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Writer's pictureKarol Kru

A Perfect Portable Power Station for Car Camping and Van Life - Jackery Explorer Review

Portable Power Station for Camping  - Jackery Explorer Review

In the summer of 2024, we spent a few weeks road-tripping through the Alps, camping in our rooftop tent (RTT). One of our main concerns was how to keep all our electronics charged while being off-grid. Our cameras, drone, phones, laptops, and essential camping accessories needed reliable power. To solve this, we tested two Jackery Explorer Power Stations, the 250 V2 and the 1000 V2, to find the perfect power solution for our future adventures. Here’s how they performed and who we think they’re best suited for.


Portable Power Station for Camping  - Jackery Explorer Review

Who is the Jackery Explorer Power Station For?

The Jackery Explorer Power Station is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy multi-day camping trips, whether in a tent, van, or RTT. It’s perfect for those who rely on electronics for photography, cooking, or staying connected. For example, during our road trip, we kept all our devices fully charged by simply leaving the power station in the car while we explored for the day. Returning to charged batteries was a game-changer for our workflow.


If you’re a casual camper who only needs to charge phones or small gadgets, a large power bank might be good enough for most of your needs. However, if you’re heavily reliant on electronics or need to run higher-wattage devices like a mini-fridge, a power station like the Jackery Explorer could come very useful for you. For even more flexibility, Jackery’s solar panels can charge your devices directly, which is great for short stops like lunch breaks or hikes—though solar charging is, of course, weather-dependent.


Which Portable Power Station Should You Choose?

We tested both the Jackery Explorer 250 V2 and the 1000 V2 on our trip to understand which option fit our needs better. Here’s how they compare:


Portable Power Station for Camping  - Jackery Explorer Review

Jackery Explorer 250 V2 Review

The Jackery Explorer 250 V2 is compact, lightweight, and surprisingly capable. Equipped with a 100W PD USB-C port and a standard AC outlet, it can fast-charge a variety of devices. For example, it can recharge a camera battery around 10 times or power a laptop for up to 15 hours. This makes it an excellent choice for smaller setups or shorter trips.


During our road trip, the Explorer 250 V2 powered our campsite for two full days. We used it to cook, light up the RTT, charge our cameras and phones, and even enjoy movie nights with an iPad. Its small size made it easy to carry wherever we needed it, such as up to the tent or to an outdoor cooking area. However, with only one AC outlet, we occasionally had to prioritize which device to charge first—a small limitation but manageable for light users.


Portable Power Station for Camping  - Jackery Explorer Review

Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 Review

The Jackery Explorer 1000 V2, on the other hand, is a powerhouse designed for more demanding setups. With multiple outlets and greater capacity, it allowed us to charge and use multiple devices simultaneously. Whether we needed to power a lamp and cook dinner or charge a drone and laptop at the same time, the Explorer 1000 V2 handled it all effortlessly.



This model can even support higher-wattage appliances like coffee makers, fridges, or tools, making it a go-to for professional use or extended trips. During our week-long trip, we only needed to recharge the Explorer 1000 V2 once—a testament to its impressive capacity. Its only downside is its size and weight; while still compact enough to pack in a car, it’s less portable compared to the 250 V2, so we kept it stationary at our campsite or in the car.


Portable Power Station for Camping  - Jackery Explorer Review

Charging the Jackery Explorer

Both power stations are versatile in how they can be charged—via a wall socket, car outlet, or Jackery’s solar panels. At campsites, we often utilised free or inexpensive electricity from our pitches to recharge overnight. For example, charging the larger Explorer 1000 V2 fully used roughly 1kWh of electricity, which cost just €1 on most campsites. The ability to fully charge each station from a wall outlet in just two hours was incredibly convenient and ensured we never ran out of power.


Portable Power Station for Camping  - Jackery Explorer Review

Final Thoughts

Both the Jackery Explorer 250 V2 and 1000 V2 proved to be indispensable on our trip. The 250 V2 is perfect for those seeking portability and power for light use, while the 1000 V2 is a must-have for professionals or anyone needing to run multiple devices or high-wattage appliances. Both are quiet, reliable, and versatile, offering unparalleled convenience for outdoor adventures.


For us, taking this trip without a portable power station would have been nearly impossible. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just starting out, investing in a Jackery Explorer Power Station can make your outdoor experiences far more enjoyable and stress-free.



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We are Maria and Karol,

travel photographers sharing our six-year journey of continuous world travel. We lead a digital nomad lifestyle and prefer staying longer in the destinations we visit. This gives us the opportunity to collect many insightful tips about the places we explore, which we later share on our blog or YouTube channel - Picture the World.

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