In short
The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus comes out ahead on 4 of six outage scenarios. The real difference is what they can start: electric water heater, 50 gal (Explorer 5000 Plus only), window ac, 12,000 btu (Explorer 5000 Plus only), central ac, 2 ton (Explorer 5000 Plus only).
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never changes a result. Specs from each maker, prices checked October 28, 2026; we haven't tested these units.
BLUETTI
Native 120 and 240 V with a 50 A outlet: built to feed a transfer switch, and expandable to whole-home capacity.
† reported by retailers or reviews, not yet confirmed on BLUETTI's spec sheet.
$1,599Halloween price, list $1,699, October 28, 2026
Check price
Jackery
The strongest starting power we list (14.4 kW): central AC and well pumps start where smaller units trip. Grows to about 30 kWh with five Battery Pack 5000 Plus; solar figure is the low-voltage input.
$3,149unit alone, without panels or extra battery, October 28, 2026
Check priceEach starts at 6 p.m., battery only. Extra batteries are added when the maker sells them and the outage needs them.
| Scenario | Apex 300 | Explorer 5000 Plus | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge, Wi-Fi & lights24 h | 24 h+ | 24 h+ | Tie |
| Storm night + sump pump48 h | Can't start your biggest motor | 2.0 days+ (+1 batt.) | Explorer 5000 Plus |
| CPAP + fridge24 h | 24 h+ | 24 h+ | Tie |
| Rural: well pump & freezer72 h | Can't start your biggest motor | 3.0 days+ (+2 batt.) | Explorer 5000 Plus |
| Winter: gas furnace72 h | Can't start your biggest motor | 2.2 days (+5 batt.) | Explorer 5000 Plus |
| Hurricane week168 h | Not enough continuous output | 22 h (+5 batt.) | Explorer 5000 Plus |
| Spec | BLUETTI Apex 300 | Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 2.8 kWh LFP | 5.0 kWh LFP |
| Expandable to | 19 kWh | 30 kWh |
| Continuous output | 3.8 kW | 7.2 kW |
| Start-up surge | not published | 14 kW |
| 240 V | Yes | Yes |
| Solar input | 2.4 kW | 1.2 kW |
| Weight | 83.8 lb | 134.5 lb |
| Warranty | — | 5 years |
| Panel connection | BLUETTI home backup kits with transfer switch | Jackery Smart Transfer Switch |
| Price | $1,599 | $3,149 |
Appliances only one of them can start on its own: Electric water heater, 50 gal (Explorer 5000 Plus), Window AC, 12,000 BTU (Explorer 5000 Plus), Central AC, 2 ton (Explorer 5000 Plus), Heat pump (Explorer 5000 Plus), Electric dryer (Explorer 5000 Plus).
The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus comes out ahead on 4 of six outage scenarios. Scenario by scenario results are in the table on this page; they come from published specs, not hands-on tests.
The BLUETTI Apex 300 can, for about 2.3 days on one charge. The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus can, for about 4.2 days on one charge.