Jackery has been one of the premier vendors of solar portable power stations.
When I started to notice and write about these little solar-chargeable battery packs (sol-gens) back in 2014, there was only Goal Zero as a prominent brand, apart from many small-time makers of DIY, custom-made solar power stations. (I remember names like OG Solar and BePreparedSolar.)
But, as of today, Jackery is no longer a dominant player in the market. Both Jackery and Goal Zero seem to have failed to stay competitive with the arrival of new brands like Bluetti and EcoFlow in the late years of the last decade and the early years of this decade.
Jackery, though a bit late, launched a series of new power stations last year with advanced LiFePO4 batteries and modular profiles. Despite the brand’s extensive promotion of the new-gen models, I don’t think these models have helped the brand regain its earlier prominence.
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For those seeking Jackery alternatives, I would like to curate a list of the coolest models that can serve as better replacements for the popular Jackery power stations.
So, if you are looking for a power station other than Jackery, I strongly believe this article will be helpful for you.
The New Jackery Solar Power Stations
The latest series of Jackery power stations, the Plus, is available in three models.
Starting from the Explorer 100 Plus to the Explorer 2000 Plus, the new Jackery models feature the much-awaited LFP batteries. As you might know, Jackery and Goal Zero were slow to introduce the latest battery architecture in their power stations.
Let’s check out the key specs and features of the new Jackery power stations and see whether these models have impressive alternatives. This should help you identify the best power station for your next camping or outdoor trip.
Notice: In this article, I discuss only the ‘power station’ variants of Jackery’s products. The brand also offers the same models with the branding of ‘solar generators,’ which are simply bundles of the power stations with the required solar panels.
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Vs. Nothing!
The 100 Plus is a mini solar power station from Jackery.
To my knowledge, no other popular brands offer a replacement for this little power station, which has a capacity of just 99 Wh and an overall DC output of 128 watts. It has no AC outlet.
The new Explorer 100 Plus features an LFP battery with decent charging cycles of 2000 times, up to 80% of its capacity. It includes a pair of USB-C 100W in/out ports and an 18W USB-A port for charging USB devices and recharging the battery from different sources, including solar.
A small display lets you read the basic battery status and other information at a glance. The little power station weighs only 2.13 lbs. and has dimensions of 4.96 x 3.41 x 3.43 cm.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Vs. Bluetti AC2A and River 2
The 300 Plus seems to be Jackery’s response to EcoFlow River 2 and Bluetti’s small-size power stations like the AC2A or EB3A.
Though it is a decent portable battery, the Explorer 300 Plus doesn’t seem like a great deal compared to its replacements from competitors in terms of price.
The 300 Plus, with a 288 Wh LFP battery, costs around $300. It is a perfect outdoor battery with a single AC outlet and an LED flashlight. However, the EcoFlow River 2, with a 256 Wh LFP battery and a 300-watt inverter, is priced below $200.
In the Bluetti lineup, the AC2A is a comparable alternative, with a small 300W power station, though its battery pack is only 204 Wh. You can get it for just above $150.
If you ask about my choice in this category of power stations, as a fan of EcoFlow, I would go for the River 2. It is worth noting that both the Explorer 300 Plus and Bluetti’s AC2A are recent launches compared to the EcoFlow River 2, which has been on the market for over a year.
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus
The Explorer 1000 Plus is well-placed and one of the most popular variants in Jackery’s new series of power stations. As an upgrade to its best-selling Explorer 1000 predecessor, the Plus boasts some unique specs not found in the EcoFlow and Bluetti lineups.
The attractive feature is its 2000-watt mid-range power station with a decent battery capacity of 1264 Wh, expandable up to 2.5 kWh using an additional battery pack.
As the brand’s flagship model in the much-sought-after segment of mid-size power stations, it includes all essential charging ports, including three AC sockets and dual USB-C and A ports.
In the EcoFlow and Bluetti lineups, the models comparable to the Explorer 1000 Plus are the Delta 2 and the AC180. Both are 1800-watt power stations with a battery capacity of 1024 Wh and 1152 Wh, respectively.
These EcoFlow and Bluetti alternatives feature all the essential charging outlets, including multiple AC sockets and advanced USB ports. Regarding price, the Explorer Plus is pricier than its EcoFlow and Bluetti counterparts due to its larger battery capacity and inverter power.
If you prefer not to choose Jackery, the AC180 and its premium variant, the AC180P, seem to be good choices in this segment, priced around $1000.
The Delta 2, the second upgrade to the brand’s momentous Delta power station, is indeed a great choice. You can get it for just below $900 without an extra battery or solar panels.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus
Finally, we have the Explorer 2000 Plus.
As you may know, this is the biggest LFP power station Jackery offers, and being a 3000-watt battery with an expandable profile, it is indeed an attractive product for home backup.
In the Bluetti lineup, the AC300 is an alternative to the Explorer 1000 Plus with the same 3000-watt inverter.
EcoFlow’s Delta Pro Ultra is another choice, but it comes with a more powerful 3600-watt inverter.
Bluetti’s AC200L is a good portable choice if you are willing to compromise on inverter capacity. The 2400-watt AC200L is priced lower than the Explorer Plus, with a price difference of around $500 as of mid-February 2024.
The Explorer 2000 Plus can be expanded up to 24 kWh using the brand’s extra battery packs.
By pairing two units of the base models, you can achieve an overall inverter output of 6000 watts.
This makes the Explorer 2000 Plus an ideal pick for off-grid applications and a perfect alternative to the Bluetti AC300 and EcoFlow Delta Pro for home battery backup.