Jackery Explorer 240D portable power station review | Tech Radar

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I tested Jackery's super-compact portable power station — and the Explorer 240D is ready for on-the-go adventures with a built-in cable that's more than just a cable

The Jackery Explorer 240D is a small but mighty portable power station with a cable that doubles as a handle

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The Jackery Explorer 240D Is built for power on the go, wherever that may be. It’s got a decent capacity, the essential ports for this size power supply and a built-in cable to make it even easier to use. This is USB-only, though, lacking any outlets for larger appliances.

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I feel like there are more power stations than ever these days. Currently, I've become very interested in some of the smaller form factors and what they can offer. While I'm still trying to understand the differences in technicality between a power bank and a power station when they come to this size, I do know that the Jackery 240D has actually really impressed me with its ability and how easy it fits into my workflow, though it's not perfect.

In short, it is a small capacity portable power station with simple, helpful ports, no AC plug, a tiny little screen, and a built-in cable/handle hybrid, making it more useful. Jackery rightfully has promoted this cable as being the flagship feature of this power station, and they are correct in doing so.

The small size of the Explorer 240D may make it not perfect for everybody. For most people looking for a higher capacity units, our guide to the best portable power stations offers a little more in that regard.

However, for those who need a compact, ultra-portable solution - I'm thinking photographers, videographers, day-trippers, campers, and professionals on a business trip - then it's going to tick a lot of boxes.

The Jackery Explorer 240D is available from Jackery in the US for $209 - coming as a standalone unit or as part of a bundle with other accessories.

It's also available from Walmart for $150 at the time of review.

Unfortunately, I'm struggling to find it outside the US right now.

Jackery Explorer 240D: Unboxing and First Impressions

Unboxing the Jackery Explorer 240D is a pretty straightforward process. In the box is simply the power station itself, the braided cable/handle, and some documentation.

The cable and handle is about a 1m / 3ft cable that connects via locking connectors to either side of the power station.

The port offering is great for a small unit like this; however, I would note it pretty quickly that there was no AC port. There are some units in this size category that do have an AC port, though only one, which gives them a leg up in some scenarios.

I would assume that most people who need a power station around this size don't necessarily need an AC port, as USB-C is growing in popularity and availability.

The cable / handle is surprisingly good. It feels like a quality braided cable. The ports feel good plugging into any of my devices, and the attaching mechanism feels sturdy enough that I am not worried about it when I am carrying the power station around via the cable handle hybrid.

Last, while there is shoulder strap available, I would probably just continue to throw this in a backpack if I am carrying this with me somewhere due to its smaller size.

The Jackery Explorer 240D is compact and easy to carry with the built-in handle or with a shoulder strap. It's also incredibly easy to be able to throw into a backpack or the back of a vehicle, if desired. I've even thrown this in the side saddle of my Lectric XPedition 2.0 a couple times for some power on those longer bike rides just in case.

The screen adds a simple display to help with basic information on battery capacity and run time.

As most compact power stations do at this size, all of the ports are on the front of the device, meaning that there is really easy access if you place it somewhere or have it tucked on the side of a bag.

What's super nice about this kind of power station is that, since it is so easy to carry and yet has enough capacity and output, this could be your one device that you bring with you if all you need to power is a tablet, a phone, a computer, or something like that and nothing bigger.

For example, if I were to be going on a quick camping trip. There's a pretty good chance that this would be the only power station I would need to bring. It's just enough power to recharge my phone a couple times in case of emergencies. Pair this with a simple portable solar panel (like the one I have that has a simple USB-C out), and you have unlimited power for the essentials.

I've been using this power station around the house for the last couple of months for miscellaneous things. I've also used it during a few power outages that we have had during the storm season in the Midwest.

During that time, the only things that I've needed to grab a different power station for are scenarios where I need to power a bigger device or when I need to power those odd devices that still require only an AC outlet.

For example, when blowing up an air mattress that has a built-in pump that requires an AC outlet, I couldn't use this Jackery Explorer 240D power station and I had to reach for something else. Outside of those scenarios, though, this has been a phenomenal device. Especially since I don't have to also then keep track of cables, which seems like such a small thing on paper but actually makes a huge difference in day-to-day usage.

This is the kind of power station that makes me really thankful that almost all of my devices are moved over to USB-C now. Because of that universal cable standard, there is no longer a need for cable roulette.

I won’t lie to you — the Jackery Explorer 240D is not a perfect power station; however, it is fairly fantastic for those who need just a small, slightly larger-than-standard battery bank but smaller than the average power station.

For those who need something just in between a simple power bank and a full-sized portable power station, the Jackery Explorer 240D proved to be a pretty phenomenal intermediary.

If you're looking to add just a little bit of power for peace of mind on the camping trip, or if you want something to have in the back of your car in case of emergencies, especially perhaps during those winter months or long travels, then the Jackery 240D is a great option.

Former Tech Radar Pro B2B Hardware Editor, Collin has been in journalism for years, with experience in small and large markets, including Gearadical, Daily Beast, Future Net, and more.

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Key Takeaways

• News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets

• Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

• Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards

• I tested Jackery's super-compact portable power station — and the Explorer 240D is ready for on-the-go adventures with a built-in cable that's more than just a cable

• The Jackery Explorer 240D is a small but mighty portable power station with a cable that doubles as a handle