Don’t Leave Home Without It: My BLUETTI AC2A Travel Test

I write for Consumer's Best and I take too many road trips, which means I also test way too much gear. The BLUETTI AC2A rode shotgun on my last weekend loop through state parks. Here’s the thing: lots of folks ask me what size generator for travel trailer is right, but a tiny power station like this can replace a generator for the essentials we actually use day-to-day.

The quick take after real miles

If you camp without running the rooftop A/C or microwave, the BLUETTI AC2A is a little champ. It’s a compact, LiFePO4 power station in the ~300W inverter class with a bit over 200Wh of usable capacity, so think lights, phones, camera batteries, a laptop, a fan, maybe a 12V fridge. It’s not a substitute for a big fuel generator, but it cut my generator time to near zero. And if you’re still wondering what size generator for travel trailer makes sense, the answer depends on whether you plan to run air conditioning (more on that below).

What the AC2A actually powered for me

Believe it or not, I got through a full long weekend without firing up a gas generator. The AC2A ran my LED string lights, recharged two phones and a camera, topped a tablet, and handled a work stint on a 13-inch laptop. A small USB fan ran for hours. A 12V compressor cooler sipped happily when I moved it over for a few hours mid-day. No drama, just quiet. If your camping checklist looks like mine, you might not care what size generator for travel trailer you’d need—because you won’t be lugging it out unless you want A/C or heavy cooking on shore-free days.

Does it replace a generator? Yes and no

Short version: for essentials, yes. For energy hogs, no. The AC2A’s inverter is in the few-hundred-watt range (with a higher momentary surge), which is perfect for charging and light appliances. It won’t run a standard RV microwave or most coffee makers. Rooftop A/C is a different league entirely. If your big question is what size generator for travel trailer air conditioning, plan on a quiet inverter generator in the 3,000W class to be safe, or a 2,000–2,200W unit paired with a soft-start on your A/C—then manage other loads carefully.

How to pick the right wattage for your rig (the simple way)

Here’s my no-math method when friends ask what size generator for travel trailer life: decide if you’re running A/C off-grid. If yes, look at your BTU rating and whether you have a soft-start. One A/C without soft-start often needs a 3,000–3,500W inverter generator for reliable starts. With a soft-start, many 2,000–2,200W units can work, as long as you shut off other big draws. If no A/C, a lightweight 1,000–2,000W inverter generator is plenty for chargers, lights, fans, and the occasional small appliance—though a power station like the AC2A is way nicer to live with for those small loads.

Charging the AC2A: shore, DC, and sun

I topped the AC2A from a wall outlet at home before leaving, then gave it quick boosts from the trailer’s 120V when I had hookups. It also takes 12V vehicle charging and pairs well with a small folding solar panel—midday sun kept me net-positive while I worked. Wall charging was fast (think roughly lunch-break fast from low), and solar felt like cheating: cold drinks with no noise. If you’re dialing in what size generator for travel trailer boondocking, it’s worth factoring in solar plus a small power station; you might size your fuel generator smaller if A/C isn’t part of the plan.

Noise, weight, and “travel worthiness”

The fan whispers on higher loads, but overall it’s quiet enough that conversation wins. It’s genuinely compact—easy one-hand carry, small footprint, and a tough-feeling shell. I tossed it under the dinette, then slid it next to the camp chair at night. No fumes, no fuel, no pulling a cord. For lots of trips, that’s the whole point. You buy once, and the question of what size generator for travel trailer becomes less urgent because so many little tasks are solved silently.

Who it’s for (and who should skip it)

If you’re a weekend camper, photographer, van weekender, or someone who needs a quiet night of CPAP without idling a truck—chef’s kiss. If you plan to run a big coffee maker, space heater, or roof A/C, this isn’t that. Pair a small power station with a right-sized inverter generator and you’ve got options. And if you’re still mapping what size generator for travel trailer comfort, decide on A/C first, then back into your watts from there.

Bottom line

The BLUETTI AC2A earned permanent residency in my trailer. It cut the noise, kept my devices topped, and made camp feel calmer. If you’re deciding what size generator for travel trailer needs—and you don’t live on A/C—the AC2A might be the smarter first purchase. When you’re ready for the nitty gritty, search for the Consumer's Best deep-dive review of the BLUETTI AC2A. I put every detail there in plain English.