Bluetti Apex 300 Review

Bluetti Apex 300 Review: Real-World Power for Your Tools and Life

Bluetti Apex 300 Review – The need for dependable portable power is growing. Whether you’re living off-grid or powering heavy-duty tools, having a reliable energy source is crucial. Today, we’re diving into the Bluetti Apex 300 portable power station. We’ll also look at its B300K expansion battery. This review aims to give you a clear picture of its capabilities. We’ll base this on real-world tests, much like a detailed video review, to see how it truly performs.

1. Bluetti Apex 300: A Closer Look at Specifications and Design

1.1 Key Specifications and Battery Capacity

The Bluetti Apex 300 packs a punch with its built-in 51.2-volt lithium iron phosphate battery. This battery offers a 54 amp-hour capacity, which equates to a substantial 2,764 Watt-hours of energy. Handling this power station means dealing with its weight, which is around 38 kilograms or 84 pounds. This robust design suggests it’s built for durability and sustained power delivery.

1.2 Output Ports and Power Delivery

You’ll find plenty of ways to draw power from the Apex 300. It features two pairs of 120-volt outlets on the front. Each pair can deliver almost 2,000 watts independently. For higher power needs, there’s a 120/240-volt port on the side. This special port can push out nearly 4,000 watts, with a precise rating of 3,840 watts. Even when just sitting idle with the inverter on, the unit draws about 17 watts. This is a pretty good number for an inverter of this size.

1.3 Input and Expansion Capabilities

Charging the Apex 300 is straightforward. It comes with a cord for charging from a standard 120-volt outlet. You can also charge it using an accessory port, often called a cigarette lighter port. On the side, you’ll find PV input ports and a battery expansion port. The PV input uses XT60 connectors. These can accept DC power from 12 to 60 volts, with a limit of 20 amps per connector. Each connector can handle up to 1,200 watts.

2. Performance Testing: Real-World Load and Capacity Analysis

2.1 Capacity Test: Running a High-Wattage Load

To start, we put a 1500-watt space heater to the test. We plugged it in and turned it on. The unit indicated it had 6.8 days of power left, which translates to the advertised 2,764 Watt-hours. After an hour and a half, the unit shut off. We had used 2.425 kilowatt-hours during this time. This means the power station was about 87.7% efficient compared to its stated capacity.

2.2 High Load Test: Pushing the Limits

Next, we pushed the Apex 300 to its limits with a high load test. We aimed for its maximum rated output of 3,840 watts. To do this, we connected four space heaters. This created a combined load of about 3,470 watts. That’s around 90% of its maximum capacity. The power station maintained this significant load for nearly 40 minutes. It did this without any signs of overheating, even while sitting in the sun.

2.3 Power Tool Test: Handling High Surge Loads

We then moved on to a demanding power tool test. We wanted to see how the Apex 300 handled tools with high surge requirements. We used a large 12-inch sliding compound miter saw, an air compressor, and a shop vac. The unit has two separate 120-volt circuits, each rated for 1920 watts. We plugged the air compressor and shop vac into one circuit. The miter saw went into the other. The air compressor was drawing 14 amps, and the miter saw pulled 15 amps. The Vac pulled 11 amps. The Apex 300 handled all of them, even when the miter saw was running and the air compressor kicked on. It was quite impressive.

3. Charging Performance: AC and Solar Input Evaluation

3.1 AC Charging Speed

When charging with AC power, the Apex 300 performed well. We observed it charging at over 1.4 kilowatts. The unit reached a full 100% charge relatively quickly. This makes it easy to top up the battery between uses.

3.2 Solar Charging Capabilities and Limitations

We also tested the solar charging capabilities. The Apex 300 has two XT60 ports for PV input. Each can handle up to 1200 watts. We connected four 365-watt LG solar panels. Because the maximum open circuit voltage is 60 volts, we had to connect two panels in parallel for each input. This kept the voltage within the acceptable range. Without adapter cables, we had to use our own. Once connected, the solar array delivered between 870 and 880 watts. The unit was fully charged in about six hours. A minor drawback is the lack of included MC4 adapter cables.

4. Expansion Battery Integration and Extended Testing

4.1 Connecting and Utilizing the B300K Expansion Battery

We then connected the B300K expansion battery. The proprietary cable connected the two units smoothly. The power station’s screen reset, showing an 84% charge. This indicated that both units were communicating properly. We then fully charged the combined system.

4.2 Capacity Test with Expansion Battery

With the expansion battery attached, we ran the 1500-watt space heater again. The system lasted for nearly three and a half hours. During this time, it consumed 5.041 kilowatt-hours. The total reported capacity was 5.5 kilowatt-hours. This suggests the system was about 91% efficient with the expansion battery.

4.3 Usage During Charging

We also checked if we could use the power station while charging the expanded system. Initially, the AC ports wouldn’t turn on. However, after the charge level increased slightly, the AC ports became available. This allows for continued power usage even when recharging.

5. Advanced Features and Final Thoughts

5.1 240V Output Capability

The Apex 300 also has a 240-volt output. It features a large 50-amp plug on its side. However, its total output is limited to under 4,000 watts. This means most high-draw 240-volt appliances, like water heaters or dryers, will overload it. We tested it by plugging in an EV charger. The 240-volt output worked as expected. It’s suitable for specific 240-volt devices within its power limits.

Conclusion

Bluetti Apex 300 Review: Overall, the Bluetti Apex 300 performed very well in our tests. We were particularly impressed with its ability to handle demanding power tools. The performance when paired with the expansion battery was also excellent. A key area for improvement would be a higher solar input voltage. This would allow for more panels to be connected in series. If you need reliable power for tools or off-grid applications, the Apex 300 is a strong contender.

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