Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,260 Wh | DELTA (Gen 1) leads
DELTA (Gen 1) 1,260 Wh
Explorer 500 518.4 Wh
DELTA (Gen 1): +742 Wh (+143.1%).
DELTA (Gen 1) vs Explorer 500
VS
1,800W
Running power
500W
1,260 Wh
Battery
518.4 Wh
30.9 lbs
Weight
13.2 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers choosing between a mid-capacity portable unit and a higher-output station capable of powering larger loads. The DELTA (Gen 1) delivers 1800W of running power and 1260 Wh of capacity, making it suitable for home backup appliances and heavier tools.
It powered 40 out of 53 tested devices, double the Explorer 500's 20. Solar recharging is also faster on the DELTA, topping out at 400W input and a full charge in roughly 4.5 hours compared to the Explorer 500's 112.5W max and 6.6-hour solar charge time.
The tradeoff is weight: at 30.9 lbs, the DELTA is more than twice as heavy as the 13.2-lb Explorer 500, which limits grab-and-go convenience for hiking, car camping, or travel setups where every pound counts.
Overall Winner
DELTA (Gen 1)
Powers 40 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for Explorer 500
Home backup: DELTA (Gen 1) RV / mobile: Explorer 500 Solar: DELTA (Gen 1)
DELTA (Gen 1) wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose DELTA (Gen 1) if...
- + 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 31)
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: 1,800 W | DELTA (Gen 1) leads
DELTA (Gen 1) 1,800 W
Explorer 500 500 W
DELTA (Gen 1): +1,300 W (+260.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,300 W | DELTA (Gen 1) leads
DELTA (Gen 1) 3,300 W
Explorer 500 1,000 W
DELTA (Gen 1): +2,300 W (+230.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.2 lbs | Explorer 500 leads
DELTA (Gen 1) 30.9 lbs (14.0 kg)
Explorer 500 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Explorer 500: -17.6 lbs (57.1% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 800 cycles | Tie
DELTA (Gen 1) 800 cycles
Explorer 500 800 cycles
Delta: Tie (0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 20 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 20 · Differences: 38% (20/53) · Neither can run: 13
Only DELTA (Gen 1) can run 20
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
Toaster Oven Explorer 500: Running + surge shortfall
Rice Cooker Explorer 500: Running 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
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 · 13 devices
These devices have startup surges that exceed both stations.
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Central AC (3-Ton)
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)
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)
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | DELTA (Gen 1) | Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,260 Wh ✓ | 518.4 Wh |
| Running Power | 1,800 W ✓ | 500 W |
| Surge Power | 3,300 W ✓ | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14.0 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 90.0 Wh/kg ✓ | 86.4 Wh/kg |
| Portability Tier | portable | ultralight |
| Chemistry | NMC | Other |
| Cycle Life | 800 | 800 |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS | No | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
DELTA (Gen 1)
Faster Max solar input 400 W
Connector XT60
Full charge time ~4.5h
Compatible panels 19/20
MPPT: 10-65V
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.
DELTA (Gen 1)Explorer 500
Emergency(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
| Device | DELTA (Gen 1) | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Size Freezer (15-17 Cu. Ft.) | Safe | 5.5h | Safe | 2.3h |
| Sump Pump (1/2 HP) | Soft Start | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
Entertainment(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
EV & Transportation(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
4/71/7
4/7
1/7
| Device | DELTA (Gen 1) | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 10.6h | Safe | 4.4h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Soft Start | 1h | Fail | N/A |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Safe | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Soft Start | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Safe | 1.2h | Fail | N/A |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | DELTA (Gen 1) | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 4.9h | Safe | 2h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
10/111/11
10/11
1/11
| Device | DELTA (Gen 1) | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Tight | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Tight | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Safe | 0.9h | Fail | N/A |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 2.9h | Safe | 1.2h |
| Toaster Oven | Tight | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
3/41/4
3/4
1/4
| Device | DELTA (Gen 1) | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Tight | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 4.3h | Safe | 1.8h |
| Washing Machine | Safe | 0.7h | 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
Pick the DELTA (Gen 1) if you need to run high-draw gear like kitchen appliances or power tools, or if broader device coverage matters for emergency preparedness. The Explorer 500 makes more sense for lightweight travel kits and small electronics where 500W of output is plenty. Overall, the DELTA (Gen 1) is the clear winner here, scoring 75.5 versus 40 and covering nearly every device the Explorer 500 can handle plus 20 more.
DELTA (Gen 1) vs Explorer 500 FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, DELTA (Gen 1) or Explorer 500?
DELTA (Gen 1) is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, DELTA (Gen 1) or Explorer 500?
DELTA (Gen 1) has higher battery capacity (1,260 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
DELTA (Gen 1) has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, DELTA (Gen 1) or Explorer 500?
Explorer 500 is lighter at 13.2 lbs vs 30.9 lbs. Explorer 500 is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
DELTA (Gen 1) powers 40 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for Explorer 500.