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One downside to camping and backpacking is that you cannot have a limitless supply of energy. This is true until you bring a power generator with you. But the task of carrying a heavy and bulky power generator can discourage most people. Fortunately, there is one product on the market today that has the ability to provide you with a clean and renewable energy supply. This product is the Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station.
That’s right; the Jackery Portable Power Station 500 is a portable power station you never knew you need. It uses sunlight to charge and then converts that energy into electricity for you to use. It uses the latest solar panel technology and it is much more efficient than any other product on the market today because of its dual-use feature. The product itself is extremely lightweight, which makes it easy to carry around, and its sleek design allows for easy storage inside your backpack or cargo pocket.
In this review, we will be going over the features of this product as well as summarizing my own experiences with it.
But before that, let’s take a quick look at this product’s pros and cons. This will help you gain a better understanding of the product if ever you are thinking about purchasing it.
| Pros | Cons |
| Portable, lightweight, and easy to carry Works perfectly in high-temperature settings Operates quietly Has one AC outlet, three USB ports, and three DC ports Can be recharged using solar panels | Has only one AC wall outlet Not waterproof Doesn’t have USB-c ports |
If you want to be able to use this portable power generator on your camping trips, click here!
In this post, we'll discuss:
What is Jackery Explorer 500?
The Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station is a portable device that can charge your smartphone, tablet, or small appliances via USB ports and AC ports. Made by a company called Jackery, this portable power station has a lithium battery inside which holds about 518 Wh worth of energy, giving you enough juice to fully charge your devices many times!
This power station can charge during the day via solar panels so it’s always ready when you need extra power. This makes it great for outdoor activities like backpacking, camping, or travel.
It is highly compatible with Jackery’s SolarSaga 100 watt solar panel. If you want to replenish the battery level quickly, just connect the SolarSaga every day and you will have an unlimited power supply, courtesy of the sun.
What are the features of Jackery Explorer 500?
You may be hesitating to get a solar generator like this product. If you want to have a reliable portable solar generator, take a look at the features of Jackery Explorer 500:
Large Capacity
The Jackery Explorer 500 comes with a 518 watt-hour (24Ah, 21.6V) lithium-ion battery and a pure sine wave inverter. It has one AC outlet (110V, 500W, 1000W surge), three USB-A ports, two DC ports, and one car charger port for running low to high power appliances, such as a television, mini-fridge, and even a CPAP machine.
Safety Features
The Jackery Explorer 500 comes with built-in safety protection mechanisms such as a battery management system (BMS), short circuit protection, temperature control, overcharge protection, over-discharge protection, and over-voltage protection.
Portable
The Jackery Explorer 500 is a small power station about the size of a basketball with a sturdy handle. The Jackery Explorer 500’s easy-carry and tiny design makes it ideal for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, and road trips.
Multiple Recharging Options
The Explorer 500 features a high-quality integrated MPPT charge controller. When used with the Jackery SolarSaga 100W solar panels (also available separately), it allows for rapid and easy green solar recharging. The battery of Explorer 500 can also be recharged using an AC wall outlet, DC vehicle outlet, or an electric generator.
With these features, you can always have a safe and convenient charging experience wherever you are and whatever the situation may be.
What are the benefits of using Jackery Explorer 500?
You might be wondering about the benefits of using this portable power station. As it stands, the Jackery 500 was designed to be used outdoors.
Here are some of the benefits that you can get from using this product:
Camping/Off-grid living
A steady source of power supply at a campsite every day can be challenging, especially if the place is not connected to the grid. Having a reliable power generator can address that issue.
However, using a gasoline power generator can be very disrupting. You don’t want to use such generators near other people. They can produce too much noise that will not be appreciated by everyone at the campsite.
If you are looking for a backpack-friendly alternative, then you might want to consider bringing along your Jackery Explorer Portable Solar Power Station 500. It comes with enough battery power to provide you with all the energy that you need at night while camping out in the woods or lounging around at a beach.
You don’t have to worry about any harmful emissions because it is solar-powered! it generates power quietly during the day and it gives out power silently during night time! With this portable solar energy generator, you can charge your phone or laptop without having to worry about running out of juice on the go.
Unexpected power outages
You never know when the power might go out. Your neighbors’ tree falling on a power line can cause a blackout that will last for hours or days until technicians arrive and repair everything.
Power outages can happen any time of the year, even during the summer months. In these cases, you’ll need to have a reliable backup power generator to keep your house running – at least until the lights come back on.
During these unfortunate moments, it is nice to have a backup power supply to keep your appliances running and your devices charged.
Jackery Explorer 500 is the perfect portable power station to provide your home with some power. It provides continuous power for about 5-7 hours of electricity on a full charge, so even when the grid is down, you can still make sure that life still goes on at home. If the power level goes down, you can just recharge it using a 100w solar panel during the daytime.
Emergency situations
Emergency situations can happen any time of the year. The severity of a situation will define how much power you’ll need in a generator to make sure everything’s going smoothly.
Severe weather conditions such as storms and hurricanes can suddenly deplete our power supply, especially if we are connected to the grid. No matter what happens around you, having a standalone solar-powered generator is definitely an advantage! You won’t be caught off guard because you are able to power your devices through this power station.
If you like to be prepared for emergencies and disasters, this device is a must-have! If you don’t want to worry about finding backup power in case of an emergency or simply because you want to go camping without the extra noise from a gasoline generator then consider buying this Jackery Power Station today.
If you also need roadside assistance or want to be rescued, the emergency flashlight located on the right side of the Jackery 500 can help you. It has an SOS function that can help you get the attention of people from far away.
Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station 500 is the perfect companion when it comes to emergencies, which means you can rely on it at any time of the year. When there are natural disasters that affect the grid, Jackery Explorer will provide enough power to keep things running until your area gets back up and running again.
Environment friendly
If you are the type of person who cares deeply about the environment, using this device can help you save the planet.
The best part about the Explorer 500 portable power station and other Jackery power stations is that they may be charged with solar panels. To charge the power station without polluting the environment, use the Jackery SolarSaga 100W solar panel kit. It takes approximately 16 hours of full sunlight to charge it fully without harming the environment
Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station Review
We have used the Explorer 500 and tried to write a review according to the following metrics: design, performance, and value.
Here’s what we have found out:
Design
The Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station 500 has a simple design that will fit well with any decor. Standing at 11.8 x 7.6 x 9.2 inches. The entire case is covered by a plastic and aluminum shell that looks sleek and professional. It is also lightweight at just over 13 pounds, making it very portable.
This product has a sleek and modern appearance. The handle is smooth and sturdy, making the task of carrying it on rough road conditions an easy one. Its standard black and orange color scheme gives it a sporty look, which makes it perfect for outdoor activities. The color scheme also allows you to spot this product easily.
The number of ports on this power station is impressive. It has one AC port that delivers 110v of electricity to small appliances such as television, mini-fridge, WiFi router, and even a CPAP machine.
It has three 5v 2a USB ports, making it possible for you to recharge three cell phones or tablets at the same time. Finally, it has three DC ports – two small ones and one cigarette lighter-like car charger port. If you have appliances or gadgets that need to be connected to 12v of power, the Jackery Explorer 500 can provide it to you!
Its LCD screen accurately displays important information such as the input and output status and current battery level. This way, you can easily tell if the power station needs to be recharged or not.
Meanwhile, the input, output such as the AC, 12v car DC cigarette lighter, USB ports, and the LCD screen is conveniently located in one spot. This way, connecting the plugs to the power station becomes an easy task.
If you ever need a source of light or want to be rescued, the Jackery Explorer 500 power station has an LED flashlight located on the right side. Just a simple press of a button beside it will give you the illumination that you need.
It is also compatible with Jackery SolarSaga 100 watt solar panels. Through this solar panel, your Jackery Explorer 500 will always have an unlimited supply of clean and renewable energy.
Performance
Can plug multiple devices at the same time.
The Jackery Explorer 500 has numerous outlets and USB connections, allowing you to charge several smaller electronics at the same time depending on the capacity of the power connections they need.
With this power generator, you can just charge your phone and tablet via the USB slots while charging your laptop via the 110V AC outlet. You can also leave them all charging in your RV or tent, take a walk, and then go back and see them all fully charged.
The Jackery Explorer 500 can operate in high temperatures.
If you live in a more humid area, make sure you get a compact power source that won’t shut down when the weather gets scorching.
The Explorer 500 is capable of functioning safely between the temperatures of 32 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit (0 and 40 degrees Celsius), so it can endure the heat on days when the sky is clear. This is something that other products in the market clearly lack.
This is a significant factor these days, especially given the fact that global warming causes fires and heat waves to many locations in the United States and other parts of the globe.
The Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station also has quiet low-power cooling fans that activate when the temperature of the unit increases. What’s fantastic is that they’re incredibly quiet, so you won’t be disturbed while communing with nature or just seeking a break from the heat.
Cost/Value
Price is something that cannot be ignored when looking for a portable power station like this one.
For its $499.99 price, we can say that the Explorer 500 is worth every penny. It includes a 110V electrical outlet to power small appliances straight, which is more affordable than most comparable devices. It can keep a smartphone powered for over a month and a half, and it has an integrated LED light that will give you plenty of illumination in the event of a blackout for an exceptionally long time.
Finally, this product comes with a two-year warranty. This is definitely something that you can’t expect from a portable power bank under $500 that fits in your pocket. This ensures that you’ll be protected for two years after the original purchase date.
If something goes wrong with your power station, either due to faulty workmanship or poor materials, then you can claim a possible refund or replacement product from the manufacturer.
Customer Service
If you have concerns about the performance of this product that is not included in the manual, you can contact the manufacturer’s customer service. But a fair warning though; even though they have a contact number, they still prefer to talk to customers through email.
If you want to address certain issues regarding this product, you would have to be very patient as it takes a long while before they pick up the phone.
What can the Jackery Explorer 500 power?
The battery capacity of the Explorer 500 is 40 Wh. The device’s battery or an appliance can be charged via Explorer’s pure sine wave AC outlet, but only if a device consumes less than 500 Watts.
If you connect a device that uses more than 500 Watts to the Explorer 500’s output port, the portable solar generator will automatically turn off. Please check your gadget’s requirements before deciding to connect it with this product.
In any case, here is a shortlist of devices and appliances that you can safely connect to Jackery Explorer 500:
- Cell phones
- Tablets
- Laptops
- Drones
- Cameras
- Portable fans
- Bluetooth speakers
- LED lamps
- Flashlights
- Air pumps
- Mini-fridge
- CPAP machine
It can also power other small camping devices such as:
- Blender
- Travel mugs
- Solar blankets
- Coolers
Here is a short list of items that the Jackery Explorer portable power station cannot handle: Toaster oven, coffee maker, space heater, microwave oven, larger electronic appliances such as dehumidifiers, TVs, and refrigerator.
For further information, please refer to the instruction manual included in the product’s package.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jackery Explorer power stations work?
Portable power stations, also known as emergency backup generators, capture energy from the grid and store it for later use. You may then connect appliances or charge electronic devices with the stored energy using a portable power station. Devices can usually be charged via a home AC outlet, a 12v car charger, or specialized solar panels. In Jackery’s case – the SolarSaga 100w solar panel.
How long does it take to recharge Jackery Explorer 500?
You can recharge the lithium battery of your Jackery Explorer 500 within 7.5 hours of an AC wall outlet and even get two backup options for when it’s not around! You’ll find that with these charging sources at hand, there won’t be anything keeping this power pack down to a 16-hour charge from the carport or 9.5 hours on the solar panel.
Is Jackery 500 better than Goal Zero?
Portable power stations are often compared to one another, and brands such as Jackery and Goal Zero are no different.
However, based on overall performance tests done in laboratories and reviews of customers, it appears that Jackery is better than Goal Zero.
Does Jackery use Lithium batteries on their Explorer products?
Absolutely! All Jackery Explorer products are powered by lithium batteries, which are both lightweight and capable of storing a lot of energy. In 2015, Jackery was the first company to bring off-grid lithium batteries to the market.
Can I bring my Jackery 500 in my carry-on luggage on a plane?
Usually, Jackerys may be carried on planes if they’re in your carry-on luggage and not your checked baggage. However, some passengers have had their Jackery gadgets seized by airport security, because this product’s battery capacity contains much power compared to ordinary power banks. So do your research for the locations you’ll be visiting and from before bringing your Jackery.
Can a Jackery Explorer 500 run a heater?
The typical use of a space heater is to heat 1,500 watts. This exceeds the Jackery 500’s maximum wattage of 500. Connecting your space heater to Jackery 500 will automatically force the power station to shut down.
Can a Jackery Explorer 500 run a microwave?
For brief periods, you may use a coffee pot, hot plate, or induction plate, as long as the inverter’s total power level does not exceed 500 watts. The inverter can surge up to 1000 watts for brief intervals. So… no.
Is it necessary for me to leave my Jackery plugged in at all times?
Keeping the Explorer 500 plugged in will ensure that it is always fully charged and ready to go. The Explorer 1000 should be discharged every three months to preserve its batteries in good working order, according to Jackery. Depending on the amount of sunlight in the area where you are staying, two solar panels may cut down charge time from 8 hours to 5 hours.
How many years would my Explorer 500 last?
Close to 3 years.
The Explorer 500’s battery has a capacity of 14kWh and can be used for 500 cycles. To 80% of the original capacity, the battery has 500 life cycles. One cycle of the battery refers to when it goes from 100 percent down to 0 percent and then recharged back to 100 percent. If you discharge your battery down to 50% and then recharge it back up to 100%, you’ll have produced half-cycles rather than full-cycles.
Does this power generator have a USB c port?
The only USB port available in the product is a USB-a port. You will need to use an adapter to recharge your USB-c based device.
Conclusion
The Explorer Portable Solar Energy Generator 500 is a perfect device to use when you’re off the grid or in an emergency situation. It provides enough power for you to stay connected and keep your devices up and running.
It is lightweight, making it great for camping trips. All you have to do is lay it on the ground and hook it up to SolarSaga 100 and let Jackery Explorer 500 do all the work!
Its ultra-portability makes it one of the more popular power generators out there. And because of its quiet operation, you won’t have to worry about bothering anyone with noise while using this during a camping trip or blackouts. You can also bring it along when you’re out hiking or enjoying other outdoor activities without feeling weighed down by heavy equipment.
We highly recommend it to everyone who likes to be prepared during emergencies and disasters! With Jackery Explorer Portable Solar Power Station 500, you’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors and power your gadgets at the same time.
If you are interested in buying this product after reading our review, click here!
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