When I travel or go camping, I always bring along my CPAP machine. For a long time, I've been searching for a reliable way to power it during trips or in case of an emergency evacuation. While I already own some compact lithium-ion power packs recommended for go-bags, these don't provide enough energy to run a medical device or an appliance. That's when I discovered the Jackery Explorer 240, which offers a 240Wh capacity, making it just the right size for my needs.
In our comprehensive review of portable power banks, we tested two smaller Jackery models in the 10 to 20 amp-hour range at 5V, and both performed quite well—although they didn't make it to the top picks. The Explorer 240 is significantly larger than those models. While it’s still portable enough to carry by hand, it’s not something you'd easily fit into a go-bag. Let’s call it semi-portable.
Why Choose the Jackery Explorer?
Power stations in the Explorer 240’s size range—around 6.6 pounds—are great emergency preparedness tools. They're small enough to recharge using portable solar panels yet large enough to power some small appliances and medical devices that require a regular AC wall outlet, such as a 60W mini-fridge for 4-5 hours, depending on conditions.
Another advantage of a product like the Explorer is its ability to top off smaller, packable batteries. For example, you could leave the larger bank at a base camp while taking the smaller ones out into the wilderness.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 240Wh (67ah at 14.4V)
- Weight: 6.6 lbs
- Price: $250
- Power Ports: 2x USB (5V, 2.4A), 12V car outlet, AC outlet (110V, 200W)
- Charging Ports: Proprietary input with adapters for AC wall outlet and 12V car outlet. Compatible with Jackery’s companion solar panel.
Note: Jackery provided us with the Explorer 240 for review. As always, our commitment to transparency ensures that the source of any review equipment has no impact on the review itself.
Features and Functionality
The Explorer is a straightforward, no-frills station essentially consisting of a cluster of 18650 batteries connected to basic output ports and charging circuitry. Semi-portable products like this don’t really need additional features, so Jackery hasn’t included any "outdoor" extras like built-in LEDs. This simplicity makes it even better.
LED Screen
The unit features a nice LED screen on the front that displays the current charge level and which inputs or outputs are active.
[Image description: A close-up of the Jackery Explorer 240’s LED screen showing the current charge level and active outputs.]
In the photo above, I have a load tester and USB multimeter connected to the bank. The load tester is set to draw 2.4A, and the USB multimeter shows a 5V/2.4A power draw. The LED screen indicates 13W on that port, which is accurate. I think this wattage display is a great feature that helps manage the bank’s usage, ensuring you don’t overdraw.
One of the reasons the Jackery 240 is larger is due to the 120V AC plug. The circuitry needed to convert the internal lithium-ion pack’s DC current into AC isn’t small, adding bulk to the unit.
Buttons, Handle, and Shell
The Explorer provides a set of small buttons to toggle on and off the various output ports. I tested them and confirmed they function correctly. This is a useful feature since it allows you to control what you're powering and when without having to constantly unplug and replug devices.
The Explorer’s plastic shell is sturdy but not indestructible. It seems durable enough for general outdoor use but isn’t built to withstand extreme rugged conditions. At the top of the battery is a long carry handle, and on the bottom are four rubber feet. The feet are a thoughtful addition, helping the unit stay stable on slick surfaces without hindering outdoor use.
[Image description: The Jackery Explorer 240 with its handle and rubber feet visible.]
The product comes with a small zipper pouch containing a 12V car charger cable and an AC cable.
[Image description: A close-up of the accessories included with the Jackery Explorer 240, including the cables and charger.]
Accidental Torture Test
I lack the equipment to conduct a proper load test of the Explorer’s AC ports like I did with the smaller USB ports in the previous roundup. However, this review benefits from a real-world torture test.
Shortly after receiving the charger from Jackery in late November 2019, I fully charged it and placed it in a poorly sealed toolbox in the back of my truck... where I accidentally left it for six months. Oops.
This wasn’t just any six-month stint rattling around in the back of a Nissan Titan. It endured all kinds of extreme weather conditions, from 0 degrees Fahrenheit in the snow to the early summer Texas heat.
I packed the charger in the toolbox in November because my family and I were heading to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, to spend Christmas in an Airbnb cabin. I intended to bring the Explorer along as a backup. I thought it might come in handy during the trip.
It got down to zero degrees in Pagosa Springs, and it snowed a lot. We had such a great time that I completely forgot about the charger. I drove around with it in the back of my truck, getting it dirty and exposing it to all sorts of temperature and moisture variations until the weekend before last when I went camping with my oldest daughter.
I had been thinking about the Explorer for a while. I had no idea where it was and was wondering how I would explain to Jackery and the team at The Prepared that I had lost the review unit. Then it hit me to check the black toolbox, and there it was.
Results of the ‘Torture Test’
I wasn’t hopeful about its functionality, but I turned it on, and surprisingly, it was at 100 percent charge. Incredible.
[Image description: The Jackery Explorer 240 showing full charge on the LED screen.]
So, I brought it along on our camping trip and ran my CPAP, including the humidifier, off it for 8 hours straight. This drained it down to only 33 percent.
As of now, I can confirm that all the ports still work, and it recharges perfectly. Aside from some scuffing on the plastic from being jostled around, it’s in like-new condition.
Conclusion
This is a solid power station at a great price. Now that I’ve unintentionally subjected it to a bit of a torture test, I have a lot of confidence that it will hold up well in an outdoor setting without letting me down. I’d definitely carry the Explorer 240 in a car-based bug-out scenario, and it’s now my go-to semi-portable power station recommendation in this size range.
[Product Image Description: The Jackery Explorer 240 sitting on a table with its handle extended, showing its sleek design and practical features.]
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