Whether you need to generate power for your RV, charge your EV during off-road adventures, or look for a home battery backup, portable power stations have you covered. These devices can connect to solar panels and are a green alternative to gas power generators. They also provide more energy than power banks, generating enough electricity for a recreational vehicle or a small house.
Choosing a power station can be challenging, though. You must consider the capacity, AC output, number and type of outlets, and expandability. Prices also vary widely, from under $200 to over $3,000.
This in-depth comparison between BLUETTI and EcoFlow highlights what you should consider in a portable power station and analyzes the pros and cons of these models. Let’s dive right in!
BLUETTI vs. EcoFlow: Side-by-Side Comparison
| BLUETTI | EcoFlow | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 268Wh to 3,072Wh | 256Wh to 3,600Wh |
| AC Output | 600W to 3,000W | 300W to 3,600W |
| Max Solar Input | 200W to 2,400W | 110W to 1,600W |
| AC Outlets | 2 to 6 | 2 to 4 |
| USB Outlets | 3 | 4 |
| RV Outlet? | Selected models only | Selected models only |
| Expandable? | Selected models only | Selected models only |
| App? | Selected models only | Selected models only |
| Price | Around $210 to $2,600 | Around $160 to $3,200 |
- 268Wh LiFePO4 battery backup
- With 2 600W (1,200W Surge) AC outlets
- Recharge from 0-80% in 30 minutes
- Great for camping and outdoor activities
- 210Wh backup lithium battery
- Fast-charging
- 110V/300W AC outlets
- DC and USB ports
- For outdoor camping, travel, hunting, emergency
BLUETTI vs. EcoFlow: What’s the Difference?
Founded in 2019, BLUETTI is a top-rated portable power supply solutions manufacturer. From solar generator kits and solar panels to home battery backups, expansion batteries, and portable power stations, the brand established itself as an authority in the generation of small-scale green energy. BLUETTI’s portable power station lineup currently includes six models designed for camping, RVs, and EVs.
The brand, owned by Chinese multinational PowerOak, has received numerous accolades in the past years, including a 2023 CES Innovation Award for its modular battery packs designed for power station expandability and an IF Design Award for its solar panel-compatible portable power stations.
While BLUETTI’s achievements are notable, the brand faces fierce competition in the portable power supply market. One of its direct competitors is EcoFlow.
The company was founded in 2017, and like BLUETTI, it won an IF, a Golden A’, and a Red Dot Design Award in 2023. EcoFlow’s lineup includes the DELTA and RIVER series. The former is a range of high-performance power stations, while the latter is more suitable for casual use.
Let’s break down the most important differences between BLUETTI and EcoFlow so you can decide which power station to buy.
Capacity
The capacity refers to how much electricity, measured in watt-hours, the battery can provide and is the first thing to check when shopping for power stations. A higher capacity is almost always better, as you can use the power station to plug in or charge more devices at once, but a low-capacity model is typically cheaper.
If you need a power station to charge your phone or laptop while camping, a low-capacity model could save you some money. EcoFlow offers its portable power stations in capacities starting from 256Wh, which are perfect for the purpose. The lowest-capacity power station from BLUETTI has a capacity of 268Wh and costs about $50 more than the EcoFlow.
If you want to power much more than a laptop — think an RV, or charge your EV during off-road adventures — investing in a high-capacity power station is a must. EcoFlow maintains the upper hand, its DELTA power stations offering capacities of up to 3,600Wh, expandable up to 25,000Wh.
BLUETTI’s maximum capacity is 3,072Wh, expandable up to 12,228Wh. This is enough for most purposes but likely insufficient if you want to charge an electric vehicle. Thanks to the higher capacity, EcoFlow is also a better choice if you want to use the portable power station as a home battery backup.
©Xenlumen/Shutterstock.com
Output
Closely related to capacity is the current output, which indicates the maximum number of watts your portable power station can simultaneously deliver on demand.
It is unsurprising that EcoFlow wins this round. Depending on the model, the AC output varies from 300W to 7,200W. The latter is enough to power an entire house, while 300W is more than enough to keep your gadgets charged.
BLUETTI’s smallest power station outputs 600W. It also has a higher capacity than the smallest EcoFlow, so it is a better choice for camping. However, the largest models only output 3,000W when paired with an additional battery.
Outlets
The most important outlet types in portable power stations are the standard AC outlets (compatible with 120V and 240V plugs) and the USB outlets. As far as the AC outlets are concerned, BLUETTI wins the round — it provides up to six AC outlets, including 120V and 240V connections. This means you can use the power station for most purposes, from powering your gadgets to plugging in a fridge.
EcoFlow also provides a combination of 120V and 240V outlets, but the maximum number is four. Considering the higher capacity and output (enough for charging your EV or plug-in hybrid vehicle), that’s a small price to pay, though. When it comes to USB outlets, most BLUETTI power stations have two USB-A and one USB-C outlet. EcoFlow equips most of its models with two USB-A and two USB-C outlets.
Both brands also include other outlet types, such as 12V DC and 30V or 50V RV-ready outlets. Some models also have charging pads you can use to charge all of your wireless charging-enabled devices. However, not all models have these outlets or the pads, so if you need them, check the power station’s specs before buying.
Charging
Charging a BLUETTI or EcoFlow power station is easy if you’re at home — you can plug it into a standard wall outlet. Entry-level BLUETTI models get to an 80 percent charge in around 40 minutes and are fully charged in around 1.2 hours. High-end models with higher-capacity batteries charge a bit slower, but you can expect them to fully charge in around 1.5 hours.
Alternatively, you can plug the power station into your vehicle’s 12V DC outlet, a Level 1 or Level 2 EV charging station, or use portable solar panels. Using solar panels alone, it can take just under 2.5 hours to fully charge a BLUETTI power station.
The entry-level EcoFlow power stations charge a bit faster. They usually need around 60 minutes to charge fully via an AC outlet. Alternatively, you can use a USB-C cable, car charging, or solar panels. With solar panels, the charge time is a lot longer, though, of around three hours.
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro needs around 2.7 hours to fully charge at a wall outlet, but you can speed up things by using a combination of AC, solar, and smart generator power. In this case, you can fully charge the power station in less than two hours.
Expandability
Both BLUETTI and EcoFlow offer expandability options for selected models. The BLUETTI AC300 model can be expanded with the brand’s B300 batteries. This model comes with one B300 battery as standard, but you can add up to four batteries for a total capacity of 12,288Wh.
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro offers a maximum capacity of 25,000Wh when the portable generator is paired with four batteries. Otherwise, you can choose from packages with one, two, or three batteries or purchase the power station alone (you’ll get a capacity of 3,600Wh).
Smart Control
Keeping your portable power station under control is key to avoiding running out of power in the middle of nowhere. BLUETTI and EcoFlow know this, so both brands offer apps that pair with their smart power stations.
BLUETTI’s app allows you to monitor the station’s battery usage, battery status, and solar power data. The brand’s smart power stations are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, so you can monitor data in real-time even when there isn’t a Wi-Fi connection available. However, the Bluetooth connection doesn’t require a PIN or password, so anyone in the vicinity of the power station could connect to it.
For this reason, the BLUETTI server can only be accessed via Wi-Fi — here, you can check saved data and control energy usage.
EcoFlow’s app connects to the brand’s smart power stations via Wi-Fi. In areas with no internet connection, the power station turns into a hotspot, allowing the app to connect directly to it. To use this function, you must create a password-protected account, so people without the password won’t be able to access your unit.
©OlliverQueen/Shutterstock.com
Price
EcoFlow provides more power stations than BLUETTI, and its entry-level models are typically more affordable (but also smaller in capacity). Prices start at around $160 and can go up to around $3,200 for the DELTA Pro model, which is much more expensive than the BLUETTI AC300.
Unsurprisingly, additional batteries drive prices up — the DELTA Pro model with an additional B300 battery (7,200Wh of capacity) costs around $5,200, and you can expect each additional battery to add around $2,000 to the final price.
EcoFlow’s accessories are also expensive. For instance, a single solar panel costs around $800. BLUETTI isn’t much more affordable, but you can save a buck on the high-capacity models. The AC300 with one B300 battery, for example, will only set you back around $2,600. However, each additional battery will add around $1,800 to the final price.
BLUETTI vs. EcoFlow: 5 Must-Know Facts
- BLUETTI is a top-rated portable power station brand founded in 2019. Its product lineup currently includes six models.
- EcoFlow was founded in 2017 and is one of the most popular manufacturers of portable power stations and home battery backups. Its power station lineup includes two separate series, each with several models.
- EcoFlow is the best option if you need an affordable portable power station. An entry-level model suitable for casual use won’t cost you more than $160.
- BLUETTI is the best option if you need a more affordable, high-capacity power station. Its AC300 model is around $600 cheaper than EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro.
- Both BLUETTI and EcoFlow power stations can be used for a variety of purposes, from charging your mobile devices and keeping you powered while camping to powering an RV or charging your electric vehicle.
- 268Wh LiFePO4 battery backup
- With 2 600W (1,200W Surge) AC outlets
- Recharge from 0-80% in 30 minutes
- Great for camping and outdoor activities
- 210Wh backup lithium battery
- Fast-charging
- 110V/300W AC outlets
- DC and USB ports
- For outdoor camping, travel, hunting, emergency
BLUETTI vs. EcoFlow: Which One Should You Use?
Both BLUETTI and EcoFlow manufacture reliable power stations, but EcoFlow is better in almost every way. The brand’s greatest advantage is the expansive range of products. The RIVER lineup includes wallet-friendly, low-capacity models that are ideal for casual use. If you need a more capable or expandable model, you can find one in the DELTA lineup.
BLUETTI also manufactures an expandable power station, but the maximum capacity and power output are inferior to EcoFlow. Sure, this model costs less than the EcoFlow, but EcoFlow still offers better value for money. Yet, if you don’t need more than 12,288Wh of capacity, a BLUETTI power station might save you a buck.
