Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station + Solar Saga Review

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast who’s looking to have a bit more fun while adventuring with your buddies or someone who wants to harness solar energy at home, you should definitely consider investing in a portable power station.

Jackery has consistently delivered both comfort and performance in its power stations, and the Explorer Plus 1000 is no exception. But how do Jackery’s solar panels measure up?

On paper, the SolarSaga 200 stands out as the most efficient solar panel I’ve tested so far. Keep reading to discover our findings on the Jackery Explorer Plus 1000 and the SolarSaga 200 panels.

Explore Plus 1000 Design and Build Quality

The Jackery Explorer Plus 1000 is designed with both portability and durability in mind. Its compact size belies the substantial power it houses. This means that it’s easy to transport without compromising on performance.

The sleek, rugged exterior is built to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. At the same time, the intuitive layout makes for user-friendly operation. The Explorer Plus 1000 features a sturdy handle, rubberized corners for impact resistance, and a clear, easy-to-read display.

This display provides real-time information on power usage, remaining battery life, and input/output status, so you’ll always know how much juice your portable power station has left.

Power Capacity

The Jackery Explorer Plus 1000 also has quite an impressive power capacity and output. With 1264Wh of capacity and a 2000W output, it can handle several different devices at once.

This makes it an especially great choice for camping trips. You can also use it during emergency power outages at home. The power station’s ability to support 99% of devices ensures that you won’t be left in the dark (literally or figuratively).

Expandable Capacity

The Explorer Plus 1000 has plenty of notable features, but the one that stands out the most is its expandable capacity. This unit can support up to three add-on battery packs, which can increase its total capacity to an impressive 5kWh.

This level of scalability means you can make absolutely sure that you’ll have one to three days of home backup power (depending on your energy needs, of course). This makes it an excellent option for prolonged power outages. After all, you need to make sure that your essential devices remain operational.

Charging Options

The Jackery Explorer Plus 1000 also comes with plenty of different fast charging options. Depending on where the user is and what they need to charge, it fully supports solar charging, wall charging, and car charging. Let’s take a closer look at the Explorer Plus 1000’s charging options and abilities below:

Solar Charging

With four SolarSaga 200W solar panels, the Explorer Plus 1000 can be fully charged in just 2 hours under good sunlight conditions. This rapid charging capability makes it an excellent choice for off-grid adventures (where solar energy is the main power source). The efficiency of the solar charging system will allow you to quickly replenish the power station, even when you’re on the go.

Wall Charging

If you’re using it at home, the Explorer Plus 1000 can be charged from a standard wall outlet in approximately 1.7 hours. This quick turnaround time means you can have the power station ready for use in no time, whether you’re preparing for a weekend trip or even a potential power outage.

Battery Technology

The Explorer Plus 1000 is equipped with LiFePO4 battery cells, which are known for being super reliable and long-lasting. These batteries can last up to 10 years, and provide up to 4,000 charge cycles. That’s certainly something to write home about!

Since the batteries are guaranteed to last for a long time, you can rest assured that the initial investment you’ll need to make in this power station will essentially pay for itself over the years. You’ll have even more peace of mind knowing that the Explorer Plus 1000 will provide you with consistent and reliable power whenever you need it.

Advanced App Functionality

The Explorer Plus 1000 also features advanced app functionality. This means that  users can monitor and control the power station via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The app provides real-time information on battery status, input/output levels, and allows for remote operation of the device.

This intelligent control feature adds yet another layer of convenience. It allows users to manage their power station from a distance. No more having to walk all the way over to your power station when you want to adjust the settings!

Warranty and Customer Support

The Explorer Plus 1000 comes with a 3-year warranty, which can be extended by an additional two years when purchased from the official website. Clearly, this is a testament to Jackery’s confidence in the quality and reliability of this portable power station. Talk about peace of mind!

Explorer Plus 1000 Performance

To truly get a feel for the performance of the Jackery Explorer Plus 1000, I put it through a series of real-world tests. I’ll walk you though how these tests went below, so that you can get a better idea of how this portable power station performs in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Home Backup

In a simulated power outage, the Explorer Plus 1000 proved its worth by keeping all essential devices running smoothly. It powered a refrigerator, several lights, a laptop, and a Wi-Fi router simultaneously.

This demonstrated its capability as a reliable home backup power source. The expandable capacity feature also provided an extra layer of security. I was able to make sure that there was ample power available for long periods of time.

Outdoor Use

For people who love to spend time outdoors, the Explorer Plus 1000 is a serious game-changer. When I tested it, it easily powered a portable cooler, a camping stove, and several other electronic devices during a weekend camping trip.

The fast solar charging capability meant that the power station could quickly be recharged during the day. Its compact size made it especially easy to transport, while the intelligent app control allowed for us to conveniently monitor its power levels.

Solar Saga 200 Panels

Like the Explorer Plus 1000, the Jackery SolarSaga 200 is designed with convenience. It’s a great choice for people who like to spend a lot of time outdoors. The foldable solar panel measures 54 × 232 cm when fully extended, which means it provides ample surface area for capturing sunlight.

Despite its size when unfolded, it becomes quite compact when folded, so there’s no need to worry about that particular aspect. The magnetic pads also facilitate quick folding and unfolding. This allows for super easy setup and takedown.

The SolarSaga 200 weighs 17.5 lbs (8 kg), so it’s portable enough for camping trips and most other outdoor activities. It comes with carrying handles on each side and a dedicated bag that not only houses the panel but also provides extra space for necessary cables. This means that all components will be kept together, and that it’s easy to transport.

The panel also features eyelets, so you can easily secure it in place (whether you’re on a balcony or at a campsite) to prevent it from being blown away by the wind. Not only that, but the SolarSaga 200 is IP67 certified, which means it’s dust-proof and can withstand splashes of water. However, in the event of a storm, you should definitely make sure the panel is secured and store it somewhere safe so that it doesn’t get damaged.

Setup

Setting up the Jackery SolarSaga 200 is a total breeze, thanks to its user-friendly design. The panel includes adjustable stands at the back, which magnetically stick to the panel. This allows the user to position it at different angles in order to maximize sunlight exposure. Although Jackery does not provide exact specifications for the angles, the flexibility in repositioning the panel is pretty straightforward and hassle-free.

Pros and Cons of the Jackery Explorer Plus 1000 Portable Power Station

Just like any portable power station, the Explorer Plus 1000 comes with both pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons discovered while testing it:

Pros

• High Power Capacity: 1264Wh capacity and 2000W output support 99% of devices.
• Expandable: Can add up to three battery packs, expanding capacity to 5kWh.
• Fast Charging: Quick solar and wall charging times.
• Long-lasting: LiFePO4 batteries last up to 10 years with 4,000 charge cycles.
• Sustainability: Verified by TÜV SÜD for industry-leading sustainability.
• Intelligent Control: Advanced app for remote monitoring and control.
• Impressive Warranty: 3-year warranty with an additional 2-year extension available.

Cons

• Initial Cost: Higher upfront cost compared to some competitors (though, most agree that it’s a worthwhile investment).
• Limited Settings in App: The app focuses more on monitoring than control.

Overall Impression

If you’re in the market for a versatile and powerful portable power station, the Jackery Explorer Plus 1000 ($1,199) is a fantastic choice. It combines performance, sustainability, and intelligent control. Quite frankly, it sets a new standard in the portable power station market.

Of course, the power output could be a little better (which is a little disappointing considering the high cell efficiency), but it really depends on what you’re trying to charge. Overall, the Explorer Plus 1000 and the SolarSaga 200 panels are both great choices for outdoor enthusiasts who want to get the most bang for their buck. I honestly can’t recommend Jackery Power Stations & Solar Panel products enough!

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