Goal Zero Yeti 3000X vs Bluetti AC200P – 5 Differences You Need to Know

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X and the Bluetti AC200P are two powerhouse portable power stations that are tested and proven to be the best.

A solar power system can be a great backup power supply for everything from your small devices to your large appliances.

These portable solar generators can help you ditch fossil fuels. Instead of relying on a gas generator to run your home appliances during power outages, a solar power station with high capacity lithium batteries are a great alternative.

However you use them, these solar power stations have as much power as you need to run your power tools, devices and appliances. 

In this article I am going to cover the differences, similarities and what each portable power station does better. 

Goal Zero Yetti 3000X vs Bluetti AC200P: Side-by-side Comparison

Feature	Goal Zero Yeti 3000X	Bluetti AC200P
Battery Capacity	2982 Watt-hours	2000 Watt-hours
Battery Type	Lithium-ion	LiFePO4 Lithium-phosphate
Power	2000 Watt	2000 Watt
Weight	70 pounds	60 pounds
Charge Cycles	500	3500
Pure Sine Wave Inverter	✅	✅
MPPT Solar Charge Controller	✅	✅
Regulated DC Output	✅	✅
BMS	✅	✅
LCD Screen	✅	✅
Pass Through Charging	✅	✅
12V DC Charging	✅	✅
Warranty	24 months	24 months
Price	$2,799.89 on Amazon ($3,499 regular price)	$1,599 on Amazon
	AMAZON PRICING	AMAZON PRICING

The Differences Between the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X and the Bluetti AC200P

These two solar generators provide enough output power for your power-hungry devices and household appliances like an air conditioner or washing machines.

Both are great for powering your van or RV while living the van life. And, they are prefect for powering your appliances and medical devices during emergency situations, using them as a regular power source for living off the grid or just taking them on an occasional camping trip.

Either one of these are a great option and either could be labeled as the Best Solar Generator.

However, there are some differences between the two that you should be aware of when making a purchase decision. 

Video Review of the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X

Here is a great review of the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X done by van life enthusiasts, Matt & Katie.

Video Review of the Bluetti AC200P

Here’s an excellent review of the Bluetti AC200P done by solar power enthusiast, DavidPoz.

Here’s a related article: 13 Best Solar Generators for Camping – 2022 Buyer’s Guide

#1 The Battery: Goal Zero Yeti 3000X vs Bluetti AC200P

This is the biggest and most significant difference between these two power stations. 

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X has a Lithium-ion battery with a 2985 watt-hour capacity, while the Bluetti AC200P has a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery with 2000 watt-hour capacity. 

There are two things we need to talk about here. First is the type of battery and second is the battery capacity.  

A Lithium battery has a lot of benefits compared to a lead-acid battery. They are lighter, more powerful, hold a charge longer and maintain a constant voltage as the battery depletes.  

Lithium-ion vs Lithium Iron Phosphate

Lithium-ion batteries are used in most current battery powered hand tools, small appliances and devices. This includes cell phones, flashlights, drones, cameras and most applications where a compact, powerful lightweight battery is needed. 

The Lithium Iron Phosphate battery has all the benefits of the lithium-ion plus a lot more. They operate more efficiently and have many more charging cycles than lithium-ion batteries. 

While the lithium-ion has 500 charging cycles before the capacity begins to drop, the lithium iron phosphate battery has an incredible 3500 charging cycles before the battery drops to 80 percent capacity. 

This is a huge difference in the life of the battery. Let’s put that in a way that’s easy to understand when comparing the battery used in these machines.

The battery pack in the Bluetti AC200P has enough life cycles to be depleted and recharged every day for almost a decade. 

Lithium iron phosphate batteries are also safer. They don’t have the same overheating problems that traditional lithium-ion batteries have had in the past that caused damage in extreme temperatures. 

Which is Better? 

If you know that using solar energy won’t be an option, and you will be away from another charging source for a few days at a time, the 3000X may be the best choice.

However, if you are looking at the life cycle of the battery, then the AC200P is the best option for your power needs.

#2 Regulated 12V Output System: Goal Zero Yeti 3000X vs Bluetti AC200P

Both the Bluetti and the Yeti have a 12V regulated high output feature, but there is a difference to understand.

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X has an Anderson plug for a regulated 12V/30A DC output.

The Bluetti AC200P also has a dedicated 12v/25A high output DC port, but it requires a special proprietary aviation cable adapter that has to be purchased separately from Bluetti. 

Both the high output 12V systems can be wired into a fuse box for van life or RV applications.

Which is Better?

The 3000X wins in the design of this output. This is due to the Anderson plug that’s ready to go without an adapter. 

#3 Charging Options: Goal Zero Yeti 3000X vs Bluetti AC200P

Before getting into the different charging option, lets first look at some important information on turning your power station into a solar generator.

How to properly wire solar panels

Tying the panels together in parallel will increase the Amps while maintaining a lower voltage. Tying solar panels together in series will increase the Volts while maintaining the same Amps.

Remember, tying solar panels together in series will increase the Voltage while tying them together in parallel will increase the Amps.

Another good formula to remember is how to figure out your Watt input. The formula for Watts is: Watts = Volts X Amps.

Here’s a simple video that teaches how to wire your solar panels in series verses parallel. 

The different ways to charge these two systems is another major difference.

Both can be charged with solar panels to be converted into an excellent solar power generator. Also, both can be charged using an AC power supply or a DC input. However, that’s about where the similarities stop.

Goal Zero Yeti 3000X charging methods 

The 3000X can receive a total input of 660W from either solar power input or an AC power supply. At this rate it can be fully recharged in close to 5 hours. That’s a very fast charge, considering the size of the battery. 

The biggest downside of charging the 3000X is that it does not support charging from multiple inputs at the same time to speed up charging. 

This means you can’t input from the 300W AC power supply and a 300W solar panel or DC charger at the same time to reach the maximum charging watts. 

• AC power supply

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X comes with a 298W AC power supply. A 600W AC power supply can be purchased separately from Goal Zero. 

The power supply is plugged directly into an Anderson power port on the face of the machine. This input accepts up to 600W of power. 

• Solar Panel Charging

A total of 600 watts of solar power can be inputted through the same Anderson power port on the front of the machine. It accepts an open current voltage of 14V-50V. 

There’s also an 8mm port on the face plate that will accept up to 120W of power.

Goal Zero manufactures different solar panels that will pair well with the 3000X. 

If you are looking for maximum portability, then the Goal Zero Nomad 200 foldable Monocrystalline panel is a great option.

Another option designed for portability and value is the Goal Zero Boulder 200 Briefcase Monocrystalline Solar Panel. 

To charge the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X, multiple solar panels can be tied together to reach the maximum 600W input. Just be sure not to exceed a maximum input of 50V.

Instead of using Goal Zero brand panels, the Yeti can be wired directly into an existing solar panel system installed on top of your van or at your home. 

• 12V DC Charging

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X can accept 12V DC charging with the Goal Zero Link Expansion Module that can be purchased separately.

This expansion module can be wired to your vehicle battery for van life use. This module can be easily changed from a vehicle input setting while installed inside your vehicle, or to a bank setting. 

While in the vehicle input setting the Goal Zero won’t discharge your vehicle battery below 12V. 

While in the Bank setting the Goal Zero can be tied to an infinite number of lead-acid batteries to increase your capacity.

This is an incredible feature, especially when using the system as an emergency backup system for your home. 

Bluetti AC200P charging options

The Bluetti AC200P really outshines the Goal Zero when it comes to fast charging. It can accept inputs from multiple ports at the same time. 

• AC Power Supply

 A single 500W AC power supply is provided with the AC200P. An additional 500W AC power supply can be purchased from Bluetti and combined for a total of 1000W of input charging power. 

Purchase the additional power supply here. 

You can actually use any brand power supply, just so long as you don’t exceed a total of 1000 watts. 

• Solar Panel Charging

The AC200P can be charged with a maximum of 700 watts of solar input with an open current voltage of 35V-150V.

The solar panels are plugged into a proprietary aviation adapter on the side of the unit. 

Bluetti offers different options in solar panels. 

The Bluetti PV200 200W solar panel is a great portable option. 

Another option for increased portability is the Bluetti SP200 200W solar panel. These can be purchased as a single panel or as a bundle of 2 or 3 panels. They can also be purchased as a bundle with the AC200P. 

Single Bluetti SP200 solar panel.

2 Bluetti SP200 solar panel package.

3 Bluetti SP200 solar panel package.

3 Bluetti SP200 solar panels packaged with the AC200P. 

Solar input can also be combined with a 500W AC power supply for a total maximum input of 1200 watts.

This is an amazing feature! 

The combined 1200W allows the Bluetti AC200P to reach full charge in under 2.5 hours! 

• 12V DC Charging

Then Bluetti AC200P can also be charged with the provided 12V car adapter. This is a great option for charging on the road. 

Which is Better?

The Bluetti AC200P outshines the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X with charging options and charging speed.

The downside to the AC200P is that it is not expandable like the 3000X. 

#4 The LCD Display Screen: Goal Zero Yeti vs Bluetti AC200P

The 300X and the AC200P both offer a high quality LCD screen, but there are major differences. They both have benefits and drawbacks in design that could be a deciding factor. 

• The Bluetti LCD screen is interactive and gives you a lot of information. 

Most of the functionality of the AC200P is accomplished through the LCD display screen. This includes turning AC and DC power on or off and clearing faults.  

The screen also provides more data than what most people would know what to do with, including the voltage in each cell in the Lithium Iron Phosphate battery.  

The plus side is the amount of information provided through the LCD screen. The downside is how reliant you are on the screen being operational. If the screen stops working then you won’t be able to operate your AC200P.

Some reviewers also found that the screen was hard to see when it’s bright outside. 

• The Goal Zero LCD screen doesn’t offer as much information. However, its simplicity is appreciated by people who aren’t as hungry for stats. Also, the 3000X doesn’t rely on the screen for operation. Instead it can be operated with a push of a button. 

There is one nice bit of information the 3000X does provide. It gives you the time to charge at the current charge rate, and the time left at the current output rate. 

This can be an important feature when using it to power essential devices.

This timing feature takes guesswork completely out of the equation when charging or using the AC200P, because it automatically provides that information on the screen. 

Which is better?

This is a bit of a toss up.

If you are looking for a simple screen that gives you the basic information needed, then the 3000X is the better option.

However, if you like a lot of internal information about your power station, then the AC200P is the better option.

#5 Output Ports: Goal Zero Yeti 3000X vs Bluetti AC200P

The output ports available in each unit is another major difference, and one that can make a difference in functionality for whatever setup you may be running. 

Goal Zero Yeti 3000X output ports:

• 2 – 120V AC outlets
• 1 – 12V/30A HPP output port
• 2 – 6mm output ports
• 1 – USB-C input/output port
• 1 – USB-C output port
• 2 – USB-A ports
• 1 – 12V regulated car port

Bluetti AC200P output ports:

• 6 – 110V AC outlets
• 1 – 12V/25A RV port
• 2 – 15W wireless pads
• 1 – 60W USB-C PD port
• 4 – USB-A ports
• 1 – 12V/10A regulated car port
• 2 – 12V/3A regulated ports

Which is Better?

As you can see, the Bluetti is the clear champion when it comes to available output ports with 6 AC ports wall plugs and 2 wireless charges located on top of the unit.

Conclusion

This article was not designed to provide a review or recommendation of either power station, but to give you some information to consider when making a purchasing decision.

Here’s a related article: Jackery Explorer 1000 vs Bluetti EB150 – Solar Power Station Comparison