One of the best tools for power outages is a relatively new device called a Portable Power Station. Bluetti is one of the forerunners in the industry. They recently sent over an Elite 200 V2 for me to check out and play around with for a bit.
Who is Bluetti?
Bluetti is one of the companies at the forefront of the portable power station industry. Established in China in 2009, they have subsidiaries in the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Germany. They specialize in portable power stations intended for emergencies, outdoor recreation, and backup power.
What is a Portable Power Station?
In simplistic terms, it’s a big rechargeable battery that you can use to provide power to various devices and appliances. They typically have multiple outlets, including AC and USB. The battery can be charged in a couple of different ways, such as a wall outlet or portable solar panels.
Think about a typical portable power bank, like you’d keep in an EDC bag, but one that’s on steroids. They’ll provide a significant amount of power and keep some of your necessary gear running.
Elite 200 V2 Specs and Features
Let’s run through some of the basic specs for this unit.
| Capacity | 2,073.6Wh |
| Output | 2600W, surge 3900W |
| Inputs | AC, solar, 12V |
| Outlets | 4 x 120V AC, 2 x USB-A, 2 x USB-C, 1 x 12V |
| Dimensions | 13.8” x 9.8” x 12.7” |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs |
The Elite 200 V2 has an LCD display. You can also control some of the functions with a mobile app using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
The unit is equipped with a TurboBoost feature that will charge the battery to 80% capacity in an hour. It also has an AI-powered battery management system to keep everything working properly and safely.
Unpacking the Elite 200 V2, I found it includes an AC charging cable, a solar charging cable, and a grounding screw. The latter is used for grounding certain equipment, such as charging the unit with a two-pin cable.
Elite 200 V2 Performance
Most recently, we used the portable power station while we were constructing a greenhouse for my wife. It powered tools like a compound miter saw for several hours with no trouble at all. Based on my experience with similar power stations, I have no doubt this one would run my refrigerator for at least 24 hours without breaking a sweat.
With nine different outlets, you can run or charge a variety of devices at once. The unit also supports pass-through charging, so you could still be using it for your laptop or other device while also charging the Elite 200 V2 with a wall outlet or solar panel. This is an excellent feature, and I’m glad they thought to set it up this way.
What I Liked
The Elite 200 V2 is fairly intuitive, with easy-to-understand controls. The display is bright and straightforward. With 2600W, it’s powerful enough to handle a lot in a fairly small package. This isn’t going to run your whole house, of course, but it’ll power some fans, lights, and charge your phone easily.
What I Didn’t Like
My only real complaint about the Elite 200 V2 is the weight. All that power comes at a price. At nearly 54 pounds, it kind of pushes the “portable” part of the name to the limit. Sure, you can pick it up and move it around, but you’re not going to want to carry it far if you can avoid doing so. It does have two easy-to-grab handles, so at least it isn’t an awkward carry.
Recommendation
If you’re in the market for a portable power station, this is a great one to grab. It’s powerful, easy to use, and recharges quickly. This sort of device is particularly well-suited for those who live in apartments or condos and thus don’t have space for a full generator and fuel for one. Pick up the Elite 200 V2 and a couple of portable solar panels, and you’ll be in business. It would also be a great addition to the car camping gear, providing plenty of power when you’re heading into the outback.
The sticker price on the Elite 200 V2 is $1,699, but it routinely goes on sale south of a grand. Find it at Bluetti.
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