AC180
- you want the most Wh for the money: 1,152Wh
- you’ll rarely carry it: it weighs 35.3 lb
- you want solar and car cables in the box and a wireless phone pad
Elite 100 V2
- you’ll carry it often: 25.3 lb, about a third smaller
- you’ll run more than 500W of panels, up to 1,000W
- a PC or a CPAP needs the faster 10ms UPS switchover
Prices and stock checked by our price engine on November 5, 2026 at 5:30 AM EST. Each product is rechecked several times a day; the time refreshes when you load the page.
Ten pounds or 128Wh. That is the whole decision.
The BLUETTI AC180 holds an extra 128Wh and ships with its cables. The BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 weighs 25 lb instead of 35, takes twice the solar and is rated for 500 more cycles. Same 1,800W, and both were in stock at BLUETTI US on October 30, 2026.
Below: every difference with numbers, a 20-second calculator for your own gear, six modeled situations, and what five published tests found.
Today the AC180 and the Elite 100 V2 cost the same. The AC180 stores 128Wh more. The Elite 100 V2 is 10 lb lighter, takes twice the solar, switches to UPS twice as fast and is rated for 500 more cycles.
- you want 1,152Wh, the most capacity per dollar
- you want the solar and car cables included
- you charge phones on a wireless pad and four USB-A ports
- you carry it often: 10 lb lighter
- you’ll use more than 500W of solar
- you protect a computer or a CPAP: 10ms switchover
The five differences that decide it
The five gaps that decide the purchase, with the better spec for most buyers flagged. Eight smaller differences and the full spec sheet come after the calculator. The 1,800W inverter, the 2,700W Power Lifting mode, the four AC outlets and the 5-year warranty are identical.
Will it run your setup? Check in 20 seconds
Estimates use 85% usable capacity and 70% of rated solar output. Real results vary with temperature, inverter load, shade and appliance cycling. Fridge and freezer watts are daily averages and do not include compressor startup surges.
Runtime by appliance, one at a time
Simple energy estimates, not measured runtimes. One column per unit: about 979Wh usable on the AC180 and 870Wh on the Elite 100 V2.
Appliance for appliance, the AC180 lasts 12% longer than the Elite 100 V2.
Same appliance, same watts: the gap is always the size of the battery.Get our Black Friday alerts for BLUETTI
We track live prices on 40+ models from Jackery, EcoFlow, BLUETTI and Anker SOLIX. When a deal beats the lowest price we've recorded, you'll hear from us. During Black Friday week, one short recap a day at most.
Unsubscribe in one click. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Privacy Policy
The price gap, in numbers
The BLUETTI AC180 and the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 cost the same today, so the AC180 adds 128Wh for nothing extra.
Prices refresh daily from BLUETTI US.Both cost the same today.
The lifetime figure divides the price by the rated cycles times the capacity: 3,500 × 1.152kWh for the AC180, 4,000 × 1.024kWh for the Elite 100 V2. Read it as a ranking, not a bill. OutdoorGearLab’s measurements tilt the same way: 950Wh of usable AC energy from the AC180 against 890Wh from the Elite 100 V2. Since neither takes an extra battery, the only way to more capacity is a second unit, and two AC180s give you 256Wh more than two Elite 100 V2s.
Six modeled situations, worked out
Same formula as the calculator above. The fridge averages 60W, about 525kWh a year, in the range printed on typical EnergyGuide labels; that average does not include compressor startup surges.
24-hour outage, essentials only
Neither covers a full day; both get you through an evening and a night. The AC180’s extra 128Wh buys about an hour more. For a full day, look at a 2kWh unit.
CPAP, two nights
Both cover the two nights. The Elite 100 V2’s 10ms switchover and 30dB rating suit a bedroom; the AC180 adds a third night. BLUETTI advises turning ECO mode off for small loads.
Home office through an outage
Both carry a workday. The switchover is the difference: 10ms on the Elite 100 V2, 20ms on the AC180, which OutdoorGearLab hesitates to trust with sensitive electronics. Test your own PC before relying on either.
Refill from solar, 800W of panels
With 500W of panels or less they refill at the same pace. Above that, only the Elite 100 V2 uses the extra panels, and it refills in about half the sun time.
Two nights in an RV or van
Neither lasts two nights without recharging. The AC180 refills at about 100W from a 12V socket (about 12 hours, BLUETTI figure). BLUETTI does not publish the Elite 100 V2’s 12V socket rate, but sells both with its Charger 1 alternator charger, which it says fills the Elite 100 V2 in about 1.8 hours; the AC180 is capped at 500W on that input.
A job site, one workday
Both run a 1,400W saw within their 1,800W rating. Power Lifting doesn’t help motors; startup draws above 1,800W lean on surge, which BLUETTI rates at 2,700W on the AC180 and doesn’t publish for the Elite 100 V2. The Elite 100 V2 is the easier carry from the truck.
Eight more differences, the spec sheet and the box
Smaller gaps that rarely decide the purchase, then the full specifications and what ships in the box.
AC180 and Elite 100 V2 weight, dimensions and full specifications
Weight: 35.3 lb for the AC180 (BLUETTI US spec; the manual says 36.2 lb) and 25.3 lb for the Elite 100 V2. Dimensions: 13.4 × 9.7 × 12.5 in for the AC180, 12.6 × 8.5 × 9.8 in for the Elite 100 V2. Everything else is in the sheet below.
BLUETTI AC180 and Elite 100 V2 full specifications
Every published figure for both units, grouped. Green marks the better value.
What’s in the box
AC180
- AC180 power station1,152Wh, 35.3 lb
- AC charging cable1.8 m
- Solar charging cable1.5 m
- Car charging cable0.72 m
- Manual and grounding screw
Elite 100 V2
- Elite 100 V2 power station1,024Wh, 25.3 lb
- AC charging cable1.8 m
- Manual and grounding screw
- Solar cable sold separatelyMC4 to XT60
- Car cable sold separatelycigarette lighter to XT60
Box contents from both user manuals. Bundles with a panel or a charger come with the matching cables.
06 · ChargingHow fast each one refills
Shorter bar, faster refill. Each row is scaled to its slower unit.
Both: wall and solar together, up to 1,440W on the AC180 and 1,200W on the Elite 100 V2Both: Silent, Standard and Turbo AC charging modes
Our solar times assume panels deliver 70% of their rating; BLUETTI’s own figures assume ideal sun. BLUETTI warns that charging slows when the battery is hot or nearly full.
Every port, side by side
AC180
Elite 100 V2
Practical consequence: both put four AC outlets on the front. The AC180 favors phones and small gadgets with four USB-A ports and a wireless pad; the Elite 100 V2 favors laptops with a 140W USB-C port, and adds two DC5521 barrel ports for 12V lights and routers.
08 · NoiseNoise: AC180 vs Elite 100 V2
The BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 is the quieter one: BLUETTI rates it at 30dB under 600W, and three reviewers call it quiet. BLUETTI rates the BLUETTI AC180 at 45dB in silent charging, and OutdoorGearLab lists its noisy fan as a con.
BLUETTI’s figures use different conditions; only the AC180 has an independent measurement.Every figure we found, with its source
What reviewers heard: A noisy fan is listed among its cons (OutdoorGearLab); barely above room noise in silent charging (The Technology Man).
What reviewers heard: Never louder than a whisper (Popular Science); the fan stayed remarkably quiet at 80% of rated output (OutdoorGearLab); quieter than the AC180 it replaces (New Atlas).
Measured by a tester Brand figure
- Use silent charging overnight in a bedroom: 260W on the AC180, 600W on the Elite 100 V2.
Cold, heat and storage: AC180 vs Elite 100 V2
The BLUETTI AC180 and the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 share the same limits: charging from 32°F to 104°F, running from −4°F to 104°F. In the heat, the AC180 drops to 1,500W above 86°F.
Figures from the AC180 and Elite 100 V2 user manuals and BLUETTI US product pages.AC180: output drops to 1,500W above 86°F.
- Bring either one inside to recharge in winter: neither charges below 32°F.
- In summer, keep the AC180 out of a hot car or garage: above 86°F its output drops to 1,500W.
- For storage, keep either one at 40 to 60% and recharge every 3 to 6 months; the Elite 100 V2 manual asks for a full cycle every 3 months, and BLUETTI wants the AC180 kept upright.
App, UPS and smart features
The BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 does more: Wi-Fi to check it away from home and a 10ms UPS. The BLUETTI AC180 matches it on Power Lifting and weak-grid mode.
Same BLUETTI app and same 2,700W Power Lifting. Neither takes an extra battery.Green zone: a switch under about 16ms, which most desktop PCs ride through without restarting.
Can you check it away from home? The BLUETTI AC180 connects over Bluetooth only, so you control it within phone range; the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 adds Wi-Fi, so you can check it from work during an outage.
Does it work as a UPS? ATX desktop power supplies hold up for about 16ms, so the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2’s 10ms is comfortable and the BLUETTI AC180’s 20ms is borderline. Neither offers a USB link for automatic PC shutdown.
Can it run a heater or kettle above its rating? Both run heating loads up to 2,700W while their real output stays 1,800W. It is off by default, not for motors, and on the BLUETTI AC180 it is unavailable while charging from the wall.
Does it handle generators and weak grids? Both have a mode for generators and weak grids. On the BLUETTI AC180, turn Grid Enhancement off before using the UPS: BLUETTI says it slows the switchover.
Can you add a battery later? Neither takes an extra battery. A B80, B230 or B300 can only recharge the BLUETTI AC180 through its DC input in Power Bank Mode, at 500W max.
Warranty and support
Same 5-year warranty from BLUETTI US on the BLUETTI AC180 and the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2.
The gap is in the cycle rating, not the term.Subject to each brand’s warranty terms and eligibility.
BLUETTI rates the AC180 at 3,500+ cycles and the Elite 100 V2 at 4,000+ cycles to 80% capacity: about 9.6 and 11 years at one full cycle a day, well past the warranty. Calendar aging and heat also wear the cells, and neither battery is user-replaceable, per BLUETTI’s AC180 FAQ.
What reviewers report
We have not lab-tested these two units. Here is what five published tests found, with the source for each point.
Elite 100 V2: Popular Science (August 2025), New Atlas (October 2025, Australian unit), OutdoorGearLab (July 2026)AC180: The Technology Man (September 2023, UK unit), OutdoorGearLab (January 2026)
Usable capacity
- AC180Reviewer 950Wh of usable AC energy from the 1,152Wh battery, 82% efficient. OutdoorGearLab, Kenji Mowrey, January 2026
- AC180Reviewer 983Wh at about 1,000W on AC, about 85%; 997Wh from the DC side. The Technology Man, September 2023, UK unit
- Elite 100 V2Reviewer 890Wh of usable AC energy from the 1,024Wh battery, 87%. OutdoorGearLab, Kenji Mowrey, July 2026
- Elite 100 V2Reviewer Ran a full camping setup for about 24 hours in mild weather; boiling a liter in a kettle used about 10% of the battery. New Atlas, Noel McKeegan, October 2025
Charging
- AC180Reviewer Turbo charging: 55% after 30 minutes, 92% after 50, full in about an hour; the first charge took two hours while the unit cooled down. The Technology Man, UK unit
- AC180Reviewer About 300W from a 350W panel in August sun; just over 100W from a 12V car socket. The Technology Man
- Elite 100 V2Reviewer About 45 minutes to 80% in Turbo mode; under two hours to full in the 600W Standard mode. New Atlas, October 2025
- Elite 100 V2Reviewer BLUETTI’s 70-minute full charge was roughly accurate, a little faster on wall power than on solar. Popular Science, Nick Hilden, August 2025
Noise and UPS
- AC180Reviewer Lists a noisy fan as a con and would hesitate to use the 20ms switchover for sensitive electronics. OutdoorGearLab, January 2026
- AC180Reviewer No interruption noticed on a desktop PC during a UPS test, though the switchover wasn’t timed. The Technology Man
- Elite 100 V2Reviewer Never heard it louder than a whisper. Popular Science, August 2025
- Elite 100 V2Reviewer The fan stayed remarkably quiet at 80% of rated output. OutdoorGearLab, July 2026
Daily use
- Elite 100 V2Reviewer Cons: no solar or car charging accessories in the box; the fast car charging claim needs BLUETTI’s Charger 1, installed in the vehicle. OutdoorGearLab, July 2026
- Elite 100 V2Reviewer Misses the AC180’s wireless pad; the 12V car cord is sold separately; ECO mode must be off for fridges. New Atlas, October 2025
- AC180Reviewer Praises fast mains charging, front outlets, the wireless pad and build quality; criticizes the uncommon DC7909 solar plug, USB-A ports without fast charging and idle drain of about 5% every four hours with AC on. The Technology Man, UK unit
- AC180Reviewer Cons: poor power-to-weight ratio at a measured 36 lb. OutdoorGearLab, January 2026
Practical limits before you buy
- Neither can take an extra battery. BLUETTI’s own FAQ says the AC180 doesn’t support capacity expansion; a B80, B230 or B300 can only recharge it through its DC input in Power Bank Mode, at 500W max. The Elite 100 V2 has no expansion port either.
- Power Lifting is for heating loads only. The 2,700W figure applies to kettles, heaters and hair dryers. Motors, compressors and pumps need the 1,800W continuous rating plus surge headroom: 2,700W on the AC180, not published in the Elite 100 V2’s US manual (reviewers list 3,600W).
- The Elite 100 V2 ships without solar or car cables. Budget for the MC4 to XT60 and cigarette lighter to XT60 cables if you don’t buy a bundle.
- The AC180’s solar plug is a DC7909. It’s less common than XT60 or Anderson, and the input stops at 10A, so panels must be wired in series to reach 500W.
- On the Elite 100 V2, the car socket and the DC5521 ports share 10A. A 12V fridge and a barrel-plug router together can hit the limit.
- Neither charges below 32°F. Both discharge down to −4°F, but bring them inside to recharge in winter.
- Neither can fly. Both are about ten times the 100Wh airline carry-on limit.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Elite 100 V2 the replacement for the AC180?
Reviewers describe it that way, and it brings the same 1,800W output in a smaller, lighter body. BLUETTI still sells the AC180 on its US site, along with the 1,440Wh AC180P, so both are current choices.
Can I add an extra battery to either one?
No. Neither has an expansion port. BLUETTI’s FAQ says B80, B230 and B300 batteries can only recharge the AC180 through its DC input (Power Bank Mode), not extend it. For expansion in this class, look at a unit with an extra battery port.
How long will the AC180 or the Elite 100 V2 run a refrigerator?
Using a 60W average draw and 85% usable capacity, about 16 hours on the AC180 (979Wh) and about 14.5 hours on the Elite 100 V2 (870Wh). Actual runtime varies with the fridge, room temperature, compressor cycling and inverter losses. Turn ECO mode off first.
Can they run a 1,500W space heater?
Yes, both are rated at 1,800W continuous, but not for long: about 39 minutes on the AC180 and about 35 minutes on the Elite 100 V2 at 1,500W. Above 86°F the AC180 is limited to 1,500W.
Which is the better UPS for a computer?
The Elite 100 V2: BLUETTI rates its switchover at 10ms or less against 20ms for the AC180. Neither has a USB data link for automatic shutdown, so test with your own PC before relying on it.
Which charges faster from solar?
With 500W of panels or less, they charge at the same pace. Above that, the Elite 100 V2 accepts up to 1,000W and refills in about 1.5 hours of full sun at 70% panel output; the AC180 is capped at 500W, about 3.3 hours.
Are they the same size?
No. The AC180 measures 13.4 × 9.7 × 12.5 inches and weighs 35.3 lb; the Elite 100 V2 measures 12.6 × 8.5 × 9.8 inches and weighs 25.3 lb, about 35% less volume and 10 lb less.
Will third-party solar panels work?
Yes on both: 12 to 60V open-circuit voltage. The AC180 takes up to 10A through a DC7909 plug with the cable included; the Elite 100 V2 takes up to 20A through XT60, with the MC4 to XT60 cable sold separately.
Related comparisons and reviews
How we compared and sources
Research-based comparison. We have not physically tested these two units. Specs come from BLUETTI US documentation and the user manuals; usage observations are attributed to named reviewers. Prices and availability were checked on October 30, 2026.
- Specs: BLUETTI US, AC180 and BLUETTI US, Elite 100 V2, read on October 30, 2026, including BLUETTI’s own side-by-side table on the Elite 100 V2 page.
- Ports, inputs, temperatures, charging modes and box contents: BLUETTI AC180 user manual and BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 user manual (US EN-FR edition, May 2026).
- Reviewer reports: Popular Science (Nick Hilden, August 2025), New Atlas (Noel McKeegan, October 2025, Australian unit with two AC outlets), OutdoorGearLab (Kenji Mowrey, July 2026) on the Elite 100 V2; OutdoorGearLab (Kenji Mowrey, January 2026) and The Technology Man (September 2023, UK unit with two 230V outlets) on the AC180. Non-US units share the battery and the 1,800W rating; outlets and AC input differ.
- Surge for the Elite 100 V2: 3,600W appears in Popular Science’s and OutdoorGearLab’s spec lists but not in BLUETTI’s US manual, so our calculator doesn’t use it.
- Runtime = capacity × 0.85 ÷ watts. Solar harvest = min(panel watts, max input) × sun hours × 0.70. Cost per lifetime kWh = price ÷ (cycles × capacity in kWh). Service life = cycles ÷ 365.
Same 1,800W and four outlets. The AC180 stores 128Wh more; the Elite 100 V2 is 10 lb lighter with 1,000W of solar.
Prices checked November 5, 2026 at 5:30 AM EST
Looking at other models? Browse all power station comparisons, or pick any two models on the hub and we point you to the right duel.
Originally published: November 1, 2026