As Australian campers increasingly head away with devices and electronics, so has their need for powering them. Small power banks and complex solar systems have their place, but is there an affordable option emerging from the next generation in high-capacity battery stations?
What is the Bluetti EB3A?
The Bluetti EB3A battery station is small and easy to carry, powered by 268.8Wh of LiFePO4 batteries. It has a wide range of outputs, including a pair of AC outlets and even Qi wireless charging.
Why are LiFePO4 batteries essential?
A critical difference between Bluetti and other products is using LiFePO4 batteries rather than Li-ion. These batteries are rated for 2500+ cycles before reaching 80% of the original capacity versus traditional Li-ion batteries rated for ~500 cycles.
This will allow the Bluetti to last much longer before any deterioration in the battery will be noticed compared to cheaper and lower quality products.
Features
Battery and Inverter
The Bluetti EB3A is rated at 268.8Wh (watt-hours) and will power a 50W device for almost five hours with an 85% inverter efficiency.
I ran a 50L camping fridge for nearly 11 hours (at 3 degrees) until the battery ran out. The 600 Pure Sine Wave Inverter (1,200-watt surge protection) suits camping and charging needs. Items I would consider charging/powering include:
- Camp lights
- 12v camping fridges
- Small fans
- Laptops
- Phones/tablets
- Sound systems
- TVs
- Laptop computers
- Phones
- Tablets
This model is only suitable for charging items and not running appliances like fridges for multiple days on end. If you plan on using high-draw electronics for multiple days, you should get a model with a larger battery or the optional solar system to recharge the unit.
Charing outlets
What sets Bluetti products apart from its competitors is the excellent variety of charging outlets, making it suitable for changing a wide range of appliances and devices.
| Type | Description | Suitable for |
| AC Outlets: | 1 x 220V-240V/2.6A Outlets600W In Total | Lights, TVs, Toaster etc. |
| USB-C Port: | 1 x 100W Max | Laptops, camera batteries |
| USB-A Port: | 2 x 5V/3A USB-A | Phones / Tablets |
| DC Outlets: | 1 x 12V/10A (Car Outlet)2 x 12V/10A DC 5521 (5.5mm Outlets) | 12V fridges, air pumps, |
| Qi Wireless Charging Pad: | 1 x 15W Max. | Phones with wireless charging |
The variety of charging ports allow multiple devices to be powered simultaneously, making it perfect for families off the grid.
Visit the Bluetti website for more details here
Design
The Bluetti EB3A has a sleek design and a colour LCD screen. The screen provides an overview of the current input and output status, what is powered on, and if it is operating in passthrough/UPS mode. You can also use the Bluetti app to connect to the system via Bluetooth, which is great when you cannot easily access the screen.
Another great feature on the front of the Bluetti EB3A is the LED front light which is bright enough to light up the immediate area and is excellent for arriving at a campsite in the dark.
What we like
- Affordable battery station perfect for powering a range of devices up to 600W
- Great variety of charging outputs including wireless charging
- Smartphone app for greater control
- The ability for solar input allows it to be used over multiple days
What we don’t like
- It makes noise while charging and under heavy load
- The battery size is small and not suitable for long (3 days plus) period away / camping
Final Thoughts
The Bluetti EB3A is a highly versatile companion that can come in handy in a variety of situations, such as powering your devices while camping, running power tools away from electrical outlets, or creating music on the go.
Compared to the Anker 521, which is in the same product category, the Bluetti EB3A offers significantly higher input and output power. This means it can be recharged faster and power a more comprehensive range of devices, which is a significant advantage. However, it remains to be seen if this comes at the expense of its longevity.
Overall, the Bluetti EB3A is a compact, portable, and incredibly powerful device for its size, making it a practical choice for many users. The Bluetti AC200 Max or the Anker 757 are worth considering for those needing a larger power station.
