Elite 100 V2

The Bluetti Elite 100 V2 marks a turning point for the brand. It's Bluetti's first "bio-based" station: part of the housing materials come from bio-sourced origins. Beyond the eco messaging, what matters is what's under the hood – and it doesn't disappoint.

1024 Wh in an 11.5 kg package of just 17 litres. It's compact, carries easily thanks to a handle hidden in the design, and fits neatly in a car boot or under a seat. Not the lightest 1 kWh station around, but the size-to-power ratio is well calibrated.

Power-wise, 1800W continuous and 2700W Power Lifting. That runs a microwave, a kettle, a hair dryer on medium, a small space heater. 90% of everyday appliances work without issue.

Charging is a major strong point. TurboBoost at 1200W: 80% in 45 minutes, 100% in 70 minutes from mains. On solar with 1000W input, you also hit 100% in 70 minutes under optimal conditions – unheard of in this price range. And with Bluetti's Charger 1 (sold separately), car charging is 6 times faster than a standard charger.

Operation is near-silent: 30 dB under light load is barely a whisper. Camping at night or in an office, you forget it's there. The 10 ms UPS switchover protects sensitive devices – a CPAP, a router, a NAS – without any noticeable interruption.

The LiFePO4 battery lasts 4000 cycles, over 10 years of daily use. Reliable, stable, with build quality to match.

The downside? Only 2 Schuko outlets in the EU version (the US version has 4), and the station isn't expandable with an additional battery. For those planning to scale up, that's worth considering. But as a standalone unit, this Elite 100 V2 is hard to fault.