Portable power stations have become increasingly popular for outdoor enthusiasts, emergency preparedness, and off-grid living. These compact devices allow you to power and charge your electronics on-the-go using an internal battery pack. Two of the most popular portable power station brands are Bluetti and Jackery.
In this comparison guide, we’ll be looking at two of their mid-range models aimed at reasonable power needs – the Bluetti EB70 and the Jackery Explorer 300. Both offer lithium-ion battery packs around 700Wh with multiple output ports to run and charge your gear. They work well for camping trips, RVs, emergency backup power, and small home use.
The Bluetti EB70 and Jackery Explorer 300 have similarities, but also some key differences that are worth considering when deciding between the two. In this guide, we’ll break down their specs, features, performance, and price comparison.
Bluetti EB70 Overview
The Bluetti EB70 is one of the larger and more powerful portable power stations in its class. It packs a 716Wh lithium-ion battery with a 700W pure sine wave AC inverter, allowing it to power more devices than smaller models.
Some key specs and capabilities of the Bluetti EB70 include:
- Battery Capacity: 716Wh lithium-ion battery
- Power Output: 700W continuous, 1400W surge
- Ports: 1x 100W USB-C, 1x 15W USB-A, 1x DC5521, 2x AC outlets
- Fast Charging: Can charge to 80% in 50 minutes when using 200W input
- Wireless Charging: Built-in 15W Qi wireless charging pad on top
- Design: Sturdy but compact size of 9.6 x 8.1 x 11.5 inches. Weighs 16.5 lbs. Rubberized grip handle. Digital display shows battery level and output wattage.
- Features: LCD touchscreen controls, LED flashlight, includes car charger cable. Rugged and splash-proof.
With its large battery capacity and 700W AC inverter, the Bluetti EB70 can easily power appliances like mini-fridges, CPAP machines, blenders, and small medical devices. It charges quickly and has multiple ways to recharge including solar. The built-in wireless charging pad is perfect for keeping phones and earbuds topped up. Overall an excellent balance of power and portability.
Overview of the Jackery Explorer 300
The Jackery Explorer 300 is a portable power station designed for portable power on the go. It features a 293Wh lithium-ion battery capacity, 300 watts pure sine wave AC power output, and a compact, lightweight design.
Battery Capacity
The Explorer 300 has a 293Wh lithium-ion battery capacity. This gives it enough power to charge smartphones over 20 times, a camera over 10 times, or run small appliances like mini-fridges for several hours. The battery can be recharged from 0-80% in just 1.6 hours.
Power Output
This model can output 300 watts of continuous, pure sine wave AC power from its AC outlet. This “clean” power is safe for powering sensitive electronics like laptops, cameras, and mobile devices. There’s also a 12V DC output for powering or charging DC devices.
Ports
For charging, the Explorer 300 has a variety of ports including 1x 60W USB-C PD, 2x 15W USB-A ports, a 12V car port, and dual 15W wireless charging pads. This allows you to charge up to 8 devices simultaneously.
Compact Size & Weight
Weighing just 6.6 lbs, the Explorer 300 is designed for easy portability. It measures 9.1 x 5.2 x 7.8 inches, small enough to fit in a backpack or carry bag. The compact size makes it ideal for camping, road trips, travel, or as an emergency power source at home.
Design & Features
The Explorer 300 has a clean, minimalist design with an easy-to-read digital display showing battery level and output status. It includes built-in LED flashlights and is rugged enough for outdoor use with an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. An included car charger cable allows recharging from your vehicle.
Power Comparison
The Bluetti EB70 and Jackery Explorer 300 have some key differences when it comes to power output and capabilities.
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The Bluetti EB70 has a larger 716Wh lithium-ion battery capacity compared to the Jackery Explorer 300’s 304Wh.
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In terms of power output, the Bluetti EB70 can deliver 600W continuously and has a 700W surge capacity. The Jackery Explorer 300 has a lower 300W continuous output with a 500W surge capacity.
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Both models have dual AC outlets, but the EB70’s pure sine wave inverter can handle larger appliances up to 1800W. The Explorer 300 has a modified sine wave inverter suitable for items under 300W.
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For charging small devices, the EB70 has four USB-A ports, a 60W USB-C port, and supports wireless charging up to 15W. The Explorer 300 has just two regular USB ports.
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The Bluetti can recharge from 0-80% in around 50 minutes with 200W input. A full recharge takes about 2 hours. The Jackery needs 7-8 hours for a 0-100% charge.
So in summary, the Bluetti EB70 has significantly more power capacity and output capability making it better for high drain devices. But the Jackery Explorer 300 still provides sufficient wattage for basic needs like phones, laptops, fans, and small appliances in a lighter package.
Ports Comparison
The Bluetti EB70 and Jackery Explorer 300 have different port configurations to meet various power needs.
The Bluetti EB70 has:
- 1x 100W USB-C port
- 2x 15W USB-A ports
- 1x Wireless charging pad
In contrast, the Jackery Explorer 300 has:
- 1x 100W USB-C port
- 2x USB-A ports
The Bluetti EB70 provides more ports for charging multiple devices simultaneously. It has dedicated USB-A ports rated for 15W charging, whereas Jackery does not specify the power output of its USB-A ports.
Additionally, the EB70 is the only model of the two that includes a built-in wireless charging pad. You can simply place any Qi-compatible device like a smartphone on top of the unit to charge wirelessly.
In summary, the Bluetti EB70 offers more total ports, higher-powered USB-A ports, and wireless charging capabilities compared to the Jackery Explorer 300. Those needing to charge multiple devices at once or take advantage of wireless charging would benefit more from the EB70.
Design Comparison
When it comes to design and build, the Jackery Explorer 300 has a clear edge over the Bluetti EB70. The Jackery Explorer 300 measures just 9.1 x 5.9 x 7.8 inches and weighs only 6.6 lbs. By comparison, the Bluetti EB70 has larger dimensions of 10.14 x 7.08 x 8.66 inches and is noticeably heavier at 9.26 lbs.
The Jackery Explorer 300’s smaller size and lower weight make it more portable and easier to take on camping trips or use in other outdoor scenarios where compactness is beneficial. Despite its petite size, the Jackery Explorer 300 still feels very durable with its hard plastic shell. The Bluetti EB70 is well-built too, but its larger frame can make it more cumbersome to move around.
When it comes to aesthetics, the Jackery Explorer 300 sports a clean, minimalist look with its white shell and light green accents. The Bluetti EB70 goes for a slightly more industrial vibe with its black exterior and orange trim. This gives it some additional visual flair compared to the pared-down Jackery design.
Overall, the Jackery Explorer 300 excels in the compactness and portability department. Its lighter frame and smaller size make it the better choice for RV owners, van-lifers, and anyone who values easy maneuverability. The Bluetti EB70 offers greater power capacity but at the expense of being bulkier. So it comes down to whether mobility or maximum runtime is the higher priority.
Features Comparison
Both the Bluetti EB70 and Jackery Explorer 300 have some handy features beyond just power output.
Lights and Screens
The Bluetti EB70 has a bright LED flashlight built in with high, low, and SOS modes. It also has an LCD screen to monitor power usage and battery life.
The Jackery Explorer 300 lacks a built-in flashlight but does have a basic LCD screen.
Companion Apps
Bluetti has a companion app that lets you monitor power usage, change settings, and run diagnostics on your EB70. You can also use the app to control multiple Bluetti devices.
Jackery’s Explorer app gives you basic monitoring and control functions but doesn’t offer as much customization as Bluetti’s app.
Other Features
The EB70 supports wireless charging with the addition of Bluetti’s wireless transmitter module. It also has more ports overall, including USB-C Power Delivery.
The Explorer 300 doesn’t offer wireless charging capabilities or as many output ports. But it does include a basic MPPT controller for solar charging.
Overall the Bluetti EB70 has more bells and whistles, while the Jackery Explorer 300 focuses on core functionality in a more compact package. Both provide the key features most users will want in a portable power station.
Pricing
The Bluetti EB70 currently retails for $499, while the Jackery Explorer 300 has an MSRP of $299. However, there are some cheaper alternatives worth considering:
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Anker PowerHouse 200 ($249) – Not as compact or feature-rich but a solid budget portable power station with 200Wh capacity.
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EcoFlow River ($229) – Small and lightweight at 10 pounds with 288Wh capacity. No wireless charging and less output power.
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Rockpals 300W Power Station ($279) – Very affordable with lots of ports but only 250Wh battery capacity.
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PowerOak Bluetti EB150 ($219) – Basic model lacking advanced features but provides 150Wh capacity.
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Maxoak Bluetti EB150 ($160) – Similar entry-level model with 150Wh battery but a lower price point.
When it comes to alternatives, you’ll have to balance size, weight, capacity, features and price. The Bluetti EB70 and Jackery 300 offer more power and features but also cost more. You can save money with the budget options above while still getting decent performance.
Conclusion
When it comes to affordable and compact portable power stations, both the Bluetti EB70 and the Jackery Explorer 300 offer great performance. However, after comparing the two, the Bluetti EB70 emerges as the winner for most use cases.
With a larger 716Wh lithium battery, the Bluetti EB70 offers almost double the capacity of the Jackery Explorer 300. This translates to more power output, with 700W from Bluetti versus just 300W from Jackery. The extra capacity means you can power more devices for longer. With fast charging capabilities, the EB70 also recharges fuller and quicker.
The Jackery Explorer 300’s main advantages are its lighter weight design at just 6.6 pounds, versus 16.5 pounds for the Bluetti model. If you value maximum portability, the Jackery may be the better choice. However, the EB70 is still portable enough for most applications like camping or emergency backup power.
Overall, the superior performance of the Bluetti EB70 makes it the clear winner in this head-to-head comparison. Unless you absolutely require an ultra-lightweight design, the Bluetti model is highly recommended for its abundance of power and versatile charging and output capabilities.
We invite you to share your experiences with either of these portable power stations by leaving a review below. Your feedback helps others make informed buying decisions. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us anytime.