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AC200MAX vs Explorer 2000 v2

2,200W
Running power
2,200W
2,048 Wh
Battery
2,042 Wh
61.9 lbs
Weight
39.5 lbs

At a Glance

This comparison targets buyers choosing between two 2,200W LFP portable power stations with nearly identical battery capacity (2,048 Wh vs. 2,042 Wh) and the same device-compatibility rate of 45 out of 53 appliances tested. The differences sit in the details.

The AC200MAX delivers a higher 4,800W surge (vs. 4,400W), accepts up to 900W of solar input for a full charge in roughly 7.3 hours, and supports battery expansion for longer off-grid stays. The Explorer 2000 v2 counters with a significant weight advantage at 39.5 lbs, which is over 22 lbs lighter, plus 4,000 cycle longevity and a 20 ms UPS function for sensitive electronics during outages.

The tradeoff is clear: faster solar charging and expandability come at the cost of portability and built-in backup switching.

AC200MAX

Overall Winner

AC200MAX

Powers 45 of 53 tested devices

Home backup: Explorer 2000 v2 RV / mobile: Explorer 2000 v2 Solar: AC200MAX

AC200MAX wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.

Choose AC200MAX if...

  • + You want faster solar recharging
  • + You want future battery expansion

Choose Explorer 2000 v2 if...

  • + Portability matters (40 lbs vs 62)
  • + Built-in UPS with 20ms switchover

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.

Capacity

Higher is better | Scale max: 2,048 Wh | AC200MAX leads
AC200MAX 2,048 Wh
Explorer 2000 v2 2,042 Wh

AC200MAX: +6 Wh (+0.3%).

Running Power

Higher is better | Scale max: 2,200 W | Tie
AC200MAX 2,200 W
Explorer 2000 v2 2,200 W

Delta: Tie (0%).

Surge Power

Higher is better | Scale max: 4,800 W | AC200MAX leads
AC200MAX 4,800 W
Explorer 2000 v2 4,400 W

AC200MAX: +400 W (+9.1%).

Weight

Lower is better | Scale best: 39.5 lbs | Explorer 2000 v2 leads
AC200MAX 61.9 lbs (28.1 kg)
Explorer 2000 v2 39.5 lbs (17.9 kg)

Explorer 2000 v2: -22.5 lbs (36.3% lighter).

Battery Life

Higher is better | Scale max: 4,000 cycles | Explorer 2000 v2 leads
AC200MAX 3,500 cycles
Explorer 2000 v2 4,000 cycles

Explorer 2000 v2: +500 cycles (+14.3%).

Compatibility Coverage

These two stations produce the same result on 53 of 53 devices.

Same result: 100%

Both can run: 45 · Neither can run: 8

Neither can run · 8 devices

These are 240V or high-voltage devices โ€” neither station supports them.

Central AC (3-Ton)

Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)

Well Pump (1 HP)

Electric Clothes Dryer

RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)

Circular Saw (Corded)

Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)

Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)

Full Specs Comparison

Spec AC200MAX Explorer 2000 v2
Capacity 2,048 Wh 2,042 Wh
Running Power 2,200 W 2,200 W
Surge Power 4,800 W 4,400 W
Weight 61.9 lbs (28.1 kg) 39.5 lbs (17.9 kg)
Energy Density 72.9 Wh/kg 114.1 Wh/kg
Portability Tier heavy portable
Chemistry LFP LFP
Cycle Life 3,500 4,000
Expandable Yes No
UPS No Yes (20 ms)
AC Voltage 120V 120V

Solar Charging

Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.

AC200MAX

Faster
Max solar input 900 W
Connector Proprietary
Full charge time ~7.3h
Compatible panels 20/20

MPPT: 10-145V

Explorer 2000 v2

Max solar input 400 W
Connector DC8020
Full charge time ~14.6h
Compatible panels 19/20

MPPT: 16-60V

Charge speed comparison

~7.3h
~14.6h

Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)

Device Compatibility

All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.

AC200MAXExplorer 2000 v2

Emergency(2)

2/2
2/2
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
Full-Size Freezer (15-17 Cu. Ft.)Safe9hSafe8.9h
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)Safe1.3hSafe1.3h

Entertainment(2)

2/2
2/2
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation)Safe1.4hSafe1.4h
TelevisionSafe8.4hSafe8.4h

EV & Transportation(2)

2/2
2/2
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
E-Bike Battery ChargerSafe7.2hSafe7.1h
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V)Safe1hSafe1h

Heating & Cooling(7)

6/7
6/7
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
Box Fan (20-inch)Safe17.3hSafe17.2h
Central AC (3-Ton)Voltage FailN/AVoltage FailN/A
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)Safe1.7hSafe1.7h
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower)Safe1.4hSafe1.4h
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)Tight1.1hTight1.1h
Space Heater (1,500W)Safe1hSafe1h
Window AC (8,000 BTU)Safe2hSafe2h

Home Infrastructure(3)

1/3
1/3
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)Voltage FailN/AVoltage FailN/A
Garage Door Opener (Residential)Safe8hSafe7.9h
Well Pump (1 HP)Voltage FailN/AVoltage FailN/A

Kitchen Appliances(11)

11/11
11/11
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
2-Slice Bread ToasterSafe1hSafe1h
Coffee MakerSafe0.9hSafe0.9h
Digital Air FryerSafe0.8hSafe0.8h
Electric SkilletSafe1hSafe1h
Electric Stove (Single Burner)Safe0.8hSafe0.8h
Electric Water KettleSafe1hSafe1h
Instant Pot (6 Qt)Safe1hSafe1h
Microwave Oven (1000W)Safe0.7hSafe0.7h
Rice CookerSafe1.5hSafe1.5h
Slow CookerSafe4.8hSafe4.8h
Toaster OvenSafe0.8hSafe0.8h

Large Appliances(4)

3/4
3/4
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
DishwasherSafe0.8hSafe0.8h
Electric Clothes DryerVoltage FailN/AVoltage FailN/A
French Door RefrigeratorSafe6.9hSafe6.9h
Washing MachineSafe1.1hSafe1.1h

Medical(4)

4/4
4/4
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
CPAP MachineSafe25.6hSafe25.5h
Electric Wheelchair ChargerSafe4.2hSafe4.2h
Medical Nebulizer MachineSafe13hSafe13h
Portable Oxygen ConcentratorSafe4.1hSafe4.1h

Outdoor & RV(6)

5/6
5/6
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
Pellet GrillSafe14.9hSafe14.9h
Portable Electric CoolerSafe23.9hSafe23.8h
Portable FanSafe23.5hSafe23.4h
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop)Safe4hSafe4h
Portable ProjectorSafe7.2hSafe7.1h
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)FailN/AFailN/A

Personal Care(2)

2/2
2/2
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
Electric BlanketSafe8hSafe7.9h
Professional Hair DryerSafe0.8hSafe0.8h

Power Tools(5)

2/5
2/5
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
Circular Saw (Corded)FailN/AFailN/A
Corded Drill / Hammer DrillSafe1.3hSafe1.3h
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)FailN/AFailN/A
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)Soft Start0.9hFailN/A
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)Tight1hTight1h

Work from Home(5)

5/5
5/5
DeviceAC200MAXRuntimeExplorer 2000 v2Runtime
LaptopSafe4hSafe4h
Laser PrinterSafe2hSafe2h
Monitor (27-inch LCD)Safe26.1hSafe26h
Starlink SystemSafe14.3hSafe14.3h
WiFi RouterSafe19.1hSafe19.1h

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The Bottom Line

Buyers who prioritize solar speed, surge headroom, and the option to add extra batteries for extended home backup or off-grid use should pick the AC200MAX. The Explorer 2000 v2 is the better fit for anyone who needs to move the unit frequently or wants automatic UPS switching for a home-office setup. Overall, the AC200MAX edges ahead with its stronger solar performance and expansion capability, earning the win by a narrow margin.

AC200MAX vs Explorer 2000 v2 FAQ

Q Which is better for home backup, AC200MAX or Explorer 2000 v2?

AC200MAX is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.

Q Which has longer runtime, AC200MAX or Explorer 2000 v2?

AC200MAX has higher battery capacity (2,048 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.

Q Which charges faster with solar panels?

AC200MAX has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.

Q Which is more portable, AC200MAX or Explorer 2000 v2?

Explorer 2000 v2 is lighter at 39.5 lbs vs 61.9 lbs. Explorer 2000 v2 is rated portable for portability.

Q How many devices can each power station run?

Both power stations can run 45 of 53 tested devices.

Q Can you expand the battery capacity of AC200MAX or Explorer 2000 v2?

Only AC200MAX supports expansion batteries for additional capacity. Explorer 2000 v2 is limited to its built-in 2,042 Wh.

Q Does AC200MAX or Explorer 2000 v2 have UPS mode for power outages?

Only Explorer 2000 v2 has UPS (uninterruptible power supply) mode with a 20ms switchover time, which keeps connected devices running during a power outage without interruption.