Last updated: October 30, 2026. Every spec and price on this page comes from Jackery’s US product pages for the Explorer 1000 v2 and HomePower 1000 v2 and from Jackery’s own comparison article, all read October 30, 2026. This is a spec comparison, not a hands-on test. We haven’t run either unit ourselves. Anything marked “arithmetic” is our math on Jackery’s figures. Prices change often, so check the live listing before you buy.
Jackery now sells two 1 kWh-class LiFePO4 power stations side by side: the Explorer 1000 v2, which we already cover, and the newer HomePower 1000 v2. They look alike on paper (about 1 kWh, 1,500 W, three AC outlets, roughly 23 to 24 lb), so the obvious question is what you actually get for picking one over the other.
Short version: the HomePower 1000 v2 is the one Jackery built to sit plugged in as a backup for a PC, router, or fridge. Jackery lists a faster switchover (under 10 ms versus under 20 ms), 3 kV surge protection, more charge cycles, a 50-minute fast charge, and a priority feature that cuts less important outlets at a battery level you set. The Explorer 1000 v2 has slightly more capacity, a 12 V car outlet, and has been on sale longer. On jackery.com on October 30, the HomePower was cheaper in black ($499 versus $559) and $30 more in white ($549 versus $519).
If you’re choosing between the Explorer 1000 v2 and the bigger, expandable Explorer 1000 Plus instead, see our Jackery 1000 Plus vs 1000 v2 comparison.
How do the specs compare side by side?
| Spec (Jackery figure) | HomePower 1000 v2 | Explorer 1000 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,024 Wh | 1,070 Wh |
| AC output | 1,500 W rated, 3,000 W peak; 3 outlets, 120 V | 1,500 W rated, 3,000 W peak; 3 outlets, 120 V |
| Switchover when the grid drops | Under 10 ms | Under 20 ms |
| Surge protection | 3 kV surge and lightning protection listed | Not listed |
| Priority Routing (sheds low-priority loads at a set battery level) | Yes | No |
| Battery cycles | 6,000 cycles to 70%+ capacity | 4,000 cycles to 70%+ capacity |
| Fastest AC recharge | 50 minutes (Emergency Fast Charge) | 1 hour (Emergency Super Charge); 1.7 hours standard |
| Solar recharge (Jackery figure) | 3.3 hours with 400 W of panels | 3.8 hours with two SolarSaga 200W panels |
| 12 V car outlet | Not listed | Yes, 12 V 10 A |
| USB | 1 USB-A 18 W; USB-C 30 W and 100 W | 1 USB-A 18 W; 2 USB-C (see note below) |
| Charging temperature | 14°F to 113°F | 32°F to 113°F |
| Rated noise | Under 30 dB (Quiet Mode, 1 m) | 30 dB on the product page; under 22 dB in Jackery’s comparison table |
| Weight | About 23.4 lb (10.6 kg) | 23.8 lb (10.8 kg) |
| Size | 12.4 x 7.9 x 9.2 in | 12.87 x 8.82 x 9.72 in |
| Expandable | No | No |
| Warranty (bought at jackery.com) | 3 + 2 years (5 total) | 3 + 2 years (5 total) |
| Price on jackery.com, Oct 30, 2026 | $549 white, $499 black (list $699 / $649) | $519 Dune White, $559 black (list $589 / $559) |
Sources: Jackery’s HomePower 1000 v2 page, Explorer 1000 v2 page, and Jackery comparison article (updated October 29, 2026), all read October 30, 2026.
What’s actually different about the HomePower 1000 v2?
Jackery calls the HomePower 1000 v2 “Pro-Grade UPS Performance” and positions it as a UPS replacement. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is the box that keeps a computer or network gear running for the split second after the power cuts out. Four of Jackery’s listed differences matter for that job:
- Switchover time. Jackery lists under 10 ms for the HomePower and under 20 ms for the Explorer 1000 v2. Both are the maker’s figures, and Jackery doesn’t publish test conditions for either.
- Surge protection. Only the HomePower lists 3 kV surge and lightning protection. Jackery doesn’t list it for the Explorer 1000 v2.
- Priority Routing. You pick which outlets matter and set a battery level. When the battery reaches that level, the HomePower shuts off the less important outlets so the router or fridge keeps running longer. The Explorer 1000 v2 doesn’t list this feature.
- Cycle life. 6,000 cycles to 70% capacity versus 4,000. Jackery turns that into “16 years” for the HomePower, based on one full charge and discharge a day. A backup unit that sits mostly full won’t cycle that often, so for home backup either number is unlikely to be the limit.
The HomePower also charges in colder weather. Jackery lists charging down to 14°F, against 32°F for the Explorer 1000 v2. That matters if the unit lives in a garage or shed.
Is a 10 ms or 20 ms switchover fast enough?
It depends on what you plug in. A laptop, a phone charger, or anything with its own battery doesn’t care. A modem and router usually ride through a short gap, but some reboot, and a reboot means a few minutes offline. Desktop PCs and NAS boxes are the touchy ones, because their power supplies only hold up for a brief moment.
Our view: if a desktop PC or NAS is the main reason you’re buying, the HomePower’s shorter listed switchover and surge protection are the reason to pick it. For a dedicated network closet, a real UPS is still the most predictable option. We compare those in our LiFePO4 vs lead-acid UPS guide.
For CPAP machines, Jackery doesn’t list either unit as medical equipment. Our CPAP backup battery guide covers how to size for a CPAP and why you should check with your device maker about running it from a power station.
How long will each one run a router, fridge, or PC?
Jackery publishes its own runtime estimates in its comparison article. These are the maker’s estimates, not our measurements:
| Device (Jackery’s assumed watts) | HomePower 1000 v2 | Explorer 1000 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi router (10 W) | ~34 h | ~35.1 h |
| LED lights (30 W) | ~19 h | ~19.5 h |
| Mini fridge (100 W) | ~7 h | ~7.6 h |
| Refrigerator (200 W) | ~4 h | ~4.1 h |
| Desktop PC (200 W) | ~4 h | ~4.1 h |
| Coffee maker (1,000 W) | ~1 h | ~1 h |
Notice the router line. Simple arithmetic says 1,024 Wh ÷ 10 W is about 102 hours, but Jackery estimates about 34. That gap is mostly the inverter: it draws power just to stay on, and at a 10 W load that standby draw is a big share of the total. Jackery doesn’t publish the idle draw for either model. So for small loads, plan around the maker’s estimate, not Wh ÷ W. If your router runs on 12 V DC, a DC cable from the Explorer’s car outlet can avoid the inverter. The HomePower doesn’t list a car outlet. Our modem and router backup guide explains the DC route.
Where Jackery’s own listings don’t line up
- “Smallest and lightest.” The Explorer 1000 v2 page calls it the “World’s smallest and lightest 1kWh LFP.” Jackery’s own comparison table lists the HomePower 1000 v2 as smaller (12.4 x 7.9 x 9.2 in versus 12.87 x 8.82 x 9.72 in) and slightly lighter (about 23.4 lb versus 23.8 lb).
- Explorer noise. The product page says 30 dB. The comparison table says under 22 dB. We list both.
- Explorer USB-C. The product page says “Dual 100W USB-C.” The comparison table lists one 30 W and one 100 W USB-C port. If you plan to charge two laptops at full speed, check with Jackery.
- HomePower solar and car charging. The comparison table shows a dash for DC input and car port on the HomePower, yet the same article lists 400 W solar charging in 3.3 hours and says car charging is supported, and the product page diagram shows two DC8020 inputs. We read that as solar input through the DC8020 ports, but confirm the maximum solar wattage with Jackery before you buy panels for it.
- HomePower bypass limit. Jackery lists a 15 A max AC input but 12 A max in bypass mode, which is when wall power passes straight through to your devices. That’s the mode a plugged-in backup spends most of its time in.
Which one should you pick?
- Pick the HomePower 1000 v2 if it will sit plugged in behind a desktop PC, NAS, home office, or fridge. The listed switchover, surge protection, Priority Routing, cycle life, and cold-weather charging all point at that job, and the black version is the cheaper of the two today.
- Pick the Explorer 1000 v2 if it goes camping, in the truck, or to job sites, where a 12 V car outlet and a bit more capacity help more than switchover speed, or if you want the Dune White version at $519.
- Want more capacity later? Neither one expands. Jackery’s HomePower 1000 Plus v2 is listed as modular from 1,024 Wh to 11 kWh, and the Explorer 1000 Plus also takes add-on batteries.
- Wiring into the house? Neither page lists a transfer-switch kit for these models. Read our transfer switch safety guide before connecting any power station to a home circuit.
Check current price and stock on Jackery’s site: HomePower 1000 v2 and Explorer 1000 v2. For a smaller Jackery, see our Explorer 1000 vs 300 comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HomePower 1000 v2 a real UPS?
Jackery describes it as a UPS replacement with under 10 ms switchover. The Jackery pages we read don’t list a communication port that tells a computer to shut down. If you need your PC or NAS to shut down on its own when the battery runs low, a dedicated UPS does that.
Does the Explorer 1000 v2 work as a UPS?
Jackery says it switches in under 20 milliseconds during outages. That’s enough for laptops and most electronics. Desktop PCs and some routers may restart.
Can either one be expanded with extra batteries?
No. Jackery lists both as non-expandable. Look at the HomePower 1000 Plus v2 or Explorer 1000 Plus if you want to add batteries later.
Which has the longer warranty?
They match: 3 years plus a free 2-year extension when bought on jackery.com, 5 years total. Jackery says the extension is applied automatically on its own store.
Robert DeWitt writes about off-grid power gear for Off Grid Power Boom. Based in Arizona, he uses portable power stations, solar panels, and battery systems regularly in extreme heat—focusing on practical runtime, charging speed, reliability, and real-world usability for camping, RV trips, and home backup.
Editorial focus: portable power stations & solar generators, solar panel setups, batteries/inverters, and off-grid preparedness.