Head-to-head test
Jackery Explorer 500 vs Jackery Explorer 600 v2
Jackery has stopped selling the Explorer 500. Next to the 600 v2 it shows its age: 800-cycle lithium-ion cells against a 6,000-cycle LiFePO4 pack, a 2-year warranty against 5, and no USB-C port at all.
Full profiles: Jackery Explorer 500 β Β· Jackery Explorer 600 v2 β
Written by Wenny ZhengUpdated
Portable Power Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
Spec deltas
Jackery no longer sells the Explorer 500. Its store page now forwards to the HomePower 1000 v2, a much bigger station. If you own a 500, or you've spotted one in a retailer's leftover stock, this page is the comparison you're probably making.
My first power station was a little orange Jackery, so I have a soft spot for this generation. The soft spot ends at the battery. The 500 runs lithium-ion cells rated for 800 cyclesA1. A cycle is one full drain and refill. The 600 v2 runs LiFePO4, an iron-phosphate lithium chemistry that wears far more slowly, and our record rates it for 6,000.
The 600 v2 also carries 122Wh more for less than a pound of extra weight. It has a USB-C port that delivers 100W, and the 500 has none. My camera charges over USB-C, so that would have stopped me before anything else.
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first β the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
rated cycles
Use either one twice a week and the 500 reaches its rating in about eight years. The 600 v2 would take decades.
Explorer 500: 800 rated cycles on lithium-ionExplorer 600 v2: 6,000 rated cycles on LiFePO4Lifetime energy over the rated cycles: about 414kWh against 3,840kWh
Why it mattersIf you'll use a station hard for years, the battery is where these two differ most.
For a station you mean to keep, three extra years of cover are three years in which a failure is Jackery's problem.
Explorer 500: 2-year warrantyExplorer 600 v2: up to 5 years, with registration
Why it mattersRegister the 600 v2 the week it arrives. The extra years depend on it.
solar input
The 600 v2 takes twice the panel wattage, so it refills a bigger battery in less of the day.
Explorer 500: 100W solar input, about 5.2 hours of ideal sun to refill 518WhExplorer 600 v2: 200W solar input
Why it mattersIf a folding panel on the dashboard is your main charger, the 600 v2 is the one that keeps up.
That spare covers a phone, a lantern or a slow start to the morning. Usable here is our working figure, about 85% of the label.
CPAP Overnight needs about 320WhUsable energy: 440Wh on the Explorer 500, 544Wh on the Explorer 600 v2Left by morning: 120Wh against 224Wh
Why it mattersOnly the 600 v2 lists a UPS mode, so it's the one that can stay plugged in by the bed and take over when the grid drops.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units β everything else is a tie.
Lifetime Value
Selected because: Seven and a half times the rated cycles is the biggest gap between these two, and it shows best as lifetime energy.
The 500's 800 cycles add up to about 414kWh over its rated life. The 600 v2's 6,000 add up to about 3,840kWh. Those totals are what each pack is rated to deliver before it starts to fade.
Fading is not dying. At the end of its rating a pack drops to around 80% of what it held new and keeps working. A 500 that has had an easy life still has plenty in it. If I were buying today, though, I'd skip a leftover 500 and get the 600 v2.
What the Specs Don't Tell You
Selected because: UPS mode, app control and solar recharge time are concrete, spec-true differences.
rated cycles
Three gotchas fire against the 500. Solar refills are slow at 100W. There's no app, so checking the battery means walking over to it. And its spec sheet lists no UPS mode.
UPS mode means the station sits between the wall and your gear and takes over when the power drops. The 600 v2 is rated to switch in no more than 20ms. That's fast enough on paper for a router or a CPAP. The fussiest desktop power supplies sit right at that line.
Your Life, Your Pick
Selected because: CPAP Overnight is the one job both handle, and it shows the headroom gap.
Only the CPAP night fits either unit, and both finish it. The 600 v2 has more left over. A tailgate gets the 600 v2 most of the way and the 500 about two thirds.
The camping weekend, the eight-hour blackout and van life are well past both. These are stations for a device or two. For a house you want something several times bigger.
Growth Path
Selected because: Neither expands, so the capacity bought today is permanent for both.
solar input
Neither expands, so whatever you buy is the size you keep. Between these two, the extra 122Wh on the 600 v2 costs you less than a pound.
Strengths & trade-offs
Jackery Explorer 500
Strengths
- +Lighter by 0.8 lb
Trade-offs
- βLacks smartphone app control for remote monitoring.
- βShorter-lived battery β rated for 800 charge cycles vs the Explorer 600 v2's 6,000, so it wears out sooner.
Jackery Explorer 600 v2
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Longer warranty
- +Faster solar charging
- +Rated for 6,000 charge cycles β much longer battery lifespan
Trade-offs
- βNo major technical downsides compared to rival.
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 Β· 2 nights Β· needs 2,100Wh
Weekend Camping
Two nights off-grid with essential comfort
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 2,100Wh: the Explorer 500 comes up 1,660Wh short (about 21% covered), the Explorer 600 v2 1,556Wh (26%). 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
LOADΒ Β Phone Charger 15WΓ6h Β· LED Lights 40WΓ8h Β· Box Fan 75WΓ14h Β· CPAP Machine 40WΓ16h
SCN-02 Β· 8 hours Β· 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 Explorer 500 comes up 1,205Wh short (about 27% covered), the Explorer 600 v2 1,101Wh (33%). Treat this as partial cover β enough for the essentials in it, not the whole list.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Fridge 150WΓ8h Β· Router + Modem 20WΓ8h Β· LED Lights (4 bulbs) 40WΓ6h Β· Phone Charger 15WΓ3h
SCN-03 Β· 8 hours Β· needs 320Wh
CPAP Overnight
Sleep therapy without interruption β the #1 medical use case
Either unit
Both get through a 320Wh CPAP night. The 500 has about 120Wh left by morning, the 600 v2 about 224Wh. Only the 600 v2 lists a UPS mode, so only it can stay plugged in and take over if the power drops in the night.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β CPAP Machine 40WΓ8h
SCN-04 Β· 8 hours Β· needs 910Wh
Remote Workday
Full work day off-grid without power anxiety
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 910Wh: the Explorer 500 comes up 470Wh short (about 48% covered), the Explorer 600 v2 366Wh (60%). Treat this as partial cover β enough for the essentials in it, not the whole list.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Laptop 60WΓ8h Β· External Monitor 30WΓ8h Β· Router + Modem 20WΓ8h Β· Phone Charger 15WΓ2h
SCN-05 Β· 4 hours Β· needs 670Wh
Tailgate Party
Game day power for the crew
Neither unit
Neither finishes a 670Wh afternoon. The 600 v2 gets about 81% of the way and the 500 about two thirds. Plan the playlist accordingly.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Blender 400WΓ0.5h Β· LED TV (55") 80WΓ4h Β· Bluetooth Speaker 15WΓ4h Β· Phone Charger (Γ3) 45WΓ2h
SCN-06 Β· 24 hours Β· needs 4,685Wh
Van Life Daily
A full day of mobile living β the ultimate endurance test
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 4,685Wh: the Explorer 500 comes up 4,245Wh short (about 9% covered), the Explorer 600 v2 4,141Wh (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
LOADΒ Β Mini-Fridge 150WΓ24h Β· Laptop 60WΓ4h Β· Phone Charger 15WΓ3h Β· LED Lights 40WΓ5h Β· Fan 75WΓ8h
The Load Test
RUNTIME = (Wh Γ 0.85) Γ· 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: Explorer 600 v2 runs 2.7h vs 2.1h.
Planning for more than this? Describe your whole setup and get it sizedΒ β
Modeled from the spec record β same math as the tables below. Methodology
Runtime by appliance
Real-world runtime estimates for common appliances, modeled at 85% inverter efficiency.ΒΉ
Essentials
The basics you need runningscale 0β36.3hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0β7.3hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limitsΒΉ Runtime = (capacity Γ 0.85) Γ· 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 β see methodology.
Conclusion
October 25, 2026
Verdict withdrawn: the Explorer 600 v2 is no longer sold
We picked the Explorer 600 v2, but neither unit is sold new any more. The comparison below still helps if you own one.
Editor-assigned confidence, based on cited owner research and spec analysis.
Written by Wenny Zheng, Portable Power Tester Β· Station Arena Test Desk Β· Updated October 25, 2026
Measured Data
Benchmark scores and the full spec record, side by side.
Benchmark scores
Not rated for both units (minimum threshold unmet): UPS, CPAP, Solar Generator, Tailgating.
Full specifications
α΅ Derived: price Γ· rated capacity. See the data behind our comparisons β
Comparison ToolAdd more power stations, side by sideOpen Tool βHow these numbers are produced
Numeric verification
Every figure on this page traces to our spec database or arithmetic on it β no estimated numbers.
Owner claims
Statements about owner experience are cited to published reviews β see Sources & Research Notes below.
Runtime model
Runtime = (rated capacity Γ 0.85 inverter efficiency) Γ· 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 βClass ranking (the star rating)
Each unit's star score is a category ranking, not customer reviews β 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 5β . Here, Explorer 500 rates 3.3/5 (1st percentile of 20 Compact-class units), and Explorer 600 v2 rates 4.2/5 (53rd percentile of 20 Compact-class units).
How the class ranking is computed βTest Notes & Caveats
Hidden gotchas and advantages we spotted that you won't find on the product page.
Explorer 500: Solar Recharge Takes 5.2h+
At its 100W rated solar ceiling, refilling the full 518Wh takes about 5.2 hours of sun β as a floor, since the rated figure assumes ideal panel angle and clear sky, and real days deliver less. Not practical as the primary charge source for daily off-grid use; treat solar as a top-up and plan on a wall outlet or generator.
Explorer 500: No App Control
Without app control, you have to physically walk to the Explorer 500 to check battery level, adjust settings, or monitor power draw. The Explorer 600 v2 lets you do all that from your phone, including getting low-battery alerts.
Only the 600 v2 Lists a UPS Mode
The 500's spec sheet lists no uninterruptible-power mode. The 600 v2 can sit between the wall and a router, modem or CPAP and take over in no more than 20ms when the grid drops.
Five Years Against Two
The 600 v2 is covered for up to 5 years once registered with Jackery. The 500 carried 2. For a station you plan to keep, register the newer one the week it arrives.
6,000 Cycles Against 800
The 600 v2's LiFePO4 pack is rated for 6,000 cycles. The 500's lithium-ion cells are rated for 800. At twice a week, that's decades against about eight years. Either pack keeps working past its rating, at around 80% of its original capacity.
Ownership Analysis
What happens after you buy β true cost of ownership, brand trust, and growth potential.
Lifetime value
Service lifeyears at one full cycle per day
Lifetime energy delivered
β warranty ends Β· Reaching the cycle rating means ~80% capacity remains β degraded, not dead.
Analyst note
Neither is sold new any more, so there is no price left to work a cost per kWh from, and what either costs you now depends on the used market. The hardware comparison still holds: over its rated life the Explorer 500 delivers about 414 kWh and the Explorer 600 v2 about 3,840 kWh.
Growth path
Explorer 500
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 518Wh, with no expansion β 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.
Explorer 600 v2
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 640Wh, with no expansion β 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.
Limited ports. You'll likely need a power strip or splitter.
Realistic full solar rechargeat 70% of rated panel output β see methodology
Analyst note
Neither of these is sold new any more, so there is no growth path to buy into on either side. If you already own one: the Explorer 500 is fixed at 518Wh and the Explorer 600 v2 is fixed at 640Wh. As a purchase decision, expandability isn't the question here.
What Owners Report
Patterns from published owner reports and long-term reviews β every claim cited to its source below.
Jackery Explorer 500
Reviewers describe the 500 as a compact, affordable way into Jackery's range for weekend and occasional useA3. At about 13 lbs it carries easilyA2.
The catch is the cells. It runs older lithium-ion, and Jackery rates it to keep 80% of its capacity after 800 cyclesA1. Reviewers note that Jackery's newer LiFePO4 units were built to fix exactly thatA4. Our research reads the plain 500 as the generation Jackery has moved pastA0.
β518Wh capacity with a 500W output, on traditional lithium-ion cells β Jackery rates 80% capacity retention after 800 cycles.β
Sources
backuppowerhub.com Β· jackery.com Β· greencitizen.com Β· poweredportablesolar.com Β· batteryessence.com
Jackery Explorer 600 v2
Owners describe the 600 v2 as affordable, light, easy to carry and easy to runB3. Jackery bills it as the lightest station in the 600Wh class, at about 14 lbsB1. One review singles out the move to LiFePO4 as the big change, a chemistry that is more stable and less prone to overheatingB2. Our researcher couldn't confirm which model that source describes, so read it for character only.
Some listings credit it with more than 500W of AC output. Jackery's own page publishes 500W, and that's the figure used hereB0. It has also been out of stock at times as production ramps up, so check before you plan around itB0.
βThe world's lightest 600Wh-class power station at about 14 lbs β roughly 23% smaller than similar-capacity models.β
Sources
backuppowerhub.com Β· jackery.com Β· bestecosolar.com Β· mrsolar.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
- Affordable, portable Jackery entry unit, but on older lithium-ion chemistry with limited cycle life vs newer LFP models. [Explorer 500 Β· 3 entries]
- Standout light weight (world's lightest 600Wh-class), a newer stable LFP battery, and easy operation are the praise; rated output and cycle figures vary across sources. [Explorer 600 v2 Β· 3 entries]
- A1
β518Wh capacity with a 500W output, on traditional lithium-ion cells β Jackery rates 80% capacity retention after 800 cycles.β
backuppowerhub.com / jackery.com β Explorer 500 review Β· 2026 Β· [mixed]
- A2
βWeighs about 13 lbs β a compact, portable unit.β
greencitizen.com / poweredportablesolar.com β Explorer 500 review Β· 2026 Β· [positive]
- A3
βThe 518Wh capacity at $449 is the most affordable entry into Jackery's reliable ecosystem β good for weekend warriors and occasional users.β
backuppowerhub.com β Explorer 500 review Β· 2026 Β· [positive]
- A4
βAn older lithium-ion unit; the newer Explorer 500 v2 uses LiFePO4 rated for far more cycles, offering significantly better longevity.β
batteryessence.com / backuppowerhub.com β Explorer 500 v2 review Β· 2026 Β· [mixed]
- B1
βThe world's lightest 600Wh-class power station at about 14 lbs β roughly 23% smaller than similar-capacity models.β
backuppowerhub.com / jackery.com β Explorer 600 v2 review Β· 2026 Β· [positive]
- B2
βUses a shift to LFP (LiFePO4) chemistry that is chemically more stable and far less prone to overheating, engineered with a rating for well over a decade of lifespan β higher than the figure in some spec listings.β
backuppowerhub.com / bestecosolar.com β Explorer 600 v2 review Β· 2026 Β· [positive]
- B3
βOwner feedback highlights that it is affordable, lightweight, easy to carry, and easy to operate.β
backuppowerhub.com β Explorer 600 v2 owner feedback Β· 2026 Β· [positive]
Research compiled October 25, 2026.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the Explorer 500 if youβ¦
- βYou already own one and use it a few weekends a year. At that pace its 800 cycles will last a long while, so keep using it.
- βIt's the station already in your cupboard and the job is small. It runs a CPAP night with some left over.
Buy the Explorer 600 v2 if youβ¦
- βYou want something near the 500's size that you can still buy new, with a LiFePO4 pack rated for 6,000 cycles.
- βYou run a CPAP, a router or a camera kit and want USB-C, an app and a UPS mode in the same box.
If neither fits
If your real need is a camping weekend or an eight-hour blackout, both fall far short. Our load model puts those at about 2,100Wh and 1,645Wh. Look at a station with two or three times the capacity.
The Bottom Line
The Explorer 500 has left Jackery's store, and next to the 600 v2 it shows why. The newer box carries a bit more battery, a pack rated for seven and a half times the cycles, and more than twice the warranty.
If you own a 500, keep using it for light jobs until it fades. If you're buying, get the 600 v2. It weighs less than a pound more and does every job here at least as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
Is the Jackery Explorer 500 or Explorer 600 v2 the better buy?
The Explorer 600 v2. Jackery no longer sells the Explorer 500. The 600 v2 holds 640Wh against 518Wh, uses a LiFePO4 battery rated for 6,000 cycles against the 500's 800-cycle lithium-ion, and carries up to a 5-year warranty with registration against 2.
What actually changed between the two units?
The battery chemistry, mainly. The 500 uses lithium-ion cells rated for 800 cycles. The 600 v2 uses LiFePO4 rated for 6,000. Over their rated lives that is about 414kWh of energy from the 500 and about 3,840kWh from the 600 v2. The 600 v2 also adds a 100W USB-C port, app control and a UPS mode.
Does either Jackery unit support CPAP use overnight?
Yes, both can. A CPAP at about 40W for eight hours needs roughly 320Wh. The 500 finishes with about 120Wh left and the 600 v2 with about 224Wh. Both noise figures are Jackery's best-case ratings, not readings at a CPAP's light draw, so they can't tell you which is quieter at a bedside.
Is the Explorer 600 v2's extra capacity worth it?
It isn't the main reason to pick it. The bigger difference is the battery: 6,000 rated cycles against 800, and a 5-year warranty against 2. The 122Wh of extra capacity comes on top.
Why does the Explorer 500 deliver so much less energy over its life?
Because its battery is rated for far fewer cycles. At 800 cycles of 518Wh it delivers about 414kWh over its rated life. The 600 v2's 6,000 cycles of 640Wh come to about 3,840kWh. Reaching the rating doesn't kill either pack. It drops to around 80% of its original capacity.
Where to buy
Jackery Explorer 500
Left Jackery's store
Jackery Explorer 600 v2
Sold out at Jackery
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.