Cut through the noise—find out which portable power station delivers the most reliable performance for your next outdoor adventure. We break down Bluetti AC50B vs Jackery Explorer 500, so you can choose the best one for your camping needs.
How do Bluetti AC50B vs Jackery Explorer 500 compare on camping trips?
Battery Type
Winner: The Bluetti AC50B has superior battery type (LiFePO4), with more charge cycles, longer battery and better overall stability.
- Bluetti AC50B has a premium Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery and 3000 charge cycles.
- Jackery Explorer 500 uses a standard Lithium-ion battery.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) is considered safer because of its high thermal capacity, in addition to having a much longer battery life. The Jackery Explorer 500 has a Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery, which is not as stable or long-lasting.
Capacity
Winner: The Jackery Explorer 500 has a higher battery capacity and can power devices for longer. However, the Bluetti AC50B can support higher wattage for short periods of time in its Power Lifting Mode.
- Jackery Explorer 500 has 518Wh capacity, with a 500W continuous pure sine wave inverter, supporting devices up to 500W.
- Bluetti AC50B has 448Wh capacity, with a 700W pure sine wave inverter, and support for devices up to 700W, with Power Lifting Mode allowing resistive loads up to 1000W.
Charging Speed
Winner: The Bluetti AC50B charges faster, especially in its Turbo AC charge mode.
- Bluetti AC50B:
- AC charging: 80% in 45 minutes (Turbo mode), full charge in 70 minutes.
- Solar charging: Full charge in around 3 hours with optimal conditions.
- Car charging: 5-7 hours from a 12V port.
- Jackery Explorer 500:
- AC charging: About 7.5 hours to full charge.
- Solar charging: Around 9.5 hours with a 100W panel.
- Car charging: Approximately 7.5 hours from a 12V port.
Outlets & Ports
Winner: The Bluetti AC50B has more versatility in selection, while the Jackery Explorer 500 has more options to plug devices into.
- Bluetti AC50B has 6 outlets and ports, including USB, a cigarette lighter port, and AC outlets. It supports pass-through charging, so devices can charge and discharge at the same time.
- Jackery Explorer 500 has 7 outlets and ports, including AC outlets, DC carports, and USB-A ports, but lacks USB-C ports.
Portability
- Bluetti AC50B weighs about 6.7 kg (14.8 lbs), with a compact size of 280mm × 200mm × 220mm.
- Jackery Explorer 500 weighs approximately 6 kg (13.2 lbs), dimensions are 300mm × 193mm × 234mm.
Winner: The Jackery Explorer 500 is slightly lighter and marginally easier to carry.
Smart Features
Winner: The Bluetti AC50B has more advanced features.
- Bluetti AC50B: Equipped with Power Lifting Mode, ECO Mode for energy saving, and supports Bluetooth / WiFi mobile app control.
- Jackery Explorer 500: Basic setup without advanced features like app control or specialized modes.
Warranty
- The Bluetti AC50B comes with a longer 5-year warranty, while the Jackery Explorer 500 offers 3 years of coverage.
| Bluetti AC50B | Jackery Explorer 500 | |
| Capacity | 448Wh | 518Wh |
| Battery Type | LiFePO4 | NCM |
| AC Output | 700W (1050W Surge) | 500W (1000W Surge) |
| Charge Cycles | 3,000+ | 500 |
| Outlets & Ports | 6 Outlets & Ports: – 2x AC outlets (700W) – 1x USB-A (15W) – 2x USB-C (65W) – 1x 12V Carport (120W) | 7 Outlets & Ports: – 1x AC outlets – 3x USB-A ports – 2x DC – 1x car port |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs | 13.3 lbs |
| Bluetooth / Wifi | Yes | No |
| APP Control | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 5-years | 2+1 years |
Runtime Comparison
| Device | Wattage | Bluetti EB55 (537Wh) | Jackery Explorer 500 (518Wh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartphone | 5W | 107.4 hours | 103.6 hours |
| Tablet | 10W | 53.7 hours | 51.8 hours |
| LED Lantern | 3W | 179 hours | 172.7 hours |
| Portable Fan | 5W | 107.4 hours | 103.6 hours |
| GPS Device | 2W | 268.5 hours | 259 hours |
| Digital Camera | 4W | 134.25 hours | 129.5 hours |
| Portable Speaker | 10W | 53.7 hours | 51.8 hours |
| E-reader | 3W | 179 hours | 172.7 hours |
| Drone | 60W | 8.95 hours | 8.63 hours |
| Laptop | 50W | 10.74 hours | 10.36 hours |
| Portable Fridge | 40W | 13.425 hours | 12.95 hours |
| Electric Cooler | 45W | 11.93 hours | 11.51 hours |
| Portable Coffee Maker | 200W | 2.685 hours | 2.59 hours |
| Electric Kettle | 1000W | 0.537 hours | 0.518 hours |
| Portable Projector | 100W | 5.37 hours | 5.18 hours |
| CPAP Machine | 30W | 17.9 hours | 17.27 hours |
| Portable Air Pump | 50W | 10.74 hours | 10.36 hours |
| Electric Shaver | 15W | 35.8 hours | 34.53 hours |
| Portable Radio | 5W | 107.4 hours | 103.6 hours |
| Satellite Phone | 8W | 67.125 hours | 64.75 hours |
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FAQs
How long will a Jackery 500 run a fridge?
The Jackery 500 can power a mini-fridge, but the duration varies based on the fridge’s consumption. A typical mini-fridge using 200W per hour could run for about 2.2 hours continuously. However, since fridges cycle on and off, the actual runtime could be longer. To estimate, use the formula: Run time = (518Wh × 0.85) ÷ Fridge’s wattage. The Jackery 500 is best for appliances under 500W. For extended use or larger fridges, consider recharging or a higher capacity power station. Mini-fridges generally use 50-180 watts, depending on size, so the Jackery 500 could potentially power one for several hours to a day.
How long will a Jackery 500 run a TV?
The Jackery 500 can power a TV for approximately 2.9 to 4.4 hours, depending on the TV’s wattage. For a typical modern TV consuming between 100-150 watts, the power station’s 518Wh capacity (calculated at 85% efficiency) provides around 3-4 hours of continuous runtime. Smaller TVs or those with lower power consumption could potentially run even longer on a single charge.
How long will a Bluetti AC50B run a fridge?
The Bluetti AC50B, with its 448Wh capacity, can run a small refrigerator for a few hours. However, the exact duration depends on the fridge’s power consumption. Using the formula provided (Operation time = 448Wh × 90% × 85% / (Load Power + 10W)), we can estimate. For example, if a mini-fridge consumes 50W, the AC50B could power it for about 5.7 hours. Keep in mind that refrigerators cycle on and off, potentially extending the actual runtime beyond this continuous operation estimate.
How long will a Bluetti AC50B run a TV?
The Bluetti AC50B can run a TV for approximately 4-6 hours, depending on the TV’s wattage. Using the manufacturer’s runtime formula (448Wh × 90% × 85% / (Load Power + 10W)), a typical modern TV consuming 50-100 watts could operate between 4-6 hours. For a 50W TV, you could expect around 6 hours of runtime, while a 100W TV would provide closer to 3-4 hours of continuous power from the AC50B’s 448Wh battery.
How long will the Jackery Explorer 500 last?
The Jackery Explorer 500 has a battery capacity of 518Wh and can last between 3-7 hours depending on the device’s power consumption. For a 60W device, you can expect around 7 hours of runtime. The power station uses an 85% efficiency calculation (500Wh × 0.85 / operating watts). It has a cycle life of 500 cycles, maintaining 80% capacity over its lifespan, which translates to approximately 10 years of use if used about four times per month.
How long will the Bluetti AC50B last?
The Bluetti AC50B, with its 448Wh capacity, can power various devices for different durations. Using the manufacturer’s runtime formula (448Wh × 90% × 85% / (Load Power + 10W)), a 20W device could run for about 11.4 hours. For context, it can charge a phone 14 times, a laptop 5 times, or power a small refrigerator for a few hours. The power station uses a LiFePO4 battery with 3,000+ charge cycles, ensuring a lifespan of up to 10 years with proper use.