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The Explorer 300 Plus has been discontinued by Jackery as of 2026 — along with the “Explorer 300 v2” that briefly succeeded it. The current product filling this spot in Jackery’s lineup is simply the Explorer 300 (293Wh), and it’s what this comparison uses against the Explorer 500. If you’re comparing prices and see “300 Plus” listed anywhere, treat it as discontinued stock rather than the current standard option.
A Note on Jackery’s Confusing 300-Class History
Jackery’s smallest capacity tier has gone through more naming changes than any other model in their lineup — the original Explorer 300, then the Explorer 300 Plus, briefly an Explorer 300 v2, and now simply “Explorer 300” again as the current standard offering. Both the 300 Plus and the 300 v2 have been discontinued by Jackery directly, meaning any listing for either is now selling remaining or secondhand stock rather than an actively produced product. One more honest wrinkle: current Amazon listings for the Explorer 300 aren’t fully consistent — some describe lithium-ion battery chemistry, others describe LiFePO4 at the same stated capacity. Check the specific listing’s battery chemistry before buying, since this affects long-term cycle life meaningfully.
Full Spec Comparison
| Spec | Explorer 300 (current) | Explorer 500 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 293Wh | 512Wh |
| Battery chemistry | Varies by listing — confirm before buying | LiFePO4 |
| AC output | 300W continuous | 500W continuous |
| Surge output | 500W | 1,000W |
| AC charge time | ~2-3 hours | 52 minutes to 80% |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs | 14 lbs |
| USB-C output | 60W | 100W |
| Output ports | 2× AC, 1× USB-C, 1× USB-A, 1× QC3.0, 1× car port | Multiple, including 100W USB-C |
The Two Models Side by Side
Jackery Explorer 300 (Current Model)
At 7.1 lbs, this is the lightest unit in this comparison — a genuine advantage for backpacking or any situation where you’re carrying it a real distance rather than loading it into a vehicle. 293Wh comfortably handles phone and laptop charging, LED lighting, and light device use across a weekend, though a 12V fridge or CPAP will draw it down within a single day of continuous use. Before buying, confirm the specific listing’s battery chemistry (lithium-ion vs LiFePO4), since this affects how many years of daily use you’ll realistically get from the unit.
Jackery Explorer 500 v2
The Explorer 500 v2 nearly doubles the capacity, which translates to real practical headroom — a 12V fridge running most of a day, a CPAP through 2-3 nights, or simultaneous device charging for a small group, all without needing a recharge. The 52-minute fast charge is also a genuine, independently confirmed advantage, meaningful if you’re topping up between destinations or want to minimize downtime before a trip. Confirmed LiFePO4 chemistry throughout current listings. For the full breakdown, see our Jackery 500 review.
Which One Should You Buy?
| Your Situation | Better Fit |
|---|---|
| Day trips, phone/laptop charging only, lightest weight | Explorer 300 |
| Multi-day trips, running a fridge or CPAP | Explorer 500 v2 |
| Want confirmed LiFePO4 longevity with no ambiguity | Explorer 500 v2 |
| Want the fastest possible recharge between uses | Explorer 500 v2 |
| Tightest budget, occasional light use | Explorer 300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus still available?
No — Jackery discontinued the Explorer 300 Plus, along with the brief Explorer 300 v2 that followed it, as of 2026. The current standard offering in this capacity tier is simply the Explorer 300. Any “300 Plus” listing you encounter is remaining or secondhand stock, not an actively produced current product.
Does the current Jackery Explorer 300 use LiFePO4 batteries?
It depends on the specific listing — current Amazon listings for the Explorer 300 aren’t fully consistent, with some describing lithium-ion chemistry and others describing LiFePO4 at the same stated capacity. Check the specific product description for battery chemistry before purchasing, since this meaningfully affects long-term cycle life and lifespan.
Is the Jackery Explorer 500 worth the extra capacity over the Explorer 300?
For most buyers planning trips longer than a single day, or running any device with meaningful continuous draw (a fridge, CPAP, or laptop used for work), yes — the nearly doubled capacity and significantly faster charging genuinely change what’s practical to run. For pure device charging on short trips, the Explorer 300 is sufficient and lighter.
How much faster does the Explorer 500 charge compared to the Explorer 300?
The Explorer 500 v2 reaches 80% in 52 minutes via AC, compared to roughly 2-3 hours for the Explorer 300 — a meaningful practical difference if you’re topping up quickly between trips.
Can either model run a CPAP machine?
The 500 v2’s larger 512Wh capacity comfortably covers 2-3 nights of CPAP use without a heated humidifier. The Explorer 300’s smaller capacity covers roughly one night, making it a tighter fit — see our solar generator for CPAP guide for detailed sizing across capacities.
Final Verdict
| Your Situation | Best Pick |
|---|---|
| Light use, day trips, lightest weight | Jackery Explorer 300 |
| Multi-day trips, fridge or CPAP use, confirmed LiFePO4 | Jackery Explorer 500 v2 |
The Bottom Line
With the 300 Plus discontinued, the choice now comes down to the current Explorer 300 versus the Explorer 500 v2 — and the same logic applies as before: the 300 fits light, short-duration device charging where weight matters most, while the 500’s larger capacity and dramatically faster charging make it the more comfortable choice the moment a fridge, CPAP, or multi-day trip enters the picture. Whichever you choose, confirm the specific listing’s battery chemistry before buying, given the inconsistency across current Explorer 300 listings.
For the complete Jackery lineup, see our best Jackery solar generator guide.