Goal Zero Yeti 300 vs Jackery Explorer 500
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
Goal Zero Yeti 300 costs $200 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on what you need to run.
- Jackery Explorer 500 holds 74% more energy (518Wh vs 297Wh), so it runs the same load proportionally longer.
- Jackery Explorer 500 has 400W more surge headroom (1000W vs 600W) — that decides whether a fridge, pump or AC compressor will actually start.
- Jackery Explorer 500 is 0.4 lb lighter (13.3 lb vs 13.7 lb).
- Goal Zero Yeti 300 uses LiFePO4 while the other uses NMC — roughly double the usable cycle life.
- Goal Zero Yeti 300 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 500. 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.
Goal Zero's compact entry: rugged and IPX4-rated, but you pay a premium over similar-capacity rivals for the drop-and-splash toughness.
Best for: Overlanders and job sites where the unit gets wet and knocked around.
Where it falls short:
- 350W output runs devices, not appliances
- $299 for 297Wh is pricey per watt-hour
A long-running compact that's now firmly dated: one AC outlet, no USB-C, Li-ion cells and a very slow recharge. Only its ubiquity keeps it around.
Best for: Light, occasional device charging when found cheap.
Where it falls short:
- ~500 cycles
- One AC outlet, no USB-C
- 7.5-hour recharge
| Spec | Goal Zero Yeti 300 | Jackery Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $499 |
| Capacity | 297 Wh | 518 Wh |
| Continuous output | 350 W | 500 W |
| Surge output | 600 W | 1000 W |
| Battery | LiFePO4 | NMC |
| Rated cycles | 4,000 | 500 |
| Weight (lighter wins) | 13.7 lb | 13.3 lb |
| Max solar | 300 W | 100 W |
| Recharge time (faster wins) | 50 min | 7h 30m |
Runtime head-to-head
| Appliance | Goal Zero Yeti 300 | Jackery Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | ❌ | 7.3 hrs |
| Mini fridge | 8.0 hrs | 14.0 hrs |
| Chest freezer | ❌ | 5.5 hrs |
| CPAP machine | 6.3 hrs | 11.0 hrs |
| Sump pump | ❌ | ❌ |