Jackery Explorer 300 Plus vs EcoFlow RIVER 2: Which Power Station Delivers More?

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What is the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus?

The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus is a portable power station with a 288Wh lithium-ion battery. It has AC, DC, USB-A, and USB-C ports for charging phones, laptops, and small appliances. You can recharge it using solar panels, AC outlets, or car chargers, and it has an LED display to monitor power and battery levels. Compact and lightweight, it’s useful for camping, travel, and backup power.

What is the EcoFlow RIVER 2?

The EcoFlow RIVER 2 is a portable power station with a 256Wh lithium-ion battery. It features AC, DC, USB-A, and USB-C ports for charging devices like phones, laptops, and small appliances. It supports recharging via AC outlets, solar panels, or car chargers and includes a display to track battery levels. Compact and lightweight, it’s suited for outdoor use and backup power.

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus vs EcoFlow RIVER 2 – Which is the better investment?

EcoFlow RIVER 2 is the better overall investment due to its faster charging, additional AC outlet, X-Boost feature for powering larger devices, and better UPS mode. If you prioritize fast recharging and versatility, EcoFlow RIVER 2 is the clear winner.

However, the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus is a good investment for users who need more USB-C power output and prefer a slightly larger battery capacity in a compact design.

Battery Type and Charge Cycles

Both have LiFePO4 batteries.
Both have 3,000 charge cycles.

Battery Capacity

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus: 288Wh.
EcoFlow RIVER 2: 256Wh.

Comparison: Jackery Explorer 300 Plus has more capacity.

Power Output

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus:
- AC Output: 300W (rated), 600W surge.
- USB-C: 100W max (in/out).
- USB-A: 15W max per port.
EcoFlow RIVER 2:
- AC Output: 300W (rated), 600W peak.
- USB-C: 60W max.
- USB-A: 12W max per port.

Comparison: Both have identical AC output, but Jackery has a more powerful USB-C port (100W vs. 60W).

Charging Time

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus: AC charging time is not explicitly mentioned, but it supports solar and car charging.
EcoFlow RIVER 2:
- AC charging in about 1 hour with 360W input.
- Solar charging in 3-6 hours depending on conditions.

Comparison: EcoFlow charges significantly faster with its X-Stream AC charging technology.

Outlets and Ports

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus:
- 1x AC outlet, 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C (in/out), 1x car port.
EcoFlow RIVER 2:
- 2x AC outlets, 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C (in/out), 1x car port.

Comparison: EcoFlow has more ways to plugin, making it more better for people with multiple devices.

Portability

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus:
- Weight: 8.27 lbs (3.75 kg).
- Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 6.6 inches.
EcoFlow RIVER 2:
- Weight: 7.8 lbs (3.5 kg).
- Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.5 x 5.7 inches.

Comparison: The EcoFlow is slightly lighter, but the Jackery is more compact.

Bonus Features

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus:
- Energy-saving mode.
- Emergency Power System (EPS) with 20ms switching.
- App control via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi.
EcoFlow RIVER 2:
- X-Boost mode for powering devices up to 600W.
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) mode with 30ms switching.

Comparison: Both offer EPS/UPS capabilities, but EcoFlow has the additional X-Boost feature, enabling it to handle higher-wattage devices.

Observations

One unexpected detail I noticed is that the EcoFlow RIVER 2 supports X-Boost mode, which allows it to power devices rated up to 600W, even though its rated output is only 300W. This feature is quite impressive for a small power station and can significantly expand the range of devices it can handle, from kitchen appliances to power tools—something not typically seen in power stations of this size and capacity.

On the other hand, the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus also offers an Emergency Power System (EPS) feature with a switching time of 20ms, which is faster than typical uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) in its category. However, it is specifically noted that this should not be used with devices requiring professional-grade UPS, such as servers—an interesting limitation given its otherwise solid power management capabilities.

Verdict

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus is better suited for those needing a slightly higher battery capacity and stronger USB-C output.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 offers faster charging, an additional AC outlet, and more advanced features like X-Boost and faster UPS switching, making it the better investment for users seeking versatility and speed.

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