My partner and I spend a decent amount of time camping - it’s one of our favorite ways to unwind and enjoy some time outdoors. The camping trips have been getting longer and longer recently, so we’ve been on the lookout for reliable power solutions.
When BLUETTI sent me their EB55 Portable Power Station to test on my camping trips, I was eager to see how it would perform.
Great Deals
Check BLUETTI's site for deals on the EB55
BLUETTI EB55 Review
Manufacturer: BLUETTI
Pros
Cons
Should You Buy The BLUETTI EB55 Portable Power Station?
All in all, I found this unit perfectly suited to our camping needs. I managed to charge the following devices, and the EB55 still had 40% of its battery left:
- 2 x head torches (6 AAA batteries on AC charger)
- 1 x large camping lantern
- 1 x small pod lantern
- 1 x portable speaker
Although I haven’t yet tested this myself, in theory, it can also separately power a mini camping fridge for a few hours, 12v lights in the campsite, and two electric blankets through the night.
The same could be said for an RV setup or a digital nomad on the go. The EB55 sits nicely in the mid-range, giving you enough juice to power more than your regular digital devices (think camping fridges, coffee machines, electric blankets, etc).
Of course, there are units with more power - they have quicker charging times and higher outputs. But, besides the higher price tag, those come at the price of portability. The EB55 is much easier to move around than the bigger power stations.
What Does It Cost?
Currently, the EB55 portable power station retails for $399 on BLUETTI’s website. I know that BLUETTI regularly runs specials for their units, so keep a close eye to see if you can catch a better deal.
A neat looking device with manual and cables.
That said, I don’t believe this power station is overpriced at its regular retail price. You must remember that BLUETTI has made a name for itself by producing some of the best portable power stations around.
There’s also the matter of the lithium-ion phosphate (LifePO4) battery, which can last up to five times longer than the average Li-ion battery.
The 2-year warranty and promise of lifetime customer support is the final bit of reassurance I need.
So, when considering what you’re getting for your money, I believe this is a solid investment.
See Other Portable Power Stations
Choosing between portable power supplies is tricky. No need to sift through hundreds of reviews to get the info you need - we've done the leg work for you!
Check out our expert review on the top portable power stations, the BLUETTI EB70S, and our review of the BLUETTI EB3A.
We’ve also tested the Bluetti PV200 solar panel.
EB55 BLUETTI Features
Sturdy, Sleek Design
When you first lay eyes on the BLUETTI EB55, it's clear that it's built for the camper who doesn't want to lug around a bulky generator. This unit is compact – think half the size of a camping crate. It won't cramp your style or your tent space, measuring just under 11 x 8 x 8 in (28 x 20 x 20 cm).
Weight-wise, we're looking at 16.5 lbs (7.5 kgs). It's not feather-light, but for what it offers in power, it's a trade-off I can live with. The built-in handle is a nice touch, making it less of a chore to carry from your car to the campsite.
BLUETTI kept it sleek and simple in terms of design. The grey color scheme is easy on the eyes and doesn’t scream for attention.
The front panel is where it gets interesting. It's user-friendly, with a clear LCD screen (more on this below) and well-organized ports. It looks like BLUETTI actually thought about the user experience, which is more than I can say for some tech gear out there.
Durability feels solid on the EB55. It doesn’t seem like it will give up if it gets jostled around a bit while traveling over dirt roads.
LED Display
Clean display that's easy to understand.
The LED display on the EB55 is easy to read and understand. You can monitor the battery level in real time, which is helpful for planning your next charge.
However, keep in mind that the battery level is shown in five bars, denoting 20%, so it’s not an exact science. Personally, I am a fan of being able to see the actual power percentage, as it makes the reading more accurate.
Also handy to know is that the display shows the input and output wattage – in simple terms, how fast you're charging the battery and how much power you're drawing out.
For the most part, the interface is user-friendly, too—no need to flip through a manual to understand what's going on.
The only thing that took us a few minutes to figure out is that you have to press the power button for the USB DC output on the front panel to activate the wireless charging pad on top. Of course, we could have solved that sooner if we read the manual first.
You can easily charge multiple small devices at the same time.
537Wh Battery Capacity
The BLUETTI EB55 portable power station packs a 537Wh lithium battery that outputs a 700W AC pure sine wave inverter (1,400W surge). The large power surge capacity accommodates the typical surge many devices experience when turned on.
It’s also worth noting the advantage of pure sine wave inverters. The alternative, modified sine wave inverters, are typically cheaper, but they can damage some AC devices over time. Also, they run hotter, don’t last as long, and may cause your plugged-in devices to produce a buzzing sound.
So, What Devices Can The EB55 Power?
As mentioned, I managed to fully charge our head torches, a large camping lantern, a small camping lantern, and our portable speaker, all of which were dead before I plugged them in.
The power station started at full capacity. After charging these devices, there was about 40% left in the power station.
Using that logic, it should be possible to charge phones, cameras, and even laptops with the EB55. If you need to keep navigation gadgets running, it will also likely be a reliable buddy.
Camping kit charging in the back of the Landy.
As for other devices, think smaller camping appliances – a mini-fridge, a portable coffee maker, or LED lights for your tent. It's not cut out for heavy-duty appliances like a full-size fridge, but it's on the mark for standard camping gear.
Battery Life
BLUETTI’s website says that the battery has 2,500+ life cycles to 80%. This sounds pretty decent to me, and time will tell how that plays out.
Do note that the battery isn’t replaceable or expandable.
Multiple AC and DC Outlets
The EB55 portable power station has several AC and DC output points to suit your various devices.
The points are grouped together in different sections on the front panel. As I mentioned, each output grouping (12V DC, 240V AC, and USB) has its own power button that you can turn on independently.
You can run any number of these sections simultaneously to charge or power up multiple devices. Just keep your eye on the total output capacity so as not to overload the unit. You’ll hear the fan kick in before that happens.
- 2 x AC outlets 220-240V/700W (pure sine wave) – for devices that plug into your home wall socket.
- 1 x 12V/10A car port – suits devices that usually plug into your car's cigarette lighter.
- 2 x 12V/10A DC outputs – great for LED lights or camping gear with DC connectors.
- 4 x USB-A 5V/3A ports – standard USB ports for phones, tablets, etc.
- 1 x USB-C 100W port – newer gadgets that use USB-C, like some smartphones and laptops.
Recharge Options
Charging in the campsite on solar.
I found the three recharge options very handy. With wall charging, car charging, and solar charging, you don’t have to wait until you’re home to plug in and top up the battery.
Thankfully, all three cables are included in your purchase price.
Wall Charging
Plug the BLUETTI EB55 portable power station into a wall outlet, and it gets the job done. It takes about three hours to charge the unit from empty to full.
Car Charging
If you’re on the road, you can charge the EB55 using your car’s cigarette lighter port. It's slower than wall charging, but it's a solid option to top up the battery for a road trip or when you're moving between campsites.
BLUETTI’s website estimates six hours of recharge time through a 12V car port. We weren’t driving for long enough to fully test this.
Great Deals
BLUETTI often run deals for the EB55
Solar Panels
We felt so pleased with ourselves whipping out and setting up the BLUETTI PV200 solar panel to charge the power station.
Ideally, you want a clear, sunny day with prime sunshine, lower temperature, and correct panel orientation for a quick charge. We put the panel out and connected the unit at 9:30 AM. It was fully charged by 1:15 PM, which is approximately 3 hrs 45 minutes.
It might have been quicker if we set it up an hour or so later in the day.
As a side note, you can charge using AC and solar at the same time. BLUETTI estimates a combined 400W AC+Solar input would charge the unit in around two hours.
Built In LED Lamp
The lamp's on the back of the power station and casts decent light.
I enjoyed the nifty built-in LED lamp on this unit. It doesn’t light up the campsite, but I found it handy in the tent and in the back of the Landy when I wanted to locate something in the dark. It’s ideal for lighting up your immediate area.
It's got two brightness settings, too, which is pretty handy. There’s also a third flashing light feature, although I am not sure it’s bright enough to attract too much attention or send out an SOS.
The one minor detail I noticed is that the lamp is on the back of the unit. It just means you need to pick up the EB55 and turn it around to access the light.
Final Thoughts
In wrapping up this BLUETTI EB55 review, the unit strikes a good balance between power, portability, and practicality. It's got enough juice to keep your gadgets going, a range of outlets for different needs, and eco-friendly solar charging to boot.
Sure, it's a bit of an investment and won't replace your main power source anytime soon. But it does a solid job of what it's designed to do – keeping you connected and powered up in the great outdoors.
If that's what you're looking for in a portable power station, the EB55 is worth considering.