Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station Review

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus at campsite with tent and lantern

Why the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Belongs in Your Truck

After spending 20+ years in enterprise IT managing datacenter power systems, I know what reliable portable power looks like. The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus isn't some gimmick solar gadget - it's a legitimate 288Wh lithium battery system that'll keep your essentials running when you're 40 miles from the nearest outlet.

I've tested portable power stations from the $50 Amazon specials to the $2,000 Bluetti monsters. The Explorer 300 Plus hits that sweet spot where you get enough capacity for a real weekend trip without needing a forklift to load it in the boat.

Check Current Price - Jackery Explorer 300 Plus

What Makes This Power Station Actually Useful

Real-World Capacity

The 288Wh rating means actual runtime you can count on:

That's not marketing math - that's what you actually get when you're sitting in a campsite at Lake Pickwick.

Multiple Output Options

Translation: You can charge your phone, run a fan, power a laptop, and keep the fish finder battery topped off - all at the same time.

Solar Charging Ready

Pairs with 100W solar panels (sold separately). In Mississippi summer sun, you're looking at 3-4 hours for a full charge. That's the difference between a weekend power station and a week-long off-grid setup.

Who This Is For

Weekend Boat Fishermen

Keep electronics running without draining your cranking battery. I've seen too many guys kill their truck battery running a trolling motor charger overnight. The Jackery solves that problem.

Truck Campers

If you're sleeping in the bed with a topper, this runs your fan, charges devices, and powers a 12V cooler without idling your engine all night. Your fuel gauge will thank you.

Remote Workers Who Fish

Need to take a Zoom call from the boat landing? The 100W USB-C port powers a laptop for hours. I've done it - works perfectly.

Not For:

The Reality Check

What I Like:

The LiFePO4 battery chemistry means this thing will last 3,000+ charge cycles. That's 10 years of weekend trips before capacity drops below 80%. Most lithium power stations are good for 500-800 cycles and then they're paperweights.

The app control is actually useful - you can monitor battery status from inside your tent instead of walking out in the rain to check the screen.

Fast charging: 0-100% in 2 hours from a wall outlet. If you forgot to charge it before leaving Friday afternoon, plug it in at the gas station while you grab coffee and you're good to go.

What Could Be Better:

At 8.27 pounds, it's not a backpacking solution. This is a "throw it in the truck" power station, not a "carry it 5 miles into the backcountry" option.

The solar charging is solid but not revolutionary. You need good sun and patience. Cloudy days will take 8-10 hours for a full charge.

No included solar panels - you're paying $300 for the power station and then another $100-200 for panels if you want solar capability.

Check Current Price - Jackery Explorer 300 Plus

Technical Specs

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Bottom Line

The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus is what I'd call "weekend insurance." It's not going to run your entire campsite, but it'll keep the critical stuff running - phones charged, CPAP working, fish finder powered - without burning gas in your truck all night.

At around $300, it's priced where most serious fishermen and weekend campers can justify the purchase after one trip where they wished they had portable power.

If you're doing multi-week expeditions or running heavy loads, step up to the 500 or 1000 series. But for most folks reading this? The 300 Plus is the right size, right price, and right capability.

Get the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus

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