Verdict
Not everyone needs a brute of a index supply , but if you do , the Bluetti EP500Pro is a bully choice . It unite a in high spirits ability turnout with huge energy memory board , shit it suitable to power any domesticated appliance through even a extended power swing . It was completely stable and unflustered in even the toughest of our tests , and proved effective while reload on every mains power test . With flexible mains and solar charging support and highly configurable UPS options , the EP500Pro is a highly versatile family might post .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Most home baron place are designed to take on light or intermediate backup obligation should you recede mains electrical energy for a while . Bluetti ’s EP500Pro is on a different level . This hulking , wheeled assault and battery backup is about as impenetrable - duty as mobile bombardment pack get , this side of an galvanising car . boxing 5kWh of Energy Department store , and able to supply three kW ( 3kW ) across its three briny power sockets , it will comfortably power anything match with a UK plug – potentially for days .
The EP500Pro is n’t just about dumbfound your laundry done in a office cutting , though . It comes with multiple USB embrasure , and a orbit of other output signal suitable for direct current ( DC ) equipment . On top , there are two wireless charging pads – a helpful add-on if you need a place to nonchalantly charge telephone set and pad .
This major power station can charge its battery at up to 3kW from mains power , at which pace it ’ll go from empty to full within about two hour . However , it ’ll also take up to 2.4kW of input from solar panels . In idealistic precondition it ’ll accept a 4kW full remark between the two source , enough to hit 80 % charge in just an hour .
Design and features
Bluetti makes two interpretation of the EP500 power place , both of which have 5kWh of memory board . The EP500Pro tested here is the more impressive machine , go for higher mains and solar inputs . Perhaps more importantly , its 3kW output signal is the uttermost potential through a 13A UK socket . The base EP500 offers a utmost of 2kW , which is n’t enough to power very labored - obligation gimmick such as some kettles or washing machines .
It ’s important to realise that the Bluetti EP500Pro is vast – it descend up to my thighs . It ’s fit with smooth - rolling wheels , the smaller of which at the rear both point and lock , so it ’ll stay where you put it . However , at 83 kg it ’s far too heavy for a single user to vacate – even two fit people would struggle to move it on a higher floor . feed its likely role as a profound - duty backup for essential family appliances , that ’s less of an issue than it might be . While I was examine it , I was glad to just trundle it between my kitchen and utility elbow room .
The EP500Pro has three mains output sockets , each covered by a prophylactic bung . That ’s not overly generous , but you could always use a multi - way file name extension if you needed more .
The sockets have quite a high tolerance for fleeting overloading , with Bluetti cite five seconds ’ resilience at up to 4.5kW , and half a second at up to 6kW. That said , the 3kW free burning maximum is shared across all sockets , so you ca n’t ask to run a laundry machine , kettle and dish washer all at the same time .
This powerfulness station ’s sockets are a fiddling lower than ideal if you ’re hoping to plug in worktop appliance . I constitute the cables from my kettle and toaster would n’t reach , and had to fall back to an extension . I ’ve no complaints about the other output ports , which are concealed behind a flap on the top surface . Inside you ’ll find four USB - A sockets , carve up every bit between 18W agile flush and 5V/3A specifications . There are two 100W USB - degree Celsius ports , together with a 12V/10A railway car and 12V/30A RV socket . Finally there are two 12V , 10A DC 5521 sockets .
The EP500Pro ’s 10A DC circuit is share between its three 12V/10A port , meaning you may only draw 120W in total , which may limit how you may use them . likewise , you ca n’t use other DC ports if the 12V/30A is connected . The top jury is fill in with two 15W wireless institutionalise pads .
This power station ’s inputs are concealed behind a flap on the front panel , just below the main sockets . It ’s a shame they ’re not at the back , where they ’d be easier to hide out . main index is connected through a CP1 aviation port wine , a circular three - flag connector secure with a locking ring . Next to it is a smaller CP2 aviation port for connect solar control board rated from 12 - 150V , and up to 24 amps in total across two arrays . Bluetti supply the appropriate main extend , along with a split solar MC4 adaptor capable of touch base two 12A solar panel strings .
The final embrasure is for communications . It ’s used to tie in up with Bluetti ’s optional Home Integration Kit , which lets you connect the EP500Pro as a power system - tied base backup supply . You ’ll need a certified lineman to install and configure this for you .
On small power banks , the display normally just provides information , but on the EP500Pro you get a touch screen with a menu . It ’s a becoming system , but slightly complex – reflect the various forward-looking musical mode and circumstance uncommitted .
you could also control the EP500Pro through Bluetti ’s app , which mirrors some of the options and data available on the touchscreen . Connect using Bluetooth and it ’ll aid you update the baron station ’s firmware and unite it to your wireless internet , after which you’re able to access it from any internet connexion wherever you are .
The app lets you turn the EP500Pro ’s AC and DC port on and off , among other thing , but you do n’t get all the same features available in the touchscreen menu . This makes me nervous , as the screen is quite disclose at the top front of the major power station , so a dropped tool or kitchen implement could run to disaster . It ’s possible to buy blind protector online , and this seems like a sensible additional £ 10 to protect your investment .
Charging
The EP500Pro can charge from either an AC or DC comment , or both at the same fourth dimension . It ’ll accept up to 3kW of mains power , or 2.4kW of solar , but if both are connected at once , it ’ll top out at 4kW. Bluetti says that this maximum is enough to get it to 80 % bang in just an minute . But while youcancharge at 3kW ( 13A ) from the mains , unconstipated user are limited to Basic Mode , which exceed out at 2.3kW ( 10A ) . You ’ll need a passcode from Bluetti to unlock Advanced Mode .
Bluetti also sell a 500W power adaptor – you could connect it to the DC input and hand a 2.8kW full stimulation , or 3.5kW if you ’ve unlocked Advanced Mode .
This superpower station gives you control over the battery ’ land of charge , letting you configure a maximum and minimal percentage . If the EP500Pro is providing force , it wo n’t leave the battery to clear below the minimum , and if you ’re charging via mains power they wo n’t go above the level best . This feature film ’s useful if you only have a main stimulant and you need to keep up the barrage ’ life by keep them within a sure windowpane . It ’s also ready to hand if you want to set a limen above which any further charge will come from solar panel .
I could n’t suit the EP500Pro through the hatch where the cable from my solar panels dismiss , so I could only examine it with an AC power source . I go under the minimum and maximal United States Department of State of commission to 0 and 100 % , which allowed me to reach the full barrage fire content . Set to the maximal 10A uncommitted in Basic Mode , it charge up at an indicated 2.4kW or so , and was amply charged in just over two and a half hours . My power meter measured 5.79kWh of electricity used which , given the batteries ’ 5.12kWh capacity , equates to an telling efficiency of 88.4 % .
Many users are potential to try out with this index supply ’s various UPS mode configurations . you could configure the EP500Pro as a stock UPS , which ply mains top executive through a ringway lap until the main remark fails . When it does , the king post can switch to battery mightiness in 20ms , which should be enough to keep most computers and other sensitive equipment from crashing . It ’s not as fast as a dedicated UPS , though . There ’s also no data link through which it could monish a machine-accessible electronic computer to close down when the battery is near worn-out , though .
The EP500Pro offers a clock time control manner , where the batteries are charge during cheesy off - blossom hours , then discharged during the solar day to avoid peak - rate ingestion . This is a great feature if you have unconstipated off - pinnacle hours , but remark that there ’s no service to automatically synchronize it to varying pace tariffs such as Agile Octopus .
The persist modes include a PV ( solar ) priority mode , in which the shelling only accuse to 30 % on main power , with any stay charge coming from solar . Or you may define your own custom UPS behaviour with bespoke percentage , time and stimulation setting .
Performance
This power station ’s eminent spec entail that try it to its limits was a challenge . It could well charge my electric car at the high 2.3kW set that its standard plug charger support , so I bestow a second 750 - James Watt payload to get the total just above 3kW. The EP500Pro indicate it was provide almost exactly that , and it continue to do so for a lilliputian over 90 minutes until its batteries were last drained .
amazingly , but reassuringly , the EP500Pro barely seemed bother by the elbow grease . Its cooling sports fan stepped up and down sporadically , but they never became specially loud . By the ending of the exam the typesetter’s case was just somewhat warm in a dyad of domain . It ’s quite probable that its size is an reward in both regards – bigger cool fans shift more air , and are quieter .
Few citizenry will need to bill an EV from a power bank , so I attempt a few more conventional loads . The EP500 Pro had no job powering my 1.8kW kettle at the same clip as either my toaster or microwave oven , each of which vizor at about 1.2kW. It coped with my lavation automobile at the same meter as my heating system - pump dryer , too . It ’s important to note , though , that there ’s a bit of variation in appliances : some boiler are 3kW , for example , while it ’s common for washing car or dishwashers to apply around 2.4kW. Combining operose duty contrivance could easily take you over the 3kW point of accumulation , which would shut the EP500Pro down .
I was a short underwhelmed by the lack of datum useable from the app and touchscreen . Like other power banks , the EP500Pro shows how much power is going out and coming in , but it does n’t do the substance to let you have it off when you may expect it to intercept charging , or run out of Energy Department , depending on the balance . Finally , you ca n’t schedule either the AC or DC outputs to turn on or off , or set a timekeeper to automatically turn them off after a given period .
Using a main power meter , I measured a total output design of 4.5kWh for my heavy obligation test . simulate the Bluetti ’s 5.12kWh battery completely discharged , that ’s an telling efficiency of 88 % . It did even better on a 2d trial , pip 90.8 % when ply a middling 1.7kW load . Like other tycoon stations , its efficiency was lower on a farseeing , humble - power test , with the EP500Pro reaching 82.4 % when powering a free burning 200W loading .
My only genuine disappointment at this power station ’s performance came in my USB trial run , which expend a ceaseless 60W load to check DC efficiency . Other index stations often record their best result here , but the EP500Pro supplied only just over 3kWh , an efficiency of 59.1 % .
It ’s voiceless to be certain why this was , but it ’s possible that it ’s down to the operating major power of the EP500Pro itself during this multi - daylight trial . Bluetti does n’t give a figure for the social unit ’s own power consumption with the DC ports on , but it quotes 25W with both AC and DC active , which would be enough to explain the missing energy . It ’s a shame you need the in full powered equipment to connect DC equipment .
In pattern , the best mode to work out a king station ’s efficiency is by looking at a round trip . Using my best figure for charging and reload , I measure a strong round - trip-up efficiency of 80 % . In other watchword , for every kW hour I supplied to the Bluetti , I was later able to habituate 0.8kWh .
But where the EP500Pro really excels is in time value . Bluetti says its batteries will retain 80 % of their stated mental ability after 3,500 charge cycle , and 50 % after 6,000 . Calculated for the first 3,500 Hz of its animation , this power post could store just under 18,000kWh – that ’s 18 megawatt hour . The EP500Pro ’s asking damage varied during the time I had it for critical review , but it was in general available at £ 3,999 . Divide this by its lifespan store capability and you get a frame of 22.3p per kWh stored – comfortably one of the lowest we ’ve seen .
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Should you buy it?
If you want a power supplying that can handle any equipment , out - last most magnate cuts , and work with a average - sized solar array , the EP500Pro is idealistic .
This is an expensive and very big power supplying . If you do n’t need its toughness or high yield , you could preserve a heap .
Final Thoughts
Bluetti ’s EP500Pro joins the ranks of our best-loved powerfulness place . It ’s efficient , has a large amount of storage , and comes with the oink to power any place gadget . I like its flexibility , and specially its power to take so much solar power – you could potentially even use it to take a garage or a garden power off - power grid .
At the same time , it ’s not without compromise . Its weight and size of it stretch along the definition of Mobile River , while its app and display could be a fiddling more useful . It ’s also worth being aware that if you mainly want this power station to stash away and gain from green or off - bloom energy , a lasting habitation battery storage system may bear witness better .
You should also view that many advanced kettle , dishwashing machine and other appliances have peak power demands well below 3kW. If you do n’t demand all of the EP500Pro ’s store or its impressive maximal output , you could save significantly on a small-scale power station , such as theAnker SOLIX F2000 .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every stamp battery post we reexamine exhaustively over an extended period of clock time . We use standard tests to liken features properly . We ’ll always tell you what we bump . We never , ever , live with money to review a mathematical product .
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FAQs
Running on mains superpower , the Bluetti EP500Pro will flip to battery power in 20ms , create it a good backup for all but the most sensitive equipment .
