Bluetti AC2A Power Station Review: Good Things Come in Small Packages
Over the past few years, most of the big players in the power station market have focused on creating the biggest, most powerful charging solutions that current technology allows. Brands like EcoFlow, Goal Zero, Jackery, and Bluetti have made some incredibly robust charging solutions, introducing products that can power an entire home for days at a time.
Because so much attention has been given to these whole-home backup energy solutions, the smaller end of the portable power station market has been somewhat neglected. That has started to change, however, thanks in part to some compelling new options available for those of us who need a lightweight charging solution they can carry just about anywhere. One of the most intriguing new products is the Bluetti AC2A, a model that brings modern technology and design to a compact package perfect for car or RV camping.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Small But Mighty
When Bluetti set out to design the AC2A, it was clear that portability was the primary goal. The device weighs just 7.9 pounds and measures 9.8” x 7” x 5.9”. Those specs make it one of the smallest full-featured power stations on the market, allowing users to easily move it around the house, take it to the beach, tailgating with them before a game, or on a camping trip. It is so small, in fact, that you could conceivably carry it into the backcountry on a backpacking excursion.
Despite its diminutive size, Bluetti has managed to equip the AC2A with some surprisingly great specs. For instance, the unit produces a sustained output of up to 300W with a surge output of as much as 600W. That power is available to users via dual 120V AC outlets, a 12V DC vehicle port, two standard USB-A ports, and a 100W USB-C port. As usual, we’d like to see more USB-C ports on a device of this kind, but considering its compact design, we understand that some compromises had to be made.
The AC2A is equipped with a 204.8Wh LiFePo4 battery. These types of power cells are safer and have a longer lifespan compared to lead-acid or other lithium models while still retaining excellent energy density. For this model, that translates to being able to power a mini-fridge for 2+ hours, a Bluetooth speaker for 5 hours, or a portable blender for up to an hour. Users can also recharge their smartphones as much as 16 times, a tablet 4+ times, or fully replenish a laptop battery once.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Big Features in a Portable Package
One of the best things about developing technology for larger power stations is that many of those features eventually trickle down into smaller devices. Such is the case with the AC2A, which has inherited a few things from its larger siblings in the Bluetti lineup. Its LifePo4 batteries are an excellent example of this. Those types of power cells have been common in other devices for some time but are finally making their way into smaller units.
The AC2A also inherited quick-charging capabilities from Bluetti’s other products. This technology allows the power station’s battery pack to go from completely empty to an 80% charge in less than 45 minutes. That’s blazingly fast, even when you consider the smaller power cell found in this model.
Perhaps more surprising is the AC2A’s ability to act as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This is yet another feature now common in larger units, but it is also nice to see it integrated here. Essentially, as a UPS, this device detects a power outage and will automatically start providing electricity to anything plugged into it. With a response time of less than 20 milliseconds, those appliances and gadgets will remain fully powered at all times, preventing mission-critical devices from unexpectedly shutting down.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Attention to Detail
One of the most impressive things about Bluetti’s power stations is the incredible attention to detail that goes into each product, and the AC2A is no exception. The power station is incredibly well made with a sleek, modern design that feels instantly approachable. Nowhere is that more evident than the device’s user interface, which includes tactile buttons and visual cues to assist with the operation.
As with most power stations, the AC2A comes with an integrated LCD screen that displays current charge levels, power in and out, and other important information. But unlike most of its competitors, that digital display is bright, clear, and colorful, making it very easy to read and understand. We’d go so far as to say it is the best screen we’ve seen on a power station of this size, allowing it to stand out from the competition.
The AC2A also features Bluetti’s trademark rugged construction. The device’s plastic shell is durable and built to survive in the outdoors. Several of the unit’s ports even have rubber covers to help prevent water damage should the device get caught outside in inclement weather conditions. Oddly, the 120V AC outlets and USB ports do not have those rubberized covers, which could potentially lead to water damage.
Like the other power stations in Bluetti’s extensive catalog, the AC2A can be monitored and controlled remotely using a smartphone app. This is another feature common on larger—more expensive—models, but it is a welcome addition here, too. This allows users to keep tabs on the remaining battery life and watch the flow of power in and out of the device, which is especially handy while camping off-grid.
Photo Credit: Bluetti
A Fantastic Price
Whenever we review a portable power station, we always have to view pricing through a relative lens. For instance, we recently reviewed Bluetti’s very impressive A300+B300 power station and battery pack, calling it a good value even with a $3,299 price tag thanks to its extensive feature set and amazing all-around performance. With the AC2A, the value is even more evident as it delivers so much functionality at a price point that almost makes it an impulse buy.
Priced at $249 (On sale at $179 as of presstime), this power station is a bargain by any definition. It features a near-perfect blend of capacity, output, and charging ports, making it very easy to recommend to anyone who needs an on-the-go power solution. Sure, it doesn’t offer the same level of performance as larger models—both from Bluetti and the competition—but it is incredibly small and lightweight, making it a very attractive option for those who favor portability over power.
As it stands, the Bluettti AC2A is our favorite small power station currently available. Its size, weight, and features are nearly perfect. Yes, we’d prefer an extra USB-C port and a few more port covers, but otherwise, there are very few things not to like about this device. Its sub-$250 price point also makes those minor discrepancies very easy to overlook.
To learn more about the Bluetti AC2A portable power station, visit the company’s website.
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