Product images: Jackery official website
Jackery · Portable power station
Jackery Explorer 300
The proven ultralight for cameras, drones and weekend camping
WattLab Score
How good it is for its size · method
- 293 WhCapacity
- 300 W / 500 WAC continuous / surge
- 2.5 hrFastest full charge
- 7.1 lbWeight
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Overview
The original Explorer 300 is one of the best-selling small power stations ever: 293Wh, a 300W pure sine wave inverter, a 60W USB-C PD port and a 7.1 lb body. It's light and simple, but its lithium-ion (NMC) battery has a much shorter cycle life than newer LiFePO4 rivals.
Ideal for
Photographers, drone pilots, tent campers and road-trippers who want a light, simple battery for electronics and occasional use.
Skip it if
Daily cycling, home backup of a refrigerator, or anything that draws more than 300W.
Editor's ratings · 0–10
Score profile
Seven axes on fixed scales, so scores compare directly across every model on WattLab Review.
What's inside the 5.2 WattLab Score
- Charging speed5.6
- Battery technology3.5
- Energy density (Wh/lb)7.9
- Solar refill speed4.9
- Value (Wh per $)4.3
- Versatility (ports & features)4.8
How long will it run?
Estimated runtimes on a full charge for common devices.
| Device | Typical load | Estimated runtime |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone charge | 15 Wh each | ~16 charges |
| Wi-Fi router + modem | 15 W | ~17 hr |
| CPAP (no humidifier) | 40 W | ~6.2 hr |
| Laptop | 60 W | ~4.2 hr |
| 12V camping fridge (avg) | 35 W | ~7.1 hr |
| 32" LED TV | 50 W | ~5.0 hr |
| Full-size fridge (avg) | 150 W | ~1.7 hr |
| Coffee maker | 1,000 W | Exceeds inverter |
Estimates use 85% of rated capacity to account for inverter losses. Real runtimes vary with temperature, battery age and how often appliances cycle.
Full specifications
Battery
| Capacity | 293 Wh |
|---|---|
| Battery chemistry | Li-ion (NMC) |
| Rated cycle life | 500 cycles |
Output
| AC output (continuous) | 300 W |
|---|---|
| Surge / peak | 500 W |
| Power Lifting (resistive loads) | — |
| AC outlets (120V, pure sine) | 2 |
| USB-C ports | 1 |
| Max USB-C output | 60 W |
| USB-A ports | 2 |
| 12V car outlet | 12V |
| DC5521 barrel ports | 0 |
Charging
| Max AC charging input | 90 W |
|---|---|
| AC charge time (standard) | 4.5 hr |
| Fastest full charge | 2.5 hr |
| Max solar input | 90 W |
| Solar input spec | 8mm DC input, 12–30V, 90W max |
| Solar charge time | 5 hr |
| Car charge time | 5 hr |
Size & build
| Weight | 7.1 lb (3.2 kg) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 9.1 × 5.2 × 7.8 in |
| Rated noise | — |
| Charging temperature | — |
| Discharge temperature | 14–104°F (-10–40°C) |
Smart features & warranty
| UPS switchover | — |
|---|---|
| App control | — |
| Expandable battery | No |
| Warranty | — |
Value
| Reference price* | $289.00 |
|---|---|
| Wh per dollar* | 1.01 Wh/$ |
Other details
| Battery | 293Wh (14.4V, 20.4Ah) |
|---|---|
| USB-C | 60W Power Delivery, works as input and output |
| USB-A | 1 × Quick Charge 3.0 + 1 × standard |
| In the box | Explorer 300, AC adapter, car charger cable, manual |
- Fast charging: About 2.5 hr 0–100% using the 90W wall adapter and a 60W USB-C PD charger together (0–80% in about 2 hr).
- Solar time: with one SolarSaga 100W panel (0–80% in about 3.5 hr).
- Cycle life: 500 cycles to 80% (Jackery spec sheet; Jackery's product page cites 80% capacity after 800 cycles).
- * Reference price from the manufacturer's US store on the date shown. Amazon's price may be different.
- — means the manufacturer doesn't publish that figure. We never estimate missing specs.
Jackery Explorer 300
See today's price and availability on Amazon.com
Our take
The Explorer 300 earned its reputation by being the power station people actually bring along. At 7.1 lb it's lighter than many laptops-plus-chargers combos, and its 293Wh battery is enough to recharge a phone roughly 15 times, a mirrorless camera battery a dozen times, or keep a 45L 12V fridge running for about a day in mild weather, according to hands-on testing by Shutter Muse.
The 300W pure sine wave inverter (500W surge) powers laptops, drones, small TVs, lights and CPAP machines without humidifiers. Two AC outlets, a 60W USB-C PD port, a Quick Charge 3.0 USB-A, a second USB-A and a 12V car socket cover up to six devices at once. A nice touch: the USB-C port also works as an input, so any USB-C PD laptop charger can top it up — and pairing the included 90W wall adapter with a 60W USB-C charger brings a full recharge down to about 2.5 hours.
Where it shows its age is the battery chemistry. The original Explorer 300 uses lithium-ion (NMC) cells rated for around 500 cycles to 80% capacity. That's fine for occasional camping trips, but if you'd cycle it several times a week, LiFePO4 units like the BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 will last years longer. Solar input is limited to 90W through the 8mm port, and there's no app or UPS mode.
Note that Jackery has quietly refreshed the Explorer 300 with LiFePO4 cells, a 100W USB-C port and a slightly heavier 7.5 lb body. If the Amazon listing shows the newer version, most of our cons about battery longevity no longer apply.
Pros
- Very light at 7.1 lb with a sturdy carry handle
- USB-C PD port charges laptops and doubles as a 60W input
- Dual charging (wall + USB-C) refills in about 2.5 hours
- Pure sine wave AC is safe for CPAPs, cameras and drones
- Long track record and wide accessory support
Cons
- Original NMC battery: ~500 cycles to 80%
- 300W inverter can't run kettles, coffee makers or heaters
- Solar input limited to 90W
- No app control or UPS switchover
What owners and reviewers say
Independent reviews
Long-term reviewers such as Shutter Muse and The Gadgeteer praise the compact size, solid build and the convenience of charging it over USB-C, and report it running phones, laptops, Wi-Fi routers, CPAP machines and a 12V fridge for about 30 hours. Recurring complaints: the LCD is hard to read unless viewed from above, there's no remaining-runtime estimate, and the capacity is too small for a fridge over a full weekend.
Compare it head-to-head
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs BLUETTI Elite 30 V2
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs Jackery Explorer 1000 v2
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs DJI Power 1000 V2
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs EcoFlow DELTA Pro
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs PECRON F3000LFP
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs DYNESS PPS2400
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs EcoFlow TITAN Plus + 800W Solar
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 + Extra Battery
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs DABBSSON Turbo 12000
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs Anker SOLIX E10
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus + EB300
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
- Jackery Explorer 300 vs BLUETTI AC180
BLUETTI
BLUETTI Elite 30 V2
The pocket-sized LiFePO4 pick with a real 600W inverter
- 288 WhCapacity
- 600 WAC output
- LiFePO4Battery
- 9.48 lbWeight
$289.99reference price*
Jackery
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2
The 1kWh sweet spot for home backup that still fits in a car trunk
- 1,070 WhCapacity
- 1,500 WAC output
- LiFePO4Battery
- 23.8 lbWeight
$559.00reference price*
DJI
DJI Power 1000 V2
A 2,600W powerhouse that recharges in under an hour
- 1,024 WhCapacity
- 2,600 WAC output
- LiFePO4Battery
- 31.3 lbWeight
$699.00reference price*
Ready to decide?
Jackery Explorer 300 on Amazon.com