Bluetti AC500 Review: Pros, Cons, and the Ugly Truth

Aug 19

Bluetti has made a really good name for itself over the years by offering a variety of fairly impressive power stations. Along with brands like EcoFlow and Jackery, they’ve been a bit of a staple in the industry.

Today, we’re going to take a look at one of their newer units, the Bluetti AC500. To be more exact, we’re going to look at the AC500 when it’s paired with Bluetti’s B300 Expansion Batteries. On paper, this setup looks unreal - it promises power, flexibility, and reliability. But as they say, "the devil is in the details," and the AC500 is no exception.

This in-depth review will peel back the layers and take an unbiased look at the AC500. We’ll consider its strengths, weaknesses, and whether or not it's truly worth the hefty price tag. Spoiler alert: it's not all sunshine and rainbows.

Basic Teardown: What's Inside the Bluetti AC500 and B300 Batteries?

Before diving into our assessment of the pros and cons, let’s get to know what we’re actually dealing with.

It sounds weird, but the Bluetti AC500 is basically just an elaborate inverter that features built-in output and input ports. You heard that right, it does not have any type of internal battery. Without a battery connected, it’s essentially a very expensive paperweight.

Still, this inverter has a power rating of 5,000W, with a surge rating of 10,000W. It also has a maximum AC charging capacity of 5,000 watts and a maximum solar input of 3,000 watts. On the other hand, the B300 Battery has a fairly robust 3,072Wh storage capacity that can be charged directly via solar or AC, even without the inverter.

Going beyond the output rating and storage capacity and looking at the system’s physical characteristics, you’re looking at a real behemoth. Even when the AC500 is paired with a single B300 Battery, the combined system is incredibly large and heavy. That’s because the AC500 itself weighs in at 66 pounds, while each B300 Expansion Battery tips the scales at a whopping 84 pounds! Clearly, it was very much designed to be a stationary setup, even if it is technically a portable power station.

The front of the AC500 is decked out with various output ports, including three 20-amp wall-style outlets, a 30-amp outlet, a 30-amp L14, and a 50-amp outlet. However, the 50-amp outlet is a bit of a head-scratcher since this is a 120V unit, meaning you can’t run 240 volts without having two AC500 units paired together. In other words, most people won't even be able to use it.

The B300 Expansion Battery also features a 12V DC port, as well as USB-C and USB-A ports on the front of it. There's also a 24V DC port, which can be a bit dangerous if you accidentally plug a 12V accessory into it – you might end up with a melted device.

While prices can vary depending on sales and where you buy it from, this setup will set you back about $4,799. And for that price, you’d expect top-tier performance and flawless functionality. Unfortunately, as we’ll explain, that’s not exactly what you get.

The Pros: Where We Think the Bluetti AC500 Shines

Let’s start with the positives. As you’ve probably guessed by now, we aren’t exactly big fans, but there’s no denying that the Bluetti AC500 has some redeeming qualities.

For starters, the 5,000W inverter is a significant step up from what you got with the previous AC300 model. The powerful, 5,000W pure sine wave inverter offers plenty of plug-in options, making it versatile enough for most applications. The inclusion of a 50-amp, 30-amp, and L14 outlet means you can plug it directly into your home’s transfer switch, which is also a really nice feature.

The AC500’s 5,000W AC input and 3,000W solar input are also impressive. While 3,000 watts of solar input might seem low for a unit of this size, it’s actually a well-matched input rating for the 3,072Wh batteries. With three batteries and ideal sunlight, you could fully charge your system with solar in about three hours, which is actually really solid.

Another thing we like is the wireless phone chargers on top of the AC500. Sure, it’s a bit of an odd feature for a unit that’s meant for home backup, but it’s a nice touch nonetheless. The accompanying app is also decent, plainly presenting you with all of the basic information that you need to monitor and control the system.

The Cons: The Big Issues with the Bluetti AC500

Now, onto the not-so-good stuff – brace yourself, there’s quite a bit to cover.

First and foremost, the AC500 is absolutely massive, and it’s basically just an inverter! For something this big and heavy, it’s disappointing that it doesn’t have a 240V output. This really is a major drawback, especially for a unit that’s supposed to be a home backup solution. Even the EcoFlow DELTA Pro, which has a similar price to a battery-less AC500, offers a 240V option right out of the box.

Another major annoyance is the size of the plug needed to connect the battery to the inverter. It’s a huge, awkward connector that takes up a bunch of extra space. This thing is already really sizable, so having some honking cable hanging off of it makes it even bulkier. Forget about trying to discreetly tuck this unit away in the corner of a basement or garage.

The plastic covers for the ports are also a nuisance – they don’t stay in place and are constantly flopping down. Pretty sloppy for a setup that will set you back almost five grand before tax!

The AC500 also lacks some of the small but important features found in other units. For example, if the battery runs out of juice and then gets charged again, the system doesn’t automatically turn back on. This might not seem like a big deal, but if you’re relying on this for home backup and it cuts out while you’re away, you could come home to find your heat source, fridge, or other essential appliances are off. We just don’t understand why they would have overlooked this during the design phase - it’s such a weird and preventable issue.

With all of that said, the biggest issue we have with the AC500 is the eye-bulging price. At $4,799, it’s hard to justify the cost when there are better options available. For comparison, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra, which offers a 7,200W inverter and 6,000Wh battery, costs $5,799. Even the fairly dated original EcoFlow DELTA Pro, priced around $2,500, offers more bang for your buck, with portability, expandability, and the ability to run 240V.

Our Conclusion: The Bluetti AC500 is a Missed Opportunity

At the end of the day, the Bluetti AC500 feels like a confused product that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. It has the potential to be a great home backup solution, but it falls short in too many areas to justify its sky-high price tag. The lack of a 240V output, the cumbersome connectors, its unreliable performance, and the absence of some pretty key features all make it hard to recommend the AC500 over other options out theret.

If you’re in the market for a home backup power station, there are superior options we’d recommend way ahead of the AC500 and B300 combination. We already mentioned the EcoFlow DELTA Pro, but you could also consider its big brother, the DELTA Pro Ultra. They simply perform better, and in the case of the original DELTA Pro, it’s much cheaper. There’s also the Anker F3800 Power Station, which is another option we’d gladly recommend over the AC500.

Basically, if you’re considering the Bluetti AC500 and the B300 Batteries, it might be time to pump the breaks and reconsider. As much as we wanted to like the AC500, it just didn’t live up to our expectations.