Design, workmanship and handling
At 17,5 kg, the Explorer 2000 v2 is no lightweight, but still quite portable for its class. It's easy to carry from the car to its parking spot or into the garage, but you wouldn't want to carry it any further.
With dimensions of approximately 38,5 x 36,6 x 28 cm, it is compact enough not to take up much space in the trunk of a car or in a camper van. Its almost cube-like shape makes it easier to store than elongated devices.
The handle is sturdy and firmly attached; there's no wobble. The plastic housing is well-made and shows no noticeable flaws. Its compact and practical design fits easily in the trunk of a car or under a camper seat.
The display is easy to read and shows what you need: input, output, and battery level. Operation is via a few buttons and is self-explanatory.
Connections and features
At the front are three standard 230V sockets. In addition, there are two USB-C ports with up to 100 watts, two USB-A ports and a 12V output.
The USB-C ports are particularly practical in everyday use. Notebooks, cameras, or tablets can be charged directly without an extra power adapter.
The number of connections is sufficient for most scenarios. Three AC devices running in parallel are realistic; more are rarely needed.
Everything is cleanly separated and can be switched individually. This means you don't have to leave the entire device active when only one output is being used.
One detail: An adapter is required for solar panels from other manufacturers, as Jackery uses its own proprietary connection.
Performance and efficiency
The 2.200 W continuous power output is sufficient for almost everything you would plug in on a daily basis. Kettles, coffee machines, or hot plates run without problems, as long as you don't use them all at once. The Explorer v2 can also run small devices like laptops, monitors, and lighting stably for several hours simultaneously.
If the power fails, the UPS function of the power station automatically takes over within less than 20 ms. Devices such as routers, NAS devices, or a running PC therefore usually remain active without interruption.
Even devices with higher inrush currents are no problem for the Explorer 2000 v2. Refrigerators or power tools start reliably without the power station shutting down.
Of the 2.042 Wh, less remains in practice. Depending on usage, approximately 10 to 15% is lost through the inverter. In reality, roughly 1.700 to 1.800 Wh are usable.
In our test, we achieved the following runtimes:
- Compressor cool box (~40 W): approximately 40 - 45 hours
- Mobile workstation (~130 W): approximately 12 - 14 hours
- Household refrigerator (~120 W): approx. 14 - 16 hours
Charging and solar
The power station uses LiFePO4 cells, which are designed for approximately 4.000 charge cycles down to 80% remaining capacity. Even if you fully charge and discharge the power station once a day, that equates to over 10 years of use before the capacity noticeably decreases.
The Explorer 2000 v2 charges fastest via a wall outlet. Depending on the mode, it takes about 2,5 hours to charge from empty to full. Charging in a car is possible, but takes longer and is primarily intended for use on the go.
Solar power works, but it's the weakest point. With a maximum input power of 400 watts, a full charge takes approximately 6 hours. In changeable weather, it takes correspondingly longer. Solar power is sufficient for occasional top-ups. Anyone who consistently uses a lot of electricity will find it difficult to manage without mains charging.
Important for everyday use: The power station can be charged and power devices simultaneously. This is particularly useful with solar power, if the generated electricity is used directly.
App and operation
The power station can be operated entirely via the device itself, but there's also an app (Android/iOS). The app displays the battery level, input and output power, and allows you to switch the outputs on or off. The connection is established via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
The app is especially useful when the power station isn't directly accessible. For example, in a camper van, if the power station is in the back and you're lying in bed at the front. The app then lets you immediately see how much battery power is left or whether there's still a load connected.
This is also helpful when charging with solar power. You can quickly check how much power is being supplied without having to go to the power station every time.
volume
Under low load, the power station remains quiet. If only a laptop or light is connected, you can barely hear anything.
The fans kick in as soon as more power is drawn. They become audible, but not disturbingly loud. Compared to a generator, it's not an issue at all.
You'll notice it in the camper or in a room, especially under continuous load. It's rather borderline for use right next to the bed, but not a problem during the day.
