Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 768 Wh | AC70 leads
AC70 768 Wh
Explorer 500 518.4 Wh
AC70: +250 Wh (+48.1%).
AC70 vs Explorer 500
1,000W
Running power
500W
768 Wh
Battery
518.4 Wh
22.5 lbs
Weight
13.2 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers weighing a mid-capacity portable power station against a lighter, lower-output alternative. The Bluetti AC70 delivers 1000W of running power and 768 Wh of capacity, doubling the Explorer 500's 500W output and exceeding its 518.4 Wh battery by nearly 50%. In device compatibility testing across 53 products, the AC70 powered 24 devices versus 20 for the Jackery, and every device the Explorer 500 could handle, the AC70 handled too.
Solar recharge speed further separates them: the AC70 accepts up to 500W of solar input and refills in roughly 2.7 hours, while the Explorer 500 tops out at 112.5W and needs about 6.6 hours. LFP chemistry gives the AC70 an estimated 3,000 charge cycles compared to 800 for the Explorer 500. The tradeoff is weight.
At 13.2 lbs, the Explorer 500 is significantly easier to carry than the 22.5 lb AC70.
Overall Winner
AC70
Powers 24 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for Explorer 500
Home backup: AC70 RV / mobile: Explorer 500 Solar: AC70
AC70 wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose AC70 if...
- + You value battery longevity (LFP, 3,000 cycles)
- + You want faster solar recharging
- + You want broader device compatibility
- + You need all-day runtime headroom
Choose Explorer 500 if...
- + Portability matters (13 lbs vs 23)
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: 1,000 W | AC70 leads
AC70 1,000 W
Explorer 500 500 W
AC70: +500 W (+100.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 2,000 W | AC70 leads
AC70 2,000 W
Explorer 500 1,000 W
AC70: +1,000 W (+100.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.2 lbs | Explorer 500 leads
AC70 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg)
Explorer 500 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Explorer 500: -9.3 lbs (41.2% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | AC70 leads
AC70 3,000 cycles
Explorer 500 800 cycles
AC70: +2,200 cycles (+275.0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 4 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 20 · Differences: 8% (4/53) · Neither can run: 29
Only AC70 can run 4
Neither can run · 29 devices
These devices draw more continuous watts than either station can deliver.
2-Slice Bread Toaster
Coffee Maker
Digital Air Fryer
Electric Skillet
Electric Stove (Single Burner)
Electric Water Kettle
Instant Pot (6 Qt)
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Toaster Oven
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V)
Central AC (3-Ton)
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Space Heater (1,500W)
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)
Window AC (8,000 BTU)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
Electric Clothes Dryer
Dishwasher
Washing Machine
Professional Hair Dryer
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 | AC70 | Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 768 Wh ✓ | 518.4 Wh |
| Running Power | 1,000 W ✓ | 500 W |
| Surge Power | 2,000 W ✓ | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 75.3 Wh/kg | 86.4 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | portable | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | Other |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 ✓ | 800 |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS | No | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
AC70
Faster Max solar input 500 W
Connector XT60
Full charge time ~2.7h
Compatible panels 19/20
MPPT: 12-58V
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.
AC70Explorer 500
Emergency(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Entertainment(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
EV & Transportation(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
1/71/7
1/7
1/7
| Device | AC70 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 6.5h | Safe | 4.4h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Soft Start | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | AC70 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 3h | Safe | 2h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
2/111/11
2/11
1/11
| Device | AC70 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Tight | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 1.8h | Safe | 1.2h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
1/41/4
1/4
1/4
| Device | AC70 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 2.6h | Safe | 1.8h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | 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)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Power Tools(5)
0/50/5
0/5
0/5
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The Bottom Line
Buyers who need reliable home backup power, faster solar charging, and broader device coverage should choose the AC70. The Explorer 500 suits travelers or hikers who prioritize a lighter carry and only need to run sub-500W devices.
Overall, the AC70 is the stronger pick, offering more power, longer cycle life, and full coverage of every device the Explorer 500 can run. In our 53-device benchmark, AC70 powers 24 devices and Explorer 500 powers 20.
AC70 vs Explorer 500 FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, AC70 or Explorer 500?
AC70 is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, AC70 or Explorer 500?
AC70 has higher battery capacity (768 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
AC70 has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, AC70 or Explorer 500?
Explorer 500 is lighter at 13.2 lbs vs 22.5 lbs. Explorer 500 is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
AC70 powers 24 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for Explorer 500.