Whether you’re looking for a generator for your RV, something to supply power on your next camping or tailgating adventure, or just a reliable backup generator in case of a home power outage, look no further than the Jackery Explorer 1000 portable power station.
The Jackery portable power station is an excellent solar generator with three AC ports that act like a wall outlet and several types of DC ports to power things like your phone or small electronics.
But with a price tag of almost $1,000, is this power station worth the investment? We look at durability, portability, charge capability, and more in this quick roundup review. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station: Pros & Cons
- Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station: Specs
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station: Pros & Cons
Pros
Pros:
- Lightweight (22 lbs)
- Relatively Affordable
- Plenty of Ports
- Can Power Refrigerators (<1000W)
- Sleek & Durable
- Fan Runs Quiet
Cons:
- Slow Charging (200W Max Output)
- USB-C PD Maxes Out at Just 18W
- Have to Manually Turn On and Off
Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station: Specs
Jackery’s lithium battery generators are an excellent clean power option for an outdoor adventure. It charges on sun power and can also be charged at home before you go for maximum use.
Now let’s take a look at the individual specs of this lithium portable power station:
Battery Power Output & Ports
The Explorer 1000 is an absolute powerhouse of a solar generator. With a 1002W battery (21.6V, 46.4 amp), this power station is able to run your home fridge during power outages, as long as it’s under 1000W.
You have several charging port options, including three AC ports, 2 USB-C ports, a 12V/10A car port, a 5V/2.4A USB-A port, and a USB-A 3.0 quick charge port.
Each AC port acts as a wall outlet and is capable of powering anything from a simple fan all the way up to appliances like refrigerators and microwaves. We even used it to power up our vacuum when we were boondocking in our RV, and it worked like a charm! (The power outlets don’t work in our RV off battery power.)
The DC ports work great to power devices like your phone and other small electronics like tablets or smartwatches. In fact, you can charge your phone hundreds of times on a single charge! We didn’t try it that many, but after a few dozen, we could see it lasting that long. Anyway, plenty of USB ports to choose from.
Charging Capabilities
There are three ways to charge your Jackery Explorer 1000:
- Using solar panels
- Using a car port
- Using a wall outlet
You can charge your power station with solar panels. Jackery sells 100W SolarSaga charging panels, which we used for ours. They can charge up to 85W on a bright and sunny day and 30W max on an overcast one, so solar charging takes anywhere from 8-16 hours depending on the weather and whether you have one or two panels charging your unit.
Note: We actually really liked the Jackery solar panels. They are easy to fold up, pretty durable, and easy to carry compared to some of the ugly, bulky, heavy panels we’ve seen elsewhere.
The car port option is the slowest way to charge your power stations. It takes about 14-18 hours to charge, depending on whether the car is off or on and running the alternator.
Finally, using a wall outlet is the fastest way to charge up. It takes just 8 hours to go from 0% to 100%, and we didn’t see any different. I love this feature because you can charge your power stations at home, then use solar power to keep them topped off when you’re on the road or stuck during power outages.
Pure Sine Wave Inverter
All batteries charge with DC or direct current. The lithium battery is where the power station gets its DC. DC current powers the USB ports and the 12-volt power port of the Explorer 1000.
AC, or alternating current, powers devices like fans, TVs, and laptop chargers. To get AC from DC, you need a to use a sine wave. The easiest and cheapest way to do this conversion is through a modified sine wave, which is a cheap imitation that lets you power things like lights.
However, a modified sine wave doesn’t run very efficiently and will cause a lot more power to be wasted.
A pure sine wave inverter, which is what Jackery uses in their portable power stations, mimics the smooth sine wave of AC perfectly. So motors, sensitive medical equipment, and all other electronics will function just like they would if you plugged them into a wall outlet. No excess heat, no wasted power.
This one reason is why the Jackery portable power station is priced at $999 compared to other, cheaper power stations that use the modified sine wave inverter. It will run much more efficiently, generate less heat, and be more reliable if you’re using sensitive equipment like a cpap machine.
Look & Feel
I’ll be honest – I love how Jackery’s portable power stations look. The black and orange looks sleek and modern, and the LCD screen is bright and easy to see.
The plastic is also really durable and doesn’t feel cheap at all. Moving this thing around, I felt like it could handle a beating and last a long time.
At 22 lbs, you might not be able to bring it backpacking, but it’s much lighter than most of it’s competition and could easily be picked up and brought with you in a vehicle anywhere.
Conclusion
In our opinion, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station (and the other power stations from the explorer series) are a great product worth the price. From their lithium ion battery technology to their solar charging capabilities and their durability and light weight, we couldn’t recommend them enough.
We’ve used them to power outdoors activities, and power RV life being our main use. It has great customer reviews from other buyers as well, and it’s worked great for everything we’ve thrown at it.
If you’re looking for a reliable, durable, and portable power station that can be charged by 100w solar panels, look no further than the Jackery Explorer 1000. If you are on a budget and don’t need as much power, you can also consider the Explorer 500 or any of the other power stations in the Explorer series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Portable Power Station?
A portable power station is a lithium ion battery that can charge your devices. It doesn’t generate the power itself and therefore must be charged, either via a wall plug, a car port, or a solar panel.
Who is a Portable Power Station For?
A portable power station is great for anyone who wants power outdoors while camping or hiking, or anyone who needs backup energy during power outages.
How do you charge a Jackery portable power station?
You charge the Jackery power source with either a wall plug, car port, or solar panels.
How long does a portable power station last?
The charge in the Explorer 1000 can last months without degrading. If you’re using it, depending on what you’re running, it will power your devices anywhere from a day to several weeks (a refrigerator versus charging a phone, for example).
