Bluetti APEX 300 power storage system review: More than just a balcony power station
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The Bluetti Apex 300 isn't just a typical mobile power station, it is designed as a battery storage system for the home or for off-grid self-sufficiency. It can handle up to 2,400 W of solar input energy on its own, or even more than 4 kW with the SolarX 4K converter, and is just the first in a whole series of expandable battery storage systems.Christian Hintze, ✓ (translated by DeepL / Ninh Duy) Published 🇩🇪
Verdict - First step of a powerful energy kit
The Apex 300 from Bluetti is particularly appealing to homeowners with larger solar systems. Thanks to its enormous expandability with additional Bluetti battery storage units and the the SolarX 4K controller to be released in September, it can power an entire household for extended periods.
However, the entire Bluetti product ecosystem can be a little confusing: If you want USB ports, you’ll need to purchase an additional extension, along with various charging controllers and cables depending on your application. This can overwhelming both for buyers and their wallets. On the other hand, these optional accessories also provide a high degree of flexibility.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
The Apex 300 is currently available on Indiegogo, but August 1st marks its official launch with an official product page. The regular price is €2,399 ($2,795), but the device is being offered for €1,799 ($2,096) for a short time at the launch. Bluetti has also sent the following 8% discount code for our readers: "BLUETTINBC"
The Bluetti Apex 300 has handles andand can be moved if needed, but it's not a classic portable power station, as you can see that it lacks USB or DC ports.
With its expandable, modular design, the Apex 300 is intended as a true emergency power solution for homes or motorhomes. Ina power outage, it can not only supply power via its own 4 AC socket outlets, but can also use the house mains to set up its own power grid. With the SolarX 4K it can handle even more solar input power.
The whole Bluetti product lineup around the Apex 300, B300, B300k and B300s is meant to help you achieve a full, self-sufficient, or emergency power supply.
| Bluetti Apex 300 | Solix Solarbank 3 E2700 Pro | Solix Solarbank 2 E1600 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,765 Wh | 2,688 Wh | 1,600 Wh |
| expandable | up to 52 kWh | 16 kWh | up to 9.6 kWh |
| Battery type | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Number of MPPT | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| UVS | 20 ms | ||
| PV input power | 2,400 (with SolarX 4K up to 4,200 W) | 3,600 W | 2,400 W |
| AC charging power | 2,300 W | 1,200 W | n.a. |
| Output power socket | 3,840 W | 1,200 W | 1,000 W |
| Dimensions | 525 x 327 x 320 mm | 460 × 254 × 279 mm | 460 × 249 × 254 mm |
| Weight | 38 kg | 29.2 kg | 21.8 kg |
| RRP (at launch) | €2,399 (~$2,795) | 1,499 euros (~$1,746) | 1,199 euros (~$1,397) |
Design and equipment - Up to 4 kW solar with SolarX 4K
The Apex 300 weighs 38 kg. The dark grey housing with orange accents can be lifted briefly thanks to the handles on the side, but it is not really possible to carry it more than a few meters.
There are four sockets at the front, which operate at 230 V and a maximum of 16 A. The display and some control buttons are also located at the front.
On the right side of the unit, you can connect additional Bluetti battery systems. This is also where the two XT-type DC solar inputs are located.
The left side features the standard AC input for charging the Apex 300 from a wall outlet. Next to it is a particularly powerful AC In/Out port, capable of handling 230V and up to 50A.
With an output power of up to 3,840 W and a starting power of up to 7,680 W, it is equipped for virtually any application, even for appliances with particularly high starting current requirements. In extreme cases, it can even charge an electric car.
Another advantage: it can handle significantly more than the usual 800 W solar input power. The Apex alone can be charged with up to 2,400 W of solar power. If the solar controller Bluetti SolarX 4K is connected in front of it, up to 4,000 W is possible. This makes it a great choice for larger solar setups, like the ones you find on a home's roof.
Its battery offers 2,765 Wh. One Apex 300 is only the initial setup, which can be expanded at any time. You can connect up to three Apex 300s in parallel (with the required BLUETTI Hub A1), and add as many as 18 battery packs (B300, B300k, or B300s), giving you an incredible 58 kWh of storage!
When connected to a wall outlet, the Apex 300 can establish an independent power grid through your home's wiring, even during a complete power failure. This allows all your home appliances to continue operating seamlessly, thanks to its Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) functionality. This feature, however, requires a special cable from the available accessories.
Bluetti app - Optional, but multifunctional
The Bluetti App 2.0 (iOS, Android) is optional but provides extensive monitoring and settings options. While you can use an offline mode without an account, this prevents devices from being permanently linked.
The attached privacy policy reads slightly paradoxically (see screenshot) and refers to all Bluetti products; it's not entirely clear whether the app collects more than just the IP. An invitation to participate in promotional emails pops up every 30 days.
Through the app, you can pair devices like the Apex 300, browse accessories in the store, and contact customer service. And, of course, it shows the battery status and all inputs and outputs, including applied loads. It also allows you to switch ports on or off and track solar yield over a long period.
Practical test - High performance, diverse charging options
We tested power-hungry devices such as kettles, vacuum cleaners and even an electric hob on the Apex 300. Not a single one of them was able to overload the power station.
We connected both portable folding solar panels and rooftop panels directly to the Apex 300 for charging. This worked great, but unfortunately, the weather wasn't ideal on our test days, so we couldn't reach the maximum solar input power. We plan to conduct a full test with the SolarX 4K next month.
Depending on the mode (see below), the Apex 300 charges consistently from a normal wall outlet. We charged it at a peak of 2,330W, and at that point, the fans were pretty loud. In other modes, they were much more subdued. The best part is you can also switch it to a silent mode, which reduces the charging speed but keeps things quiet.
Brief summary
The Apex 300 impresses with its high input and output power. With its modular expandability, it serves as the foundation for a large-scale battery storage system.
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. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
