BLUETTI Our score 7.6/10 #7 of 17 mid-size for real capacity
BLUETTI AC180
Updated
A 1.15 kWh BLUETTI with more independent tests behind it than any other model we track, and a lower cost per usable watt-hour than most.
Independent tests put this portable power station's usable capacity at 991 Wh, 86% of the rated 1,152 Wh (the median of 6 tests).
Real capacity
991of 1,152 Wh
-
OutdoorGearLab
82%
-
PCWorld
84%
-
PCWorld
87%
-
StorageReview
89%
-
Outdoor Life
85%
-
Poweroffgrid.com
90%
AC output
1,800 W
More than 5 of the 16 other mid-size models we review. 2,700 W surge.
Cost per usable Wh
$0.50
#10 of 33 models we've priced.
Good valueWeight
36.2 lb
27 usable Wh per lb
Battery
LiFePO4
Long-life chemistry
Warranty
5 years
Wall charge
1 h 48 min
Turbo mode, switched on in the app. Standard mode is slower.
How much of the 1,152 Wh do you get?
Each bar is the full rated capacity. Blue is what the tester measured coming out of the AC outlets; the striped end is what was lost.
-
OutdoorGearLab 950 Wh · 82%
-
PCWorld 970 Wh · 84%
-
PCWorld 1,007 Wh · 87%
-
StorageReview 1,030 Wh · 89%
-
Outdoor Life 980 Wh · 85%
-
Poweroffgrid.com 1,039 Wh · 90%
At light loads it delivers much less
At about 34 W, Outdoor Life measured 620 Wh, 54% of rated. The unit's own running costs take a bigger share when the load is small. Bear this in mind for a CPAP, a fridge overnight or a few lights.
How long will it run your devices?
Add what you want to power and see how long the BLUETTI AC180 lasts on its tested 991 Wh, counting the power it uses on itself and any solar panels you add.
4 more results we found but don't count
| Tester | Result | Why it's not counted |
|---|---|---|
| PCWorld Jul 11, 2023 | 71% | DC output, not AC |
| The Technology Man Sep 7, 2023 | 983 Wh 85% | UK unit (230 V), cross-check only |
| The Technology Man Sep 7, 2023 | 997 Wh 87% | UK unit (230 V), cross-check only |
| Poweroffgrid.com Oct 10, 2024 | 904 Wh 78% | DC output, not AC |
Our score: 7.6 out of 10
Worked out from the tested capacity and the specs on this page, compared with the other models we track. Capacity, power and charging are compared with the 17 mid-size models; battery, build and features with all 37. Price isn't part of it. How we score.
-
Capacity and power 35% of the score 8.6
What goes into capacity and power Measure This model Score Tested usable capacity 60% 991 Wh 9.6 Continuous AC output 25% 1,800 W 7.5 AC surge 15% 2,700 W 6.5 Compared with the 17 mid-size models we track. Scores run from 5 to 10; 7.5 is the middle of the group.
-
Charging 25% of the score 6.5
What goes into charging Measure This model Score Wall charge to full 40% 1 h 48 min 6.2 Max solar input 35% 500 W 7.0 UPS switchover 25% 20 ms 6.2 Compared with the 17 mid-size models we track. Scores run from 5 to 10; 7.5 is the middle of the group.
-
Battery and build 25% of the score 8.1
What goes into battery and build Measure This model Score Battery type 30% LiFePO4 10.0 Cycle life to 80% 25% 3,500 cycles 6.9 Warranty 25% 5 years 8.5 Usable Wh per lb 20% 27 Wh/lb 6.3 Compared with all 37 models we track. Scores run from 5 to 10; 7.5 is the middle of the group.
-
Features 15% of the score 6.4
What goes into features Measure This model Score Expandable battery 25% No 5.0 AC + USB-C outlets 20% 5 6.5 USB-C max output 15% 100 W 7.0 240 V output 15% No 5.0 App control 15% Yes 10.0 Wheels 10% No 5.0 Compared with all 37 models we track. Scores run from 5 to 10; 7.5 is the middle of the group.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Six counted tests from five testers, all between 82% and 90% of rated capacity.
- A lower cost per usable watt-hour than most models we've priced.
- 1,800 W continuous output from four outlets.
- LiFePO4 battery rated for 3,500 cycles, with a 5-year warranty.
Cons
- Delivered only 54% at a 34 W load in Outdoor Life's test.
- Not expandable, although some BLUETTI marketing suggests otherwise; BLUETTI's own FAQ says it isn't.
- "Power Lifting" (2,700 W) is for heating loads only.
- At 36.2 lb it's heavy for its capacity.
Who it's for
Value buyers who want a well-tested 1 kWh class unit for outages and camping.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want to add batteries later, or if you mainly run small loads overnight.
Features
- Battery backup (UPS) mode : yes
- Takes extra batteries : no
- LiFePO4 battery : yes
- Solar input, 500 W : yes
- Car charging : yes
- 240 V output : no
- RV outlet (TT-30) : no
- App control : yes
- Wheels : no
How it compares with other mid-size models
| Model | Usable | Delivered | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUETTI AC180 1,152 Wh rated | 991 Wh | 86% | $499 | Good value |
| UDPower C600 596 Wh rated | 497 Wh | 83% | – | No price checked yet |
| Duracell G800 620 Wh rated | 503 Wh | 81% | $699 | Pricey |
| Goal Zero Yeti 700 677 Wh rated | 560 Wh | 83% | $699.95 | Pricey |
| Dabbsson 600L 768 Wh rated | 653 Wh | 85% | $299 | Great value |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 1,024 Wh rated | 880 Wh | 86% | $499.99 | Good value |
| BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 1,024 Wh rated | 890 Wh | 87% | $489 | Good value |
| DJI Power 1000 V2 1,024 Wh rated | 840 Wh | 82% | – | No price checked yet |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 1,024 Wh rated | 885 Wh | 86% | $629 | Fair price |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic 1,024 Wh rated | 947 Wh | 93% | $499 | Good value |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus 1,024 Wh rated | 875 Wh | 85% | $719 | Pricey |
| OUPES Mega 1 1,024 Wh rated | 809 Wh | 79% | $699 | Pricey |
| OUPES Mega 1 Lite 1,024 Wh rated | 855 Wh | 84% | $599 | Fair price |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 (first gen) 1,056 Wh rated | 950 Wh | 90% | $469.99 | Great value |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 1,070 Wh rated | 923 Wh | 86% | $499 | Good value |
| ALLPOWERS R1500 1,152 Wh rated | 956 Wh | 83% | $539 | Good value |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus 1,264 Wh rated | 1,090 Wh | 86% | $619 | Good value |
Questions
How much usable power does the BLUETTI AC180 have?
About 991 Wh. Six counted tests on US units ranged from 82% to 90% of the rated 1,152 Wh, including PCWorld, StorageReview, OutdoorGearLab and Outdoor Life.
Is the BLUETTI AC180 expandable?
No. BLUETTI's own FAQ says it has no capacity expansion; its batteries can only recharge it in Power Bank mode.
Full specs
From the maker's US manual or product page unless noted. Each value links to where we found it.
Capacity and battery
- Cycle life (to 80% capacity)
- 3,500 cycles
- bluettipower.com (source for Cycle life (to 80% capacity))
- Maximum with extra batteries
- Not expandable
Output and ports
- Boost mode (heating loads only)
- 2,700 W Power Lifting: heating loads only, not while on AC input.
- cdn.shopify.com (source for Boost mode (heating loads only))
Charging
- Wall charge to full
- 1 h 48 min Turbo mode, switched on in the app. Standard mode is slower.
- bluettipower.com (source for Wall charge to full)
Size and build
Warranty and certification
- Certifications
- UL Standard (standard number and lab not published)
- bluettipower.com (source for Certifications)
Where this data comes from
Capacity figures come from the independent testers linked above. We record their numbers, the date and the load, and link to their reports; the testing is theirs. Specs come from BLUETTI's own US documents, and we note where they disagree with each other or with test results. Prices are checked by hand on the brand's US store.