I tested out the Bluetti AC240P and it capably tuns my whole backyard and recharges from the sun - I just wish it had one extra feature

The Bluetti AC240P is a hefty power station, to say the least. However, when I knew I would be able to get my hands on it, my mind immediately went to "How could I put this to the best use?" I saw the solar panels, I saw the IP65 rating, and I saw my growing collection of tech, and I thought that I could surely find a way to power my outside electronics, right? Yes and no, but let me explain.

The Bluetti AC240P is a powerful portable power station, no pun intended. It's rugged, hefty, and has an excellent output for its size. It also boasts a very impressive IP65 rating. For anyone who is outside and needs one of the best portable power stations for outdoor activities and adventures, this is a great solution; just don't get it soaked. That's the one caveat, as this power station is not waterproof but water-resistant with that IP65 rating. That's also why this power station is nearly the perfect solution for my backyard dilemma.

Bluetti AC240P: Pricing & Availability

The base price of the AC240P is $1,999.00 - but at the time of review, it's discounted to $1799 on the official Bluetti website by clicking here. In the UK, it's currently retailing for £1899 from Bluetti.

I have seen it for less than that from some other retailers, so be sure to do a quick search before purchasing.

Bluetti packages this power station in several different ways; it can come with a 200W solar panel or a 350W solar panel setup. Additionally, if desired, you can expand your capacity with several expansion batteries.

Bluetti AC240P: Unboxing & first impressions

I was shocked when I first went to pick up this box from my front porch. The box was absurdly heavy, and until I had the carrying handles built into the Bluetti AC240P, it was challenging to manage when moving around. Once I got the handles, though, all was fine.

In the box, you will find the AC240P unit, an AC charging cable (which is not IEC-compliant, like most power stations), a DC (car) charging cable, and a user manual. Since I got a solar package (350W), I also got some solar wires and then the solar panel and accessories in a separate box.

The handles make this beast manageable to move around, and though the power outlets and ports are all sealed to help with the IP rating, they are easy to open and work with. The ports are easily accessible on the front, the charging ports are located on the sides, and the screen in front is straightforward to navigate. If you prefer, there is also a great companion app that makes it easy to adjust settings.

Bluetti AC240P: Design & build quality

The Bluetti AC240P has one of the more rugged and outdoor feels I have seen in a power station. This one is designed for spending time outside, as opposed to some of the others I have, which are primarily intended for interior use. The rugged coating, blaze orange accents, and port covers give it away. Besides that, the design is compact and easy to navigate.

The IP65 rating is ideal for most people, making this a versatile solution suitable for use on a boat, in a truck, in a camper, on a work site, on a job site, in a barn, or even in a backyard.

Bluetti AC240P: In use

The original dream was to have this power station as a permanent fixture in my backyard, with a solar panel running to the roof of the playset. This way, I could run my Eufy E18 robot mower completely off the power station without needing to charge it from the house at all. In the fall, I could run my leaf mulcher off of this and power some lights and the kids' playhouse.

That was the dream. Then I realized that this couldn't be a permanent fixture because I live in Illinois, and it rains one second, then it's snowing the next, and then it's sunny and blazing hot the next. So I'd need at least some rain coverage, and then I also realized that the playset I built is not tight enough in the roof, meaning that water could and would get through during a rain.

To ensure safety, I took the power station to my garage. I started dreaming of an eventual shed I could throw this power station in and run my whole shed off of this, charging my tools, EGO Trimmer, my kids ride on Jeep and more off of the unit, and then also running mulchers, leaf blowers, and all my other electric yard tools off of it as well.

In my testing, this power station charged my Eufy E18 mower without even flinching in effort. It was also able to charge my larger EGO Mower, with a 48V battery, as well as my electric trimmer's and leaf blower's batteries, and even my kid's ride-on Jeep. While it was sunny, the solar panels would recharge the unit, but there was never a time when it struggled to power all of those things.

While I don't own an RV or a Yacht, if you are part of the crew that does, this power station features a NEMA TT-30A port and an RV port, making it easy to use with either of those larger vehicles. And, if you do take it out on the water, the IP65 rating will help make sure that it keeps working even with a few splashes of water; don't go swimming with it (for many reasons).

If you choose to use this power station inside of an RV, camper, Van, or home, you won't be blasted with any fans or loud noises, which is a nice plus as well. Additionally, if you are slightly tech-savvy or prefer using apps, the Bluetti companion app allows you to adjust nearly every setting on the Bluetti AC240P.

Bluetti AC240P: Final verdict

All in all, the Bluetti AC340P is a robust, easy-to-use, and durable power station designed for outdoor use, and it's powerful enough to keep your devices charged. If you're in the market for a rugged power station that you won't have to worry about "if" this power station can keep up with your needs, check out the AC240P.