Jackery’s Explorer 1500 Ultra Is Built for When Portable Power Can’t Afford to Fail

Portable power stations have come a long way from being oversized battery packs for camping trips. As more people rely on them, they’re finding new purposes not only for field work and emergency response, but also as a general-purpose home backup solution. With the new Explorer 1500 Ultra launching at CES 2026, Jackery is targeting users who fall within any of the above categories.

More than focusing on specs, the Explorer 1500 Ultra focuses on something many power stations struggle with: performing consistently in harsh, unpredictable environments. It’s designed as a grab-and-go solution within Jackery’s Essential Home Backup lineup, meant to work just as confidently in a storm or dusty worksite as it does plug into a living room setup.

Adding new options to the Essential Home Backup lineup reflects a broader shift in how people think about energy. The crux of the problem starts with rising utility bills, paired with the reality that more time is being spent not just within but also around the home, which are pushing users toward more self-reliant power. This means users who enjoy outdoor living like glamping and backyard projects, while also doubling for professional use cases like outdoor filmmakers, expedition teams, and disaster response crews

The Explorer 1500 Ultra gives users more flexibility in how they not just access but also generate and store energy. This might mean with the Explorer 1500 Ultra, you’re able to charge batteries around the yard without having to drag extension cords across the lawn, or even run Starlink setups off-grid, helping maintain connectivity no matter where you are in the world. 

Designed for Durability

The Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra features seals that cover the weak points, including sockets, and do so well that this power station comes with an IP65 rating. It’s capable of withstanding dust, rain, and splashes or jets of water. But that protection extends beyond sealing alone. The Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra has been tested for drops, vibration, and even seismic resistance, signaling that it’s capable of weathering the toughest conditions – suited even for contractors and emergency crews.

Jackery also reworked the Explorer 1500 Ultra from the inside out. Rather than using side vents, the Explorer 1500 Ultra features a metal chassis with a vent that draws air in from the base, while propelling this upward through a turbine-style fan to improve heat dissipation. The cooling system as a result is consistent under sustained loads and better protected against moisture. Despite its features, the Explorer 1500 Ultra is considerably lightweight at only a little over 38 pounds (17.5kg).

Power delivery that reflects real usage

On paper, wattage numbers can look similar across many power stations. In reality, the difference is noticeable when devices have sudden bursts of power. 

The Explorer 1500 Ultra is capable of sustaining a 2,000W output for up to 15 minutes, with a 3,600 watt peak output, which far exceeds what most power stations in its class can deliver and well beyond what users would need from a portable power station.

Powering this system is a high-capacity 1,536-watt-hour LiFePO4 battery using cells designed for electric vehicles. It’s capable of withstanding up to 4000 charge cycles, before it drops to 70% capacity. The majority of the user base can anticipate several years of reliable use without significant degradation.

With its ChargeShield 2.0 system, the Explorer 1500 Ultra can recharge fully in about 1.5 hours from AC power. Solar users aren’t left out either, with support for up to 800W of solar input under optimal conditions. The Explorer 1500 Ultra tops off its bells and whistles with USB-C and USB-A ports, along with an AC and a 12V car outlet.  

The Explorer 1500 Ultra is less of an incremental update, but rather offers a powerful statement for where the brand thinks its ecosystem of Essential Home Backup products stand and plans to go next. With priority on durability, and sustained performance, along with thoughtful industrial design, Jackery is aiming to meet the demands of those that aren’t just focused on professional use, but for those that see value even for the smaller tasks around the home. And for the sake of promoting energy independence, Jackery might be onto something.