Jackery Explorer 500 V2 review: Portable power at its simplest
Welcome to the T3 review of the Jackery Explorer 500 V2, an easy-to-carry 500W portable power station for outdoor activities and home emergency backup for low-drain electronics and devices.
Having recently given five glowing stars to the excellent Bluetti Elite 30 V2, Jackery now enters the fray with a similarly specified unit aimed at users who prioritize increased battery capacity and longer operating times over app connectivity and the ability to use electronics that draw more than their 500W rating.
Let’s take a closer look at the Explorer 500 V2.
Jackery Explorer 500 V2 portable power station review
Price and availability
In the UK, the official retail price of the Jackery Explorer 500 V2 was a cheap £449 but it is now available for a reasonable £269 from Jackery and Amazon.
In the USA, the Explorer 500 V2 is available directly from Jackery ($449) or $359 from Amazon and Walmart.
Details
- Power output: 500W
- Battery capacity: 512Wh
- High washing power: 1,000W
- Battery cell chemistry: LiFePO (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
- Battery cycle life: 6,000
- AC results: 2 x 230V, 16.7A
- Automatic UPS switching: <10ms
- USB Outputs: 2 x USB-C 100W + 30W; 2 x USB-A 18W
- DC results: 1 x 12v 10A
- AC input: 230V, 10A
- DC/Solar Input: 16-60V, 10.5A, 200W
- Charging time: About 1.3 hours
- Dimensions: 31.1×20.5×15.7cm
- Weight: 5.7kg (12.57lbs)
- Storage Temperature: -20℃ to 45℃ (-4℉ to 113℉)
- Guarantee: 5 years
Design and features
(Image credit: Future)
As small portable power stations go, the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 makes an impressive first impression with its clean toolbox design, foldable carry handle, two AC outlets, a gaggle of USB ports, a mandatory 12v 10amp DC output and a bright LED light.
At 31.1×20.5×15.7cm and a sensible weight of 5.7kg, the new 500 is significantly smaller (by 30%) and lighter than its popular predecessor, making it easy to lift and carry with one hand, fit into a car boot or stow your camping gear without swallowing up precious space.
On the front panel, you get a precise layout of holes and a two-inch rectangular LCD screen, which is very thin by today’s standards.
This display does not overwhelm the user with beautiful images, but in many ways I wish it happened, because the interface does not give the user information about the remaining hours when using the device, and I think that is a big oversight.
Also, when I powered up my MacBook Air M3 during a four-hour power outage, the screen showed zero output, as if it was the lowest wattage to register. Which is strange.
Another thing that this model lacks is both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can’t view or use it with the Jackery app, change any settings or run firmware updates, which usually improve the product’s performance.
But maybe that was Jackery’s thinking all along – to create a simplified and intuitive battery power unit for users who don’t want to navigate between application menus, power options and other complex technical frameworks.
On the communication front, you find two 230V AC outlets, two USB-C ports (100W and 30W), a standard 18W USB-A port and a 12V 10-amp car socket for powering a number of camping devices that use low water and, on the side, a unique Jackery input for the DC8020W solar attachment W2.
I say different because Jackery is the only power station manufacturer to use DC8020 connectors for the solar panel connection, where almost every other PS manufacturer uses an XT60 connector with an MC4 adapter from the solar panel.
Granted, Jackery’s portable SolarSaga range of foldable solar panels is a great match for its power stations (its 200W panel will charge the Explorer 500 V2 in about 2.8 hours), but if you want to use a different type of solar panel, you’ll need to buy the hard-to-find MC4 to DC8020 adapter.
Apparently you can also charge this model using mains in about 75 minutes or a simple 12-volt car outlet in six hours.
The Explorer 500 V2 has a power rating of 500W, a good battery capacity of 512Wh and an unadvertised peak factor of up to 1,000W.
While it’s a good choice for camping and emergency Internet UPS, TV and lighting backup use (switches to a mandatory 10ms), it can’t match the Bluetti Elite 30 V2 for sheer power and versatility.
Unlike the excellent Bluetti, which reduces the current consumption to 1.5kW for continuous running, this high-end feature is designed for kick-start devices that draw more power at start-up before consuming modest power.
Since some power tools often use twice or even three times the power their continuous use suggests, this model may not be the best solution for outdoor DIY projects.
On the other hand, the Explorer 500 V2’s LiFePO4 battery boasts a life of 6,000 cycles, and the whole shebang comes with a 5-year warranty.
However, it only comes with an orange AC cable and an instruction manual, but no DC cigarette charger to boost the battery while driving.
Working
(Image credit: Future)
I like the size, shape, style and light weight of the Explorer 500 V2. However, while it sports a better battery capacity than one of its closest competitors, the Bluetti Elite 30 V2, it can’t match the Bluetti’s weight-specific power and app connectivity. It also costs £90 more than the Bluetti.
I wrote this entire review using Explorer V2 because we were without power for the last four hours while our village’s main transformer was being replaced.
Granted, I’ve only been using my MacBook Air M3 with it, but so far it says there’s still a healthy 80% left, and that’s pretty good in my book.
However, I wish I could say how much usage I could get in hours and minutes, but, as mentioned above, Jackery chose to leave that kind of information on the unit’s interface.
The maximum power factor of the Jackery Explorer 500 V2 grew to just over 700W when tested using an 800W Meaco blow heater.
(Image credit: Future)
However, I tested it using my 800W to 1.8kW Meaco blow heater in low power mode. Sadly, unlike the 600W Bluetti Elite 30 V2 which ran the heater without issue when switched to the lower 800W setting, the Explorer 500 V2’s inverter cut out after just 41 seconds.
I also noticed that the AC output light did not immediately turn off to notify the user that the AC converter is no longer working, meaning that anything else plugged into the power outlet – such as a phone, tablet, or essential CPAP machine – will also stop receiving power.
The bottom line is that you’ll need to keep a lid on pushing this model beyond the stated 500W, and, in an ideal world, only use devices that you know are under 500W; otherwise, you may be disappointed with its performance.
Still, as an outdoor workhorse that doesn’t burn a lot of camping gear like air tent pumps, small camping kettles, and other simple tasks like phone, laptop, drone, and tablet charging, the Jackery Explorer 500 V2 is still worth investigating. No, it’s not as durable as the Bluetti Elite 30 V2, but its battery will last longer between charges.
What does the Jackery Explorer 500 V2 use?
(Image credit: Future)
The Explorer 500 V2 has an output power of 500W and a peak power rating of nearly 1,000W that will power a decent tranche of small devices and electronics at home and abroad. Here is a list of some examples:
HOME EMERGENCY:
WiFi router (about 10W) = 30 hours
TV system with Sky Q box and sound bar (approx. 127W) = up to 3 hours
LED table lamp (27W) = 19 hours
Apple iMac M4 = up to 3 hours depending on usage
Apple MacBook Pro M4 a laptop computer 4 times
NAS storage (20W) =1.137 BTUs/min 5 hours
CPAP device for sleep-related breathing disorders (about 15W) = 16.8 hours
500W fan heater = 0.8 hours
Small electric kettle (500W) = 0.8 hours
CAMPING AND OUTSIDE:
Diesel heater (about 30W) = 10.5 hours
Ecoflow Glacier 35L fridge (55W) = about 6.5 hours
Starlink internet satellite (30W) = 10.5 hours
Bluetooth speaker (10W) = 28 hours
Charge a smartphone 17 times
charge the action camera 64 times
charge the on a bicycle 0.8 times
The decision
(Image credit: Future)
If you’re going camping or need a simple power station to use as an emergency backup at home, the Jackery Explorer 500 V2 will do the trick. However, its lack of app connectivity and, perhaps more importantly, its inability to use high-powered electronics for more than 40 seconds at a time detract from its overall appeal.
