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Jackery's Explorer 300D is a genuinely portable powerhouse for people who need serious 12v supply on the move | JackeryJackery’s Explorer 300D is a new breed of portable power station, stripping out bulky AC sockets in favour of efficient DC power for laptops, phones and tech on the move
The last few years have seen portable power stations really take off. These massive battery banks can literally power your whole house, and they're a great way to set yourself up with off-grid power.
But last year a new trend started to emerge that's also becoming popular - compact battery banks that you can very easily carry around with you.
Rather than being laced with AC sockets, and packing in beefy inverters, these often just have a DC supply, with multiple USB outputs that have enough grunt to charge up or power some of the most demanding 12v tech out there. Laptops, tablets, drones, you name it. These have got what it takes.
With a selection of inputs, it's an ideal piece of kit for camping or any other outdoor pursuit | JackeryJackery is one of the latest big brands to throw its hat in this new ring, with the Explorer 300D. The strength of these new devices is bridging the gap between a pocket power bank and a full-size power station. And the Explorer 300D fits the brief perfectly.
Obviously, you're not going to fit it in a pocket (you'd probably struggle to fit it comfortably in a rucksack) but it comes with neat straps so you could fit it over a shoulder, or hook it to a bag.
At 2.5kg it's not exactly a featherweight, but it's no major burden to carry it around, and it does pack in a monstrous 288Wh battery which has a remarkable 90,000mAh. That's basically the size of nine pocket power banks.
Foregoing AC power is a conscious choice - but it means your power station will be smaller and much lighter | JackeryObviously, then, this will charge your smartphone without breaking much of a sweat. And then it'll take on laptops, routers, cameras, and any other USB device you might want to throw at it. Aside from its three USB-C ports and single USB-A port, it also has a cigarette lighter adaptor. This is a handy addition, because it's useful for powering things like mini fridges or air compressors.
Cleverly, there's an integrated charging cable that doubles as a hand strap. And it's a 140W cable, which is plenty powerful enough for all USB devices. You can buy a carry case for it, but it does come with a shoulder strap, which most people are likely to use. It even has a little camping light built in, which is a neat touch.
Being a Jackery, it's compatible with up to 100w of solar input. Given enough sunshine, a 100w panel would charge it in just over three hours, but you're better off plugging it into the wall, because its USB input will top it up in two hours, 45 minutes. Charging it in your car takes a relatively glacial four hours, but it's nice to have that option.
Jackery's solar panels marry up well with the Explorer 300D, and they're a great way to keep it topped up during the day | JackeryJackery is fully on board with the latest LiFePO4 battery chemistry now, and it's fitted to the Explorer 300D. It means long cycle life, better safety, and far less degradation over time compared to older lithium-ion designs. Jackery’s claim of around 4,000 cycles and decade-long usable life is credible for LFP chemistry, and the ZeroDrain storage tech is genuinely useful if you’re the kind of person who buys emergency gear and forgets about it for months.
And at that money it's genuinely tempting. It might be one of several options, but Jackery has added some really useful touches to its little newcomer. Are they enough to sway you? That's your call. But I think it's great. It does everything it needs to do for not a lot of money. And you can't ask for a lot more than that.