In case you have not heard, {the electrical} grid in the US has been feeling the pressure of longer-lasting and stronger warmth waves these previous few years. That, along with an increasing number of gadgets drawing from the grid, has led to outages of assorted levels. Discovering methods to get electrical energy and never depend on the normal strategies has picked up steam as a solution to fight this example. Bluetti is an organization on the vanguard of moveable energy stations, and the Bluetti EP500Pro does it in spectacular type.
Sure, the EP500Pro is technically moveable, however on account of its weight, you might not need to choose it up and take it with you tenting. However that does not negate this energy station’s potential to maintain your important gadgets operating throughout an influence outage, or act as an off-grid energy provide. With huge capability, the power to increase that capability, the output score, and the variety of port choices, this can be the very best moveable energy station for long-term outages or off-grid dwelling.
Bluetti EP500Pro: Pricing and availability
Bluetti launched the EP500 and EP500Pro in March 2021 via a Kickstarter marketing campaign, reaching its aim of $1 million in 10 minutes. Retail availability got here in August 2022 via Amazon and the Bluetti web site. Each models are available in Elegant White, with the EP500 promoting for $4,999 and the EP500Pro for $5,999.
Bluetti EP500Pro: What’s good
There are loads of glorious moveable energy stations out there right this moment, and every has its personal place available in the market primarily based on various components. Issues like dimension, capability, energy output, ports, and strategies of recharging the unit. The Bluetti EP500Pro is a beast of an influence station that provides options that few, if any, of its opponents presently match. I’ve spent the higher a part of two months utilizing it, and I knew the second it arrived that it was going to be spectacular.
Except for its great-looking design, the opposite noticeable factor the EP500Pro has in an preliminary impression is its weight.
FedEx referred to as me to ask if I’d be residence at supply, and if the place I lived if there was room for a freight truck to park. After realizing the cargo weighed over 200 kilos and was strapped to a pallet, I needed to readjust my expectations for the unit. Unloading and unboxing the Bluetti EP500Pro was a chore, contemplating when unboxed it weighs in at 187 kilos.
The design of the ability station could be very good. It is stable, and the two-tone white and black — or as Bluetti calls it, “Elegant White” — is a welcome change from the everyday all-black or gray seen on many different gadgets. It is also formed otherwise than most choices, as it’s taller than common at practically two and a half toes, and with virtually two toes of depth. Additionally it is slim, coming in underneath 12 inches. As soon as set, the EP500Pro is simple to maneuver round because of the 4 wheels, two bigger fastened wheels within the entrance, and two smaller rotating wheels within the again that may lock into place.
I made a decision that I used to be going to set the unit up in my workplace to make use of it to offset my electrical prices for operating the AC. After flipping the first breaker change on the unit’s bottom, I pressed the big button on the entrance to energy the system on. The 4.25-inch touchscreen is illuminated and has a really acquainted look to the Bluetti AC200Max I beforehand reviewed. However now it has a number of extra menus, and the draw back from the opposite mannequin of being difficult to learn in brilliant lights is much less of a difficulty, for the reason that EP500Pro is much less more likely to be within the sunshine.
Bluetti additionally improved the connectivity choices with the EP500Pro by including Wi-Fi to enrich the Bluetooth. Sure, Bluetti has an app that displays and controls the unit’s fundamental features. Pairing is comparatively easy, and permits Bluetti to push software program updates to the ability station as properly.
From the EP500Pro’s touchscreen, together with viewing what energy is coming in or going out, you possibly can allow and disable the AC and DC output, change the enter and output voltage and frequency, alter if the unit is ready for single or cut up section, the UPS mode, and rather more. You learn that accurately — the EP500Pro may be linked with one other EP500Pro with an optionally available accent to offer 240V and double the battery capability. As for the UPS mode, I am going to go extra into that later, however the unit can act as an computerized battery backup for gadgets.
| Specs | Bluetti EP500 Professional |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 29.9 x 11.8 x 22.8 inches |
| Weight | 182 kilos |
| Battery | LiFePO4 5120Wh, 3500+ Cycles to 80% Capability |
| Expandable | ✔️ (with B230/B300 batteries or one other EP500 Professional) |
| Show | 4.25-inch diagonally LCD |
| AC Output (4) | 3000W complete (surge 6000W), 120V~ (60Hz) Pure Sine Wave |
| NEMA L14-30 RV Output | 30A 100-120VAC |
| DC5521 Output (2) | 12VDC, 10A Whole |
| Automotive Charger Output | 12VDC, 10A |
| USB-A Output (2) | 5VDC, 3A Whole |
| USB-A Quick Cost Output (2) | 18W, 36W complete |
| USB-C Output (2) | 2 5/9/12/15/20V 5A, 100W Max per port |
| Aviation Port | 12VDC, 30A |
| Wi-fi charging (2) | 5/7.5/10/15W |
| AC Enter | 3000W Max |
| Photo voltaic Charger Enter | 2400W Max, 12-150VDC,12Ax2, 12V/24V,8.2A |
| Automotive socket | 12V/24V,8.2A |
| Safety | Over Voltage Safety, Overload Safety, Over Temperature Safety, Quick Circuit Safety, Low Temperature Safety, Low Voltage Safety, Overcurrent Safety |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Environmental Charging Temperature | 32°F ~104°F (0°C ~ 40°C) |
| Storage Ambient Temperature | 32°F ~113°F (0°C ~ 45°C) |
| Water and dirt resistance | 🚫 |
| UPS mode | ✔️ |
Wanting over the chart above, you possibly can see that the Bluetti EP500Pro has some awe-inspiring numbers. Standout specs can be the 3000W, output with as much as 6000W of surge energy. Which means practically something you need to energy that runs on 120V may be run with this unit. That energy is pulled from an enormous 5120Wh LiFePO4 battery cell. This battery chemistry implies that it’s extra secure, permits for extra output, and the lifespan is for much longer than conventional lithium-ion batteries. Bluetti has it rated at 3500+ Cycles to 80% capability.
Whereas nonetheless speaking about output, the quantity and number of ports out there so that you can make the most of all the EP500Pro’s energy can also be fairly spectacular. The 4 AC shops, and single 30A NEMA L14-30 port sometimes utilized by RVs and campers, all reside in the direction of the underside on the entrance of the unit. Every has its personal built-in rubberized cowl to maintain mud and particles out whereas not in use. On prime of the unit, underneath a spring-loaded door, the 4 USB-A ports, twin 100W rated USB-C ports, and an aviation port is on prime of the unit.
One other factor that stands out from the spec sheet above is the enter charging fee. That is one thing that I want was sooner on the AC200Max, however for the EP500Pro, it is rather good. When charging from a wall outlet, the ability station can recharge at as much as 3000W with the right energy provide. Utilizing my normal 110V plug on a 15A breaker, I get round 1800W when the battery stage is low.
The factor that’s actually spectacular about charging the Bluetti EP500Pro is how a lot it may possibly soak up from photo voltaic. This energy station can deal with a whopping 2400W of photo voltaic enter! That could be a huge quantity to tug in utilizing free power. This makes the EP500Pro a incredible candidate for off-grid houses or an RV, as long as you do not plan on shifting round an excessive amount of. Each grid and photo voltaic charging cables are included within the field, and I actually like how they’ve a locking collar to make sure they do not come undone.
I haven’t got sufficient photo voltaic panels to succeed in that quantity. However with what I’ve, I have been capable of run my workplace AC without cost utilizing the EP500Pro and the solar. I hope to get some extra panels to dump much more of my workplace to the ability station. Bluetti does promote a Sensible House Panel that may be wired into your property — finest to be accomplished by knowledgeable that permits the EP500Pro to mechanically energy circuits for shops, home equipment, and so forth., ought to the ability exit.
Nonetheless, suppose you need computerized energy backup for particular gadgets like fridges, computer systems, medical gear, or others. In that case, the Bluetti EP500Pro can nonetheless assist out in these conditions with none further gear. Because of the built-in UPS (uninterruptible energy provide) function, that may work in a number of other ways.
In Normal UPS Mode — with the EP500Pro plugged into your wall and the gadgets you need to guarantee keep powered on in an outage hooked as much as it — as soon as it’s totally charged, the ability station will basically bypass the batteries to maintain the gadgets plugged into it operating. Ought to the ability exit, the EP500Pro will mechanically change to batteries to maintain your home equipment going.
The Time Management UPS Mode works equally to Normal UPS Mode, the place the unit is plugged into the wall and gadgets into it. However you set the occasions when the ability station recharges and when it would not to economize, ought to your electrical utility firm supply peak and off-peak charges. Then, when the EP500Pro is not charging, it switches over to batteries to maintain gadgets operating.
There’s additionally a PV Precedence UPS Mode designed for secure electrical grids, so it as an alternative makes use of photo voltaic and solely costs to sure ranges when on the grid. Lastly, Bluetti included a Custom-made UPS Mode the place you possibly can set practically all parameters of how the unit operates when it comes to being a UPS.
Bluetti EP500Pro: What’s not good
If it looks like there are few faults of the Bluetti EP500Pro, its as a result of that actually is the case. Two facets that will appear a bit apparent as negatives are the value and weight of the ability station. The Bluetti EP500Pro carefully follows the usual one greenback per Kh of battery, and the present worth of $5999 is slightly over that fee, however very shut. Retaining in thoughts the options that include this energy station, that extra value is smart. Relying on how you intend to make use of the unit, the value is probably not that prime.
As for the load, there’s actually no means round it — 187 kilos is heavy. Whereas the Bluetti EP500Pro is solidly constructed and has handles, virtually no one goes to need to choose it as much as transfer it. The wheels roll very properly and help the load of the unit with none points. However, should you stay in a multi-level residence or need to take it tenting, you may need assist shifting it.
These two cons cannot actually be fastened. Certain, Bluetti might slash the value, and maybe some gross sales might come up that may make the price a bit extra palatable. However what may be resolved is the companion app.
It has a pleasant design and does what it may possibly fairly properly. However the issue is that it is very restricted in what it may possibly do. Merely all you are able to do within the app is monitor {the electrical} enter and output, allow AC and DC energy, and replace the unit’s firmware. Whereas these issues are higher than nothing, I might like to have the power to observe every AC circuit, management the recharge fee, and extra, all from my telephone. EcoFlow, one other energy station model, provides many of those options in its app, and I might prefer to see Bluetti up its recreation on this space.
Bluetti EP500Pro: Competitors
Whereas there’s loads of competitors within the house, with loads of causes to personal a transportable energy station; models of the dimensions and functionality of what the Bluetti EP500Pro provides are much less so. One choice that stands out is the EcoFlow Delta Professional. Ever since I reviewed this unit, I’ve utilized it in many alternative methods, because of its output and enter charges, portability, and out there ports.
Beginning with portability, the Delta Professional is less complicated to maneuver round than the EP500Pro because of a few issues: Primarily, it weighs much less, and has a retractable deal with to make rolling it round much less of a burden. Saying the Delta Professional is lighter is not tough for the reason that EP500Pro weighs a lot, however the EcoFlow unit nonetheless is available in at about 100 kilos.
As for output, the Delta Professional is rated for 3600W with a 7200W surge from the 3600Wh LFP battery. Except for the wi-fi charging pads and the aviation port, you may discover all the identical ports on the unit because the Bluetti EP500Pro. Recharging the unit may be accomplished at 1800W from a wall outlet, 1600W photo voltaic, 3400W from an EV charging station utilizing the out there adapter, or mix strategies for a staggering 6500W.
The EcoFlow Delta Professional is expandable with extra battery packs, provides 240V split-phase, and might energy your property in an outage with a Sensible House Panel accent. Nonetheless, the Delta Professional would not have UPS performance built-in to mechanically energy gadgets ought to the ability exit. However, the price for the Delta Professional is sort of a bit lower than the EP500Pro. So, realizing your energy wants and the way you need to use a transportable energy station like these two is important to getting the very best unit for you.
Bluetti EP500Pro: Do you have to purchase it?
You should purchase this if…
- You want loads of energy and capability.
- You want a 30A output choice.
- You need versatile UPS performance.
- You want off-grid energy that’s expandable and recharges rapidly.
You should not purchase this if…
- You need to take this tenting.
- You need loads of management over the unit out of your telephone.
- You need an affordable moveable energy station.
As with most issues, realizing how you may use the gadget and your bodily limits are key in selecting a transportable energy station. The Bluetti EP500Pro is superb with correct expectations. Its 3000W energy output and 6000W surge score can deal with practically all energy wants, and it may be recharged rapidly utilizing a number of strategies. The 30A plug means it may possibly work very properly in an RV or camper, however that is assuming you do not plan on shifting it usually.
As a result of it’s so heavy, carrying it round a campsite or round your property is one thing you may probably need to keep away from. Additionally, as a result of the companion app is so restricted in what you possibly can management, you’ll want to be aware of the on-device touchscreen to handle most features.
Except for the uncooked energy and capability of the Bluetti EP500Pro, the versatile UPS system that is built-in is incredible. It brings peace of thoughts for gadgets you do not need to or cannot have go offline. Figuring out ought to your energy exit you possibly can preserve home equipment or medical gear going with no blink is nice. Bluetti has a superb product within the EP500Pro, simply do not plan on it being too moveable.
The Bluetti EP500Pro is ideal for off-grid dwelling and as a UPS for important home equipment in an energy outage. Between the ports, energy output, and capability, it may possibly assist preserve the lights on. Simply do not attempt to carry it round a lot.
