Thursday, March 27th
2025 Solar Generator Reviews
Bluetti
- Prices from $259 to $18,000
- Consistent discounts, free gifts, and incentives
- Loyalty rewards offered
- $39.95 monthly subscription available
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Free shipping
Bluetti was founded in 2009, owned by Shenzhen Poweroak Newener Company and headquartered in Shenzhen, China. Bluetti is an acronym for Blue Sky, Technology, Tomorrow, Innovation. They are more well-known than other China-based solar generator companies that are operating in the United States and have a large selection of generators and solar panels on their website. The company designs and manufactures portable power stations, home energy systems, solar panels, and related accessories for off-grid living and household energy backup.
Prices vary but are consistent with other solar generator companies
Let's take a look at a couple of the solar generator models you'll find offered by Bluetti. The much-reviewed Bluetti AC200L Expandable Power Station with a solar panel was priced at $1,399 at the time of this review. This is an expandable power station with 2,048Wh capacity and expandable up to 7,577.6Wh with additional battery packs, ensuring extended energy for every need. With a TT-30 port and a D40 Voltage Regulator, it provides an all-in-one AC+DC power solution for an RV. Smaller, portable solutions like the Bluetti AC70, delivering 1,000W of continuous power, can power devices like hairdryers, blankets, and heaters through its AC outlets and costs $569, including a solar kit. Bluetti offers coupons and discounts consistently, and at the time of this review, the offer on Bluetti was a storewide discount for up to 50% off.
An influencer favorite
A quick look at the internet shows that Bluetti is a favorite among influencers and online magazines. We can see the appeal! The price point is not the lowest of low, but it is priced very competitively, giving the impression that these solar generators are higher-quality than the "bargain” solar generator companies. Influencers and magazine reviewers have reported that Bluetti solar generators deliver on their promises. However, it's important to note that these reviews are also reviewing the product right out of the box and are not long-term use reviews. Bluetti offers free products in exchange for reviews and all sorts of perks to those who will promote their products, so keep that in mind as you watch any Bluetti reviews.
Loyalty club rewards and discounts
The Bluetti Membership Program consists of 5 tiers: Starter, Explorer, Pro, Elite, and Master. Each tier offers unique benefits based on your total spending or marketing of their product through liking and following their social media platforms, posting about Bluetti, or sharing your personal information. The number of points you gain determines your membership level. For example, if you spend $15,000 to $30,000, you can become an elite member and receive the following perks: lifetime support, warranty coverage, early bird deals, bucks redemption, refurbished deals, exclusive offers, invitations to meetups and new product trials, early access to new products, as well as 3000 bonus bucks when you first upgrade.
Subscription available
Bluetti offers a subscriber service for around $40 per month. This is a good option for those who aren't sure they want to commit to purchasing a solar generator. The Bluetti subscription allows you to pay a monthly fee for an AC180 Solar Portable Power Station. You can cancel whenever you like and return it with no hidden fees. Bluetti will send you a shipping label (return costs on Bluetti), but you must return it in its original packaging. The Bluetti subscription includes a brand-new or like-new AC180 Solar Portable Power Station and a warranty for as long as you keep your Bluetti subscription for any issues that may arise, with the exception of user error or gross negligence. Be aware that if the solar generator is damaged, you may, depending on the degree of user fault, be charged for replacement components, parts, or shipping fees.
Shipping is free in the continental US
Free shipping is included in all products on the website, and you should receive your solar generator within 5-7 working days (except for presale items). Customers outside of the United States will need to shop on Bluetti's other country-specific websites. Bluetti does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands and uses UPS or FedEx to ship.
Multiple shipments may cause issues
Bluetti utilizes different shipping options to save money, so you may not get your order in one shipment. In fact, many customers explain they have received their order in multiple shipments. This can end up creating more problems, as some customers have complained that they only receive a partial order and the rest never arrives. While this is a great cost-saving measure on paper, using multiple shipping partners for one order can create more problems than it is worth.
Customers sometimes don't get correct products
Beyond the delivery snafus, customers complain that at times, they don't even receive the products they actually ordered from Bluetti. It is such a prevalent problem that there is a space on the website to address the issue.
Refunds have restrictions
Bluetti offers a refund with return service available in the country of purchase. If the solar generator is purchased from the official online Bluetti store, they will immediately issue a refund and RMA as long as the solar generator is unopened and in its original packaging. If the customer purchases the item from Bluetti's distributors, they are advised to approach the distributor directly and take a chance. If the item is faulty, you can attempt to claim it under the warranty, but it might be difficult to convince Bluetti to honor it without incurring additional shipping costs of $200 or more for repair or refund.
An "F” from the BBB and customer service issues
The BBB assigns Bluetti an "F," and an examination of the numerous online customer reviews reveals why. While Bluetti has a phone number in addition to email support, the reports of complaint resolution are truly abysmal, from solar generators that arrive defective to multiple shipments that go missing. Other customers have reported that the solar generator works great at first but inevitably fails after a short period of time - well within the warranty period. Attempts to get resolution end in frustration and no way to get their money back. Other issues involve listing things as in stock, but then emailing after customers have paid saying they will have to wait because the inventory is depleted.
Bluetti fails to impress
We appreciate the price points, the as-advertised, straight-out-of-the-box performance of Bluetti's solar generators, and the innovative subscription program Bluetti offers. But, due to the horrible customer service experiences, poor long-term performance of the solar generators, as well as the many reports of customers being unable to get refunds or replacement parts for defective products, we cannot recommend Bluetti at this time.
More Solar Generator Reviews
Where Can You Find the Best Solar Power Generators?
Solar generators are portable power stations that combine batteries with solar panels to provide electricity even in remote areas. Some also allow you to charge your battery via a power outlet or even a wind turbine. Solar generators are an emerging and ever-improving technology.
However, not all solar generators are meant for the same purposes. If you're looking for something to take on a camping trip, it's going to be different from a solar generator designed to power a whole house. You need to know how you're going to use your solar generator before you buy one.
Solar Generator FAQ
Continued from above...
The majority of solar generator companies are Chinese-based, most likely because China began research and development on solar generators in the late 1990s, a little ahead of the US market. Knowing where the company is truly headquartered does make a difference in the customer experience. When problems arise, customers can end up surprised by steep international shipping charges for repairs or experience a slow customer service response because of vast time differences. Don't assume that a solar generator company is close to you based on the fact that a shipping facility is near you. Often repairs need to be shipped back to the headquarters of the company.
New technology companies may only have an estimate of how the product will perform over time, so they use customers to test the technology in real life. Many DIY enthusiasts know this and don't mind the risks, as they use know-how and experience to repair or replace parts. If you don't want to spend a lot of money knowing you will be in for some repairs or faulty products, go with a company that has a product that's been tested through years of regular use.
It can be overwhelming trying to narrow down the solar generator that is the perfect fit. You can consider the following criteria to help you to find the best solar generator for your needs:
- Type of battery. Solar generators are outfitted with one of two batteries: lead-based or lithium-based. Lead-based solar generators are very heavy, many weighing over 100 pounds. Lithium-based solar generators can weigh 7 pounds and power about as much as your heavy lead-based solar generator. Lithium-based generators are more efficient and will last longer, while lead-based solar generators are cheaper. Lithium generally gives more advantages.
- Honesty and transparency. Some companies based in China make significant efforts to conceal this fact - not a good way for a brand to engender trust, so you might want to opt for a company that is more forthright. No matter what the website says about being "from” Texas or how many cowboy hat photos there are , if you can't find a lot of information online about the people who run the company or the company itself, assume it's based in China and adjust expectations accordingly or shop somewhere more transparent.
- Longevity. The majority of influencer reviews on the internet evaluate a brand-new, unopened solar generator that the company sent to them at no cost. Most do a great job reviewing those new solar generators. However, what you really want to look for are updates or follow-ups attesting to whether or not the unit still works after 6-18 months of regular use.
- Warranty. Make sure to read the warranty and return policies thoroughly and then try calling or contacting customer service and see how easy it is to get through to them. Ask them questions and see how knowledgeable they appear.
To help you find the best solar generator for you, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the most popular companies on the market. Use our research to choose the solar generator that will power the devices you need, at a price you can afford, and with the longevity you expect from your investment!
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