Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,152 Wh | AC180 leads
AC180 1,152 Wh
Explorer 500 518.4 Wh
AC180: +634 Wh (+122.2%).
AC180 vs Explorer 500
1,800W
Running power
500W
1,152 Wh
Battery
518.4 Wh
36.2 lbs
Weight
13.2 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers choosing between a mid-capacity home backup unit and a lightweight portable option. The AC180 delivers 1800W of running power and 1152 Wh of battery capacity, powering 39 out of 53 devices tested. The Explorer 500 handles 500W with 518.4 Wh of capacity, covering 20 of the same 53 devices.
LFP chemistry gives the AC180 roughly 3500 charge cycles versus 800 for the Explorer 500, a difference that matters for daily-use scenarios. Solar recharge is another gap: the AC180 accepts up to 500W of solar input and refills in about 4.1 hours, while the Explorer 500 tops out at 112.5W and needs around 6.6 hours. The tradeoff is weight.
At 13.2 lbs, the Explorer 500 is less than half the AC180's 36.2 lbs, making it far easier to pack for camping or day trips.
Overall Winner
AC180
Powers 39 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for Explorer 500
Home backup: AC180 RV / mobile: Explorer 500 Solar: AC180
AC180 wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose AC180 if...
- + You value battery longevity (LFP, 3,500 cycles)
- + You want faster solar recharging
- + Built-in UPS with 20ms switchover
- + You want broader device compatibility
- + You need all-day runtime headroom
Choose Explorer 500 if...
- + Portability matters (13 lbs vs 36)
Spec Snapshot
Absolute values shown. Bars are scaled within this comparison for readability.
Each metric is independent. Bar lengths are not comparable across different compare pages.
Running Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,800 W | AC180 leads
AC180 1,800 W
Explorer 500 500 W
AC180: +1,300 W (+260.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 2,700 W | AC180 leads
AC180 2,700 W
Explorer 500 1,000 W
AC180: +1,700 W (+170.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.2 lbs | Explorer 500 leads
AC180 36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
Explorer 500 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Explorer 500: -22.9 lbs (63.4% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,500 cycles | AC180 leads
AC180 3,500 cycles
Explorer 500 800 cycles
AC180: +2,700 cycles (+337.5%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 19 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 20 · Differences: 36% (19/53) · Neither can run: 14
Only AC180 can run 19
2-Slice Bread Toaster Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Coffee Maker Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Digital Air Fryer Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Skillet Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Stove (Single Burner) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Water Kettle Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Instant Pot (6 Qt) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Toaster Oven Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Rice Cooker Explorer 500: Running shortfall
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Space Heater (1,500W) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Window AC (8,000 BTU) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Dishwasher Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Washing Machine Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation) Explorer 500: Running shortfall
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop) Explorer 500: Surge shortfall
Professional Hair Dryer Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Laser Printer Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Neither can run · 14 devices
These devices have startup surges that exceed both stations.
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Central AC (3-Ton)
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Electric Clothes Dryer
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
Circular Saw (Corded)
Corded Drill / Hammer Drill
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | AC180 | Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,152 Wh ✓ | 518.4 Wh |
| Running Power | 1,800 W ✓ | 500 W |
| Surge Power | 2,700 W ✓ | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 36.2 lbs (16.4 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 70.2 Wh/kg | 86.4 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | portable | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | Other |
| Cycle Life | 3,500 ✓ | 800 |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS | Yes (20 ms) | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
AC180
Faster Max solar input 500 W
Connector DC7909
Full charge time ~4.1h
Compatible panels 19/20
MPPT: 12-60V
Explorer 500
Max solar input 112.5 W
Connector DC7909
Full charge time ~6.6h
Compatible panels 12/20
MPPT: 12-30V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
Device Compatibility
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
AC180Explorer 500
Emergency(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
| Device | AC180 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Size Freezer (15-17 Cu. Ft.) | Safe | 5h | Safe | 2.3h |
| Sump Pump (1/2 HP) | Soft Start | 0.7h | Fail | N/A |
Entertainment(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
EV & Transportation(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
4/71/7
4/7
1/7
| Device | AC180 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 9.7h | Safe | 4.4h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Soft Start | 0.9h | Fail | N/A |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Tight | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Soft Start | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Safe | 1.1h | Fail | N/A |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | AC180 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 4.5h | Safe | 2h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
10/111/11
10/11
1/11
| Device | AC180 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Tight | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Safe | 0.9h | Fail | N/A |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 2.7h | Safe | 1.2h |
| Toaster Oven | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
3/41/4
3/4
1/4
| Device | AC180 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 3.9h | Safe | 1.8h |
| Washing Machine | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
Medical(4)
4/44/4
4/4
4/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
5/64/6
5/6
4/6
Personal Care(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Power Tools(5)
0/50/5
0/5
0/5
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The Bottom Line
The AC180 is the right pick for buyers who need reliable home backup, UPS functionality with 20ms switchover, and the ability to run high-draw appliances. The Explorer 500 suits travelers and minimalist campers who prioritize portability over raw output and only need to charge phones, laptops, and small electronics. Overall, the AC180 wins this matchup with a 73.5 to 40 score advantage, broader device coverage, and significantly longer cycle life.
AC180 vs Explorer 500 FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, AC180 or Explorer 500?
AC180 is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, AC180 or Explorer 500?
AC180 has higher battery capacity (1,152 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
AC180 has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, AC180 or Explorer 500?
Explorer 500 is lighter at 13.2 lbs vs 36.2 lbs. Explorer 500 is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
AC180 powers 39 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for Explorer 500.
Q Does AC180 or Explorer 500 have UPS mode for power outages?
Only AC180 has UPS (uninterruptible power supply) mode with a 20ms switchover time, which keeps connected devices running during a power outage without interruption.