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As the tech world descended upon Las Vegas for CES 2024, BLUETTI, a name synonymous with portable power solutions, has once again set the gold standard with its latest offerings designed for recreation, emergencies, work, and overall energy independence. From the versatile SwapSolar system to the rugged AC240 power station, BLUETTI’s lineup this year is nothing short of a power-packed promise for both adventurers and home users. We visited the BLUETTI booth to speak to their Director of Portable Power Systems, Phillip Fischer. Phillip explained to us what BLUETTI’s been achieving in the past year, what are the new exciting products they’re debuting at CES, and why portable power stations should be on everyone’s wishlist for 2024.

Designer: BLUETTI

If you’re still one of those power-station skeptics in the year 2024, Phillip has some rather sage advice to give you. Sure, the average power station user is the outdoorsy type, using it to provide energy to camping sites, RVs, and other outdoor excursions/activities… but what BLUETTI’s power stations also do is provide aid and assistance during emergency power cuts. Whether it’s one of their larger devices, or even the small portable ones, BLUETTI’s power stations can be potential life-savers when the power runs out. The same power station can play multiple roles, whether it’s necessity or leisure… with the added benefit of helping you do things like shift to a solar grid too to help reduce power bills.

Leading the power-station charge at CES this year is the BLUETTI SwapSolar, a dynamic duo comprising the AC180T portable generator and the MultiCooler portable fridge. The AC180T can easily be confused for its sibling, the AC180 – but what really sets it apart is its game-changing hot-swappable battery system. With 1,433Wh capacity, 1,800W output, and 2,700W lifting power, the AC180T features two detachable batteries that can either be used simultaneously, or in a scenario where one battery is removed from the AC180T and placed in the MultiCooler portable fridge. Imagine never running out of power because you can instantly replace depleted batteries with charged ones.

But that’s not all. The MultiCooler is the Swiss Army knife of portable fridges. Acting as a fridge, freezer, and, believe it or not, an ice maker, it redefines the concept of portable cooling. Featuring a 40-liter compartment with temperature control from -20°C to 20°C (-4°F to 68°F), the MultiCooler can chill a staggering 65 cans of soda (or any beverage of your choosing) or keep the sausages frozen for a picnic. It also boasts the ability to make ice from moving water, a feature that Phillip mentioned was “really cool” (pun intended!)

Next up, meet the AC240, BLUETTI’s rugged outdoor companion following the legacy of the AC60. Tailor-made for the wild, this power station is both water-resistant and dust-proof, boasting an impressive IP65 rating. Whether you’re facing a dust storm in the desert or a downpour in the mountains, the AC240 won’t let you down. With a robust 2400W of power output and a 1536Wh LFP battery, it’s built to last. And if you thought that was impressive, the AC240 can expand its capacity to a whopping 10kWh with four B210 expansion batteries. BLUETTI didn’t stop there. They also showcased their revamped portable generators and home storage products, including the AC60P, AC2P, and the modular AC500 and AC300 series.

In the midst of unveiling these technological marvels, BLUETTI also took a moment to highlight its Lighting an African Family (LAAF) program. This initiative underscores BLUETTI’s commitment to social responsibility, bringing sustainable solar energy to African families. With over 100,000 families already impacted, BLUETTI is powering more than devices; it’s powering dreams.

Almost three years ago, a winter storm blew through my town, knocking out power lines and rendering roads impossible to navigate. As a result, my family and I spent a full week (well, five days) rummaging around for crackers and water, lighting candles, and wrapping ourselves in blankets for simple warmth through the duration of the total blackout. Despite keeping a decent fire going in our backyard for a couple of days, it was impossible to stay focused on anything, and working in those conditions wasn’t viable. Enduring those freezing temperatures would’ve been far more convenient with a backup power source, and I wish I’d had Anker’s newest portable power station: the Anker SOLIX F3800, which — despite being the very first of its kind I’ve ever owned — is clearly a revolutionary next step in the growing landscape of backup power solutions. It features a maximum 6000W AC output, 120V/240V dual-voltage (meaning it can do what a gas generator does, power several appliances at the same time, and even power a house!). It even supports AC coupling when pairing with the Anker SOLIX Home Power Panel, and, used sparingly, its 3.8kWh (expandable up to 53.8kWh) capacity would’ve been just enough to sustain a handful of comforts through the winter freeze.

Before we get started with the nitty gritty details about the Anker SOLIX F3800, it’s worth mentioning Anker provided a functional prototype to Yanko Design for the purpose of this review. It includes all the features of the official launch product, but its appearance and craftsmanship does not reflect the final build quality, which is supposed to be much better than the prototype shown in this review.

Designer: Anker

Aesthetics

For a modular power station designed to provide backup power storage for homes and RVs, make solar power more accessible for all, and potentially replace gas generators — the Anker SOLIX F3800 is relatively compact. It’s also quieter than any regular gas generator, and since it doesn’t emit any smoke, you can safely run it indoors. Because of a sizable but effective fan system, you’re going to hear a little noise, around 45dB if you’re standing within a meter, but it’s no louder than a PlayStation 4 running on full blast. YMMV, but I imagine it’ll be a better fit for regular outdoor use during non-emergency situations — particularly, once summer rolls back around and I can use it to power indoor gadgets like musical instruments and gaming consoles underneath the patio rather than inside the house.

The F3800’s subdued aesthetic style — it being a big gray rectangular box on wheels with an LCD display, a pull-out handle, and visible outlets on the front and both sides — allows it to blend in naturally with other electrical equipment, but it may get in the way of any aesthetic style not complementary to dark gray. I wouldn’t stick it in a kitchen, though it’s an attractive addition to a garage, and you might get away with planting it in your office.

After all, it’s essentially a big suitcase full of electrical equipment. No, it’s not as compact as, say, the Anker 767 Portable Power Station. But it still gets the job done, and it doesn’t take up all that much space. Right now, my SOLIX F3800 is tucked in-between a coat rack and a couple of shelves in my office, where it’ll stay until I need to stroll it back out again, and I genuinely love how easy it is to set up.

Utilitarian design pervades the layout of the Anker SOLIX F3800, and, I mean, yeah — you’re definitely not getting a $3,999 power station to make a fashion statement — but what it lacks in artistic appeal, it more than makes up for in functional design. Its predominantly matte finish, easy-to-navigate exterior, exposed fan grills, and conveniently-placed handles and wheels make it exude a sense of durability and reliability.

Ergonomics/Comfort

I had a rough time getting the SOLIX F3800 off my porch and into an area where I could comfortably unbox it, set it upright, and wheel it around. Granted, I’ve been needing to hit the gym lately so my inability to carry it around without immediately wanting to place it back on the ground again could be a “me” issue. But, just so you know, this thing is an absolute unit. It’s rated to weigh 132 lbs, though the package mine arrived in was a bit heavier than that — around 143 lbs in total. If you’re planning to order one of these to your house from Anker’s online store, make sure you have a pallet or some sort of luggage dolly on standby, as well as a second pair of hands to help you transport/set it up.

At least there’s a solid handle built into the SOLIX F3800’s chassis, as well as a pull-out trolley handle that unfolds with the tap of a bright blue button. Once the pull-out trolley handle came out, this thing suddenly became a lot easier to maneuver around. This is because its 65 mm back wheels and additional front wheels are more than sufficient to push and pull the thing around on smooth surfaces, and it even seemed to have no trouble with some rocky terrain as well. If you wanted to carry the Anker SOLIX F3800 around like a cooler (if you have the physical strength, that is), you’d be in luck; there is an additional handle located on the bottom, allowing you to two-hand-carry it.

Everything important information-wise is located on the front LCD panel, though you can also connect your smartphone to the device via the Anker App. It’s a simple enough process getting it set up; all you need is an Anker account and a smartphone with Bluetooth, and you can tell the app to sync with the SOLIX F3800 as long as it’s powered on, and as long the Bluetooth mode is activated. You can do that by tapping the Bluetooth button on the front of the device itself, neatly located right next to the display. Once it’s all set up, you can watch the flow of energy coming into and going out of the SOLIX F3800 directly from the Anker App. This is a neat and convenient way to stay on top of your energy usage, especially when you need to conserve energy during a blackout.

One thing I love is how easy it is to get the Anker SOLIX F3800 set up and going as a portable generator. Plugging it into my wall outlet, getting it fully charged, and powering on the unit itself was a really simple and rather quick process. On paper, it will take less than 3 hours to charge the power station to full from a wall outlet, as long as it is getting full power and not charging under extreme temperatures. Once I was ready to use it, I only had to tap two buttons: the power button on the front of the power station next to the display, and a separate AC outlet button on its right side (conveniently located next to its array of six 120V 20A outlets and two 240V 25A plugs).

Performance

From a performance standpoint, the Anker SOLIX F3800 breaks through the ceiling and into a whole new tier. Electric portable power stations simply don’t do what the Anker SOLIX F3800 does, and before now, there’s been little reason to get rid of the gas generator altogether. If you want to use it as a backup generator, you can. If you want to expand it with the Solix Home Power Panel and make it the storage battery in a far more sophisticated power setup that balances grid and rooftop solar power through the main electrical panel, you can set it up that way as well; and it’s made even easier to manage if you use the Anker App.

Boasting a power load capacity ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 watts (the latter is only possible if you hook up a second F3800), it flies high above other portable power stations from EcoFlow or Jackery — as well as anything Anker has ever placed onto the market previously. Its 240V 25A NEMA 15-40 outlets grant it the ability to power RVs and recharge electric vehicles, making it extraordinarily versatile, and common sense indicates that if you need to power something, you probably can. This alone makes the SOLIX F3800 the heaviest-hitting portable electric power station around. The question is whether or not you can power something for a long time.

Luckily, the Anker SOLIX F3800 is also one of the most scalable power stations in existence. It comes with a base storage capacity of 3.8kWh, which is generally enough to power a 1500W space heater for about two and a half hours. Of course, that’s not enough to sustain heat throughout a multiple-day blackout like the one I experienced, but unlike other power stations, this device can be upgraded to 26.880kWh with all six expansion batteries installed. That’s at least enough to power the same heater for over a day.

If you wanna go even further and reach a staggering 53.8kWh of power storage capacity, you can go all-in and connect a second Anker SOLIX F3800 via the Anker SOLIX Double Power Hub. Alternatively, you can link two F3800 units together via the Home Power Panel. That sets the F3800 apart from its predecessor, the F2000, which had a comparatively meager capacity of 2kWh with only one slot for an expansion battery, totaling 4.09kWh. Just note you’ll need to invest in 12 expansion batteries to make the most of this system, and that could run you well into the tens of thousands.

Sustainability/Repairability/Durability

Anker is a respectable brand with a lot going for it, and that’s because it’s constantly pushing out high-quality, durable power banks and power stations. Its LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery makes it notably longer-lasting than conventional lithium ion-based batteries used in older portable power tech; Anker promises at least 3,000 charge cycles up to 80% before this thing starts to die. That also enhances its sustainability rating by avoiding the use of cobalt and nickel. Plus, when you compare it to much larger and more expensive home power systems, it’s obviously a far more sustainable choice.

The need for separate hardware and additional batteries to get the absolute best utility out of the F3800 could absolutely be considered a drawback in terms of sustainability. But again, that’s not such a big deal when you realize a fully-upgraded Anker SOLIX F3800 system wouldn’t do nearly as much harm to the environment as legacy solutions with the same power output.

In terms of repairability, the F3800’s construction is complex and full of parts I don’t understand, and so I wouldn’t attempt to service it myself during a system failure. There are a few silver linings here: it comes with a 5-year warranty and is rated to work for 10 years or longer. Plus, it’s advertised as being simple for an electrician to set up and work with when coupling it with a house.

Value for Money

I’m iffy about making a hard call on the SOLIX’s value for its $3,999 MSRP (though there is currently a substantial discount of up to 35% off on Kickstarter on a number of Anker SOLIX F3800 deals — dropping the price of the standalone unit to $2,599, and giving excellent value on bundles including Anker’s 200W and 400W solar panels). On one hand, it’s pricier than the smaller generators, even though having the Anker SOLIX F3800 in my possession opens up more lifestyle options. The other reason is solar panels are still not widespread enough, even though you don’t really need solar panels to get the maximum value out of the F3800. Going in on an Anker SOLIX F3800 is making an investment into the future — especially since its heaviest-hitting feature is its ability to store a large quantity of solar power and convert that power into 240V AC output for home, RV, and EV usage.

While its initial price is eye-watering (at least, for me), the potential benefit of saving money over a much longer time with a fully-equipped SOLIX system, solar panels and all, could make the expenditure worthwhile. Especially for those actually living in RVs and tiny homes where utilities are significantly more important to stretch out. And, even in the much shorter term for a suburban house dweller like myself, the SOLIX F3800 is a sturdy backup power source — its base 3.8kWh storage capacity and 6,000W AC output are enough to make camping trips and natural disasters more bearable.

Even if there’s no emergency need for power, and even if you don’t plan to upgrade your Anker SOLIX F3800 with all the extra bells and whistles, you can still roll it outside during a sunny day and use it like any portable generator. Plus, you don’t necessarily need a fully-equipped SOLIX system (with the home power panel and all) to recharge the F3800 with solar energy either. The home power panel is just a tool to help the F3800 access larger rooftop solar panels, and you don’t even need that to make good use of the SOLIX system. In fact, if you bring the F3800 outdoors, as long as you also bring a portable solar panel to recharge it, you can have sustainable green power to do virtually anything you’d use power for. This is because the F3800 can be recharged by connecting to almost any rigid or portable solar panel available on the market.

Verdict

The Anker Solix F3800 is a revolutionary next step in sustainable home power, though it may not become a daily power source until you start buying solar panels. Thankfully solar is getting cheaper, and that’s certainly not the only reason you’d want to get one. This is the most future-proofed portable power station on the market right now, thanks both to its incredible portability for a home power system as well as its overwhelmingly strong performance. I love its 6,000W~12,000 and 120/240V AC output capabilities, its 53.8kWh maximum power capacity, and its ability to recharge itself via solar panels (up to 2,400W via XT-60 input) and then channel that same power into a house, an RV, an electric vehicle, or just about appliance I can think of. That all means it meets the electricity needs of many day-to-day users, and its ability to provide a large dose of backup power during a disaster makes it a critical piece of equipment to have around. Plus, it’s simple and easy to use — requiring zero technical knowledge to charge it from a wall outlet or begin using it as a portable backup power generator. That all represents a meaningful push into the future, especially considering its first-in-class 240V AC power coupling makes it a direct competitor to home power systems that weigh significantly more and are significantly less portable. But when you want to use it like a portable backup generator, you can power it with any electricity source and it produces no emissions. That makes it a standout choice for homeowners seeking a reliable backup power source that’s both portable and versatile.

Owning great audio gadgets is always essential, not only to blast out some groovy music at your parties but also for those days when you want to sing along to your favorite tunes at the top pragmatic play of your lungs, in the privacy of your room! Whatever may be the requirement, having a clear, distortion-free, handy, and interactive set of audio devices is necessary. There are a lot of innovative designs out there in the market, so picking the right one that meets all your needs can be a task, especially since we all tend to have different audio requirements. Hence, we’ve curated a collection of functional, creative, and exciting audio devices for you! From an invisible turntable to wireless audio jewelry– these modern audio devices are all you need for the ultimate immersive audio experience at home. Enjoy!

1. The Black Wheel

Meet the Black Wheel – the latest version of the Wheel design by Miniot! The Black Wheel smartly and subtly hides and conceals the electronic and mechanical components under the record. The different parts are seated within a thin circular body, that disappears the minute you put a record on! The design has an alluring and minimalist appeal to it.

2. Elite 10 & Elite 8 Active

Jabra recently unveiled the Elite 10 and Elite 8 Active earbuds. The earbuds were showcased at IFA 2023 in Berlin, and they’re presenting a new and improved standard in audio quality. The Elite 10 earbuds are packed with 10-millimeter drivers, while the Elite 8 Active is branded as “the world’s toughest earbuds”.

3. XELENTO

beyerdynamic introduced XELENTO – a form of ‘audible jewelry’. The handcrafted and hand-polished design is made from 24-carat gold amps with silver-plated wires connecting the two earpieces. The XELENTO provides a first-class high-resolution sound experience, that is powered by beyerdynamic’s own Tesla technology.

4. Marshall Minor III and Marshall Motif A.N.C

The Marshall Minor III and Marshall Motif A.N.C are absolute must-haves for audiophiles! The models feature a sleek black finish and come in a faux-leather finish case with Marshall’s branding. The stems of both earphones are embossed with a diamond-knurled pattern. They offer a commendable 20-25 hours of playback (along with the charging case), and sport intuitive touch controls.

5. Harmon Kardon Gramophone Mini Speaker Concept

Designed by Wagner Pozebon, this speaker design is the perfect epitome of minimalism, combined with the spirit of the good old gramophone, while also incorporating a modern and contemporary design aesthetic. The versatile wireless speaker features a translucent body that mimics the classic gramophone’s contours. The amplification of the speaker is right on point delivering encapsulating audio from the soundbox.

6. RYTM

This distinctive record player concept is inspired by architecture! The player features slats that run across a section of the chassis uncovered by the platter. The design is quite similar to many architectural forms, and in fact, one of the slats doubles up as the tonearm, storing this integral part of the player when not in use.

7. Kibu Headphones

These recyclable and repairable headphones are called the Kibu Headphones, and they’re 3D-printed on demand. The headphones are available in a variety of custom colors and are built using recycled PLA from packaging waste sourced from the agricultural industry. The headphones are amped with a TPU headband and foam ear cups in kid-friendly sizes.

8. The Three-Eyed Eel

Designed by Andrew Roberts, the Three-Eyed Eel is an innovative and audacious masterpiece that merges impeccable design with high-fidelity sound reproduction. The 3Eel isn’t simply a speaker, it also explores cabinet design. The beautiful piece perfectly marries aesthetics, audiophile excellence, and undisturbed functionality.

9. Yamaha L700A

The Yamaha L700A perfectly balances pro-gear and consumer-worthy stuff. The headphones feature a gray design, topped with fabric trims on the headband, as well as on the earpieces themselves, giving them the visuals of a condenser microphone. The headphones fold flat like the AirPods Max and support easy traveling.

10. TP-7

The TP-7 is styled like a hi-fi audio player but is actually a tiny recorder that you can record and playback audio with. It is great for making podcasts, sample recordings, music production, vlogging, and journalism. It combines nostalgia with clicky buttons, vintage details, and a lack of touchscreens, while also providing cutting-edge recording technology.

Think of the BlueNexus as the Roomba of the water. Unlike human pool cleaners, the BlueNexus actually enters your pool, scrubbing, suctioning, and purifying every inch itself. It performs a 3D scan of your pool first, so it can plot the most effective cleaning path, and then it gets to work, cleaning the pool floor, walls, and even steps without scuffing or scratching your pool’s walls.

Designer: Sublue Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $649 $1,199 ($550 off). Hurry, only 260/300 left. Raised over $230,000.

Designed by the folks at Sublue, the BlueNexus may be their first underwater robot vacuum, but it isn’t their first rodeo with submersible tech. The award-winning California-based startups has two other successful Kickstarter projects under their belt, namely the WhiteShark series of underwater sea-scooters. Designed less for entertainment and more for maintenance, the BlueNexus is Sublue’s third campaign, and perhaps its most advanced yet.

By comparison, designing an underwater sea-scooter is a lot easier than a submersible autonomous pool cleaner. The latter comes with a lot of bells and whistles, including 3D mapping technology, autonomous driving, vertical ascent, and just the ability to be an effective vacuum cleaner that doesn’t just remove debris, it scrubs algae off all surfaces an cleans the waterline too. The BlueNexus does all of that regardless of your pool’s shape, or the tiling material. It works on regular, curved, inclined, and even stepped pools, performing a comprehensive 3D scan using Sublue’s proprietary Geoguru navigation system to know what design it’s working with, before plotting the most effective cleaning path to get started.

Getting started is as easy as lowering the BlueNexus into the water and hitting a button on your smartphone app. The pool-cleaning robot features two units, the submersible vacuum bot itself, and a floating connectivity hub that allows it to communicate with your smartphone, tablet, etc. Once instructed, the BlueNexus gets to work, meticulously covering every inch of your pool. The 165W suction motor is enough to clean leaves, pebbles, and any other debris that may find its way into your pool, while a rotating scrubber also gently dislodges algae or anything else that’s stuck to your pool floor or walls. The folks at Sublue designed the BlueNexus to be compatible with a wide range of pool materials, going from the conventional concrete and mosaic tile to even vinyl lining, Pebble Tec, fiberglass, and PVC foil.

Geoguru – Equipped with 12+ sensors for flawless obstacle detection and pool wall protection.

The Geoguru mapping and navigation system is arguably the BlueNexus’ secret sauce. Relying on 12+ sensors (ultrasonic tech, infrared lasers, and advanced SLAM to name a few), the robot can map its way around the pool, detect obstacles, and even walls to make sure they don’t accidentally get scratched while cleaning. The Geoguru algorithm helps the BlueNexus be much more efficient too, making it clean 8x quicker than conventional pool cleaners. Couple that with the built-in 3.5-hour battery and the BlueNexus easily cruises through most pools without requiring a secondary charge.

Multiple Cleaning Mode – Adapts to any pool shape for a comprehensive clean, all controlled effortlessly with one touch.

The pool-cleaning robot comes with 5 different modes to choose from, including smart cleaning, floor cleaning, wall and waterline cleaning, all-round cleaning, and a remote control cleaning mode that allows you to control it through the app. Regardless of the mode you pick, when the BlueNexus is done cleaning, or when its battery runs low, it automatically ascends the pool wall, making it easy to fish out without needing to get into the pool. A large 4.5L inner chamber holds all the dirt that the BlueNexus cleaned out, and can easily be detached, emptied, and hosed down before being reinstalled.

The BlueNexus is compact, cordless, and is built like a rock. The lithium batteries encased within the pool cleaner are secured remarkably well, ensuring that water never seeps in. As far as software goes, Sublue guarantees improvements to the BlueNexus via OTA updates. Starting at $649 for early bird backers, the BlueNexus ships globally starting October 2023, and comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Click Here to Buy Now: $649 $1,199 ($550 off). Hurry, only 260/300 left. Raised over $230,000.