Bluetti’s AC500 + B300S home battery consists of two components, the main device is the AC500 which is a portable power station, with up to 5000w of continuous power output, and a peak power output of 10000w.
The B300S is an expansion battery module, built with a LiFePO4 battery that has a capacity of 3072Wh.
The AC500 is built without an integrated battery, meaning it will only work in combination with at least one B300S battery, and has the capability to run off six, giving the AC500 the ability to achieve a maximum capacity of 18432Wh, but for this review, we will only be looking at one battery.
But what’s also good to know is that the B300s can be used on its own, giving you some flexibility. Both components are massive with the AC500 measuring 52 x 32.5 x 35.8 cm and weighing 30kg.
While the B300s comes in at 52 x 32 x 26.3 cm and weighs a hefty 38kg, so I would recommend having a second person to help with the heavy lifting.
Their build quality is fantastic with both devices being made from a tough plastic that not only feels robust but makes them look super premium.
They both have handles which make it easier to transport them, while underneath the devices are rubber feet to keep them secure at all times.
At the front of the AC500 is where you will find the majority of the connection ports. There are four DC output connectors which include two 100W USB-C PD Ports, two 18W USB-A ports, two 5V/3A USB-A ports and two cigarette lighter ports with the first being 12V/ 30A and the second outputting 24V/10A.
Running along the bottom of the front panel are the AC outputs which include five 13A sockets and one 32A industrial socket.
At the side of the power station is where you will find the two battery expansion ports and three inputs which include one 220 -240V AC and one 12-150 DC.
That’s a lot of connectors with the inclusion of the two wireless charging units situated at the top and the communication plug takes the total up to nineteen, but sixteen of these will allow you to power your devices.
The AC500 has an LCD Screen where you will be able to control all the various settings and check output power when in use.
The B300s also comes with its own set of connection ports which include a USB- C, a USB-A, a cigarette lighter port, a 60V/10A DC input and a 5.8-8V/8A adapter plus the AC500 connection ports.
I have to say I was really impressed with the sheer quality of both devices, from the fantastic build to the immense amount of ports available, giving you a lot of versatility and flexibility when it comes to using them.
There are two ways in which you can control the power station, the first being through its touchscreen interface and the second via the app.
The touchscreen on the device is very intuitive and will grant you full authority over the AC500, allowing you to change your input source from PV to others such as being able to charge the power station from your car or solar panels, there is also an option for dual charging.
The actual layout is very welcoming, but I would watch a tutorial video to get the most out of the device as the manual only tells you the basic features.
So if you are a newcomer to Bluetti's workflow you might not know about the different modes such as Eco or PV priority.
There are also options to customise the charging amounts, so you don’t blow the circuit breaker. I was very impressed with just how in-depth the control system is, there’s just so much on offer.
Connecting to the Bluetti App is very easy via Bluetooth or Wifi, and you'll be able to keep track of the current state of charge, how much power it's using and turn off or on all the DC and AC outputs.
You can’t control the outputs individually but the app provides the necessary amount of control remotely. The main test for me was to see how well the AC500 performed when trying out its maximum output power of 5000w via the AC outputs.
I plugged a series of different devices into the power station at the same time, including my fridge and the AC500 ran very smoothly and was very quiet.
There were a few instances when the fan was on but it was barely noticeable.
I did also test how quickly the AC500 would switch to the B300s once unplugged from the mains and it did this within seconds, rerouting power instantly so my devices being powered were uninterrupted.
This means that if there is a power outage the AC500 fully will quickly step in as a backup as long as it is set up correctly.
Running off the one B300S, I was fairly impressed with how long it could last from a single charge due to the LiFePO4 technology.
I wasn’t able to test how well it works with Solar Panels, but the single battery did provide ample power. I would suggest getting a second one if you are going to rely on this power station to be more than just a backup power source.
Bluetti AC500 & B300S Verdict 4/5
Bluetti AC500 + B300s is an incredible power source that is very versatile allowing it to be used in several different scenarios.
Once you watch a few short tutorials which are very easy to understand, the power station will become a very efficient and reliable source of power.
The only thing is it is really pricey and buying another B300s will set you back a fair bit, however, you can get the B300 which is cheaper.
Bluetti's AC500 & B300S Power Station can be purchased from their website for £4999
