Jackery Explorer 500 v2: what it runs and for how long
The Jackery Explorer 500 v2 is a 512 Wh LiFePO4 portable power station with a 500 W inverter (1,000 W surge). It is the lightest of the 7 500–999 Wh models we track (12.6 lb). It meets our requirements for camping, carrying a CPAP on trips (light enough to pack) and UPS use with computers and routers, plus 1 more use.
What can the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 run, and for how long?
Combine loads in the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 runtime calculatorOn a full charge it runs a 12V compressor fridge for about 41 h and a CPAP machine for about 7.8 h.
What can’t the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 run?
The Jackery Explorer 500 v2 can't run a refrigerator or a chest freezer (start-up ~2,200 W, limit 1,000 W); a microwave or a well pump (needs 1,000 W, inverter is 500 W); a space heater or an electric kettle (needs 1,500 W, inverter is 500 W).
Who is the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 a good fit for?
The Jackery Explorer 500 v2 meets every requirement for 4 of the 14 uses we filter for.
- ✓Camping
- ✓Carrying a CPAP on trips (light enough to pack)
- ✓UPS use with computers and routers
- ✓A LiFePO4 station under $500
- ✕Fast solar charging · needs solar input ≥ 800 W; the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 has 200 W
- ✕Balcony solar and apartments · needs solar input ≥ 400 W; the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 has 200 W
How many amp-hours is the Jackery Explorer 500 v2?
Jackery doesn't publish the battery's voltage or amp-hours, only its capacity of 512 Wh. To compare it with a 12 V RV, marine or car battery, 512 Wh equals about 43 Ah at 12 V (Wh ÷ 12). Watt-hours are the better measure between power stations, because their batteries run at different voltages.
Can you add batteries to the Jackery Explorer 500 v2?
No. Jackery's spec page lists the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 as not expandable, so its 512 Wh is the most it will ever hold.
Can the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 work as a UPS?
Jackery lists a switchover time of 20 ms for the Jackery Explorer 500 v2, inside the 20 ms gap that the ITI (CBEMA) reference says typical computer equipment should ride through.
How fast does the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 recharge?
From a wall outlet it recharges in about 78 minutes in its fastest mode, per Jackery. From solar it needs about 3.4 hours of strong sun at its 200 W solar limit, with panels delivering 75% of their rating.
What are the Jackery Explorer 500 v2's full specifications?
These figures come from Jackery's official US page, checked 2026-10-18. "Not published" marks specs Jackery doesn't publish.
| Capacity | 512 Wh |
|---|---|
| Battery voltage | Not published |
| Battery amp-hours | Not published |
| 12 V equivalent | about 43 Ah (calculated: Wh ÷ 12) |
| Battery chemistry | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycles | Not published |
| AC output (continuous) | 500 W |
| AC surge | 1,000 W |
| AC outlets | 2 |
| Max USB-C output | 100 W |
| Max solar input | 200 W |
| Max AC charging input | 550 W |
| AC charge time (fastest mode) | 78 min |
| Expandable | No |
| Max with extra batteries | Not published |
| UPS switchover | 20 ms |
| Weight | 12.6 lb |
| Dimensions | 12.2 × 8.1 × 6.2 in |
| List price | $399 |
How does the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 rank against other 500–999 Wh power stations?
Among the 7 current 500–999 Wh models, the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 is in the top third for weight and UPS switchover and in the bottom third for AC output and solar input.
| Spec | Jackery Explorer 500 v2 | Rank in band | vs band median | vs band leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 512 Wh | 5th of 7 | -24% | -49% vs Goal Zero Yeti 1000 |
| AC output | 500 W | 6th of 7 | -38% | -75% vs Goal Zero Yeti 1000 |
| Surge | 1,000 W | 3rd of 5 | level | -72% vs Goal Zero Yeti 1000 |
| Solar input | 200 W | 5th of 6 | -9% | -78% vs Goal Zero Yeti 1000 |
| AC charging | 550 W | 5th of 7 | -17% | -61% vs BLUETTI Pioneer Na |
| Rated cycles | Not published | — | — | — |
| Weight | 12.6 lb | 1st of 7 | -31% | leads the band |
| UPS switchover | 20 ms | 2nd of 6 | level | +33% vs Goal Zero Yeti 1000 |
| Wh per list $ | 1.28 | 3rd of 7 | +25% | -25% vs EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max |
Who should not buy the Jackery Explorer 500 v2?
Skip the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 if any of these describe you; each comes from its published specs.
- You may want more battery later. The Jackery Explorer 500 v2 isn't listed as expandable. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus (286 Wh) accepts extra batteries.
- You want to run a kettle, microwave or space heater. Its 500 W inverter is below the 1,000 W or more our cited figures give for each of them. The BLUETTI Pioneer Na delivers 1,500 W.
How long does the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 last at different loads?
About 435 Wh reaches the AC outlets, so a steady 100 W load runs for about 4.4 h and a load at its full 500 W rating for about 52 minutes.
| Steady AC load | Runtime from full |
|---|---|
| 25 W | 17 h |
| 50 W | 8.7 h |
| 100 W | 4.4 h |
| 200 W | 2.2 h |
| 300 W | 1.5 h |
| 500 W | 52 min |
How many hours of sun does the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 need to refill?
With panels delivering 75% of their rating (our calculator's default), the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 needs the hours of strong sun below. Its 200 W solar limit caps the charge rate, so panels beyond about 267 W add nothing in strong sun.
| Panels | Charge rate | Sun hours to refill |
|---|---|---|
| 100 W of panels | 75 W | 6.8 h |
| 200 W of panels | 150 W | 3.4 h |
| 400 W of panels | 200 W | 2.6 h |
| 800 W of panels | 200 W | 2.6 h |
What can the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 run at the same time?
The Jackery Explorer 500 v2 can carry 2 of the 10 common pairs we check at once, with the runtimes below. It can't carry refrigerator + Wi-Fi router / modem, refrigerator + chest freezer, refrigerator + microwave oven, refrigerator + electric kettle, window air conditioner + refrigerator, sump pump + refrigerator, space heater + Wi-Fi router / modem and microwave oven + electric kettle: together they pass its running or start-up limit.
| Together | Runtime from full |
|---|---|
| CPAP with heated humidifier + Wi-Fi router / modem | 5.7 h |
| TV + Wi-Fi router / modem | 3.1 h |
Which Jackery Explorer 500 v2 specs are unpublished or conditional?
Jackery doesn't publish these specs for the Jackery Explorer 500 v2: rated cycles.
How does the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 compare with similar power stations?
By capacity, the nearest models from other brands are EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max, DJI Power 500 and Goal Zero Yeti 500.
Which models from other brands are closest in size?
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max
DJI Power 500
Goal Zero Yeti 500Which other Jackery models are similar?
How this page was made. Specs come from each manufacturer's official US spec page or manual, checked on the date shown; specs a manufacturer doesn't publish are marked "Not published". Runtimes are calculated (capacity × 85% inverter efficiency ÷ appliance draw), not measured. We haven't hands-on tested these units. Method and sources · Affiliate disclosure