Goal Zero Yeti 500 vs Bluetti Elite 100 V2
Side-by-side on the specs that decide it — surge, capacity, runtime and price.
Both models' specs verified against manufacturer listings · Last updated
The short answer
Bluetti Elite 100 V2 costs $100 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on what you need to run.
- Bluetti Elite 100 V2 holds 105% more energy (1024Wh vs 499Wh), so it runs the same load proportionally longer.
- Bluetti Elite 100 V2 has 2600W more surge headroom (3600W vs 1000W) — that decides whether a fridge, pump or AC compressor will actually start.
- Goal Zero Yeti 500 is 12.4 lb lighter (12.9 lb vs 25.3 lb).
- Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is rated for 6,000 cycles vs 4,000 — meaningful if you cycle it daily.
We'd skip the Goal Zero Yeti 500 in this matchup. It costs $100 more than the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 while matching or trailing it on capacity, surge and cycle life — there's no spec here that justifies the premium.
A rugged, water-resistant unit for people who'll actually beat it up. You pay a premium over similar-capacity rivals for that durability.
Best for: Overlanders and job sites where the unit will get wet, dusty and knocked around.
Where it falls short:
- $699 for 499Wh is expensive per watt-hour
- Only a 2-year warranty vs 5 years from most rivals
- 120W solar input is very low
A 1kWh unit whose headline is longevity: 6,000 cycles is roughly double most rivals, at an aggressive price.
Best for: Daily cyclers who want the lowest long-term cost per kWh at 1kWh.
Where it falls short:
- 1,000W solar input is high, but there is no expansion port to grow capacity
- Newer product with a shorter field track record
| Spec | Goal Zero Yeti 500 | Bluetti Elite 100 V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $599 |
| Capacity | 499 Wh | 1024 Wh |
| Continuous output | 500 W | 1800 W |
| Surge output | 1000 W | 3600 W |
| Battery | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycles | 4,000 | 6,000 |
| Weight (lighter wins) | 12.9 lb | 25.3 lb |
| Max solar | 120 W | 1000 W |
| Recharge time (faster wins) | 1h 25m | 1h |
Runtime head-to-head
| Appliance | Goal Zero Yeti 500 | Bluetti Elite 100 V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 7.1 hrs | 14.5 hrs |
| Mini fridge | 13.5 hrs | 27.6 hrs |
| Chest freezer | 5.3 hrs | 10.9 hrs |
| CPAP machine | 10.6 hrs | 21.8 hrs |
| Sump pump | ❌ | 1.1 hrs |