Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,516 Wh | Yeti 1500X leads
Yeti 1500X 1,516 Wh
Explorer 1000 v2 1,070 Wh
Yeti 1500X: +446 Wh (+41.7%).
Yeti 1500X vs Explorer 1000 v2
VS
2,000W
Running power
1,500W
1,516 Wh
Battery
1,070 Wh
45.6 lbs
Weight
23.8 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers choosing between two mid-capacity portable power stations for home backup, off-grid use, or solar charging. The Yeti 1500X pulls ahead on raw capability: 2000W running output, 1516 Wh of stored energy, and compatibility with 43 out of 53 devices tested, earning a score of 82.5 versus the Explorer 1000 v2's 61.
It also charges faster via solar, reaching full capacity in about 5.4 hours at up to 600W input compared to 7.6 hours at 400W for the Jackery. That extra power comes at a cost, though.
The Yeti weighs 45.6 lbs, nearly double the Explorer 1000 v2's 23.8 lbs, and its NMC battery is rated for only 500 cycles. The Jackery's LFP chemistry delivers 4,000 cycles and includes UPS functionality with a 20ms switchover, two features the Goal Zero unit lacks entirely.
Overall Winner
Yeti 1500X
Powers 43 of 53 tested devices vs 33 for Explorer 1000 v2
Home backup: Yeti 1500X RV / mobile: Explorer 1000 v2 Solar: Yeti 1500X
Yeti 1500X wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose Yeti 1500X if...
- + You want faster solar recharging
- + You want future battery expansion
- + You want broader device compatibility
- + You need all-day runtime headroom
Choose Explorer 1000 v2 if...
- + Portability matters (24 lbs vs 46)
- + You value battery longevity (LFP, 4,000 cycles)
- + 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.
Running Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 2,000 W | Yeti 1500X leads
Yeti 1500X 2,000 W
Explorer 1000 v2 1,500 W
Yeti 1500X: +500 W (+33.3%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,500 W | Yeti 1500X leads
Yeti 1500X 3,500 W
Explorer 1000 v2 3,000 W
Yeti 1500X: +500 W (+16.7%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 23.8 lbs | Explorer 1000 v2 leads
Yeti 1500X 45.6 lbs (20.7 kg)
Explorer 1000 v2 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg)
Explorer 1000 v2: -21.8 lbs (47.8% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 4,000 cycles | Explorer 1000 v2 leads
Yeti 1500X 500 cycles
Explorer 1000 v2 4,000 cycles
Explorer 1000 v2: +3,500 cycles (+700.0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 10 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 33 · Differences: 19% (10/53) · Neither can run: 10
Only Yeti 1500X can run 10
Coffee Maker Explorer 1000 v2: Running shortfall
Digital Air Fryer Explorer 1000 v2: Running shortfall
Electric Stove (Single Burner) Explorer 1000 v2: Running shortfall
Microwave Oven (1000W) Explorer 1000 v2: Running shortfall
Toaster Oven Explorer 1000 v2: Running shortfall
Sump Pump (1/2 HP) Explorer 1000 v2: Needs soft-start
Dehumidifier (70 Pint) Explorer 1000 v2: Needs soft-start
Dishwasher Explorer 1000 v2: Running shortfall
Professional Hair Dryer Explorer 1000 v2: Running shortfall
Corded Drill / Hammer Drill Explorer 1000 v2: Surge shortfall
Neither can run · 10 devices
These devices have startup surges that exceed both stations.
Central AC (3-Ton)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Electric Clothes Dryer
Circular Saw (Corded)
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | Yeti 1500X | Explorer 1000 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,516 Wh ✓ | 1,070 Wh |
| Running Power | 2,000 W ✓ | 1,500 W |
| Surge Power | 3,500 W ✓ | 3,000 W |
| Weight | 45.6 lbs (20.7 kg) | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 73.2 Wh/kg | 99.1 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | portable | portable |
| Chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Cycle Life | 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.
Yeti 1500X
Faster Max solar input 600 W
Connector Anderson + DC7909
Full charge time ~5.4h
Compatible panels 17/20
MPPT: 14-50V
Explorer 1000 v2
Max solar input 400 W
Connector DC8020
Full charge time ~7.6h
Compatible panels 19/20
MPPT: 16-60V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
Device Compatibility
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
Yeti 1500XExplorer 1000 v2
Emergency(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
| Device | Yeti 1500X | Runtime | Explorer 1000 v2 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Size Freezer (15-17 Cu. Ft.) | Safe | 6.6h | Safe | 4.7h |
| Sump Pump (1/2 HP) | Tight | 0.9h | Soft Start | 0.7h |
Entertainment(2)
2/22/2
2/2
2/2
EV & Transportation(2)
2/22/2
2/2
2/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
5/74/7
5/7
4/7
| Device | Yeti 1500X | Runtime | Explorer 1000 v2 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 12.8h | Safe | 9h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Tight | 1.2h | Soft Start | 0.9h |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Safe | 1h | Safe | 0.7h |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Soft Start | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Safe | 0.7h | Tight | 0.5h |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Safe | 1.5h | Safe | 1.1h |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | Yeti 1500X | Runtime | Explorer 1000 v2 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 5.9h | Safe | 4.2h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
11/116/11
11/11
6/11
| Device | Yeti 1500X | Runtime | Explorer 1000 v2 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Safe | 0.7h | Tight | 0.5h |
| Coffee Maker | Safe | 0.7h | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Safe | 0.7h | Tight | 0.5h |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Safe | 0.7h | Tight | 0.5h |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Safe | 0.7h | Tight | 0.5h |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Tight | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Safe | 1.1h | Safe | 0.8h |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 3.5h | Safe | 2.5h |
| Toaster Oven | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
3/42/4
3/4
2/4
| Device | Yeti 1500X | Runtime | Explorer 1000 v2 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 5.1h | Safe | 3.6h |
| Washing Machine | Safe | 0.8h | Safe | 0.6h |
Medical(4)
4/44/4
4/4
4/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
5/65/6
5/6
5/6
Personal Care(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Power Tools(5)
1/50/5
1/5
0/5
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The Bottom Line
Pick the Yeti 1500X if you need to run high-draw appliances, want expandable storage, or prioritize powering the widest range of devices on a job site or during an outage. The Explorer 1000 v2 makes more sense for frequent travelers or van-lifers who value a lighter unit with a far longer battery lifespan and basic UPS backup for sensitive electronics. Overall, the Yeti 1500X is the stronger performer and the clear winner of this head-to-head.
Yeti 1500X vs Explorer 1000 v2 FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, Yeti 1500X or Explorer 1000 v2?
Yeti 1500X is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, Yeti 1500X or Explorer 1000 v2?
Yeti 1500X has higher battery capacity (1,516 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
Yeti 1500X has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, Yeti 1500X or Explorer 1000 v2?
Explorer 1000 v2 is lighter at 23.8 lbs vs 45.6 lbs. Explorer 1000 v2 is rated portable for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
Yeti 1500X powers 43 of 53 tested devices, compared to 33 for Explorer 1000 v2.
Q Can you expand the battery capacity of Yeti 1500X or Explorer 1000 v2?
Only Yeti 1500X supports expansion batteries for additional capacity. Explorer 1000 v2 is limited to its built-in 1,070 Wh.
Q Does Yeti 1500X or Explorer 1000 v2 have UPS mode for power outages?
Only Explorer 1000 v2 has UPS (uninterruptible power supply) mode with a 20ms switchover time, which keeps connected devices running during a power outage without interruption.