, is essentially the same.
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | Anker SOLIX F3800 | Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 3,840Wh LiFePO4 (51.2V, 75Ah) | 3,840Wh LiFePO4 |
| AC output | 6,000W, 120V/240V | 6,000W, 120V/240V |
| Solar input | 2 × XT-60, 11–60V, 27A; 2,400W total | 2 ports, 11–165V, 17A; 3,200W total |
| Wall (AC) charging | 1,800W max | 1,800W from a 120V outlet |
| Generator input | 120V generator via AC input | 120V or 240V generator via Home Power Panel port, up to 6,000W bypass |
| 240V outlets | NEMA 14-50R and L14-30R | L14-30R |
| RV outlet | None | TT-30R (120V, 3,000W) |
| Standard outlets | NEMA 5-20R (left three on UPS) | NEMA 5-20R (left three on UPS); 2,400W per group of three |
| USB | 3 × USB-C 100W, 2 × USB-A 12W | USB-C output only (no USB-C charging input) |
| UPS switchover | Under 20ms | 20ms on wall power |
| Expansion | Up to 6 × BP3800 (26.88kWh) | Up to 6 × BP3800 (26.88kWh) |
| Two-unit system | 12kW, 53.8kWh with Double Power Hub | Up to 2 units and 12 × BP3800 |
| Weight | 132.3 lb | 135.6 lb (61.5kg) |
| Size | 27.6 × 15.3 × 15.6 in with wheels | 27.6 × 15.1 × 14.6 in |
| Price (Anker US, Oct 17, 2026) | $2,199.99 | $2,599.99 |
Solar: why 165V matters more than 3,200W
The headline number is 800W more solar, but the bigger change is voltage. The F3800’s 60V ceiling per port means you can put only two or three typical rigid panels in series before hitting the limit, so larger arrays need parallel wiring and thicker cable. The Plus accepts up to 165V per port, which suits longer series strings.
| Example array per port (assumed panel: Voc 24V, Vmp 20V, 20A-class 400W) | F3800 (60V, 27A, 1,200W) | F3800 Plus (165V, 17A, 1,600W) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 panels in series (Voc 48V) | Fits; up to about 800W | Fits; up to about 800W |
| 3 panels in series (Voc 72V) | Over 60V, not allowed | Fits; about 1,200W |
| 4 panels in series (Voc 96V) | Not allowed | Fits; capped at 1,600W |
| 3 panels in parallel (Voc 24V, about 60A) | Limited by 27A, about 540W | Limited by 17A, about 340W |
Illustrative math using a hypothetical panel; always check your panels’ cold-weather Voc against the limit. The pattern is clear: the original F3800 prefers low-voltage, high-current setups, while the Plus wants higher-voltage series strings. If you already own a stack of 12V-class portable panels wired in parallel, the F3800’s 27A limit actually suits them better. Our series vs parallel wiring guide explains the trade-off.
Anker is explicit about one limit on the Plus: exceeding 165V can damage the solar ports. It also says the Plus can’t be recharged from rooftop solar through the Home Power Panel during an outage; panels must connect directly to the unit.
Generators: the F3800 Plus’s main reason to exist
With the original F3800, a generator plugs into the same 120V AC input as a wall outlet, so charging tops out at 1,800W and only the UPS outlets stay live. The F3800 Plus adds a generator path through its Home Power Panel port, and Anker’s FAQ spells out what each setup allows:
| Input connected | Live outlets on F3800 Plus | Bypass limit |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing (battery only) | All: TT-30R, L14-30R and all NEMA 5-20R | — |
| 120V generator | TT-30R only (when on the L1 phase) | 3,000W; switching 30ms to generator, 50ms back |
| 240V generator | TT-30R and L14-30R | 3,000W (TT-30R), 6,000W (L14-30R) |
| 120V wall outlet | TT-30R and the three UPS NEMA 5-20R | 1,440W, 20ms UPS switchover |
In practice, that means a 240V portable generator can run your house through the Plus’s L14-30R and a transfer switch while the battery stands by, with up to 6,000W passed through. For anyone planning a generator-plus-battery outage setup, that’s the feature worth $400. Our home backup battery with generator guide covers how to plan that pairing.
Outlets: 14-50 or TT-30?
- Keep the F3800 if you want a NEMA 14-50R for a 50A RV, a welder or a mobile EV connector that uses that plug. Anker notes the F3800 can charge EVs from either 240V outlet.
- Choose the Plus if your RV or trailer uses a 30A TT-30 cord. You can plug it straight in, up to 3,000W.
For EV charging on the Plus, Anker says to double-press the AC outlet button for EV mode and set the car’s charge rate below 25A. At 240V and 25A, that’s 6,000W, and a full 3,840Wh battery adds roughly 12–15 miles of range to a typical EV (estimate at 3.5 miles per kWh, after losses). Our post on whether a portable power station can charge an EV goes deeper.
Runtime and idle draw
With the same battery, runtime matches for the same load. Anker says the F3800 Plus draws about 40W with AC on and nothing plugged in (firmware 3.3.5), which works out to about 95 hours of idle time on a full charge.
| Load | Draw (assumed) | One unit, 3,840Wh (estimate, 85% usable) | With 2 × BP3800 (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge, router, lights | 300W | About 11 hours | About 33 hours |
| 240V well pump, cycling | 700W average | About 4.7 hours | About 14 hours |
| Central AC, 3-ton | 3,000W | About 1.1 hours | About 3.3 hours |
| Electric dryer | 5,000W | About 40 minutes | About 2 hours |
Firmware note for F3800 owners
The F3800’s solar current limit depends on firmware. Anker’s page lists 25A on the 32–60V range with firmware 1.7.8 or earlier, and 27A from 15–60V with firmware 2.1.1 or later; 11–15V panels are limited to 10A either way. If you bought an early unit, update through the Anker app before sizing a parallel array around the 27A figure. Anker similarly ties the Plus’s 40W idle figure to firmware 3.3.5.
Storage and care (both models)
Anker’s guidance for the F3800 applies to both, since they share the battery: turn off all outputs before storing, keep the unit somewhere cool and dry, check the charge weekly and recharge if it drops below 30%, and bring it to 100% at least every three months. Both discharge from -4°F to 104°F and charge from 32°F to 104°F. Neither is waterproof, so outdoor use needs a cover or shelter.
Which should you buy?
| Your situation | Pick |
|---|---|
| Home backup paired with a 240V generator | F3800 Plus |
| Large rooftop-style panels in long series strings | F3800 Plus |
| 30A RV with a TT-30 plug | F3800 Plus |
| 50A RV, welder or 14-50 EV cord | F3800 |
| Parallel-wired portable panels | F3800 |
| Simply want the most battery for the money | F3800 ($400 less) |
The original is on Amazon as the Anker SOLIX F3800; the F3800 Plus is sold by Anker directly and on Amazon as the Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus. To see how the F3800 compares with another brand, read Anker SOLIX F3800 vs Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro, and for a smaller Anker, our F2600 vs F3000 comparison.
FAQ
Is the F3800 Plus battery bigger?
No. Both have 3,840Wh of LiFePO4. The Plus changes inputs and outlets, not capacity.
Do they use the same expansion battery?
Yes. Each takes up to six Anker SOLIX BP3800 batteries for 26.88kWh.
Can I use F3800 and F3800 Plus together?
Anker’s FAQ says yes: they can share a Double Power Hub or Home Power Panel.
Can I charge the F3800 Plus with solar and wall power at once?
Yes. Anker says the Plus supports AC and solar input at the same time.
Does either have a USB-C charging input?
No. Anker says the USB-C ports on both are output only.
Which is lighter?
The F3800, at 132.3 lb versus 135.6 lb for the Plus. Both roll on built-in wheels.
Bottom line
The F3800 Plus isn’t a bigger battery, it’s a better-connected one. If you’ll pair it with a 240V generator, run long high-voltage solar strings or plug in a 30A RV, the extra $400 buys real capability. If you mainly need 3.84kWh and 6,000W of 120/240V output, or rely on a 14-50 outlet, the original F3800 remains the better value.