BLUETTI AC180 vs BLUETTI Elite 100 V2: which should you buy?
The short verdict
The BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 is the better buy for most people. It weighs 25 lb against the AC180’s 35.3 lb, handles a 3,600 W start-up surge instead of 2,700 W, takes twice the solar input and switches over faster as a UPS. It usually costs about the same.
The AC180 holds a little more energy, 1,152 Wh against 1,024 Wh, so it runs everything about 12% longer. On a full-size fridge that is about 22 hours instead of 19. It also has four USB-A ports and a wireless phone charging pad.
If you need the extra hours and find the AC180 on a good sale, it is still a solid unit. For everyone else, the lighter, more capable Elite 100 V2 is the newer and better design.
BLUETTI AC180
1,152 Wh · 1,800 W · $400–$500
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BLUETTI Elite 100 V2
1,024 Wh · 1,800 W · $380–$500
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Buy the BLUETTI AC180 if…
You want the most runtime for small loads like a fridge, CPAP or router and do not need to start a well pump or garage door opener. It also suits a household with lots of USB-A gadgets, or anyone who finds it discounted below the Elite 100 V2.
Buy the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 if…
You carry the unit often, such as from the garage to the kitchen or to a campsite, or you need to start a well pump or garage door opener during an outage. It is also the better pick for solar camping and for a CPAP or computer that benefits from its 10 ms UPS.
Specs side by side
The better number in each row is highlighted.
| Spec | BLUETTI AC180 | BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,152 Wh (better) | 1,024 Wh |
| AC output (continuous) | 1,800 W | 1,800 W |
| Surge | 2,700 W | 3,600 W (better) |
| Boost mode (heaters, kettles) | 2,700 W | 2,700 W |
| Battery type | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Cycle life (rated) | 3,500 (to 80%) | 4,000 (to 80%) (better) |
| Weight | 35.3 lb | 25 lb (better) |
| Wall charge time | 1 h 18 min (Turbo mode; 0–80% in 45 min) | 1 h 10 min (0–100% with TurboBoost; 80% in 45 min) (better) |
| Max solar input | 500 W | 1,000 W (better) |
| AC outlets | 4 | 4 |
| USB-C ports (max) | 1 (100 W) | 2 (140 W) (better) |
| USB-A ports | 4 | 2 |
| 12V / car port | Yes (1 DC ports) | Yes (3 DC ports) |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS switch-over | 20 ms | 10 ms (better) |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Size | 13.4 x 9.7 x 12.5 in | 12.6 x 8.5 x 9.8 in |
| Released | 2023 | 2025 |
| Typical price | $400–$500 | $380–$500 (better) |
Runtime for common devices
On the BLUETTI AC180 (1,152 Wh), runtimes go from about 40 min for a microwave (1000 W) to about 29 hrs for a CPAP with heated humidifier, each running by itself.
Swipe sideways to see every device →
| Power station | Well pump (1/2 HP) 1,000 W running, about 50 W average | Garage door opener 875 W running, about 8.8 W average | Full-size refrigerator 150 W running, about 45 W average | CPAP with heated humidifier 34 W average | Microwave (1000 W) 1,500 W average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUETTI AC180 1,152 Wh | Can’t run it | Can’t run it | 22 hrs | 29 hrs | 40 min |
| BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 1,024 Wh | 17 hrs | 4 days | 19 hrs | 26 hrs | 35 min |
Estimates: battery Wh × 0.85 ÷ the device’s average draw. Real runtime depends on temperature, battery age and how hard the device works.
See how every power station on this site handles one device:
Capacity and runtime
The AC180 has 1,152 Wh and the Elite 100 V2 has 1,024 Wh. That extra 128 Wh means a full-size fridge runs for about 22 hours on the AC180 and about 19 hours on the Elite. A CPAP with a heated humidifier runs for about three and a half nights on the AC180 and a little over three nights on the Elite.
Neither one can add extra batteries, so what you buy is what you get. If you need more than a day of fridge power without recharging, you would need a bigger station or a way to recharge, such as solar.
Which one can start a well pump or garage door opener?
Both deliver 1,800 W continuously, so both run a microwave, coffee maker or toaster one at a time. A 1,000 W microwave on its usual 1,500 W draw runs for about 40 minutes on the AC180 and 35 on the Elite. Both also have a 2,700 W boost mode for simple heating devices.
Surge is the real difference. The AC180 handles 2,700 W at start-up and the Elite 100 V2 handles 3,600 W. A 1/2 hp well pump needs about 3,000 W to start and a garage door opener about 3,200 W. The Elite can start both. The AC180 cannot. On the Elite, a 120V well pump would run for about 17 hours based on its normal on-and-off pattern. Many well pumps are wired for 230V, which neither unit supplies.
Charging, weight and ports
Both reach 80% from the wall in about 45 minutes. A full charge takes about 70 minutes on the Elite and about 78 on the AC180 in Turbo mode. Solar is a bigger gap. The Elite takes up to 1,000 W and the AC180 up to 500 W, so with enough panels in full sun the Elite refills in about an hour and the AC180 in a bit over two.
The Elite 100 V2 weighs 25 lb and the AC180 35.3 lb. You feel that 10 lb difference every time you carry it. The Elite is also a smaller box.
Ports suit different households. The AC180 has four AC outlets, four USB-A, one 100 W USB-C, a car port and a wireless phone pad. The Elite has four AC outlets, two USB-A, two 140 W USB-C and three 12V DC ports including a car port. For UPS use, the Elite lists 10 ms and the AC180 20 ms. The AC180’s app connects by Bluetooth only.
Value
Both usually sell for roughly $400 to $500. At the same price, the Elite 100 V2 gives you a lighter unit, a higher surge rating, faster solar charging and a longer cycle rating (4,000 cycles against 3,500).
The AC180 is an older 2023 model that is often discounted. If you see it clearly below the Elite, the extra 128 Wh and wireless charging pad make it a reasonable budget choice for fridge and CPAP backup.
Common questions
- Can the BLUETTI AC180 run a well pump?
- Not a typical 1/2 hp well pump. It needs about 3,000 W to start, and the AC180 handles 2,700 W of surge. The Elite 100 V2 handles 3,600 W and can run a 120V pump for about 17 hours with normal water use.
- Which one runs a fridge longer?
- The AC180, by about 2.5 hours. It runs a typical full-size fridge for about 22 hours, against about 19 hours on the Elite 100 V2.
- How much lighter is the Elite 100 V2?
- About 10 lb. The Elite 100 V2 weighs 25 lb and the AC180 weighs 35.3 lb.
- Can I add a battery to either one?
- No. Neither the AC180 nor the Elite 100 V2 can take extra batteries. If you want to expand later, look at a model that supports expansion batteries.