Jackery 1000 Plus Review: Is This Portable Power Perfected?
Today, we’re going to take an in-depth look at the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus, a relatively new portable power station that launched with plenty of hype.
Jackery has been a staple brand in the portable power world for a while now, but this new power station represents a significant redesign of an older model that we think has been long overdue.
Although it looks good on paper, we wanted to actually decide for ourselves whether it was a hit or a miss. To give it a fair shake, we examined the specs, ran it through a few tests, and came up with our own unbiased conclusions. So, with its sleek looks, powerful specs, and portable design, is the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus actually one of the best portable power stations out there? Let’s find out!
Our First Impressions: A Portable Powerhouse
In terms of its appearance, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus is a real beauty. It’s sleek, modern, and more compact than many of the previous models Jackery released. Weighing in at just 32 pounds, this unit is light enough to be genuinely portable and potentially even backpack friendly.
Despite its portable and lightweight design, it doesn’t really make any sacrifices when it comes to power. It’s equipped with a solid 1,264Wh internal battery and a 2,000W pure sine wave inverter, which means it can handle most of your power needs. Whether you're camping, working remotely, or just looking for a source of backup power during emergencies and blackouts, it’s powerful enough to be a really practical option.
One of the standout features is the unit’s expandable battery capacity. You can add up to three additional batteries, bringing the total capacity to a whopping 5,000Wh. This makes the Jackery 1000 Plus a versatile choice, suitable for both short trips and more extended off-grid adventures. When it’s fully expanded, it can also act as a fairly significant source of backup power for residential applications.
We’ve reviewed far more expensive and bulky power stations that aren’t compatible with expansion batteries, so this really is a huge feature!
Breakdown of Specs
Before we get into our own tests and discuss how this unit performed, let’s take a look at the key specs according to Jackery:
Battery Capacity: 1,264Wh LiFePO4 Battery (Expandable up to 5,000Wh)
Power Inverter: 2,000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter
Weight: 32 lbs
Charging Options:
- AC Wall Outlet: 1.7 Hours to Fully AC Charge
- Solar: 800W Max Solar Input (2 hours with the right solar panel setup)
Output Ports:
- x2 USB-A Ports
- x2 USB-C Ports
- x3 110V AC Outlets
- x1 12V DC Car Outlet
As you can see just from the specs, the Jackery 1000 Plus was designed to be really versatile. Whether you’re charging your phone, running a fridge, or powering lights, it should have you covered. Plus, if you choose to purchase it as part of a bundle, it will come with Jackery’s foldable solar panels, which have a solid reputation for being able to supply power on the go.
With all of that said, we’re never happy just taking a brand’s word for it when it comes to analyzing specs, which is why we gave this thing a thorough examination and ran it through our own tests to see how it actually holds up in real-world situations.
Our Thoughts on the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus
After testing out the Jackery 1000 Plus, here’s what we really liked about it:
Design and Functionality: Sleek and Practical
Jackery’s redesign really shines with the 1000 Plus. The unit has a compact, modern look that feels both sturdy and pretty high-end. The handle is also ergonomic, with a rubber grip that makes it comfortable to carry. The handle also folds away neatly, allowing for easy stacking if you’re using it with the expansion batteries. This isn’t something that should be taken for granted – plenty of power stations have garbage handles that force you to painfully jam your fingers when you’re using them.
Another one of the first things we noticed about the 1000 Plus was just how lightweight it feels. We knew it was just 32 pounds, but it’s impressive just how easy it is to transport. In our always-popular “Tiny Baby Lift Test”, even a tiny baby could curl this thing.
Basically, it’s light, portable, and ready to go wherever you need power.
The Performance: Real Power, No Matter Where You Need It
So, how does the Jackery 1000 Plus actually perform with real-world demands? In a word: beautifully.
With a 2,000W inverter, it can handle a variety of tasks, from powering a set of LED lights for over 10 hours to running countertop appliances, like a microwave, for hours at a time, it just handles the basics extremely well.
We also used it to supply power to an ICECO Portable Fridge, which pulled about 45W when we plugged it into the 1000 Plus. We figured this was exactly the type of thing most people wish they had when they went camping, but probably wouldn’t have a way to power it. The 1000 Plus handled it with ease. If you’re sick of buying bags of ice to keep your drinks cold when you’re out camping, this combination is perfect.
In addition to solid output power, we found that the charging capabilities were also impressive. You can fully charge the unit in less than two hours by plugging it into a standard wall outlet, and with its 800W solar input rating, you can get a decent charge from the sun in just a few hours.
For us, it’s the versatility of the unit that really stands out as its top selling point. Supporting so many plug-in methods means you can easily power a wide range of devices and appliances without having to fiddle around with adapters or a power bar.
Again, just like Jackery advertised, the 1000 Plus really is an excellent option for camping trips, outdoor events, and backup power during outages.
Testing the Solar Panels: The Perfect Pair
The 1000 Plus we tested came bundled with two of Jackery’s SolarSaga 100 Foldable Solar Panels. These make an excellent companion for the 1000 Plus. Not only are compact and highly portable, they’re easy to set up and impressively efficient. When paired with the Jackery 1000 Plus, the two SolarSaga 100 Solar Panels were easily able to pull in 180 watts of solar power, even in the less-than-ideal conditions we tested them in.
The panels themselves are really well-designed, with a magnetically sealed case that makes them easy to carry and store. They also come with built-in USB-C and USB-A ports, allowing you to charge devices directly from the panels without needing the power station. This is a game-changer for off-grid adventurers who want to keep their devices charged without having to worry about carrying extra gear, or a full-sized power station.
The Jackery App: Simple Yet Effective
Jackery’s app for the 1000 Plus is simple but effective. It allows you to control various settings remotely, like toggling between fast and quiet charging modes, or adjusting the display screen’s brightness and timeout settings. The app is also really responsive, with virtually no lag, so it’s easy to monitor and control your power station from your phone.
It’s also worth mentioning that the interface is really straightforward, showing only the essential information—input and output levels. It’s not cluttered with unnecessary information and useless features, making it easy for even the least tech-savvy people to use.
What Didn’t We Love About the 1000 Plus?
If you’ve been reading our reviews for a while now, you probably know that no product is perfect. The Jackery 1000 Plus is no exception.
The screen, while alright for the basics, could be better. It just lacks some of the more detailed readouts that some other power stations offer.
Another minor gripe is the price. At roughly $1,200, the Jackery 1000 Plus isn’t exactly cheap. While it offers a lot of features, it’s worth noting that there are other units on the market that provide similar battery capacities for less money. With that said, the build quality, ease of use, and even just Jackery’s brand reputation do help to justify the cost.
So, Do We Think You Should Buy It?
Is the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus worth your money? Well, it depends.
If you’re looking for a reliable and portable power station that offers expandable storage capacity, a user-friendly design, plenty of solid features, and is compatible with high-quality folding solar panels, then yes, it’s definitely worth considering. As we said from the beginning, it’s a versatile unit that would perform well in a wide range of scenarios.
However, if you’re on a tight budget, or you just need more power, there are other options on the market that might be a better fit. Units like the EcoFlow DELTA Power Station or the Anker F2600 offer similar or improved specs at comparable price points.
Our Final Thoughts
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus really is a well-rounded, high-quality power station that actually lives up to its reputation. It’s portable, powerful, and packed with features that make it a top choice for those in need of reliable power on the go.
While it’s not the cheapest option out there, its performance and build quality make it a solid investment for anyone who is serious about portable power. Overall, it gets two thumbs up from us, especially if you pair it with the right solar panels.
🛒 Shop for the Jackery 1000 Plus:
Shop Solar: https://shopsolarkits.com/products/ja...
Use Code: THESOLARLAB for $101 Off Your Order Over $2,000
Jackery: https://shrsl.com/4dwvz
❄️ We Also Recommend the ICECO Portable Fridge:
ICECO: https://icecofreezer.com/THESOLARLAB
Use Code: THESOLARLAB for 12% Off!