Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 2,073 Wh | Elite 200 V2 leads
Elite 200 V2 2,073 Wh
Explorer 500 518.4 Wh
Elite 200 V2: +1,555 Wh (+299.9%).
Elite 200 V2 vs Explorer 500
VS
2,600W
Running power
500W
2,073 Wh
Battery
518.4 Wh
53.4 lbs
Weight
13.2 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers deciding between a high-capacity home backup unit and a lightweight portable station. The Elite 200 V2 delivers 2,600W of running power with a 2,073 Wh LiFePO4 battery rated for 6,000 cycles, while the Explorer 500 offers just 500W and 518.4 Wh with roughly 800 cycles on a non-LFP chemistry.
In device compatibility testing across 53 appliances, the Elite 200 V2 powered 43 compared to 20 for the Explorer 500, giving it more than twice the practical coverage. Solar input tells a similar story: the Bluetti accepts up to 1,000W from 19 compatible panels, versus 112.5W max on the Jackery with 12 panels.
The tradeoff is weight. At 13.2 lbs, the Explorer 500 is less than a quarter the heft of the 53.4 lb Elite 200 V2, making it far easier to carry on day hikes or car camping trips.
Overall Winner
Elite 200 V2
Powers 43 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for Explorer 500
Home backup: Elite 200 V2 RV / mobile: Explorer 500 Solar: Elite 200 V2
Elite 200 V2 wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose Elite 200 V2 if...
- + You value battery longevity (LFP, 6,000 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 53)
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: 2,600 W | Elite 200 V2 leads
Elite 200 V2 2,600 W
Explorer 500 500 W
Elite 200 V2: +2,100 W (+420.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,600 W | Elite 200 V2 leads
Elite 200 V2 3,600 W
Explorer 500 1,000 W
Elite 200 V2: +2,600 W (+260.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.2 lbs | Explorer 500 leads
Elite 200 V2 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg)
Explorer 500 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Explorer 500: -40.1 lbs (75.2% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 6,000 cycles | Elite 200 V2 leads
Elite 200 V2 6,000 cycles
Explorer 500 800 cycles
Elite 200 V2: +5,200 cycles (+650.0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 23 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 20 · Differences: 43% (23/53) · Neither can run: 10
Only Elite 200 V2 can run 23
2-Slice Bread Toaster Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Coffee Maker Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Digital Air Fryer Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Skillet Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Stove (Single Burner) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Water Kettle Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Instant Pot (6 Qt) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Microwave Oven (1000W) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Toaster Oven Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Rice Cooker Explorer 500: Running shortfall
Dehumidifier (70 Pint) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Space Heater (1,500W) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Window AC (8,000 BTU) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Dishwasher Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Washing Machine Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Sump Pump (1/2 HP) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation) Explorer 500: Running shortfall
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V) Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop) Explorer 500: Surge shortfall
Professional Hair Dryer Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Corded Drill / Hammer Drill Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Laser Printer Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Neither can run · 10 devices
These devices have startup surges that exceed both stations.
Central AC (3-Ton)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Electric Clothes Dryer
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Circular Saw (Corded)
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | Elite 200 V2 | Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,073 Wh ✓ | 518.4 Wh |
| Running Power | 2,600 W ✓ | 500 W |
| Surge Power | 3,600 W ✓ | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 53.4 lbs (24.2 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 85.7 Wh/kg | 86.4 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | portable | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | Other |
| Cycle Life | 6,000 ✓ | 800 |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS | No | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
Elite 200 V2
Max solar input 1,000 W
Connector XT60
Full charge time ~7.4h
Compatible panels 19/20
MPPT: 11-60V
Explorer 500
Faster 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.
Elite 200 V2Explorer 500
Emergency(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Entertainment(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
EV & Transportation(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
5/71/7
5/7
1/7
| Device | Elite 200 V2 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 17.5h | Safe | 4.4h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Tight | 1.7h | Fail | N/A |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Safe | 1.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Soft Start | 1.1h | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Safe | 1h | Fail | N/A |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Safe | 2h | Fail | N/A |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | Elite 200 V2 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 8.1h | Safe | 2h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
11/111/11
11/11
1/11
| Device | Elite 200 V2 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Safe | 1h | Fail | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | Safe | 0.9h | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Safe | 0.9h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Safe | 1h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Safe | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Safe | 1h | Fail | N/A |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Safe | 1h | Fail | N/A |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Safe | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Safe | 1.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 4.8h | Safe | 1.2h |
| Toaster Oven | Safe | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
3/41/4
3/4
1/4
| Device | Elite 200 V2 | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Safe | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 7h | Safe | 1.8h |
| Washing Machine | Safe | 1.1h | 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)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Power Tools(5)
1/50/5
1/5
0/5
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The Bottom Line
Buyers who need extended home backup power or want to run demanding appliances should choose the Elite 200 V2 for its 2,600W output, large battery, and long cycle life. The Explorer 500 makes sense for ultralight travel where only phones, laptops, and small devices need charging. With a score of 83.5 versus 40 and compatibility with more than double the tested devices, the Elite 200 V2 is the clear winner in this matchup.
Elite 200 V2 vs Explorer 500 FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, Elite 200 V2 or Explorer 500?
Elite 200 V2 is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, Elite 200 V2 or Explorer 500?
Elite 200 V2 has higher battery capacity (2,073 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
Explorer 500 has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, Elite 200 V2 or Explorer 500?
Explorer 500 is lighter at 13.2 lbs vs 53.4 lbs. Explorer 500 is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
Elite 200 V2 powers 43 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for Explorer 500.