Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 portable power station review

Jackery Explorer 1000 V2: 30-second review

Jackery is one of the best-known portable power station manufacturers, and the Jackery Explorer 1000 has been the go-to for many working outdoors, camping, or looking for off-site power that can be solar charged. The 1000W capacity is more than enough to keep most domestic appliances running, and when you're working in the field, it means that computers, chargers, and equipment can all be run or charged directly from the unit using AC power, just as you would utilise mains power in the office or workshop. 

The latest Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 has refined the design of the original while retaining the distinctive bright orange design elements, with improvements such as a fold-down carry handle. Increased power output and expanded connection options make the Explorer 1000 V2 feel like a far more serious piece of kit.

Firstly, the output sees a leap to 1500W. This means more devices can be plugged into the AC and DC ports — AC being the same as wall sockets at home, while DC refers to the likes of USB. As a result, there are very few items you won't be able to charge directly. Sure enough, in the field, the Explorer 1000 V2 runs three computers and charges cameras, drones, and lighting for the day without issue. A single MacBook Pro M1 Max 16" remains topped up with almost a continuous 100W power draw for a good six hours, while Sony NP-FZ100 batteries are also easily recharged. What's more, a standard extension cable can be plugged in, enabling even more devices to be charged simultaneously, as long as the maximum output doesn’t exceed 1500W. 

Away from home, the power station is a valuable asset, enabling you to work longer while also bringing a few comforts of home with you. In the field, a Kampa kettle and heaters keep the team sustained and warm in the van between shoots and during planning sessions. Meanwhile, equipment is left to charge, with cables running out to the SolarSaga panels to help keep the battery topped up between uses.

Out in the field, the Explorer 1000 V2 goes far beyond a power bank when it comes to portable power, but with this latest version, we were pleased to see it was equally at home in the office or workshop. The new model features UPS IEC62040 power switching for some devices. This essentially means that if the Explorer is placed between, say, a fridge and the mains, then during a power cut, the power switches seamlessly from the mains to the backup power (Explorer 1000 V2) until the mains supply resumes. For most devices, this requires UPS compatibility, but when tested in the workshop, the Explorer was placed between the Bambulab Carbon X1 and the mains, enabling seamless printing even after the power was cut, with no downtime.

If you need mains power off-site or in the home, studio, workshop, or office where you’re likely to suffer from power outages, the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 is one of the best portable power stations around, a solid choice and one of the most robust and reliable options available. 

Jackery Explorer 1000 V2: Price & availability

The Jackery Explorer 1000 is priced at approximately $499/£499, which is exceptionally well-priced for this capacity of portable power station. It is available through major online retailers and directly from Jackery's official website. Bundle options with SolarSaga panels are also available, making it an excellent choice if you need an off-site power solution or home/workshop backup.

• Score: 5/5

Jackery Explorer 1000 V2: Design & build

The Jackery power stations are instantly recognisable with the bright orange design that instantly reflects the outdoors and camping types that these power stations were originally designed to appeal to. These days, the Jackery has found much wider appeal, and the small orange boxes are a regular alongside other equipment for professionals who work away from traditional mains power and are used by everyone from builders through to photographers and videographers. They're also incredibly useful if you run large 3D printers in a workshop or outbuilding that's prone to power cuts. 

The design of the Explorer 1000 V2 is considerably smaller than the original, and while the bright orange and characteristics of the design remain very similar, the design and features have taken a huge step forward. Most notably, the top handle, which made the original easy to carry but didn't enable you to stack anything on top, is now of a fold-down design. This is far more streamlined and just as easy to carry. The size has also dramatically reduced, although, at just over 10kg, the weight has surprisingly gone up a touch.

As we've seen on the previous version, there are plenty of ports and sockets across the front with 2 AC outlets (standard wall sockets), USB-A output (18W), carport (12V), USB-C1 output (30W), and USB-C2 output (100W). Then on the side, there's the AC input and DC input. Unlike some other power stations, there's no wireless charging option on the top.

Alongside the ports, there's a nice clear screen that gives you a good idea about how much power devices are drawing and also how much charge is going into the battery. When it comes to charging, you have three choices. The first is through a standard AC plug, and this takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes; there's also an emergency charge option available through the app that sees a full charge in 1 hour. Then you have the option to use one of the Solar Saga panels to charge. This can take between 4 and 15 hours, depending on how many panels you're using and the light available. The final option is to charge through the 12V in your car, although this should only really be done if you're driving, as you will deplete your car's battery.

One of the points that has made the Jackery range so popular is its durability, and this latest version meets IEC 60068 standards. While these power stations aren't weatherproof, they are robust. This essentially means that it can be easily transported and will stand up to more than a knock or two without issue. 

• Design: 4.5/5

Jackery Explorer 1000 V2: Features

While the Jackery Explorer 1000W is simply a battery with an inverter that provides mains AC as well as DC power, the range of features it packs in, along with upgrades from the original, is impressive. Firstly, there are the charging times, which have been dramatically reduced, taking around an hour and 40 minutes for a standard charge. However, if you're in a rush, there is an emergency charge option that can achieve a full charge in 1 hour. This feature is activated through the app.

One of the issues with many power stations is the noise they produce due to the cooling they require. However, this noise is in no way comparable to that of a diesel generator, which these power stations tend to replace. Here, when charging at the standard speed, the noise is now kept to a minimum at less than 22 dB. This means that if you are using this as a power safety net, the occasional charging noise won't be a distraction.

The big figures for the power station are the 1070Wh capacity and 1500W output with 3000W surge protection. This essentially means it holds enough power to run a 100W laptop for 10 hours, or 15 laptops for an hour. Inside, the actual batteries are LFP, which offer around 4,000 recharge cycles, ensuring a good few years of use.

Internally, there’s also a range of new technologies focused on the safety of the battery and its cells. Jackery states that there are a total of 62 mechanisms in use, all under the Charge Shield 2.0 banner. One of the most interesting is the AI variable charging, which adjusts the charge rate of the cells depending on conditions.

One of the features that will really appeal to anyone working in outbuildings, workshops, or anywhere prone to occasional power cuts is the UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) seamless power switching. Essentially, under normal conditions, the battery charges while power passes through to the appliance, meaning the battery simply acts as a device in the middle. Then, if the mains power cuts, power is drawn from the internal battery instead of the mains. This process takes around 20ms, which for most appliances doesn’t seem to affect their operation. However, some more demanding devices, such as NAS systems or high-end workstations, may notice an outage and reboot.

• Features: 4.5/5

Jackery Explorer 1000 V2: Performance

Through the test of the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2, it was put through several scenarios, including being used as on-site power for a photo and video shoot, as backup power for charging power tools, and as a power safety net in the workshop while larger models were printed on a 3D printer.

Before each test, the Explorer 1000 V2 was mains charged to 100% to get a full idea of its capacity and charge times. When it came to wall charging, the battery was only allowed to reduce to 0% a couple of times to test whether it would recover from being fully depleted. Once drained, it was left for a week before being recharged and did so without issue.

Starting out with the test and using the Explorer 1000 V2 for on-site power during the photo and video shoot, the first thing that stands out about the new power station is its small size. The new shape is exceptionally well designed, and the carry handle, despite the weight, makes it easy enough to carry around. The flat top also means you can place cameras and other equipment on top, which might sound like a small thing, but when there are no tables, any surface, however small, is a valuable asset.

Throughout the day, the power station was connected directly to a MacBook Pro M1 Max 16in along with a couple of other laptops. An extension cable was used from one of the AC sockets to facilitate enough plugs. With all three laptops plugged in, the power draw reached about 200W, well within the 1500W draw capability, enabling all three to run for a solid five hours of continuous use. As the day progressed, batteries were charged and a few kettles boiled—although not too many, as the 1kW kettle depleted the charge more rapidly than any other device, taking about 10% per 500ml boil. By the end of the day, the battery was down to 5%, but that was power that wouldn’t have been available otherwise, allowing the team to stay on-site for the duration without needing a return visit.

On the next shoot, the battery was coupled with the Solar Saga panels and used to top up the power station. The newly designed panels seemed to be more efficient than the older versions, which were already excellent, with an input of between 40–80W on a bright day. This provided about a 30% charge over a 6-hour period. The battery was also topped up via the car's 12V socket during a run to the shops, but this had minimal impact and would only really be useful for long drives rather than a half-hour round trip.

On a shoot, power stations are essential, and the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2, with its robust build and quality, is a great choice. In addition to its general functionality, the inclusion of the app makes accessing some of the features quick and easy, and the ability to monitor power usage via the mobile interface is particularly handy, especially if the power station is tucked out of sight.

Used to charge power tools and phones, and the Explorer 1000 V2 took on the task without issue, charging five 18v 5ah Matika batteries, which took the charge to 45%.

Moving on to the next test, which involved using the Explorer 1000 V2 as workshop backup power, the Jackery was placed between the AC power socket and the Bambulab X1 Carbon, and a 24-hour print was started. In the past, longer prints have suffered issues during power cuts, and while most can be restarted, if the power is out for more than an hour, prints and platforms tend to cool, and prints detach. Here, the continuous power provided by the power station avoided this issue, as the power to the workshop was cut overnight, enabling the machine to complete the print without interruption, although the Jackery was reduced to 0%. The presence of UPS technology is a great feature for any workshop or home prone to power outages.

• Performance: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2?

At the end of the test, the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 delivered an impressive performance. The design and quality of the power station are among the best available. In use, the easy access to the sockets and ports at the front makes connecting multiple devices straightforward, and the 1500W output provides loads of flexibility.

Some of the standout features include the large, clear LCD on the front, which allows you to monitor the power being used. This is complemented by the app, which is fast and easy to use, expanding on the power station’s capabilities. Most notably, the emergency charge feature, which can fully charge the station in less than an hour, is a fantastic addition. If you forget to charge the station overnight, that one-hour charge can be a lifesaver!

Then there are the changes to the design. The neat flat top with the fold-down handle makes the overall handling of the power station much easier. However, it’s a shame there isn’t wireless charging built in, as seen with some other power stations.

As a reliable choice for power out in the field—whether on a building site, a photo or video shoot, camping, or simply at home as a power backup—the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 is a solid option and comes at a great price.

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