Bluetti AC200Max Expandable Power Station Review: Maximum power and port selection at a price

The Bluetti AC200Max is a great battery with a great price

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As far as mid-sized powerhouses go, the Bluetti AC200Max is at the top of its size class. Any larger, and would require wheels to move.

This is the largest of the battery packs we tested, and it’s also the most versatile. There is no shortage of ports, power output or charging.

But, at $1,700, it’s not for the casual user. It’s a premium heavy-duty option for those who anticipate extended power outages or plan long-term outdoor excursions.

The Bluetti is a big powerhouse at 16.5 inches by 11 inches by 15.2 inches. It weighs a whopping 62 pounds and can be carried by handles on either side.

The size and weight are due to the high capacity of 2,048 Wh. That’s twice the EcoFlow battery we reviewed at about $700 more.

Like other powerhouses of its kind, it is not waterproof. It should not be used in humid environments or in the rain.

Almost all interface points are located on the front of the station. The display is a touch screen that offers control over where power is allocated and provides information on charge and discharge rates.

Users can check settings and view faults from the display. A large ring in the center shows the remaining battery level.

There are two charging pads on top that can wirelessly charge devices at 15W. The pads aren’t magnetic, but the iPhones play the MagSafe charging animation when plugged in.

Ports on the side of the unit are for battery expansion packs and charging inputs. Users can connect up to two Bluetti battery expansion packs, charge from a 120W source using a car charger socket, or charge from the 500W power supply.

The front of the unit has 14 total ports and outputs. They are split between AC and DC power supplies, controlled by the touch-screen display.

A large button is used to turn the entire unit on or off. When active, a green ring lights up around the button.

Starting from the left, there is one 120W car charger output, one 360W Super DC output, two 120W DC 5521 output, one 100W PD 3.0 USB-C port, two USB ports -A 18W, two 15W USB-A ports, four grounded AC outlets, and one NEMA TT-30 outlet.

The sockets are mostly self-explanatory, like the DC outputs used for some lighting fixtures. The USB charging ports can be used to quickly charge a 14-inch MacBook Pro from the 100W port.

There are two unique selling points on the Bluetti AC200Max: the NEMA TT-30 and the Super DC. These outlets are usually associated with heavy AC equipment or RVs.

Like other mid-sized power plants, Bluetti is great for backup power during emergencies or extended stays away from reliable power sources. It’s very large and heavy, so it would be better suited to a weekend camping trip than a daytime picnic.

The massive 2,048Wh capacity makes it an excellent powerhouse to use during power outages. It can run a 150W refrigerator for 10 hours or keep a 10W light on for over 150 hours.

High wattage loads will drain the battery much faster. Even with this large capacity, something like an electric grill or air conditioning will drain the battery in about an hour.

The large size has some trade-offs. It takes about six hours to fully recharge the battery when using the included 400W power adapter. Combine the power supply with solar panels to get up to 1300W of input, which recharges the battery in just two hours.

Bluetti AC200Max supports passthrough charging, but Bluetti does not recommend using it as an UPS. It also does not support 240V split-phase connection, even when connected to another power station.

We can’t see ourselves hauling this big battery into every outer space—there are smaller batteries purpose-built for it. However, we think this is an excellent choice for the weekend camper or RV enthusiast.

The touch-screen isn’t great in certain lighting conditions, and you’ll need to be at eye level to make out clearly. It’s easy to use, but perhaps dedicated hardware buttons for controlling power supplies would have been better.

An app is available for connecting to Bluetti AC200Max. It’s very simple but gives users some control without needing to interact with the display on the device.

Bluetooth pairing is almost instant on first boot. When the app is opened for the first time, with the battery on nearby, it automatically appears in the device list.

Tap the battery to view its current status and access controls. It will display its charge and discharge rates and allow users to turn AC and DC sources on or off.

There’s a lot to like about the Bluetti AC200Max. It has loads of ports and capabilities, so keeping a few lights on and devices charged during a blackout won’t be a problem.

Campervan and motorhome owners may find the Bluetti AC200Max particularly useful, thanks to the specific dedicated sockets for motorhomes. Casual users may not find many immediate use cases beyond emergency situations.

The Bluetti AC200Max is in an awkward position for consumers. It has a large capacity but it’s not a whole-house backup solution. It’s also too big to take anywhere.

Customers looking for a power station useful in case of blackouts or other emergencies will find the Bluetti AC200Max useful. However, there may be better purpose-built batteries elsewhere for non-RV owners.

• Easy one-button, touch-screen operation
• Wide variety of outputs including 15W wireless pads
• High capacity at a decent price compared to smaller models
• Dedicated sockets for campers

• A more enthusiast-driven feature set could drive customers elsewhere
• Big, heavy
• No built-in storage for cables
• The abundance of USB-A ports in 2022 isn’t ideal

This is an excellent powerhouse and we’d give it a 5 out of 5 if we were writing for the RV enthusiast only. However, there may be better options for more casual users in the broader market.

The Bluetti AC200Max is a big, expensive powerhouse that could be more than most people need. So, we give it a 4 out of 5 for the excellent design, build and capabilities, but not for everyone.

Normally, you’d get the Bluetti AC200Max expandable powerhouse for $1,699 directly from Bluetti website. Instead, it’s just $1,499 thanks to a Black Friday discount that ends November 30.

There is also a limited time sale for the Bluetti AC200Max on Amazon at the time of publishing. Take it for $1,499 on Amazon with the coupon on the page.