Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 828 Wh | VTOMAN Jump 1500X leads
Explorer 500 518.4 Wh
VTOMAN Jump 1500X 828 Wh
VTOMAN Jump 1500X: +310 Wh (+59.7%).
Explorer 500 vs VTOMAN Jump 1500X
VS
500W
Running power
1,500W
518.4 Wh
Battery
828 Wh
13.2 lbs
Weight
36.2 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers weighing a lightweight, entry-level portable unit against a higher-capacity home-backup contender. The Jackery Explorer 500 delivers 500W of running power from a 518.4 Wh battery and weighs just 13.2 lbs, making it easy to toss in a trunk for camping or tailgating.
The VTOMAN Jump 1500X triples that output at 1500W with 3000W surge capability, draws on a larger 828 Wh LFP battery rated for 3,000 cycles versus 800, and supports battery expansion plus UPS functionality for outage protection. In device-compatibility testing across 53 appliances, the Jump 1500X powered 33 while the Explorer 500 handled 20, earning overall scores of 61 and 40, respectively.
The tradeoff is weight: at 36.2 lbs the VTOMAN is nearly three times heavier, so genuine portability belongs to the Jackery.
Overall Winner
VTOMAN Jump 1500X
Powers 33 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for Explorer 500
Home backup: VTOMAN Jump 1500X RV / mobile: Explorer 500 Solar: Tie
VTOMAN Jump 1500X wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose Explorer 500 if...
- + Portability matters (13 lbs vs 36)
- + You want faster solar recharging
Choose VTOMAN Jump 1500X if...
- + You value battery longevity (LFP, 3,000 cycles)
- + You want UPS backup behavior
- + You want future battery expansion
- + You want broader device compatibility
- + You need all-day runtime headroom
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: 1,500 W | VTOMAN Jump 1500X leads
Explorer 500 500 W
VTOMAN Jump 1500X 1,500 W
VTOMAN Jump 1500X: +1,000 W (+200.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 W | VTOMAN Jump 1500X leads
Explorer 500 1,000 W
VTOMAN Jump 1500X 3,000 W
VTOMAN Jump 1500X: +2,000 W (+200.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.2 lbs | Explorer 500 leads
Explorer 500 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
VTOMAN Jump 1500X 36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
Explorer 500: -22.9 lbs (63.4% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | VTOMAN Jump 1500X leads
Explorer 500 800 cycles
VTOMAN Jump 1500X 3,000 cycles
VTOMAN Jump 1500X: +2,200 cycles (+275.0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 13 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 20 · Differences: 25% (13/53) · Neither can run: 20
Only VTOMAN Jump 1500X can run 13
2-Slice Bread Toaster Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Skillet Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Water Kettle Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Instant Pot (6 Qt) 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
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation) Explorer 500: Running shortfall
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Washing Machine Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop) Explorer 500: Surge shortfall
Laser Printer Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Neither can run · 20 devices
These devices exceed both stations on running power and surge.
Coffee Maker
Digital Air Fryer
Electric Stove (Single Burner)
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Toaster Oven
Central AC (3-Ton)
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
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)
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 | Explorer 500 | VTOMAN Jump 1500X |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 518.4 Wh | 828 Wh ✓ |
| Running Power | 500 W | 1,500 W ✓ |
| Surge Power | 1,000 W | 3,000 W ✓ |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) ✓ | 36.2 lbs (16.4 kg) |
| Energy Density | 86.4 Wh/kg ✓ | 50.5 Wh/kg |
| Portability Tier | ultralight | portable |
| Chemistry | Other | LFP |
| Cycle Life | 800 | 3,000 ✓ |
| Expandable | No | Yes |
| UPS | No | Yes |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
Explorer 500
Faster Max solar input 112.5 W
Connector DC7909
Full charge time ~6.6h
Compatible panels 12/20
MPPT: 12-30V
VTOMAN Jump 1500X
Max solar input 200 W
Connector DC5521
Full charge time ~8.3h
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.
Explorer 500VTOMAN Jump 1500X
Emergency(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
| Device | Explorer 500 | Runtime | VTOMAN Jump 1500X | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Size Freezer (15-17 Cu. Ft.) | Safe | 2.3h | Safe | 3.6h |
| Sump Pump (1/2 HP) | Fail | N/A | Soft Start | 0.5h |
Entertainment(2)
1/22/2
1/2
2/2
EV & Transportation(2)
1/22/2
1/2
2/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
1/74/7
1/7
4/7
| Device | Explorer 500 | Runtime | VTOMAN Jump 1500X | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 4.4h | Safe | 7h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Fail | N/A | Soft Start | 0.7h |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.5h |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.4h |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.8h |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | Explorer 500 | Runtime | VTOMAN Jump 1500X | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 2h | Safe | 3.2h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
1/116/11
1/11
6/11
| Device | Explorer 500 | Runtime | VTOMAN Jump 1500X | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.4h |
| Coffee Maker | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.4h |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.4h |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.4h |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.6h |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 1.2h | Safe | 1.9h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
1/42/4
1/4
2/4
| Device | Explorer 500 | Runtime | VTOMAN Jump 1500X | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 1.8h | Safe | 2.8h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.4h |
Medical(4)
4/44/4
4/4
4/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
4/65/6
4/6
5/6
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
Pick the Explorer 500 if you need a grab-and-go source for phones, laptops, and small electronics under 500W and portability matters most. Choose the VTOMAN Jump 1500X if you want expandable LFP storage, UPS backup for your home, and enough wattage to run mid-size appliances. The Jump 1500X is the stronger overall pick, covering more devices, lasting far longer on a per-cycle basis, and offering expansion room the Explorer simply lacks.
Explorer 500 vs VTOMAN Jump 1500X FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, Explorer 500 or VTOMAN Jump 1500X?
VTOMAN Jump 1500X is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, Explorer 500 or VTOMAN Jump 1500X?
VTOMAN Jump 1500X has higher battery capacity (828 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 500 or VTOMAN Jump 1500X?
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?
VTOMAN Jump 1500X powers 33 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for Explorer 500.
Q Can you expand the battery capacity of Explorer 500 or VTOMAN Jump 1500X?
Only VTOMAN Jump 1500X supports expansion batteries for additional capacity. Explorer 500 is limited to its built-in 518.4 Wh.
Q Does Explorer 500 or VTOMAN Jump 1500X have UPS mode for power outages?
Only VTOMAN Jump 1500X has UPS (uninterruptible power supply) mode, which keeps connected devices running during a power outage without interruption.