Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 768 Wh | SOLIX C800 Plus leads
SOLIX C800 Plus 768 Wh
Explorer 500 518.4 Wh
SOLIX C800 Plus: +250 Wh (+48.1%).
SOLIX C800 Plus vs Explorer 500
VS
1,200W
Running power
500W
768 Wh
Battery
518.4 Wh
24 lbs
Weight
13.2 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers weighing a midsize LFP station against a lighter, lower-output portable unit for camping, tailgating, or light home backup. The SOLIX C800 Plus delivers 1200W of running power and 768 Wh of capacity, while the Explorer 500 tops out at 500W and 518.4 Wh.
That gap matters in device coverage: the C800 Plus powered 24 out of 53 tested devices compared to 20 for the Explorer 500, and those four extra devices include higher-draw appliances the Jackery simply cannot run. Anker's LFP chemistry also provides roughly 3000 charge cycles versus about 800 for the Explorer 500, a difference that directly affects long-term value.
Solar recharge is another clear edge, with the C800 Plus accepting up to 300W of input and topping off in around 3.7 hours compared to 6.6 hours for the Jackery. The tradeoff is weight: at 13.2 lbs, the Explorer 500 is nearly half as heavy as the 24 lb C800 Plus, making it far easier to carry on a trail or toss in a daypack.
Overall Winner
SOLIX C800 Plus
Powers 24 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for Explorer 500
Home backup: SOLIX C800 Plus RV / mobile: Explorer 500 Solar: SOLIX C800 Plus
SOLIX C800 Plus wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose SOLIX C800 Plus if...
- + You value battery longevity (LFP, 3,000 cycles)
- + You want faster solar recharging
- + You want broader device compatibility
- + You need all-day runtime headroom
Choose Explorer 500 if...
- + Portability matters (13 lbs vs 24)
Spec Snapshot
Absolute values shown. Bars are scaled within this comparison for readability.
Each metric is independent. Bar lengths are not comparable across different compare pages.
Running Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,200 W | SOLIX C800 Plus leads
SOLIX C800 Plus 1,200 W
Explorer 500 500 W
SOLIX C800 Plus: +700 W (+140.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,600 W | SOLIX C800 Plus leads
SOLIX C800 Plus 1,600 W
Explorer 500 1,000 W
SOLIX C800 Plus: +600 W (+60.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.2 lbs | Explorer 500 leads
SOLIX C800 Plus 24.0 lbs (10.9 kg)
Explorer 500 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Explorer 500: -10.8 lbs (45.0% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | SOLIX C800 Plus leads
SOLIX C800 Plus 3,000 cycles
Explorer 500 800 cycles
SOLIX C800 Plus: +2,200 cycles (+275.0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 4 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 20 · Differences: 8% (4/53) · Neither can run: 29
Only SOLIX C800 Plus can run 4
Neither can run · 29 devices
These devices exceed both stations on running power and surge.
Digital Air Fryer
Electric Stove (Single Burner)
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Toaster Oven
2-Slice Bread Toaster
Coffee Maker
Electric Skillet
Electric Water Kettle
Instant Pot (6 Qt)
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V)
Central AC (3-Ton)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Space Heater (1,500W)
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower)
Window AC (8,000 BTU)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
Electric Clothes Dryer
Dishwasher
Washing Machine
Professional Hair Dryer
Circular Saw (Corded)
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Corded Drill / Hammer Drill
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | SOLIX C800 Plus | Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 768 Wh ✓ | 518.4 Wh |
| Running Power | 1,200 W ✓ | 500 W |
| Surge Power | 1,600 W ✓ | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 24.0 lbs (10.9 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 70.5 Wh/kg | 86.4 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | portable | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | Other |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 ✓ | 800 |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS | No | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
SOLIX C800 Plus
Faster Max solar input 300 W
Connector XT60
Full charge time ~3.7h
Compatible panels 19/20
MPPT: 11-60V
Explorer 500
Max solar input 112.5 W
Connector DC7909
Full charge time ~6.6h
Compatible panels 12/20
MPPT: 12-30V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
Device Compatibility
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
SOLIX C800 PlusExplorer 500
Emergency(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Entertainment(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
EV & Transportation(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
1/71/7
1/7
1/7
| Device | SOLIX C800 Plus | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 6.5h | Safe | 4.4h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Soft Start | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | SOLIX C800 Plus | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 3h | Safe | 2h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
2/111/11
2/11
1/11
| Device | SOLIX C800 Plus | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 1.8h | Safe | 1.2h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
1/41/4
1/4
1/4
| Device | SOLIX C800 Plus | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 2.6h | Safe | 1.8h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Medical(4)
4/44/4
4/4
4/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
5/64/6
5/6
4/6
Personal Care(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Power Tools(5)
0/50/5
0/5
0/5
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The Bottom Line
Pick the SOLIX C800 Plus if you need to run higher-wattage gear, want faster solar charging, or plan to keep the unit for years thanks to its 3000-cycle LFP battery. The Explorer 500 makes more sense for hikers and minimalist campers who prioritize portability over raw power. Overall, the C800 Plus earns the win with a score of 48.5 to 40, offering broader device compatibility and significantly longer battery lifespan.
SOLIX C800 Plus vs Explorer 500 FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, SOLIX C800 Plus or Explorer 500?
SOLIX C800 Plus is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, SOLIX C800 Plus or Explorer 500?
SOLIX C800 Plus has higher battery capacity (768 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
SOLIX C800 Plus has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, SOLIX C800 Plus or Explorer 500?
Explorer 500 is lighter at 13.2 lbs vs 24 lbs. Explorer 500 is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
SOLIX C800 Plus powers 24 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for Explorer 500.