Bluetti vs Jackery Explorer Power Stations: In-depth Comparison

Jackery and Bluetti are two of the most popular solar generators on the market. Both have their strengths and drawbacks, so it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.

In this article, I’ll compare these two brands side-by-side to help you make a decision. What’s more, I have picked the best models in every budget category to make your shopping even easier.

Brand Reputation

Both Bluetti and Jackery are in the power station space for a long time, have tens of thousands of reviews and offer great customer service. They both sell power stations and solar panels but Bluetti offers expandable batteries and more advanced accessories.

As of the publishing date, Bluetti has 10 battery generators (see the whole catalog here) whereas Jackery has 11 generators (see the catalog here). Their products are available on their official sites as well as major eCommerce sites like Amazon.

From what I’ve heard, Jackery’s quality is exceptional and the amount of reviews their products have on Amazon reflects that. Their customer service is immaculate. But their products are not as feature packed/advanced as Bluetti’s. The customer service of Bluetti is good too but I have heard about a couple of instances where the users had to wait for a long time to get their issues fixed. So, keep that in mind.

Here’s what we’ll compare (click on the links to skip directly to that section):

We’ll use the following outline in all categories:

• First impressions
• Portability
• Battery capacity and power
• Recharge times

I’ll also give my verdict at the end of every comparison, based on experience and a summary of the features.

1. Entry level (priced around $200) – Jackery Explorer 240 vs. Bluetti EB3A

In this category, it’s all about saving as much as you can while still getting as much power as batteries in this category have to offer.

PREVIEW	PRODUCT
	Jackery Exp 240	See on Jackery See on Amazon
	Bluetti EB3A	See on Bluetti See on Amazon

What’s in the box?

Jackery Explorer 240:

• One Jackery Explorer 240
• One AC adaptor and cable
• One car charger cable
• One user manual

Bluetti EB3A:

• One EB3A power station
• One solar charging cable
• One AC charging cable
• One QC card
• One warranty card
• One user manual

First impressions

While often deceiving, first glances can give a pretty good indication of quality. The Bluetti EB3A looks and feels like a much more expensive product. It has a solid build, a sleek and compact design, an informative LCD display, and well-thought-out ports.

The Jackery Explorer 240 is also well-built and has a decent design, but it doesn’t look as premium as the Bluetti EB3A. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the Bluetti power station is a tad heavier. That said, here is a quick breakdown of the main features:

Portability

A portable power station is ideally not supposed to be hefty. The Jackery Explorer 240, at 6.6lbs, is one of the lightest power stations in its class. The Bluetti EB3A, on the other hand, tips the scales at 10.14lbs. So, if portability would be our only consideration, we’d be safe with the Jackery.

Battery capacity and power

The Bluetti EB3A has a slightly larger capacity at 268.8Wh compared to the Jackery Explorer 240’s 240Wh. However, this difference is negligible, and you’re not likely to notice it in real-world usage.

In terms of power output, the Bluetti EB3A slightly edges out the competition with a peak AC output of 1200W compared to the Jackery’s 4000W. So, if you need to run high-powered devices, the Bluetti EB3A is a better option.

Recharge times

The Bluetti battery station can be recharged in about 1.8 hours from a wall outlet and about 3.7 hours from a car charger. The Jackery power station, on the other hand, will require about 5.5 hours to get to full charge from a wall outlet and about 6.5 hours via a car charger. So, the Bluetti takes the lead when it comes to recharging times.

Verdict: Which is the better buy?

With all the perks that the Bluetti EB3A offers, it is the better pick in this category. It’s a more practical, more powerful solution to your portable power needs. The one problem that I found with the unit is that customers on Amazon claim that the Bluetti team is quite sluggish in addressing customer complaints and concerns.

2. Low range (around $500) – Jackery Explorer 500 vs. Bluetti EB55

If you feel that the first category was a little too limiting in terms of power output and you’re willing to pay a bit more, this is the category for you.

In this category, we’ll be looking at two very capable power stations: The Jackery Explorer 500 and the Bluetti EB55.

PREVIEW	PRODUCT
	Jackery Exp 500	See on Jackery See on Amazon
	Bluetti EB55	See on Bluetti See on Amazon

What’s in the box?

Jackery Explorer 500

• One Jackery Explorer 500 unit
• One AC adapter and a charging cable
• One car charger cable
• One user manual

Bluetti EB55

• One Bluetti EB55 power station
• One AC adapter with a charging cable
• One solar charging cable
• One car charging cable
• One user manual
• One warranty card

First impressions

Just like in the previous category, Bluetti seems to have an edge in terms of design and build quality. The EB55 has a slightly more premium look compared to the Explorer 500.

One thing that I quickly noted, however, is that its information display panel is slightly less appealing and less detailed than the Bluetti in the previous category. Going on to the main features, here is a quick comparison:

Portability

If a light and portable power station is what you’re after, you might want to go with the Jackery Explorer 500. It weighs in at 13.32lbs, while the Bluetti EB55 is a tad heavier at 16.5lbs.

Battery capacity and power

Every time I come across a heavier battery station, it’s highly likely that it has a larger capacity. That’s exactly the case with the Bluetti EB55. It has a 537Wh battery capacity, while the Jackery Explorer 500 has a total capacity of 518Wh.

Recharge times

One more crucial factor that comes to play when selecting a power station is the recharge time. Besides, what’s the point of having a large capacity if it takes forever to recharge?

The Bluetti EB55, while having a larger battery capacity, can be recharged in about 3.0 hours from a wall outlet and 6.1 hours from a 12V car charger. Here’s a quick comparison with the Jackery Explorer 500:

So, which one should you go for?

The Bluetti EB55 seems to be the better pick in this category. It has a larger capacity, faster recharge times, and more ports as well as charging options. However, there are a few quirks that you should keep in mind.

First, the AC adapter has a fan that runs at full speed whenever it’s connected, not to mention that it’s not exactly energy efficient since it requires 238W to supply 200W.

Second, the drop-out voltage of the DC MPPT input is quite high at 12V, which makes most car adapter power sources charge quite slowly. For a more reliable charging wattage, the charging port in your car should produce at least 14.6V.

Nonetheless, I felt that the EB55 is still the better pick in this category.

3. Mid range (around $900) – Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro vs. Bluetti EB70S | MOST POPULAR

This is the standard range for most power banks. It is neither too small nor too big. This range is most apt to satisfy the majority of your needs.

In this category, we’ll be looking at: The Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro and the Bluetti EB70S.

PREVIEW	PRODUCT
	Jackery Exp 1000 P	See on Jackery See on Amazon
	Bluetti EB70 S	See on Bluetti See on Amazon

What’s in the Box

Jackery Explorer 1000:

• 1 Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro
• 1 Car Charge Cable
• 1 AC Charge Cable 
• 1 DC7909 to DC8020 Adapter 
• User Manual

Bluetti EB70S:

• EB70S portable power station
• AC adapter + charging cable
• 1 Car charging cable
• 1 Solar charging cable
• User manual
• Warranty card
• Certificate

First Impression

I was blown away by the sturdy build and appealing design of both. Jackery comes in a standard black and orange color scheme. While Bluetti has a variety of Solid colors to choose from.

Find the number of ports and their power rating in the below table.

To be frank, any of the two power stations is no doubt a must-have partner for campers, hikers, and people living off the grid. You’ll never run out of power, even if you experience power outages out of the blue.

Portability

Regarding portability, Jackery 1000 Pro feels slightly cumbersome, weighing around 25.4 lbs. while Bluetti EB70S only weighs 21.41 lbs., making it easier to carry around. The difference isn’t noticeable as such, but the latter emerges victorious in this area.

Battery capacity and power

As you can see, Jackery outperforms the Bluetti both in power, surge and battery capacity. The Jackery 1000 Pro boasts a power capacity of 1000W, outclassing the Bluetti EB70S’s capacity, which is rated at 800W.

Surge capacity helps you to use power devices at least for a short amount of time. The Bluetti’s peak power is 1400W, whereas Jackery offers a 2000W surge to give you an extra push if you need to power some intense appliances when necessary.

Also, Jackery’s internal battery has a capacity of 1002Wh against 716Wh for the Bluetti which helps you power the devices for a longer duration.

If you are a camper, Explorer 1000 Pro is your thing. I can keep my appliances running and devices charging for many hours without running out. 

Charging

There are multiple ways to charge both Bluetti and Jackery. Find the different ways and approximate charging time in the below table.

Car charging is super helpful when you are on a trip and both power stations have you covered. The units are thereby worth your time. Also, Jackery 1000 Pro has a lesser charge time compared to EB70s.

So, which one should you go for?

The answer isn’t as simple as most of you would think. Both Jackery 1000 Pro and Bluetti EB70S are almost similar, with Jackery providing more power/battery capacity whereas EB70s provides more ports and a higher battery cycle.

It’s advisable to consider the following aspects while you purchase one for yourself;

Buy Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro If:

• You like to have more power, battery, and surge capacity
• You need support for car charging
• You want high AC output power

Exp 1000 Pro: Check Best Price

Buy Bluetti EB70S if:

• You want a lightweight and portable power generator
• You need a lot of output ports

EB70S: Check Best Price

4. Top Range (around $3000) – Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro vs. Bluetti AC200MAX

The mid-range wasn’t enough for you, huh? Well, in this category, we’ll be looking at two of the most powerful portable power stations in this list: The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro and the Bluetti AC200MAX.

PREVIEW	PRODUCT
	Jackery Exp 2000 P	See on Jackery See on Amazon
	Bluetti AC200 Max	See on Bluetti See on Amazon

What’s in the box?

Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro:

• One Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro unit
• One car charger cable
• One AC charger cable
• One user guide

Bluetti AC200MAX:

• One Bluetti AC200MAX power station
• One AC Adapter and charging cable
• One PV charging cable
• One multi-functional aviation cable
• One car charging cable
• One user manual
• One QC certificate
• One warranty card

You can also get the following optional accessories

• One lead-acid battery charging clamp
• One AC input connector
• One D300S PV step-down module
• One 12V/30A output bundle
• Up to 2 B230 extension battery modules (extra 2048Wh for each)
• Up to 2 B300 extension battery modules (extra 3072Wh for each)

First impressions

As expected, both of these stations came in rather large and heavy packages. The Bluetti AC200MAX weighs a whopping 61.9lbs, while the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro isn’t too far behind at 43lbs. But again, that’s the price you have to pay for having a large capacity.

In terms of looks, both units give off a very industrial vibe. Both feature a sleek, minimalist design with less-invasive graphics. I liked the overall design of the Bluetti AC200MAX better, mainly because of the black and ice blue theme.

But if the only consideration was the port layout, I’d say Jackery did a somewhat better job. As for the main features, the following comparison table says a lot:

Portability

Weight is the biggest concern when it comes to portability. As mentioned before, the Bluetti AC200MAX weighs 61.9lbs, while the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro is 43lbs.

With that being said, both units come with built-in handles that make them easier to carry around. If portability is your main concern, in this case, I’d say the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro is the better pick.

Battery capacity and power

Remember when I mentioned something about the weight of a battery station in relation to the capacity? Well, in this case, Jackery worked hard to prove my theory wrong.

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro has a 2160Wh capacity, while the Bluetti AC200MAX comes in at 2048Wh. What’s more, both battery stations have a similar continuous power output of 2200W. This came as a surprise to me, considering the weight difference.

And even though the capacity of the Bluetti power station is expandable, you’d just be adding more weight to an already heavy unit.

Expandable battery setup for Bluetti AC200MAX

Recharging times

The recharging time is another area that had me slightly upset. I expected that Bluetti would make up for the lower capacity with faster recharging times, but that wasn’t the case, as you can see below:

So, which would be the better pick?

In this case, there are several factors to consider. If you’re looking for a portable power station with the longest lifetime, then the Bluetti AC200MAX is the better pick. However, if you’re looking for a power station that’s easier to carry around, then the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro is the way to go.

You’d also want to consider the price. With Bluetti’s unit being slightly cheaper, it sorts of makes up for the few letdowns. Besides, the customer reviews for both units are pretty good, so you can’t go wrong with either one.

In the end, it all comes down to your needs and preferences.

5. Whole Home Backup/Industry Range (priced over $5000)

Currently, Jackery does not offer any expandable or whole home power station. Although you can use Explorer 2000 Pro to power up most devices, it still cannot support HVACs or similar power-hungry devices.

On the other hand, Bluetti has a fleet of products specially made for whole-home backup. Their EP500 and EP500Pro are perfect for any average house in the US. On top of that, you can add additional batteries or combine multiple generators for a much higher backup. Their capacity goes up to 5000+ Wh.

Preview	Product
	BLUETTI Solar Power Station EP500, 5100Wh LiFePO4 Battery Backup...	Check Price

Preview	Product
	BLUETTI Expandable Power Station AC300 and B300 External Battery...	Check Price

If you want to go even higher, you can get their AC300 Inverter Module Generator and add some B300 batteries. With this, you can achieve a capacity of 18,000 Wh. This is insane. These generators can be used as UPS systems too.

Last update on 2022-11-25 / Links / Images from Amazon PAAPI