Goal Zero Yeti 500 vs Jackery Explorer 600 v2
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 600 v2 costs $300 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on what you need to run.
- Jackery Explorer 600 v2 holds 28% more energy (640Wh vs 499Wh), so it runs the same load proportionally longer.
- Goal Zero Yeti 500 is 3.2 lb lighter (12.9 lb vs 16.1 lb).
We'd skip the Goal Zero Yeti 500 in this matchup. It costs $300 more than the Jackery Explorer 600 v2 while matching or trailing it on capacity, surge and cycle life — there's no spec here that justifies the premium.
A rugged, water-resistant unit for people who'll actually beat it up. You pay a premium over similar-capacity rivals for that durability.
Best for: Overlanders and job sites where the unit will get wet, dusty and knocked around.
Where it falls short:
- $699 for 499Wh is expensive per watt-hour
- Only a 2-year warranty vs 5 years from most rivals
- 120W solar input is very low
An awkward middle child: too small for appliances, heavier and pricier than the device-charging tier. Buy it only on discount.
Best for: Campers who want more than a power bank but won't run appliances.
Where it falls short:
- 500W output blocks most appliances
- $399 sits uncomfortably close to 1kWh units on sale
| Spec | Goal Zero Yeti 500 | Jackery Explorer 600 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $399 |
| Capacity | 499 Wh | 640 Wh |
| Continuous output | 500 W | 500 W |
| Surge output | 1000 W | 1000 W |
| Battery | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycles | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Weight (lighter wins) | 12.9 lb | 16.1 lb |
| Max solar | 120 W | 200 W |
| Recharge time (faster wins) | 1h 25m | 1h 36m |
Runtime head-to-head
| Appliance | Goal Zero Yeti 500 | Jackery Explorer 600 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 7.1 hrs | 9.1 hrs |
| Mini fridge | 13.5 hrs | 17.3 hrs |
| Chest freezer | 5.3 hrs | 6.8 hrs |
| CPAP machine | 10.6 hrs | 13.6 hrs |
| Sump pump | ❌ | ❌ |