Jackery Vs Rockpals Power Stations – Which Brand Is The Best?
2024 Update: Rockpals is no longer making power stations.
After our popular post about Goal Zero versus Jackery, a lot of requests have been sent our way to do a similar post about the popular Rockpals power stations versus Jackery and Goal Zero.
In today’s post, we’re going to compare Rockpals and Jackery’s solar powered generator lineup.
If you’re looking for a portable power station to be able to keep your devices charged and powered when camping outdoors.
If you want to have backup power in case of power outages and emergencies, we want you to find the best one for your needs.
That’s why we do these comparisons.
In this article, we’re comparing:
Jackery Explorer 160 Vs Rockpals 200W
Jackery Explorer 240 Vs Rockpals 300W
Jackery Explorer 500 Vs Rockpals 500W
(Click to view any power station on Amazon)
As always, if you have any questions about any of these power stations or anything else, please leave a comment and we’ll do our best to help you.
Related Product: Recharge your power station with a solar panel. The Twelseavan 120W (click to view on Amazon) is compatible right out of the box with all power stations in this article.
Also, if you’re looking for a comparison we haven’t done yet, let us know!
You can use the table of contents to navigate the post.
Jackery Explorer 160 Vs Rockpals 178Wh
Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What The Jackery Explorer 160 Does Better
The Explorer 160 can be used while charging, although only the AC and USB ports, not the DC output.
On the other hand, the Rockpals can only use the DC and USB ports when charging and not the AC outlet.
One huge plus to the Explorer is it has a regulated 12V output so it’s safe to use with sensitive 12V devices like fridge/freezers and CPAP machines.
The Rockpals only has a regulated 12V output on the larger 500W power station.
For portability, the Jackery is smaller in both unit size and it weighs 2.3 lbs less than the Rockpals. But it has less battery capaicty.
What The Rockpals 200W Does Better
Both of these awesome portable power stations have a USB C port so you can charge more modern devices via USB C instead of the old USB A.
However, only the Rockpals a USB C PD port so you can’t charge the Jackery via USB-C but you can charge the Rockpals with it.
The Explorer 160 can handle 42 watts of input, but the Rockpals 178Wh can handle up to 60W when being charged from the wall charger and USB-C.
It can take as much as 45 watts from solar power.
So the Rockpals will charge much faster when using electricity to charge and about the same when using solar power.
It has a pure sine wave inverter which is better for more sensitive electronics than the modified sine wave inverter on the Jackery 160.
Related Post: Best Portable Power Stations For Camping
The Rockpals 224Wh has more battery capacity (167 vs 224 watt-hours), and a more powerful inverter/AC outlet (100W vs 200W).
The difference in battery capacity isn’t huge, but the inverter difference is a bigger deal since you’ll be able to use 100 more watts.
So are you going to need the extra 100W? It depends on what you’re going to power.
Make a list of the devices you want to power at the same time and how many watts each device requires.
Usually, the required wattage can be found on the device itself or its power brick.
You can also use a Kill A Watt to see exactly how many watts a specific device uses.
What They Have In Common
Both have the better MPPT solar charge controllers on them.
Both have an LED screen that will show battery percentage, input watts, and output watts.
USB-C ports, USB ports, and the AC outlet on the side of the unit instead of the front.
Both include a wall charger and a car charger.
There is a built-in handle on the top of both.
Neither includes solar panels.
Solar Panel Recommendations
Two panels that are compatible with both power stations right out of the box (when connecting the correct adapter) are the Itehil 100W (click to view on Amazon) and Rockpals 60W (click to view on Amazon).
Related Post: Goal Zero Yeti 150 Vs Jackery Explorer 160
For a more durable, rigid panel I recommend the Renogy 100W Suitcase (click to view on Amazon).
You can connect to the Jackery with an MC4 to 8mm adapter (click to view on Amazon), or to the Rockpals 200W with an MC4 to 5.5×2.1mm adapter (click to view on Amazon).
Conclusion
Unless you know that you’re going to need a regulated 12 volt outlet, I recommend the Rockpals 200W (click to view on Amazon).
Here are the reasons I would go with the Rockpals over the Jackery.
- USB C PD Port
- Higher Charging Input
- More Batter Capacity
- Higher Output Inverter
- Better Pure Sine Wave Inverter
- Can be Used While Charging (Except AC Outlet)
Jackery Explorer 240 Vs Rockpals 250W
Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What The Jackery Explorer 240 Does Better
The battery capacity in the Explorer 240 is slightly higher at 240 watt-hours versus the 222 watt-hours in the Rockpals.
The Jackery Explorer 240 has a screen while the Rockpals 250W doesn’t have one.
It’s a great screen that shows the input/output watts, battery percentage, and battery bars.
Related Post: Goal Zero Vs Jackery
A full-size regulated 12V cigarette port can be found on the Explorer 240. Rockpals includes a DC to female cigarette port adapter, but the port is not regulated.
You can use the ports on the Jackery while it’s charging, but you can’t use the AC outlets on the Rockpals while it’s charging.
The Explorer 240 has three buttons to control the USB, AC, and DC ports separately. The Rockpals has a single on/off switch.
What The Rockpals 250W Does Better
The Rockpals 250W can output 50 more watts continuously and has an extra AC outlet.
It has the same amount of USB A ports as the Explorer 240, but the ports are more powerful with a 5V 3.1A rating vs 5V 2.4A on the Jackery (15.5W vs 12W).
This will let compatible devices charge faster.
Rockpals has put 4 DC outputs on the 250W power station, but none of them is a cigarette port.
Rockpals do include a 5.5mm to female cigarette port adapter so you can power devices you would usually plug into the 12V DC output in a vehicle.
Note that the port is not regulated, so it’s not recommended to power a 12V fridge/freezer with it.
LED lights along one of the sides show the battery percentage in 20% increments, this makes it easier to monitor the battery levels from a distance.
It’s hard to read the screen on the Jackery unless you turn on the backlight, especially from a distance.
Last but not least, the Rockpals 250W is lighter and smaller overall due to its slim design.
What They Have In Common
Both have two USB ports, a pure sine wave inverter, include car chargers, and have a built-in handle on top.
There is an MPPT charge controller in both that will efficiently charge the batteries with a maximum input around 60W.
Neither includes solar panels.
See Also: Review Of The Jackery Explorer 1500 Power Station/Solar Generator
Solar Panel Recommendations
(click links to view on Amazon)
Two portable and foldable panels that are compatible with both are the Rockpals 60W and Rockpals 100W.
You can also connect solar panels with MC4 connectors like the Rich Solar 100 Watt solar panel with an adapter.
For the Jackery, you’ll need the MC4 to 8mm adapter, and for the Rockpals you’ll need the MC4 to 5.5×2.1mm adapter.
Conclusion
Both the Explorer 240 and the Rockpals 250W are good power stations.
The Explorer 240 is the more complete station due to the screen, the regulated 12V cigarette port, and the individual power buttons.
The Rockpals 250W has an extra AC outlet that can be very useful to some.
You could always connect a power strip to the Jackery outlet but that’s an extra step and accessory to deal with.
So, if you’re planning on powering a 12V device like a fridge/freezer or CPAP machine, go with the Jackery Explorer 240 (click to view on Amazon).
If it’s more important that you have an extra AC outlet, go with the , but remember that the AC outlets can’t be used while the battery is recharging.
Both are great in terms of solar charging capabilities.
Jackery Explorer 240 Vs Rockpals 300W
Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What The Jackery Explorer 240 Does Better
The Explorer 240 has a regulated 12V cigarette port.
The Jackery Explorer 240 weighs less than the Rockpals 300W (6.6 vs 7.5 lbs), and is smaller in size.
What The Rockpals 300W Does Better
The Rockpals 300W has more battery capacity, a larger inverter, more USB and DC ports, and a higher max input wattage.
There is not a huge difference in battery capacity at 240 watt-hours versus 280 watt-hours, but it does mean that you’ll be able to run your devices slightly longer.
A bigger difference is in the inverter rating, where the Rockpals can output 100W more continuously than the Jackery.
So you could, for example, run six 50W devices at the same time, versus four 50W devices off of the Jackery.
Related Post: Rockpals 300W Vs 500W
There are twice as many USB ports on the Rockpals, with a 3.0 QC port that will charge compatible devices quickly.
And a USB-C PD port that can both output and input power.
Rockpals has also put five DC ports on the 300W model, one being a cigarette port which is not regulated.
The MPPT solar charge controller in the Rockpals will not only charge faster and more efficiently but handle 102W input versus the 62W max input on the Jackery.
If you’re going to rely on solar panels to recharge these power stations, the Rockpals 300W is a better choice unless you absolutely need a regulated 12V port.
Last but not least, Rockpals includes an MC4 to DC adapter so it’s compatible with a lot of third-party solar panels straight out of the box.
What They Have In Common
LED screens both show input/output watts, battery percentage, and more.
Both use pure sine wave inverters and can be used while charging.
There is an MPPT solar charge controller in both.
Both companies include a wall and car charger.
Neither includes solar panels.
Solar Panel Recommendations
(click links to view on Amazon)
Two portable and foldable panels that are compatible with both are the Rockpals 60W and Rockpals 100W.
You can connect a solar panel like the Renogy 100W solar panel to the Rockpals by using the MC4 adapter Rockpals include.
If you want to connect the same panel to the Jackery, you’re going to need an MC4 to 8mm adapter.
Conclusion
The Explorer 240 only has one thing going for it when compared to the Rockpals 300, and that is the regulated 12V output.
If you plan on powering a 12V fridge/freezer or a CPAP machine, then you should go with the Jackery Explorer 240 (click to view on Amazon).
For everybody else that is looking to mostly power devices via the AC outlet or USB ports, the Rockpals 300W (click to view on Amazon) is the clear winner.
Not only does it have a larger battery, a more powerful inverter, and more ports, but it also charges faster.
Jackery Explorer 500 Vs Rockpals 500W
Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What The Jackery Explorer 500 Does Better
The Explorer 500 has a higher surge watt rating of 1,000 watts over the 750 watts rating of the Rockpals.
It also has slightly more battery capacity at 518 watts over 505 watts (only a 13 watt difference).
Related Post: Review Of The Jackery Explorer 500
What The Rockpals 500W Does Better
It has an extra AC outlet but the same number of USB A ports as the Explorer 500.
The Rockpals 500W also has a USB C PD port that can both input and output power.
It has a much higher power input capacity overall (110 vs 82) but that’s only when you have it charging via two electric power sources.
Rockpals also includes an MC4 to DC adapter so you don’t have to purchase additional adapters to connect a solar panel with MC4 connectors.
The Rockpals 500W is also lighter and more compact overall.
What They Have In Common
The biggest thing they have in common is the regulated 12 volt port. This is the first time both power stations have had that feature.
It’s important if you plan on running electronics with low voltage features like 12 volt fridges and CPAP machines.
There are power buttons for each type of port on both, so you can control what ports are active and not.
There is an MPPT solar charge controller in both.
A pure sine wave inverter can be found in both, rated at 500W with a surge watt of 1000W.
Neither of them includes solar panels.
LED screen on both shows battery percentage, and input/output wattage.
Solar Panel Recommendations
(click links to view on Amazon)
Two portable and foldable panels that are compatible with both are the Rockpals 60W and Rockpals 100W.
You can connect a solar panel like the Renogy 100W solar panel to the Rockpals by using the MC4 adapter Rockpals include.
If you want to connect the same panel to the Jackery, you’re going to need an MC4 to 8mm adapter.
Conclusion
I recommend the Rockpals 500W (click to view on Amazon) over the Jackery.
The biggest reasons to buy the Rockpals are the the extra AC outlet, the USB C port, fast charging, and the regulated 12 volt port.
I also appreciate that Rockpals includes an MC4 to DC adapter.
The only reason to go with the Jackery is the higher watt rated inverter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Powered Generators
What Are Watt-hours?
A watt-hour is a unit of energy and an easy way to understand power consumption. A 50W device uses 50 watt-hours per hour.
If you run the 50W device for four hours, it has used 200 watt-hours in total (50W * 4 hours=200Wh).
When deciding what power station to buy, it’s good if you have an estimate of how many watt-hours you’re going to use before being able to recharge the power station.
For example, if you need to power a CPAP machine that takes 50W per hour all night or 8 hours, you’re going to need a battery with at least 400 watt-hours (50*8=400).
Then you’re going to have to recharge the battery during the day to be able to use your CPAP machine another night.
See Also: Ecoflow Delta Mini Solar Generator Reviewed For RV/Camping
How Do I Know How Powerful Of An Inverter I Need?
The inverter rating tells us how many watts the built-in inverter can output in total.
Most devices have stickers or a power brick that tells us how many watts the device requires at most.
I use a Kill A Watt (click to view on Amazon).
It’s a neat little device that you plug into an AC outlet, then you plug your device into the Kill A Watt.
The built-in screen will then show exactly how many watts the device is using and it can also monitor how many watt-hours it has used over time.
If you have a meter that doesn’t tell watt-hours but amp hours and volts you can multiply the amp hours by the voltage, for example, 3A*120V=360Wh.
What Are Surge Watts?
You might’ve noticed that there are two numbers in the comparison tables above by the inverter rating, for example, 500W/1000W surge.
The first number is how much the inverter can output continuously until the battery runs out.
The second number is the sure watts, which is what the inverter can handle for a very short amount of time, usually less than 30 seconds.
You should not rely on the surge watts when choosing what power station to buy, because in my experience they’re often a bit on the optimistic side.
How Long Will A Power Station/Solar Powered Generator Power My Device?
When we know how many watts a device uses and how many watt-hours a power station can hold at most.
We can do some calculations to figure out an estimate of how long a specific power station will power a specific device.
Before we do that, we need to know that even though a power station might be listed as having a battery capacity of 200 watt-hours, we won’t be able to use all of those watt-hours.
The reason for that is that most power stations have a feature that stops it from draining to 0%.
So even though the battery bars or the battery percentage reads 0%, there is probably about 5-15% battery left.
This protects the battery and makes it last longer. Most portable power stations are rated at 500 cycles to 80% capacity.
That number would be a lot worse if the battery would be able to drain to 0%.
To increase the lifecycles even further, try to keep your power station between 20-80% charged, and it will most likely go through thousands of cycles before seeing 80% capacity.
What Is A Portable Power Station And How Do They Work?
I have written a post on thesolaraddict.com that answers this without going too in-depth.
Can You Plug An RV Into A Power Station?
I have also written a post about this on thesolaraddict.com that you can find here.
Have any more questions about the Jackery Explorers vs Rockpals power stations? Leave a comment below.
I have a question .
I have a new 16 cu GE fridge that pulls 6.5 amp. 344 kwh yearly usage 2 6V trojan battery’s at 225 ah @20 hr. 185 ah @ 185 hrs. I brought a inverter 2000 W. Now I would like to hook up a solar panel for when not driving RV{ boondocking} My question is how big of solar panel do I need to charge the battery for fridge to run while sleeping ??
Hey Ernie,
With a fridge that uses almost 1kWH per day and batteries that should be kept above 50%, you’re going to need at least 400-500W. You’re not going to have sun every day, but on a sunny day, it should be enough to keep the fridge going all day and night.
Also, the inverter isn’t 100% efficient, but probably around 85-90%, so there will be some loss there.
Jesse
This is out of date and needs to be updated. Jackery is MPPT.