Head-to-head test
Goal Zero Yeti 300 vs Jackery Explorer 300 v2
The Yeti 300 costs $81 more and weighs 5.6 pounds more for 9 extra watt-hours, so you're paying a premium mostly in pounds, while the v2 pockets the $81 for nearly the same battery.
Written by Wenny ZhengUpdated
Portable Power Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
Goal Zero
Yeti 300
1,473Power Score · Device Hub
$349.95 · direct from Goal Zero
Last checked 6 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Jackery
Explorer 300 v2
1,648Power Score · Device Hub
$269.00 · direct from Jackery
Last checked 6 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Spec deltas
The Explorer 300 v2 costs $81 less than the Goal Zero Yeti 300 and weighs 5.6 pounds less, for a battery within 9 watt-hours of it. That's the matchup: nearly the same capacity, very different price and heft.
Where they're even, they're genuinely even. Both are 4,000-cycle LiFePO4 packs with 5-year warranties and sub-10ms UPS switchover, and the v2 delivers the lower lifetime cost, $0.23 per kWh against the Yeti's $0.29. On paper, you're paying $81 and carrying 5.6 extra pounds for nine watt-hours.
Two things make the Yeti more than an $81 tax on capacity. Its solar input is 200W to the v2's 100W, so it tops up from panels about twice as fast, a real advantage off-grid. And it's IP54-rated with a ruggedized, rubberized-corner build the v2 doesn't attempt. If the unit lives outside, those matter. If it lives in a trunk or a closet, the v2 wins on price and weight without a fight.
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first — the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
weight
Nine watt-hours is a few extra minutes on a phone charge, indistinguishable in use. Meanwhile 5.6 pounds is the difference between a one-hand grab and a two-hand lift, and $81 is nearly a third again the v2's price. On capacity alone, the Yeti is the expensive, heavy way to buy essentially the same battery.
The Yeti 300 holds 297Wh; the v2 holds 288Wh, a 9Wh differenceThe Yeti costs $349.95 and weighs 13.7 lbs; the v2 costs $269 and weighs 8.1 lbs
Why it mattersAnyone choosing on capacity, price, or portability should take the v2; the Yeti's 9Wh edge isn't worth its weight or its premium.
solar input
For off-grid use where the sun is your only outlet, halving the recharge time is a survival spec, not a convenience. It's the difference between topping up over a lunch break and losing an afternoon to it. That's the one place the Yeti's premium buys something the v2 can't match at any price.
The Yeti 300 accepts 200W of solar input; the v2 accepts 100WBoth hold roughly the same capacity, 297Wh and 288Wh
Why it mattersSolar-dependent campers and van-lifers should weight the Yeti's 200W input heavily; anyone recharging from a wall or car outlet gains nothing from it.
cost / lifetime kWh
Neither box runs an appliance load: the Yeti tripped near its limit on a coffee maker, and the v2's 300W ceiling is no different. So the Yeti's slightly larger lifetime bank is academic, because you'll use both for phones, laptops, and CPAPs, where the v2's lower $0.23 per kWh is the number that actually lands.
The v2 delivers 1,152 lifetime kWh at $0.23 per kWh; the Yeti 1,188 at $0.29Reviewers rate the Yeti light-duty, and one watched it shut down near its rated output with a coffee makerA3
Why it mattersSince both are device-charging boxes in practice, the cheaper-to-own v2 is the rational default unless ruggedness or solar speed pulls you to the Yeti.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units — everything else is a tie.
Portability & Form Factor
Selected because: The 5.6-lb gap is the headline; the v2 is a grab-and-go, the Yeti a deliberate lift.
weight
This is where the two part ways hardest. The Yeti is 13.7 pounds to the v2's 8.1, a 5.6-pound gap for nine more watt-hours. The v2 is a one-hand grab off a shelf; the Yeti is a deliberate lift, which is part of why Goal Zero built it rugged with a sturdy handle.
If you carry this in and out of a vehicle regularly, that gap is felt every single time. For a box in this capacity class, weight is the spec you live with daily, and the v2 is the one you barely notice picking up.
Lifetime Value
Selected because: The v2 is cheaper to buy and cheaper per kWh despite the Yeti's tiny capacity edge.
cost / lifetime kWh
The v2 is cheaper to buy and cheaper to own. It costs $81 less at the register and delivers energy at $0.23 per lifetime kWh against the Yeti's $0.29, even though the Yeti banks a hair more total lifetime energy, 1,188 kWh to 1,152.
The Yeti's higher price is doing the damage: $1.18 per watt-hour against the v2's $0.93. You're paying premium-brand rates for a battery the v2 nearly matches, and the lifetime math never lets the Yeti catch up.
PowerScore Breakdown
Selected because: The v2 leads the composite despite the Yeti's bigger inverter and solar; needs explaining.
overall power score
The engine scores the v2 higher, 1,675 to the Yeti's 1,602, despite the Yeti's larger inverter and solar input. Capacity is a near-tie, so the v2's lighter weight and stronger value pull its composite ahead.
The Yeti's points come from output, 350W against 300W, and that 200W solar ceiling. The score reads value; the Yeti's real case is ruggedness the composite doesn't fully capture, which is the honest asterisk on a number that favors the Jackery.
Brand Trust
Selected because: Cross-brand pair; Goal Zero's heritage/ruggedness vs Jackery's retail reach, both with support caveats.
Goal Zero is the category's pioneer, US-based, with ruggedized designs and a loyal overlanding following. The asterisk is support: 2025-2026 reports describe long waits and tickets going unaddressed for weeks, and it's openly the priciest brand per watt-hour.
Jackery brings the widest retail reach and easy returns, offset by the weakest app of the majors and warranty-claim friction. Neither support record is spotless, so buy from a retailer with a real return desk either way.
Strengths & trade-offs
Goal Zero Yeti 300
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Higher AC output
- +Faster solar charging
Trade-offs
- –Substantially more expensive (+$80.9) than the Explorer 300 v2.
Jackery Explorer 300 v2
Strengths
- +Costs $80.9 less
- +Lighter by 5.6 lb
Trade-offs
- –Lacks smartphone app control for remote monitoring.
Will It Power Your Gear?
Scenario math and per-appliance runtimes, modeled from the spec record.
Scenario verdicts
We ran the math on seven 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
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 2,100Wh: the Yeti 300 comes up 1,848Wh short (about 12% covered), the Explorer 300 v2 1,855Wh (12%). This is well outside what either unit is for; the right answer here is a larger station, not a choice between these two.
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
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 1,645Wh: the Yeti 300 comes up 1,393Wh short (about 15% covered), the Explorer 300 v2 1,400Wh (15%). This is well outside what either unit is for; the right answer here is a larger station, not a choice between these two.
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
Neither unit
Neither box gets you through a full eight-hour CPAP night; both run a 40W machine about six hours before empty, roughly three-quarters of the way to morning. The Yeti's nine extra watt-hours don't change that math, so if overnight CPAP is the whole job, size up rather than paying the Yeti premium for it.
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
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 910Wh: the Yeti 300 comes up 658Wh short (about 28% covered), the Explorer 300 v2 665Wh (27%). Treat this as partial cover — enough for the essentials in it, not the whole list.
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
Neither unit
Neither unit can hold the 400W peak this scenario needs — the Yeti 300 on its 350W continuous rating, the Explorer 300 v2 on its 300W, so capacity never gets a say. This is the wrong size of unit for the job rather than a close call.
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 Yeti 300 comes up 4,433Wh short (about 5% covered), the Explorer 300 v2 4,440Wh (5%). This is well outside what either unit is for; the right answer here is a larger station, not a choice between these two.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Mini-Fridge 150W×24h · Laptop 60W×4h · Phone Charger 15W×3h · LED Lights 40W×5h · Fan 75W×8h
SCN-07 · an afternoon · needs 100Wh
Afternoon Off-Grid
Phones and a speaker at the park, beach, or campsite — the small-unit job description
Either unit
This is the job small stations are actually for, and both do it: the Yeti 300 finishes at 40% used, the Explorer 300 v2 at 41%. At this size the decider is what rides in the bag — 8.1 lbs for the Explorer 300 v2 against 13.7 for the Yeti 300 — and price, not the leftover watt-hours.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Phone Charger (×2) 30W×2h · Bluetooth Speaker 10W×4h
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
Dead heat — both run this 205W load for roughly 1.2h. Pick on price, weight, or ports.
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 0–16.8hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0–3.4hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limits¹ 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
July 18, 2026
Verdict: the Jackery Explorer 300 v2
Take the Explorer 300 v2. It's $81 cheaper at $269 against $349.95, 5.6 pounds lighter at 8.1 against 13.7, and delivers energy at $0.23 per lifetime kWh against the Yeti's $0.29, for a battery within 9Wh of the Yeti's (288 against 297) that matches it on the things that count: both 4,000-cycle LiFePO4, both 5-year warranty, both sub-10ms UPS. The Yeti earns its keep in exactly two places, and they're real: a 200W solar input that's double the v2's 100W, so it refills from panels about twice as fast, and an IP54-rated, rubberized build made to take weather and drops. Recharge mostly off solar or beat the unit up outdoors, and the Yeti's toughness and charging speed justify the premium. For everyone else, the v2 is the same battery for $81 less and 5.6 fewer pounds to carry.
Editor-assigned confidence, based on cited owner research and spec analysis.
List prices as of July 18, 2026. The links below open Goal Zero's and Jackery's current prices.
$269.00 · direct from Jackery
Last checked 6 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
or check the Yeti 300 price$349.95 list
Written by Wenny Zheng, Portable Power Tester · Station Arena Test Desk · Updated July 18, 2026
Measured Data
Benchmark scores and the full spec record, side by side.
Benchmark scores
Not rated for both units (minimum threshold unmet): Solar Generator.
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, Yeti 300 rates 3.7/5 (24th percentile of 22 Personal-class units), and Explorer 300 v2 rates 4.8/5 (90th percentile of 22 Personal-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.
The Yeti Has an App; the v2 Doesn't
Goal Zero gives you phone monitoring the Jackery leaves out, though the Yeti's app draws recent complaints about connectivity and crashes. Useful if you want remote state-of-charge checks, imperfect in practice.
UPS Switchover: ≤10ms vs ≤20ms
Both list a UPS mode, at different rated speeds. The Explorer 300 v2 is rated ≤10ms — quick enough on paper that desktop PCs and routers should ride through, treating that as the rating it is. The Yeti 300 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.
Five Years, Both
Warranties tie at five years, so this card decides nothing. The separation is price and weight, where the v2 wins, and solar speed and ruggedness, where the Yeti does.
Full record above — the Test Desk pick is the Explorer 300 v2.
Check Explorer 300 v2 price →or check the Yeti 300 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 300 v2 wins on both sticker price and long-term value. At $0.23/kWh over its lifetime, it's meaningfully cheaper to own. Clear value winner. One thing to know reading the table: both carry the same 4,000-cycle rating, so the lifetime rows are sticker price and capacity in disguise — the wear horizon is identical and decides nothing here.
Brand trust
Goal Zero
Ecosystem
Focused — a compact current line (6th-gen Yeti and Yeti Pro series), the previous-gen X series still widely sold, Sherpa power banks for the under-100Wh tier, plus Alta coolers, Nomad/Ranger solar panels, and vehicle integration kits
Support
US-based company (Salt Lake City, owned by NRG Energy). Historically considered premium support, but 2025-2026 reports describe long wait times, unresponsive email communication, and tickets going unaddressed for weeks. The "premium support justifies premium pricing" argument is weakening.
Community
Small but loyal — strong following in overlanding and preparedness communities. Official community forums were recently shuttered, frustrating long-time users.
App experience
Rated 4.4/5 iOS (~1,200 ratings) but recent reviews skew negative — recurring connectivity issues, crashes, and stability problems.
Unique strength
The category's pioneer, US-based, with genuinely rugged IP54 designs and a loyal overlanding and preparedness following.
Worth knowing
It's openly the priciest brand per watt-hour, and 2025-2026 support reports describe long waits and unaddressed tickets.
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
The widest retail distribution in the category, easy to buy at Costco or Home Depot and easy to return.
Worth knowing
Jackery's app is the weakest of the major brands, and warranty claims draw complaints about receipt requirements and refurbished replacements.
Analyst note
Goal Zero sells ruggedness, heritage, and solar speed at a premium; Jackery sells nearly the same battery for less, everywhere, with an easier return. Unless the Yeti's toughness or 200W solar is the point, the v2 is the better-value buy.
Growth path
Yeti 300
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 297Wh, with no expansion — so size it for your needs up front rather than planning to add capacity later.
Accepts up to 200W of solar. Limited to a single portable panel.
Adequate ports for most setups, but heavy users may want a power strip.
Explorer 300 v2
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 288Wh, with no expansion — so size it for your needs up front rather than planning to add capacity later.
Accepts up to 100W of solar. Limited to a single portable panel.
Limited ports. You'll likely need a power strip or splitter.
Realistic full solar rechargeat 70% of rated panel output — see methodology
Analyst note
Neither expands, and that's no knock on either — each is a complete unit at a fixed size. Buy the capacity that covers your needs now (the Yeti 300 gives you the larger ceiling); you can't add to either later.
What Owners Report
Patterns from published owner reports and long-term reviews — every claim cited to its source below.
Goal Zero Yeti 300
The Yeti 300 draws praise as a modern LiFePO4 unit, 297Wh rated for 4,000-plus cycles, with a 200W solar input and a genuinely tough build: IP54, rubberized corners, a sturdy handleA1A2. It's the kind of box coverage describes as built to be dropped.
The caveats are capacity and price. Reviewers call it light-duty, and one watched it shut down near its rated output with a coffee makerA3; another noted the roughly $300-class price stings for what you getA4. It's a well-made small box you pay a premium to own.
“A 297Wh LiFePO4 pack behind a 350W pure sine inverter (600W surge), rated 4,000 cycles — Goal Zero backs it with a long service life rather than raw output.”
Sources
goalzero.com · batteryskills.com · campingsolar.us · trailandkale.com · the-gadgeteer.com
Jackery Explorer 300 v2
The v2's short field record keeps circling back to one packaging miss: an 'Auto Kit' buyer found the 12V car cable printed on the box wasn't actually inside, and had to chase down the cord separatelyB3. Another flagged the proprietary barrel-style DC solar jack that needs an extra adapter to charge from a panelB4. For a new SKU, it's the contents drawing complaints, not the cell.
The positives are grab-and-go ones: fast charging and light weight that made it a strong starting point for road trips and device top-offsB2, enough that one event-rental operator bought a secondB1. For a new SKU, expect a friendly, portable box and little long-term data yet.
“Uses the unit for an event rental business and made it a repeat (second) purchase — likes not having to worry about finding electrical outlets nearby at events.”
Sources
walmart.com
Sources & Research Notes
Every owner claim in this report is traceable to a published source. The bracketed references above resolve here.
Recurring owner themes
- Modern LFP (4,000+ cycles), IP54 ruggedness, and fast charging are the praise; small capacity and high price are the caveats. [Yeti 300 · 3 entries]
- Buyers who use it for grab-and-go power (event work, road trips, device top-offs) like the fast charging and light weight enough to become repeat customers. [Explorer 300 v2 · 2 entries]
- The charging/accessory ecosystem is the recurring friction point — a 12V cable pictured but not included in the 'Auto Kit', and a proprietary DC7909 solar input that requires a separate adapter. [Explorer 300 v2 · 2 entries]
- A1
“A 297Wh LiFePO4 pack behind a 350W pure sine inverter (600W surge), rated 4,000 cycles — Goal Zero backs it with a long service life rather than raw output.”
goalzero.com / batteryskills.com — Yeti 300 review · 2026 · [positive]
- A2
“At 13.7 lbs, meets IP54 for dust and water resistance, with top-tier build quality — rubberized corners and a sturdy handle; recharges 0-100% in 50 minutes.”
campingsolar.us / trailandkale.com — Yeti 300 review · 2026 · [positive]
- A3
“The 297Wh capacity limits it to lighter-duty use — 4-6 hours on a laptop or 20-30 phone charges — and it struggled near its 300W limit, shutting down after 2 minutes with a coffee maker.”
batteryskills.com — Yeti 300 review · 2026 · [mixed]
- A4
“A modern LFP (not NMC) rugged compact unit, though at $349.95 the price stings for the capacity.”
the-gadgeteer.com — Yeti 300 review · 2026 · [mixed]
- B1
“Uses the unit for an event rental business and made it a repeat (second) purchase — likes not having to worry about finding electrical outlets nearby at events.”
Walmart.com customer reviews — Jackery Explorer 300v2 Auto Kit listing · unknown · [positive]
- B2
“Reviewer praises how quickly it charges and its light weight, calling it a great starting point for power backup, road trips, or topping off phones, cameras, and drones.”
Walmart.com customer reviews — Jackery Explorer 300v2 Auto Kit listing · unknown · [positive]
- B3
“Box art shows a 12V car charger, but the cable isn't actually in the box — buyer had to track down the cord separately; Jackery support pointed them to hello@jackery.com / 888-502-2236 to sort it out.”
Walmart.com customer reviews — Jackery Explorer 300v2 Auto Kit listing · unknown · [negative]
- B4
“Charging port is a proprietary DC7909 jack rather than a standard connector, so solar charging needs an extra adapter — reviewer notes it adds cost/hassle and some perceived charging power loss.”
Walmart.com customer reviews — Jackery Explorer 300v2 Auto Kit listing · unknown · [negative]
Research compiled July 18, 2026.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the Yeti 300 if you…
- →You recharge mostly from solar; the 200W input refills roughly twice as fast as the v2's 100W, which matters most off-grid.
- →The unit will live outside and take abuse, and IP54 with a ruggedized build is what the premium buys.
- →You want the slightly larger battery and stronger 350W inverter and don't mind the weight or the price.
Buy the Explorer 300 v2 if you…
- →You want nearly the same capacity for $81 less and 5.6 fewer pounds to carry.
- →You'll recharge from a wall or car outlet, where the Yeti's solar-input edge does nothing for you.
- →You want the lower lifetime cost, $0.23 per kWh against $0.29, on a battery that matches the Yeti on cycles, warranty, and UPS speed.
If neither fits
If the real load is a weekend camp (about 2,100Wh) or an 8-hour blackout (about 1,645Wh), neither the 297Wh Yeti nor the 288Wh v2 is close; both are firmly device-charging boxes, not appliance backup. For that job, step up to a 1,000Wh-plus unit; both brands sell them.
The Bottom Line
Strip away the brand and this is one battery sold twice. Nearly identical capacity, identical cycle life, identical warranty and UPS speed, and the Explorer 300 v2 is $81 cheaper and 5.6 pounds lighter, at a lower $0.23 per lifetime kWh. On the numbers, it's not close.
The Yeti 300 earns its premium in two real places: a 200W solar input that refills about twice as fast, and an IP54 rugged build for life outdoors. Need those and it's worth the money and the weight. Don't, and you're paying $81 to carry 5.6 extra pounds. Most people should take the v2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
Goal Zero Yeti 300 or Jackery Explorer 300 v2?
The v2 for most buyers. It's $81 cheaper and 5.6 pounds lighter for a battery within 9Wh of the Yeti's, and it matches it on cycles (4,000), warranty (5 years), and UPS speed. Choose the Yeti only if you recharge from solar often, since its 200W input is double the v2's, or need the rugged IP54 build.
Why is the Yeti 300 so much more expensive?
Brand and build. Goal Zero is the priciest major brand per watt-hour, $1.18 against the v2's $0.93, and you're partly paying for a ruggedized IP54 design and a 200W solar input. Whether that's worth $81 depends on whether you'll actually use the toughness and solar speed.
Which charges faster from solar?
The Yeti, clearly. Its 200W solar input is double the v2's 100W, so from empty it refills from panels in roughly half the sun-hours. If solar is your main recharge source, it's the Yeti's strongest argument.
Is the Yeti worth the extra weight?
Only if you need its ruggedness or solar speed. It's 13.7 pounds to the v2's 8.1, 5.6 more, for nine extra watt-hours, so as a carry-it-around battery the v2 is the easier choice. The Yeti's weight comes with an IP54, drop-tolerant build that some buyers specifically want.
Can either one run a fridge or coffee maker?
Not really. Both are light-duty, and near their rated output small boxes like these trip on high-surge loads; the v2's 300W ceiling is no higher than the Yeti's. Use either for phones, laptops, cameras, and a CPAP, and for appliances size up to a 1,000Wh-plus unit.
Where to buy
Goal Zero Yeti 300
$349.95
$349.95 · direct from Goal Zero
Last checked 6 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Jackery Explorer 300 v2Pick
$269.00
$269.00 · direct from Jackery
Last checked 6 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.