Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,152 Wh | AC180 leads
AC180 1,152 Wh
DELTA 3 Plus 1,024 Wh
AC180: +128 Wh (+12.5%).
AC180 vs DELTA 3 Plus
1,800W
Running power
1,800W
1,152 Wh
Battery
1,024 Wh
36.2 lbs
Weight
27.6 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers choosing between two 1800W LFP portable power stations with similar running wattage but distinct design priorities. The DELTA 3 Plus weighs just 27.6 lbs versus 36.2 lbs for the AC180, making it noticeably easier to move between campsites, tailgates, or rooms during an outage.
It also accepts up to 1000W of solar input, cutting full solar charge time to roughly 3.7 hours compared to 4.1 hours on the AC180's 500W max. Expandable battery support and a higher 3600W surge rating give the DELTA 3 Plus more headroom for demanding startup loads and future capacity growth.
In device compatibility testing across 53 appliances, the DELTA 3 Plus powered 42 while the AC180 handled 39. The tradeoff: the AC180 includes a 20ms UPS function the DELTA 3 Plus lacks, a real advantage for anyone who needs near-instant switchover to keep networking gear or a desktop running.
Overall Winner
DELTA 3 Plus
Powers 42 of 53 tested devices vs 39 for AC180
Home backup: Tie RV / mobile: DELTA 3 Plus Solar: DELTA 3 Plus
Choose AC180 if...
- + Built-in UPS with 20ms switchover
Choose DELTA 3 Plus if...
- + Portability matters (28 lbs vs 36)
- + You want faster solar recharging
- + You want future battery expansion
- + You want broader device compatibility
Spec Snapshot
Absolute values shown. Bars are scaled within this comparison for readability.
Each metric is independent. Bar lengths are not comparable across different compare pages.
Running Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,800 W | Tie
AC180 1,800 W
DELTA 3 Plus 1,800 W
Delta: Tie (0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,600 W | DELTA 3 Plus leads
AC180 2,700 W
DELTA 3 Plus 3,600 W
DELTA 3 Plus: +900 W (+33.3%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 27.6 lbs | DELTA 3 Plus leads
AC180 36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
DELTA 3 Plus 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg)
DELTA 3 Plus: -8.6 lbs (23.8% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 4,000 cycles | DELTA 3 Plus leads
AC180 3,500 cycles
DELTA 3 Plus 4,000 cycles
DELTA 3 Plus: +500 cycles (+14.3%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 3 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 39 · Differences: 6% (3/53) · Neither can run: 11
Neither can run · 11 devices
These devices have startup surges that exceed both stations.
Central AC (3-Ton)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Circular Saw (Corded)
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Electric Clothes Dryer
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | AC180 | DELTA 3 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,152 Wh ✓ | 1,024 Wh |
| Running Power | 1,800 W | 1,800 W |
| Surge Power | 2,700 W | 3,600 W ✓ |
| Weight | 36.2 lbs (16.4 kg) | 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 70.2 Wh/kg | 81.9 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | portable | portable |
| Chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Cycle Life | 3,500 | 4,000 ✓ |
| Expandable | No | Yes |
| UPS | Yes (20 ms) | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
AC180
Max solar input 500 W
Connector DC7909
Full charge time ~4.1h
Compatible panels 19/20
MPPT: 12-60V
DELTA 3 Plus
Faster Max solar input 1,000 W
Connector XT60i
Full charge time ~3.7h
Compatible panels 19/20
MPPT: 11-60V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
Device Compatibility
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
AC180DELTA 3 Plus
Emergency(2)
1/22/2
1/2
2/2
| Device | AC180 | Runtime | DELTA 3 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Size Freezer (15-17 Cu. Ft.) | Safe | 5h | Safe | 4.5h |
| Sump Pump (1/2 HP) | Soft Start | 0.7h | Tight | 0.6h |
Entertainment(2)
2/22/2
2/2
2/2
EV & Transportation(2)
2/22/2
2/2
2/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
4/75/7
4/7
5/7
| Device | AC180 | Runtime | DELTA 3 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 9.7h | Safe | 8.6h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Soft Start | 0.9h | Tight | 0.8h |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Tight | 0.8h | Safe | 0.7h |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Soft Start | 0.6h | Soft Start | 0.5h |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Safe | 0.5h | Safe | 0.5h |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Safe | 1.1h | Safe | 1h |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | AC180 | Runtime | DELTA 3 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 4.5h | Safe | 4h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
10/1110/11
10/11
10/11
| Device | AC180 | Runtime | DELTA 3 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Safe | 0.5h | Safe | 0.5h |
| Coffee Maker | Safe | 0.5h | Safe | 0.4h |
| Digital Air Fryer | Tight | 0.5h | Tight | 0.4h |
| Electric Skillet | Safe | 0.5h | Safe | 0.5h |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Tight | 0.4h | Tight | 0.4h |
| Electric Water Kettle | Safe | 0.5h | Safe | 0.5h |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Safe | 0.6h | Safe | 0.5h |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Safe | 0.9h | Safe | 0.8h |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 2.7h | Safe | 2.4h |
| Toaster Oven | Tight | 0.4h | Tight | 0.4h |
Large Appliances(4)
3/43/4
3/4
3/4
| Device | AC180 | Runtime | DELTA 3 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Tight | 0.4h | Tight | 0.4h |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 3.9h | Safe | 3.5h |
| Washing Machine | Safe | 0.6h | Safe | 0.6h |
Medical(4)
4/44/4
4/4
4/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
5/65/6
5/6
5/6
Personal Care(2)
2/22/2
2/2
2/2
Power Tools(5)
0/51/5
0/5
1/5
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The Bottom Line
Pick the AC180 if built-in UPS capability matters most, such as keeping a home office or NAS online during brief power interruptions, and the extra 128 Wh of capacity suits your load profile. The DELTA 3 Plus is the stronger overall choice for portable and solar-focused users who value lighter weight, faster solar charging, expandable storage, and broader device coverage (42 of 53 devices passed versus 39). With a compatibility score of 76.5 to 73.5, the DELTA 3 Plus earns the win in this head-to-head.
AC180 vs DELTA 3 Plus FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, AC180 or DELTA 3 Plus?
DELTA 3 Plus is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, AC180 or DELTA 3 Plus?
AC180 has higher battery capacity (1,152 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
DELTA 3 Plus has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, AC180 or DELTA 3 Plus?
DELTA 3 Plus is lighter at 27.6 lbs vs 36.2 lbs. DELTA 3 Plus is rated portable for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
DELTA 3 Plus powers 42 of 53 tested devices, compared to 39 for AC180.
Q Can you expand the battery capacity of AC180 or DELTA 3 Plus?
Only DELTA 3 Plus supports expansion batteries for additional capacity. AC180 is limited to its built-in 1,152 Wh.
Q Does AC180 or DELTA 3 Plus have UPS mode for power outages?
Only AC180 has UPS (uninterruptible power supply) mode with a 20ms switchover time, which keeps connected devices running during a power outage without interruption.