I know what you’re thinking: not another Bluetti solar generator review. Yes, it’s no secret that we have a lot of respect for Bluetti’s products, and they have featured a bit in recent issues of the magazine. Max reviewed the AC70 and car Charger 1 combination and found it very useful for his style of camping. I also used Bluetti’s power stations as the basis for my recent comparison of the various Starlink systems.
The fact is that portable lithium power stations are experiencing huge popularity among modern caravanners and campers alike, and Bluetti continues to improve its products to meet this increasingly varied demand. Today, we have Bluetti’s newly released Elite 100 V2 and trust me, this may be the one that convinces you to leave your petrol generator in the shed on your next adventure and grab one of these instead.
SIZE DOES MATTER
On first impressions, the Elite 100 V2 looks like almost every other Bluetti power station, but then something catches your eye. Emblazoned across the front are the specifications showing a 1800W inverter output and a 1024Wh (watt-hour) battery capacity. The physical size of this new unit is only slightly larger than the AC50B, which has less than half the battery capacity and inverter output. The Elite 100 V2 is even smaller than Max’s AC70.
In terms of weight, the Elite 100 V2 tips the scales at just 11.5kg compared to the AC50B’s 7kg. It’s obvious that Bluetti has made significant strides in making its units more portable.
I asked Bluetti how it had managed to achieve this portability. I was told that the Elite 100 V2 builds upon the foundation of the AC180, with significant optimisation in both structure and design to improve portability without compromising performance. Key innovations include:
· Optimised internal layout: It has redesigned battery cell stacking, with the mainboard ‘tightened’ to make better use of internal space;
· Redesigned cooling system: A new airflow system enhances heat dissipation while reducing the size of the thermal components; and
· Integrated handle design: Bluetti has replaced the dual external handles with a single embedded, streamlined handle that reduces bulk and makes it more compact and easier to carry.
These changes have worked. This has to be the most portable 1024Wh power station on the market today.
INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
In addition to the 1800W inverter output, Bluetti has upped the specifications on the USB outlets, featuring two USB-C ports, one 100W and the other 140W. This is ideal for running high-power devices, particularly Starlink’s Mini system, which can peak around these high wattage levels. It is also great to see the return of the dual mini 12V outlets rated at 8A each. These are brilliant for running LED camp lighting and are compatible with KORR’s LED lighting systems.
Coming back to the inverter output, the continuous 1800W rating is only part of the story. The Elite 100 V2 also supports Bluetti’s Power Lifting mode up to 2700W. This is designed to allow the unit to run certain resistive loads (like space heaters, kettles and hair dryers) that draw more power than the rated AC output. These appliances need a constant high current, and Power Lifting allows the inverter to handle this extra demand.
Bluetti also quotes a peak or surge power rating up to an astonishing 3600W. This is all about handling brief power spikes when some appliances start up, especially those with compressors or motors, such as refrigerators or power tools. The Elite 100 V2 can handle surges up to 3600W for a few seconds, ensuring smooth operation without triggering overload protection.
All this power output would be useless if you couldn’t recharge the unit quickly, and here again Bluetti has made improvements. The Elite 100 V2 can be recharged at up to 1200W AC, recharging from flat to 100 per cent in about one hour.
When you’re out free-camping, away from mains electricity, you can connect up to 1000 watts of solar panels. Or you can utilise the Bluetti Charger 1 for up to 560W while driving and recharge in around two hours.
CONNECTIVITY AND MONITORING
Bluetti power stations can all be controlled and monitored by the Bluetti smart device app, but with the Elite 100 V2, Bluetti has added some key features that raise this the app to new levels.
The Elite 100 V2 now has both Bluetooth and wi-fi connectivity, allowing you to monitor and control the unit over the internet. If you have an internet connection in your van, you can monitor your power station remotely while touring around. I tried it out for myself and it works seamlessly.
In addition to the wi-fi, Bluetti has included graphical power monitoring, which allows you to review charging and usage levels over time. This sort of power management is usually reserved for large solar battery installations. You can now monitor the Elite 100 V2 remotely, view power usage trends and adjust outputs to maximise battery capacity so you have plenty available upon your return.
As if that wasn’t enough new functionality to play with, Bluetti has gone even further. The Elite 100 V2 AC charging rate can be adjusted in 1A increments. Previously, you only had the choice of three settings. Now you have much better control. It means you can plug your Elite 100 V2 into the inverter of your caravan and recharge it using excess solar power without draining your van’s batteries. This feature gives you so many more power options when free-camping.
Another new feature is the option to set the time for AC charging. You can set the start and end time for a charging period. This allows you to use excess solar to recharge at home or in the van during daytime hours automatically.
BLUETTI POWER TEST
Using the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is just as easy as any other, thanks to the simple three control buttons on the front. The display is clear and gives you all the information you need.
After completing my usual capacity tests, I found nothing to suggest that the 1024Wh battery wasn’t up to the task. It’s possible to squeeze a little more out of it depending on the type of load you’re running.
That said, a power station of this size and output capacity is designed to run high-power appliances, and with an 1800W inverter, it opens up some incredible possibilities.
First, I connected up our 1400W microwave, and it worked as you would expect. The next test was a little more serious. An 1800W air-fryer. A load of this size would push a 2kVA petrol generator to its limit and possibly beyond, so I was very keen to see how the Elite 100 V2 would handle it. So I connected it up, put a frozen pie and some potato gems in the tray and set it to 180 degrees for 20 minutes and pressed the go button.
The air-fryer sprang to life, with 1740W being pulled from the Bluetti. Twenty minutes later, my pie was ready with approximately 50 per cent of the battery’s capacity remaining. It was an impressive demonstration of the Bluetti’s abilities, especially since the internal cooling fans were virtually inaudible, with just a slight lukewarm waft of air coming through the vents, indicating the Bluetti’s internal components were not stressed at all.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If I were to put together a list of all the features I wanted on a portable power station, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 would tick all the boxes. The ideal battery capacity, a big inverter, fast recharging and remote control and monitoring all in a portable, lightweight package.
Whether you’re caravanning, camping, 4WDing or need a power source around the home, it doesn’t get much better than this. With a 10-year battery life and a five-year warranty, the $1099 asking price is great value for money.
