Bluetti AC200P Portable Power Station Hands-on Review: 2000Wh Portable AC Powerbank
Portable power banks are nothing new, and might even be an everyday carry for those who seek heavy duty phone use. However, power bank makers are now looking towards the next level of portable power solutions that can power more than phones, but kitchen appliances, P/A systems - or even electric cars, and more!
The Bluetti AC200P portable power station - as its name suggests is the next step up from a 'power bank'. How practical is it in actual use? Let's dive in to find out.
High Quality Carry Case, LiFePO4, Responsive Touch Screen - No Expenses Spared
The first impression I had of the Bluetti AC200P Power Station is how nice its build quality is. With the massive battery inside, it makes sense for the AC200P to be a well built piece of hardware as it provides extra safety precaution, and it doesn't disappoint. The build quality is less like a generic OEM electronic product on Amazon, but rather feels like a piece of industrial equipment.
The LiFePO4 battery inside is worth a special mention, as it is not the typical Lithium-ion that you'd find in power banks or smartphones. Lithium iron phosphate is known for their chemical stability, which allows them to operate under a wide range of temperatures, and will not start a fire in the event of impact or short circuit. These batteries also have long life, rated for 3,500+ recharge cycles - that's almost 10 years worth of daily recharges.
The Bluetti AC200P is hefty as one would expect of a portable AC power source, weighing in at 60.6 lbs, and slightly larger than an ATX tower desktop computer. With portability in mind, the AC200P has two thick handles built into its case, reminding me of the dual handle design on an Apple Power Mac G5.
The first time using the built-in touch screen, I was genuinely surprised by how responsive the screen is to my touch input. Industrial machines in my experience always have laggy interfaces that require hard presses to register, but the AC200P touch screen feels closer to a smartphone screen with very short response times for each touch.
Huge 2000 Wh Capacity
Though the Bluetti AC200P is not portable in the sense that it can be carried in one's backpack, it is also not in the same class as power banks that we're used to. Whereas a 'large' power bank usually comes in at 10,000 mAh - which works out to be 50 Wh in capacity, the AC200P is rated at 2,000 Wh. It is capable of powering a smartphone for over a week.
What's more, the AC200P not only provides DC power, it provides AC power. It can power a laptop for more than 24 hours, a LCD TV for more than 17 hours, and even an 800 W refrigerator for more than 2 hours.
Multiple Ways to Charge and Recharge
Being the large storage of power Bluetti AC200P, it has a total of 17 ways of dispensing its power. With it you can leave all your gadget adapters at home, because it directly powers mobile devices via 15W USB-A ports and two wireless recharging pads on the top. It also has a 60W USB-C output for fast charging enabled devices.
On top of these frequently used USB power outputs, the AC200P provides 6 AC sockets, allowing you to run your favorite appliances while being away from civilization. For more utility uses, there are also four 12V outputs, including a cigarette lighter socket.
When it comes to recharging the AC200P, it can be fully charged in 5.5 hours with the included 500W AC Wall Charger - however that is only one of the many ways it can be recharged. Next to the DC input is the aviation socket, and the AC200P includes cables that can allow it to be recharged by solar panels (sold separately) as well as out of a cigarette lighter socket from a car.
Ultimate Road Trip and Camping Companion
Unlike a diesel power generator, the AC200P runs almost completely silently and without fumes. This makes it a much better companion on road trips and camps. Whether it's providing lights, entertainment, heating, cooling, or even means of cooking, the Bluetti portable power station will completely upgrade the standard of living while you're off the grid.
A Street Performer's High-tech Power Supply
Due to its silence and reliability, the Bluetti AC200P will make an amazing power supply for a street performer. Instead of using a homemade car battery rig, it offers a high-tech solution to hook up the speakers, amplifiers and mixer and whatever the artist needs to make music and art on the street.
Heart of a Mobile Production Set Up
The Bluetti AC200P can also be all business, and be a great addition to content making teams. Whether it's lights, sound or camera - having a portable power station means going to remote filming locations while having a reliable power source. This frees the production team's tether to a power source, enabling the capture of high quality footage that would be much harder to capture otherwise.
Final Verdict
With the advancement of battery technology, many traditional electronics are being freed from its tether to power. Portable power stations like the Bluetti AC200P are here to set the rest of wired appliances free from a plug on the wall. The AC200P is much more than a concept however, but feels more like a mature product with its quality build, flexibility in both charging and recharging, as well as a large capacity.
Out of the many possible applications that one can use the AC200P for, if you're working from home and want a change in scenery, this power station will provide the power that you need to set up all the electronics that you need for various work setups. We're awarding the Bluetti AC200P Power Station with the IBTimes Editor's Choice badge.
David is a tech enthusiast/writer who is often on the move, but since the lock-down is on a mission to explore gadgets to improve his 'home work'. This is a contribution to an ongoing IBTimes review series on gadgets for Home Productivity.
