Explorer 500
- you already own one that works
- your loads stay under 500W
- you rarely cycle it: 800 cycles rated
Explorer 600 v2
- you cycle it often: 6,000 cycles
- you charge a laptop by USB-C
- a router needs a 10ms UPS
Prices and stock checked by our price engine on November 5, 2026 at 3:59 AM EST. Each product is rechecked several times a day; the time refreshes when you load the page.
Same 500W inverter, two generations apart.
The Jackery Explorer 500 stored 518Wh in lithium-ion cells rated for 800 cycles to 80%, with one AC outlet, three USB-A ports, no USB-C, a 7.5-hour wall refill and about 100W of solar, at 13.3 lb; Jackery US no longer sells it and pointed its buyers to the Explorer 1000 v2. The Jackery Explorer 600 v2 stores 640Wh in LFP cells rated for 6,000 cycles to 70%, with two AC outlets, 100W and 30W USB-C ports, a 100-minute wall refill, 200W of solar and a 10ms UPS, at 14.11 lb. If you own a 500 that still holds a charge, the question is what the upgrade buys you.
Below: what separates them with numbers, a 20-second calculator for your own gear, eight modeled situations, a lighter option and the documented replacement, and what published tests found on the Explorer 500.
The 600 v2 is the newer design: a quarter more battery in LFP cells rated for 6,000 cycles, USB-C, a second AC outlet, a 100-minute refill and a 10ms UPS, at 0.8 lb more. Both stop at 500W. Jackery US no longer sells the Explorer 500 and listed the 600 v2 as sold out on our October 31, 2026 check.
- you own one that still holds a charge
- you use its two 12V DC ports
- 13.3 lb matters
- you cycle it often
- you charge by USB-C
- a router or CPAP needs a UPS
The five differences that decide it
Both deliver 500W with a 1,000W surge, both have a 12V car port, neither has an app or takes an extra battery. These five gaps decide it.
Will it run your setup? Check in 20 seconds
Estimates use 85% usable capacity and 70% of rated solar output. Real results vary with temperature, inverter load, shade and appliance cycling. Fridge and freezer watts are daily averages and do not include compressor startup surges.
Runtime by appliance, one at a time
Simple energy estimates, not measured runtimes, using Jackery’s own 85% rule: about 440Wh usable on the Explorer 500 and 544Wh on the 600 v2. Techtest.org measured 547Wh out of an Explorer 500 through its 12V port (EU unit).
Appliance for appliance, the 600 v2 lasts 24% longer than the Explorer 500.
Same appliance, same watts: the gap is always the size of the battery.Get our Black Friday alerts for Jackery
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What the current options cost today
Jackery US listed the 600 v2 as sold out on our October 31, 2026 check; the price engine shows the last price it read. The Explorer 500’s old US address now opens a different product. Prices move often.
The third option: the Jackery Explorer 300 at $289
Jackery Explorer 300: $289 today
If you mostly charged phones, cameras and a laptop from your Explorer 500, Jackery’s current LiFePO4 Explorer 300 does it at 7.5 lb: 292Wh, 300W from two AC outlets, a 100W USB-C port, two USB-A ports and a 120W car port, with 100W of solar that reaches 80% in about 2.8 hours, per Jackery. It holds less than half the 600 v2’s battery and stops at 300W. Jackery rates it at 4,000+ cycles to 70%; Jackery US gives it 2 years of warranty, plus 1 more on Jackery.com orders or by online registration. If you need more than the 500 gave you, Jackery’s own pointer is the Explorer 1000 v2: 1,070Wh and 1,500W. See the Explorer 300 at Jackery.
Eight modeled situations, worked out
Same formula as the calculator above: 85% of the rated capacity, no extra battery. Real results run lower through the AC outlet at small loads.
CPAP, one night
Both cover one night with some left over. On the 600 v2, turn Energy Saving Mode off first: it cuts the outputs after 6 hours at 25W or less, per Jackery’s manual.
Full-size fridge through an outage
About two more hours on the 600 v2. Neither gets a full-size fridge through a whole day.
Wi-Fi router through an outage
The 600 v2 runs longer and switches in 10ms when the grid drops. Jackery lists no UPS on the Explorer 500, so the router reboots unless it already runs on the battery.
Laptop top-ups on a trip
The 600 v2 charges a laptop straight from its 100W USB-C port. The Explorer 500 has no USB-C, so the laptop’s own adapter goes in the AC outlet, which wastes more energy.
A weekend of phone charges
Either covers a family’s phones for a weekend.
Refill from solar, each at its maximum
The 600 v2 takes twice the panel and refills in well under a day of sun. Reviewers testing the Explorer 500 in autumn or winter got far less than Jackery’s 9.5 hours.
Carrying it
Almost the same: 0.8 lb apart.
Years of daily use
800 cycles to 80% against 6,000 to 70%. Calendar aging cuts both figures; read them as ceilings.
Ten more differences, the spec sheet and the box
Smaller gaps that rarely decide the purchase, then the full specifications and what ships in the box.
Explorer 500 and Explorer 600 v2 weight, dimensions and full specifications
Weight: 13.3 lb for the Explorer 500 and 14.11 lb for the Explorer 600 v2. Dimensions: 11.8 × 7.6 × 9.5 in and 12.2 × 8.1 × 6.2 in. Everything else is in the sheet below.
Jackery Explorer 500 and Jackery Explorer 600 v2 full specifications
Every published figure for both units, grouped. Green marks the better value.
What’s in the box
Explorer 500
- Explorer 500518Wh, 13.3 lb
- AC adapter and cable
- Car charging cable
- User manual
Explorer 600 v2
- Explorer 600 v2640Wh, 14.11 lb
- AC charging cable
- User manual
- Car charging cable sold separately
Explorer 500 contents from its US manual; 600 v2 contents from Jackery’s US manual, which notes the car cable is sold separately.
07 · ChargingHow fast each one refills
Shorter bar, faster refill. Each row is scaled to its slower unit.
Explorer 500: Techtest.org saw at most 85W from the bundled EU adapter, about 6 h to full600 v2: no independent charging test found
Our solar times assume panels deliver 70% of their rating; the brands’ figures assume ideal sun.
Every port, side by side
Explorer 500
Explorer 600 v2
Practical consequence: the Explorer 500 has no USB-C, so a laptop or a USB-C camera needs its own adapter in the single AC outlet. The 600 v2 has two AC outlets and two USB-C ports, but drops the two 12V barrel outputs the 500 had.
09 · NoiseNoise: Explorer 500 vs 600 v2
Jackery rated the Jackery Explorer 500 at 37.9dB with no conditions stated, and reviewers heard its fan from about 50W on AC. Nothing is published for the Jackery Explorer 600 v2.
No reviewer published a decibel reading for either.Every figure we found, with its source
What reviewers heard: The fan came on only for a couple of minutes after two hours of laptop charging in a 20°C room (Mighty Gadget); on AC loads it revs up every so often, not ideal near a TV (Fiona Outdoors).
No decibel figure published.
Measured by a tester Brand figure
- Keep the Explorer 500 in a cool spot: its fan runs on temperature, not on load.
Cold, heat and storage: Explorer 500 vs 600 v2
The Jackery Explorer 600 v2 charges and runs from −4°F to 113°F. The Jackery Explorer 500 charges only from 32°F to 104°F and runs from 14°F.
Figures from both US user manuals.- Charge an Explorer 500 indoors in winter: it won’t charge below 32°F.
- Keep the Explorer 500 flat in use, charging and storage, per its manual.
App, UPS and smart features
The Jackery Explorer 600 v2 works as a UPS and refills faster. Neither it nor the Jackery Explorer 500 has an app.
Neither takes an extra battery.Does it work as a UPS? The Jackery Explorer 600 v2 switches to battery within 10ms, per Jackery’s US manual, which says it does not support 0ms switching. Jackery lists no UPS on the Jackery Explorer 500, only charging while in use.
Does it have a fast charging mode? The Jackery Explorer 600 v2 refills in 100 minutes from the wall and 70 with AC plus solar. The Jackery Explorer 500 takes 7.5 hours on its AC adapter.
Is there an app? Neither has one: Jackery’s 600 v2 spec table lists APP as N, and Jackery lists no app for the Jackery Explorer 500.
Can you add a battery later? Neither the Jackery Explorer 500 nor the Jackery Explorer 600 v2 takes an extra battery.
Warranty and support
The Jackery Explorer 600 v2 gets 3 years plus 2, automatic on Jackery.com orders, by online registration otherwise. The Jackery Explorer 500 had 2 years plus 1, 36 months in total after registration per its manual.
And 6,000 rated cycles against 800.Subject to each brand’s warranty terms and eligibility.
Jackery rates the Explorer 500 at 800 cycles to 80% and the 600 v2 at 6,000 to 70%, a lower end point. Calendar aging and heat also reduce capacity, so read both as ceilings.
- Bought outside Jackery.com, register a 600 v2 online to get the 2 extra years.
- Charge a new 600 v2 fully within 7 days and at least every 6 months, or the cell falls outside the warranty.
What reviewers report
We have not lab-tested these two units. Here is what 5 published reviews found, with the source, author and date for each point. Reviews of UK and EU units are flagged: those models charge from 230V outlets and have different sockets, so their charge times and outlet findings don’t carry over to US units.
Explorer 500: MacRumors (January 2021), Techtest.org (July 2021, EU unit), Mighty Gadget (October 2021, UK unit), Shutter Muse (July 2020), Fiona Outdoors (June 2023, UK unit)Explorer 600 v2: no verifiable independent test found
Usable capacity
- Explorer 500Reviewer A gaming laptop averaging about 150W ran for a full four hours on one charge. MacRumors, Juli Clover, January 2021
- Explorer 500Reviewer A Dyson air purifier on medium ran 24 hours straight and the battery still showed 43% left. MacRumors, Juli Clover, January 2021
- Explorer 500Reviewer Best measured usable energy was about 547Wh through the 12V outputs, above the 518Wh rating. Techtest.org, Michael Barton, July 2021, EU unit
- Explorer 500Reviewer Through the AC outlet at light loads much energy is lost; the reviewer measured 319Wh at 12W versus 479Wh at 100W (230V inverter). Techtest.org, Michael Barton, July 2021, EU unit
Charging
- Explorer 500Reviewer In winter sun in Northern California the 100W SolarSaga panel delivered only about 60W at best. MacRumors, Juli Clover, January 2021
- Explorer 500Reviewer With the bundled EU adapter he saw at most 85W input and about 6 hours to recharge. Techtest.org, Michael Barton, July 2021, EU unit
- Explorer 500Reviewer In October in northern England, in a shaded garden, a day on the 100W panel took it from 42% to 70%. Mighty Gadget, James Smythe, October 2021, UK unit
- Explorer 500Reviewer Both an AC adapter and a 12V car charging cable came in the box. Shutter Muse, Dan Carr, July 2020
- Explorer 500Reviewer A full day in sunlight on the 100W panel gave only a slow, limited top-up; she treats solar as a boost. Fiona Outdoors, Fiona Outdoors (Fiona Russell), June 2023, UK unit
Noise and heat
- Explorer 500Reviewer Under heavy loads the fans switch on; not very loud but noticeable, like a household fan on medium. MacRumors, Juli Clover, January 2021
- Explorer 500Reviewer The fan starts fairly early, mainly from roughly 50W on the AC outlet, and is rather loud. Techtest.org, Michael Barton, July 2021, EU unit
- Explorer 500Reviewer The fan came on for a couple of minutes after about two hours of use in a 20C room, then stopped. Mighty Gadget, James Smythe, October 2021, UK unit
- Explorer 500Reviewer Every so often the cooling fan revs up, most noticeably on the AC outlet; not ideal near a TV or music. Fiona Outdoors, Fiona Outdoors (Fiona Russell), June 2023, UK unit
UPS and output
- Explorer 500Reviewer The 12V output is regulated, holding a steady 13.3V at idle regardless of charge level. Techtest.org, Michael Barton, July 2021, EU unit
- Explorer 500Reviewer The 12V output is regulated, so a 12V fridge runs without an extra inline accessory. Shutter Muse, Dan Carr, July 2020
Daily use and issues
- Explorer 500Reviewer No USB-C port at all, so a MacBook needs its own adapter plugged into the AC outlet. MacRumors, Juli Clover, January 2021
- Explorer 500Reviewer At just over 13 pounds the reviewer found it heavy for walking around. MacRumors, Juli Clover, January 2021
- Explorer 500Reviewer All-plastic case without rubberized corners, so not really drop-proof; weighed 6.4 kg on his scale. Techtest.org, Michael Barton, July 2021, EU unit
- Explorer 500Reviewer Missing USB-C Power Delivery and Quick Charge was the biggest weakness he found; one camera needed a PD adapter in the AC socket. Shutter Muse, Dan Carr, July 2020
- Explorer 500Reviewer Compared with his Goal Zero Yeti 1400, the Explorer 500 is half the size and a third of the weight. Shutter Muse, Dan Carr, July 2020
Practical limits before you buy
- Jackery US no longer sells the Explorer 500. Its old US address now opens a different product, and the archived page pointed buyers to the Explorer 1000 v2.
- Jackery US listed the 600 v2 as sold out on October 31, 2026.
- The Explorer 500 has no USB-C port. A laptop needs its own adapter in the AC outlet.
- Both shut the AC outlet off above 500W. A coffee maker or a space heater won’t run on either.
- Only one of the 600 v2’s USB-C ports reaches 100W. The second stops at 30W, per Jackery’s manual.
- The 600 v2 ships without a car charging cable.
- The Explorer 500 can’t charge below 32°F. The 600 v2 charges down to −4°F.
- Neither fits the 100Wh carry-on limit. Check with the airline before flying with either.
- Explorer 500, per Jackery’s archived US page and manual: AC outlet only runs devices under 500W total; above that the unit shuts off (page FAQ and manual).
- Explorer 500, per Jackery’s archived US page and manual: Page FAQ runtime formula: capacity x 0.85 / device watts (the FAQ writes 500Wh, the manual 518Wh).
- Explorer 500, per Jackery’s archived US page and manual: Outputs switch off automatically after 12 hours when the draw stays under 10W.
- Explorer 500, per Jackery’s archived US page and manual: Shared DC budget: the two 12V barrel outputs plus the car port total 120W; the three USB-A ports share 30W.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Jackery Explorer 500 and the 600 v2?
Both deliver 500W with a 1,000W surge. The Explorer 500 stored 518Wh in lithium-ion cells rated for 800 cycles, with one AC outlet and no USB-C, at 13.3 lb. The 600 v2 stores 640Wh in LFP cells rated for 6,000 cycles, with two AC outlets, two USB-C ports, a 100-minute refill and a 10ms UPS, at 14.11 lb.
Is the Jackery Explorer 500 discontinued?
Jackery US no longer sells it. Its archived US page pointed buyers to the Explorer 1000 v2, and the old address now opens a different product.
Is the Explorer 600 v2 in stock?
Jackery US listed it as sold out on our October 31, 2026 check.
Does the Explorer 600 v2 work as a UPS?
Yes, it switches to battery within 10ms, per Jackery’s US manual. Jackery lists no UPS on the Explorer 500.
Can either run a CPAP?
Yes, both cover one night of a 40W CPAP without humidifier. On the 600 v2, turn Energy Saving Mode off first.
Does the Explorer 500 have USB-C?
No. It has three USB-A ports sharing 30W, a 12V car port and two 12V DC barrel outputs.
How much do they weigh?
13.3 lb for the Explorer 500 and 14.11 lb for the 600 v2, per Jackery.
What warranty do they have?
2 + 1 years for the Explorer 500, 36 months after registration per its manual; 3 + 2 years for the 600 v2, the extra 2 automatic on Jackery.com orders, by online registration otherwise.
Related comparisons and reviews
How we compared and sources
Research-based comparison. We have not lab-tested these units. Explorer 500 specs come from Jackery’s US page as archived on July 18, 2026 and its US user manual, because Jackery US no longer lists it. Explorer 600 v2 specs come from Jackery US and its user manual (JE-600A). Usage observations are attributed to named reviewers. Checked on October 31, 2026.
- Specs: Jackery US, Explorer 500 (archived July 18, 2026) and its US user manual; Jackery US, Explorer 600 v2 and its US user manual (JE-600A), read on October 31, 2026.
- Where the 600 v2 page and its manual differ, we use the manual: one 100W and one 30W USB-C port, not two 100W ports. The Explorer 500’s weight is 13.32 lb on its page and 13.3 lb in its manual.
- Reviewer reports on the Explorer 500: MacRumors, Juli Clover, January 2021, Techtest.org, Michael Barton, July 2021, EU unit, Mighty Gadget, James Smythe, October 2021, UK unit, Shutter Muse, Dan Carr, July 2020, Fiona Outdoors, Fiona Outdoors (Fiona Russell), June 2023, UK unit.
- Runtime = capacity × 0.85 ÷ watts. Solar harvest = min(panel watts, max input) × sun hours × 0.70. Cost per lifetime kWh = price ÷ (cycles × capacity in kWh).
Same 500W inverter: 518Wh lithium-ion for 800 cycles against 640Wh LFP for 6,000. Jackery US no longer sells the Explorer 500.
Prices checked November 5, 2026 at 3:59 AM EST
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Originally published: November 3, 2026