Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,024 Wh | DELTA 3 Plus leads
DELTA 3 Plus 1,024 Wh
Explorer 500 518.4 Wh
DELTA 3 Plus: +506 Wh (+97.5%).
DELTA 3 Plus vs Explorer 500
VS
1,800W
Running power
500W
1,024 Wh
Battery
518.4 Wh
27.6 lbs
Weight
13.2 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers weighing raw capability against grab-and-go portability. The DELTA 3 Plus delivers 1800W of running power and 1024 Wh of capacity, enough to handle 42 out of 53 devices in our compatibility tests.
The Explorer 500 managed just 20 of those same 53 devices, limited by its 500W output and 518.4 Wh battery. LFP chemistry gives the EcoFlow unit a 4000-cycle lifespan, roughly five times the Explorer 500's 800-cycle rating, making it a far stronger candidate for regular home backup or extended off-grid use.
Solar recharging is also faster on the DELTA 3 Plus, reaching full in about 3.7 hours with up to 1000W of panel input versus 6.6 hours and a 112.5W ceiling on the Jackery. The tradeoff is weight: at 27.6 lbs the EcoFlow is more than double the Explorer 500's 13.2 lbs, which matters if packability is your top priority.
Overall Winner
DELTA 3 Plus
Powers 42 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for Explorer 500
Home backup: DELTA 3 Plus RV / mobile: Explorer 500 Solar: DELTA 3 Plus
DELTA 3 Plus wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose DELTA 3 Plus if...
- + You value battery longevity (LFP, 4,000 cycles)
- + You want faster solar recharging
- + You want future battery expansion
- + You want broader device compatibility
- + You need all-day runtime headroom
Choose Explorer 500 if...
- + Portability matters (13 lbs vs 28)
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 3 Plus leads
DELTA 3 Plus 1,800 W
Explorer 500 500 W
DELTA 3 Plus: +1,300 W (+260.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,600 W | DELTA 3 Plus leads
DELTA 3 Plus 3,600 W
Explorer 500 1,000 W
DELTA 3 Plus: +2,600 W (+260.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.2 lbs | Explorer 500 leads
DELTA 3 Plus 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg)
Explorer 500 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Explorer 500: -14.3 lbs (52.0% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 4,000 cycles | DELTA 3 Plus leads
DELTA 3 Plus 4,000 cycles
Explorer 500 800 cycles
DELTA 3 Plus: +3,200 cycles (+400.0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 22 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 20 · Differences: 42% (22/53) · Neither can run: 11
Only DELTA 3 Plus can run 22
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
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 · 11 devices
These devices have startup surges that exceed both stations.
Microwave Oven (1000W)
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 | DELTA 3 Plus | Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,024 Wh ✓ | 518.4 Wh |
| Running Power | 1,800 W ✓ | 500 W |
| Surge Power | 3,600 W ✓ | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 81.9 Wh/kg | 86.4 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | portable | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | Other |
| Cycle Life | 4,000 ✓ | 800 |
| Expandable | Yes | No |
| UPS | No | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
DELTA 3 Plus
Faster Max solar input 1,000 W
Connector XT60i
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.
DELTA 3 PlusExplorer 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 | DELTA 3 Plus | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 8.6h | Safe | 4.4h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Tight | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Safe | 0.7h | Fail | N/A |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Soft Start | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Safe | 1h | Fail | N/A |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | DELTA 3 Plus | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 4h | 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 3 Plus | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | Safe | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Safe | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 2.4h | Safe | 1.2h |
| Toaster Oven | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
3/41/4
3/4
1/4
| Device | DELTA 3 Plus | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 3.5h | Safe | 1.8h |
| Washing Machine | Safe | 0.6h | 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 reliable home backup, broad device coverage, or serious solar input should pick the DELTA 3 Plus. The Explorer 500 still makes sense for ultralight day trips or charging small electronics where its 13.2 lb frame and compact size are genuine advantages. Overall, the DELTA 3 Plus is the clear winner, scoring 76.5 to the Explorer 500's 40, and its expandable battery, higher surge capacity, and vastly longer cycle life justify the extra bulk for most use cases.
DELTA 3 Plus vs Explorer 500 FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, DELTA 3 Plus or Explorer 500?
DELTA 3 Plus is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, DELTA 3 Plus or Explorer 500?
DELTA 3 Plus has higher battery capacity (1,024 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
DELTA 3 Plus has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, DELTA 3 Plus or Explorer 500?
Explorer 500 is lighter at 13.2 lbs vs 27.6 lbs. Explorer 500 is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
DELTA 3 Plus powers 42 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for Explorer 500.
Q Can you expand the battery capacity of DELTA 3 Plus or Explorer 500?
Only DELTA 3 Plus supports expansion batteries for additional capacity. Explorer 500 is limited to its built-in 518.4 Wh.