If the Marvel universe ever needed a modestly sized but surprisingly mighty power bank, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 would be the one auditioning. Not the cape wearing hero, but the reliable sidekick who quietly fixes everything while you are still trying to remember where you packed the instant coffee.
For this review, we spent a few days testing out the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 Portable Power Station at home then brought it to a local picnic spot complete with the attractive Bluetti PV100L 100W folding solar panel to see how they fared together. Yes, we took way too many photos. Yes, most of them involved snacks. That is the Barefoot Nomad life in a nutshell. Accept it.
First impressions
The Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is sturdy, compact, and has that rugged little robot vibe. Imagine a square R2D2, but if R2 could run your laptop, keep your camera topped up, charge a drone, and still have power left over for fueling your teenager’s emergency social media needs. It feels solid in your hand without being a pain to carry, and it tucks easily into your vehicle trunk when on the go or in the corner of your tent if you’re in the woods for the weekend.
What we powered
Between the two of us and the kids, we plugged in everything we could find. Phones, tablets, a camera battery, a portable speaker, and a laptop. The Bluetti Elite 100 V2 handled it all without complaint. Some power banks panic when you ask too much of them. This one acted like we had barely asked anything at all.
Perfect for travel
If you camp, road trip, work outdoors, or just like having backup power for life’s unexpected moments, this little unit fits right in. It’s quiet. It’s dependable. It never tries to steal your snacks. Honestly, it might be the most well behaved member of the family.
Bluetooth connected
Is there anything that isn’t Bluetooth connected these days? Actually, lots of power stations aren’t and it’s definitely one place Bluetti shines. You can grab the Bluetti app from either Apple and Google that lets you connect to the device and monitor everything from how much energy you’re currently using to enabling and disabling the ports remotely. Morning coffee brewing with the touch of a button from the comfort of my sleeping bag? Yes please!
Unlike other brands, it even allows firmware updates to the device so if enhancements or tweaks are discovered down the line, it’s 2 taps away from happening. With UPS capabilities, you can even set the power bank to different modes so you never lose a document when plugged into the device whether at home or at the jobsite.
Plenty of charging options
Its 1200W input and crazy short charging speed (it can reach around 80% from zero in 45 mins when plugged in) is impressive. Watching the percentage climb feels strangely satisfying and it immediately makes you wonder why your phone can’t get its act together and charge at the same pace.
It can also handle up to 1000W via solar input which also means if you’re running a small solar array, this power station will be your best friend. Of course it can also take in your typical 12 volt car plug but we never tested it ourselves as this model didn’t come with that plug. (Luckily we have others from Bluetti models we’ve reviewed in the past but they’re cheap to buy if you don’t have one.)
A pile of ports
Whether you’re charging via AC, DC or the nearly ubiquitous USB, the picnic perfect Bluetti Elite V2 has you covered. With 4 AC ports accepting a maximum of 1800W of pure sine power (with peak power reaching up to 2700W for those pesky motor startups), you can run a blender, a hair dryer or even a microwave if you were so inclined. It also means it can power that air inflator with ease if you’re pumping up that glorious floating island you’ve always dreamed about.
With everything from laptops to monitors running via USB C these days, you can rest assured that it’s 2 USB C ports (one is 140W and the other 100W) means you can leave your laptop charge brick at home and just connect it directly to the Bluetti. Of course, you can plug your older, more boring USB devices into the 2 more traditional USB A ports the device carries so bring your fairy lights, battery powered speakers and rechargeable lantern as well and don’t fret about conserving their power on your next camping trip. Light it up baby!
If you’re a diehard camper and have a portable powered cooler (we know you’re thinking about one, who isn’t?), the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 can handle that too with your traditional 12V lighter style plug as well as the two DC5521 jacks. With 1,024Wh of battery juice, you can power one for days and if gone longer, grab a solar panel (or two) like the one below and extend your trip indefinitely.
Sun powered bliss on a picnic table
The Bluetti PV100L 100W folding solar panel was the Elite 100 V2’s perfect companion. We set up the weirdly attractive heather grey backed solar panel on a wooden picnic table with the kind of satisfaction usually reserved for building Lego. One moment it’s a nice little package, the next it unfolds into a miniature solar farm that looks very proud of itself.
Easy setup
Even on a slightly uneven picnic table, setup took less than a minute. Unclip, unfold, clip angle according to the sun, and it starts collecting power like a sun loving cat discovering a warm beam. No fuss and no need for instructions. The fact the solar panel includes a simple marked clip of different angles makes choosing your favorite angle as easy as a button. (Because it’s literally a button.)
How it performed
Fall clouds drifted in and out, but the panel still fed the Elite 100 V2 a steady stream of solar goodness once we put it in the sun. Paired together, they looked like a tiny outdoor command center while we relaxed with snacks and pretended to be very outdoorsy.
The panel handled dust, wet leaves, a curious puppy and a light breeze without issue. Even on the rough picnic table, the folding 100W panel felt solid. The built in cable (tucked nicely in it’s own waterproof zippered compartment), coupled with the Bluetti’s included power bank connector made the connection fast, easy and secure.
Bluetti PV100L 100W Solar Panel Final thoughts
If you want a reliable, lightweight solar setup for camping, picnics, road trips, or beach days, this panel delivers. It is sturdy, portable, and oddly satisfying to use. Plus, charging your gear with sunshine feels like a tiny magic trick every single time and the fact it does it for free means it will eventually pay for itself in savings. We liked it so much, we actually wish we had a pair of them.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 1024 Wh (51.2 V, 20 Ah) |
| Battery chemistry | LiFePO4 with about 4000 plus cycles to 80 percent capacity |
| AC output | 1800 W pure sine wave continuous |
| Surge and lifting power | Up to 2700 W lifting mode and 3600 W surge |
| Total outlets | 9 total |
| USB C | One at 140 W and one at 100 W |
| USB A | Two at 15 W each |
| DC outputs | One car socket 12 V 10 A and two DC5521 ports |
| AC charging input | Up to 1200 W (80% charged in 45 minutes) |
| Solar charging input | Up to 1000 W, 12 to 60 V, 20 A max |
| Charging methods | AC wall, solar, car, generator, or AC plus solar combo |
| Connectivity | Wi Fi and Bluetooth with Bluetti app control |
| UPS support | 10 ms UPS switching |
| Weight | About 25 lb or 11.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 320 x 215 x 250 mm |
| Operating temperature | Charging 0 to 40 C and discharging minus 20 to 40 C |
| Battery management | Built in BMS and MPPT solar controller |
| Warranty | 5 year warranty |
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Bluetti PV100L |
| Maximum power | 100 W |
| Cell type | Monocrystalline silicon |
| Cell efficiency | About 23.4 percent |
| Coating | ETFE lamination |
| Voc | 24.62 V |
| Isc | 5.13 A |
| Folding style | Two panel folding layout |
| Connectors | Standard MC4 |
| Weight | About 4.95 kg or 10.9 lb |
| Size unfolded | 23.4 x 44.5 in |
| Size folded | 23.4 x 22.2 x 2.2 in |
| Operating temperature | Minus 10 to 65 C |
| Best operating temperature | Around 25 C |
| Certifications | FCC, CE, RoHS |
| Warranty | 12 month warranty |
Who the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is for
Think of the Elite 100 V2 as the friend on a road trip who somehow packs light but still produces the laptop charger, the extra flashlight, and the backup snacks.
Choose it if you want:
• A mid sized power station that can handle laptops, camera gear, tablets, and a fridge or kettle for short bursts
• Long battery life thanks to LiFePO4 chemistry
• Very fast recharging from solar or AC
• App control, UPS backup, and strong charging flexibility
• A compact unit that works for both travel and home backup
Skip it if you want to run big home appliances for many hours at a time. For that you will want a larger capacity setup.
Who the Bluetti 100 W folding solar panel is for
Choose the 100 W panel if you want:
• A light, portable solar panel you can pop onto a picnic table or campsite
• Easy MC4 connections
• A simple and dependable way to recharge your Elite 100 V2 without hunting for outlets
• A compact panel that plays nicely with road trips and weekend camping
If you want to take full advantage of the Elite 100 V2’s high solar input, you may want two panels or a higher wattage option for a base camp or off grid cabin.
Best simple pairings
• Easy weekend setup
Elite 100 V2 plus one 100 W panel for phones, laptops, cameras, a small fridge, and general outdoor power.
• Faster solar refills
Elite 100 V2 plus two 100 W panels if you want the battery topped up most afternoons.
• Home backup starter kit
Elite 100 V2 plus one or two panels for routers, phones, laptops, and essential gear during short outages.
Interested in the Bluetti Elite 100 portable power station? Grab it directly from Bluetti using our “BFN” promo code until December 2, 2025 to get an additional 5% off the already great Black Friday pricing. In Canada, go to Bluetti.ca and if in the USA then grab it from Bluetti.com