Bluetti AC500 & B300S assessment: upgraded moveable energy station

For those who’ve been paying shut consideration, you may discover the AC500 and B300S look similar to the AC300 and B300 I reviewed in 2023. Effectively, like Apple and iPhones, corporations like Bluetti by no means relaxation and continuously iterate to make sure the product line by no means goes stale.

The Bluetti AC500 and B300S are a wonderful step up with extra energy, enlargement alternatives, and high-powered shops. Whilst you’re dropping out on the variety of normal AC shops, you get extra choices for high-power connections and a further 100W USB-C port.

Notice that the AC500 is an inverter and can’t function independently. It’s a part of a modular system, so you may must buy the AC500 and at the very least one battery just like the B300S.

As I mentioned in final 12 months’s assessment, this modular system may be moveable, but it surely works finest as a house energy backup resolution. These sorts of programs have near-identical use circumstances, however there are sufficient adjustments and spec updates to warrant a recent rundown.

Bluetti has designed these large models to be extremely utilitarian. The blocky exteriors hold the entire wanted ports going through the consumer, a contact display screen presents info and controls, and the 2 models stack neatly.

Bluetti AC500 & B300S assessment: huge, heavy, utilitarian however highly effective

The Bluetti AC500 is a huge inverter able to 5,000W output when linked to the B300S battery pack. A single B300S has a 3,072Wh capability, and as much as 4 may be linked to 1 AC500 for 18,432Wh capability.

The AC500 and B300S combo create an enormous moveable energy station. The one motive these merchandise may be thought-about moveable in any sense is due to the included handles and that they separate for transport.

The AC500 is 20.5 inches by 12.8 inches by 14.1 inches and weighs 66.2 kilos. The extra squat B300S is 20.5 inches by 12.5 inches by 10.5 inches and weighs 79.6 kilos.

When mixed, you get an unlimited 146-pound behemoth you may want Bluetti’s proprietary cart to maneuver round. Actually, regardless of being categorised as a conveyable energy station, you are probably to purchase them, set them up, then allow them to keep put.

Inputs for the AC500 embrace 4,500W max AC enter by way of one B300S or 5,000W with two or extra B300S linked. A photo voltaic enter as much as 3,000W and a 12/24V cigarette lighter port are additionally accessible.

Bluetti AC500 & B300S assessment: loads of area for enlargement

Mix photo voltaic and AC inputs for as much as 6,000W with one B300S linked or 8,000W with two or extra B300S linked.

Outputs embrace 3 120V 20A normal three-prong AC shops, a 120V 30A L14-30 connector, a 120V 30A TT-30 connector, and a 120V 50A NEMA14-50 connector. Output can attain 5,000W complete, and the AC500 helps as much as 10,000W surge.

Further ports embrace two 100W USB-C ports, two 5V 3A USB-A ports, two 18W USB-A ports, a 12V 30A RV DC outlet, and a 24V 10A automotive outlet. Bluetti’s signature two wi-fi 15W charging pads are additionally accessible on prime of the unit.

The B300S has a 500W AC enter for charging individually from the AC500, but it surely’s a a lot slower choice. The photo voltaic enter can be maxed out at 500W with out the inverter linked. A automotive cigarette lighter port can be accessible on the unit.

Even with out the inverter, the B300S can output a bit of bit by itself. There’s a 100W USB-C port, an 18W USB-A port, and a 12V 10A DC automotive outlet.

Bluetti AC500 & B300S is a strong moveable energy station combo that retains your gadgets or dwelling powered when different energy sources aren’t accessible. It may act as a house battery backup, energy supply whereas on an prolonged tenting journey, or uninterruptible energy provide to your dwelling laptop and community.

Bluetti AC500 & B300S assessment: an expandable, moveable energy resolution

You probably have a couple of B300S, you’ll be able to simply scorching swap batteries and hold the AC500 powering your private home or gadgets with out interruption. That may be helpful if you happen to’re charging the B300S by way of photo voltaic however want energy away from the place the photo voltaic panels are arrange.

Having all three of those plugs accessible on the Bluetti AC500 means you may by no means have to fret about having the suitable plug or adapter. That is particularly vital in some work environments or RV parks the place you by no means know what another person may want if you happen to’re serving to them.

The AC500 has a L14-30, a TT-30, and a NEMA14-50 outlet which might be used for RVs and campers. Customers can join heavy-duty home equipment, tools, or their campers to offer ample energy.

Bluetti AC500 & B300S assessment: loads of shops to your moveable energy station wants

For those who’re operating a single B300S, the system can energy a 600W microwave for 4 hours, energy an electrical hammer for 3 hours, or run an 8,100BTU AC for two.5 hours. Join photo voltaic or exterior energy to increase the usage of the moveable energy station.

Recharge the B300S in 3.5 hours when maxing out 500W photo voltaic and 500W AC. If solely photo voltaic or AC is on the market, the 500W enter will absolutely cost the battery in about 7 hours.

If the B300S is linked to the AC500, recharging is way quicker, with as much as 8,000W of enter throughout AC and photo voltaic. Maxing out enter will recharge the B300S in lower than an hour.

The LiFePO4 battery has a 4-year guarantee and greater than 10 years of anticipated service time. It’s rated at 3,500 life cycles.

I used to be in a position to take a look at the AC500 & B300S moveable energy station combo by way of a few energy outages through the unimaginable hurricane season in 2024. I could also be in northeast Tennessee, however a lot of my area was flooded or coping with energy outages because of Hurricane Helene.

Bluetti AC500 & B300S assessment: wi-fi charging pads to your smartphones

Whether or not I wished so as to add cost to my iPhone or battery-operated lanterns or present energy to my leisure system, the Bluetti AC500 & B300S proved helpful. My energy was restored comparatively rapidly, so I did not have to fret about getting the battery recharged. Had I wanted to, I’d have taken it to a close-by dwelling that had energy and charged it over the AC outlet.

There are higher moveable energy stations bought by Bluetti if the aim is journey. The AC500 & B300S could have modular parts, however they’re clearly meant to be stationary programs.

I anticipate anybody wanting to cut back their reliance on the grid or have emergency whole-home backup energy will select this technique. It is fairly glorious as a standalone unit, however its true energy lies in its capability to increase with extra B300S models.

The wi-fi charging pads on prime of the AC500 are helpful, however I am undecided why Bluetti continues so as to add them. Customers could be a lot better off charging over a wire to one of many USB-C ports somewhat than losing vitality on the inefficient wi-fi pads.

I hope a future mannequin incorporates Qi2 with magnetic attachments so charging by way of these pads makes a bit of extra sense. In any other case, 7.5W over these pads on iPhone simply would not make sense.

Bluetti AC500 & B300S assessment: the app offers a helpful view of the battery programs

The Bluetti app continues to be a great tool for controlling the moveable energy station. When the app is opened, customers can see the entire info wanted to regulate inputs, see battery stage, and observe discharge charges.

There are alternatives for controlling completely different options of the battery buried within the settings menu. I want the app was centered on battery operation, however the Bluetti discussion board continues to be current within the app.

For those who’re already rocking an AC300 or comparable inverter, there’s probably little motive to improve except you have run into the three,000W output restrict and 5,000W is sufficient. Notice that when you’ve got a number of B300 batteries, the AC500 can solely connect with 4 B300 complete or six B300S complete.

Bluetti AC500 & B300S assessment: step up your energy backup sport

Throw in a second AC500 and you’ll obtain an unimaginable 36,864Wh by way of twelve B300S. When combining two of those models, you are in a position to run a split-phase 240V system too.

Mixing B300 and B300S is feasible, however solely as much as 4 models. With such costly programs, I like to recommend sticking with what you will have and never chasing what’s new except it makes a big distinction.

After all, you’ll be able to all the time increase an present set of B300 batteries with the extra highly effective AC500 inverter. Then increase by including in one other AC500 and a set of B300S batteries.

All of it is dependent upon your particular person wants and funds.

As climate situations worsen yearly, it’s turning into an increasing number of crucial to own residence battery backup options like these offered by Bluetti. Whether or not you are making an attempt to go off-grid or energy an RV, the Bluetti AC500 & B300S is an efficient start line.

Bluetti AC500 & B300S assessment: extra peak energy to climate any storm

The use circumstances for the AC500 & B300S combo are unchanged from those I mentioned for the AC300 & B300 combo in 2023. These gigantic programs will present high-wattage output for lengthy hours when wanted, wherever wanted.

Individuals typically suppose it’s apparent {that a} dwelling ought to have a fridge, a washer, a bathe, or a tv. I feel it is time we must always suppose the identical manner about moveable energy stations and different dwelling energy backup options.

It is time to take into account an influence era system to your dwelling. And if the AC500 & B300S really feel a bit of excessive to your wants, Bluetti has loads of different choices to get you began.

• Unbelievable enlargement alternative
• No want for an exterior energy provide
• Extra industry-grade shops alongside loads of normal AC shops
• Further USB ports

• Not precisely moveable regardless of its title
• Qi chargers are wasteful and want an improve or have to be eliminated

Including energy and port choices made me extra forgiving of Bluetti’s newest moveable energy station. It is hardly moveable, however it could actually nonetheless be moved by an individual who can elevate 100 kilos or push a cart.

For those who want a really moveable system, there are higher choices. Nonetheless, regardless of its dimension, the Bluetti AC500 and B300S combo is sort of versatile.

Get the Bluetti AC500 & B300S moveable energy station combo from Bluetti for $2,499. There are alternatives so as to add further B300S or photo voltaic panels to customise your excellent dwelling battery backup resolution.