If you’re looking for a mid-size battery pack power station, you want the Bluetti EB55, not the same-sized Jackery Explorer 500. Here’s why:

NOTE: This post is not sponsored. I bought the Bluetti EB55 myself in August, 2021 after much research. If you need more information about each unit, this is Bluetti’s page and this is Jackery’s

What’s Different

More Ports and More Powerful USB

The Bluetti delivers five USB connections, one of which is a PD100 USB-C. That means it can deliver up to 100W, far more than an average USB port. The other four are typical USB-A slots and are paired together with 3amps available to each pair.

The Jackery has only three total USB-A ports and those are limited to 2.4amps total. No USB-C and no Power Delivery.

My wants include the ability to charge drone batteries for my DJI Mavic 3 Cine as well as my MacBook Pro laptop while on the road. Both of these items can use USB-C connections (Yay! No more randomly shaped AC chargers!) and need around 65W.

More AC Outlets

It’s not even close in this category.

When you do need a ‘regular’ AC outlet for an adapter or charger or fridge or or CPAP or whatnot, the Bluetti has four (two of which have space for a grounding plug, but they are not grounded) while the Jackery has one. Just one.

More Power Out

Bluetti EB55 = 700W for those four AC outlets combined.

Jackery Explorer 500 = 500W for that one outlet.

Both can take a very short surge in use to double their stated max. This is handy for a fridge that might pull a lot of watts right when it starts but then settles back to the intended range. So the Bluetti can surge to 1400W and the Jackery to 1000W.

More Power In

While both battery packs allow for AC, car and solar charging (they both have their own lines of solar panels, but you can use any panel with the right connector), the Bluetti again trounces the Jackery with 200W of input power with either AC or DC power, while the Jackery is limited to 60W.

Ouch. That’s a big difference. 3x the input power means shorter charge times.

Also, the Bluetti can handle 200W per input plug! This means you can use a solar panel to input 200W and an AC charger for another 200W. This is a silly concept, so let’s instead say you can buy another AC charger and with another wall outlet: 400W of charging bliss can be yours.

The downside here is the Bluetti’s charger is a little loud. It’s big and beefy and has a fan to cool it down as it juices up the battery pack, so that’s a bit of a downside.

Charge Times

That boost in input results in Bluetti listing their AC charge time from 0% – 80%% as 1 hour. Jackery is 5.5 hours.

With 400W of input (two AC chargers running at the same time) the Bluetti can be charged in 2 hours.

The Jackery will take 7.5 hours to charge with a 12V car charger. Bluetti’s charge time is 6 hours and can be less is using a 24V outlet.

Also, Bluetti’s car charger is limited to about 70W.

Wireless Charging

Bluetti’s design, with a flip-down handle, means you have a flat top, making it easier to pack.

Plus that flat top deck contains a 15W wireless charger!

Bigger Light

Bluetti’s built-in light is larger and has a nice, soft diffused light. It won’t replace a headlamp when you’re camping, but it works very well as a lantern.

The light has high, low and flashing options.

More Color Options

The Bluetti comes in black, blue (my favorite) and orange (also my favorite, but wasn’t available when I bought the blue).

Jackery comes in orange, which is attractive to me.

Charge Cycles

Jackery says on their website that the Explorer b5009 can be charged 500 times to 80%. Bluetti says 2500 times for 80%. That’s a big difference in longevity.

Covers

This is going to seem like a little thing, but the Bluetti has covers for both the power input (charging) and the 12V car adapter output. My Bluetti has seen a fair amount of use in a car while camping, so it’s not always spotless. The covers keep the connections free from dirt. I really like that.

What’s The Same

To be sure, there are a number of stats both units share and are on equal footing.

Price

Both units currently retail for $500.

Although, I saw on Bluetti’s website a $50 off coupon for just the black version, but sales come and go.

Size

While the Jackery IS 3lbs lighter (13lbs compared to 16lbs) both units have about the same capacity: Jackery = 518Wh vs Bluetti = 537Wh. That’s close enough in my book.

Outer dimensions are also roughly the same. Although, to be honest, the ‘always-on’ handle on the Jackery makes it a little less useful to pack in a car.

Display

They both have a display that shows battery life left, in 20% bar increments, as well as total input and output watts.

DC Power Options

Both units have a car cigarette style adapter that runs on 12V and has a 10amp fuse, meaning it can handle 100-120W.

They also both have two 12V 2.1mm sockets for other devices. These 2.1mm outlets are one reason I bought the unit, because I have a custom camera controller that requires them.

Pure Sine-Wave AC Outlets

Having pure sine-wave outlets is important to me and both units deliver in that instance. Having a refined sine-wave means less chance of damage to your electronics, like laptops and, ummm….more laptops? TVs! Yes, you can run a TV off of these things, especially with modern LED TVs that draw less power. Or a projector.

2 Year Warranty

Both units come with a 2 year warranty.

Where The Bluetti Lags Behind

It’s not a perfect unit and the Bluetti falls behind Jackery in one category that is important to me (but not a deal breaker).

Can’t Charge With DC And Output DC

The Bluetti can’t be charged with DC (solar or car charger) and output DC to the 12V outlets or the USB plugs at the same time. Big bummer since I use those 2.1mm sockets often. When both input and output are plugged in, the output will work and input will be stopped.

The Jackery has pass through charging and this is a plus.

Both units can use AC outlets while charging on DC or AC.

Conclusion

Can you see why I chose the Bluetti EB55 over the Jackery Explorer 500?

More power, more outlets, more USB, more charging capabilities and colors.

Complete Stats

If you need more information about each unit, this is Bluetti’s page and this is Jackery’s