The Bluetti Elite 200 is quiet and very handy in a power cut or off-grid situations, but its sheer weight could put off some users.
The rise of portable power stations in recent years is a boon for consumers, as manufacturers push to create smaller, more powerful, quiet, and cost-effective options.
The comfort and peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ll have electricity during a blackout can be measured in the work files saved, the food unspoiled, and the availability of electronics and vital equipment when everything goes dark.
In this competitive industry with many brands to choose from, Bluetti stands out as one of the leading manufacturers offering reliable and affordable power stations for home, work, and travel.
Bluetti sent over its new Elite 200 v2 to be put through its paces.
What is the Bluetti Elite 200?
The Bluetti Elite 200 is a compact power station that the company touts as the upgraded version of their AC200P model. One that offers more power, durability, and management with its brand-exclusive app.
Bluetti Elite 200 review: Specifications
- Weight: 53 pounds.
- Dimensions: 13 inches height x 14 inches length x 10 inches width
- Capacity: 2,073Wh (54 Ah)
- Output: 2600W
- Cycle Life: 5-year warranty and up to 6,000 charging cycles before capacity reduces to 80 percent.
- AC input: 1,800 watts
- Ports: AC outlets (20 Amps x 4), USB-A (15-watt x 2), USB-C (100-watt x 2), 2V “cigarette-lighter” port
- Uninterruptable power supply (UPS) mode with 15ms switchover time
Bluetti Elite 200 review: Inside the Box
The Bluetti Elite 200 arrived in a single large box that is incredibly well packed and padded for protection during shipping.
Inside the box, Bluetti includes everything needed to put the Elite 200 straight to work. No extra accessories, just the unit, the AC charging cable, solar charging cable, user manual, and grounding screw.
Bluetti Elite 200 review: Quality and Features
Out of the box, the Elite 200 is incredibly well made, and does not feel cheap or flimsy. Everything from the case to the buttons and the cables feels heavy and durable.
There is no doubt this station would thrive on the roughest worksites or campsites.
The side effect of durability is added weight, and the Elite 200 weighs a staggering 53 pounds for a “portable” power station. If you have health issues that prevent you from lifting over 25 pounds, you will need an alternative means of carrying and moving the Elite 200.
Bluetti Elite 200 from the front
The Elite 200 has two built-in handles to make transport easier, but that’s it. There are no wheels or any alternative means of transportation included, but you could feasibly put it on some form of cart. .
All the outlets are on the front of the unit and are easily accessible. The AC input, ground screw, and a 250VAC/20A circuit protector are on the right side of the unit and easily accessible.
The Elite 200 V2 has a large, bright display, with text that is easy to read in the dark and in direct sunlight. This is the best display on a portable power station I have seen.
Bluetti Elite 200 review: Charging Options
To accommodate for a range of scenarios and options, Bluetti offers multiple charging methods for the Elite 200 V2:
- Standard: 1.6 hrs. 1440W (AC input). 1,000W (solar input). 2,400W (AC + Solar input)
- Turbo: 80% in 1 hour and 100% in 1.4 hrs. 1800W (AC input). 1,000W (solar input). 2,400W (AC + Solar input)
- Silent: 3 hrs. 800W (AC input). 800W (solar input). 800W (AC + Solar input)
- Car Charger: 24 hrs. 12V (DC input)
For testing, the Elite 200 was set to run nearly empty on power before testing the wall charging methods. Standard charging mode and silent mode work well with the included AC cable.
Turbo mode requires the use of the Bluetti app, which is an annoyance. Practically every mode and feature on the Elite 200 is accessible on the unit, but the proprietary app must be used to access this feature.
The difference between standard and turbo mode feels inconsequential, and the strain on the overall battery life with Turbo mode is worth avoiding for the relatively small benefit.
Bluetti offers a variety of solar panels for outdoor charging for the Elite 200 separately, ranging from 60W to 350W and from $149 US to $849 US. Bundles of the Elite 200 unit and solar panels are available in the Bluetti online store or panels can be purchased separately.
Bluetti Elite 200 from the side
Bluetti recently released its Charger 1 accessory: A DC car charger installed between the car alternator and battery. The charger 1 provides 560W of power through the Elite 200 DC outlet and charges the station in four hours of driving.
While neither the solar panels or the Charger 1 for the review, I have heard positive reviews for both and appreciate the range of options Bluetti is working to make available.
Bluetti Elite 200 review: Usage
A common trend with power station manufacturers is the use of brand-specific apps to control features and monitor levels.
The Bluetti app is basic, allowing you to sync up the Bluetti Elite 200 over your Wi-Fi network and dial in your personal preferences. But again, I do not like features locked behind mandatory app usage.
For testing, the Bluetti Elite 200 was put through a series of scenarios that occur in my life of living and working in my apartment, specifically when I lose power.
Working from home means the loss of power is the loss of everything. I have no external office to drive to and make camp while charging my iPad to watch episodes of The Great British Baking Show.
The front display of the Bluetti Elite 200 in use
To simulate this, the Bluetti Elite 200 was fully chargedwith the standard wall charging option and various appliances were ran directly from the station.
My refrigerator rn for over 12 hours on just the Bluetti Elite 200 alone, and I still had 2 hours of power remaining. I have run this test with other power stations, and none of them carried this test as well as the Elite 200.
Obviously, adding a set of solar panels would extend this timespan.
I ran my router, Mac Studio, and Xencelabs drawing tablet for ten hours, and had enough power remaining to charge my phone, a small battery backup for the phone, and a Nintendo Switch.
The UPS functionality was tested with my workstation, and it worked perfectly.
With the herculean lifting the Elite 200 is capable of, it’s easy to appreciate how this power station can handle vital equipment like heaters, medical equipment, and lighting for extended blackout situations. I wish I’d had an Elite 200 sitting in my apartment in 2021 when tornadoes knocked out power in Nashville for several days.
The Bluetti Elite 200 runs incredibly quiet in standard mode. I only noticed the faint sound of the station fans while it was active and in absolute silence.
This is a great feature, and the addition of the silent mode makes overnight charging slower, but practically undetectable.
Bluetti makes a point to state that the Elite 200 is not waterproof like the AC240 and AC60 models, so outdoor use will require a dry place or a covering for the unit.
Bluetti Elite 200 review: Power for higher cost and limited mobility
The Bluetti Elite 200 normally retails for $1,699 US for just the power station and nothing else. At the time of this writing, Bluetti is offering the Elite 200 for $999.00.
For this level of retail cost, I do not think including the smallest solar panel option is too much to ask. This is not a small investment, and many consumers do not have that kind of money laying around.
The Elite 200 is advertised as compact and portable. But by weighing 54 pounds and not being waterproofed, it means this station is good for permanent home installation and dry worksites.
It is not the fun-loving grab and go option that other portable power stations are.
The battery life and output of the Elite 200 is great, but there are better options on the market that are both cheaper and more travel-friendly.
Bluetti Elite 200 Pros
- Excellent storage capacity and power output
- Excellent array of outlets for a variety of appliances and tech
- Sturdy, high-quality build
- Quiet operation
Bluetti Elite 200 Cons
- Higher cost for entry
- Solar panels are not included
- Heavy (for being advertised as compact and portable)
- Features locked behind app usage
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Where to buy the Bluetti Elite 200
The Bluetti Elite 200 and all the Bluetti accessories are available on BluettiPower.com, with sale prices in effect at the time of this review.
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