Explorer 1000 v2 vs Explorer 500

Jackery

Explorer 1000 v2

Check on Amazon Official Site

Jackery

Explorer 500

Check on Amazon Official Site

1,500W

Running power

500W

1,070 Wh

Battery

518.4 Wh

23.8 lbs

Weight

13.2 lbs

At a Glance

This comparison targets buyers choosing between two Jackery portables that sit far apart in capability. The Explorer 1000 v2 delivers 1500W of running power, triple the Explorer 500's 500W output, and its 1070 Wh LFP battery stores roughly twice the energy of the 500's 518.4 Wh cell.

That chemistry difference matters for longevity: the 1000 v2 is rated for 4,000 charge cycles versus just 800 for the Explorer 500. In our 53-device compatibility check, the 1000 v2 powered 33 devices while the 500 handled 20, giving the larger unit a clear edge for home backup and higher-draw appliances.

Solar charging tops out at 400W on the 1000 v2 compared to 112.5W on the 500, so off-grid recharge is substantially faster in absolute terms. The tradeoff is weight: the 500 checks in at 13.2 lbs, nearly half the 1000 v2's 23.8 lbs, making it far easier to carry on day trips or short camping outings.

Overall Winner

Explorer 1000 v2

Powers 33 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for Explorer 500

Home backup: Explorer 1000 v2 RV / mobile: Explorer 500 Solar: Explorer 1000 v2

Explorer 1000 v2 wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.

Choose Explorer 1000 v2 if...

+ You value battery longevity (LFP, 4,000 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 24)

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: 1,070 Wh | Explorer 1000 v2 leads

Explorer 1000 v2 1,070 Wh

Explorer 500 518.4 Wh

Explorer 1000 v2: +552 Wh (+106.4%).

Running Power

Higher is better | Scale max: 1,500 W | Explorer 1000 v2 leads

Explorer 1000 v2 1,500 W

Explorer 500 500 W

Explorer 1000 v2: +1,000 W (+200.0%).

Surge Power

Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 W | Explorer 1000 v2 leads

Explorer 1000 v2 3,000 W

Explorer 500 1,000 W

Explorer 1000 v2: +2,000 W (+200.0%).

Weight

Lower is better | Scale best: 13.2 lbs | Explorer 500 leads

Explorer 1000 v2 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg)

Explorer 500 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)

Explorer 500: -10.6 lbs (44.4% lighter).

Battery Life

Higher is better | Scale max: 4,000 cycles | Explorer 1000 v2 leads

Explorer 1000 v2 4,000 cycles

Explorer 500 800 cycles

Explorer 1000 v2: +3,200 cycles (+400.0%).

Where Compatibility Actually Differs

Out of 53 devices tested, 13 show a different result between these two stations.

Same result: 75%

Both can run: 20 · Differences: 25% (13/53) · Neither can run: 20

Only Explorer 1000 v2 can run 13

2-Slice Bread Toaster Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall

View pairing →

Electric Skillet Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall

View pairing →

Electric Water Kettle Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall

View pairing →

Instant Pot (6 Qt) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall

View pairing →

Rice Cooker Explorer 500: Running shortfall

View pairing →

Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall

View pairing →

Space Heater (1,500W) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall

View pairing →

Window AC (8,000 BTU) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall

View pairing →

Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation) Explorer 500: Running shortfall

View pairing →

EV Charger (Level 1, 120V) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall

View pairing →

Washing Machine Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall

View pairing →

Portable Ice Maker (Countertop) Explorer 500: Surge shortfall

View pairing →

Laser Printer Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall

View pairing →

Neither can run · 20 devices

These devices draw more continuous watts than either station can deliver.

Coffee Maker

Digital Air Fryer

Electric Stove (Single Burner)

Microwave Oven (1000W)

Toaster Oven

Central AC (3-Ton)

Portable AC (12,000 BTU)

Dehumidifier (70 Pint)

Electric Clothes Dryer

Dishwasher

RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)

Sump Pump (1/2 HP)

Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)

Well Pump (1 HP)

Professional Hair Dryer

Circular Saw (Corded)

Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)

Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)

Corded Drill / Hammer Drill

Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)

Full Specs Comparison

Spec	Explorer 1000 v2	Explorer 500
Capacity	1,070 Wh ✓	518.4 Wh
Running Power	1,500 W ✓	500 W
Surge Power	3,000 W ✓	1,000 W
Weight	23.8 lbs (10.8 kg)	13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) ✓
Energy Density	99.1 Wh/kg ✓	86.4 Wh/kg
Portability Tier	portable	ultralight
Chemistry	LFP	Other
Cycle Life	4,000 ✓	800
Expandable	No	No
UPS	Yes (20 ms)	No
AC Voltage	120V	120V

Solar Charging

Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.

Explorer 1000 v2

Max solar input 400 W

Connector DC8020

Full charge time ~7.6h

Compatible panels 19/20

MPPT: 16-60V

Explorer 500

Faster

Max solar input 112.5 W

Connector DC7909

Full charge time ~6.6h

Compatible panels 12/20

MPPT: 12-30V

Charge speed comparison

~7.6h

~6.6h

Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)

Device Compatibility

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

Explorer 1000 v2Explorer 500

Emergency(2)

1/2

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
Full-Size Freezer (15-17 Cu. Ft.)	Safe	4.7h	Safe	2.3h
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)	Soft Start	0.7h	Fail	N/A

Entertainment(2)

2/2

1/2

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation)	Safe	0.7h	Fail	N/A
Television	Safe	4.4h	Safe	2.1h

EV & Transportation(2)

2/2

1/2

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
E-Bike Battery Charger	Safe	3.7h	Safe	1.8h
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V)	Tight	0.5h	Fail	N/A

Heating & Cooling(7)

4/7

1/7

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
Box Fan (20-inch)	Safe	9h	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)	Safe	0.7h	Fail	N/A
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A
Space Heater (1,500W)	Tight	0.5h	Fail	N/A
Window AC (8,000 BTU)	Safe	1.1h	Fail	N/A

Home Infrastructure(3)

1/3

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)	Voltage Fail	N/A	Voltage Fail	N/A
Garage Door Opener (Residential)	Safe	4.2h	Safe	2h
Well Pump (1 HP)	Voltage Fail	N/A	Voltage Fail	N/A

Kitchen Appliances(11)

6/11

1/11

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
2-Slice Bread Toaster	Tight	0.5h	Fail	N/A
Coffee Maker	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A
Digital Air Fryer	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A
Electric Skillet	Tight	0.5h	Fail	N/A
Electric Stove (Single Burner)	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A
Electric Water Kettle	Tight	0.5h	Fail	N/A
Instant Pot (6 Qt)	Tight	0.5h	Fail	N/A
Microwave Oven (1000W)	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A
Rice Cooker	Safe	0.8h	Fail	N/A
Slow Cooker	Safe	2.5h	Safe	1.2h
Toaster Oven	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A

Large Appliances(4)

2/4

1/4

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	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	3.6h	Safe	1.8h
Washing Machine	Safe	0.6h	Fail	N/A

Medical(4)

4/4

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
CPAP Machine	Safe	13.4h	Safe	6.5h
Electric Wheelchair Charger	Safe	2.2h	Safe	1.1h
Medical Nebulizer Machine	Safe	6.8h	Safe	3.3h
Portable Oxygen Concentrator	Safe	2.1h	Safe	1h

Outdoor & RV(6)

5/6

4/6

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
Pellet Grill	Safe	7.8h	Safe	3.8h
Portable Electric Cooler	Safe	12.5h	Safe	6h
Portable Fan	Safe	12.3h	Safe	5.9h
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop)	Safe	2.1h	Fail	N/A
Portable Projector	Safe	3.7h	Safe	1.8h
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A

Personal Care(2)

1/2

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
Electric Blanket	Safe	4.2h	Safe	2h
Professional Hair Dryer	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A

Power Tools(5)

0/5

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
Circular Saw (Corded)	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A
Corded Drill / Hammer Drill	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)	Fail	N/A	Fail	N/A

Work from Home(5)

5/5

4/5

Device	Explorer 1000 v2	Runtime	Explorer 500	Runtime
Laptop	Safe	2.1h	Safe	1h
Laser Printer	Safe	1.1h	Fail	N/A
Monitor (27-inch LCD)	Safe	13.6h	Safe	6.6h
Starlink System	Safe	7.5h	Safe	3.6h
WiFi Router	Safe	10h	Safe	4.8h

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our methodology

The Bottom Line

Pick the Explorer 1000 v2 if you need serious device coverage, home backup with 20 ms UPS switching, or plan to pair with large solar panels for extended off-grid use. The Explorer 500 makes sense for lighter travel where portability matters most and your load stays under 500W. Overall, the Explorer 1000 v2 is the stronger buy, scoring 61 to the 500's 40 and covering 62% of tested devices versus 38%.

Explorer 1000 v2 vs Explorer 500 FAQ

Q Which is better for home backup, Explorer 1000 v2 or Explorer 500?

Explorer 1000 v2 is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.

Q Which has longer runtime, Explorer 1000 v2 or Explorer 500?

Explorer 1000 v2 has higher battery capacity (1,070 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.

Q Which charges faster with solar panels?

Explorer 500 has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.

Q Which is more portable, Explorer 1000 v2 or Explorer 500?

Explorer 500 is lighter at 13.2 lbs vs 23.8 lbs. Explorer 500 is rated ultralight for portability.

Q How many devices can each power station run?

Explorer 1000 v2 powers 33 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for Explorer 500.

Q Does Explorer 1000 v2 or Explorer 500 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.