Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Is the Bluetti AC200L the best power station for camper vans?

Bluetti PD Sale-AC200L RV Life best power station for camper vans
Bluetti

Van life has the potential to be very simple, but if you’re not prepared, it could become difficult quickly. Consider the modern appliances you use to cook. Depending on where you stop, you can’t always make a campfire, which means you’ll need a burner of some kind. But you’ll also need a power source capable of supporting that burner and any other devices or small appliances you may want to use, such as camp lighting. In a camper van, you typically don’t have that power handy unless you’ve outfitted your setup with a portable power station like the Bluetti AC200L — the ideal camper van companion.

Campers will love the expansive 2,048-watt-hour capacity and 1,200 watts of solar input, allowing you to charge via solar relatively quickly. But also the fact that it’s modular and expandable up to 4,096 watt-hours with a single B230 expansion battery, or up to 8,192 watt-hours with two B300 expansion batteries. Why? Because you can increase the power capacity at any time to handle more devices or appliances or to extend the power time of the station as needed. Basically, that allows you to equip your camper van or makeshift camp with as much power as you could possibly need. Plus, the AC200L’s 1.6x power output is above the traditional rate, 2.4x charging speed and lower noise levels add more to love about it.

Learn More

Why Bluetti AC200L is the best power station for camper vans

Bluetti AC200L solar power generator new release
Bluetti

The Bluetti AC200L is explicitly designed to offer reliable power for longer periods of time. It even ensures continuous operation of household appliances when used as a backup power solution, with a 20ms UPS or uninterruptible power supply. Connect one of the expansion batteries, or several, for even longer power reliability. But outside of a household or backup situation, the AC200L is super portable, modular with options to expand the capacity at anytime, and easy to stow or transport. That versatility and scalability are what make it one of the best power stations for camper vans.

Imagine stowing a fully capable power station — with a massive capacity of 8,192 watt-hours — in the trunk of your van. It’s absolutely possible with the AC200L. You can fit the power station, expansion batteries, and solar panels, along with all the necessary cables, and it won’t take up that much room. Even just the AC200L by itself offers 2,048 watt-hours of power, enough for about 46 charges of a 100-watt laptop or up to 70 hours of a 60-watt cooling fan.

Moreover, it charges fast, replenishing up to 80% capacity in just 45 minutes with AC power. That’s one of the fastest charging times in the entire category of 2-kilowatt-hour power stations. Solar power is relatively fast, too, thanks to a 1,200-watt solar input. So, if you stop off the beaten path for a couple of hours, you can charge up the station before hitting the road again.

Of course, the AC200L’s best feature is what makes it such a great RV or camper van companion. When paired with a D40, it transforms into a high-efficiency DC power source. It can provide a seamless 12-volt charging option for RV batteries, surveillance equipment, routers and networking gear, speakers, radios, and much more. It essentially turns your RV or camper van into a fully-powered home.

Learn More

Hit the road, Jack, and don’t look back

Bluetti Prime Day Sale on best power station for camper vans feature.
Bluetti

Bluetti is participating in the Prime Day sales at Amazon from July 16 to July 21, which should come as no surprise since they do pretty much every year. But this year, there are some incredible deals available, especially for the AC200L. For example, the will be $1,299, normally $2,499, saving you $1200. If you just want the only, that will be $1,199 instead of $1,999, saving you $800. Or how about the expansion battery together for $2,299 instead of $3,798, saving you $1,499.

If you’re interested in a portable power station, expansion batteries for your existing station, or accessories like solar panels, we highly recommend browsing the sale. There’s much more available than just some great deals on the AC200L.

Learn More

Briley Kenney
Briley has been writing about consumer electronics and technology for over a decade. When he's not writing about deals for…
This four star power station is $740 off today
The EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 power station on a balcony in the rain.

No one wants to get stranded without a way to charge their phone and other must-have tech. That’s why there’s such a massive market for backup generators, though not all of us have the funds or space to accommodate a traditional gas-powered model. Fortunately, portable power station deals are just as standard (if not more) than the bigger gas models. Plus, we came across this great Amazon offer:

For a limited time, when you purchase the Ecoflow Delta Pro 3 Portable Power Station on Amazon, you’ll save $740. At full price, this model sells for $3,700. We tested this power station last summer, and reviewer Simon Sage says it best: “The EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 packs beefy power in a shockingly stylish package.”

Read more
Need a portable power station? This one is $130 at Walmart
A camping couple using the iFanze 300W Portable Power Station.

No one wants to get stranded without electricity during a winter storm or summer blackout. That’s why there’s a thriving marketplace of portable power station deals. You can find these mini-generators just about anywhere, but if you’re looking for the best price on a great model, let us direct you to this fantastic Walmart promo: 

For a limited time when you purchase the iFanze 300W Portable Power Station at Walmart you’ll pay $130. At full price, this unit sells for $400. 

Read more
This EcoFlow portable power station is only $119, with a catch
An EcoFlow River 2 portable power station sits on a camp table.

There are so many uses for a portable power station, and if you don't have one yet, you don't want to miss this opportunity to buy the EcoFlow River 2 for only $119. That's half-price following a $120 discount on its original price of $239, but there's a catch -- you'll be getting a refurbished model. If you're willing to take this deal for the huge discount, you better hurry -- it's part of EcoFlow's Outdoor Sale, and there are only a few days remaining before the event ends.

Why you should buy the EcoFlow River 2 portable power station
The EcoFlow River 2 is a smaller and more affordable version of the EcoFlow River 2 Pro, which received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars in our review. If you don't think you'll need the larger capacity of the EcoFlow River 2 Pro, and if you're on a tighter budget, there's no problem with going for the EcoFlow River 2 instead. Its capacity of 256Wh is enough for power outages, and to serve as a backup energy source for outdoor adventures. It's also much lighter at only 7.7 pounds and more compact than the EcoFlow River 2 Pro, so it's less troublesome to pack.

Read more