Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Why 9,000 Amazon Shoppers LOVE This $199 Solar Generator

Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 out in the wild.

There are no power outlets outdoors, and unless you’re staying on a modern campground, you’re going to have some trouble charging your devices, like your smartphone, tablets, or even laptop. While you may be able to live without those electronics, you’ll need other amenities like lighting, heat, and more. It helps if you have an outdoor-friendly generator or power source, like a portable power pack, but they come with limitations. The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240, on the other hand, is a 240Wh backup lithium battery that can be used to charge or power a wide range of devices. It can also be hooked up to a solar panel to charge up the battery using solar energy.

This thing is pretty handy, and out of 10,000+ global reviews, it has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Over 9,000 of those reviewers have fallen in love with the system, and have given it a perfect rating of 5 stars. That’s a lot of people and a lot of love! We’ll explore what some of them had to say, and why so many people adore this power station below. You can also head over to the Amazon page to read some of those reviews yourself.

Why Do So Many Amazon Shoppers Love the Jackery Portable Power Station?

Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 product image on white background.

Designed and built for use outdoors, this thing is relatively lightweight and super easy to use — just plug your stuff in and go! The Explorer 240 has a 240Wh capacity, enough to charge the average phone 24 times, tablets 5 times, and laptops up to 2 times. It can also power a lamp light for 18 hours, a cooling fan for 15 hours, and charge a drone’s battery up to 4 times. It features several charging ports or plugs, including a Pure Sine Wave AC outlet with 110V to a 400W peak, 2 USB-A ports with 5V and 2.4A, and a single 12V DC carport to charge road trip gear. A small LCD panel on the front tells you exactly how much power is left and what’s happening with the station. It also comes with a host of embedded protection modes to stop events like over currents, short currents, over-discharges, and thermal exposure.

Those features sound great, but what you probably care more about at this point is what actual owners have to say about it. How are they getting along with it? Several have noted that it’s been a great addition to their van life and while out on the road. One reviewer says it’s the “perfect addition” to their emergency supplies kit. Others have said it offers “great power in a small footprint,” or even that it’s the “Tesla of generators.” Someone also mentioned that when they ordered an Explorer 240 just before Hurricane Florence, it wouldn’t reach them in time, so Jackery sent them a large battery pack at no extra cost just to hold them over. Great customer service! There are well over 9,000 5-star reviews, and nearly 1,000 4-star reviews, so there’s a lot of people happy with this little guy.

What’s the Deal?

Technically, there is no deal, at least not right now, but the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 is already priced competitively at $200. There is also a bundle that includes the Explorer 240 and a Jackery SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel meant specifically for use with the power station — it can be connected to recharge the station via solar energy. That bundle is available for $380 with free shipping and free returns through Amazon. It also allows you to begin using this thing out in the wild, complete with a solar power source to recharge it and keep your devices, appliances, and other electronics powered up. It’s the perfect companion for camping or any kind of outdoor activity!

Editors' Recommendations

Briley Kenney
Briley has been writing about consumer electronics and technology for over a decade. When he's not writing about deals for…
Do you need an electric trike? We tested one out to see
Want to ride an e-trike? This model from Sixthreezero is tons of fun
The e-trike from Sixthreezero.

The tricycle never really took off. With all do respect to the tiny bikes for toddlers and motorcycle sidecars, the three-wheeler never really went mainstream. But there's a new electric trike in town looking to change the way we view the bike with an extra wheel.

The bike in question is the EVRYjourney electric tricycle from Sixthreezero. Combing through the marketing material, it's easy to assume this model is for women as that's pretty much all that's pictured on the website, but it's not gender specific (the sloped frame does resemble the rather antiquated "traditional" women's frame, originally built to handle dresses). More than anything, being a trike, it's more for the kid residing in us.

Read more
The camping and hiking gear we’re most looking forward to in 2023
new outdoor gear for camping and hiking 2023 pexels jens mahnke 776117

Is there a better feeling than pulling out all of your favorite outdoor gear ready for those first camps or hikes of the season? There's no getting around it; outdoorsmen love outdoor gear. We can't help ourselves. There's always more to buy, always ways to make our hiking setup lighter or our camping setup more comfortable. However you justify it to yourself, you've probably got shelves overflowing with tents, sleeping bags, and stoves.

Well, I have some good news for you because a new year and a new camping season mean — that's right — more gear to be had. Companies around the world are releasing their 2023 outdoor lines, complete with new-and-improved versions of gear we've come to love or exciting new releases that might break the mold. Here are some of our favorite outdoor gear items we're looking forward to this year.

Read more
We’ve tested ’em all: These are the best portable solar generators of 2023
Our expert recommends the best solar generators of 2023
Jackery 3000 Pro.

The time was when consumer-grade solar gear wasn’t all that practical, but over the past few years the tech has developed rapidly, becoming not only highly useful but increasingly affordable. Today, solar generators and portable power stations are go-to mobile juice solutions for van-lifers and campers, temporary off-grid worksites, travel photographers and drone operators, and at-home backup power for when the lights go out.

I’ve spent years testing solar-powered generators, and over the past six months, I’ve looked at the latest releases from both top, established brands and lesser-known newcomers. When I’ve come to learn is that while solar generators don’t vary dramatically in regards to the core concept, different models from different brands tend to be tailor-fit to different intentions. To that end, here are the best solar generator options for a variety of purposes.
Best overall: Jackery 3000 Pro
Pictured at the top of this article, Jackery has been a top name in the solar generator field for a while now, and with their latest release – the 3000 Pro – they do pretty much everything right. It manages to deliver both outstanding capacity (3,024 Wh) and outstanding portability. At just shy of 64 pounds, it’s not exactly light, but the wheels and retractable handle make it effortless to cart around, while its integrated handles and perfectly boxed shape make it easy to lift and store (or fit into a van build). It charges fast (2.4 hours via wall outlet or 3-4 hours via ideal solar conditions), has solid wattage output (3,000 W), and is sturdily built. While it’s arguably a bit overkill for the average users, anyone who wants lots of capacity will love the 3000 Pro.

Read more