If you’re buying a battery to keep the lights (and the fridge) on during outages, Bluetti and EcoFlow are the two brands you’ll keep running into. Both make LiFePO4 power stations that expand with extra batteries, both sell 120/240V systems that tie into your home’s panel, and both advertise 5-year warranties on most models.
We compared their home-backup lineups in two tiers: plug-in backup around 2 kWh, and whole-home systems with 240V output and panel integration.
How we compared: we used the specs published on Bluetti’s and EcoFlow’s official US websites. We have not tested these units ourselves. Prices change constantly, so check the current price through the links. Availability was patchy on both sides when we checked in November 2026; see the notes below.
Tier 1: plug-in backup (~2 kWh, 120V)
| BLUETTI AC200L | EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,048 Wh | 2,048 Wh |
| Battery | LiFePO4, 3,000+ cycles to 80% | LFP, ~10-year lifespan claimed |
| AC output | 2,400 W (7,200 W surge) | 3,000 W (6,000 W surge) |
| UPS switchover | Within 20 ms | <10 ms |
| Max AC charging | 2,400 W | 1,800 W |
| Solar input | 1,200 W (12–145 V) | 1,000 W |
| Expandable to | 8,192 Wh | 10 kWh |
| Other charging | Car 12/24V | Smart generator (up to 2,600 W), alternator charger |
| 240V | No | No |
| Weight | 62.4 lb | ~48.7 lb |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years (3 + 2 with app registration) |
For nightly backup of sensitive electronics: the EcoFlow wins with its under-10 ms switchover, more output and lower weight.
For long outages with solar: the BLUETTI takes a little more solar, accepts a wider voltage range (up to 145 V, so you can wire more panels in series) and charges faster from the wall.
See BLUETTI AC200L See EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus
Tier 2: whole-home backup (120/240V)
| BLUETTI Apex 300 | EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra | EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (base) | 2,764.8 Wh | 6,144 Wh (inverter + 1 battery) | 4,096 Wh |
| Battery | LiFePO4, 6,000 cycles to 80% | LFP, 3,500 cycles to 80% | LFP, 4,000 cycles to 80% |
| AC output | 3,840 W | 7,200 W (10.8 kW surge) | 4,000 W (8,000 W surge) |
| 240V from one unit | Yes (50 A outlet) | Yes (30 A outlet) | Yes (L14-30R) |
| UPS switchover | 0 ms in 240V mode, 20 ms otherwise | <20 ms backup UPS; 0 ms online UPS | 10 ms |
| Solar input | 2,400 W (2 × 1,200 W, 12–60 V) | 5,600 W | 2,600 W |
| Max expansion | See note below | 30 kWh per unit, 90 kWh with 3 | 12 kWh per unit, 48 kWh system |
| Weight | 83.78 lb | 70 lb inverter + 111.8 lb battery | 113.54 lb |
| Home integration | Apex 300 Home Integration Kit | Smart Home Panel 2 | Smart Home Panel 2, manual transfer switch |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Availability (Nov 2026) | Expected to ship late January | Sold out, “coming back January 2027” | Listed as currently unavailable |
Expansion note: Bluetti’s own pages give different maximum expansion figures for the Apex 300, so confirm the number for your setup with Bluetti before you plan around it.
Home integration: the real difference
- EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2 is a 12-circuit smart subpanel with a 20 ms automatic switchover. It connects up to three inverters and 15 batteries (90 kWh), accepts a 3–12 kW portable gas generator, and lets you set circuit priorities and time-of-use modes in the app. EcoFlow states it must be installed by an electrician.
- BLUETTI Apex 300 Home Integration Kit bundles a subpanel with a 50 A inlet box, a 50 A outlet box and cables to connect the Apex 300 to selected home circuits. Bluetti doesn’t publish a switchover time or circuit count for the kit.
EcoFlow’s system is the more complete “smart panel” approach; Bluetti’s is simpler and built around a single, lighter 240V unit. Either way, budget for a licensed electrician.
See BLUETTI Apex 300 See EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra
How long will each run your essentials?
Using about 85% of rated capacity as usable AC energy, and an example essentials load of 2 kWh per day (a refrigerator at about 1.5 kWh per day plus LED lights, internet router and phone charging):
| System | Usable energy | Essentials (2 kWh/day) | Fridge only (1.5 kWh/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLUETTI AC200L / EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus (2,048 Wh) | ~1,740 Wh | ~0.9 day | ~1.2 days |
| BLUETTI Apex 300 (2,764.8 Wh) | ~2,350 Wh | ~1.2 days | ~1.6 days |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 (4,096 Wh) | ~3,480 Wh | ~1.7 days | ~2.3 days |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra (6,144 Wh) | ~5,220 Wh | ~2.6 days | ~3.5 days |
Add solar and these numbers stretch a lot: on a sunny day, 1,000 W of panels can put back roughly 3 kWh. Check your own fridge’s EnergyGuide label for its yearly kWh (divide by 365). For smaller outages, see the best portable power station for CPAP.
Which should you buy?
Choose EcoFlow if:
- you want the fastest UPS for a plug-in backup (DELTA 3 Max Plus, <10 ms)
- you want circuit-level control of your home with Smart Home Panel 2
- you plan a large system (up to 90 kWh with DELTA Pro Ultra)
Choose BLUETTI if:
- you’ll rely on solar during long outages (AC200L takes up to 145 V of panels)
- you want 240V from a single unit under 85 lb (Apex 300)
- you prefer to run the unit from its screen rather than an app
What owners say
We read owner discussions comparing the two brands for backup:
- Bluetti’s whole-home setup works, with support frustrations. An owner who wired an AC500 into a subpanel with an interlock said the UPS mode worked, but noted the unit drew about 35 W more than its load on grid power, a cable was missing from the shipment, and support couldn’t improve the app’s limited readouts. (Firewood Hoarders Club)
- Bluetti often wins on paper, EcoFlow on reputation. Commenters in deal threads tend to grant Bluetti better specs for the money, while some cite failed Bluetti units or worry about its customer service. (Slickdeals)
- Some prefer Bluetti’s screen-first control. One owner of both brands preferred Bluetti for grid-down use because it’s run from the screen, and reported his Bluetti units pulled more solar than his EcoFlow on the same panels. One user’s experience, not a test. (Slickdeals)
- Smart Home Panel 2 is the draw for whole-home buyers. A forum member weighing whole-home systems rated EcoFlow’s support and SHP2 circuit control above Bluetti’s, but worried that both brands lock you into their own batteries and inverters. (DIY Solar Forum)
The bottom line
For plug-in backup, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus is the better choice for nightly UPS use, while the BLUETTI AC200L suits solar-heavy, long outages. For whole-home backup, EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra with Smart Home Panel 2 is the most complete system, and the BLUETTI Apex 300 is the lighter route to 240V. Check availability first: several of these models were sold out or on pre-order in November 2026.
Sources
- Firewood Hoarders Club: Bluetti AC500 with B300K home backup install and review
- Slickdeals: Bluetti AC200P discussion
- Slickdeals: BLUETTI AC200PL discussion
- DIY Solar Forum: Whole-home backup, EcoFlow vs Bluetti
Frequently asked questions
- Is Bluetti or EcoFlow better for home backup?
- For a 120V plug-in backup around 2 kWh, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus has a faster UPS and more output, while the BLUETTI AC200L takes more solar and expands further. For whole-home 240V backup, EcoFlow's Smart Home Panel 2 is the more complete circuit-level system; BLUETTI's Apex 300 offers 240V from a single, lighter unit.
- Can a Bluetti or EcoFlow power station run my whole house?
- Not on a single 2 kWh unit. Whole-home setups use a 120/240V model, extra batteries and a transfer switch or smart panel installed by an electrician, and they power selected circuits rather than everything at once.
- Do I need an electrician to connect a power station to my house?
- Yes. Connecting to your home's wiring requires a transfer switch, interlock or smart panel, and EcoFlow states that Smart Home Panel 2 installation must be done by an electrician. Never backfeed a house through an outlet.
- How long will a 2 kWh power station run a refrigerator?
- With about 85% of its capacity usable, a 2,048 Wh power station delivers roughly 1,740 Wh, which runs a refrigerator using 1.5 kWh per day for a little over a day. Your fridge's real consumption is on its EnergyGuide label.