Jackery Explorer 240 Review 

The Perfect Portable Power Station for Camping & Road Trips?

If you love camping, road trips, or off-grid adventures, you know how crucial it is to keep your devices powered. Whether it’s charging your phone, keeping a small fan running, or powering your kid’s tablet, a reliable portable power station can make or break your experience. This Jackery Explorer 240 review should help you decide to buy one for yourself.

The Jackery Explorer 240, a lightweight, compact, and budget-friendly portable power station designed for outdoor enthusiasts and emergency preparedness. But does it have enough power for real-world use? Let’s dive into the details.

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Jackery Explorer 240: Quick Overview

Before we get into the hands-on review, here’s a quick look at what the Jackery Explorer 240 offers. The numbers may seem slight, but in actual use, it’s more than needed for a power outage or camping trip, making this entry-level power solution a good fit for most people.

• Capacity: 240Wh (watt-hours)
• Battery Type: Lithium-ion
• Charging Options: AC outlet, carport, solar panel (optional)
• Output Ports: 1 AC outlet, 2 USB-A, 1 DC carport
• Weight: 6.6 lbs (light and ultra-portable)
• Best For: Camping, hiking, road trips, and emergency power

Yes, at first glance, the Explorer 240 looks like the ideal entry-level portable power station. But how does it hold up in real-world camping scenarios? Let’s find out.

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Who Is the Jackery Explorer 240 For?

The Explorer 240 is perfect for outdoor lovers, weekend campers, and anyone who needs a lightweight power solution without the bulk of a heavy generator for power outages.

Here’s who will love it:

🔋 Campers & Hikers – Charge phones, cameras, and small camping gadgets.
🚙 Road Trippers – Keep your laptop and small coolers running on long drives.
🏕 Families with Kids – Avoid the dreaded “My tablet died!” while camping.
⚡ Emergency Preppers – Stay prepared for power outages with a reliable backup.

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Key Features & Performance

1. Power & Battery Life

With a 240Wh battery capacity, the Jackery Explorer 240 can charge:

📱 Smartphones: 20+ charges
📲 Tablets: 6-7 charges
💻 Laptops: 2-3 charges
🎮 Nintendo Switch: 15+ charges
📷 Cameras & Drones: Multiple recharges

If you’re using it for small appliances like a mini fan or LED camping lights, expect several hours of runtime before needing a recharge.

One key benefit? The Pure Sine Wave AC output ensures stable power for sensitive electronics like laptops and cameras, no risk of damage!

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2. Charging Options

You don’t want a power station that takes forever to recharge. Luckily, the Explorer 240 offers multiple ways to power up:

🔌 Wall Outlet: Full charge in 5.5 hours
🚗 Car Charger: Charges in 6.5 hours (great for road trips)
☀️ Solar Panel (Sold Separately): Charges in 6-7 hours with a Jackery SolarSaga 60W or 100W panel

For campers and home emergencies, the solar charging option is a game-changer. On our recent camping trip, I left the Jackery 240 in the car and laid the solar panel on the roof. It charged up steadily while we were out hiking! I did the same thing with a Jackery 300, and it also worked great for the 240. Besides family time, the goal of the trip was to see if the smaller unit was enough for the weekend. We found it was; the 240 kept us charged the entire three-day weekend, along with a small solar panel.

If you’re at a campsite with good sun exposure, setting the panel up in direct sunlight will speed up charging time.

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3. Portability & Design

Weighing just 6.6 lbs, the Jackery Explorer 240 is super easy to carry. It fits neatly in a backpack, RV storage, or car trunk, making it ideal for camping and travel.

It’s durable, rugged, and built for outdoor adventures like all the Jackery Explorers. Ours has taken a few bumps, but it still works perfectly. It’s kid-proof and dog-proof, we’ve put it to the test! I typically leave the 240 in my truck as a back up when I travel.  I leave the 300 at home with my wife for home emergencies.

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4. Quiet & Eco-Friendly

Unlike gas generators, the Jackery 240 runs silently, like all Jackery products, no noise, no fumes, no maintenance. Perfect for camping, indoor use, or emergencies.

We used ours during a storm-related power outage, and it kept our phones and a small light running all night. No stress, no hassle. We kept up on the storm’s progress until it past. The light helped the kids, so everyone was ok.

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Real-World Review: A Camper’s Perspective

We recently took the Jackery Explorer 240 on a weekend camping trip, and it was a lifesaver!

I mainly got it to keep my phone charged and power a small camping fan at night. That’s the basic needs on our trip along with our cameras and kids tablets. But I quickly realized how useful it was for other things, too:

• Smartphone (iPhone 14 Pro): Charged 5-6 times, with battery left over.
• Tablet (iPad Air): Charged fully 2 times.
•  Nintendo Switch: Charged multiple times—zero complaints from the kids!
•  Camping Lights: Powered a small LED light for 8+ hours each night.
•  Mini Fan: Ran for 5+ hours before needing a recharge.

The best part? I charged the Explorer 240 in the car while driving to the campsite, so it was fully powered by the time we arrived. This is the best way to ensure starting the actual camping in a ready-to-go state.

Like the Jackery 300, the 240 is not meant for power-hungry devices like hairdryers or coffee makers but for small camping essentials. It’s perfect.

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Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

• Lightweight & ultra-portable – Easy to carry anywhere
• Multiple charging options – AC, car, and solar
• Great battery life – Keeps essentials powered for days
• Silent operation – No noise, no fumes, safe for indoors
• Pure Sine Wave inverter – Safe for laptops and sensitive electronics

❌ Cons

• Not for high-wattage devices – No support for kettles or microwaves
• Solar panel sold separately – Extra cost for off-grid charging

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Final Verdict: Is the Jackery Explorer 240 Worth It?

Absolutely! If you need a compact, reliable, and budget-friendly power station, the Jackery Explorer 240 is a fantastic choice. It may be the entry-level unit from Jackery, but it still delivers for most people.

💡 Who Should Buy It?

• Campers & hikers needing lightweight, portable power
• Families who want to keep tablets and gadgets charged
• Road trippers looking for a car-friendly power station
• Emergency preppers wanting a reliable backup power source

Bottom Line: The Jackery Explorer 240 is one of the best entry-level portable power stations for camping and off-grid adventures. If you want affordable, eco-friendly power, this is it! Don’t hesitate to buy this for outdoor adventure and for home emergencies and safety. You won’t regret your decision, and you will likely a focal point in the neighborhood during storms.

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