One of the most versatile power stations I’ve tested is $450 off right now for Prime Day

What’s the deal?

The Bluetti AC180 portable power station has a 45% discount for Amazon Prime Day<!–>, down to just $549.

Also: The best Prime Day deals: Live updates

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Bluetti AC180–> is available from Amazon for $999.
• Its build provides simple functionality that delivers exceptional power performance.  
• It’s fairly heavy given its capacity, weighing in at 37 pounds.

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You can divide power stations into three broad categories – there are the tiny, highly portable units, the huge units that roll about on wheels, and in between, you have the bulky but still portable units that you can lug about, just not too far!

I quite like this intermediate category because I can throw one in the back of the car or truck when I go camping or on photo/video/drone trips, and it’ll provide all the power I need for a few days.

Also: The best portable power stations you can buy: Expert tested

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been using and abusing the Bluetti AC180, and this unit ticks all the boxes for what I want from a power station that can keep me going when off-grid for a few days. 

View at Amazon<!–>

Bluetti AC180 tech specs

• Power: 1,800W Rated Power/2,700W Lifting Power (surge)
• Capacity: 1,152Wh
• AC Charging: 1,440W Turbo charging, 60 minutes to 100% (silent charging at 300W also available)
• Solar Charging: 500W Fast solar charge, fully charge in about 2.8 – 3.3 hours
• Outputs: AC: 4×120V, 1,800W in total | USB-C: 1 × 100W max | USB-A: 4 × 5VDC/3A 15W in total | 15W wireless charging pad | 12V DC: 1 × 12V/10A
• Battery: LiFePO4, rated for 3,500+ charge cycles
• App: Smart remote control via BLUETTI app
• UPS Reaction Time: 20ms
• Weight: 35.3lbs/16kg
• Dimensions: 13.4 × 9.7 × 12.5 inches / 340 × 246 × 318 mm
• Warranty: Five years

Note that the unit in the photos is a UK version of the AC180, but apart from the differences relating to the AC outlets, it’s functionally identical to the US version.

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When testing a power station for a review, there are a few key aspects I examine.

First, I verify that the device lives up to the claims made on its spec sheet, which, for power stations, includes the battery capacity and the loads the device can handle. I’m also keen to see how the power station copes with loads exceeding its rated capacity, looking for it to shut down in a tidy fashion, because no one wants a box filled with high-power batteries to start to spark, spit, and cause a brouhaha.

The AC180 passed all my tests with flying colors. It’s a meticulously crafted and expertly engineered unit that delivers precisely what it promises.

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Another strong aspect to the AC180 is longevity. Bluetti builds these power stations around LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries, and these are renowned for their durability. The cells used in this unit are rated for 3,500 recharge cycles before they are considered spent, significantly outperforming the typical 500 to 800 recharge cycles of standard lithium-ion batteries.

Also: I tested one of the cheapest power stations that made road-tripping a breeze (and it’s $250 off)

I also tested the charging claims, connecting this up to an AC outlet, solar panels, and a vehicle’s 12V outlet.

For solar charging, I was using a 120W Bluetti panel–>