I am a fan of portable power stations, which allow you to take a battery to power domestic appliances, tools and gadgets wherever you are. I first started reviewing these devices three years ago, and since then, I have seen the technology improve by approximately three generations.
The latest model I’m looking at is the Bluetti Elite 100 V2. It replaces the Bluetti AC180 (version 1), which I referred to as the Goldilocks of power stations, as it offers the perfect balance of price and functionality.
Table of contents
- Why do you need a portable power station?
- Features
- Specifications and price
- Using the Elite 100
- Who is the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 for?
Why do you need a portable power station?
A portable power station is a lithium battery with a transformer that provides 240V, 12V, and USB power to run or charge products, from refrigerators to hair dryers, computers, and smartphones. It’s one of multiple options you have for staying connected when away from home.
Because these all-in-one box solutions are so powerful, they can be used at home in a blackout, on the jobsite to run a power tool or at a campsite to run a fridge. At GadgetGuy, we’ve even used them to power our camera equipment while filming videos.
When selecting a power station, there are two key specifications to consider: output power and capacity. Output power is the number of watts (W) it can provide to run a device, and capacity is how long the battery will last, measured in watt-hours (Wh). Consider this like the size of the engine and the fuel tank.
Bluetti Elite 100 V2 features
One of the latest portable power stations, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is capable of running appliances up to 1800 watts from a 1024Wh battery.
On opening the box, you will find the power station, a 240-volt mains charging cable, and a solar charging cable (MC-4 connector).
The Elite 100 has an output power of 1800 watts, which is the same as the AC180 model it replaces. This means it will run an appliance that requires up to 1800W. For example, a typical toaster uses 800 to 1500 watts, and a household fridge typically requires 100 to 800 watts, so both should work with the power station in the event of a blackout.
Conversely, a kettle needs 2000 to 2400 watts, so it will not work with the power station in its normal mode. However, if you switch on a feature called “power lifting”, the power station can run heating element devices up to 2700W, so you are good to go with even a hair dryer. Note that power lifting mode should not be switched on with sensitive devices connected, such as a computer. When in doubt, refer to the label on your appliance to determine the required wattage.
When an electric motor starts, it requires a surge of electricity higher than its stated wattage. For cases like these, the Bluetti can surge to 3600W for a few seconds to accommodate motors starting.
The capacity of the Elite 100 is 1024 Wh, which means it could, in theory, run a device drawing 100W for 10 hours (100W x 10 hours = 1000Wh). In reality, you experience a loss of power when transitioning from the battery to 240 volts, so 850-900Wh is more likely to be the usable power.
A power station also consumes power even if it has no load. If you have either the DC or AC switched on without a load connected, it would drain itself over around four days with no charging. This model is super efficient compared to older models that drain faster.
For me, the biggest advancement in technology is the use of premium automotive battery cells, which means this power station weighs 11.5 kg versus the AC180 at 17 kg, a 32% reduction. Portability has now just gone from a heavy two-handed lift to a heavy one-handed lift. The life of these same battery cells also increases to 4,000 cycles or more than 11 years if you charge it every day. Bluetti’s official claim is that the Elite 100 V2 lasts 10 years of use.
The size of the unit has also reduced by 32% which means it’s easier to store in your house or car.
On the front of the device are three buttons. One to turn the unit on, one to turn the AC 240V on, and one for 12VDC/USB. Two 240-volt sockets are available, one 12-volt cigarette lighter socket, one USB-C port at 140W, one USB-C port at 100W, and two USB-A ports at 15W. I cannot think of a gadget or appliance that you could not plug into this device, aside from the 240V wattage limit.
Charging the Elite 100 is possible by plugging it into a mains outlet, a solar panel, or a car. If you plugged the battery into mains, it would go from zero to 80% in 45 minutes. The last 20% will take another 25 minutes. The Elite can accept up to 1000W of solar power, which would also charge the unit in 70 minutes.
It does not come with a cigarette lighter charger, but one is available as an optional extra. This only supplies 100W an hour, so it would take an 11-hour road trip to fully charge. Bluetti also has an alternator charger, which is a worthwhile investment if you plan to use the portable power station in your car. The alternator charger can deliver 550W an hour, which means you will be fully recharged from empty in less than two hours.
The state of charge, as a percentage, as well as input and output watts, are displayed on a 10cm screen on the front of the power station. This power station includes fans to cool it when operating, but these are super quiet at up to 30dB. It would not disturb your sleep if it were next to you while powering a medical device.
The Elite 100 also functions as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), providing uninterrupted power to medical devices or IT equipment in the event of a power outage.
Bluetti Elite 100 V2 specifications and price
| Power output | 1800W (Surge 3600W) |
| Capacity | 1024Wh |
| Solar input | 1000W |
| Dimensions | 32 x 22 x 25 cm, Weight 11.5 kg |
| Price (RRP) | $1499 |
| Website | Bluetti Australia |
| Warranty | Five years |
Using the Elite 100
The Elite comes partly charged and can be easily charged from a standard mains power cord. Note that the quoted fast charge time requires you to put the unit in turbo mode via the app or by entering a secret menu by pressing both the AC and DC buttons.
There are three charging modes: Turbo (one hour), Standard (two hours), and Silent (two hours). The Elite can be scheduled to charge only during certain times, which would take advantage of off-peak rates. If a solar panel is also connected, the Bluetti prioritises charging from the solar input to minimise your mains costs.
Although the unit supports 1000W of solar panels, that is a lot of panels and overkill for most uses. Let’s assume you use all the power in the battery each day. A 200W panel would recharge the unit to 100% on a sunny day, but not if it is overcast or mid-winter. I’d say a 350W panel is the sweet spot, potentially charging your unit in under three hours of direct sunlight.
Controlling and monitoring the power station is best done with the Bluetti App, which, in the case of the Elite 100, connects via either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Here, you can switch power sources on and off, which is handy if you’re in your sleeping bag, as well as adjust the settings.
The newer Bluetti models let you view graphs of power usage by DC and AC, as well as charging rates. I also appreciate that you can now view the estimated time to charge and discharge on the app. Previously, this was only visible on Bluetti’s physical display.
What I would have liked on this model is two DC/solar inputs. This would allow me to charge this power station with a solar panel fixed to a car roof and the alternator charger at the same time. Or more importantly, without having to change plugs if installed in a vehicle semi-permanently.
A new feature I have not seen before is System Switch Recovery. This means if you drain your battery, the unit will restore settings when power is restored. Let’s say your camping fridge drains power at night, and you have a solar panel connected. When the sun starts to supply power, the Bluetti will switch on and then reactivate the DC power, ensuring the fridge starts to run again and reducing the chance of losing your groceries.
Who is the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 for?
For anyone considering a power station, we believe the Elite 100 V2 is still the Goldilocks option, replacing the AC180. For the price (watch for regular Bluetti specials), the power output and storage are ideal for most applications. It’s lighter, and improved functionality takes this unit to a new level.
This is a great unit to throw in the car for a camping trip, to take to a job site to run a power tool, or to keep your home fridge running for a few hours in the event of a blackout.
The post Bluetti Elite 100 V2 review: Still the Goldilocks of portable power appeared first on GadgetGuy.
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