Goal Zero Yeti 1500 vs Jackery Explorer 240
Side-by-side on the specs that decide it — surge, capacity, runtime and price.
Both models' specs verified against manufacturer listings · Last updated
The short answer
Jackery Explorer 240 costs $1500 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on what you need to run.
- Goal Zero Yeti 1500 holds 527% more energy (1505Wh vs 240Wh), so it runs the same load proportionally longer.
- Goal Zero Yeti 1500 has 3200W more surge headroom (3600W vs 400W) — that decides whether a fridge, pump or AC compressor will actually start.
- Jackery Explorer 240 is 46.1 lb lighter (6.6 lb vs 52.75 lb).
- Goal Zero Yeti 1500 uses LiFePO4 while the other uses NMC — roughly double the usable cycle life.
- Goal Zero Yeti 1500 is rated for 4,000 cycles vs 500 — meaningful if you cycle it daily.
If you plan to cycle the battery daily, think twice about the Jackery Explorer 240. Its NMC cells are rated for 500 cycles against the LiFePO4 rival's longer life — over years of regular use that's the more expensive unit, whatever the sticker says.
The new-for-2026 LiFePO4 Yeti 1500 — a big durability and cycle-life upgrade over the older 1500X it replaces.
Best for: Home backup buyers who want Goal Zero's build with modern battery chemistry.
Where it falls short:
- 52.75 lb — a two-hand lift
- 600W solar input is modest for the capacity
A very old, very small unit still sold on price alone. The LiFePO4 Explorer 240 v2 beats it on cycles and charging for similar money.
Best for: Only if it’s markedly cheaper than the 240 v2.
Where it falls short:
- ~500 Li-ion cycles
- 200W output, no USB-C PD
| Spec | Goal Zero Yeti 1500 | Jackery Explorer 240 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1699 | $199 |
| Capacity | 1505 Wh | 240 Wh |
| Continuous output | 2000 W | 200 W |
| Surge output | 3600 W | 400 W |
| Battery | LiFePO4 | NMC |
| Rated cycles | 4,000 | 500 |
| Weight (lighter wins) | 52.75 lb | 6.6 lb |
| Max solar | 600 W | 65 W |
| Recharge time (faster wins) | 1h 30m | 5h |
Runtime head-to-head
| Appliance | Goal Zero Yeti 1500 | Jackery Explorer 240 |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 21.3 hrs | ❌ |
| Mini fridge | 40.6 hrs | 6.5 hrs |
| Chest freezer | 16.0 hrs | ❌ |
| CPAP machine | 32.0 hrs | 5.1 hrs |
| Sump pump | 1.6 hrs | ❌ |