Bluetti AC500+B300: An In-Depth REVIEW

Table of Contents – Bluetti AC500 Review

• What is the Bluetti AC500+B300?
• Features of the Bluetti AC500+B300
• Who is the Bluetti AC500+B300 for?
• In-Dept Field Testing
• Comparison: Bluetti AC500+B300 vs. Bluetti AC300+B300
• Pros and Cons
• Other User Reviews and Feedback
• What about the alternatives?
• Pricing & Value for Money
• Accessories and Additional Products
• FAQs
• Conclusion

What is the Bluetti AC500+B300?

The Bluetti AC500+B300 is a high performance portable power station. It can be used as a home back up power system, for off grid living, or at a construction site.

The Bluetti AC500+B300 is a modular system unlike other portable power stations.

This means that the inverter and battery are two separate units.

The AC500 is the inverter and the B300 is the battery.

Also nice to know is that Bluetti runs the LAAF program where they donate an off grid power system to an African family for every AC500 unit sold.

Last year they supported 15000 families in 11 African countries and they are on a mission to support 1 million African families with off grid power systems.

Features of the Bluetti AC500+B300

Battery Capacity

First, let’s take a look at the battery capacity of the B300 batteries.

There are two different versions of the B300 battery: the B300K and the B300S.

The B300S has more energy capacity compared to the B300K, respectively 3,072Wh and 2,764.8Wh. However, the B300K has newer battery technology and improved features.

For instance, the B300K has a longer battery life cylce (4000) compared to the B300S (3500).

The B300K also has a lower $ for Watt Hours ratio which means that you get more Watt Hours for your money.

One of the main advantage of this system is that it’s totally customizable for your power needs.

Wether you go for the B300S or B300K depends on what you need. You can best make an estimation of how much power and capacity you would need. You can use our calculator to get an idea.

You could also expand the off grid power system up to 16.588 Wh if you combine multiple batteries.

Naturally, this comes with a cost as well and may not be necessary for your needs.

However, these “whole home backup systems” could be eligible for a -30% tax credit in the US. This means you could get rebates via the Clean Home Energy Credit.

Power Output

Now let’s talk about the AC500 inverter.

Where the B300 will store your energy, the AC500 will determine how much power you will be able to use.

This is where the magic happens. The AC500 is capable of delivering 5000 Watts of power and an amazing 10000 Watts surge power.

However, it’s important to know that this power output is only delivered when you have 2 B300 batteries attached. When you just use 1 the max output will be a bit lower 3000W-4500W depending on the battery model.

On the other hand, even when using just 1 battery you will probably have enough power for emergency situations or off grid living.

Ports and Connectivity

The AC500 gives many options to power or charger your appliances.

It offers 6 AC outlets (with different Amps and max. power), 6 USB outlets, 2 car/RV outlets and 1 wireless charging pad.

The 50A NEMA14-50AC outlet can be used to connect the AC500 with your electrical system at home.

If that’s what you want to do be aware that you will need the Bluetti 500AC Home Integration Kit.

Although it’s quite easy to install, you should let a certified electrician do the set up.

The unit also comes with 2 USB fast charge outlets which is nice. In addition, the wireless charging pad at the top is a nice plus which we like using on portable power stations.

The 30 Amps RV outlet makes it possible to connect the AC500 to your RV’s electrical system. This way it powers all the appliances in your RV.

Here’s a list of all the outputs:

6 x AC outlets

• 3 x 120V/20A,
• 1 x 120V/30A L14-30,
• 1 x 120V/30A TT-30,
• 1 x 120V/50A NEMA14-50;

6 x USB outlets

• 2 x 5V/3A USB-A,
• 2 x 18W USB-A,
• 2 x USB-C (100W Max.)

2 x Car/RV outlets

• 1 x 12V/30A (RV Outlet)
• 1 x 24V/10A (Car Outlet) – Regulated

1 x Wireless charging pad

The Bluetti AC500 is connectable via WiFi or Bluetooth with the Bluetti app.

They have a great app which makes it convenient to operate the AC500 remotely.

Battery Lifespan

As mentioned before, the battery lifespan depends on which type of B300 battery you decide to work with.

The B300S has a battery life cycle of 3500 cycles where the B300K has over 4000 life cycles.

In both cases, these are very good numbers and even when you are a frequent user it will allow you to work with these batteries for many many years.

Usability

The AC500 is very user friendly. It has a touchscreen which also displays the most important info such as battery %, watts in-and out, Watt hours,…

The most important in- and outputs are on the front of the unit, which is good in terms of user friendliness.

A minor point is that the sturdy connection cable between the inverter and the battery is quite long and takes too much space.

If you want to stack both units (which you would probably do) the cable is not bendable enough to fit in a smaller space.

Even if you would place them next to each other, there will be quite some space between the two units.

Portability

The portability of this system is both good and bad. Not that clear right?

We’ll explain ourselves a little bit more.

The modularity of this off grid power system helps making it more portable. The AC500 inverter weighs 66.2 lbs and the battery 65.04 lbs.

If the two units were made in 1 it would almost be impossible to move or carry it by one person (assuming you don’t do power lifting).

So in a way the portability is good considering a high performance portable power system.

On the other hand, if we compare it to similar portable power stations like the EcoFlow Delta Pro, you have just 1 unit (battery + inverter) at around 99 lbs.

Although it’s heavier than the AC500 unit or B300 battery, it’s lighter than those two combined.

That’s why our experts have a bit mixed feelings concerning the portability.

It would have been nice to see a modular system but battery and inverter weighing around 99 lbs.

That would have been best of both worlds. So Bluetti if you are reading this…

However, it must be said that you will probably not buy this if you plan to go camping so portability is most likely not the priority here.

Who is the Bluetti AC500+B300K useful for?

Home Backup

The Bluetti AC500+B300 is a good choice for home emergencies such as blackouts and power outages.

It’s expendable with additional AC500 units and B300 batteries.

Two AC500 units can be combined in a system with split-phase bonding.

Split-phase bonding is a technique in electrical systems that allows two separate 120V power lines to be combined, creating a 240V output.

This is commonly used in portable power stations to support appliances or devices requiring 240V power, such as larger home appliances, tools and even EV chargers.

However, some may not need that much energy capacity or power. In most cases your power needs will be less in an emergency situation compared when you are on grid power.

If you only use the essential home appliances during these events you can save power and will probably have enough power and capacity with 1 or 2 batteries.

The UPS ability of the AC500 makes it a perfect home backup system. The portable power station will switch on and power your home appliances automatically during a power outage when it is connected to your home electrical system.

Off grid living

This setup is also ideal to power a cabin for instance.

You most likely have enough with 1 battery.

That’s because you can solar charge the AC500+B300 with 3000W input simultaneously when powering appliances.

So on a sunny day you can use (portable) solar panels around your cabin and power up to 3000W appliances without draining the battery.

In addition, you can use the battery capacity for the evenings or night.

Construction sites

The power performance of the Bluetti AC500 also makes it perfect for construction works where grid power is not available.

It can handle high power demand tools with ease.

In-Dept Field Testing

How did we test?

We did several tests to measure the real performance of this portable power station. Hence, we can share our experiences and test results to provide a thorough Bluetti AC500+B300 review.

From heavy loads to moderate appliances, we wanted to ensure this unit lives up to its specifications.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Both units (the inverter and the battery) are packed in different boxes.

The components are securely packed with thick foam for protection during transit.

Inside the boxex, you’ll find the AC500 unit, the B300 battery, necessary cables (only when buying the combo pack), a user manual, and warranty documentation.

Both units feel solid and robust, showcasing their durable design. The clear labels and organized packaging make it easy to identify and assemble the system quickly.

AC Discharge Test

We tested the Bluetti AC500+B300 with a consistent 250W load using a small heater.

The system lasted approximately 10 hours before the battery was fully depleted, showcasing an impressive AC discharge efficiency of 92%.

This confirms that the device is well-optimized for steady loads, delivering nearly all its rated capacity in real-world conditions.

Moderate Device Test

Using an 870W toaster for 3 minutes, the Bluetti system delivered stable performance.

Power output remained steady without surges or interruptions.

This test demonstrated that the power station handles moderate devices efficiently while consuming around 43.5Wh.

Heavy Device Test

For this test we use a 1500W hair dryer which ran consistently for 15 minutes.

The Bluetti handled the load effortlessly, showcasing its ability to support high-power devices.

This drained approximately 375Wh, further proving its capability for demanding scenarios without any operational hiccups.

Extreme Load Test

In the extreme load test, we connected three high-power appliances: an 870W toaster, an 800W microwave, and a 1500W hair dryer.

The combined load surged to approximately 3170W, exceeding the Bluetti AC500+B300’s rated 3000W continuous output.

The power station maintained operation for around 10 seconds before the Battery Management System (BMS) automatically shut it down to protect the system.

This demonstrates the robust safety features of the BMS and its ability to handle slight overloads up to 5-7% momentarily before engaging protective mechanisms.

Solar Charging Test

With two 100W portable solar panels, the system achieved a 200W input under full sunlight.

It took about 14 hours to charge the 2,764.8Wh battery to 100%.

Off course, the solar charging time can be greatly reduced by adding more or larger solar panels.

The AC500 inverter can have 3000W max solar input. This would recharge the battery in just a few hours on a sunny day.

AC (Fast) Charge Test

Using the 4,500W AC input, the system recharged from 0% to 100% in just under 2 hours.

This fast-charging capability sets the Bluetti AC500+B300 apart, making it highly convenient for users with limited downtime for recharging.

Pros and Cons

Pros of the Bluetti AC500+B300

• High Power Output: The AC500 offers up to 5,000W continuous power and 10,000W surge, making it suitable for heavy-duty appliances.
• Scalability: Expandable with up to six B300S batteries for a total capacity of over 18kWh.
• Versatile Inputs: Supports solar (up to 3,000W) and AC charging simultaneously, allowing for rapid recharge.
• Split-Phase Bonding: Supports 240V output for larger appliances.
• Durability: LiFePO₄ batteries with 4,000+ cycles to 80% capacity.

Cons of the Bluetti AC500+B300

• Portability: Heavy (AC500 and each B300 battery weigh over 60 lbs).
• Cost: Expensive, especially with multiple B300 batteries.
• Noise: Fans can be loud during heavy loads or charging.

Bluetti AC500 Review

The Bluetti AC500+B300 portable power station is a high performance modular system which makes it perfect for home back up, off grid living and power tools.

Best Price

Comparison: Bluetti AC500+B300 vs. Bluetti AC300+B300

The main difference between the AC300 and AC500 is that it’s a smaller inverter.

The AC300 has a max power output of 3000W and 6000W surge power.

The AC500 on the other hand has 5000W output and 10000W surge. However, it’s important to notice that if you only use one B300 battery (and also depending which type) you may also just reach an output of 3000W.

Here is an overview for the AC500 max power outputs:

• 4,500W Max. with 1*B300S
• 5,000W Max. with 2*B300S or more
• 3,000W Max. with 1*B300
• 5,000W Max. with 2*B300 or more.

So if 3000W max power and 6000W surge is enough for you than the smaller AC300 will be sufficient.

Other User Reviews and Feedback

The Bluetti AC500+B300 is a very popular home backup system.

It receives 5 star ratings out of 5.

Here is what other users have to say about this portable power station:

Reliable backup for critical supplies

We got this as a backup for when power goes out to power things like our water pump. We’ve only needed to use it once, but it did the job. We also got the paired solar panels and so benefit from being able to also recharge the battery — we haven’t had to rely on that yet.

What about the alternatives?

A worthy alternative would be the EcoFlow Delta Pro.

It also scored very well in our tests and has similar features as the Bluetti AC500+B300.

The Delta Pro is not modular but lighter than the AC500+B300 combined.

It has a larger energy capacity but a lower max power output.

Pricing & Value for Money

The $/Wh ratio sits around $0.80 per Watt Hour. It’s definitely not the lowest ratio we’ve seen on portable power stations but not bad either.

These high performance power stations come with a price tag. But the quality, power and modular options definitely deliver value for money.

Accessories and Additional Products

• B300S battery
• B300K battery
• AC500 Home Integration Kit
• AC500 Fusion box
• Solar Panels

FAQs – Bluetti AC500 Review

Does the BLUETTI AC500 have a battery?

No, the AC500 itself is an inverter module. It requires a compatible battery like the B300 or B300S for operation.

What is better, Jackery or BLUETTI?

BLUETTI offers more advanced features like expandability and higher outputs, while Jackery focuses on simplicity and portability. The choice depends on your needs.

Can BLUETTI power a house?

Yes, with sufficient batteries, BLUETTI systems like the AC500+B300 can power essential appliances in a house during outages.

What country is BLUETTI made in?

BLUETTI is manufactured in China.

Can I leave my BLUETTI plugged in all the time?

Yes, BLUETTI power stations can stay plugged in without harming the battery.

Is BLUETTI a Chinese brand?

Yes, BLUETTI is a Chinese brand with global distribution.

Can a BLUETTI run a fridge?

Yes, BLUETTI models like the AC500+B300 can easily power a fridge.

How many watts can run a house?

A small house requires 5,000-7,000W for essential appliances. Larger homes may need more.

Can you power a TV with a BLUETTI?

Yes, BLUETTI systems can power TVs, even large ones, with ease.

Is 7 kW enough to run a house?

Yes, 7 kW is sufficient to run a small to medium house, covering basic appliances.

How many watts to run a TV?

A typical TV uses 50-200W depending on size and type.

How many watts to run a fridge?

Most refrigerators require 100-800W depending on size and efficiency.

Conclusion: Bluetti AC500 Review

To wrap up our Bluetti AC500 review: The Bluetti AC500+B300 is a modular off grid power system that is ideal for home backup, off grid living, or construction sites.

It’s a high performance portable power system which will give you enough power to run almost every appliance.

The energy capacity can be tailored for you power needs thanks to the modularity of this system.

To conclude our Bluetti AC500 review we saw good performance results in our test.

Discover if the Bluetti AC500+B300 ranks in our TOP 10 Best Portable Power Stations.