We earn commissions from purchases

Our Unbiased Jackery 290 Review

About the Jackery

Big power banks can be expensive and are often not worth the price, as they do not meet your needs or are not dependable in an emergency.

Thankfully, we are here to help with our review of the Jackery 290 portable charger.

We will provide you with the good and bad details, so you know what you are getting yourself into.

7.7
Jackery 290 Ratings
Design & Features7
Battery Capacity9
Outlets/Ports9
Charge Time7
Warranty/Reputation9
Value5

What Comes in the Box?

The Jackery 290 portable battery bank comes with a user manual and two chargers, which are designed to allow you to charge the solar generator via wall outlets or carports plus an adapter. 

It also comes with a nice bag to carry a charger or two in or some cables, so you can use any input you wish, for wherever you are traveling to.

Price

The Jackery 290 Portable Power Station costs just under $250, at $249.99. That price is just for the generator. If you want the combo solar generator ad the solar panel, the price is close to $539. 

Jackery Explorer 290 Portable Power Station
8
Jackery Explorer 290 Portable Power Station
  • Large capacity: Very compact, can power anything that is 200 watts or less
  • Plenty of outlets and ports: Has multiple ports for wall outlets or carports, as well as an adapter for use with an automobile
  • Battery capacity:  Has a 200 watt and 400 peak (200w/400 peak) capacity for the outputs, so you can use about 200 watts at a time to charge your devices via AC power
  • Safety features: Designed to handle some pretty wide temperature ranges, can handle anywhere between 32 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Multiple charging options: When you use car charger and the wall outlet take roughly 8 hours to charge, while the solar panel it comes with takes about 8 to 10 hours depending on conditions

While this may seem like a lot up front, it is comparable to solar generators. This is because once you purchase the product, you don’t have to purchase anything else. With gas generators, you may have a cheaper upfront cost, but then you also have to go and buy gas frequently.

Battery

Jackery products, even the Jackery Products, use lithium-ion batteries. Currently, these are the best readily-available batteries on the market.

man with a jackery power station

Marine batteries tend to be cheaper, but in terms of value, you get a lot more usage out of the lithium batteries as the battery can be charged up and down fully, without causing damage. You also get 500 full cycles before the power banks begin to lose quality. 

The Jackery 290’s battery can hold 292 watt-hours of energy storage and has a 200 watt and 400 peak (200w/400 peak) capacity for the outputs, so you can use about 200 watts at a time to charge your devices via AC power.

Solar Panels

The solar panel isn’t included in the generator package unless you get the bundle, but they are still an option as a way to charge the solar power bank. 

Jackery products can only use Jackery solar panels. These are the Solarsaga panels. This model comes with the Solarsaga 100w solar panels. These solar panels are foldable so that they can fit into any company car or RV without problems.

Size and Weight

The solar Jackery 290 weighs about 6.6 pounds. It measures 9 by 7.8 by 5.2 inches, making it easy to lift and carry for anyone. It also is small and compact so you can fit it into any remainder of the space you have available.

Compact Design

As you can see from the size, it is very compact. It is a smooth box with rounded edges so that you don’t have to worry about injuring yourself if you accidentally drop it or walk into it. 

It is smooth and nothing sticks out except for the top handle, which is a sturdy handle to allow you to pick it up and carry it with one hand.

Charging Capabilities

The Jackery 290 comes with four output options, so you can charge whatever you want as fast as you want. 

There are:

  • 1 AC outlet
  • 2 USB-A ports
  • and 1 DC carport

With these outlets, you can charge a variety of things. But how much does the Jackery 290 charge?

Here are some numbers, provided by Jackery themselves. 

  • Smartphone/iPhone: 29 charges
  • Drone: 6 charges
  • Flashlight/ Lamp Light: 23 hours
  • Laptop/Macbook: 4 charges
  • TV: 4.3 hours
  • Mini Fridge: 3.4 hours
  • Car Fridge: 19 hours
  • Air Pump: 4.6 hours
  • CPAP: around 15 hours

This is just an example, but the Jackery 290 can power pretty much anything that requires less than 200 watts. Whether this is phones, laptops a computer, scooters, emergency devices, tablets, other power stations, and more. 

jackery solar power station beside a couple

It may struggle with bigger appliances that need a traditional wall outlet, such as a blender. In addition, if you are using your phone while it is plugged in, it may drain the battery a lot faster than these numbers above suggest.

Temperature Ranges

Jackerys are designed to handle some pretty big temperature ranges. In particular, the Jackery 290 can handle anywhere between 32 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This means whether it is fairly cold or very hot, your Jackery will still run smoothly.

How Do I Know How Much a Jackery Explorer 290 Is Charged?

If you’ve ever used a battery pack, you may have learned that instead of providing you with distinct battery percentages, you simply get a light to tell you the charge. In our experience, it will change color or flash usually when it gets close to 25 or 20 percent and maybe change again when it is really low. But other than his, the light reads as normal. 

Thankfully, realizes that its unit needs to step up. When you are going camping for long periods, you don’t want to have questions about how charged your battery is and know how much life it has left. 

Jackery provides a display screen for these situations. The display screen not only provides information on the exact battery amount left, but it also shows the wattage of what you plug into your device via USB ports. 

jackery power station at home

This means you can see the wattage inputs and outputs as well as read your battery life, even during power outages and when you are outdoors.

How Do You Charge a Jackery 290?

There are three ways you can charge a Jackery 290. You can either plug it into a standard wall outlet, a car charger or use solar panels. While the adapters for the first two methods come with the Jackery 290, you do have to purchase the solar panels separately.

How Long Does It Take To Charge a Jackery 290?

The amount you have to charge it changes depending on what method you use. Both the car charger and the wall outlet take roughly 8 hours to charge, while the solar panel it comes with takes about 8 to 10 hours depending on conditions.

Pros
  • Various ports/outlets
  • 3 ways to charge the device
  • Lightweight
  • Approved by Honda
  • 2 year warranty
  • Made in the USA
Cons
  • No alarm or warning for the battery
  • Expensive
  • Long charging time
  • Not waterproof

Pros and Cons

Pros

One of the major pros to the Jcakery 290 is that it has multiple ways to charge it and to charge devices You have four main ports to charge from, to suit whatever needs you to have. 

You also have three ways to charge your device, depending on your needs. If you are out camping, you can use solar panels or your car charger, but before you leave home, you can also charge it via a standard AC wall outlet. 

It is also very portable and lightweight, despite the amount of power it provides. This means you can take it anywhere you need to go, during any emergency. 

jackery solar power station

Plus, it is backed by Honda. Though it was made and designed by Jackery, it is a product that has Honda’s full approval, providing more comfort and a better investment for your money. 

Cons

For the price, the Jackery 290 is a little small compared to competitors, especially once you add solar panels. While you get a quality product, you lose a lot of battery capacity and wattage strength. 

Also, there is no alarm or warning when the battery is low. If you don’t pay attention, you may use the whole battery without even realizing what you are doing. It will just shut off on you, especially in an emergency when you aren’t paying attention. Other models will flash or make an alarm so having nothing is a bit frustrating. 

Also, nothing is very water resistant. I will admit that expecting a generator to be water resistant might be a bit of a stretch. However, it can’t handle much more than a light splashing, and neither can the solar panels. The same goes for sunlight. 

This is frustrating because they promote this product as a product for those that like the outdoors and going camping, but the generator shouldn’t be in the sun or rain, and you have to pack up the solar panels every time it starts to rain. 

This also means that despite the long charging time, you can’t leave it out while you are doing errands in case the sun moves or it starts to rain.

Jackery Explorer 290 Portable Power Station
8
Jackery Explorer 290 Portable Power Station
  • Large capacity: Very compact, can power anything that is 200 watts or less
  • Plenty of outlets and ports: Has multiple ports for wall outlets or carports, as well as an adapter for use with an automobile
  • Battery capacity:  Has a 200 watt and 400 peak (200w/400 peak) capacity for the outputs, so you can use about 200 watts at a time to charge your devices via AC power
  • Safety features: Designed to handle some pretty wide temperature ranges, can handle anywhere between 32 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Multiple charging options: When you use car charger and the wall outlet take roughly 8 hours to charge, while the solar panel it comes with takes about 8 to 10 hours depending on conditions

Comparison with Other Brands

GeneratorPeak WattsCharging TimeTotal Number of CyclesCost per CycleDimensionWeight
Jackery Explorer 290400W5 hrs.500$0.59.1 x 5.2 x 7.7 in7.5lbs.
EcoFlow RIVER mini300W2 hrs.500$0.424,8 x 13,9 x 13,2 cm6.27lbs.
Anker 521200W1.5 hrs.3000$0.088.5×8.32×5.67in9.57lbs.
Yeti 200X200W2 hrs.500$0.67.9 x 5.1 x 5.1 in5lbs.
Phoenix 300300W8 hrs. 1000$0.27.1 x 6.1 x 5.6 in6.4lbs.

Who Owns Jackery?

The CEO of Jackery is also the co-founder and a former Apple senior engineer. His name is Z. Sun. He helped to set up the Li-battery technology and has over 17 years of experience.

Is the Jackery Silent?

If you’ve been in a campground with a bunch of gas generators, or you have owned one yourself, then you know how loud they can be. You may be worried that a solar generator will be just as loud. But don’t worry. Except for an occasional fan to move around heat, the Jackery 290 is silent.

jackery power station beside a car

Is Jackery a Good Brand?

Jackey is considered one of the top brands out there. While they aren’t the highest quality, for their price, it is well worth the purchase. There are some pros and cons with Jackery, but there are pros and cons associated with any solar generator.

Is Jackery Made by Honda?

If you’ve done some research already, you may have been a bit confused by the Jackery 290. This is because sometimes they are said to be a Honda Portable Power Station, and other times, they are just listed as a Jackery 290. So which is it?

The answer is that it is still a Jackery. Despite the name, it is a product that is licensed and designed by Jackery themselves. 

How Long Does a Jackery 290 Last?

Like with any lithium-ion battery, the Jackery 290 lasts for about 3 years. This depends heavily on how much you are using your batter. But generally, it lasts for 500 cycles. Cycles are considered to be a full charge and discharge. So this can happen 500 times before the quality starts to go downhill. 

Can the Jackery 290 Power a TV or a Fridge?

Yes. Despite its small size, the Jackery 290 can support power to both a TV and a fridge. It may not be able to power a full-sized fridge, it can power a mini fridge for several hours.

jackery solar power station

What is Comparable to a Jackery?

There are a few other brands that are around the Jackery price range. They are the:

  • Lion Energy
  • Renogy
  • EcoFlow
  • Bluetti
  • Anker

If the Jackery is missing some important features for you, or you just want to compare before making a final decision, then these are the companies that are most frequently compared to Jackery and well worth checking out.

Related Article:

Power Up Your Adventures: How to Choose the Perfect Jackery for Your Needs

Jackery 290 Specifications

Capacity290Wh (14.4V, 20.3Ah)
Power Outputs110VAC, 60Hz, 200W (400W Surge Peak)
DC Charging Input12V-30V (65W Max)
Auto ShutoffNo
Size23 x 13.32 x 19.5 cm
Weight7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)
IncludedCar Charging Cable,AC & AC Cable (2 Parts),User Manual
Warranty2-Years Warranty
Optional AccessoriesJackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel
Measurements9.1 x 5.2 x 7.7 inches
Maximum Output Power400W Surge Peak
AC Output Voltages110VAC
AC OverloadsYes
AC Output Frequency60Hz
AC Cooling FanYes
Charging Rates200W
Charge Times6 hours
FlashlightNo
12V DC Output Voltage12V, 10A
LCD MetersYes
Self DischargeNo

What Can It Power?

DevicePower Drawn (KW)Time It Can Be Powered
air conditioner1.759 minutes
air fryer1.72510 minutes
amplifier1.214 minutes
boat battery0.7523 minutes
battery charger0.01519 hours 20 minutes
computer/cpu0.534 minutes
cooler0.055 hours 48 minutes
car battery0.5531 minutes
coffee maker1.214 minutes
cpap machine0.443 minutes
dryer (cloth)1.511 minutes
electric fan0.047 hours 15 minutes
extension cord1.610 minutes
water filter0.064 hours 50 minutes
fuel pump1.115 minutes
freezer0.231 hours 15 minutes
oil fryer1.710 minutes
heater/room heater/small heater/space heater1.511 minutes
hair dryer1.8759 minutes
iphone0.0456 hours 26 minutes
ipad0.064 hours 50 minutes
induction cooktop0.919 minutes
inverter generator0.039 hours 40 minutes
inverter battery1.214 minutes
juicer0.039 hours 40 minutes
keyboard0.0025116 hours 
kettle1.511 minutes
keurig1.511 minutes
laptop0.151 hours 56 minutes
lightbulb0.064 hours 50 minutes
microwave0.919 minutes
mini fridge0.074 hours 8 minutes
mixer0.32553 minutes
normal room0.534 minutes
off grid cabin5.53 minutes
oil cooler0.919 minutes
oven1.1515 minutes
electrical panel0.055 hours 48 minutes
pc0.251 hours 9 minutes
projector0.3549 minutes
full size refrigerator0.443 minutes
router0.0129 hours 
speaker0.358 minutes
sump pump0.191 hours 31 minutes
tablet0.047 hours 15 minutes
thermostat0.0129 hours 
transmitter0.0214 hours 30 minutes
turntable0.0214 hours 30 minutes
tv0.151 hours 56 minutes
ups battery0.629 minutes
vacuum cleaner1.412 minutes
vacuum pump0.251 hours 9 minutes
vape0.12 hours 54 minutes
water pump0.7523 minutes
water heater1.4412 minutes
xbox0.12 hours 54 minutes
xlr microphone0.0214 hours 30 minutes
yacht171 minutes
rivian0.181 hours 36 minutes
Dish washer1.4412 minutes
Dehumidifier0.5531 minutes
Pressure Cooker117 minutes
Water Dispenser0.12 hours 54 minutes
Play Station 50.21 hours 27 minutes
Sandwich Maker0.7523 minutes
Treadmill2.56 minutes
basement2.56 minutes
battery (ups)0.629 minutes
breaker box1.89 minutes
DC motor with Arduino0.055 hours 48 minutes
garage0.358 minutes
fire place1.511 minutes
gas stove0.151 hours 56 minutes
GFCI outlet1.89 minutes
heater1.511 minutes
jetski24
joy con charging dock0.21 hours 27 minutes
kitchen aid mixer0.251 hours 9 minutes
kitchen faucet0.047 hours 15 minutes
travel trailer2.56 minutes
universal remote0.00558 hours 
upright freezer0.12 hours 54 minutes
utility pole0.047 hours 15 minutes
electric car75
vent0.5531 minutes
well pump1.214 minutes
zero turn mower161 minutes