REVIEW – I’ve reviewed many things for The Gadgeteer, but one thing I have yet to review is a portable power station. I don’t know much about them other than that they are handy during sudden power outages. So, I decided to change that by accepting a review for one. If you’re new to power stations like me, maybe we can learn together. Here are my ruminations on the Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station.
What is it?
Bluetti’s AC200L is a portable power station with a 2048Wh (offline 2304Wh) capacity and 2400W output. It features super-fast AC charging at 2400W, allowing it to charge 80% in 45 minutes and entirely in 2 hours. The AC200L can also supply AC and DC power to electronics, appliances, and more.
What’s in the box?
- Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station
- AC Charging Cable
- DC Input Cable
- Solar Charging Cable
- Car Charging Cable
- Grounding Screw (M5 x 10)
- User Manual
Hardware Specs
Click to expand AC200L hardware specs
BATTERY INFO
- Capacity: 2,048Wh (51.2V, 40Ah)
- Type: LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
- Life Cycles: 3,000+ Cycles to 80% Original Capacity
- Shelf-life: Recharge to 80% Every 3-6 Months
- Management System: MPPT Controller, BMS, etc
OUTPUT
- AC Outlets: 4 x 120V/20A Outlets – 1 x 120V/30A NEMA TT-30 – 2,400W In Total
- Inverter Type: Pure Sine Wave
- Powerlifting Mode: 3,600W
- Surge Power: 4,800W
- USB-C Port: 2 x 100W Max.
- USB-A Port: 2 x 18W USB-A
- DC Outlets: 1 x 48VDC / 8A (RV Outlet) 1 x 12V/10A (Car Outlet) *All Regulated.
INPUT
- AC Input: 2,400W Max.
- Solar Input: 1,200W Max., VOC 12-145VDC, 15A
- Car Input: 12/24V from Cigarette Lighter Port
- Max Input: 2,400W, with AC + Solar Input
RECHARGE TIME
- AC (2,400W): 1.5 Hours
- Solar (1,200W): 2 Hours (With prime sunshine, ideal orientation, and low temperature)
- 12V/24V Car Outlet (100W/200W): ≈10 or 20 Hours
- AC + Solar (2,400W): ≈2 Hours (With prime sunshine, ideal orientation, and low temperature)
GENERAL
- 240V Split Phase Bonding: No. Need 240V power source.
- Scalability: Expandable w/ Up to 2 x B210, 2 x B230 or 2 x B300
- Pass-through Charging: Yes
- Weight: 62.4lbs (28.3kg)
- Dimensions (LxWxD): 16.5 x 11 x 14.4in ( 42 x 28 x 36.65cm)
- Operating Temperature: -4-104℉ (-20-40℃)
- Storage Temperature: 14-113℉ (-10-45℃)
- Certifications: UL2743, UKCA, TELEC, RCM, FCC ID, CE, PSE, NTC
- Warranty: 5 Years (Learn more about BLUETTI warranty policy)
Design and features
The Bluetti AC200L arrived double-boxed and very well-packaged. The weight made it a little awkward to remove from the box. However, it was made much easier using the sturdy built-in handles on either side of the unit. The Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station is heavy, weighing 62.4 pounds. I can move the unit around relatively easily using the handles. Still, it may be difficult for some to move it around comfortably without assistance because of its weight. Portable in size, yes, but not in weight.
The main body of the unit is constructed of heavy-duty plastic. The top is flat, perfect for setting a phone, laptop, or tablet on it while charging. I was slightly disappointed that there wasn’t a wireless charging pad as I’ve seen on other portable power stations.
The front of the Bluetti AC200L features an illuminated power button, an informative LED screen, and several output ports.
There are five AC ports in total: four 20A and one 30A.
There are also four USB ports, a 48V DC port, and a cigarette lighter port. All of the ports are protected by silicone rubber covers.
Each set of ports has its own on/off button that illuminates when switched on. Status is also indicated on the main LED screen.
On the left side of the unit, you’ll find the AC and DC input ports, along with a battery expansion port, circuit breaker, and grounding pole. The battery expansion port is protected by a silicone rubber cover. In contrast, the AC and DC input ports are protected by screw-on plastic covers.
Fan vents are located at the top of each side of the AC200L. This is also a better look at the built-in carry handles.
Charging and setup
The Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station must be fully charged before first use. It supports six charging methods: AC (2400W), solar (1200W), car, generator, lead battery, and AC+solar. The unit arrived 30% charged, and charging it using the wall outlet took approximately 90 minutes. The input while charging was around 1200 watts. There are three charging modes available on the AC200L. The modes are Standard (which I used), Turbo, and Silent. Standard is more friendly to the AC200L’s battery and takes about 3 hours to fully charge from zero. When charging time is a priority, you can choose Turbo mode, which gives the AC200L an 80% charge in 45 minutes. Silent mode offers a quiet (50dB), low-power operation for extended battery life. Even when charging the unit in standard mode, I found the fans barely audible.
Battery info
The AC200L is equipped with the industry-leading LiFePO battery and advanced Battery Management System (BMS) to ensure optimal safety and reliability. And with compatible expansion batteries, the capacity of the AC200L can be elevated to 8,192Wh.
Bluetti App
In addition to using the Bluetti AC200L’s LED screen, you can remotely control it using the BLUETTI app. The app supports both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity and is well done overall. The only thing missing is the discharge time to empty, which is shown on the LED display. Here is a screen capture video of the app.
Performance
To test the Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station, I plugged my 65-inch OLED TV and PS5 gaming system into the AC outlets. While gaming, the AC output was around 325 watts, and six hours of gaming left the battery at 39%, with an estimated 3 hours of runtime left.
I then plugged in a 5.1 cubic foot freezer, which I could run for approximately 48 hours, which is pretty impressive.
I plugged in a small space heater to test the unit’s Power Lifting Mode. The Power Lifting Mode is specifically designed to handle resistive loads to 3600W, including electric blankets, kettles, hairdryers, and space heaters. The heater ran at 1500 watts. The AC200L was estimated to be able to run one hour and twenty minutes at this output rate.
I also used it to top off my e-bike battery and charge all of my outdoor lawn tool batteries (six batteries using four chargers) via the four AC outlets without issue. Lastly, I tested the USB-C 100W outputs and USB-A outlets to charge my laptop, phone, and tablet, which performed flawlessly.
The Bluetti AC200L came in handy while I was testing another product for review. I’m currently trying a ball launcher dog toy from iFetch. The device uses a power adaptor, and there weren’t any power outlets near where I wanted to set it up. AC200L to the rescue! Instead of running an extension cord, I could plug the ball launcher into the AC200L; the problem was solved.
What I like
- Plenty of ports
- Large 2400W capacity
- Compact design with durable built-in handles
- Turbocharging mode 80% in 45 minutes
- 6 Ways to Recharge (AC/Solar/Car/Generator/Lead Battery/AC+Solar)
- Smart app control
- Quiet operation
- Expandable capacity to 8,192Wh
- 5-year warranty and lifetime customer support
What I’d change
- Heavy (62.4-pounds)
- Lack of a wireless charging pad on top
Final thoughts
As a power station newcomer, I was thoroughly impressed with the Bluetti AC200L. It’s easy to operate, powerful and has a plethora of great features. And it’s great to know that I can use it to power just about any device or appliance in the event of a sudden power outage. The Bluetti AC200L is a worthy option if you’re in the market for a powerful portable power station.
Price: $1,499
Where to buy: Bluetti and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Bluetti.
