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The EcoFlow Delta 2 and the Bluetti AC180 are the two power stations people compare most often in the 1kWh class, and for good reason. They cost about the same, they both use long-lasting LiFePO4 batteries, and they both push 1,800 watts of AC output. Here is the quick answer: the Delta 2 wins if you want faster app control, expandable capacity, and the lightest unit you can grab with one hand. The AC180 wins if you want a little more battery for the money and a quieter unit for indoor use. Neither is a bad pick, but they suit different buyers, and this guide breaks down exactly where each one pulls ahead.
A quick note on our process. We have not physically lab-tested these two units side by side. This comparison is built from manufacturer specifications, independent test data published by reviewers who measure real output and charge times, and recurring patterns in verified owner feedback. When owners consistently report something the spec sheet does not mention, we tell you.
EcoFlow Delta 2 vs Bluetti AC180: Spec Comparison
| Spec | EcoFlow Delta 2 | Bluetti AC180 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,024Wh | 1,152Wh |
| Battery chemistry | LiFePO4 (~3,000 cycles to 80%) | LiFePO4 (~3,500 cycles to 80%) |
| AC output (continuous) | 1,800W | 1,800W |
| Surge / boost mode | 2,400W with X-Boost | 2,700W with Power Lifting mode |
| AC outlets | 6 | 4 |
| Max AC charging input | 1,200W (0 to 80% in about 50 min) | 1,440W (0 to 80% in about 45 min) |
| Max solar input | 500W | 500W |
| Weight | 27 lbs (12.2 kg) | 35.3 lbs (16 kg) |
| Expandable capacity | Yes, up to 3,040Wh with extra batteries | No |
| App connectivity | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Bluetooth only |
| Wireless charging pad | No | Yes, 15W |
Round 1: Power and Capacity
On paper this round looks close, and it mostly is. Both units deliver 1,800 watts of continuous AC power, which covers the large majority of household devices: a full-size refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker, power tools, a CPAP machine, laptops, and lights all at once if you manage the load sensibly.
The AC180 takes a slight edge in raw capacity with 1,152Wh against 1,024Wh. That is roughly 12% more stored energy, which in practice means an extra few hours of refrigerator runtime or a few more laptop charges. If you are wondering what 1kWh actually gets you during an outage, our guide on running a refrigerator on a power station walks through the real numbers.
The Delta 2 answers with expandability. You can plug in an extra battery and take the system to 2,048Wh, or add the larger Delta Max battery for up to 3,040Wh. The AC180 has no expansion option at all. If you think your needs might grow, that single fact may decide this entire comparison.
Both offer a boost mode for resistive loads like heaters and kettles. EcoFlow calls it X-Boost (up to 2,400W) and Bluetti calls it Power Lifting (up to 2,700W). Owner feedback on both is similar: these modes work well for simple heating elements but should not be used for motors or sensitive electronics.
Winner: tie. AC180 for more base capacity, Delta 2 for expandability.
Round 2: Charging Speed
This is where both brands show off, because these two are among the fastest-charging power stations in their class.
The AC180 accepts up to 1,440W from a wall outlet and gets from empty to 80% in about 45 minutes. The Delta 2 accepts 1,200W and reaches 80% in about 50 minutes. Independent testing generally confirms both claims within a few minutes. In daily use, the difference is trivial: either unit goes from nearly dead to usable in the time it takes to cook dinner.
Solar charging is a dead heat at 500W maximum input for both. With a pair of 220W panels in good sun, you can realistically refill either unit in around three hours.
One practical note from owner reports: both units get audibly loud during max-speed AC charging. Both apps let you slow the charge rate down, which quiets the fans and is gentler on the battery for overnight charging.
Winner: Bluetti AC180, by a hair.
Round 3: Noise, Size, and Portability
Here the Delta 2 pulls clearly ahead on one axis and falls behind on another.
Portability first: the Delta 2 weighs 27 pounds against the AC180’s 35.3 pounds. That 8-pound gap matters more than it sounds. The Delta 2 has two top handles and is comfortable to carry with one hand for short distances. The AC180 is a two-hand carry for most people. If your power station will live in a closet and only come out for outages, this hardly matters. If it goes camping every month, it matters a lot.
Noise is the reverse. Owner feedback consistently describes the Delta 2’s fans as the louder and more frequent of the two, kicking in even under light loads. The AC180 runs its fans less aggressively at low output, which owners appreciate for bedroom CPAP use. Neither is silent under heavy load or fast charging.
Winner: Delta 2 for portability, AC180 for quiet operation.
Round 4: App and Features
The EcoFlow app is one of the best in the industry, and this round is not particularly close. It connects over both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which means you can check your battery level from anywhere, not just from within Bluetooth range. You get granular control over charge speed, X-Boost, discharge limits, and firmware updates, and the interface is fast and stable according to the bulk of user reviews.
The AC180 app works over Bluetooth only. It covers the essentials: charge rate control, Power Lifting toggle, and output monitoring. It does the job, but remote monitoring away from home is off the table, which is a real limitation if you want to check on a unit keeping a freezer alive while you are at work.
The AC180 claws back some points with its 15W wireless charging pad on top, a genuinely handy touch for phones, and a slightly better display. But the Delta 2 counters with six AC outlets versus four and a richer accessory ecosystem, including alternator charging and smart generator integration.
Winner: EcoFlow Delta 2.
Round 5: Price and Value
Both launched at $999 and both now sell far below that most of the year. Street prices float in a similar band, with the AC180 frequently dipping slightly lower during sales events. On a dollars-per-watt-hour basis, the AC180 usually wins because it packs more capacity at a similar or lower price.
Value depends on what you count, though. If expandability, Wi-Fi monitoring, or the lighter chassis matter to you, the Delta 2 justifies a modest premium. If you just want the most stored energy per dollar in a box that works, the AC180 is the sharper deal. Deal timing matters more than list price with both brands, so it is worth checking current pricing before deciding.
Check the current price of the EcoFlow Delta 2 on Amazon.
Check the current price of the Bluetti AC180 on Amazon.
Who Should Buy the EcoFlow Delta 2
- You want the option to expand capacity later instead of buying a bigger unit now
- You want to monitor and control the unit remotely over Wi-Fi
- You will carry it often and the 8-pound weight saving matters
- You need six AC outlets instead of four
- You are building into the EcoFlow ecosystem with panels, extra batteries, or a smart generator
Who Should Buy the Bluetti AC180
- You want the most watt-hours per dollar in this class
- Quieter fan behavior at low loads matters, for example next to a bed running a CPAP
- You like the convenience of a wireless phone charging pad
- You do not care about remote monitoring beyond Bluetooth range
- Your capacity needs are fixed and expansion is irrelevant
The Verdict
The EcoFlow Delta 2 is the better system. The AC180 is the better single box. If this purchase is the start of a backup power setup you plan to grow, the Delta 2’s expandability, Wi-Fi app, and lighter build give it the overall win. If you want one competitively priced unit with a little more battery inside and calmer fans, buy the AC180 and do not look back. Both are honest, well-proven products from the top tier of this market. For a wider look at how these brands stack up against Jackery as well, see our full EcoFlow vs Bluetti vs Jackery comparison. And if your budget is tighter than this class allows, our roundup of the best power stations under $500 has solid smaller options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the EcoFlow Delta 2 and Bluetti AC180 run a full-size refrigerator?
Yes, comfortably. A typical full-size refrigerator draws 100 to 250 watts while running with startup surges well under 1,800W. Expect roughly 10 to 16 hours of refrigerator runtime from either unit depending on the fridge and how often the door opens.
Which one lasts longer, the Delta 2 or the AC180?
Both use LiFePO4 cells rated for thousands of cycles. Bluetti rates the AC180 at about 3,500 cycles to 80% capacity and EcoFlow rates the Delta 2 at about 3,000. In real terms, both should deliver roughly a decade of regular use, and the difference between the two ratings is unlikely to matter in practice.
Can I charge these while using them?
Yes. Both units support pass-through charging, so you can power devices while the unit itself recharges from the wall or solar. Both manufacturers note that heavy simultaneous charge and discharge generates heat, so sustained heavy pass-through use is best done at reduced charge speed.
Is the Bluetti AC180 expandable like the Delta 2?
No. The AC180’s 1,152Wh capacity is fixed. The Delta 2 accepts EcoFlow’s extra batteries to reach 2,048Wh or 3,040Wh, which is its single biggest structural advantage in this matchup.