Jackery solar generators review: Into the wild

The worst thing that can happen to a lone traveler is getting stuck somewhere without any electric power for basic needs: a phone, GPS, or lights. That’s why campers choose solar generators as reliable companions on their trips. In this article, we’ll be looking at power stations and PV modules from a Californian brand: here comes our Jackery solar generators review.

Solar generator is your energy backup

A solar generator has two components: solar panels and a power station. 

Solar panels are what generate electricity. When sunlight hits a solar panel, it creates direct current (DC). For things like lighting and heating, this DC power is enough.

More advanced devices, like computers or TVs, require alternating current (AC). That's where the power station comes in. A power station has an inverter that takes the DC power from the solar panel and converts it into AC power. This way, you can plug your devices into the power station, just like you would with a regular home outlet.

The power station also has a battery that can be charged with solar energy. To keep things safe, there's a charge controller inside the station. It makes sure that the high voltage from the solar panels doesn't harm the battery and prevents it from getting overcharged or discharged too much.

Solar generators slowly replace gas generators that people used to use for camping or as a backup power source at home. Solar generators are compact and easy to carry around. They don't need fuel, so you don't have to worry about running out of gas. They don't make any unpleasant smells, and they operate silently. 

Jackery made the world’s first portable solar panels

Jackery develops solar generators primarily for campers and travelers. American company offers portable power stations, solar panels and accessories. The company claims to develop the world's first portable solar panels. Portable solar panels are light and foldable which means you can pack them with you on your trip and unpack in the wild. 

Jackery solar generators: Performance, cost, lifespan

The capacity of Jackery power stations ranges from 240Wh to 3000Wh. This makes them great as energy backup on a trip. They can be a good choice for sailors and boondockers. Power stations come with one or two solar panels that range from 80W to 200W power capacity.

The capacity of single power stations does seem a bit too small to look at them as a reliable way to ensure home backup. You can stack together several units to build a large storage. For example, Jackery offers a 24,000Wh battery pack that has 10 separate battery modules.

Jackery solar panel generators range from $500 to $4,000 in price. Their cost depends primarily on the capacity that a power station provides. Portable panels from Jackery float around $3 per watt and higher which is more expensive than average prices on this market.

The warranty period for Jackery power products is 24 months. Explorer Pro series power stations and the SolarSaga 200W & SolarSaga 80W come with a three years warranty. Customers can also get additional 1 or 2 years upon registration on the Jackery website

In practice, generators last for up to a decade. Portable panels are sturdy enough to serve you for 15 years. The power station itself is more fragile because of how complex it is: after all, it’s a battery, an inverter and a charge controller in one.

Jackery solar generators: Pros

What makes Jackery generators stand out? Let’s list down the advantages that their products have:
• Great reviews. Looking at what Jackery customers say about generators on their website, Amazon and on forums, we concluded that people are satisfied with the products.
• High quality. Customers emphasize good build quality, materials and usability. 

Jackery solar generators: Cons

What about the disadvantages of Jackery products? Here is what we don’t like about them:
• Small capacity. Jackery solar power generators are relatively small in size. Using them at home during power outages caused by, for example, winter storms is only possible when you have multiple units.
• Customer service. Negative Jackery solar generator reviews usually focus on low-quality support and not the products themselves. 

Top 3 Jackery solar generators

Let’s look at a few Jackery generators that we can find on the market. Here are three models that you can pick for your home or take with you on a trip.

Explorer 3000: Big choice

The largest power station that Jackery offers has a 3024Wh capacity. You can charge it fully in 3-4 hours with solar panels or a wall outlet in 2.4 hours. You can control it through Smart App. The default generator bundle that Jackery offers includes two SolarSaga 200W solar panels. The power station comes with a 5-year warranty. 

Explorer 1500: Perfect for outdoors

The Jackery portable solar generator is a combination of the Explorer 1500 power station and SolarSaga panels. This kit is perfect for outdoor activities such as camping, overlanding, fishing, and other outdoor trips. It is big enough to serve as a solar power generator for home use. 

The Explorer 1500 power station features three AC outlets, one PD 60W USB-C Port, one Quick Charge 3.0 Port, one USB-A Port, and one 12 V car port, providing versatile charging options. With a capacity of 1534Wh and a running wattage of 1800, it offers ample power for various devices. The Jackery Explorer can be fully recharged in just 4 hours using four SolarSaga 100W panels.

Explorer 240: First-aid kit

This small Jackery solar-powered generator is a compact solution that includes the Explorer 240 power station and the SolarSaga panel. The Explorer 240 features a 240Wh lithium-ion battery, providing reliable power in a portable design. It is equipped with one AC outlet that delivers 200W of output power and 400W of surge power, making it suitable for various small appliances and electronic devices. Additionally, it offers two USB-A ports and a DC car port, allowing for convenient charging of multiple devices simultaneously.

The SolarSaga 100W panel included in this kit is foldable and weighs only 9.1 lb, making it highly portable and perfect for on-the-go use. Its lightweight nature ensures easy transportation, enabling you to bring it along during your travels.

Andrey Gorichenski

Senior Editor

Andrey had been a news editor and freelance writer for a number of medias before joining A1SolarStore team. Climate change and its impact on people's lives has always been among his interests and it partially explains his degree in Philosophy and Ethics.

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