Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station Gear Review

Not long ago our team of adventurers spent some time testing out and reviewing the Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station and the Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel, coming away impressed with just how versatile and handy the unit was when exploring the outdoors. After getting our hands on the amped up Jackery Explorer 1000W model, we just couldn’t resist taking it out to compare its performance with that of its little brother!

Readers should take note that, while the power generator is a larger capacity unit, the solar charging panels being used were the same as our last review. If you want to read more about that experience, be sure to check out our review of the Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station and the Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel.

If you are reading this review and are eager to test out a Jackery Solar Generator yourself we have exciting news for you! Jackery is set to launch the "Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro" which is fully upgraded from Jackery's most popular product the Jackery Solar Generator 1000! This upgraded version will become available on August 31st 2022.

The Verdict

Now, we had originally planned to test out the Jackery Explorer 1000W while out camping with a large group of friends at a site that also had power available, but on arrival we quickly learned that there was no power source to be found. It’s a great thing that we had the unit with us, as our campsite quickly became the de facto charging area for many thankful campers.

In addition to having enough juice to charge a bunch of wireless devices, the large capacity also gave us the peace of mind to adventure in our own way and on our own schedule. Not once did we feel like we had to go searching for a power source to charge our phones after a full day of hiking, nor did we feel the need to head into town to buy ice due to the fact that the Explorer 1000 was more than capable of powering an icemaker – hello margaritas!

The fact that the Jackery Explorer 1000 can be recharged by using the Solar Saga 100W Solar Panel is another huge bonus, enabling you to work remotely or extend your camping trip without the fear of losing power. No matter what the aim of your adventure is, this unit provides an almost unparalleled level of freedom that will allow you to remain accessible while disconnecting and enjoying the outdoors.

Overview

Ideally suited for use on a campsite, in an RV, your vehicle, or even your home, the Jackery Explorer 1000 power station is more than capable of keeping your electronic devices, small appliances, and even mini fridges fully connected to the grid. When combined with the SolarSaga 100W panels, you can rest completely at ease knowing that you can quickly recharge the entire power station without skipping a beat. Alternatively, if you find yourself close to a vehicle you can also plug it into a power outlet, providing even more accessibility when looking to stay connected.

When to Use: The large size of the Explorer 1000 means that you probably won’t be taking it backcountry trekking; however, it is ideal for frontcountry camping, car camping, or any situation where you will need to do a decent amount of charging to stay connected outdoors.

Weight: When it comes to overall weight, the Explorer 1000 is certainly a beefier piece of kit than its smaller counterpart, coming in at a fairly hefty 22 lbs. If you plan on travelling with the SolarSaga 100W solar panels, you can plan on adding another 10 lbs.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Plenty of capacity:
• • 8 full Macbook charges
  • 100 phone charges
  • Power a mini-fridge for 17h
• Reliable: Compact, sturdy, and rugged, the Explorer 1000 is meant for the outdoors. While it isn’t waterproof, it is splashproof, meaning you won’t need to worry too much if you spill something nearby or if it takes you a second to get out of the rain.
• User Friendly: This unit couldn’t be more simple to operate, just plug in your device and hit the corresponding button to begin supplying power. When you need to recharge, simply find the nearest wall outlet, car outlet, or plug into your solar panel and relax while it does all the work.
• Multi-use: Not only can the Explorer 1000 charge countless smaller devices via 2 USB and 2 USB-C ports, but it also features a DC car port and 3 AC outlets that can be plugged into anything from a laptop to a blender.
• Perpetual Use: When combined with the SolarSaga 100W solar panel, this unit can be recharged in as little as 8h, meaning you will never have to worry about how much power you have left in reserve.
• Green Energy: The same solar panels mentioned above create zero emissions to charge the power station, meaning that you can feel great about helping the planet while enjoying all that nature has to offer.

Cons

• Weight: Honestly, for all of the above-mentioned pros that you get out of the Jackery Explorer 1000, the only thing that even comes close to being a con is the overall weight. At 22 lbs (plus an extra 10 for the solar panels), it’s a bit too large of a unit to bring backcountry trekking. Even still, if you are planning on using it while frontcountry camping, then it is the perfect size to bring along and power all of your gear.

Conclusion

After a weekend of thoroughly testing out the Jackery Explorer 1000 Power Station, I think it would be safe to say that we came away very impressed. It provided all of the same benefits as the smaller 500W model, with just a little bit of extra power to be a difference maker in what would have otherwise been a challenging weekend without any backup power source.

As mentioned above, the unit is a bit too heavy to take backcountry trekking, but that same size, rugged construction, and large capacity make it ideal for a wealth of other applications. Whether you are glamping in an RV, are taking a little working holiday by the lake, or are camping out beneath the stars, the Explorer 1000 is the perfect companion that will ensure you will never run out of power for all of your devices, gadgets, and gear.

Need more convincing? Head over to the Jackery website for more info regarding their wide range of devices and to get inspired about living a life of adventure with the Jackery Summer Trip.