BLUETTI AC180

Specs checked

Our take

A heavy medium box. It keeps a fridge, Wi-Fi and phones going for about 6.3 hours by our math. It weighs 36.16 lb, about 11 lb more than the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2.

1,152 Wh: Watt-hours: how much it holds
1,800 W: Watts: how fast it gives power
2,700 W: Surge: a short burst for start-ups
36.2 lb: Weight: how heavy to carry

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BLUETTI AC180 run time: how long it runs your things

Refrigerator 8.2 h

Wi-Fi router 65 h

Phones 49 h

Lights 24 h

CPAP machine 24 h

TV 9.8 h

Laptop 15 h

Fan 20 h

Estimates. Your devices may use more or less. One thing at a time, from a full box. We keep 85% of the watt-hours, because some power is lost on the way out.

What we think

The AC180 and the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 both give up to 1,800 watts. Watts are how fast something uses power. But the AC180 holds 1,152 watt-hours and the Elite 100 V2 holds 1,024. Watt-hours are how much power a box holds. And the AC180 weighs 36.16 pounds, about 11 more than the Elite 100 V2 at 25.3.

What that means in an outage

By our math, counting a fridge at 120 watts, Wi-Fi at 15 and phones at 20:

Fridge, Wi-Fi and phones: about 6.3 hours. The Elite 100 V2 gives about 5.6.
Fridge alone: about 8.2 hours.
Wi-Fi and phones only: about 28 hours.
CPAP at about 40 watts, humidifier off or low: about 24 hours. Check the watts on your own machine.

These are estimates. Your devices may use more or less.

Its surge is 2,700 watts. Surge is a short burst some things need to start, like a fridge motor. A fridge can need about 1,200 watts to start, so by our math this box can start one.

Who it fits

It fits a home where the box stays in one spot. We would pick the Elite 100 V2 if you will carry the box or use solar panels. It takes up to 1,000 watts of solar. This box takes 500.

Charging it

BLUETTI gives these wall charging times. In Standard mode, the way the box comes, 1.7 to 2.2 hours. In Turbo mode, which you turn on in its app, about 1.3 to 1.8 hours.

The limit

BLUETTI says the AC180 does not support capacity expansion with its B80, B230 or B300 batteries. It says those batteries can charge the box through Power Bank Mode. We do not count that as a box that grows.

Heat lowers what it gives. BLUETTI says that from 86°F to 104°F the box gives no more than 1,500 watts.

Bottom line: more watt-hours than the Elite 100 V2, in a box that is harder to move.

Good for

A home where the box stays in one spot and keeps the fridge, Wi-Fi and phones on through a short outage.

Not for

People who will carry the box often, or who want to add battery later. BLUETTI says the AC180 does not support capacity expansion.

BLUETTI AC180 specs: the numbers

Every number comes from the maker’s own page. If we could not confirm one, it says “We’re checking”.

Watt-hours (how much it holds)	1,152 Wh
Watts (how fast it gives power)	1,800 W
Surge (short burst for start-ups)	2,700 W
Weight	36.2 lb
Battery type	LiFePO4
Battery life	3,500+ cycles to 80% of original capacity
Time to charge from the wall	About 1.3-1.8 hours from the wall in Turbo mode (1,440W), turned on in the BLUETTI app. In Standard mode, the default: 1.7-2.2 hours.
Most solar it can take	500 W
Wall-style outlets	4
Fastest USB-C port	100 W
Switch-over time in an outage	20 ms
Can you add batteries?	No. BLUETTI says the AC180 does not support capacity expansion with B80, B230 or B300 batteries, but it can be charged by these batteries through Power Bank Mode.
Warranty	5 years
Size	13.39 x 9.72 x 12.48 in