When you’re camping off-grid or preparing for emergencies, how quickly you can recharge your portable power station is just as critical as its capacity. In this article, we compare charging methods for Jackery and Bluetti models to see which brand powers up faster and more efficiently across various inputs.
What factors impact charging speed?
When selecting a portable power station, one of the key considerations is how fast it can recharge. However, charging speed isn’t just a matter of plugging the device in; several factors influence how quickly it charges. Here’s a look at the primary elements to consider:
Battery Capacity
The capacity of the battery within the power station plays a significant role in charging speed. Larger batteries, which store more energy, will naturally require more time to recharge compared to smaller ones.
- Smaller power stations (such as Jackery’s Explorer 240 v2 or Bluetti’s AC60) have smaller batteries, allowing them to recharge more quickly.
- Larger power stations (like the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus or Bluetti AC200L) come with bigger batteries, which means they take longer to recharge.
Charging Input Power
The amount of power that the charger can deliver, measured in watts (W), also affects how quickly a power station can recharge. A higher input power enables faster charging.
Charging Methods
Different charging methods have varying speeds. The main options are:
- Wall Charging: This is usually the fastest option. By utilizing high-wattage power from a standard AC outlet, you can charge your power station in just a few hours.
- Solar Charging: While ideal for off-grid situations, solar charging is typically slower. The recharge speed depends on the wattage output of your solar panels.
- Car Charging: This method is usually the slowest, as most cars provide 12V or 24V, resulting in significantly slower charging speeds compared to AC power.
Dual Input Charging
Some power stations are equipped with dual input charging, which allows them to charge from two different sources simultaneously, such as AC and solar power. This feature can drastically reduce charging time.
Battery Chemistry
The type of battery used in a power station also impacts its charging speed. Most portable power stations utilize lithium-based batteries, with two common types:
- LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate): These batteries tend to charge more slowly but have a longer lifespan and enhanced safety features.
- Li-ion (Lithium-ion): These batteries charge faster but may degrade more quickly over time.
Jackery vs Bluetti Charging Methods
AC Charging
When choosing a portable power station, one of the key factors to consider is how quickly it can recharge from an AC outlet. Bluetti consistently offers faster AC charging times across a wide range of its models, especially for those with mid-sized and smaller batteries.
Here are side-by-side comparisons of Bluetti and Jackery models based on their battery capacity, input power (how much power the unit can take in), and AC charging time (how long it takes to fully recharge from an AC outlet).
Jackery AC Charging
| Model | Battery Capacity (Wh) | Input Power (W) | AC Charging Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 240 v2 | 256 Wh | 100 W | ~2.56 hours |
| Explorer 300 Plus | 288 Wh | 1500 W | ~1.3 hours (80%) |
| Explorer 600 Plus | 632 Wh | 1800 W | ~1.6 hours |
| Explorer 700 Plus | 680.96 Wh | 1800 W | ~1.2 hours |
| Explorer 1000 Plus | 1264 Wh | 1800 W | ~1.6 hours |
| Explorer 3000 Pro | 3024 Wh | 1800 W | ~2.8 hours |
| Explorer 5000 Plus | 5040 Wh | 1800 W | ~4.7 hours |
Jackery Fast AC Charging
Model: Explorer 300 Plus
Capacity: 288Wh
AC Charging Speed: 1.3 hours (80%)
Bluetti AC Charging
| Model | Battery Capacity (Wh) | Input Power (W) | AC Charging Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC2A | 204.8 Wh | 270 W | ~1 hour |
| AC2P | 230.4 Wh | 270 W | ~1.2 hours |
| AC60 | 403 Wh | 600 W | ~1 hour |
| AC70 | 768 Wh | 850 W | ~1 hour |
| AC180 | 1152 Wh | 1440 W | ~1.3–1.8 hours |
| AC180T | 1433 Wh | 1440 W | ~1.2–1.5 hours |
| AC200L | 2048 Wh | 2400 W | ~1.5 hours |
Bluetti Fast AC Charging
Model: AC70
Capacity: 768Wh
AC Charging Speed: 1 hour (100%)
AC Charging Key Comparisons
Smaller Models:
- Models like the Bluetti AC2A (204.8 Wh), AC60 (403 Wh), and AC70 (768 Wh) recharge in as little as 1 hour, which is significantly faster than most Jackery models in the same battery capacity range.
Mid-Sized Models:
- Even Bluetti’s larger models, such as the AC180 (1152 Wh) and AC200L (2048 Wh), recharge relatively quickly, with times ranging from 1.3 to 1.8 hours. These models also have higher input power (1440W and 2400W), helping to charge faster.
Larger Models:
- While Jackery offers solid performance, especially in the Explorer 600 Plus (1.6 hours) and Explorer 1000 Plus (1.6 hours), its larger units, like the Explorer 5000 Plus (5040 Wh), can take 4.7 hours to charge, which is significantly slower than similar Bluetti models.
Solar Charging
Solar charging is an excellent way to power your portable power station, especially when you’re off the grid. Bluetti consistently offers faster solar charging times, particularly for models in the smaller and mid-sized battery categories.
Here are side-by-side comparisons of Bluetti and Jackery models based on their battery capacity, solar input (how much solar power the unit can take in), and solar charging time (how long it takes to fully recharge from sunlight).
Jackery Solar Charging
| Model | Battery Capacity (Wh) | Solar Input (W) | Solar Charging Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 240 v2 | 240 Wh | 60 W | ~4-6 hours |
| Explorer 300 Plus | 288 Wh | 100 W | ~3-4 hours |
| Explorer 600 Plus | 632 Wh | 200 W | ~3-4 hours |
| Explorer 700 Plus | 680.96 Wh | 200 W | ~3-4 hours |
| Explorer 1000 Plus | 1264 Wh | 200 W | ~5-6 hours |
| Explorer 3000 Pro | 3024 Wh | 1200 W | ~3-4 hours (with 6 x 200W panels) |
| Explorer 5000 Plus | 5040 Wh | 1200 W | ~4-6 hours (with 6 x 200W panels) |
Jackery Fast Solar Charging
Model: Explorer 3000 Pro
Capacity: 3024Wh
Solar Charging Speed: ~3 to 4 hours
Bluetti Solar Charging
| Model | Battery Capacity (Wh) | Solar Input (W) | Solar Charging Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC2A | 204.8 Wh | 500 W | ~2 hours |
| AC2P | 230.4 Wh | 200 W | ~1.5 hours |
| AC60 | 403 Wh | 200 W | ~2.5 hours |
| AC70 | 768 Wh | 200 W | ~2.5 hours |
| AC180 | 1152 Wh | 500 W | ~2.5–3.3 hours |
| AC180T | 1433 Wh | 500 W | ~2.5 hours |
| AC200L | 2048 Wh | 1200 W | ~2 hours |
Bluetti Fast Solar Charging
Model: AC200L
Capacity: 2048Wh
Solar Charging Speed: ~2 hours
Solar Charging Key Comparisons
Smaller Models:
- Bluetti charges much faster. For example, the Bluetti AC2P (230.4 Wh) takes only ~1.5 hours to charge with solar, while the Jackery Explorer 240 v2 (240 Wh) takes ~4-6 hours.
Mid-Sized Models:
- Bluetti still charges faster. The AC60 (403 Wh) and AC70 (768 Wh) recharge in about 2.5 hours, while similar Jackery models like the Explorer 600 Plus (632 Wh) and 700 Plus (680.96 Wh) take ~3-4 hours.
Larger Models:
- Bluetti’s larger models also charge faster. The AC200L (2048 Wh) charges in ~2 hours with 1200W solar input, while the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus (5040 Wh) takes ~4-6 hours.
Overall Speed:
- Bluetti generally provides faster solar charging across all model sizes, especially with higher solar input (500W or more), compared to Jackery, which can take longer to charge, especially in smaller models with lower solar input.
Car Charging
The time it takes to recharge your portable power station using a vehicle depends on factors like battery capacity and the DC input power. Bluetti delivers faster car charging for its smaller models, with charging times as short as ~1.5 hours for models like the AC2A and AC2P. On the other hand, Jackery’s larger models like the Explorer 3000 Pro have faster car charging speeds because of higher DC input capability (up to 1400W).
Jackery Car Charging
| Model | Battery Capacity (Wh) | DC Input (V) | DC Input Power (W) | Car Charging Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 240 v2 | 240 Wh | 12V/24V | 24V, 60W | ~5-6 hours |
| Explorer 300 Plus | 288 Wh | 12V | 60W | ~5-6 hours |
| Explorer 600 Plus | 632 Wh | 12V | 100W | ~6-7 hours |
| Explorer 700 Plus | 680.96 Wh | 12V | 100W | ~7-8 hours |
| Explorer 1000 Plus | 1264 Wh | 12V | 100W | ~10-12 hours |
| Explorer 3000 Pro | 3024 Wh | 12V | 1400W Max | ~2.4 hours |
| Explorer 5000 Plus | 5040 Wh | 12V | 1260W Max | ~4 hours |
Jackery 3000 Pro
Capacity: 3024Wh
Car Charging Speed: ~2.4 hours
Bluetti Car Charging
| Model | Battery Capacity (Wh) | DC Input (V) | DC Input Power (W) | Car Charging Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC2A | 204.8 Wh | 12V/24V | 200W | ~1.5 hours |
| AC2P | 230.4 Wh | 12V/24V | 200W | ~1.5 hours |
| AC60 | 403 Wh | 12V | 60W | ~7 hours |
| AC70 | 768 Wh | 12V | 80W | ~9 hours |
| AC180 | 1152 Wh | 12V/24V | 200W | ~5 hours |
| AC180T | 1433 Wh | 12V | 200W | ~7 hours |
| AC200L | 2048 Wh | 12V | 200W | ~9.5 hours |
Bluetti Fast Car Charging
Model: AC2A
Capacity: 204.8Wh
Car Charging Speed: ~1.5 hours
Car Charging Key Comparisons
Smaller Models:
- Bluetti generally charges much faster than Jackery when using a car. For example, the Bluetti AC2A (204.8 Wh) and AC2P (230.4 Wh) can charge in just ~1.5 hours with 200W DC input.
- In contrast, the Jackery Explorer 240 v2 (240 Wh) and Explorer 300 Plus (288 Wh) take ~5-6 hours with 60W of DC input.
Mid-Sized Models:
- Bluetti still charges faster. The AC60 (403 Wh) and AC70 (768 Wh) take ~7-9 hours using car input, while similar Jackery models like the Explorer 600 Plus (632 Wh) and Explorer 700 Plus (680.96 Wh) take ~6-8 hours.
Larger Models:
- For large models, Jackery has an edge in speed with models like the Explorer 3000 Pro (3024 Wh), which charges in ~2.4 hours with a car, thanks to its 1400W max input.
- Bluetti’s larger models (like the AC200L with 2048 Wh) charge slower, taking ~9.5 hours using 200W DC input.
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FAQs
Can I charge my Jackery or Bluetti power station with solar energy?
Yes, both brands offer solar-compatible models. Bluetti tends to charge faster with high solar input (e.g., 500W+), while Jackery solar charging times can be slower, especially for smaller models with lower solar input.
Do Bluetti or Jackery offer faster solar recharge times?
Bluetti charges faster with solar power than Jackery, thanks to its higher solar input capacity. For example, the Bluetti AC200L can fully recharge in 2 hours with 1200W input, while the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus takes 8-10 hours with just 200W input. Bluetti’s high-voltage models, like the AC500, are even faster with compatible solar panels, making it the better choice for quick solar recharging.
What is the difference in car charging speed between Jackery and Bluetti?
Bluetti generally charges faster than Jackery when using a car charger. For smaller models, Bluetti EB3A charges in 3.2–3.7 hours and the Bluetti AC2A charges in ~1.5 hours. This is compared to Jackery Explorer 240’s 6.5 hours. For mid-range models, Bluetti EB55 charges in 6.1 hours versus Jackery Explorer 500’s 7.5 hours. For larger models, Bluetti AC200L charges in 9.5 hours, while the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro takes about 12 hours.
How do the AC output capacities of Jackery and Bluetti compare?
The AC output capacities of Jackery and Bluetti vary across their models, with Bluetti generally offering higher output in larger units. For instance, Jackery models like the Explorer 1000 Plus provide up to 1000W continuous output, while Bluetti models like the AC200L can deliver up to 2000W continuous output. Bluetti’s higher-capacity units, such as the AC300, can reach up to 3000W, giving them an edge for powering more demanding devices.
Conclusion
When it comes to charging methods, Bluetti outpaces Jackery in AC and car charging efficiency, while Jackery offers excellent solar charging flexibility for larger-capacity models. The best choice depends on your priorities—if you want rapid recharges at home or on the road, go Bluetti. For solar-powered adventures, Jackery’s high-end models stand out.