BLUETTI AC200L review: My fifth Power Station – and the Biggest one!

Portable power stations like the BLUETTI AC200L are the successor of noisy and heavy gas generators, and they enable off-grid living and working by providing DC and AC. With a massive output of 2400W, the AC200L can handle 99% of commonly used devices in your home or outdoors.

I built a 3×4 meters tree house two years ago, 100 meters from the nearest AC outlet. Not all my tools are battery-powered, so I had to unwrap and wrap the long power extension cord daily for three weeks. Later, when I finished the project, my son wanted to install a TV and a game console to play with his friends, so I needed the extension cord again. For both situations, the BLUETTI AC200L could save a lot of time.

Key Takeaways

• The AC200L can be charged with AC power, DC from your car, or with up to 1,200W of solar energy, offering versatility in charging options, regardless of on-grid or off-grid use cases. Turbo-charging mode allows from zero to 85% in just 45minutes;
• The built-in 2.048Wh (51,2V, 40Ah) long-lasting LiFePO4 battery pack can be upgraded to 8kWh with external battery packs, allowing four times longer running time;
• Ultra-fast 20ms switchover UPS mode allows it to be used as a continual power system for critical devices such as CPAP, servers, or 3D printers;
• Featuring WiFi connectivity and mobile APP control, the BLUETTI AC200L is the perfect portable power source for your remote cabin.

Bluetti AC200L hands-on review

Disclosure: I received this 2kWh power station in a product review collaboration with Bluetti Power. Product specs and quality may vary according to the manufacturer’s reliability, so I cannot guarantee that you will get a unit that performs the same as seen in my review. Bluetti has been at the forefront of home energy and power station innovations for years. Their new SwapSolar ecosystem can revolutionize the entire industry by utilizing swappable battery packs.

Bluettie’s 200 series has constantly evolved and now includes four models (AC200PL, AC200L, AC200MAX, and AC200P). For me, the biggest upgrade of the AC200L compared to its predecessor (AC200MAX) is the built-in 2400W AC charger and the WiFi connectivity. The possibility of controlling and monitoring your power station from anywhere is a great advantage, and only a few similar products can do this.

During the week, I live in a 4-story building without an elevator, and of course, on the top floor. The courier offered to help me lift the package, but I refused, without knowing that it was over 30kg. Even though I was tired when I got up, I immediately unpacked it, curious to test it.

The AC200L comes in two cardboard boxes. They have handles on both sides for “easy manipulation by one or two persons. There is a thick foam inside on top and bottom for extra protection. The standard accessory pack includes AC charging (15A), DC Input (solar / car / lead-acid battery), Car Charging, and Solar panel cables. All the wires are held together with a velcro band and are stored nicely in a pouch bag. A M5 grounding screw and user manual is also included.

At a glance

The unit measures 42 x 28 x 36.65cm (16,5 x 11 x 14,4in) and weighs around 28kg (62 lbs). All input/output ports have a rubber cover, but that doesn’t mean the unit is waterproof. It has vents on both sides where water can enter and damage the unit.

If you are used to the Bluetti power station, you will first notice the lack of a wireless phone charger. My AC180 has a 15W wireless charger, and the AC200MAX has even two. It has two handles on top (one on each side). You can carry it for a few meters, but if you need to move it for a longer distance, asking a friend for help is recommended. Considering its weight, four small wheels at the bottom would be more useful than the anti-slip rubber feet.

The outputs are divided into three independently controlled sections on the front panel. On the left-right, under the styles illuminated power button, there are two DC-out outlets (RV: 48V/8A and Car lighter:12V/10A). Two USB-A (18W) and Two-C (100W) are under the output control buttons and the color status display. As most of my gear (drone, camera, gimbal, laptop, and phone) is powered/charged via USB-C, I would have liked to have more ports like this.

While the US version of the AC200L has four 120V/20A and one 120V/30A NEMA TT-30 outlets, the EU edition has four 230V/10,5A Outlets. The total power of the built-in inverter is 2400W.

All the input ports, a threaded grounding hub, and the circuit breaker switch are on the left side. Initially, I didn’t realize that the AC input has an aviation socket instead of a C14 like my other power stations. The DC/Solar panel input can accept a max power of 1200W and a voltage range between 12V and 145V, practically any type of solar panel configuration.

https://www.firstquadcopter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bluetti_AC200L_status_screen.mp4?_=1

The status screen on the AC200L is bright and easy to understand, showing me the battery level (in percentages), remaining working time, how much power is coming in and out (AC and DC), and which output section is active.

I liked that none of the output sections, or the entire power station, can be switched off by accident -you need to press twice to take action.

Inside the unit is a 51,2V, 40Ah LiFePO4 industry-leading battery pack with a lifespan of ten years and rated for more than 3000 charging cycles. Its advanced Battery Management System (BMS) ensures optimal safety and reliability.

Can it be extended with battery packs?

Yes, the AC200L supports capacity expansion with B210, B230, and B300 expansion batteries to a max of 8.192Wh (8kWh). You can connect one B230 (2,048Wh), two B210 (2×2,150Wh), or two B300 (2×3,072Wh). A cheaper way to extend the runtime is using one or more standard 12V 300Ah (3840Wh) LifePO4 battery packs. By comparison, such a pack costs around $800, and a similar capacity Bluetti expansion battery is $1,799.

What are surge power and powerlifting modes?

Surge power refers to the maximum power that the power station can offer instantly for a short time. Devices with a compressor, such as refrigerators, have a “boot power” much higher than the operating power. Powerlifting mode is a similar feature but refers to a purely resistive load. In both cases, the AC200L’s max output power is increased by 50% (to 3600W).

Pricing, Availability, and Options

Directly from Bluetti, the AC200L is currently on “Early Bird” Sale for just $1,399 ($1999) or 1599€ (1599€) in Europe. Six combo kits, including portable solar panels or extension battery packs, are also available. The AC200L with two B300 expansion batteries that can cover your house’s energy needs for a day is priced at US$5,297. The 600W (3xPV200) solar kit for outdoor activities can be ordered for $3,046. This and other Bluetti products can also be ordered from their official Amazon store. Here, I should mention that all Bluetti power stations benefit from a 5-year warranty (including batteries) without any extra cost!

Technical parameters

What’s and Who’s for the Bluetti AC200L Power Station?

I’ve found out that there are a lot of places where a large power station like this comes in handy, and there’s a reason why it received a 4.5-star review score. Whether you build something outside, are in summer camp at sea, or need power for your RV, the Bluetti AC200L will not disappoint you, but I don’t say it is the perfect power station for everyone.

Before pulling the trigger, consider storage capacity, max output power, outlets\ports, weight, warranty, and price when looking for a power station. This isn’t for you if you need a super-portable, easy-to-carry power station.

The AC200L is suitable for many tasks, including as a home backup battery, solar generator, and powering your outdoor activities. Both storage capacity and output power can handle most power tools, including even smaller welding machines.

Thanks to the built-in stable pure sine wave inverter, you can safely use it for refrigerators, sensitive electronics, and medical equipment such as CPAP devices.

If you are into 3D printing, you know how frustrating it can be if your 20-40-hour print fails due to a power outage. The Bluetti AC200L doubles as a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), ensuring continuous operation of your 3D machine during blackouts, with a transfer time of less than 20 ms. Desktop 3D printers typically use an average of 50 to 400 watts while in operation, meaning they can run from a 2kWh power station for at least 5 hours.

As mentioned in the introduction of this review, the Bluetti AC200L moved into my son’s tree house, where I plan to install two 500W solar panels. This way, on sunny days during the winter, I can also power an 800-1000W electric heater, making it cozy inside. I love that I control the unit remotely from anywhere. Activate and deactivate any output (DC or AC), and monitor the charging level.

User experience and mobile app

Compared to other portable power stations, I was impressed with the capacity and efficiency (it can go from 0% to an 80% charge in 45 minutes) of the AC200L and the user-friendliness and simplicity of Bluetti’s mobile APP.

The APP allows you to do everything remotely as if you are in front of the unit, and even more. It will enable toggling between three charging modes (Standard, Turbo, and Silent) and four working modes (Standard UPS, PV Priority UPS, Time Control UPS, and Customized UPS).

Generally, the unit is very silent, and the fan starts only when it is under heavy load or when you are charging at high power.

Scaling 28 kg, I wouldn’t call it portable, and after a few meters of carrying alone, you would have wished for a much lighter unit, or my wife is right in saying I should go more to the fitness center. In the photo below, you can see the size difference between a 2048Wh and a 500Wh power station.

Expected run times

Bluetti 200 series comparison table

If you are looking for a 2KW power station, Bluetti has three worth considering models. The AC200MAX is the 200 series flagship model but not the most powerful. It features Bluetooth APP control, a dual 15W wireless phone charger, and a beautiful OLED screen. On the other hand, the AC200L has a higher output power and WiFi control, which is a nice touch if you want to monitor your forest cabin’s power state remotely.

The AC200P has no smart features, such as a remote control, but for $999, it is an excellent choice for powering your remote cabin or RV.

AC200L vs AC200MAX vs AC200P

Bluetti AC200L alternatives: Best 2kWh portable power stations

Besides Bluetti’s AC200 series, there are a lot of different 2kW (2048Wh | 2400W) models on the market from brands like Anker, EcoFlow, FOSSiBOT, and Jackery. Below, you’ll find a few of my personal choices.

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Since 2014, FirstQuadcopter has reviewed, thoroughly tested, and rated hundreds of products, including drones, gimbals, power stations, action cameras, 3D printers, and other high-tech gear to help you make better buying decisions.