Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max vs Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus

In short

The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus comes out ahead on 3 of six outage scenarios; the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max wins 1. The real difference is what they can start: electric water heater, 50 gal (Explorer 5000 Plus only), central ac, 2 ton (Explorer 5000 Plus only), heat pump (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.

Jackery

HomePower 3600 Pro Max

The cheapest native 120/240 V unit we list, with a 50 A outlet and Jackery's own $399 manual transfer switch: a well pump starts on 4 kW continuous and an 8 kW peak. Jackery quotes up to 43 kWh with extra batteries; we model the unit alone until the pack size is published.

Capacity: 3.6 kWh
Output: 4.0 kW · 240 V
Surge: 8.0 kW
Solar in: 1.2 kW†
Weight: 73.85 lb
Warranty: 5 yr

† reported by retailers or reviews, not yet confirmed on Jackery's spec sheet.

$1,799list $2,099, October 28, 2026

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★ Our pick for whole-circuit backup

Jackery

Explorer 5000 Plus

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.

Capacity: 5.0 kWh
Output: 7.2 kW · 240 V
Surge: 14 kW
Solar in: 1.2 kW
Weight: 134.5 lb
Warranty: 5 yr

$3,149unit alone, without panels or extra battery, October 28, 2026

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Six outages, side by side

Each starts at 6 p.m., battery only. Extra batteries are added when the maker sells them and the outage needs them.

Scenario	HomePower 3600 Pro Max	Explorer 5000 Plus	Better pick
Fridge, Wi-Fi & lights24 h	24 h+	24 h+	Tie
Storm night + sump pump48 h	20 h	2.0 days+ (+1 batt.)	Explorer 5000 Plus
CPAP + fridge24 h	24 h+	24 h+	Tie
Rural: well pump & freezer72 h	19 h	3.0 days+ (+2 batt.)	Explorer 5000 Plus
Winter: gas furnace72 h	6.1 h	2.2 days (+5 batt.)	HomePower 3600 Pro Max
Hurricane week168 h	Not enough continuous output	22 h (+5 batt.)	Explorer 5000 Plus

Spec sheet

Spec	Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max	Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus
Battery	3.6 kWh LFP	5.0 kWh LFP
Expandable to	No	30 kWh
Continuous output	4.0 kW	7.2 kW
Start-up surge	8.0 kW	14 kW
240 V	Yes	Yes
Solar input	1.2 kW	1.2 kW
Weight	73.85 lb	134.5 lb
Warranty	5 years	5 years
Panel connection	Jackery Manual Transfer Switch ($399) or Smart Transfer Switch	Jackery Smart Transfer Switch
Price	$1,799	$3,149

Appliances only one of them can start on its own: Electric water heater, 50 gal (Explorer 5000 Plus), Central AC, 2 ton (Explorer 5000 Plus), Heat pump (Explorer 5000 Plus), Electric dryer (Explorer 5000 Plus).

Test both on your own appliance list

Questions

Which is better for home backup, the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max or the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus?

The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus comes out ahead on 3 of six outage scenarios; the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max wins 1. Scenario by scenario results are in the table on this page; they come from published specs, not hands-on tests.

Can both run a refrigerator?

The Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max can, for about 3.0 days on one charge. The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus can, for about 4.2 days on one charge.