JACKERY Solar Generator 300 Plus LiFePO4 UPS Power Station Review

Posted on by HOBOTECH Tom

JACKERY Solar Generator 300 Plus LiFePO4 UPS Power Station Review

 

–>WATCH THE REVIEW HERE <–

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intro

  • Jackery has been releasing new LiFePO4 models left and right in order to play catch up with the rest of the industry. Their latest offering is the Solar Generator 300 Plus which includes a bundled 40w solar panel in the same box that charges the Jackery (get this) through USB-C!. But, is it any good? Let’s find out!

Features

  • Battery Capacity/Tech/Cycles: 288 LFP rated 3000 cycles to 80%

  • Size/Weight: Comes in at 9 x 6 x 7 inches at 8 and a quarter pounds

  • Design/Display: The display is Jackery’s standard micro generator LCD that shows input output watts, state of charge percent and icon along with other warning icons

  • Inverter Size/Type (constant/peak) and #outlets: 300w pure sine with a single 15A outlet

  • Ways To Charge (and times for each): AC at 230w in about 2 hours, from the included 40w solar panel in about 10 hours, and from optional 12v car charger in about 5.5 hours.

  • 12v Output Types: Sports a single 12v 10A cig lighter accessory socket

  • USB Output Types: Offers a pair of 100w USB-C ports , one of them is bi-directional and doubles as the solar charge port, and a single basic USB-A port good for charging your dinosaurs

  • Other Features: The 300+ does sport a basic 20ms switching UPS Mode and support for the Jackery WiFi and BT app.

  • Warranty: The SG300+ rocks a 5 year warranty on both the power station and the included solar panel.

Testing

  • DC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): 263wh/288 for a very respectable 91%

  • AC Battery Capacity Test (time lapse): 240wh/288 for a less than average 83%. In all honesty, I don’t think anyone buying a palm sized power station is really going to care much about the power consumption of the tiny 300w inverter. That being said, no one is really going to care either about how much power it uses at idle over X number of hours so we’re going to skip those tests for this model.

  • Sine wave check under load: 120v 60hz

  • Inverter capacity test (max): 380w <1s

  • Cooling ability test (rated @ 5mins): 330w pass

  • Inverter fan noise db: 47

  • Max Charge Rate @ watts/volts: AC 230w; DC 12v 55w; 24v 110w; 28v 115w

  • Charging fan noise db: AC max 43db ; Solar db na

  • Simultaneous charging ability: charges slower

  • Pass thru / UPS: pass

  • DC Output(s) Max Rate: 10A 11.7v

  • 12v output(s) regulated: 12.3v

  • USB output rate check: 185w combined 2x 100w PD

  • Wireless/other output: na

  • Amp interference test: fail

    • AM radio test: very noisy inverter

    • EMF test: >90 (very high)

  • Light demo: SOS

  • APP/solar test: done

My Opinion

  • What do I think about the SG300+? Well, it’s a Jackery. It does what a Jackery does best and everything it’s supposed to do at a reasonable price and with a 5 year warranty.

  • I applaud Jackery for the first time this decade to actually change the solar input from the wonky 8mm “8020” barrel plug to finally use a bidirectional 100w PD port for charging. The included 40w panel might be too small for power users but is just enough for basic use, and I really like the weather proof magnetic design. It’s too bad they don’t include legs to aim the panel.

  • If you’re in the market for a 300w micro generator then it’s a great buy. It’s an even better buy during Jackery’s holiday sale.

Pricing and Competition

  • Product Price with current discount:

    • The SG300+ with 40w panel retails for $399 but it is on holiday special with an exclusive HOBOTECH $100 off code for $299.

    • If you want the Explorer 300+ without the 40w panel you can nab it on the same holiday special for $239 with HOBOTECH code. These offers are good until 12/31.

    • Jackery is also offering a limited time special on the 300+ where you buy one and get the 2nd one half off. So if you’re looking for that last minute gift it would certainly make a great one.

  • Who’s It Aimed At? (market focus):

    • This is an entry level unit designed for the most basic use such as charging phones, tablets, laptops, and maybe a few lights, a radio, small TV, or fan. It can be used for a CPAP machine for a couple of nights with the heated humidifier turned off. Don’t expect it to run kitchen appliances unless they are under 300w.

How to buy

 

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