Jackery Explorer 500 v2
(6 reviews)
512Wh in an ultra-light 5.7 kg station you carry with one hand: the ideal companion for camping, vanlife and small outages, recharged in 1 hr 20 from the mains.
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Characteristics
- Capacity: 512Wh (LiFePO4 battery)
- Power: 500W continuous, 1000W peak
- Outputs: 2 AC outlets, 2 USB-C, 1 USB-A, 1 car socket
- Recharge: Full in 1 hr 20 from the mains (1 hr with mains + solar)
- 512Wh in just 5.7 kg, carried one-handed
Detailed overview: Jackery Explorer 500 v2 portable power station 512Wh
The Jackery Explorer 500 v2 is the brand's compact portable power station, ideal for light camping, vans, outdoor trips and small power cuts. It is all about portability: with 512Wh of capacity for just 5.7 kg and a body 27% more compact than average, it carries with one hand, where rival stations of equivalent capacity are often heavier and bulkier.
Its inverter delivers 500W continuous (1000W peak), enough for the essentials of off-grid life: electric cool box, LED lighting, fan, internet router, charging smartphones, tablets, drones and laptops. It has varied outputs to run several devices at once: 2 AC outlets, 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port and a 12V car socket.
The real progress of this v2 lies in its LiFePO4 battery, far more durable than the conventional lithium of older Explorers: it is designed for up to 6000 charge cycles, a lifespan of up to 10 years in regular use. Charging is also fast, a full charge in about 1 hr 20 from a wall socket, or one hour flat with a 100 W solar panel added, and it accepts solar input for full autonomy while camping.
Compact, light and durable, the Explorer 500 v2 is the perfect solution for anyone looking for an energy reserve that is easy to take anywhere. Its only limit is logical for its size: its 500W is not suited to very demanding appliances like a kettle or an induction hob, reserved for the higher models in the range.
Full specifications
Detailed characteristics (EAN: 0810105528619)
Battery and capacity
| Rated capacity?Total stored energy in watt-hours. The higher the figure, the longer the runtime. | 512 Wh |
|---|---|
| Delivered energy, measured?Energy that actually leaves the battery and reaches the devices. Always below the stored energy, as conversion costs heat. Taken from our in-depth review. | 479 Wh |
| Expandable capacity?Whether capacity can be increased with add-on batteries. | No |
| Removable battery?The main battery can be removed or replaced by the user. | No |
| Battery chemistry?LiFePO4 (LFP) lasts far longer and is safer than NMC. | LFP (LiFePO4) |
| Charge cycles?Number of full charges before capacity drops to the stated threshold. | 6000 cycles (70 %) |
AC output
| Continuous AC power?Power the unit can sustain continuously on its 230 V outlets. | 500 W |
|---|---|
| Surge power?Brief peak tolerated when starting motor or compressor devices. | 1000 W |
| Inverter type?A pure sine wave is essential for sensitive electronics and motors. | Pure sine wave |
| AC voltage / frequency?Voltage and frequency of the AC output (230 V / 50 Hz in Europe). | 230 V / 50 Hz |
| Number of 230 V AC outlets?Number of mains outlets available on the unit. | 2 |
| RV / TT-30 outlet?Dedicated 30 A outlet for North-American style RVs. | No |
Recharging
| AC charge 0-100%?Stated time for a full charge on mains power. | 78 min |
|---|---|
| Max solar input?Maximum solar power accepted at the input (PV panels). | 200 W |
| Accepted solar voltage?Panel voltage range compatible with the solar input. | 16 to 60 V |
| Max solar current?Maximum current accepted on the solar input. | 10.5 A |
| MPPT controllers?Number of independent MPPT solar inputs (yield optimisation). | 1 |
| Vehicle charging (12/24 V)?Can be charged from a vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket. | Yes |
| Pass-through charging?The unit can power devices while charging (pass-through). | Yes |
Ports and connectors
| USB-C ports?Number of USB-C ports and the fastest port's power (laptops, phones). | 2 × 100 W |
|---|---|
| USB-A ports?Number of USB-A ports and maximum power (small devices). | 1 × 18 W |
| 12 V output (car socket)?12 V cigarette-lighter output and its power (coolers, pumps…). | Yes (120 W) |
Portability
| Weight?Net weight of the unit, battery included. | 5.7 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (L × W × H)?Overall size of the unit in millimetres. | 311 × 205 × 157 mm |
| Form factor?Portable (hand-carried), transportable (heavy), or wheeled. | Portable |
| Wheels?Built-in wheels for moving the unit. | No |
| Telescopic handle?Retractable handle like a wheeled suitcase. | No |
Safety and environment
| Certifications?Standards and approvals obtained (CE, RoHS, UN38.3, UL…). | CE, UKCA, TÜV, SGS |
|---|---|
| Discharge temperature?Temperature range in which the unit can deliver power. | -20 to 45 °C |
| Charge temperature?Temperature range in which the unit can be recharged. | -20 to 45 °C |
Backup / UPS
| UPS / EPS mode?Automatic switch to battery on a mains outage (backup). | Yes |
|---|---|
| Switchover time (rated)?Delay before switching to battery; under 20 ms suits a PC or router. | 10 ms |
Noise and thermal
| Noise level (rated)?Manufacturer-stated noise; a quiet room is around 30 dB. | 28 dB(A) |
|---|---|
| Quiet mode?Setting that limits fan noise, often by capping charge power. | No |
| Self-heating battery?Battery pre-heating to allow charging in cold weather. | No |
Display and connectivity
| Display?Type of screen showing power, runtime and alerts. | LCD |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth?Bluetooth link for nearby control. | No |
| Wi-Fi?Wi-Fi connection for remote control and monitoring. | No |
| Mobile app?iOS / Android app to control the unit. | No |
| Local control (no cloud)?Control possible over Bluetooth without an account or internet. | No |
| Solar connector?Connector type of the solar input (XT60, Anderson, MC4…). | DC8020 |
Availability and warranty
| Market launch?Date the model first became available on the European market. Useful to place its generation: technology moves fast in this segment, and a device several years old may be at the end of its commercial life. | September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Warranty?Length of the manufacturer's warranty. | 5 years |
⚡ How long will this power station run a device?
With 512 Wh, the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 external battery runs a fridge (50 W) for ~8h40 or an LED TV (90 W) for ~4h50.
| Home | Runtime |
|---|---|
| Mini fridge (45 W) | ~9h40 |
| Refrigerator (50 W) | ~8h40 |
| Freezer (60 W) | ~7h15 |
| Dehumidifier (300 W) | ~1h25 |
| Outdoor & workshop | Runtime |
|---|---|
| LED lighting (10 W) | ~44h |
| Wi-Fi router (15 W) | ~29h |
| Nebulizer (100 W) | ~4h20 |
| E-bike (charging) (150 W) | ~2h55 |
Rough estimate: real consumption varies, and very power-hungry appliances (heating elements) must stay below the output power.
What is this power station best for?
-
Camping & Tent Ideal
With 512 Wh of LiFePO4 for just 5.7 kg, the Explorer 500 v2 is among the lightest of its capacity and carries one-handed right into the tent: it powers a cooler, lighting, a speaker and charging for the whole group over a long weekend, and its two 230 V outlets (500 W, 1000 W peak) allow a small kettle. Recharged in just 78 minutes from mains, it refills quickly, and its very quiet operation (28 dB) preserves the calm of the camp. Its battery rated for 6000 cycles, exceptional at this level, ensures a very long lifespan, season after season. An excellent balance of lightness, capacity and endurance for camping.
-
Remote work Ideal
The Explorer 500 v2 powers and protects a mobile workstation for a day: its 500 W output runs a computer, an external monitor and a router or 4G box, and its UPS function (10 ms switchover) shields the session from micro-cuts to prevent data loss. Its 512 Wh provide several hours of connectivity in a garden, a van or a co-working spot without an outlet, and its two 100 W USB-C ports recharge laptops and tablets along the way. Very light (5.7 kg) and quiet (28 dB), it carries effortlessly and goes unnoticed beside the desk. Its 78-minute recharge brings it back online quickly between meetings.
-
Health & CPAP Ideal
For a CPAP machine, the Explorer 500 v2 offers good therapy security: its 512 Wh cover several nights without the heated humidifier, more by running the device on 12 V rather than 230 V, and its UPS function (10 ms switchover) takes over instantly if power fails during sleep, without waking you or interrupting therapy. Its battery rated for 6000 cycles ensures a very long lifespan, a real asset for daily use. Quiet (28 dB) and light (5.7 kg), it fits at the bedside at home or travelling and recharges in 78 minutes each day. An excellent balance for anyone who depends on nightly respiratory therapy.
-
Road trip & Car Suitable
Light (5.7 kg) and car-rechargeable, the Explorer 500 v2 is a good road-trip companion: it keeps a cooler cold at stops, recharges cameras, a laptop and phones, and powers a light or a small camp appliance in the evening, without draining the vehicle’s battery. Its two 230 V outlets and 100 W USB-C ports cover the whole group, and its 78-minute recharge lets you set off charged after a short halt. Quiet (28 dB), it goes unnoticed in the cabin. For long successive nights off-grid, a solar or driving recharge extends its autonomy.
-
Photo & Video Suitable
On an outdoor shooting day, the Explorer 500 v2 makes a light, reliable power station: its 512 Wh replenish many mirrorless camera batteries, drone packs and mics, and its two 230 V outlets (500 W) run a small LED panel, a monitor or a fast charger, while its 100 W USB-C ports quickly fill an editing laptop. Quiet (28 dB), it stays discreet on sound takes, and at 5.7 kg it follows a light crew unnoticed. Its battery rated for 6000 cycles makes it a reliable reserve season after season.
-
Boating Suitable
Light (5.7 kg) and easy to stow in a locker or cabin, the Explorer 500 v2 brings a welcome mobile energy reserve at anchor: its 512 Wh cover an evening and a night of navigation electronics, lighting and device charging, without drawing on the boat’s circuit. Its LiFePO4 chemistry, safer and more stable than conventional lithium and rated for 6000 cycles, reassures in a marine environment, and its quiet operation (28 dB) preserves the calm aboard. Its UPS function secures electronics during a switchover. For several days at anchor with a permanent cooler, a higher capacity will be more relaxed.
-
Home & Power cuts Backup only
As a stopgap during an outage, the Explorer 500 v2 maintains the essential loads: its UPS function (10 ms switchover) takes over instantly to keep the internet box, router, phones and an LED light running, without a reboot. Its 512 Wh sustain these devices for a few hours, enough to stay connected and lit during a short-to-medium interruption. Best reserved for essential devices: it won’t run a fridge over time or a whole home. It is a reliable, quiet backup for micro-cuts, to be paired with a higher-capacity model for genuinely prolonged failures.
Our team's recommendations based on the model's capacity, output power and weight.
Compatible solar panels
A selection of photovoltaic panels that suit this station's solar input (up to 60V / 200W), best match first.
Comparison
How does the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 compare with rival compact stations?
| Criterion | Jackery Explorer 500 v2 | EcoFlow River 3 Plus | Bluetti EB3A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 512Wh | 286Wh | 268Wh |
| Power | 500W | 600W | 600W |
| Weight | 5.7 kg | 4.7 kg | 4.6 kg |
| Battery | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
In the compact category, the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 offers almost double the capacity (512Wh) of the EcoFlow River 3 Plus and the Bluetti EB3A, for barely more weight. Its rivals deliver slightly more power (600W), but the Jackery lasts noticeably longer, an asset for a camping weekend.
Related video
Video: Jackery Explorer 500 V2 Review | Big Upgrades to a Classic Power Station - Published on 04/10/2025
Our tester's review: Christophe Delpuech
The Explorer 500 v2 is the station you take without a second thought: at 5.7 kg, it slips into a backpack or under the van seat and carries in one hand like a small cooler. Despite its size, it puts out 500W continuously, enough to run an electric cool box, charge two phones, a drone and a laptop over a camping weekend without hitting zero. What we like most is the new LiFePO4 battery, far more durable than the lithium of older Explorers, and the express recharge: about an hour from a socket and you are off again. The two USB-C ports are handy for recent devices. You just have to keep its limits in mind: 500W is not enough for a kettle or an induction hob, which is not its purpose. For light off-grid use and top-ups, it is faultless, well finished and reassuring.
Frequently asked questions: Jackery Explorer 500 v2 portable power station 512Wh
With 500W and 512Wh, it powers an electric cool box, LED lighting, a fan, an internet router, and charges smartphones, tablets, drones and laptops. It is not suited to very demanding appliances like a kettle.
Just 5.7 kg, a body 27% more compact than the average station of equivalent capacity. It carries easily with one hand, which makes it an ideal station for camping and vanlife.
Its LiFePO4 battery is designed for up to 6000 charge cycles, a lifespan of up to 10 years in regular use. That is far more durable than the conventional lithium of older Explorers.
About 1 hr 20 (78 minutes) for a full charge from a wall socket, and one hour if a 100 W solar panel is added. It also accepts solar input, letting you recharge it off-grid while camping or in a van.
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