The BLUETTI EB55 is a highly powerful and versatile portable power station, but it comes at a premium price. These days we need access to energy everywhere we go.
We need to keep phones, laptops, cameras, consoles and appliances charged at all times in order to enjoy the many benefits they bring. The BLUETTI EB55 claims to be able to support multiple devices at once from its vast array of power ports, and has three separate power input options so it is quick and easy to recharge.
But how effective is it really? And does the weight and size of this unit detract from its convenience?
In this article we review the EB55 in detail, looking at power and performance, compatibility, portability, durability, safety and ease of use.
Read on to find out more about this power station’s pros and cons so you can decide whether it is the right choice for you.
BLUETTI EB55 PORTABLE POWER STATION
What You Get
There is no doubt that the BLUETTI EB55 is a premium product which comes with a sizable price tag, so you want to be sure of what you get for your money.
In the basic package you receive the EB55 power station unit itself, as well as a PV solar charging cable, a car charging cable, and an AC adapter and charging cable. You also receive an instruction manual and a 2 year warranty on the product.
It is important to note that the solar panel itself is sold separately, which is something some customers miss. If you do not already own a solar panel and want to utilize this charging option then this is an additional cost that you should take into consideration.
Many other users have noted that it is worth buying an extra AC adapter and cable separately too. Although it is an additional cost, the convenience of being able to charge the power station using both AC inputs is a real advantage and worth coughing up for.
Key Specs:
Power
- 700W (537Wh) capacity AC inverter
- Peak 1400W load capacity
Outlets:
- 4 x 110V pure sine wave electricity AC outlets
- 1 x USB-C 100W port
- 4 x USB-A 5V/3A ports
- 1 x regulated 12V/10A car port
- 2 x 12V/10A DC ports
- 1 x 15W wireless charging pad
Battery and Charging:
- 537 premium LiFePO4 battery
- Advanced battery management system (BMS)
- 2 x input ports (200W AC input port + 200W PV solar input port)
- Dual charging 400W input
- Less than 2 hour charging time
Bluetti EB55 Portable Power Station Buying Guide
Power Performance
It is official, the BLUETTI EB55 is one seriously powerful unit. With 700 Watts of continuous pure sine wave electricity to offer, this power station is pretty much able to charge and run any electrical appliance, gadget or technology that you might need in everyday life.
It has a maximum surge capacity of 1400W and offers 537 Watt hours of energy. That’s impressive.
To put it into layman’s terms, this power station can provide enough juice to run electrical power tools for 5-6 hours, play a TV continuously for 5-6 hours, heat a slow cooker for 2-3 hours, run a refrigerator for over 7 hours, charge a smartphone 40-50 times over, and run a 20W LED light for 20-30 hours.
When you consider the type of activities that you perform on camping trips and beach days, it is clear that this unit will provide more than enough power for all your usual needs.
It also offers 100W PD making it great for fast charging laptops and consoles. In fact, it can power a Macbook in 2 hours. When we tested it with our 13 inch Macbook Pro, it was able to fully charge it in 1.5 hours, and took 1.6 hours for the 16 inch model.
All in all, the quality and strength of power that this unit provides is very impressive, and means that you don’t have to worry about power shortages or finding yourself stranded without power in the wilderness because the EB55 is such a trusty backup.
Compatibility
Believe it or not, the EB55 can power 13 devices simultaneously, and the range of devices it is compatible with is vast thanks to its many power outlet ports.
The 4 110V AC outlets are certainly the most useful when it comes to camping trips and outdoor use. You can run blenders, rice cookers, drones, TVs and even medical ventilation masks from this thing. So whether it is first aid you require, or a night of netflix inside your tent, the EB55 has you covered.
The single USB-C port is handy for fast charging phones and small electrical devices, but we also loved the wireless 15W charging pad on the top of the unit.
The convenience of simply resting your phone on the flat surface and letting it charge is awesome as there are no wires or connections to deal with. The lower wattage draws less energy from the tank itself and is a great option if you are not in a rush.
The 4 USB type A ports are ideal for phones, tablets, cameras and other lightweight electricals. Whereas the car port can run a 150W mini fridge or LED lamp so you can keep your drinks cool and enjoy the beverages even after night has fallen.
With so many different power ports, the EB55 has versatility like few other power stations out there, meaning you don’t need any smaller power banks and backup units as this one does it all!
Of course, it is important to note that the more devices you run simultaneously, the less time each of them will run for. On short trips and days out the EB55 has more than enough juice to boost the lot, but on extended vacations it will need recharging.
Battery Quality
The EB55 runs off a top quality LiPo4 battery cell which has serious energy retaining properties and excellent longevity. In fact, the EB55 battery can endure over 2500 life cycles when charged to 80%, meaning that it lasts 3-5 times longer than the average lithium ion battery.
This high quality cell means that you get more bang for your buck as it does not show signs of tiring or weakening for a long time.
The LiPo4 battery also has in-built safety features which keep the unit healthy and reliable and protect against damage and hazards.
This power station monitors its battery behavior in order to protect your devices against overheating and short circuiting. It also has in-built overload and overcurrent protections, making this an intelligent and reliable option for those with expensive devices that you do not want to damage.
Charging
The EB55 has three different charging options, making it a very versatile unit. It has a 200W PV solar charging option, and with the BLUETTI SP200 solar panel attachment the unit will charge from 0-80% in just 3.5 to 4 hours.
This is a great option for those with an environmental conscience as this energy is green and clean. Of course, it helps if you are camping somewhere sunny!
The 24V / 12V car port input is an excellent charging option for those who are on the road. You can be miles and miles from civilization and still manage to charge your power station from 0-80% in 3 or 6 hours.
The 200W AC adapter is suitable for both wall plugs and power generators, and using one socket will charge the unit from 0-80% in 3.2 hours.
Of course, one of the best features of the EB55 is that it can be dual charged using a maximum 400W input, however you need to purchase a 2nd AC adapter in order to utilize this fast charging option.
When two AC adapters are used (or one AC adapter and the solar panel attachment) the EB55 will charge within 1 hour. This is incredibly fast for a unit of its capacity and means that you do not have to worry about setting hours aside to fill her up.
Portability
The EB55 power station is compact considering its huge power capacity and multiple power ports. The unit itself measures 10.98 x 7.87 x 7.79 inches in length, width and height respectively.
The box shape is solid and easy to set down anywhere without worrying that it will fall over. It is a highly stable design that you can easily pack alongside other things thanks to its regular shape.
The unit weighs 16.5 lbs, which is approximately the weight of a bowling ball. As you can imagine, this is not light enough to carry over long distances, however it is certainly lightweight enough for one person to carry on their own in one hand.
The well designed handle makes lifting and transporting the unit convenient and easy, and it folds away neatly so that the EB55 does not take up more room than necessary.
Whether you are carrying it along a beach to set up a mini fridge by the shore, or carrying it through the forest, to set up your tent among the trees, you will have no trouble walking with this power station in your hand. Just think twice before taking it on a hiking trip!
Ease of Use
The EB55 has an incredibly simple functionality that even technophobes will be able to understand. The on / off power buttons are clearly marked and we love that the separate output sections have their own power switches so you can choose to just power one at a time.
The display is LED lit and clear to read. It tells you how much power is incoming and how much is outgoing at any one time, enabling you to stay informed about the energy usage so that you do not unexpectedly run dry.
We also love the in-built LED light on the front of the unit which is incredibly bright and far reaching. This added feature acts as a handy source of illumination at night and saves you having to pack a torch separately. You will be surprised how much you use this feature.
Final Verdict
Having assessed the power capacity, compatibility, charging speed and functionality of this unit, we think that the BLUETTI EB55 power station is great.
Yes it comes at a high price point, however the unit is so versatile you will not need to purchase any other power sources because this one does it all.
It also has excellent longevity thanks to the quality of the battery and the in-built protections, so this unit will last you a long time. For a seriously powerful, useful and reliable backup power source, the EB55 is a winner!
