3 kWh in a compact package: Powerstation Bluetti Elite 300 review
Big and small at the same time.
The Bluetti Elite 300 is particularly light and compact for a 3 kWh power station. But can it also impress with its other features? Our Bluetti Elite 300 practical test provides the answer.Marcus Schwarten (translated by DeepL / Marcus Schwarten) Published 🇩🇪
Bluetti Elite 300 test conclusion: Convinces above all in terms of weight
The Elite 300 from Bluetti was particularly impressive in the test with its weight. Just over 26 kg is an impressive lightweight, but it still has to be carried. For purely ground-level use, a model with a trolley function, such as the heavyweight Anker Solix F3000, is sometimes easier to transport. In addition, the low weight has to be "paid for" with various compromises.
In practice, the 2,400 W of continuous AC power is sufficient for most purposes. In some cases, however, it may not be enough to supply several devices with power at the same time. In this case, the Jackery Explorer 3000 v2, which weighs just under one kilogram more, offers 50 percent more output power. In addition, there are only two sockets, no expansion option and no LED light.
For those for whom the low weight yet high capacity is particularly important (e.g. when camping) and who do not have too high demands on the power offered from just two sockets, the Bluetti Elite 300 is a good choice. However, the Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 is a more powerful alternative, but hardly weighs any more.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
The recommended retail price for the Bluetti Elite 3 is $2,299. It is available directly from Bluetti.
Bluetti recently launched the Elite 300 onto the market. The new power station with 3 kWh capacity is positioned above the Bluetti Elite 200 V2, but in terms of performance below the Apex 300.
Bluetti advertises the Elite 300 as the world's smallest portable 3 kWh power station (according to Frost & Sullivan). Our Bluetti Elite 300 review reveals what this means and whether the mobile power source was convincing in practice.
Important note: We tested the EU version, which differs slightly from the US version.
Data sheet Bluetti Elite 300
| Feature/Model | Bluetti Elite 300 |
| Capacity | 3.014,4 Wh |
| Expandable | no |
| Continuous/peak power | 2,400 W / 4,800 W |
| Outputs | 2xAC, 2xUSB-C, 2xUSB-A, 1xCar 1x12V/30A-DC |
| Charging power AC | 2,300 W |
| Charging power DC | 1,200 W |
| Inputs | 1xAC, 1xXT60 |
| Light | no |
| App | yes |
| Weight | 26.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 36.6 × 30.5 × 29.8 cm |
| MSRP | $2,299 |
8 percent discount on Bluetti Elite 300
Brand new, but already cheaper. The coupon code NBE300 gives you an 8 percent discount on the new Bluetti Elite 300 power station. That saves a whopping 120 euros, reducing the price to just under 1,380 euros.
If you opt for a different model from the manufacturer, you can save 5 percent on all other products in the Bluetti portfolio with the discount code BLUETTINBC.
Features: Weighs only 26.3 kg
With its 3,014.4 Wh capacity, the Elite 300 from Bluetti is one of the larger power stations on the market. Measured against its capacity, however, it is comparatively light and compact with a weight of 26.3 kg and dimensions of around 36 x 30 x 30 cm.
The AC output power is 2,400 W at 230 V, which can be increased to up to 4,800 W for short periods. In addition to two AC sockets, there are four USB ports (two USB-A with 15 W, one USB-C with 100 W and one USB-C with 140 W), a 12 V car socket (cigarette lighter socket) with a maximum of 120 W and a DC connection with 12 V and 30 A in the front.
Unfortunately, there is only one XT60 input at the front, while the AC charging connection is located at the side. Up to 2,300 W is possible via the AC input, while the DC input for solar panels or Alternator charger the maximum is 1,200 W. If both variants are combined, new energy of up to 2,400 W finds its way into the long-life LiFePO4 battery cells slightly faster. Bluetti offers a 5-year guarantee and claims 6,000 charging cycles.
A display on the front of the device provides information on the current battery status and energy flows. Below this are three somewhat cheap-looking buttons that click loudly when used in the otherwise solid and robust-looking housing. They can be used to switch the power station itself as well as the DC and AC ports on and off. The equipment is rounded off by a UPS function for uninterruptible emergency power supply, which worked reliably and quickly in practical tests. There is no LED light, which is useful when camping, for example.
App: Powerstation with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
The Elite 300 Powerstation can also be controlled via smartphone and tablet using the Bluetti app. The connection is made via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This means that remote control is also possible outside of Bluetooth range if a Wi-Fi network is available.
Establishing the connection worked without any problems during the test. The overview then not only shows the current power values during charging and discharging. The AC and DC ports can also be switched on and off. The app also shows the remaining battery life for the current charge.
Various options such as charging, power lifting or eco mode can be accessed via the settings. There is also a child lock and firmware updates, for example. However, we would have liked one or two more options here, such as charging at off-peak times.
Alternatively, the various modes as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can be activated and deactivated directly on the device. To do this, the DC and AC buttons must first be pressed simultaneously for a short time. You can then cycle through the individual options.
Practice: Low weight at the expense of performance
The main feature of the Bluetti Elite 300 is its low weight. A good 26 kg is a real lightweight for a 3 kWh power station. This is a great advantage when loading it into a car, carrying it around at home or taking it with you in a motorhome, for example.
On the market, the Elite 300 competes with other 3 kWh power stations such as the Anker Solix F3000 or the Jackery Explorer 3000 v2. The F3000 is considerably heavier at over 40 kg, but is also more powerful and equipped with wheels and a trolley function. The Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 weighs just under a kilogram more, but is also more powerful.
With three AC sockets each, both have one more AC socket than Bluetti's new competitor. In addition to the usual 12 V vehicle socket, the Elite 300 offers a direct current connection with 12 V and a high 30 A, which not every solar generator has on board. This is practical for campers, for example, to provide up to 360 W without inverter operation.
The very limited number of AC connections (two) is a compromise that has to be made with the Bluetti Elite 300. Another, compared to the significantly heavier Anker Solix F3000, for example, is that there is no option for expansion with additional batteries. There is also no integrated LED light, which is also missing in the barely heavier competition from Jackery.
The continuous AC output power is also lower than that of many other 3 kWh power stations. 2.400 W is, for example, sufficient for a hairdryer on the highest setting or many power tools in the garden or DIY projects. It is enough for many applications, but not for all.
When two power-hungry devices are connected to the sockets at the same time, the Elite 300 quickly comes to its knees, even when power lifting mode is activated. The power station then provides up to 4,800 W, but only for a very short time. It is also quite loud under load with a fan noise of over 50 dB (measured from a distance of 1 m).
In terms of efficiency, however, the Bluetti Elite 300 scored points in the test for AC output. With a low load of just over 200 W at all times, the Bluetti Elite 300 provided around 2,650 Wh of the specified 3,014.4 Wh, which results in a rate of just under 88 percent. If 1,800 W is called up, the value rises to just over 92 percent. This means that the Elite 300 is efficient in terms of AC power output and performs slightly better than, for example, the C2000 Gen 2 and the F3000 from Anker Solix.
During AC charging, 3,450 Wh flowed through the measuring device at standard speed (1,200 W) to fill the 3,014.4 Wh storage capacity. This means that a good 87 percent has reached battery. If the AC charging power is increased to the maximum of a good 2,300 W, the value drops to just under 85 percent in favor of a shorter charging time of well under two hours. Here the Anker Solix F3000 is slightly more efficient and even faster.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
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