Victron Bluesolar vs Smartsolar | Which Charge Controller Is Better?
Being one of the renowned solar equipment producers, Victron Energy is a familiar name among solar users. Both Bluesolar and Smartsolar are a variety of MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge controllers manufactured by Victron. Smartsolar is the upgraded version of Bluesolar and they have a lot in common.
But there are particular differences that differentiate them from each other including configuration and input/output history. This post contains necessary information regarding these two products which will help you to decide the better one.
So, take a few minutes and read the post till the end.
Differences Between Bluesolar and Smartsolar Charge Controller
Whenever you’re up to finding the better one between two products, always consider the differences between them. It’ll help you to understand what makes the better product better. That’s why we’re going to provide the quick differences between Bluesolar and Smartsolar for quicker decision-making. Here’s a table presenting the key differences between the two charge controllers –
(A) Difference Table
| Features | Bluesolar | Smartsolar |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | No | Yes |
| Typical Voltage | 12V, 24V and 48V | 12V, 24V, 36V and 48V |
| Product Compatibility Range | Shorter | Larger |
| Pricing | Affordable | Expensive |
From this table, it’s noticeable that Bluesolar lacks Bluetooth connectivity, offers fewer voltage options, supports fewer products, and comes at a lower price. On the other hand, Smartsolar has Bluetooth connectivity, offers more voltage options, supports more products, and comes at a higher price. This is only to give you a basic idea about them. Here comes the detailed comparison so that you can understand them even better.
NOTE: Instead of built-in Bluetooth, Bluesolar can be retrofitted with the VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart dongle.
(B) Comparison
BlueSolars charge controllers are available in both PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) and MPPT versions. Both versions regulate solar power and charging batteries in off-grid and hybrid solar setups. PWM controllers are more suitable for smaller solar systems, whereas MPPT controllers are more efficient and ideal for larger systems, especially when the solar panel voltage is higher than the battery voltage. They are known for their reliability, advanced features, and compatibility with various battery types.
Meanwhile, being the advanced version, Smartsolar offers additional features and enhanced capabilities. They also offer their PWM and MPPT versions. Their built-in Bluetooth connectivity makes remote installations pretty convenient. Unlike Bluesolar, they come with built-in VE.Direct port to offer a wired connection to a Victron Color Control GX or other monitoring devices. It ensures more comprehensive energy management.
Which Suits You Between Bluesolar and Smartsolar?
The main difference between them is the built-in Bluetooth connectivity. The SmartSolar has Bluetooth, which helps to monitor your system’s power production using the Victron Solar app on your smartphone. This is a very convenient feature but comes at a price, making SmartSolar more expensive than BlueSolar.
If you don’t need Bluetooth connectivity, then BlueSolar is a great option. It’s more affordable and still offers a high level of performance. However, if you want the convenience of being able to monitor your system remotely, then SmartSolar is the better choice.
Conclusion
To conclude, it can be said that the primary difference between Victron BlueSolar and SmartSolar lies in their features and connectivity options. When it comes to your preference, it’ll mostly depend on your specific needs and budget. If you don’t need Bluetooth connectivity, then BlueSolar is a great option. However, if you want the convenience of being able to monitor your system remotely, then SmartSolar is the better choice. If you find this post useful, don’t forget to share your feedback with us.
