Head-to-head test
Anker SOLIX S5000 vs Jackery Explorer 3000 v2
Jackery has retired the Explorer 3000 v2, so the live question is the S5000's 5,024Wh, 240V wheeled cabinet against a carry-able 3kWh unit, which Jackery sells as the HomePower 3000.
Full profiles: Anker SOLIX S5000 → · Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 →
Written by Gunner GustafsonUpdated
Whole-Home Backup Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
Spec deltas
The Explorer 3000 v2 has left Jackery's range, and the company sells the same unit as the HomePower 3000. This page won't recommend a model its maker no longer sells, but its specs still matter if you own one or spot one on a shelf, and they make the S5000's case plainly.
These are different kinds of machine. The 3000 v2 is a 59.5-lb, 3,072Wh portable with five AC outlets, no 240V and no way to add batteries. The S5000 is a 97-lb wheeled cabinet with 5,024Wh, a 240V outlet, a TT-30R RV outlet and room for five expansion packsA6.
If you're here to replace or supplement a 3000 v2, the S5000 is the step up. If what you liked about the 3000 v2 was picking it up, the HomePower 3000 is its direct heir, and the S5000 is the wrong box.
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first — the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
rated cycles
Over the rated life the gap grows: 4,000 cycles of 3,072Wh is 12,288 kWh, while 6,000 cycles of 5,024Wh is 30,144 kWh, nearly two and a half times the lifetime energy.
Explorer 3000 v2: sealed at 3,072Wh, no expansionSOLIX S5000: 5,024Wh base, up to five BP5000 packs for 30,144Wh in totalA6Cycle ratings: 4,000 for the 3000 v2, 6,000 for the S5000 by Anker's ratingA12
Why it mattersA 3000 v2 owner whose outages have outgrown the battery doesn't need a second 3kWh unit; the S5000 is the bigger, growable step.
weight
The 3000 v2 goes up stairs and into a car with one person. The S5000 rolls from the garage as far as the cords reach. That, not capacity, is the honest case for the HomePower 3000 over the S5000.
Explorer 3000 v2: 59.5 lb, carried from room to room by one reviewerB1SOLIX S5000: 97 lb on wheels with a pull rod and foot pedalA11S5000 rating label: residential non-habitable spacesA7
Why it mattersBuyers who move their power station often should shop the HomePower 3000; buyers who park theirs should take the S5000.
continuous output
Solar widens it. On paper the S5000 refills its bigger battery from panels in about an hour and a half (5,024 ÷ 3,000), where the 3000 v2 needs about three (3,072 ÷ 1,000), and two reviews flag the Jackery's solar input as needing an adapter for third-party panelsB3B10.
Explorer 3000 v2: no 240V output and no 30A RV outletSOLIX S5000: L14-30R at 240V split-phase up to 4,500W, and a TT-30R at 3,600WA3Solar input: 3,000W across two inputs on the S5000A5 against 1,000W on the 3000 v2
Why it mattersOwners with a well pump, a 240V circuit or an RV hookup should treat the S5000 as the upgrade the 3000 v2 never offered.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units — everything else is a tie.
Growth Path
Selected because: The 3000 v2 is sealed at 3,072Wh; the S5000 starts above that and adds packs.
solar input
What you bought is what you have with a 3000 v2: one review notes it takes no extra battery packsB4. The S5000 begins above that ceiling and keeps going, with Anker listing up to five BP5000 packsA6.
For a 3000 v2 owner, that's the argument that matters. Adding storage to the Jackery means buying a whole second station; adding it to the S5000 means one more pack in the stack.
Runtime: Will It Power Your Gear?
Selected because: Every scenario the 3000 v2 passes, the S5000 passes with more left in the tank.
continuous output
After an eight-hour blackout the 3000 v2 has 966Wh left, about 59% of a second night, while the S5000 has 2,625Wh, enough for 1.6 more. A weekend of camping is starker still: 80% of the Jackery's usable capacity gone against 49%.
Neither finishes the van-life day in our model. The S5000 falls 415Wh short and the 3000 v2 2,074Wh short. One expansion pack erases the S5000's shortfall; the 3000 v2 has no such fix.
Portability & Form Factor
Selected because: 59.5 lb against 97 lb is the one comparison the Jackery wins.
weight
This is the one column the 3000 v2 takes. At 59.5 lb one reviewer carried it between rooms without troubleB1; the S5000's 97 lb rolls instead, on wheels with a pull rod and a foot pedal for tipping it backA11.
So the choice comes down to whether your power station travels. If it does, look at the HomePower 3000. If it waits in the garage for the grid to fail, weight stops mattering and capacity starts.
Strengths & trade-offs
Anker SOLIX S5000
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Higher AC output
- +Faster solar charging
- +Rated for 6,000 charge cycles — much longer battery lifespan
Trade-offs
- –Significantly heavier (+37.5 lbs), making it harder to move.
- –Very heavy unit that may be difficult for one person to lift.
Jackery Explorer 3000 v2
Strengths
- +Lighter by 37.5 lb
Trade-offs
- –Weaker inverter (-900W) limits appliance compatibility.
- –Sealed capacity — the SOLIX S5000 can add batteries to grow past 3,072Wh; this one can't.
- –Shorter-lived battery — rated for 4,000 charge cycles vs the SOLIX S5000's 6,000, so it wears out sooner.
Will It Power Your Gear?
Scenario math and per-appliance runtimes, modeled from the spec record.
Scenario verdicts
We ran the math on six real-world scenarios. Here's which unit survives your actual life.
SCN-01 · 2 nights · needs 2,100Wh
Weekend Camping
Two nights off-grid with essential comfort
SOLIX S5000
The Explorer 3000 v2 finishes the weekend at 80% used with 511Wh in hand — one cold night or an extra device eats into that. The SOLIX S5000 finishes at 49% with 2,170Wh, real slack for the spontaneous stuff. If you camp in variable weather, that buffer is the difference between relaxing and watching the battery app.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Phone Charger 15W×6h · LED Lights 40W×8h · Box Fan 75W×14h · CPAP Machine 40W×16h
SCN-02 · 8 hours · needs 1,645Wh
8-Hour Blackout
Keep the essentials running through a night without power
SOLIX S5000
Both survive the night. The SOLIX S5000 finishes at 39% used with 2,625Wh left — 1.6 more nights like it. The Explorer 3000 v2 finishes at 63% with 966Wh, 59% of a second night. If your outages tend to run past one evening, that difference is the whole argument between them.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Fridge 150W×8h · Router + Modem 20W×8h · LED Lights (4 bulbs) 40W×6h · Phone Charger 15W×3h
SCN-03 · 8 hours · needs 320Wh
CPAP Overnight
Sleep therapy without interruption — the #1 medical use case
Either unit
A CPAP is about 40W for eight hours, so both cover the night with room to spare and capacity decides nothing. Fan noise would — but Explorer 3000 v2 doesn't publish a figure, so there's nothing to hold it to. Only the SOLIX S5000 is still sold, so for a new buy it takes this by default; the Explorer 3000 v2 is worth weighing on weight and fan noise only if you already own one.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD CPAP Machine 40W×8h
SCN-04 · 8 hours · needs 910Wh
Remote Workday
Full work day off-grid without power anxiety
SOLIX S5000
The SOLIX S5000 clears the workday at 21% used, banking 3,360Wh — late work, extra calls, or a second laptop charge without arithmetic. The Explorer 3000 v2 at 35% also finishes, with 1,701Wh of slack for the unplanned.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Laptop 60W×8h · External Monitor 30W×8h · Router + Modem 20W×8h · Phone Charger 15W×2h
SCN-05 · 4 hours · needs 670Wh
Tailgate Party
Game day power for the crew
SOLIX S5000
Both handle game day; the SOLIX S5000 keeps more in reserve (16% used vs 26%). Tailgating is a light load, though, so the number you'll feel is weight: 59.5 lbs for the Explorer 3000 v2 against 97 lbs for the SOLIX S5000, from the trunk to the setup spot.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Blender 400W×0.5h · LED TV (55") 80W×4h · Bluetooth Speaker 15W×4h · Phone Charger (×3) 45W×2h
SCN-06 · 24 hours · needs 4,685Wh
Van Life Daily
A full day of mobile living — the ultimate endurance test
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 4,685Wh: the SOLIX S5000 comes up 415Wh short (about 91% covered) (its nameplate 5,024Wh actually clears this — the flat 15% conversion allowance is what tips it under), the Explorer 3000 v2 2,074Wh (56%). Either gets you most of the way, so this is a scenario you plan around rather than one you should rule them out for.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Mini-Fridge 150W×24h · Laptop 60W×4h · Phone Charger 15W×3h · LED Lights 40W×5h · Fan 75W×8h
The Load Test
RUNTIME = (Wh × 0.85) ÷ LOAD
None of the scenarios above exactly yours? Build it. Toggle what you'd plug in; both units are tested against the combined draw.
Essentials
Comfort & Convenience
High-Draw Appliances
Test duration
8h
Continuous draw
205W
Projected runtime
For this load: SOLIX S5000 runs 20.8h vs 12.7h.
$2,499.99 list · direct from Anker
Planning for more than this? Describe your whole setup and get it sized →
Modeled from the spec record — same math as the tables below. Methodology
Runtime by appliance
Real-world runtime estimates for common appliances, modeled at 85% inverter efficiency.¹
Essentials
The basics you need runningscale 0–284.7hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0–56.9hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limitsscale 0–4.3h¹ Runtime = (capacity × 0.85) ÷ appliance watts. Within each group, all bars share one time scale (the group's longest runtime), so lengths are comparable across appliances; identical runtimes collapse into a single blue/orange bar. Actual runtime varies with battery age, temperature, and simultaneous loads — see methodology.
Conclusion
October 9, 2026
Verdict: the SOLIX S5000, on Power Score margin
Take the SOLIX S5000: it's the only one of the two you can buy, since Jackery sells the Explorer 3000 v2's hardware under the HomePower 3000 name. Against the 3000 v2's record, the S5000 brings 5,024Wh to 3,072Wh, a 240V L14-30R outlet the Jackery doesn't haveA3, room for five expansion packs, and a 6,000-cycle rating to 4,000. The one trade is weight: 97 lb on wheels against a 59.5-lb unit one reviewer carried from room to roomB1. If carrying is the job, look at the HomePower 3000 instead. Every S5000 figure so far is Anker's own documentationA0.
Editor-assigned confidence, based on cited owner research and spec analysis.
List prices as of October 9, 2026. The links below open Anker's and Jackery's current prices.
$2,499.99 · direct from Anker
or check the Explorer 3000 v2 price$2,499.00 list
Written by Gunner Gustafson, Whole-Home Backup Tester · Station Arena Test Desk · Updated October 9, 2026
Measured Data
Benchmark scores and the full spec record, side by side.
Benchmark scores
Not rated for both units (minimum threshold unmet): UPS, RV Living, Tailgating, Apartment Balcony.
Full specifications
ᵈ Derived: price ÷ rated capacity. See the data behind our comparisons →
Comparison ToolAdd more power stations, side by sideOpen Tool →How these numbers are produced
Numeric verification
Every figure on this page traces to our spec database or arithmetic on it — no estimated numbers.
Owner claims
Statements about owner experience are cited to published reviews — see Sources & Research Notes below.
Runtime model
Runtime = (rated capacity × 0.85 inverter efficiency) ÷ device wattage. Solar recharge estimates assume panels deliver 70% of rated output. Cold weather, battery age, and stacked loads reduce real-world results.
Power Score
Computed from 14 published spec dimensions, weighted per use-case bench. Higher is better; a unit must meet a bench's minimum threshold to be rated.
See the full weight table and data sourcing on our methodology page →Class ranking (the star rating)
Each unit's star score is a category ranking, not customer reviews — no buyer opinions feed it. We score every station on size-independent quality (value, output, portability, endurance, ports, warranty, and more), then percentile-rank it against the other units in its capacity class, so a class-leading compact unit and a class-leading whole-home unit can both earn 5★. Here, SOLIX S5000 rates 4.6/5 (74th percentile of 20 Home Backup-class units), and Explorer 3000 v2 rates 3.8/5 (32nd percentile of 26 Large-class units).
How the class ranking is computed →Test Notes & Caveats
Hidden gotchas and advantages we spotted that you won't find on the product page.
SOLIX S5000: 97 lbs Is a Commitment
At 97 lbs, this is manageable but not fun to move. That's heavier than a large checked suitcase. How much it costs you depends on whether it rolls — wheels and a telescoping handle change the job completely at this weight, and our spec record doesn't track them, so look at the product photos before you plan on carrying it from the car.
Explorer 3000 v2: Fixed Capacity
The Explorer 3000 v2 is sealed at 3,072Wh — fine if that covers you, but it's the ceiling. By contrast the SOLIX S5000 can add expansion batteries, though the first thing it has over the Explorer 3000 v2 is its own 5,024Wh base — expansion is the step after that, for the buyer who would outgrow 5,024Wh as well.
UPS Switchover: ≤10ms vs ≤20ms
Both list a UPS mode, at different rated speeds. The SOLIX S5000 is rated ≤10ms — quick enough on paper that desktop PCs and routers should ride through, treating that as the rating it is. The Explorer 3000 v2 is rated ≤20ms — fine on paper for routers and most electronics; the fussiest PC power supplies sit right at this line. If a computer with unsaved work is the thing being protected, the stated class is worth the attention; nothing here is a lab result.
Warranty: No Difference
Both units carry the same 5-year warranty, so coverage isn't a tiebreaker here. The Explorer 3000 v2's figure is a maximum rather than a guarantee — it depends on registering the unit with Jackery, which is what extends the base term to the full period.
Battery Lifespan in Real Years
The SOLIX S5000 is rated for 6,000 cycles vs 4,000. In real life: at daily use, that's 16.4 vs 11 years. At weekend use (twice a week), it's 58 vs 38 years. One caution reading years across different sizes: a cycle is 5,024Wh on the SOLIX S5000 and 3,072Wh on the Explorer 3000 v2, so count lifetime energy — roughly 30,144 kWh against 12,288 kWh over the rated life. After hitting the cycle limit, the battery doesn't die — it drops to ~80% of original capacity, which is still very usable.
Explorer 3000 v2: Noise Level Not Disclosed
The SOLIX S5000 publishes its noise level (30dB); the Explorer 3000 v2 doesn't publish one. That isn't evidence the Explorer 3000 v2 is louder — it means there's no figure to hold it to, and no way to compare the two on this without hearing them. If you're buying for a bedroom, a CPAP, or an apartment, treat the SOLIX S5000's 30dB as the only published number on the table — a spec-sheet figure, not a measurement — and look for hands-on reports of the Explorer 3000 v2 before deciding.
Full record above — the Test Desk pick is the SOLIX S5000.
Check SOLIX S5000 price →or check the Explorer 3000 v2 priceOwnership Analysis
What happens after you buy — true cost of ownership, brand trust, and growth potential.
Lifetime value
Service lifeyears at one full cycle per day
Lifetime energy delivered
Cost per delivered kWh
│ warranty ends · Reaching the cycle rating means ~80% capacity remains — degraded, not dead.
Analyst note
The Explorer 3000 v2 carries the lower sticker price, but it is no longer sold, so that is not a saving you can go and take. Between what you can actually buy and what it costs to run, the SOLIX S5000 is the answer on both counts: $0.08/kWh over its rated life against the Explorer 3000 v2's $0.20/kWh, and it is the one still on the shelf.
Delivers each lifetime kWh for $0.12 less — check the SOLIX S5000 price →
Brand trust
Anker
Ecosystem
7-8 SOLIX portable power stations across C-series (compact) and F-series (flagship), plus the X1 home energy system
Support
US-based support. Historically known for incredible no-hassle replacements, but recent reports describe AI-driven support agents giving generic responses and complex return logistics for heavy units (hazmat shipping). The Anker brand reputation is still strong, but SOLIX-specific support quality is trending down.
Community
Moderate — active Reddit (r/Anker, r/AnkerSOLIXCommunity) and growing. Benefits from Anker's massive consumer electronics brand awareness.
App experience
Rated 4.5/5 iOS (~1,100 ratings) · 4.3/5 Android
Unique strength
This cabinet pairs a 240V split-phase outlet with five-pack expansion, from a consumer-electronics brand historically known for no-hassle replacements.
Worth knowing
Recent reports say SOLIX support quality is trending down, and firmware updates on other SOLIX units have removed features without warning.
Jackery
Ecosystem
12-15+ models across Explorer (portable) and HomePower (home backup) series, plus SolarSaga panel ecosystem and innovative form factors
Support
US-based support but widely criticized. Reddit reports describe slow/dismissive responses, scripted AI agents, strict receipt requirements for warranty claims, and refurbished replacements for clearly defective units. Strongly recommended: buy from Costco or Amazon for return protection.
Community
Smallest community of the major brands — Reddit r/Jackery has ~2,000 members. YouTube presence is solid due to brand recognition.
App experience
Rated 2.3-3.3/5 iOS and Android — the weakest app experience of the major brands. Multiple confusing apps (Jackery app vs Jackery Home) and mandatory login even offline.
Unique strength
Highest brand recognition and widest retail distribution (Costco, Home Depot, Best Buy, Amazon). The "Toyota" of power stations — dependable, proven, wide availability. Innovative form factors like the Solar Gazebo and Solar Mars Bot.
Worth knowing
A couple of older models still ship NMC chemistry with a shorter rated lifespan, so check the cycle rating on the specific unit — though most of the current line has moved to LFP. Generally perceived as overpriced for the specs offered compared to newer competitors. App experience is significantly behind rivals.
Analyst note
Jackery has moved this hardware to the HomePower 3000 name, so for a fresh buy the brand question is between that and the S5000. Both brands draw recent criticism on support; whichever you choose, buy from a retailer with easy returns.
Growth path
SOLIX S5000
EXPANDABLESupports Anker expansion batteries, so you can add capacity later without replacing the base unit — useful if your needs may climb past 5,024Wh.
Accepts up to 3,000W of solar. Enough for a serious multi-panel array.
Adequate ports for most setups, but heavy users may want a power strip.
Expansion batteries are Anker-specific. You're investing in the Anker ecosystem.
Explorer 3000 v2
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 3,072Wh — a sealed, complete system rather than a starting point. There's no expansion port, so that figure is the ceiling: check it against your longest unplugged stretch before you buy.
Accepts up to 1,000W of solar. Enough for a serious multi-panel array.
Adequate ports for most setups, but heavy users may want a power strip.
Realistic full solar rechargeat 70% of rated panel output — see methodology
Analyst note
Growth only counts if you can still buy in, and the Explorer 3000 v2 is no longer sold (Jackery points owners to the HomePower 3000). That leaves the SOLIX S5000: it starts at 5,024Wh and takes Anker expansion batteries, so the ceiling moves if your needs do. The Explorer 3000 v2's fixed 3,072Wh still matters if you already own one, but it isn't a reason to pick it over the SOLIX S5000.
What Owners Report
Patterns from published owner reports and long-term reviews — every claim cited to its source below.
Anker SOLIX S5000
The S5000's record is Anker's documentation, not anyone's time with the unitA0. What it settles: the 5,024Wh LiFePO4 packA1, the L14-30R and TT-30R outletsA3, two solar inputs totalling 3,000WA5, charging from 32°FA18, and 5 years of coverage alongside the 6,000-cycle ratingA12.
“5,024 Wh LiFePO4 pack rated 16 V, 314 Ah; the cell code IFpP72/175/208[5S] reads as five large prismatic cells in series.”
Sources
ankersolix.com
Jackery Explorer 3000 v2
The 3000 v2 was sold long enough to gather real useB0. A reviewer who lived with it for a couple of months found it light enough to carry between roomsB1 and hadn't met a household appliance it couldn't run, a Miele oven asideB2. Owners report a fridge running 10-plus hours with around 74% of the battery left, and warn that portable heaters drain it fastB7B8.
The recurring complaint is the solar connector: two reviews flag the input as needing an adapter for other makers' panelsB3B10. One also found the app behind EcoFlow'sB5.
“This particular model is most definitely a lot lighter — and smaller — than anything else I've seen with this level of performance...I can actually carry it from room to room without a visit to the chiropractor.”
Sources & Research Notes
Every owner claim in this report is traceable to a published source. The bracketed references above resolve here.
Recurring owner themes
- No owner or reviewer reports exist yet: every entry is Anker documentation (rating label, product page, launch announcement), plus one of our own readings of the app and label drawing. [SOLIX S5000 · 20 entries]
- Two independent reviewers (T3, TechRadar) both flag Jackery's proprietary DC8020 solar input as a real limitation — no third-party panel compatibility without a separate adapter. [Explorer 3000 v2 · 2 entries]
- Real-world portability and appliance coverage repeatedly beat expectations for a 3kWh-class unit, but the trade-offs are a high price and no expansion-battery option. [Explorer 3000 v2 · 4 entries]
- Owners confirm strong sustained runtime on moderate loads (10+ hours on a fridge) but warn that high-draw items like portable heaters deplete the battery quickly. [Explorer 3000 v2 · 2 entries]
- A1
“5,024 Wh LiFePO4 pack rated 16 V, 314 Ah; the cell code IFpP72/175/208[5S] reads as five large prismatic cells in series.”
Anker rating label, model AS510 (certified 2026-09-15) · 2026-09-15 · [positive]
- A3
“Outlets: one L14-30R carrying 240 V split-phase at up to 4,500 W; one TT-30R RV outlet at 120 V, 30 A, 3,600 W; NEMA 5-20R household outlets at 120 V, 20 A, 2,400 W; USB-C 100 W, USB-C 15 W and USB-A 12 W.”
Anker rating label, model AS510 (certified 2026-09-15) · 2026-09-15 · [positive]
- A5
“Two solar inputs, 3,000 W together: 11–60 V at 17 A (1,000 W) and 16–165 V at 17 A (2,000 W).”
Anker rating label, model AS510 (certified 2026-09-15) · 2026-09-15 · [positive]
- A6
“Expands with up to five BP5000 expansion batteries (model AS5101A1-85), each 5,024 Wh, for 30,144 Wh in total. They join through a 400 V DC port rated 9,000 W in and 7,500 W out; each battery charges at up to 3,200 W and discharges at up to 3,000 W.”
Anker rating label, model AS510 (certified 2026-09-15) · 2026-09-15 · [positive]
- A7
“Rated for residential non-habitable spaces; holding more than 1 kWh, it belongs outside sleeping rooms and other living spaces.”
Anker rating label, model AS510 (certified 2026-09-15) · 2026-09-15 · [mixed]
- A11
“Net weight 97 lb; 10.6 × 22.0 × 15.2 in (W × D × H), on wheels with a pull rod and foot pedal.”
Anker SOLIX S5000 product page, ankersolix.com/s5000 (published 2026-10-09) · 2026-10-09 · [positive]
- A12
“Cycle life: 6,000 cycles to 80% capacity, 10,000 cycles to 60%; Anker estimates a 15-year lifespan at 1 to 2 cycles a day, with 5 years of product coverage.”
Anker SOLIX S5000 product page, ankersolix.com/s5000 (published 2026-10-09) · 2026-10-09 · [positive]
- A18
“Discharges from -4°F to 104°F and charges from 32°F to 104°F.”
Anker SOLIX S5000 product page, ankersolix.com/s5000 (published 2026-10-09) · 2026-10-09 · [neutral]
- B1
“This particular model is most definitely a lot lighter — and smaller — than anything else I've seen with this level of performance...I can actually carry it from room to room without a visit to the chiropractor.”
T3 — "Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 review: at last, a high-output portable power station that I can actually lift" · 2026 · [positive]
- B2
“I have yet to find an appliance in my home that it's incapable of running (except for their Miele oven).”
T3 — "Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 review: at last, a high-output portable power station that I can actually lift" · 2026 · [positive]
- B3
“I'm also disappointed that it isn't compatible with any other type of third-party solar panel, and Jackery doesn't include any kind of adaptor.”
T3 — "Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 review: at last, a high-output portable power station that I can actually lift" · 2026 · [negative]
- B4
“The Explorer 3000 V2 isn't expandable by adding extra battery packs — though the reviewer notes this doesn't affect their own personal usage.”
T3 — "Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 review: at last, a high-output portable power station that I can actually lift" · 2026 · [mixed]
- B5
“App not as slick as EcoFlow's.”
T3 — "Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 review: at last, a high-output portable power station that I can actually lift" · 2026 · [negative]
- B7
“Ran a refrigerator for 10 plus hours with around 74% of the battery still remaining.”
Best Buy customer reviews — Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 Portable Power Station product page (review aggregate) · unknown · [positive]
- B8
“Certain household items pull significant power and will drain the system fast, such as portable heaters.”
Best Buy customer reviews — Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 Portable Power Station product page (review aggregate) · unknown · [mixed]
- B10
“Jackery opted to use a DC8020 connector and socket, which requires adapters for other solar panel connectors.”
TechRadar — "Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 portable power station review" · unknown · [negative]
Research compiled October 9, 2026.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the SOLIX S5000 if you…
- →You own a 3000 v2 and your outages now outlast it: the S5000 is the step up, with 240V and room to add packs.
- →Your backup plan runs through a 240V transfer inlet or a well pump, which the 3000 v2 has no outlet for.
- →Your power station lives in the garage and only rolls out when the lights go off.
Buy the Explorer 3000 v2 if you…
- →You already own an Explorer 3000 v2 and it covers your outages: keep it. Nothing on this page makes it worse than the day you bought it.
- →You want this exact hardware in a unit you can carry: Jackery sells it as the HomePower 3000, so shop that rather than hunting old stock.
This is you — check the Explorer 3000 v2 price
If neither fits
If you need power you can swing into a hatchback for a weekend away, both are heavier than the job, and a portable a fraction of the size will do. If you want whole-home backup that never moves, a hardwired home battery is the category to look at.
The Bottom Line
The 3000 v2 has bowed out, and the comparison it leaves behind is lopsided: the S5000 carries more battery, a 240V outlet, a ceiling you can raise and a longer cycle rating. The Jackery's one win is that you can pick it up.
If you need to pick it up, go and look at the HomePower 3000. If you need it to keep the house running, take the S5000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
Is the Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 discontinued?
Yes. Jackery has retired it and sells the same unit as the HomePower 3000. You may still find 3000 v2 stock at retailers, but for a fresh purchase the HomePower 3000 is the Jackery to look at.
Should I upgrade from an Explorer 3000 v2 to the Anker SOLIX S5000?
If your outages outlast your battery, or you need 240V, yes. The S5000 holds 5,024Wh against 3,072Wh, adds an L14-30R 240V outlet and takes expansion packs; the 3000 v2 has none of those. If the 3000 v2 already covers you, keep it.
Is the Anker SOLIX S5000 portable like the Explorer 3000 v2?
Not in the same way. The S5000 weighs 97 lb and rolls on wheels with a pull rod, while the 3000 v2 weighs 59.5 lb and one reviewer carried it between rooms. Anker's own label places the S5000 outside living spaces, so plan on it living in a garage or utility room.
Can the Explorer 3000 v2 run 240V appliances?
No. Our record lists no 240V outlet on the 3000 v2, and no 30A RV outlet either. The S5000 has both, with 240V split-phase at up to 4,500W.
Where to buy
Anker SOLIX S5000Pick
$2,499.99
$2,499.99 · direct from Anker
Jackery Explorer 3000 v2
$2,499.00
$2,499.00 · direct from Jackery
Last checked 41 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.