Growatt INFINITY 1500 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
Jackery Explorer 500 costs $600 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on what you need to run.
- Growatt INFINITY 1500 holds 192% more energy (1512Wh vs 518Wh), so it runs the same load proportionally longer.
- Growatt INFINITY 1500 has 2000W more surge headroom (3000W vs 1000W) — that decides whether a fridge, pump or AC compressor will actually start.
- Jackery Explorer 500 is 24.2 lb lighter (13.3 lb vs 37.5 lb).
- Growatt INFINITY 1500 uses LiFePO4 while the other uses NMC — roughly double the usable cycle life.
- Growatt INFINITY 1500 is rated for 3,000 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.
A capable mid-size that flies under the radar. Solid 2,000W output and fast charging, let down mainly by a shorter warranty than the big brands.
Best for: Value hunters who want 1.5kWh and don't need the longest warranty.
Where it falls short:
- 3,000W surge is modest for the output
- 3-year warranty vs 5 from the majors
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 | Growatt INFINITY 1500 | Jackery Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1099 | $499 |
| Capacity | 1512 Wh | 518 Wh |
| Continuous output | 2000 W | 500 W |
| Surge output | 3000 W | 1000 W |
| Battery | LiFePO4 | NMC |
| Rated cycles | 3,000 | 500 |
| Weight (lighter wins) | 37.5 lb | 13.3 lb |
| Max solar | 800 W | 100 W |
| Recharge time (faster wins) | 1h 50m | 7h 30m |
Runtime head-to-head
| Appliance | Growatt INFINITY 1500 | Jackery Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 21.4 hrs | 7.3 hrs |
| Mini fridge | 40.8 hrs | 14.0 hrs |
| Chest freezer | 16.1 hrs | 5.5 hrs |
| CPAP machine | 32.1 hrs | 11.0 hrs |
| Sump pump | ❌ | ❌ |