Bluetti AC200L hands-on review: Fast-charging power station delivers convincing results

Over the past few weeks, we have been testing the Bluetti AC200L. The product was announced late last year and has since rolled out across markets like North America, Europe and Oceania. Bluetti advertises the AC200L as suitable for RV trips, camping, home backup, or off-grid living.

There are several upgrades over the older AC200MAX, which we reviewed last year (in German). These include a higher AC output, significantly faster charging options and an extra year's warranty. This review looks at the differences between the two products, summarised in a table below. It is worth noting that this article focuses on the version of the AC200L for markets like the UK, EU and Australia. The variant for North America is slightly different, with 120V/20A AC outlets, an extra 120V/30A NEMA TT-30 output and lower surge power of 3,600W.

All of the Bluetti AC200L's ten outputs are at the front of the device, each with a silicone flap for protection. It has five fewer than the AC200MAX, losing the two 15W wireless charging pads, the two DC 5521 outputs, and the two 5V/3A USB-A ports, but gaining a second 100W USB-C. The two 18W USB-A remain, sitting alongside 48V/8A RC and 12V/10A Car DC outlets.

It features four AC outlets offering a maximum output of 2,400W, a 200W increase from the older AC200MAX. However, there is an issue here for some customers, such as those in the UK. Whilst this design works fine for the two sockets at the bottom, you may run into problems with the top two outputs, where the inverted socket means that cables running straight out the bottom of a plug meet the flap, which means it cannot be fully inserted into the outlet. This is not a problem in countries where the plugs are rotatable or for devices with a 90-degree cable. However, this is also an issue on the AC200MAX.

Both models have a pure sine wave inverter with a surge power mode, 7,200W for the AC200L and 4,800W for the AC200MAX. The newer model also has a Power Lifting mode, allowing you to drive higher resistive loads of up to 3,600W. This is useful for heating devices like kettles or DIY and gardening tools like leaf blowers.

The Bluetti AC200L's display is approximately 3.9 inches (~9.9 cm) wide on the diagonal, showing information such as your selected mode(s), charging status, connections and remaining battery level. The display is activated when you start up the device, and you can choose how long the display remains on after an interaction. One difference between the AC200L and the AC200MAX is that the older model has a touchscreen, allowing you to control various settings on the device; users of the AC200L must use either the built-in buttons to navigate the settings or make changes via the app.

Alongside the information and controls offered via the built-in display, the accompanying Bluetti app, available for iOS and Android, delivers further insights and settings. For example, you can use the app to switch between working modes, such as Standard UPS, PV Priority UPS and Time Control UPS, activate Power Lifting mode, and trigger firmware updates. You can connect to your smartphone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; by comparison, the AC200MAX only offers the former. The app is OK, with a relatively clear layout when viewing the device. The settings are located across several different pages, meaning it took a few minutes to go through all of them to customize the power station for our needs. The user manual can also be accessed via the app, which we found useful when getting started.

The power station has an integrated 2,048Wh LiFePO4 battery. The capacity is expandable from 2,048Wh to 8,192Wh, using up to two B210, one B230 or two B300 expansion batteries. It is worth noting that Bluetti says that third-party expansion batteries are not supported, and the built-in battery pack is not replaceable. While you can connect battery packs from the brand to expand the device's capacity, you cannot link multiple units.

Bluetti estimates that, when used with a B300 for a 5,120 Wh capacity, you could power a 1,500W kettle for 3 hours, a 60W fan for 63 hours, or recharge a laptop at 100W around 40 times. As a guide, Bluetti suggests that you can estimate the running time with the following calculation:

Running time (hours) = Battery Capacity (Wh) x DoD x η ÷ (Load Power + AC200L Self-consumption) 

The DoD, η and self-consumption are said to be 95%, 93% and 12W, respectively. So, you would expect to be able to power a single device at 2,400W using just the power station's 2,048Wh battery for around 45 minutes. This roughly tallies with what we experienced during testing.

The power station comes with proprietary AC charging, DC input, solar charging and car charging cables. Customers should note that several of these cables are currently out of stock on Bluetti's website, so they should take care not to break or lose them. Pass-through charging is supported, and charging will automatically end when the power station reaches 100%.

Charging the AC200L via AC is a relatively straightforward process. In fast-charging mode, the AC input of 2,400W will fully charge the power station in 1.5 hours, with an 80% charge achieved in 45 minutes, according to Bluetti. We tested this, finding that the estimates were accurate. Other charging modes, described by Bluetti as "more friendly" to the AC200L's battery, include Standard 1200W charging or Silent 800W with a lower operating noise. This is an improvement on the AC200MAX, which has the same battery capacity. The older model can only handle a 1,300W input, taking 2-2.5 hours to charge fully.

We were not provided with solar panels, so we have not tested Bluetti's claim that a 1,200W solar input, assuming optimal conditions, would charge the device in two hours. Bluetti suggests using four PV200 panels, providing a full charge in three hours. Alternatively, six PC120S or two PV350 would charge the power station in 3.5 hours. A combined solar and AC input is possible, maxing out at 2,400W for the same 1.5-hour recharge time. Another charging method is via a 12/24V car input, which is slated to take much longer to reach 100%, between 10 and 20 hours. Plus, you could charge the power station using a generator or a lead-acid battery.

One inescapable feature of the AC200L is its weight. Clocking in at 62.4 lbs (28.3 kg), it is difficult to manoeuvre. Two sturdy handles at the top of the power station's short sides make it easier to move around, though it lacks wheels, as seen on models like the Anker SOLIX F2000. However, moving it a short distance or onto a surface between two adults is no big deal.

While the powerstation is recommended for outdoor use, with elements like the flaps to cover each output and most inputs to protect against the elements, Bluetti states that the product is not waterproof. The product is said to be able to charge at temperatures between 0-40°C (32-104°F) and discharge between -20-40°C (-4-104°F).

According to Bluetti, the power station supports 99% of devices, including laptops, TVs, fans, kettles, projectors, fridges and coolers. We tested a range of household items and devices without encountering any issues, especially with Power Lifting mode, which came in handy for boiling a kettle full of water. 

In terms of life expectancy, Bluetti indicated that the AC200L should last for up to 10 years and is covered by a 5-year warranty, a one-year increase on the warranty of the AC200MAX. The battery is expected to retain 80% of the original capacity after 3,000 charging cycles.

We tested the AC200L in various situations around the home and outdoors. For example, the power station was an excellent solution for tasks like power washing the car or patio, ensuring the power station was well out of the way of the stream of water. It also makes it easy to use your garden as an office when working from home, powering a phone, laptop and monitor simultaneously.

We also simulated a power cut, running a host of devices such as an air fryer, kettle, projector, and lamps from the power station's AC outlets. As this tester is based in the UK, we could only use two AC outlets simultaneously, given the issue with the flaps (see 'Outputs'). However, more devices, such as phones and laptops, were charged via USB-C. With the infrequent use of heating appliances like the kettle, it seems that you can happily power several household items with a lower energy consumption for at least an evening. However, in the winter months when you may want to use a space heater or similar product, the power station would only last for around an hour.

Pros

 +  High AC output power of 2,400W
 +  Good range of ports and outlets
 +  Power Lifting mode for devices with higher resistive load
 +  Large 2,048Wh battery capacity with expansion options
 +  Fast-charging at 2,400W and multiple charging methods
 +  Pass-through charging

Cons

 –  Protective silicone flaps prevent safe use of two AC outlets for some users
 –  Heavy at 62.4 lbs (28.3 kg)
 –  Propriety charging cables, with replacements not on sale in some countries
 –  Does not support D050S DC Charging Enhancer (500W) accessory

The BLUETTI AC200L Expandable Power Station typically retails for £1,799/€1,999/AU$2,999. You can buy the device directly from Bluetti via its online store, Amazon and eBay storefronts, and third-party retailers like Decathlon.