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As detailed in our previous post, the Jackery 300 is an ideal small form portable battery for camping and outdoor recreation. Weighing in at 7.1 pounds and only 9.1×5.2×7.8in, this battery can easily be thrown in the back of the car with your other gear. On our latest Ragnar trail race, we chose to bring the SolarSaga 100W solar panel to recharge the Jackery 300 and brought along a Jackery 290 for comparison. The solar panel folds down to a flat 2 foot x 2 foot square and can also be packed away easily.
While the SolarSaga 100W boasts an IP65 rating (learn more about IP ratings here), the Jackery 300 does not make claims about dust or water protection so we knew we needed to be careful in the dusty trail race environment.
Jackery 300: Compact Powerhouse
The Jackery 300 is the epitome of portable power. Weighing just 7.1 pounds and measuring a compact 9.1×5.2×7.8 inches, it’s designed for adventurers who value efficiency and portability. This portable battery fits effortlessly in your car, ready to power your gear on the go.
Key Features:
- Lightweight Design: Easy to carry and store.
- High Capacity: Powers your gadgets throughout your journey.
- Multiple Charging Ports: Includes 3 USB ports (1x USB-C, 2x USB-A), 2x110V AC outlets, and 1 car charger outlet.
| Feature | Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station |
|---|---|
| Capacity & Output | 293Wh battery, 300W rated power, 500W surge |
| Multifunctional Outputs | 2x AC outlets, 1x 60W USB-C PD, 1x USB-A Quick Charge 3.0, 1x standard USB-A, 1x 12V carport |
| Charging Times | AC: <2.5 hours (with 90W charger) Solar: 3.5 hours to 80% (with SolarSaga panels) Car: ~5 hours |
| Battery Management System | Protection against overcurrent, overvoltage, and thermal events |
| Lifespan | 800 cycles while maintaining up to 80% capacity |
| Noise Level | Quiet operation at 36.4dB |
| Solar Charging Compatibility | Yes, with SolarSaga solar panels |
| Weight & Design | Lightweight, easy-to-carry handle, stylish exterior |
| Safety | Temperature control, voltage regulation |
| Warranty | 2-year standard, additional 1-year with online purchase |
| Eco-Friendly | Clean energy, no fumes, silent |
| Compatible Devices | Drones, mini-coolers, TVs, CPAP machines, laptops, etc. |
| Inverter Type | Pure sine wave, good for sensitive electronics |
| Operation | Push-button start, digital display for power monitoring |
SolarSaga 100W: Harness the Power of the Sun
When paired with the SolarSaga 100W solar panel, the Jackery 300 becomes an unstoppable force. This foldable solar panel, with its flat 2-foot x 2-foot design, is as portable as it is powerful.
Key Features:
- IP65 Rating: Dust and water-resistant, perfect for outdoor environments.
- High Efficiency: Quickly charges the Jackery 300, ensuring you have power when you need it.
Recharging
After a half day of use, we needed to bring the batteries back up to a full charge. Placing the solar panel was super simple and connecting the cable was a cinch. The battery handled the rest and reported progress along the way. We never made it to a 100% charge, but the charge sat at 99% for an hour or so before we called it good.
Jackery 290 vs Jackery 300
The main difference between the Jackery 290 and Jackery 300 appear to be the plugs on the front of the devices. The Jackery 300 has 3 usb plugs (1xUSB-C, 2xUSB-A), 2x110V AC plugs, and 1 car charger plug. While the Jackery 290 served us well in the past, the Jackery 300’s additional charging ports and slightly larger capacity give it a significant edge, especially for groups with multiple devices.
Overall Impressions
The trail relay race team had a lot of gadgets to track time and distance as well as provide music and entertainment for the midnight, freezing, 2.5 hour long runs. This all required fully charged smart watches, phones, and Bluetooth headphones. With the Jackery portable batteries and solar panel the team was able to successfully complete the race in 28 hours.
Check out our recent comparison of the Jackery 300 here: Jackery 300 vs Bluetti EB55
Bobby is a part-time blogger who is highly passionate about off grid and sustainable power systems and is an expert at researching and exploring new topics, checking facts, and presenting things in simple language. As an avid observer of the global off grid power and battery market, he is really excited to share with you the latest trends, fresh products, and other developments in the markets.