I won’t leave home without my portable power station – and if you take your photography on the road, neither should you

Like many photographers, I spent the recent bank holiday travelling with my cameras, lighting and laptop to take photos over the sunny summer weekend. But I took another secret weapon with me, and it’s one that I think every photographer needs: a Jackery Explorer power station.

Not only was I glamping (in a very awesome but very power-shy converted double decker bus) but I also went on a series of location-based wildlife and portrait shoots. And as we all know, your camera and computer and lighting gear isn’t going to last a long weekend of heavy use!

Jackery’s portable power stations are an absolute godsend when I’m taking my photography on the road – and honestly, they’re a godsend when I’m travelling in general. Because it’s not just my photo gear that needs charging, it’s phones and handheld gaming consoles and tablets all the other gadgets and gizmos that I can’t leave home without.

If you don’t already own one, or if you’re looking for a compact companion for a larger power station, now is the perfect time to add one to your arsenal – because Jackery is launching the Explorer 500 v2 on September 05, to coincide with the opening of the IFA 2025 show.

Meet the Jackery Explorer 500 v2

The Explorer 500 was one of Jackery’s first power stations to hit the European market – and as iconic as the original was, the next-generation version represents an upgrade in every possible way.

It provides a supercharged capacity of 512Wh, with a rated output of 500W and a peak output of 1,000W, delivering dependable, stable power for all your camera gear, essential devices and small appliances.

The Jackery Explorer 500 v2 is incredibly durable, being the first in its class to feature an upgraded LFP (LiFePO₄) battery that boasts 6,000 charge cycles to 70% capacity. This significantly exceeds market standards for long-term performance, with comparable portable power stations typically offering 4,000 cycles.

What does that mean, in real terms? You’re looking at up to 30 years of reliable use – that’s enough juice for plenty of glamping trips and location shoots! In addition, Jackery’s ultra-low self-discharge technology ensures that power loss remains under 5% after 6 months – so the 500 v2 is always ready when you need it.

The battery’s advanced multi-layer ceramic membrane technology combines a micro-nano structure with heat-resistant coatings and built-in safety materials, again improving durability and performance – including efficient power delivery even in harsh climates from -20°C to 45°C.

Safety and stability are further enhanced by the incorporation of zirconia nanoparticles, which prevent internal short circuits and thermal runaway, along with phase-change microcapsules that automatically seal pores at high temperatures – which stops heat transfer and ensures maximum protection.

Quick charging… quietly!

Speed is important when it comes to charging, but so is sound! I’ve tried other power stations before but didn’t get on with them because the sound they made was so disruptive. However, the Jackery Explorer 500 v2 stays below 28dB at 200W load for device charging, and it even stays under 36dB when charging the battery via mains power. This means I can use it during video calls for work as well as while I’m trying to sleep while camping.

The quietness doesn’t come at the expense of quickness, though; the Explorer 500 v2 reaches full charge in 80 minutes via AC (hitting 80% in just 52 minutes) and charges in just 60 minutes when using AC and DC combined.

And of course, the Explorer is full compatible with Jackery’s SolarSaga 100W panels. Not only does this give you completely clean, green, off-grid power that costs absolutely nothing (and enables you to charge up even during a blackout), the 500 v2 charges in as little as 200 minutes using solar panels – which is about 7.5 times faster than the original Explorer 500.

And with a multitude of ports – a USB-A, a pair of USB-Cs (PD 100W and 30W) and twin AC outlets – you can charge a wide variety of old and new devices simultaneously, giving you all the flexibility you could ask for.

Capable yet compact

The Jackery Explorer 500 v2 is the lightest and most compact 500Wh power station in its class, at just 31 x 20.5 x 15.6cm – which is about 29% smaller than the original model. Part of the new shrunk-down redesign includes a foldable carry handle, making the 500 v2 easiest to transport and store.

Not only does the Explorer offer all-weather performance, even in freezing cold or extreme heat, it’s also shockproof and even fireproof up to the UL94V-0 fireproofing standard. You also get peace of mind from surge protection up to 3,000V (guarding against everything from lightning strikes to voltage fluctuations) and AI-powered ChargeShield 2.0 technology – with 62 protection mechanisms, including 4 levels of physical protection, for worry-free use.

The Jackery Explorer 500 v2 officially goes on sale September 19 for £449, or in the Solar Generator 500 v2 bundle (with the SolarSaga 100W panel) for £649. However, a special earlybird offer will also be running at launch – so stay tuned on September 19 to qualify for an additional saving!