The Bluetti AC200P and AC200 MAX are among the most powerful portable power stations sold today and among the very few to use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, which last far longer, provide more usable capacity, and are safer to use in high-temperature environments than traditional Lithium Ion (Li) batteries.
The AC200 packs a 2000Wh lithium iron phosphate battery and a 2000W AC inverter with a 4800W peak capability.
Even better, upgrading to the AC200 MAX provides a path to extend your capacity to 8,000Wh by adding more batteries.
While heavier than some other portable solar generators, at 60 lbs the Bluetti AC200P is still light and compact enough for camping and outdoor activities.
RVs, boats, and small off-grid cabins can also be run fully or partially using the AC200P.
The large capacity and high output of the AC200P also make it an excellent choice for home backup, too.
In addition to being powerful, the Bluetti AC200P is more versatile than most other portable solar power stations we’ve seen.
It provides multiple recharge options (including crazy fast dual charging) and 17 output options.
Despite all its power and features, the Bluetti AC200P is not as expensive as you’d expect.
If you are looking for a good bargain on a powerful portable power station, this is it.
Read on for our full review of the Bluetti AC200P. We also provide advice on upgrades and solar panel kits.
If you don't need this much power, check out other top-rated solar generators for camping, boating and RVs in our Camping/RV buying guide.
Pros
Cons
Unique Features
1. High-Capacity LiFePO4 Battery
Let’s start by talking about the Bluetti AC200P’s battery. It’s lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), not the traditional lithium-ion found in many other power stations in this class.
LiFePO4 iron batteries are heavier than lithium-ion because of reduced energy density, but they last much longer, provide more usable capacity, and are safer to use than traditional Lithium Ion battery packs.
According to Bluetti, the LiFePO4 battery in the AC200P lasts more than 3,500 cycles which is 2500 cycles more than most standard lithium-ion batteries of this size, which last 500-1,000 cycles.
In our opinion, a heavier power station is worth it if it lasts twice as long or longer compared to a lighter lithium-ion power station. Especially for a home backup power application.
Now let’s talk about the Bluetti AC200P’s capacity. It boasts a capacity of 2000Wh but can be expanded to 8,000Wh in the AC200 MAX. Even better, you can pull power from the AC200P and AC200 MAX down to 80% discharge. Most other types of batteries limit useful capacity to 50% of total batter rating.
That’s one of the highest capacities you are going to get in a power station while also ensuring that it remains portable and easy to carry.
If you need more capacity, you can purchase a 6000Wh Goal Zero Yeti 6000X, but you are not going with it anywhere. It weighs 106 lbs (compared to Bluetti’s 60 lbs).
Or, you can simply upgrade to the AC200 MAX and add battery packs to extend your capacity to 8kWh.
In our opinion, the Bluetti AC200P has the perfect balance between power and portability.
2. Powerful AC Inverter
To match the battery’s large capacity, the Bluetti AC200P comes with a powerful AC inverter that can output 2000W of continuous power.
That’s enough to power any appliance in your home, including the fridge, TV, coffee maker, blow-dryer, portable AC, heater and others.
The AC200P can handle an overload of up to 2500W for up to two minutes and a surge of up to 4800W.
All that power is available through six AC outlets, the most we’ve seen in any portable power station.
You can plug in multiple appliances and gadgets as long as you don’t exceed a combined draw of 2000W.
A high-power inverter like this one does come with a major downside - it’s inefficient when connected to a small load or on standby.
We’ll talk about that shortly, but here’s our advice to get the most out of the AC inverter.
Always plug-in high-power appliances, or multiple appliances that together draw close to the 2000W limit. For lower-power appliances, use the DC outlets.
3. Multiple DC & USB Outlets
The Bluetti AC200P has four DC outlets. These are not just useful for charging/powering DC-powered gadgets.
They are also more efficient for powering lower-power appliances like a CPAP or mini-fridge.
They include:
●A 12V/10A socket
●Two 12V/3A barrel outlets
●A 12V/25A RV port that’s handy for powering an entire RV or van.
For gadgets and devices such as laptops, smartphones and drones, you have 7 options.
These include four USB-A outlets and one USB-C PD outlet. In addition, there are two 15W wireless charging pads on top of the power station for smartphones with wireless charging.
In total, the Bluetti AC200P allows you to plug in 17 appliances and devices simultaneously, making it one of the most versatile solar generators.
4. Multiple (FAST) Recharge Options
The Bluetti AC200P’s versatility extends to the recharging. The power station has all the three traditional options that most solar generators offer, which are: solar, AC, and car charging.
But that’s not all. The Bluetti AC200P also offers additional options within these, most of which are designed to help charge the battery faster.
Let’s start with solar.
Many solar power stations will have a large battery but then limit solar power input, slowing down how quickly you can charge it in the sun, but that’s not the case with the Bluetti AC200P, which allows solar input of up to 700W.
On a good day, you can get the battery to 100% in about 4 hours. The Bluetti AC200P also has a built-in MPPT charge controller to maximize charging speed and efficiency.
Do note , however, that you’ll need to supply your own solar panels.
Using the included 500W AC adapter, you can recharge the AC200P from a regular wall socket in about 5 hours.
Want faster charging? You can combine solar and AC charging for a combined input of 1200W and a charging time of just 2.2-3 hours.
Another option is dual AC charging that delivers an input of 1000W and halves the charging time to 2.5-3 hours. You’ll need to purchase a DC7909 to XT90 cable to set up dual AC charging.
Of course, you can also recharge it from your vehicle’s 12V/24V DC socket when you are on the road. A car charging cable is included.
The manufacturer says you can also recharge the AC200P using an old-fashioned generator (gasoline, propane or diesel), as well as from a lead-acid battery.
So, no matter your situation, you always have a way to recharge the AC200P power station.
5. User-Friendly Control Panel
The touch control panel is bright, easy to use, and provides a wealth of information regarding the power station.
You can monitor power input and output, as well as the remaining battery charge. You can also turn AC and DC on/off from the control panel and activate ECO mode.
Eco mode reduces power wastage, ensuring the battery lasts longer. One of the things it does is shut down the inverter if its load stays under 50W for more than four hours.
This reduces standby power loss in case you forget to turn the power station off.
This can cause some issues with low-power appliances like a CPAP or mini-fridge, but we recommend connecting this to the DC outlets.
Issues & Concerns
Power Drain
We mentioned earlier that high-power AC inverters are inefficient when on standby or connected to small loads (low-wattage appliances).
This is a serious issue. Leave the Bluetti AC200P on standby for 24 hours (with AC power turned on), and you’ll find 30% or more of your battery charge gone.
You’ll also see a high drain if you plug in a small appliance to one of the AC outlets. The battery will drop much faster than it should.
Our recommendation is to plug in only high-power appliances (over 800W) to the AC outlets.
For smaller appliances and gadgets like a mini-fridge or CPAP, use the DC outlets. If the appliance doesn't have a DC power cable, get an adapter.
Using DC power also lets you avoid an automatic shutdown when you’ve activated ECO mode.
Heavy
At 60.6lbs, the Bluetti AC200P hits the upper limit of portability. It’s still light enough that you can carry it by hand (perhaps with some help), from the truck to the camping site.
But we recommend it more for RVs, boats, cabins, and home backup, where you can set it up in one spot and leave it.
What can the Bluetti AC200P and AC200MAX Power?
Both the AC200P and AC200MAX have an almost similar capacity of 2000Wh (the AC200MAX is slightly bigger at 2048Wh).
So they both power the same types of appliances for roughly the same amount of time.
Here’s a table showing the estimated runtime of different gadgets and appliances. If you want to calculate the runtime for any appliance, use the following formula.
(2000Wh x 0.85) / Appliance power consumption
We multiply the solar generator’s capacity by 0.85 to take into account a 90% depth of discharge and inverter power losses. In other words, we assume that only 85% of the available power is usable.
Appliance/device | AC200P/AC200MAX Runtime |
Mini fridge (60W) | 28.3hrs |
Full size refrigerator (150W) | 11.3hrs |
TV (100W) | 17hrs |
Smartphone (10Wh) | 170 recharges |
Laptop (60Wh) | 28 recharges |
CPAP (40W) | 42.5hrs |
Bluetti AC200 Upgrades & Options
If you want to have a complete off-grid or home backup solar power kit right away, Bluetti sells ready-to-use solar power kits that include the power station and foldable solar panels.
By upgrading to the AC200 MAX, you can extend your home backup capacity to 8kWh by purchasing additional battery packs.
Note: To get the fastest possible solar charging time, you need a max input of 700W. A lower wattage solar kit will still do, but it’ll tae more time to charge the battery.
Also, make sure the open-circuit voltage of your solar panel set up is between 35V and 150V to avoid triggering over or under-voltage protection in the power station.
How is the Bluetti AC200P Different?
Wondering how different the Bluetti AC200P is from other power stations? Here are the key areas it stands out.
Bluetti AC200P vs. AC200MAX - What’s The Difference?
The Bluetti AC200MAX is an upgrade on the AC200P model. It’s not a huge upgrade, but it doesn't have a few significant differences.
Capacity
Storage capacity for the two solar generators is about the same at 2000Wh, but the AC200MAX has a slightly bigger battery with a capacity of 2048Wh.
But I doubt the extra 48Wh will make a big difference in how long you can power appliances.
Expansion
The biggest difference between Bluetti AC200P and AC200MAX is that the latter comes with an option to expand capacity.
With the AC200P, you are stuck with 2000Wh. If you want more capacity, you have to buy another solar generator.
The AC200MAX has an expansion port that lets you connect additional battery packs - either the 2kWh B230 battery module or the 3kWh B300 module.
This lets you expand the AC200MAX to a capacity of up to 8192Wh.
Note: While the AC200P is technically not expandable, you can use the external battery packs to charge it via the solar input port. Bluetti includes a cable for that. In effect, it’s like you have spare batteries but you cannot charge them all at the same time like you can with the AC200MAX.Power Output
The Bluetti AC200P has a continuous power output of 2000W and a surge output of 4800W.
The Bluetti AC200MAX comes with a more powerful inverter with an output of 2200W and the same surge rating of 4800W.
If you need to power a bigger appliance or you want to power more appliances at the same time, go with the AC200MAX.
Connectivity
Another upgrade Bluetti has added to the AC200MAX is Bluetooth connectivity. This lets you monitor the solar generator and control some functions from the Bluetti app.
However, the app has mostly poor reviews with users saying it’s buggy and tedious to use. You are probably better off checking the display screen.
Other Differences
Warranty
The Bluetti AC200P and AC200 MAX have a 24-month warranty. Bluetti manufacturer does honor their warranty and has excellent customer service.
Specifications | |
---|---|
Capacity: | 2000Wh - expandable to 8,000Wh (AC200 MAX) |
AC output: | 2000W continuous, 2500 overload (2mins), 4800W surge |
Outlets: | 6 AC, 4 DC, 5 USB, 2 wireless charging |
Recharging options: | Solar, car, AC outlet, generator, lead-acid battery |
Weight: | 60.6lbs |
Battery: | Lithium iron phosphate |
Dimensions: | 16.5*11*15.2 inches |
Warranty: | 2 years |
Bluetti AC200P & AC200MAX: Top 3 Alternatives
Still not sure that the Bluetti AC200P or AC200MAX is the right choice for you?
Here are three alternatives to consider.
1. Goal Zero Yeti 3000X
The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X is a great choice if you need extra capacity without connecting external battery modules.
The 3000X has a capacity of 2982Wh, a continuous output of 2000W, and a surge rating of 3500W.
The 3000X offers a variety of outputs, though not as many as those on the AC200P and AC200MAX. It accepts solar input of up to 600W.
While the Bluetti solar generators use LiFePO4 batteries, the Goal Zero generator has a lithium-ion battery that has a shorter lifespan of 500 life cycles (to 80% capacity).
In contrast, the Bluetti solar generators can last over 3,500 cycles before capacity falls to 80%.
Both the Bluetti AC200MAX and the Goal Zero 3000X are expandable, though Goal Zero offers cheaper lead acid expansion batteries while Bluetti uses pricier LiFePO4 expansion modules.
2. EcoFlow Delta Max
The EcoFlow Delta Max has a 2016Wh capacity, almost similar to the Bluetti AC200P and AC200MAX.
Power rating is, however, higher than both of the Bluetti solar generators. The Delta Max can output 2400W continuously and includes a special mode for powering larger appliances up to 3400W.
Surge rating is 5000W.
If you need a 2kW solar generator with a powerful inverter, the EcoFlow Delta Max is a great choice.
Like the other solar generators, it is expandable up to 6kWh.
The Delta Max has plenty of outlets including 6 AC ports and a pair of 100W USB-C PD outlets. It also offers multiple fast charging methods including solar (800W max) and 1800W max from AC.
The Delta Max contains an NMC with a life cycle of 800 cycles to 80% - better than Goal Zero but not as long lasting as Bluetti.
Price-wise, the EcoFlow Delta Max costs about the same as the Bluetti AC200MAX.
3. Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro
If you love Jackery products, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro is the best alternative to the two Bluetti solar generators.
It has a lithium battery with a capacity of 2160Wh, more than both the AC200P and AC200MAX. Power output is 2200W continuous and 4400W surge.
By the way both the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro (43lbs) and the EcoFlow Delta Max (48lbs) are much lighter than the Bluetti solar generators.
If portability is important for you, the Explorer 2000 Pro is the best pick.
The Explorer 2000 Pro has 3 AC outlets, a couple of 100W USB-C PD ports and DC outlets. It’s not as versatile as the Bluetti solar generators but it’s adequate for most people’s needs.
As for solar charging, the 2000 Pro accepts up to 800W of solar power.
One limitation of the Explorer 2000 Pro is the short battery lifespan. It’s similar to Goal Zero - 500 cycles to 80%.
If you want the longest lasting solar generator, the Bluetti AC200P and AC200MAX are clear winners.