A portable power station is an excellent solution for sudden power outages, camping trips and to power all your gadgets and devices during extended outdoor trips. Jackery, Bluetti and Goal Zero are three of the top names in this space, and today, we’ll be comparing their top solar generators to find out which one offers the best value.
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Jackery vs Bluetti vs Goal Zero Comparison Chart
| Model | Jackery Explorer 1000 | Bluetti Maxoak EB150 | Goal Zero Yeti 1000X |
 |  |  | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
| Dimensions | 13.1 x 9.2 x11.1 inches | 14.6 x 6.5 x 14.4 inches | 15.25 x 10.23 x 9.86 inches |
| Weight | 22.04lbs | 37.9lbs | 31.68lbs |
| Operating Temperature | 14-104F/-10-40℃ | 32-104F/0-40°C | 32-104F/0-40°C |
| Battery Capacity | 1002Wh Lithium-Ion battery | 1500Wh Lithium-Ion battery | 983Wh Lithium-Ion battery |
| Inverter | 2000W (peak) 1000W (continuous) | 1200W (peak) 1000W (continuous) | 3000W (peak) 1500W (continuous) |
| Charging | Car port Wall socket Solar panel | Wall socket Solar panel | Car port Wall socket Solar panel |
| Output Ports | 3x 110V AC outlets 1x 12V 9A car port 2x 5V, 9V, 12V 3A USB-C ports 1x 5V 2.4A USB-A port 1x USB-A 3.0 port | 2x 110V AC outlets 1x 12V 9A car port 1x 45W PD USB-C port 4x 5V 3A USB-A ports | 2x 120V AC outlets 1x 12V 15A high power port 1x 12V 15A car port 2x 6mm 12V 10A ports 1x 60W PD USB-C port 1x 5-12V 3A USB-C port 2x 5V 2.4A USB-A ports |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
Jackery Explorer 1000
The most versatile power station without costing an arm and a leg.
Design and Ports
The most compact and lightweight out of the portable power stations in this article, the Jackery Explorer 1000 is the easiest to transport. It measures 13.1 x 9.2 x11.1 inches and it weighs 22.04lbs. Having a compact and lightweight build as well as a built-in handle at the top makes it easy to carry around for outdoor trips, camping trips and more. It features a rugged build with a black and orange color combination that can withstand regular outdoor use.
At the front of the Jackery Explorer 1000 are its input and output ports that include a DC input port for charging the power station itself, four USB ports, a car port and three AC outlets. Both sides of the unit have vents for cooling and it also has a flashlight at the left side for emergencies. Also located at the front is a small LCD display that lets you know the remaining battery capacity as well as the input and output wattage used.
Charging
There are three ways to recharge the Jackery Explorer 1000 and it is very easy to do so, just like charging your smartphone. The first method is via a wall outlet. You just need to plug in the included AC cable to an open wall outlet and let it charge. It takes around 7 hours to fully charge the power station from a near empty state.
You can also charge it using your car’s 12V output. It comes with a car charger cable and you just plug it in to your car’s 12V port. However, this method takes the most time to recharge the Explorer 1000 as it takes around 14 hours to fully charge it.
Another way to charge it is with Jackery SolarSaga panels. The maximum solar charging input is limited to 163 watts on the Explorer 1000, so using two 100W SolarSaga panels will result in a charging time of around 8 hours.
Performance
The Jackery Explorer 1000 has a battery capacity of 1002Wh and it can power devices and appliances up to 1000 watts with a surge rate of 2000 watts. There are built-in protections to prevent the power station from getting damaged in case there’s overloading, but it’s still wise to use it with caution when using it with power hungry devices.
The best way to gauge its performance is to look at how long it can power a device or appliance. The Jackery Explorer 1000 can power a 150W TV for around 6 hours, a 200W laptop for around 5 hours, a 600W appliance for around 1.5 hours and a 900W device for an hour or so. You can use it to power a device that requires more than 1000W, but you can only do so in bursts.
Bluetti Maxoak EB150
Offers the best value for the money.
Design and Ports
The Bluetti Maxoak EB150 is a power station that’s shaped like a suitcase. It measures 14.6 x 6.5 x 14.4 inches and weighs 37.9lbs. The single top handle makes it easier to carry around, but it’s still a very heavy device. The thinner design of the EB150 is actually very good when you need to store it when not in use, since it doesn’t require too much space.
All of the EB150’s ports and LCD display are located at the sides. On the left side are the two AC outlets and a vent, and on the right side are five USB ports (4x USB-A, 1x USB-C), it’s DC input and the LCD display that shows the remaining charge and input and output power usage. Also on the right side is an additional vent for dissipating heat.
Charging
The one disadvantage of the Bluetti Maxoak EB150, at least when compared to the other power stations in this article, is that it can only be charged in two ways. The first is via a wall outlet and the other is with solar panels. It doesn’t have car charging capabilities. Car charging is especially helpful when you are on a long trip and you won’t have access to a wall socket for an extended period. Lacking car charging severely limits the portability of the Bluetti Maxoak EB150.
Performance
What it lacks in car charging though, it makes up for having the highest capacity battery in this comparison. It comes with a 1500Wh Lithium-Ion battery, compared to the 1002Wh of the Jackery Explorer 1000 and the 983Wh of the Goal Zero Yeti 1000X. This means that you can power devices with the EB150 for a longer duration.
It can power devices up to 1000W with a surge rate of 1200W, so it has lower surge power than the Jackery Explorer 1000, which is not that big of an issue since you won’t be using either for high power appliances anyway. Also similar to the Jackery, the Bluetti also has safety measures in place, including short circuit protection, voltage control, temperature control and more.
The Bluetti Maxoak EB150 can power a 150W device for around 9 hours, a 200W appliance for 7 hours, a 600W device for 2 hours and a 900W appliance for a little over an hour and a half.
Goal Zero Yeti 1000X
Low battery capacity, but higher inverter output.
Design and Ports
Measuring 15.25 x 10.23 x 9.86 inches and weighing 31.68lbs, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000X is bulky and sits at the middle of the Jackery Explorer 1000 and Bluetti EB150 when it comes to heft. It has a rugged build that looks like a car battery and it has two handles at each side for carrying. The design is alright, but it’s not the best when it comes to transport as it requires two hands to carry it.
All of its ports and LCD display are situated at the front, similar to the Jackery Explorer 1000. This is a good design since everything can be accessed easily in one place. It has the most number of output ports, featuring two AC outlets, four USB ports and four 12V output ports. It has a single 8mm input port and one high power port, both of them for charging the power station.
Charging
Similar to the Jackery Explorer 1000, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000X can be charged in three ways. You can charge it from the wall and it takes 9 hours to do so, using the included 120W ac charger. You can reduce the charging time by using higher wattage chargers, but those are sold separately.
It can also be charged from the car, which also takes the most time. Lastly, you can charge it with solar panels. There’s a huge variety of Goal Zero solar panels available, but to give you an idea about the charge times, the Boulder 100 Briefcase 100W solar panel can charge the Yeti 1000X in 12 to 24 hours. You can charge it in less time if you purchase higher wattage panels.
Performance
Out of the three power stations, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000X actually has the lowest battery capacity despite being the most expensive. It’s equipped with a 983Wh Lithium-Ion battery which is slightly lower than the 1002Wh of the Jackery Explorer 1000 and a far cry from the 1500Wh capacity of the Bluetti Maxoak EB150. As a result, it can power similar devices for a shorter duration than those two mentioned.
However, what it lacks in power, it makes up for its higher inverter output. Its outlets can power devices and appliances up to 1500 watts and up to 3000 watts in very short bursts. If you need to operate power hungry devices, such as high wattage power tools, you can use it with the Goal Zero Yeti 1000X. The same devices won’t work with the Jackery and the Bluetti.
Verdict
The Jackery Explorer 1000 is the best all around power station while the Bluetti Maxoak EB150 offers the best value.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 is an excellent all-rounder that offers portability and very good performance. You can take it with you anywhere since it’s easy to carry around and you can charge it in three ways (car, wall outlet & solar). Performance is as expected of its battery capacity and power output.
The Bluetti Maxoak EB150 offers the best value for money out of the three. It’s the cheapest without skimping on battery capacity and power output. However, it can only be charged via a wall outlet and solar panels, so it’s limited when it comes to portability, especially on trips where you won’t have access to a wall outlet or solar panels. However, if you’re only going to use it for backup power at home, it’s the best option.
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000X is the most expensive, but it has the lowest battery capacity. It does have a higher inverter output and it has more ports than the other two. This power station is best for operating high power devices for a short period of time.
FAQs
If you have frequent power outages or if you regularly go on extended outdoor trips, a solar generator is worth getting. They are compact and easy to transport, and they operate quietly.
The Bluetti EB240 is a 1000W/2400Wh solar generator that’s useful for devices and appliances with high wattage requirements.
It’s a versatile portable power station that’s worth buying for both home and outdoor use. It has a good combination of battery capacity and inverter output.
Goal Zero’s Lithium-Ion batteries are rated for 500 to 800 cycles.