Victron makes two ranges of MPPT solar charge controllers: the SmartSolar and the older BlueSolar. From the outside they look almost identical, and electrically they share the same specifications. So what's the difference, and is the SmartSolar worth the extra cost?
Quick Answer
The SmartSolar has built-in Bluetooth for wireless configuration and monitoring via the VictronConnect app. The BlueSolar does not — it requires a separate VE.Direct Bluetooth dongle or a VE.Direct cable to a GX device. In every other respect (voltage handling, charge current, efficiency, charge algorithm), they are identical.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SmartSolar MPPT | BlueSolar MPPT |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| VictronConnect app | Directly via Bluetooth | Via VE.Direct dongle (extra cost) |
| VE.Direct port | Yes | Yes |
| VE.Smart Networking | Yes (built-in) | Via VE.Direct Bluetooth dongle only |
| MPPT algorithm | Ultra-fast tracking | Ultra-fast tracking (identical) |
| Peak efficiency | Up to 98% | Up to 98% (identical) |
| Charge profiles | Bulk, Absorption, Float, Equalisation | Identical |
| Load output (10A/15A models) | Yes | Yes |
| Physical size | Same as equivalent BlueSolar | Same as equivalent SmartSolar |
| Price | Slightly higher | Slightly lower |
What Built-in Bluetooth Gets You
The SmartSolar's Bluetooth lets you:
- Monitor live solar data — see watts in, battery voltage, charge state, and daily harvest totals from your phone.
- Configure all settings — change battery type, set custom charge voltages, configure the load output, and update firmware wirelessly.
- View 30-day history — track daily yield, maximum power, and error events over the past month.
- Use VE.Smart Networking — link multiple SmartSolar controllers and a SmartShunt for synchronised charging and accurate battery temperature compensation.
Without built-in Bluetooth, a BlueSolar user has to either buy a VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart dongle (around £35–40) to get the same functionality, or connect to a Cerbo GX / other GX device via cable for monitoring and configuration.
Price Difference
The SmartSolar typically costs £10–30 more than the equivalent BlueSolar model, depending on the size. Since a VE.Direct Bluetooth dongle costs around £35–40 on its own, the SmartSolar actually works out cheaper if you want Bluetooth connectivity.
The only scenario where the BlueSolar saves you money is if you're connecting to a GX device anyway and genuinely don't need Bluetooth at all.
When to Choose SmartSolar
- Most installations — the price difference is minimal and Bluetooth is genuinely useful.
- Campervans and boats — being able to check your solar from your phone without opening a locker is invaluable.
- Systems without a GX device — SmartSolar is your only way to configure and monitor without extra hardware.
- Multiple controllers — VE.Smart Networking synchronises charge stages across controllers, which requires Bluetooth.
When to Choose BlueSolar
- Budget-critical builds where every pound matters and you have a GX device for monitoring.
- Large commercial installations where every controller connects to a GX device via VE.Direct and Bluetooth is irrelevant.
- Replacing an existing BlueSolar in a system that's already monitored via a Cerbo GX.
Can You Add Bluetooth to a BlueSolar Later?
Yes. The VE.Direct Bluetooth Smart dongle plugs into the BlueSolar's VE.Direct port and gives you full VictronConnect app access, including VE.Smart Networking. However, this uses the VE.Direct port, so you can't simultaneously connect the dongle and a GX device without a VE.Direct splitter (not officially supported by Victron for all use cases).
Are They Physically Interchangeable?
Yes. A SmartSolar 100/30 is the same physical size and has the same terminal layout as a BlueSolar 100/30. You can swap one for the other without changing any wiring.
Our Recommendation
For nearly every installation, buy the SmartSolar. The price premium is small — often less than the cost of a Bluetooth dongle — and the convenience of built-in Bluetooth is significant. The BlueSolar range is increasingly being phased out in favour of SmartSolar, and some models are already harder to find in stock.
The only exception is if you're building a large system with a Cerbo GX where every controller will be wired via VE.Direct anyway, and you want to save a few pounds per unit. Even then, having Bluetooth as a backup diagnostic tool is worth the small extra cost.
