A homeless loving doughnut wielding beat cop is killed in the line of duty but comes back as a crazed solar power wielding cyborg bent on “helping” some familiar friends without power.
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In May of ‘22 I reviewed the all new Jackery 2000 Pro and it turned some heads with its new folding handle design and built in charger with UPS feature. A few months later I reviewed its little brother the 1000 Pro. Fast forward to today and Jackery launches it’s biggest power station to date – the new 3000 Pro. With 3000 watts of power, 1400w of solar support, and debuting a brand new mobile APP for remote access, we have to ask … is it any good? Let’s find out!
Features:
Battery Capacity/Tech/Cycles: 3024wh NMC lithium ion battery rated 2000 cycles to 70% in battery saver mode
Size/Weight: approx 19x14x15 inches and weighs 63 lbs
Design/Display: As with the other Jackery Pro models the 3000
Inverter Size/Type (constant/peak) and #outlets: 3000w pure sine inverter with 4x20A outlets and a TT30R 30A RV outlet.
Ways To Charge (and times for each): The Jackery has 3 ways to charge. It offers AC wall charging at 1800w in 2.4 hours, dual MPPT 1400w solar charging in 3-4 hours, and finally 12v vehicle charging in 35 hours.
12v Output Types: This Jackery sports a single 13.2v regulated 12v outlet good for 10A
USB Output Types: As for USB it has a pair of USB-A QC ports and a pair of 100w USB-C PD outputs. Note these are output only and the Jackery can not be charged with USB.
Other Features: Jackery has finally decided to join the remote access club and now offers a bluetooth App for this product that also supports WiFi. So, yes you can control the 3000 Pro with your mobile device remotely.
Warranty: Jackery does offer a 5 year warranty on this product when registered on their site.
Testing
DC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): On the DC test this Jackery scored 2618wh out of 3024 for 87% usable capacity.
AC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): As for AC it faired 2540wh out of 3024 or 84%. These numbers are average to slightly above average for the industry. Previous pro models scored a touch higher on the AC test but this one scored a bit lower due to it’s massive 3000w inverter. The larger the inverter the more wasteful it’s going to be.
Sine wave check under load:120v 60hz
Inverter capacity test (max): 3500w 5s
Cooling ability test (rated @ 5mins): 3000w max
Inverter fan noise db:51
Max Charge Rate @ watts/volts: AC 1730w, DC @60v*2 1200w
Charging fan noise db: solar fast 50, solar slow 42, AC 46
Simultaneous charging ability: 2200w solar priority
Pass thru / UPS: UPS passes laptop test
DC Output(s) Max Rate: 10A
12v output(s) regulated: 13.2v
USB output rate check: 100w*2 pass
Amp interference test: pass
APP test: pass
What do I think about it?(main pro/con):
What do I think about the most powerful Jackery to date? The lack of LFP tech and battery expandability are Debbie downers. However, it’s actually a gosh darn solid offering. It has everything short of a wireless charging pad and a lamp that I think most folks would want. With the RV output you can power your entire RV (up to about 25A) including the air conditioner. With the dual PD outputs you can charge two high end laptops and a pair of modern cell phones at the same time.
It’s super easy to use, in fact maybe the easiest Jackery to date since it has less buttons and less clutter up front. I like that the inputs are on the back. It’s easy to carry and wheel around and in all honestly can pretty much now run with the big boys.
Finally with a remote app you can control the Jackery without ever needing to touch it which is important if it’s sitting on the ground or in a cubby in your RV. The inverter output is clean enough to power your band, and the UPS/EPS “bypass” feature switches fast enough to keep computers and routers going in a blackout. They are even launching at a reasonable and competitive price. I can say that this has to be the “best Jackery yet” and it will be a rock solid purchase for many folks looking for something lighter and more portable than what the other kids in the playground offer.
Pricing and competition
Product Price with current discounts:
The 3000 Pro retails for $2799 which, being under a buck a watt, is the lowest price per watt Jackery has offered on any of their recent products. For example, both the 1000 Pro and 2000 Pro currently go for over a dollar per watt. Now as a HOBOTECH viewer you’re not going to pay $2799 for the 3000 Pro, because I nabbed an exclusive, limited time discount code that will knock a few hundred bucks off the price of both the 3000 Pro by itself and the “solar generator” bundle with 400w of solar panels. I’m not sure exactly how much, but if you want to find out, click the link below in the description and add the discount code provided at checkout to see the final cost.
Main Competitor:
Now this Jackery being 3000w is a direct competitor against the 3000w Bluetti AC300 and 3600w Ecoflow Delta Pro. The two major differences are that the Jackery is using NMC batteries where the others are using LiFePO4, and that the Jackery offers no battery expansion options. However, both the Delta Pro and Bluetti weigh over a 100lbs whereas the Jackery is only 63lbs. That’s what Jackery is all about… portability. They offer both heavy duty handles and a luggage style pull handle with wheels to make it as easy as possible to move that 60 plus pounds around. By cubic inches it’s also quite a bit smaller than the 3000w competition. It’s really your personal choice which one to go with depending on your needs.
Who’s It Aimed At? (market focus):
This Jackery, without expandable batteries, really isn’t a whole house backup solution so it can’t be treated as such. Jackery as a brand is more about power on the go, be it camping, having a cookout on the beach, tailgating, or running stuff in a boat, RV, or cabin. This one can obviously be used in the home as well to power things like refrigerators, microwaves, TV’s, fans, air conditioners, heaters and the like. It should even have enough power to start a furnace during a blackout so it could keep the heat on.
Recommended Solar Panel Type/Size:
Jackery uses a proprietary solar panel setup so they “strongly encourage” you to use their solar panels in bundle packages they call “solar generators”. Because of the difficulty in using 3rd party panels, I’d suggest if you don’t have panels already that you just get a bundle with theirs as they are high quality and high output but do so at a premium.
If you want a more permanent and low cost solution, I’d recommend the BougeRV 200w or the Renogy 320w panels that can be found on hobotech.tv/amazon under “solar kits”. You’re also going to need a pair of MC4 to 8mm adapters under the “solar adapters” section (links are below).
Jackery does provide a pair of 7909 to 8020 or what I call “thin pin to thick pin” adapters in the box. Jackery solar inputs are all 8020 “thick pin” and without the adapter, a standard 8mm adapter from Amazon won’t work. With both the MC4 to 8mm and 8020 adapter you can use any 3rd party solar panels in series up to 60v into each of the solar inputs. Remember that each input on the Jackery maxes out at around 800w of solar.
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A few months back I reviewed the Growatt Infinity 1500 power station and it was a good first effort by the popular inverter brand. Fast forward to 2023 and Growatt has released their second power station called the Vita 550 with an upgraded LiFePO4 battery.
Design/Display: ABS plastic design with folding handle and color LCD screen
Inverter Size/Type and #outlets: 600w pure sine inverter with 3 AC outlets
Ways To Charge: 3 ways to charge
AC power: The AC charger is built in to this unit and is capable of up to 500w grid charging that can top up the Vita 550 from 0-100% in about 1.6 hours. 0-80% happens in less than a hour. That’s fast for a product of this size.
12v: The Growatt can also charge from 12v either from a vehicle or external battery and can charge the unit in about 6-7 hours.
Solar: Solar on the 550 maxes out at 240w with a voltage range from 12-24v DC and 10A maximum. Under optimal conditions this lets you charge the unit in about 2.5 hours.
12v Output Types: One 10A cigarette lighter accessory socket and a pair of 5521 barrel plugs all regulated at 13.2v
USB Output Types: 1x USB-C 100w PD output, 1x USB-A QC output good for 18w, and a pair of standard USB-A ports good for charging your dinosaurs
Other Outputs: Sports a 15w wireless charging pad on top
Other Features: Growatt also has an app that works with all of their solar generators. We’ll show that in a bit.
Warranty: 2 years
Testing :
DC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): On the DC test, the Vita 550 scored 503wh out of 538 for an amazing 93% of rated capacity. This is also coming from a regulated 12v output at 8A which makes the result even more impressive.
AC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): It scored a little bit lower on the AC capacity test, pulling 450wh out of 538 for a still above average 84%. Note that this test is performed at around 50% of the rated capacity of the inverter which is usually the sweet spot.
With a lot of recent sogens pulling 70’s and low 80’s numbers this is a refreshing change. Note that their 1500w Growatt Infinity did poorly on the 12v test and only 81% on the AC test. So Growatt, whatever you did on this newer product keep doing it.
Sine wave check under load:120v 60hz
Inverter capacity test (max): 600w
Cooling ability test (rated @ 5mins):600w
Inverter fan noise db: 53
Max Charge Rate @ watts/volts: AC: 485w DC: 12v 85w, 18v 195w, 30v max 245w
Charging fan noise db: 53
Simultaneous charging ability: None
Pass thru / UPS: No ups, No AC pass thru. Inverter disabled during AC charge and vice versa. Full DC pass through.
DC Output(s) Max Rate: 10A
12v output(s) regulated: 13.3v
USB output rate check: 91w/100w PD
Wireless/other output: Pad works all the time unit is on
Amp interference test: Pass
Light demo: Has light, blinker, NO SOS (a HT first!)
APP/solar test: pass
My Opinion:
I think the Growatt Vita 550 is a quality bang for your buck product as it offers what most folks need in this size of power station at a competitive price. If Ecoflow and Bluetti had a baby it would be a Growatt. It’s fast charging, has a good size LFP battery, a quiet inverter, all the USB and wireless charging options, app control, and a light without the silly SOS.
However, the elephant in the room is the lack of UPS feature or even AC pass through charging. If you don’t need an uninterruptible power supply or to run AC appliances while it charges from the grid, then you won’t care about this omission. Folks that plan to mostly charge with solar probably won’t care either as DC pass through charging works just fine. However, the competition does offer this feature in their midrange products and it’s really the only major oversight by Growatt. They are going to be reading the comments in this video so if you want to voice your opinion here I’m sure they’ll listen.
Pricing and competition:
Product Price with current discounts:
The Vita 550 retails for $529. However, I scored a discount code from Growatt that will knock that price down for a limited time. It’s a very competitive price for something with a built in charger and an app.
Main Competitor:
Speaking of competition this 500 to 600 watt LFP segment is pretty hot. You have Bluetti’s 600w EB3A that’s about 40% cheaper but has half the battery capacity. Ecoflow’s 500w River 2 Max has a more bling and a longer warranty but is also almost 100 bucks more. This slips the Growatt conveniently in the middle of the two biggest names in LFP power stations.
Who’s It Aimed At?:
When you’re talking 600 watts, your talking limited support for appliances. Don’t expect to run your Keurig, Instant Pot, microwave, or air conditioner on this model. That’s not what they are for. If you need to power a small 3 cup coffee maker, a desktop computer, laptop, TV, fans, or a small refrigerator this will do the job. It’s also great for charging batteries, tablets, cell phones and the like along with a 12v compressor fridge which I have many to choose from on sale at hobotech.tv/amazon. Oh, since the fans are so quiet this is also a good unit for a CPAP machine as it should get you by a couple of nights, and since the inverter is clean you can actually use this for small audio amplifiers so you can rock out at your campsite and annoy your neighbors.
Recommended Solar Panel Type/Size:
Growatt does offer their own 200w portable folding solar panel in a bundle with this product which will work perfectly. However, if you want something more robust and less expensive I’d recommend the BougeRV 180w or 200w glass panels which can be found on hobotech.tv/amazon under “solar kits”.
HOBOTECH is viewer supported. When you buy through these links we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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