Jackery's Largest Solar Generator May Be Your Next Emergency Essential

As the maker of the world's first outdoor portable power station, Jackery recently introduced its most flexible and high-capacity model yet: the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro. With 10 ports and the ability to supply 3,000 watts of electricity, this portable power station has enough juice for a family camping trip or use during an emergency. It includes two of Jackery's foldable 200-watt SolarSaga panels for solar recharging alongside AC and DC options for ample power supply.

I recently tested the Jackery 3000 Pro to see if it could meet my needs for camping, operating small home appliances, and working from home without power. Over 2 weeks, I measured battery life by plugging in a mini fridge while I charged a handheld vacuum, then running a portable AC and complete home office while working during a power outage. See how the Jackery 3000 Pro (an upgraded version of the Jackery Explorer 1000, which was our Best Solar Portable Power Station and Best Small Portable Generator) performed in my tests.

What is the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro?

The 3000 Pro solar generator is a portable power station bundled with everything you need for reliable off-grid electricity: two SolarSaga panels with carrying cases and necessary cords, one AC charging cable, one DC car charging cable, two DC7909-to-DC8020 adapters, an accessories bag, and multiple user manuals. It has 10 outputs, including five 120-volt (V) AC outlets (four 20-amp max and one 25-amp max), one 12V DC port, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports.

Jackery is an award-winning company and the developer of the world's first portable folding solar panels. I tested the quality of the company's work by using the Jackery 3000 Pro solar generator for 2 weeks, charging and discharging it a full three times. I powered a mini fridge and charged a small hand vacuum as I might if I were RVing, then recharged a backup battery for my cordless drill while disassembling a DIY greenhouse. During a scheduled 2-hour power outage, I plugged in my Wi-Fi router, laptop, second monitor, phone, headphones, and portable air conditioner and kept working. I also set up the solar panels several times in multiple locations to test their charging efficiency.

How easy is it to set up the Jackery solar generator?

The Jackery solar generator requires almost no setup. It arrived with a 29 percent charge, allowing me to immediately plug in a small 1.7-cubic-foot mini fridge and a 65-watt handheld vacuum. I charged the handheld vacuum for 3 hours and let the Jackery portable power station run the mini fridge for 24.5 hours to drain the battery from its initial 29 percent to 0. I'd barely begun testing and was shocked to find it took more than a day for such a small percentage of the Jackery's capacity to be consumed.

While the generator was running, I downloaded the Jackery app. The app connects via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and you can use it to monitor input, output, remaining generator power, estimated charging time to 100 percent, and temperature. Note that the app does not support notifications, so you'll need to take the initiative to check power and percentages on your own. I do love that the app has a temperature-monitoring function, however. This feature helps ensure safety while the station charges and discharges, which is especially useful when it's in a more confined space like an RV cabinet. To keep it cool during operation, the 3000 Pro has nine temperature sensors alongside variable speed fans that maximize heat dissipation.

For me, the trickiest part of setting up the 3000 Pro was positioning the solar panels. The 200-watt panels come folded in four sections inside storage bags, which is very convenient when they're not in use. Once unfolded, however, they require plenty of room for setup. They're 91 inches long and take up a depth of about 2 feet when propped up at a 45-degree angle.

It's a smart design that positions the panels for maximum sunlight absorption, but the elastic wants to snap back against the panels if there's nothing to keep the kickstands in place, such as grass or sand. Thus I found the SolarSaga panels somewhat difficult to set up on my smooth wood deck but easy to set up in the yard.

Is the Jackery 3000 Pro easy to use?

Overall, the Jackery 3000 Pro solar generator was very user-friendly. Plugging in devices and appliances was no more difficult with the Jackery than with a standard wall plug. Monitoring charge progress and remaining power was simple via both the display screen and the app. I also liked that the 3000 Pro supports pass-through charging, so I could plug in my drill's battery charger while simultaneously charging the generator.

The Jackery portable power station weighs 63.93 pounds and is about the size of a small cooler at 18.75 inches long by 14.5 inches tall by 14 inches deep. The solar panels are 17.5 pounds each and measure a slim 24 inches long by 21.25 inches tall by 2 inches deep when folded inside their cases. This definitely puts the entire setup in the portable category, but the generator is heavy enough that I was always careful to lift it with my legs. On the plus side, it has 1.5-inch-diameter wheels and a 21-inch telescoping aluminum alloy pull rod with a handle to make moving it easier. These were great features when I was on a flat surface walking in a straight line, but they weren't super effective when I was maneuvering around and over obstacles.

The Jackery solar generator 3000 Pro is fast-charging and provides ample plugs and ports to power up to 10 items—an impressive output for such a small appliance. Keeping the station charged is fast and easy thanks to AC, DC, and solar options.

While it's a small detail, the quality and design of the generator's cords is a feature I especially appreciated. The cords are all Jackery's signature orange, making it easy to differentiate them from a mess of inputs and outputs. They're easy to store in an included accessories bag or inside pockets in the solar panels' carrying cases. They even have attached cord keepers, which is a thoughtful feature for those trying to keep things organized when using the generator in a small space.

How long does the Jackery solar generator last?

There are two aspects to consider regarding the longevity of the Jackery solar generator: how long it can provide output power and how many cycles the generator itself can withstand.

The features and functionality of the 3000 Pro make it clear Jackery expects you to put its products to good use, and the company makes it easy to understand your level-of-power needs. The 3000 Pro's web page features a handy runtime simulator to help you estimate how long you can run various appliances—all you need to know is the appliances' wattage. Jackery also lists the number of hours you'll get toward powering a refrigerator (5 hours), TV (35 hours), light (220 hours), heater (2.2 hours), microwave (2.5 hours), electric grill (2.8 hours), or coffee maker (1.2 hours), as well as the number of times you can charge a mobile phone (101 times!).

While the Jackery portable power station is in use, the app estimates how much time you have to continue output at the current wattage. In my testing, I found this number wasn't consistently accurate. Still, it always estimated that I had less time remaining than I had, which prevented me from being surprised by a sudden 0 percent reading. The app did always match the reading on the solar generator—at the end of my 2-hour power-outage test, both showed I had only used 7 percent of the unit's capacity.

In terms of the generator itself, the Jackery Pro 3000's battery is estimated to retain more than 70 percent of its original capacity after 2,000 cycles, with a gradual reduction after that. To help maintain battery life, Jackery recommends keeping the power station at 20 percent or above during storage and charging to at least 50 percent every 3 months. The company also says to keep the power station out of direct sun, which can be a little tricky when using the solar panels, even though the charging cords are 10 feet long.

There are a couple of other things to note for using and storing the Jackery in various weather conditions. First, its operating temperature for output ranges from -4 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a wide range to be sure, but it will not work in intense extremes. It also must be above 32 degrees Fahrenheit to accept input power, so plan ahead if you think you'll need to charge it during an especially cold spell.

How powerful is the Jackery 3000 Pro?

At 3,000 watts, the Jackery Pro 3000 is the highest-capacity solar generator Jackery makes and one of the most powerful on the market, offering 10 output ports. While this is an impressive amount of output, I also found input power and options impressive.

In my tests, the Jackery 3000 Pro went from 0 percent to 100 percent charged in just 2 hours and 20 minutes using the AC wall adapter. Jackery says two of its 200-watt SolarSaga solar panels can charge the power station in 9.5 hours. In my tests, getting the solar generator to 100 percent took nearly 12 hours over 2 days of full sun and partly cloudy conditions. But since the unit uses pass-through power, you'll never have to wait for it to finish charging before you can use it.

I was a little surprised to find that the panels really only charged well when they were in direct sunlight. Even though I had two 200-watt panels hooked up, the max input reading I saw was 367 watts, and this was during midafternoon, full-sun conditions at 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Input power dropped much lower any time a cloud passed over and when the shadows of our trees started to encroach during sunset.

Still, the solar panels became one of my favorite things about the 3000 Pro. Watching the percent charge climb as they sat in the sun was incredibly satisfying, not to mention the peace of mind they offer, knowing I always have a true off-grid power option available. You can connect up to six SolarSaga panels, which Jackery says cuts charge time to under 3 hours. The panels also have an IP67 waterproof rating that protects them in harsh weather, though you'll still need to keep the Jackery portable power station itself tucked somewhere safe.

Is the Jackery solar generator worth the money?

I truly think you'd struggle to find a solar generator as powerful, quiet, and well-made as the Jackery solar generator 3000 Pro. From small features like the generator's cord keepers and telescoping handle to the solar panels' kickstanding feet and included carrying cases, it's obvious that this power station was made by a team of people who actually use these units. Some basic portable power stations may have as many watts and outlets, but I'd be shocked if you found one with the same tangible quality and user-friendly details as the Jackery Pro 3000. There's just a difference in buying something thoughtfully designed and meant to last—I noticed that difference each time I used the Jackery.

But the Jackery's quality difference comes at a price. For the 3000-watt portable power station plus two solar panels, you'll pay about $4,000. If you're looking to use the Jackery with any consistency, its ease of use and reliability are definitely worth the peace of mind they provide. Its high-capacity output and flexible input options make it useful in so many outdoor and indoor settings.

Sometimes, however, the actual use of generators, either indoors or out, can be prohibitively noisy. Not so with Jackery. I took decibel readings using an app on my phone and found noise levels to be around 38 decibels within 1 to 3 feet. This is as quiet as a whisper and did not affect my ability to talk, listen to a podcast, or sleep next to it. For the most sensitive among us, it offers a quiet charging mode that takes noise below 30 decibels, yet another feature that makes it a great option whether you're at a campground or at home.

Is the Jackery 3000 Pro right for you?

For those interested in a top-of-the-line portable power station with true off-grid capability, the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is hard to beat. It provides flexibility and quiet, sustainable power for everything from family camping trips to emergency situations. It's perfect for anyone who wants to buy the best once rather than suffer through multiple inferior products that don't last or simply don't work well.

If you love being outdoors but want to take along some of the conveniences of home, the Jackery 3000 Pro solar generator is perfect for a weekend in the woods. For those in areas prone to power outages or who have a loved one requiring electrical medical equipment, the Jackery Pro offers reliability and peace of mind. As a portable generator with multiple inputs and outputs, it's easy to take to a jobsite or set up at home should you need to work without grid power. I loved knowing it was ready in my garage while our record-breaking snowfall melted, putting us under weeks of flood watches.

If you're worried the price tag is too high to justify for your needs, Jackery offers multiple other portable power stations in various sizes and capacities. You can also purchase the 3000-watt power station without solar panels if you think you'll always have access to AC/DC charging options.

Personally, I think the solar panels take the convenience and functionality of the 3000-watt power station to a whole new level. As a bundle, the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a truly off-grid option for those wanting creature comforts while camping or safety essentials in any environment. I can't wait to take it on a real adventure, but in the meantime, I feel better knowing I always have power on hand.

Jackery for $3,999 (with 2 solar panels)