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Our verdict · Jackery
A 5 kWh, 7,200 W home backup station that runs 240 V circuits through a transfer switch
The Explorer 5000 Plus is built to back up home circuits rather than plug in a few devices. With Jackery's Smart Transfer Switch, installed by an electrician, it can take over selected circuits, including 240 V ones, when the grid drops.
- Capacity
- 5,040 Wh
- AC output
- 7,200 W
- Wall charge
- 1.7 hr
- Weight
- 134.5 lb
Best for
Whole-home or large-circuit backup, including 240 V loads, for homeowners who will have a transfer switch installed.
Skip it if
You need something you can carry, only want to run a fridge and router, or won't install a transfer switch.
- 5,040 Wh LiFePO4, 4,000 cycles to 70%
- 7,200 W at 120/240 V, 14,400 W surge
- 0 ms switchover
- Up to 4,000 W high-voltage solar input
- 5-year warranty
- About 134.5 lb, on wheels
- 1,800 W charging on a standard 120 V outlet
- Maximum expansion not stated by Jackery
Rating breakdown (whole-home (3.5 kwh and up) class)
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall charging speed | 20% | 2.6 | 1,800 W input |
| AC output | 20% | 10.0 | 7,200 W |
| Solar input | 10% | 9.9 | 4,000 W |
| Backup switchover | 15% | 10.0 | 0 ms |
| Portability | 10% | 10.0 | 37 Wh/lb |
| Expandability | 10% | 3.0 | With Battery Pack 5000 Plus (max not stated on maker page) |
| Battery life & warranty | 15% | 10.0 | 5-year warranty, 4,000+ cycles |
| Capacity (Wh) | 5040 |
|---|---|
| Battery chemistry | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycle life | 4,000 cycles to 70% |
| AC output, continuous (W) | 7200 |
| AC output, surge (W) | 14400 |
| AC charge time | 1.7 hr (fastest mode, per Jackery) |
| Max AC charging input (W) | 1800 |
| Max solar input (W) | 4000 |
| Solar input voltage range | High PV 4,000 W + low PV 1,200 W (2 × 60 V 10.5 A) |
| UPS switchover (ms) | 0 |
| Weight (lb) | 134.5 |
| Expandable to (Wh) | With Battery Pack 5000 Plus (max not stated on maker page) |
| Warranty (years) | 5 + 2 optional |
Key specs at a glance
What the numbers mean in practice
- 5,040 Wh capacity: about two days of a fridge and router, or a day of household essentials.
- 7,200 W at 120/240 V, 14,400 W surge: enough for large appliances and 240 V loads.
- LiFePO4, 4,000 cycles to 70%: see LiFePO4 vs lithium-ion.
- About 134.5 lb: it rolls on four casters; it isn't carried.
- Expandable with the Battery Pack 5000 Plus.
- Warranty: 5 years, plus 2 optional.
Spec sheets are easy to misread; watts vs watt-hours explains which number answers which question.
Charging speed
Slow on a standard outlet, fast on solar
From a standard 120 V outlet it takes up to 1,800 W, so a full charge takes several hours. Jackery quotes a full charge in as little as 1.7 hours in its fastest mode, which a standard outlet alone can't reach.
Solar is its strength: up to 4,000 W through its high-voltage input, plus 1,200 W through two low-voltage inputs. See solar panel sizing.
Capacity and real runtime
Days of essentials, hours of big loads
Estimated runtimes on the Explorer 5000 Plus
- CPAP, no humidifier, DC cord5.5 days
- Fridge + Wi-Fi router2.2 days
- Essentials: fridge, router, lights, TV (150 W)27 h
A fridge and router run for about two days. Large loads such as central air drain it much faster. Try your own loads in the runtime calculator, and see how long a power station runs a refrigerator.
Output: what it can and can't run
7,200 W at 120 and 240 V
The front panel has four 120 V 20 A household outlets sharing 7,200 W, plus USB-C (100 W), USB-A (18 W) and a 12 V DC port. Through a transfer switch it also supplies 240 V; Jackery says it can run up to a 5-ton central air unit.
It won't run a whole house with central air and an electric range at once. Pick the circuits that matter and keep their combined draw under 7,200 W.
Backup (UPS) and app
0 ms switchover and a smart transfer switch
Jackery rates the switchover at 0 ms. Paired with the Smart Transfer Switch, installed by a licensed electrician, it powers chosen home circuits automatically when the grid drops. See using a power station as a UPS and how to pick a transfer switch for a portable power station.
It works with the Jackery app.
Noise
Quiet for its size
Jackery rates it at 30 dB, quiet enough for a utility room or garage next to living space.
How it compares
Against other home backup stations
| Spec | Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus | Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus | Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (Wh) | 5040 | 3840 | 3584 |
| AC output, continuous (W) | 7200 | 6000 | 4000 |
| AC charge time | 1.7 hr (fastest mode, per Jackery) | — | 1.3 h (240 V, optional 40 A cable) |
| Max solar input (W) | 4000 | 3200 | 1200 |
| Weight (lb) | 134.5 | 136.7 | 73.9 |
| Warranty (years) | 5 + 2 optional | 5 | 1 |
| Price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
- Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus: 3,840 Wh and 6,000 W at 120/240 V, with a TT-30 RV outlet and expansion to 53.8 kWh, but a 20 ms switchover.
- Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max: 3,584 Wh and 4,000 W at 240 V, but a 1-year warranty.
- Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2: 2,048 Wh at 120 V for essentials only.
- Anker SOLIX S5000: 5,024 Wh and 4,500 W at 120/240 V in 97 lb, with a 10 ms switchover and expansion to about 30 kWh.
- EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3: 4,096 Wh and 4,000 W at 120/240 V from one unit, with a 10 ms switchover and expansion to 48 kWh.
Who should buy it
And who should look elsewhere
Good fit: homeowners who want automatic backup of selected circuits, including 240 V, and will have a transfer switch installed. It pairs well with a large solar array.
Look elsewhere if: you only need a fridge and router through outages, or want something portable. See the best portable power stations for home backup.
FAQ
Can the Explorer 5000 Plus run a whole house?
It can run selected circuits through a transfer switch, up to 7,200 W combined. It won't run every large appliance at once.
Does it need a transfer switch?
To power home circuits, yes, installed by a licensed electrician. Without one, you plug appliances into its outlets.
How long will it run a fridge?
About two days for a fridge and router together.
How fast does it charge?
Up to 1,800 W from a standard 120 V outlet, or up to 4,000 W from high-voltage solar.
Is it portable?
It rolls on casters but weighs about 134.5 lb, so it's meant to stay in one place.
