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Gear Review

Jackery Solar Generator 500

5th April 2022

Capable portable power with a solar boost

As demands for reliable, portable power grows in the UK market there are more and more of these portable power generators appearing.

This is the first time I have been able to get my hands on a Jackery product – but it does seem like every overlander, van-lifer and homesteader on YouTube has been sent one.

A couple of months ago the marketing people from Jackery asked if we want to try out the Jackery Solar Generator 500 – a bundle of a 518Wh power pack and the 100WSolar Saga solar panel.  

What’s in the Bundle?

The Jackery Solar Generator 500 package includes the Explorer 500 Power Station, a 100W SolarSaga solar panel, an AC charger (UK plug on our suppled sample), and a 12V car charger.

The SolarSaga panel itself weighs just under 4kg and folds neatly, complete with integrated handles and two kickstands for quick deployment. With monocrystalline cells, it’s reasonably efficient – though it, like all panels, is subject to the whims of nature.

You’ll also get all necessary cables—including an 8mm connector between the panel and power station—and there’s no need to buy extra gear, unless you’re aiming to expand your solar array.

We were also sent a storage/carry bag for the power station, but this looks like an extra item – not included in the quoted bundle price.

Powercut and powertools - trying to find some usable sunlight in a Welsh February.

Specifications and Features

The Jackery Explorer 500 offers a 518Wh lithium-ion battery, delivering power across multiple outputs—one 230V AC socket (500W continuous, 1,000W surge), three USB-A 2.4A ports, a 12V/7A car/cigarette lighter-style port, and two DC outputs.

Tipping the scales at around 6kg, it’s a manageable companion for carrying some way into the sidecountry.

For recharging, you’ve got options: a 100W solar panel, an AC wall socket, or a 12V car charger. Solar charging takes 9-10 hours in ideal conditions, which sounds fair until you factor in the unpredictable nature of the Welsh weather. From an AC outlet, a full recharge clocks in at around 7.5 hours, while a 12V car charger stretches the process to a sluggish 16 hours.

A pure sine wave inverter allows the Explorer 500 to safely power sensitive electronics—laptops, medical devices, and camera gear come to mind. The battery lifespan is standard at about 500 cycles before dipping to 80% capacity, a benchmark that’s acceptable but not ground-breaking. 

Key Specifications:

Battery Capacity: 518 watt-hours (144,400mAh)
Weight: 6kg (Power Station), 3.69kg (SolarSaga Panel)
Outputs:
– 1 x 230V AC socket (500W continuous, 1,000W surge)
– 3 x USB-A ports
– 1 x 12V car port
– 2 x DC outputs
Inverter: Pure sine wave inverter for sensitive electronics
Lifecycle: 500 charge cycles before 80% capacity
Solar Input Limit: 100W maximum

Charging Methods:

– 100W SolarSaga solar panel (9-10 hours)
– AC wall charger (7.5 hours)
– 12V car charger (16 hours)

Power station in use in the field, charging drone batteries
Jackery 500 powering improvised scene lighting for an evening deer-butchery session

Real-World Performance

Jackery Explorer 500 Powerstation

Only a few days after our review sample arrived we experienced a 24hr powercut. This was of course a great opportunity to try out the bundle – except the cause of the powercut (severe rain and wind) meant that solar charging was pretty much impossible.

There was a storage charge in the device when it first arrived, so I was able to use it to charge a couple of phones and smaller USB powerbanks – but for anything hungrier I needed to wait until I could get some more juice into it (via a conventional generator).

From then onwards I tried to keep the power station itself charged and ready to go, initially via the mains charger and then on an improvised setup in our ‘off-grid’ shed that has big solar panels on the roof and storage batteries within. The Jackery 500 lives out there now, sat on a shelf with the 12V input left nearby.

As nobody has sent us an e-bike to review yet I had to settle for charging a variety of USB-enabled devices – mostly drone, laptop and camera batteries. The three USB outputs all seem fine and reliable, and the 2.4A output means they are suitable for modern smartphones and higher-drain devices. The push button to activate the different types of charging outlet is useful, but can be annoying when you forget all about its existence and come back to find your phone is still dead…

The inverter is reliable and we have found no issues with it. A fan kicks in when the inverter is is activated, but it is quiet enough to run without distracting a campsite. We have so far used it to run mains chargers for the laptop and cordless tools, and to power some LED video and photography lights – that 500w limit does restrict what we will be able to use it for though.

The 12V outlet is a little on the snug side for some fittings – but we have only really used it with some 12V vehicle worklights so there is a good chance that it is the cheap connector on those cheap lights…

The unit itself seems rugged and robust enough to survive a life of being repeatedly loaded and unloaded into the truck in a succession of muddy fields and woodlands.

Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel

I have to say that we have used the panel much less often than the power station itself.

The reason for that is not a failure of the device, or a design flaw – it’s just that unless you have continuous, direct sunlight you will be waiting for several hours to charge the power station.

Especially in Wales.

The panel is easy to use (plug and play), has a simple kick-out leg to prop it up and robust eyelets that could be used to tie it up to a fence or structure. The cable length is generous (around 2.8m) and stows away in a neat zipped pouch on the back of the panel. Inside that pouch are the twin USB charging points – 2.4A and 3.0A.

It folds down to a reasonable size and is tidy enough to be slid down the side of the truck loadbay when being moved from place to place. 

The few times we have made use of the panel so far have been we are in one location for multiple days, but even then the power station would probably have lasted for the duration of the trip on its own. 

It is nice to know that we have it though, and that in theory charging is possible without additional resources.

Limitations

Overall we are satisfied with the Jackery Explorer 500 + SolarSaga 100W bundle, but there are a few limitations.

It is undoubtedly useful, and for USB – charged devices like phones, drones and small tech it is very capable. The 500w inverter being tied to a relatively small 518Wh battery means that you are restricted to either small, low-draw devices or something that you will only use briefly. 

The capacity of that battery does mean that you will have to plan ahead for how you will use it – and keep a careful eye on the power that is being drawn from the cells while in use.

The solar panel works as well as can be expected under cloudy skies, but you will again have to moderate your expectations about charging in the field. The 100W cap on solar charging input is a little restrictive by the standards of other similar devices.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Portability: At 6kg for the power station and 4.69kg for the solar panel, it’s one of the lighter setups in its class—ideal for professionals who need to travel light.
Build Quality: The rugged, durable design of both the power station and the foldable SolarSaga panel can withstand the bumps and knocks of outdoor use.
Ease of Use: The intuitive interface with a clear LCD screen makes the device accessible to both novices and seasoned professionals.

Cons:

Limited Power Output: The 500W AC output is sufficient for small electronics but restricts the use of high-power tools and larger devices.
Slow Solar Charging: The 100W solar input limit results in slow recharge times, especially in overcast conditions, which can be frustrating for extended off-grid stays.
Car Charging Speed: At 16 hours for a full charge via a 12V car socket, it’s more of an emergency backup option than a practical charging method.

Final Thoughts

The Jackery Solar Generator 500 bundle finds its niche as a dependable, portable power source for outdoor professionals, weekend campers, and those spending multiple days in the sidecountry.

The lightweight, rugged design makes it a practical companion, but it’s not without its limits. Slow solar recharging and a modest 500W output mean it won’t suit everyone, especially those with higher power needs or a tight schedule.

For most field workers and adventurers, though, the Jackery 500 offers enough reliability and ease of use to earn a spot in their gear list. If you need more power or faster charging, there are alternatives worth considering. But if you want a solid, straightforward option that won’t let you down when you’re miles away from a power socket, the Jackery 500 is a contender worth looking at.

Jackery Explorer 500 Solar Generator

Available via Amazon – affiliate links below.

Available on Amazon
Pros

Portability: At 6kg for the power station and 4.69kg for the solar panel, it’s one of the lighter setups in its class—ideal for professionals who need to travel light.

Build Quality: The rugged, durable design of both the power station and the foldable SolarSaga panel can withstand the bumps and knocks of outdoor use.

Ease of Use: The intuitive interface with a clear LCD screen makes the device accessible to both novices and seasoned professionals.

Cons

Limited Power Output: The 500W AC output is sufficient for small electronics but restricts the use of high-power tools and larger devices.

Slow Solar Charging: The 100W solar input limit results in slow recharge times, especially in overcast conditions, which can be frustrating for extended off-grid stays.

Car Charging Speed: At 16 hours for a full charge via a 12V car socket, it’s more of an emergency backup option than a practical charging method.

Review Overview
FUNCTION
DURABILITY
RUGGEDNESS
USABILITY
PRICE
SUMMARY

The Jackery Solar Generator 500 bundle finds its niche as a dependable, portable power source for outdoor professionals, weekend campers, and those spending multiple days in the sidecountry.

The lightweight, rugged design makes it a practical companion, but it’s not without its limits. Slow solar recharging and a modest 500W output mean it won’t suit everyone, especially those with higher power needs or a tight schedule.

For most field workers and adventurers, though, the Jackery 500 offers enough reliability and ease of use to earn a spot in their gear list. If you need more power or faster charging, there are alternatives worth considering. But if you want a solid, straightforward option that won’t let you down when you’re miles away from a power socket, the Jackery 500 is a contender worth looking at.
4.4
profile photo of Richard Prideaux

Richard Prideaux

A Mountain Leader with over a decade of experience across the UK and overseas, Richard is our Lead Instructor and a partner in Original Outdoors. He is a specialist in temperate wilderness skills and the wild foods of the British Isles, and also works as a consultant for various brands and organisations. Richard lives in North Wales.

A Life more Wild.

A Life More Wild is the philosophy which underpins everything we do.

It encompasses practical skills, personal development, community learning and a journey to live more intentionally.

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