Jackery offers a range of portable power stations that can provide electricity on-the-go for outdoor adventures, emergencies, or as a backup power source at home. The Explorer 240 and Explorer 300 models are two of Jackery’s most popular mid-sized portable power stations. This article compares the key features and specs of the Jackery Explorer 240 and Jackery Explorer 300 to help you decide which is the best fit for your needs.
The Jackery Explorer 240 and 300 are lightweight, compact lithium battery stations designed to provide portable power for charging and running small appliances, electronics, and tools. With a capacity of 240 watt-hours and 293 watt-hours respectively, they can recharge phones, tablets, and laptops multiple times, run mini-fridges, fans, lights and other small devices. Both feature AC outlets, multiple USB ports, an easy-carry handle, and can be recharged from a wall outlet, car, or solar panel.
While the Explorer 240 and 300 share many similarities, the Explorer 300 packs some additional power capacity, faster charging speeds, and more outlet options. Below we’ll compare the battery life, output wattage, ports availability, recharging speeds, ideal use cases and price to help determine which model is the better match.
Battery Capacity
The Jackery Explorer 240 and Explorer 300 have different battery capacities, which impacts how long they can power devices before needing a recharge.
The Explorer 240 has a 240 watt-hour (240Wh) battery capacity. This gives it an estimated runtime of:
- 6-7 hours for a 60W load like a small appliance or CPAP machine
- 9-10 hours for a 30W load like a desk fan or light
- 12-14 hours for a 15W load like a phone or tablet
The Explorer 300 has a larger 293 watt-hour (293Wh) battery capacity. This translates to an estimated runtime of:
- 7-9 hours for a 60W appliance
- 12-15 hours for a 30W fan or light
- 15-18 hours for charging phones and tablets
So the Explorer 300 can deliver about 15-25% more power before it needs recharging, compared to the Explorer 240. This makes the 300 better suited for powering high-draw devices for short off-grid trips.
Output Power
The Jackery Explorer 240 and Explorer 300 have different power outputs, with the 240 rated at 200W and the 300 rated at 300W. This power output determines how many devices you can run off the portable battery at one time.
The 200W Explorer 240 can power most phones, laptops, mini coolers, drones, and CPAP machines. You’ll be able to charge phones and laptops multiple times from a full charge. High-powered devices like blenders may be pushing the 200W limit.
With 300W on tap, you get a bit more headroom with the Explorer 300. In addition to phones and laptops, it can handle juicers, portable grills, some TVs, and other appliances in the 150-200 watt range without issue. The 300W power bank has enough juice to concurrently charge multiple devices like a phone, tablet, camera, and speakers. If you need to power high-draw equipment like power tools or small kitchen appliances while off-grid, the extra 100W capacity of the Jackery Explorer 300 pays dividends.
More Ports and Connectivity
The Jackery Explorer 300 has more ports and connection options compared to the Explorer 240. Here’s a quick rundown:
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The Explorer 300 has 2 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and 1 USB-C port.
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The Explorer 240 only has 1 AC outlet, 2 USB-A ports, and no USB-C.
Having an extra AC outlet on the Explorer 300 allows you to power more devices like lamps, small appliances, or even an electric grill. The extra USB-A port also lets you charge more smartphones, tablets, or other USB-powered gadgets.
But the key difference is the USB-C port on the 300. USB-C allows for much faster charging speeds. You can recharge the Explorer 300 from 0 to 80% in just 1.6 hours using a 60W USB-C PD charger. The Explorer 240 lacks USB-C, so recharge times are slower at around 4 hours for a full charge.
The USB-C port also means the Explorer 300 works better as a portable power bank for charging laptops and other USB-C devices. Overall, the extra ports and inclusion of USB-C really expands the connectivity and charging capability on the Explorer 300.
Charging Comparison
The Jackery Explorer 300 charges significantly faster than the Explorer 240 from a variety of power sources. This is a major advantage of the Explorer 300 for anyone who needs to recharge their portable power station frequently while on the go.
The Explorer 300 can charge from 0-80% in just 1.6 hours when plugged into a wall outlet using the 60W USB-C PD input. The Explorer 240 lacks USB-C input, so the fastest it can charge is about 4 hours from 0-80% using the standard 12V car charging cable.
The Explorer 300 also charges around twice as fast as the Explorer 240 when using a solar panel. With Jackery’s SolarSaga 100W solar panel, the 300 can go from 0-100% battery in 2.5 hours. The Explorer 240 takes around 5 hours for a full solar charge with the same solar panel.
The ability to utilize USB-C PD fast charging gives the Explorer 300 a significant edge for recharging quickly during short stops. If you need to fully recharge your portable power station in just a couple of hours, the Explorer 300 is the clear choice over the Explorer 240.
Use Cases: Explorer 300 Is Better Suited for Power-Hungry Devices
The extra capacity and power of the Explorer 300 make it better suited for running devices with higher energy demands, especially on short trips where you need to maximize every charge.
The 300’s faster charging also helps ensure you can quickly repower the station when off-grid. This makes the Explorer 300 a great choice for:
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RV camping – Run fans, lights, TVs, appliances off a single charge. The 300’s extra juice and power give peace of mind when boondocking.
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CPAP machines – CPAPs can draw over 50W, quickly draining smaller batteries. The 300 provides plenty of overnight power even at higher altitude.
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Short weekends away – Get the most out of every charge for quick weekend trips. The 300 can run your essentials for days between top-ups.
The Explorer 240 is still a solid choice for lower-power devices. It provides plenty of capacity to charge phones, tablets, cameras, and run small fans, lights, and speakers when camping or during shorter power outages. Just be mindful of more power-hungry devices that may drain it faster.
Pricing
The Jackery Explorer 240 currently retails for around $219, while the Explorer 300 costs approximately $289. That’s a price difference of about $70 between the two models.
At first glance, the Explorer 300 may seem more expensive. But when you consider its faster charging speeds, higher power output, and extra USB-C port, the price increase makes sense. The Explorer 300 can charge phones, tablets, and laptops more quickly, power larger devices like mini-fridges, and run CPAP machines overnight.
For many situations, the extra power and faster charging of the Explorer 300 is well worth the slight premium in price. When you’ll depend on a portable power station for camping trips, power outages, or using medical devices on-the-go, investing in the Explorer 300 over the 240 pays off in the long run. The Explorer 300 provides more power and flexibility compared to the Explorer 240 for just a 23% difference in price.
Overall, the Explorer 300 offers excellent value considering its sizable jump up in performance and capabilities over the Explorer 240. If your budget allows, the Explorer 300 is arguably the better buy than the cheaper Explorer 240.
Weight and Size
When it comes to portability, the Jackery Explorer 240 and 300 have some key physical differences.
The Explorer 240 measures 7.4 x 5.9 x 7.8 inches and weighs 6.5 pounds. This compact size and weight make the Explorer 240 easy to carry around by hand or fit into a backpack. The 240’s shape and handle allow you to comfortably lift and transport the device.
By comparison, the Explorer 300 has dimensions of 9.1 x 5.8 x 8.1 inches and weighs 8.1 pounds. The slightly larger size and heavier weight mean the 300 is less portable overall compared to the 240 model. While still reasonable to carry by hand over short distances, you’ll feel the extra heft. For longer treks, the 300 would be better suited to wheeling on the ground or packing in a vehicle.
Despite the minor size and weight differences, both Jackery models are impressively portable considering their high power capacities. The Explorer 240’s lighter weight gives it an advantage for frequent mobility like hiking or camping. But the Explorer 300 is still a reasonably compact battery that works well for RV excursions, short road trips, and power outages.
Additional Features
The Jackery Explorer 300 has a few nice additional features that help set it apart from the Explorer 240.
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LCD Screen: The Explorer 300 has a built-in LCD screen that displays remaining battery life, current power draw, and input/output status. This makes it easy to monitor the power station’s status and usage at a glance without needing to connect to a phone app. The Explorer 240 lacks an LCD screen.
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3 LED Lights: The Explorer 300 has a set of 3 LED lights built into the power station which can be used as emergency lighting if needed. The Explorer 240 does not include built-in lighting.
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Carrying Handles: Both models have a set of carrying handles built into the sides, however the Explorer 300’s feel a bit more rugged and substantial. This makes the unit easier to transport.
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Wi-Fi Connectivity: The Explorer 300 supports connecting to Jackery’s SolarSaga solar panels wirelessly using Wi-Fi. This allows it to seamlessly charge from solar without any cables. The Explorer 240 lacks Wi-Fi so it requires a cable to charge from solar panels.
Overall the Explorer 300 has a few extra convenient features lacking on the 240. The added LCD screen, LED lighting, and Wi-Fi connectivity help justify the slightly higher price and make the 300 a bit more functional as a portable power station. These little extras help set it apart from its lower capacity sibling.
Summary
The key differences between the Jackery Explorer 240 and Explorer 300 portable power stations can be summarized as follows:
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Battery capacity: The Explorer 300 has a 293Wh battery capacity compared to 240Wh for the Explorer 240. This gives the 300 nearly 25% more capacity.
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Output power: The Explorer 300 has a 300W pure sine-wave AC output versus 200W on the Explorer 240. This allows the 300 to handle more power-hungry devices.
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Ports: The Explorer 300 comes with more ports including 2 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and 1 USB-C port. The 240 lacks USB-C.
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Charging speed: Thanks to USB-C PD input, the Explorer 300 can charge much faster from a wall outlet, solar panels, or car outlet. The 240 is slower to recharge.
For most users, the extra power capacity and output of the Jackery Explorer 300 make it the better choice despite the higher price. It’s ideal for powering essentials for short trips in an RV, campervan, or cabin where you need to run small appliances and charge devices. The faster charging is also key.
The Jackery Explorer 240 may be sufficient for basic charging needs on weekend camping trips or as an emergency backup power source at home. But for RV vacations or any off-grid adventure longer than a couple of days, the Explorer 300 is worth spending a bit more money. The added battery capacity and power output provide more flexibility and convenience.