Advances in portable technology have introduced some interesting new gadgets over the years, including devices designed to produce power – not consume it. Power banks and portable generators are nothing new, but portable power stations have become incredibly popular in recent years.
That forces us to take a closer look at the Jackery vs. Goal Zero portable power stations. Both companies have a stellar lineup of products, but one provides a bit more bang for your buck.
Jackery vs. Goal Zero: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Jackery | Goal Zero | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 2009 |
| Industry | Portable Power | Portable Power |
| Products | Solar Generators, Portable Power Stations, Accessories | Solar Generators, Portable Power Stations, Lighting, Power Banks, Accessories |
| Website | https://www.jackery.com/ | https://www.goalzero.com/ |
Jackery vs. Goal Zero Portable Power Stations: What’s the Difference?
Goal Zero and Jackery were founded a few years apart and both are companies that specialize in portable power. That includes solar generators and power stations you can take on the go along with a variety of accessories. While these companies have a comparable lineup of portable power stations, pricing and features are two areas that set them apart.
Jackery Portable Power Stations
Jackery’s lineup of portable power stations consists of two lines with the Mighty and Compact Explorer series. They have a similar set of designs and features, but there’s a big difference in their size and power.
Jackery Compact Explorer Power Stations
| E160 | E240 | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 167Wh | 240Wh |
| DC input | 42W max | 65W max |
| AC Output | 100W/ 150W peak | 200W/ 500W peak |
| USB-A | x2 | x2 |
| USB-C | Yes | No |
| Wall/AC Charging | 5 hours | 5.5 hours |
| Dimensions (L x W x D) | 7.4” x 4.5 x 6.7 inches | 9L x 5.2W x 7.8 inches |
| Weight | 3.97 lbs. | 6.6 lbs. |
| Lifecycle | 500 | 500 |
| Price | $139 | $219 |
| E300 | E500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 293Wh | 500W/ 1,000W peak |
| DC input | 90W max | x2, 100W max |
| AC Output | Dual 300W/ 500W peak | 500W/ 1,000W peak |
| USB-A | x2 | X3 |
| USB-C | Yes, 60w PD | No |
| Wall/AC Charging | 4.5 hours | 7.5 hours |
| Dimensions (L x W x D) | 9.1 x 5.2 x 7.8 inches | 11.8 x 7.6 x 9.2 inches |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs. | 13.3 lbs. |
| Lifecycle | 500 | 500 |
| Price | $299 | $499 |
The most affordable and portable collection from Jackery is their Compact Explorer line. These power stations won’t break the bank or your back if you take them on the road, and come in four different capacities.
We found the style and build quality comparable across the board from one system to the next. All are compatible with the company’s solar panels for recharging on the go, along with wall chargers and card adapters. The ports, power, and charging times vary, however.
Their most budget-friendly model is the Compact Explorer E160. This small, but powerful, portable power station has a 167-watt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and charging for Type-A and Type-C USB devices. It can charge many drones up to two times or provide more than a dozen charges on a smartphone or slate.
- SUPER COMPACT WITH AC OUTLET: Weighing the same as a standard bag of apples, this portable power station makes the smallest while remaining the most compact in the Explorer family. Being able to carry an AC Outlet around brings you flexibility for your short road trips, remote work, or outdoor camping essentials.
- LEADERSHIP IN THE INDUSTRY: Founded in 2012, Jackery specializes in providing outdoor green power solutions for explorers. Our explorer series has been featured in credible institutions such as Forbes, Digital Trends, and Tom's Guide.
- RECHARGEABILITY THROUGH SOLAR, AC, and VEHICLES: Get fully recharged by Jackery SolarSaga 60 (sold separately) in just 4.5 hours.
- WHAT YOU GET: 1* Jackery Explorer 160 Power Station, 1*AC adapter, 1* car charger cable, and 1* user guide.
This compact unit only weighs 3.97 pounds and has a 100V AC outlet on the side for larger appliances and devices. The Jackery 240 is the next step up in this range. It doesn’t have a USB-C port, but keeps the dual USB-A ports and increases the capacity to 240Wh. DC input is increased on this model along with the AC outlet, which is a Pure Sine Wave outlet with a 400w peak.
(Please note: As of July 18, 2023, the Jackery vs Goal Zero Portable Power Stations: Which One Wins? is out of stock on Amazon. Check the retailer for future availability.)
While these portable power stations have the same design, the 240 is almost 2.5 pounds heavier. By comparison, the Jackery Compact Explorer E300 has a similar weight and price point, but with a higher capacity.
Jackery used a 293Wh battery in this power station, and it charges faster than other models in this line. You can bring it back in 4.5 hours using an AC adapter or 5 hours using a car.
The E300 also has a 60-watt USB-C PD port, dual AC outlets, and two USB-A ports. It provides the best balance for most consumers, whereas the Jackery Compact Explorer 500 doubles the DC ports and has three USB-A ports. At 518 watt-hours, it has the highest capacity in this line, but it’s hefty at 13 pounds and still has a lifespan of 500 cycles to 80% capacity.
Jackery Explorer Power Stations
| E1000 | E1500 | E2000 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,002Wh | 1,534Wh | 2,160Wh |
| AC Outlet | x3 1,000w/2,000w Surge | x3 1,800w/3,600w Peak | X3 2,200w/4,400w Peak |
| USB-A | Dual QC | Dual QC | Dual QC |
| USB-C | Dual | 60w PD | Dual 100w |
| Wall Charging | 7 hours | 6 hours | 2 hours |
| Dimensions (L x W x D) | 13.1 X 9.2 x 11.1 inches | 14 X 10.4 x 12.7 inches | 15. X 10.5 x 12.1 inches |
| Weight | 22 lbs. | 35.2 lbs. | 43 lbs. |
| Lifecycle | 500 cycles | 500 cycles | 1000 cycles |
| Price | $1,099 | $1,699 | $2,099 |
When you need something with more power and don’t mind the additional weight, Jackery’s full-sized explorer line is the best choice. These products are tiered by power and price, like their smaller collection, and the smallest capacity is the Jackery E1000.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 can power up to 8 devices at once. You can power a coffee maker for over an hour or charge up smartphones, tablets, and other devices from the USB ports. There are two USB-A and USB-C ports on this model, along with three Sine Wave AC outlets.
It only has a 1,0002Wh battery, however, compared to the Jackery 2000 Pro, with a massive 2,160Wh Li-Po battery. This portable power station weighs 43 pounds but has a 100w USB-C port, USB-A QC, and four temperature core sensors to ensure safe and stable charging.
You can power this beast back to 100% in only 2 hours through a wall outlet, and you’ll have no trouble running portable grills and other appliances. It’s their most expensive model at around $2,000, whereas the Jackery 1500 is in the middle of the pack.
At 1,534Wh, the Jackery E1500 strikes a nice balance between the smaller and larger stations. The USB-C port provides 60w of power delivery, and it still has three AC outlets, but with a higher surge/ peak. Charging times are respectable, and it has a slightly different design than the smaller E1000.
Goal Zero Portable Power Stations
| Yeti 200X | Yeti 500X | Yeti 1000X | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 187Wh | 505Wh | 983Wh |
| AC Outlet | 120W/200W Surge | Dual 300W/1,200W Surge | Dual 1,500W/3,500W Surge |
| USB-A | Dual | Dual | Dual |
| USB-C | Dual+PD | Dual+PD | Dual+PD |
| Wall Charging | 4.5 hours | 10 hours | 9 hours |
| Dimensions (L x W x D) | 7.9 x 5.1 x 5.1 inches | 7.5 x 11.2 x 5.8 inches | 15.2 x 10.2 x 9.8 inches |
| Weight | 5 pounds | 12.9 pounds | 31.6 pounds |
| Lifecycle | 500 cycles | 500 cycles | 500 cycles |
| Price | $299 | $549 | $1,299 |
| Yeti 1500X | Yeti 3000X | Yeti 6000X | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,516Wh | 3,032Wh | 6071Wh |
| AC Outlet | Dual 2,000W/3,500W Surge | Dual 2,000W/3,500W Surge | Dual 2,000W/3,500W Surge |
| USB-A | Dual | Dual | Dual |
| USB-C | Dual+PD | Dual+PD | Dual+PD |
| Wall Charging | 14 hours | 14 hours | 12 hours |
| Dimensions (L x W x D) | 15.2 x 10.2 x 10.3 inches | 15.2 x 10.2 X 13.6 inches | 15.3 x 10.1 x 17 inches |
| Weight | 45 pounds | 69 pounds | 106 pounds |
| Lifecycle | 500 cycles | 500 cycles | 500 cycles |
| Price | $1,799 | $3,499 | $5,995 |
Goal Zero’s portable power lineup only falls under one collection with the Yeti line. At this time, they have seven systems listed as current models, along with a variety of older models that have been phased out in favor of newer versions.
Consumers looking for something lightweight and portable will be impressed by the Yeti 200X. It’s their smallest portable power bank, with a weight of 5 pounds. The capacity of this system is 187Wh, and while it only has one AC outlet, it sports two USB-A and USB-C ports. It charges quickly at 4-5 hours from a standard wall charger, which is about half the time from the next step up.
- Powers most small and medium-sized devices and appliances
- Ultra-portable design that’s perfect for keeping your essentials charged from door to destination and back again
- Goal Zero’s MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) increases solar input by up to 30 percent
- Professional grade construction with a heavy-duty anodized aluminum enclosure and an internal separately sealed battery unit provides years of use at home or off-grid
The Goal Zero Yeti 500X takes longer to charge but has a considerably larger 505Wh lithium-ion battery. You’ll find a similar port setup on both systems, but the 500X has dual AC plugs with higher ratings and a few other extras. This model is still manageable at 12.9 pounds and won’t take up a ton of space although it’s wider than the 200X.
These portable power stations are rated for 500 cycles, like the Yeti 1000X and Yeti 1500X. The difference is size and power as these systems are designed for power-heavy devices. The Yeti 1000X and its 983Wh battery essentially act as a standby generator. It can run a CPAP machine during a power outage for 15 hours or keep a full-sized refrigerator going for 14 hours.
Standard recharging times are impressive at around 9 hours, while their Nomad Solar Panels can top it off with 3-6 hours of sunlight outdoors. It’s around the same size as the 1500X, which has a larger 1,516Wh battery and weighs in at 45 pounds. The Yeti 1500X also has two 2,000W AC compared to the dual 1,500W outlets on the Yeti 1000X.
Goal Zero Yeti Large Portable Power Stations
While the Yeti 1000X and 1500X aren’t considered small, the Yeti 6000X takes things to an all-new level if you need outdoor or emergency power. It has a 6,071Wh battery, along with seven ports that can deliver power to a variety of devices. An extendable handle and sturdy wheeled cart make transportation a breeze, which is good considering it weighs 106 pounds.
The Yeti 6000X is perfect for powering everything from lights to laptops and can keep a 42-inch LED TV going for up to 60 hours. Ports on this model are in line with the company’s other options, but with higher ratings. If the 6000X is too pricey, or you’re interested in something slightly smaller and 30 pounds lighter, consider the Yeti 3000X.
Goal Zero used the same wheeled design on this portable power station, but it’s more affordable and has a battery twice the size of the one found in the 1500X. The 3,032Wh battery sends power to the USB-C PD port, USB-A ports, and dual 120V outputs on the front. Other features of interest on the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X include dual 6mm output ports and 8mm charging ports on the front and under the lid.
Jackery vs. Goal Zero Portable Power Station Features
Safety is the first thing that should come to mind when you are powering devices in your home or on the road with a “portable” system. Thankfully, that’s something you won’t have to worry about with portable power stations from Goal Zero or Jackery.
Both companies use a variety of tech to keep their chargers and your products safe. Battery management systems and overcharge protection help in that regard, and you can even monitor some of the station’s stats with Goal Zero through the Yeti mobile app.
Want to charge the system through solar power instead of a wall outlet? That’s an option with both companies. And so, both serve as powerful car chargers.
Pure Sine Wave inverters and digital displays are common along with ports USB-A and USB-C ports for mobile devices. How many ports each model has varies, but is comparable on most models from both companies. With that in mind, we found that Goal Zero power stations typically have a few more ports than Jackery’s models across the board.
Accessories
Power stations come with everything you need to get going out of the box, but each company has a range of accessories. While both have useful items that can extend the capabilities of their systems, Goal Zero has a clear advantage in this area.
Common accessories for the Yeti line include power supplies, car charging cables, and various cables. The Yeti Vehicle Integration Kit is one of the more interesting options. It’s a kit that allows you to charge certain models from your car’s alternator while the 30-amp external MPPT ensures solar charging is more efficient outdoors.
There are several models of solar panels, including the nifty Boulder 100 Briefcase, and we’re fans of their Faraday bag as well. Jackery also has several sizes of solar panels for their systems, but there are only a handful of cases and carrying bags for their portable power stations.
Warranties & Build Quality
Goal Zero may have Jackery beat when it comes to accessories, but both companies put a lot of thought into the design of their systems. Rubber feet on the bottom keep the power stations stable and handles make carrying the smaller models easy.
You’ll get a similar warranty from Goal Zero and Jackery regardless of the model. The one exception is the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro, which has a 3-year warranty and a lifecycle of 1,000 cycles to 80% capacity. By comparison, there is a 2-year guarantee on the rest of their systems, which are rated at 500 cycles.
Goal Zero provides a 2-year guarantee on their portable power stations, whether it’s the budget-friendly Yeti 500X or 6000X. The lifecycle of the company’s system is 500 cycles on all models.
Jackery vs. Goal Zero Portable Power Stations: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Jackery introduced the Solarsaga panel system in 2018.
- The Goal Zero Escape 150 was one of the company’s first portable power stations.
- Jackery solar panels have an efficiency rate of 23.7%.
- Goal Zero is known for their charity work, as well as their achievements in sustainable power.
- The first models from the Jackery Explorer collection launched in 2015.
Jackery vs. Goal Zero Portable Power Stations: Which One Is Better?
Do you need a larger portable power station to use as a backup for your home? If so, Goal Zero and the Yeti 3000X or 6000X are the best choices. They aren’t cheap, but they have large batteries that can power multiple items or large appliances for hours on end. Jackery doesn’t currently have anything on par with those systems.
For smaller and more portable power stations, we prefer Jackery’s Compact Explorer line. They are lightweight, affordable, and provide more than enough power for most folks.
Goal Zero has more accessories for its products, but the Jackery systems are cheaper in every capacity. At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with a portable power station from either company; as long as you keep your needs and budget in mind.
Jackery and Goal Zero Portable Power Stations: Technology Updates
In recent months, both Jackery and Goal Zero have introduced several noteworthy technology updates to their Portable Power Stations, enhancing their capacity, functionality, and compatibility:
Jackery Updates:
- Jackery Explorer 3000 Portable Power Station: Launched in June 2023, the Jackery Explorer 3000 boasts a substantial 3,000Wh capacity, providing ample energy storage. Equipped with a built-in inverter, it delivers a continuous power output of 2,200W, catering to a wide range of power needs.
- Jackery SolarSaga 200W Portable Solar Panel: Released in July 2023, the SolarSaga 200W solar panel complements the Jackery Explorer 3000 and other devices by harnessing solar energy. With a capacity of 200W, it efficiently converts sunlight into power, enabling eco-friendly and convenient charging.
Goal Zero Updates:
- Goal Zero Yeti 1000X Portable Power Station: Introduced in August 2023, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000X Portable Power Station offers a 1,000Wh capacity. Its built-in inverter can deliver a continuous power output of 700W, making it suitable for a variety of applications.
- Goal Zero Boulder 50 Solar Panel: Launched in September 2023, the Goal Zero Boulder 50 Solar Panel features a 50W capacity, providing an efficient solution for charging the Goal Zero Yeti 1000X and other portable devices through solar energy.
Jackery and Goal Zero Portable Power Stations: Looking Forward
Anticipated technology updates for Jackery and Goal Zero Portable Power Stations in the next six to 18 months include:
Lithium-Ion Battery Advancements:
Both Jackery and Goal Zero have embraced lithium-ion battery technology for their portable power stations due to its efficiency and reliability. Looking ahead, these companies may introduce new portable power stations featuring upgraded lithium-ion battery technology. These advancements could offer improved energy density, longer lifespan, and potentially reduced costs, enhancing the overall performance and value of their products.
Solar Charging Efficiency:
Both brands currently provide portable solar panels to recharge their power stations, harnessing clean solar energy. Future iterations may incorporate enhanced solar charging technology, such as more efficient solar cells or innovative designs, to optimize solar energy conversion rates. This could result in faster and more effective solar charging, making the power stations even more practical for remote and off-grid scenarios.
Enhanced Portability:
While Jackery and Goal Zero power stations are already designed with portability in mind, there’s potential for further innovation. Future models could feature streamlined designs, ergonomic handles, or modular components to make transportation and setup even more convenient for users on the move.
Advanced Durability:
Both companies prioritize durability for outdoor usage, but upcoming releases may introduce even sturdier constructions, reinforced materials, or improved weatherproofing. These enhancements could ensure the power stations withstand rugged conditions and provide reliable performance in various outdoor environments.
Expanded Safety Features:
Safety remains paramount for portable power stations, especially when used outdoors or in various settings. To further mitigate potential risks, future iterations may incorporate advanced safety features such as intelligent battery management systems, enhanced surge protection, or user-friendly interfaces that promote safer usage and monitoring.
