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Jackery Solar Generator 1500 for Van Life: Complete Review

Last Updated: July 11, 2022 · Van Life

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A solar power generator is just one of those van life essentials you can’t go without—especially if you are deciding to live full-time in your RV or camper van—which is why having our Jackery Solar Generator Explorer 1500 paired with SolarSaga portable solar panels has been a complete game-changer.

Trust me, we’ve done van life for six months without a solar rechargeable battery and it was an unbelievable hassle to charge our laptops and gear (not to mention power our microwave) without depleting our house batteries, blowing fuses on our outlets, or having to turn on our pollutive diesel back-up generator.

Van at campground with Jackery solar power station and solar panels
Soaking up that sunshine so we can power our van lifestyle sustainably!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Paul and I try to travel slowly and that means traveling responsibly too; so using diesel fuel to make popcorn was doomed from the start. 🍿

Being able to recharge all our appliances and tech gear sustainably has, as I mentioned above, changed the way travel by van, camp off-grid, and explore the outdoors. It’s even given us back our popcorn-loaded movie nights.

If you’re curious to see what the Jackery 1500 solar generator can do, keep reading!

In this post, I’m giving you my honest review of the Jackery 1500 portable power station bundle which includes four SolarSaga 100W panels.

Disclosure: This article was written in partnership with Jackery®, but all opinions are my own and I genuinely use and recommend this brand and its products. If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments below!

Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Review

Man at campground carrying a portable solar power generator (Jackery) with foldable solar panels
Our Jackery 1500 at a campground in Jasper National Park

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, you might be unfamiliar with Jackery.

As a reminder, I’m reviewing Jackery’s Solar Generator Explorer 1500, which combines the 1500 Power Station (battery) with 4x SolarSaga 100 panels.

Who Is Jackery?

Jackery was founded in California in 2012 by a group of engineers who sought to bring clean energy to the outdoors. Today, they are the world’s biggest manufacturer of outdoor solar utilities, including power stations, generators, solar panels, and more.

In 2015, they launched their Explorer Series to combine solar power with maximum portability for outdoor living, camping, and traveling.

Then, in 2020, Jackery combined their portable power stations with their Solarpeak technology of the SolarSaga foldable solar panels “to suit the various needs of travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, mobile families, and other people actively on the go.”

Right now, you can SAVE on Jackery for summer! ☀️🏕 Get 30% off plus free shipping on select products with Prime Day Deals. Visit Jackery’s Summer Trip page to learn more!

Female van lifer sitting in campervan while charging her phone to a Jackery Solar Generator Explorer 1500
Guy plugging in devices into a Jackery portable power station Exploerer 1500 sitting on a picnic table with campervan and mountains in background.

Do You Need a Jackery Solar Generator Explorer 1500?

Before you decide you want a Jackery solar generator, you should first decide what you need it for.

Jackery has nine different Explorer power stations to choose from; each with varying capacity. The higher the number equals more capacity, meaning you can power larger appliances such as a microwave or mini cooler, while also getting in more charges for phones, computers, and other gear.

The Jackery 1500 features 1534Wh (watt-hour) capacity and 1800 running wattage (3600 surge power). It includes:

  • 3x AC outlets
  • 1x 60W USB-C Port
  • 1x Quick Charge 3.0 Port
  • 1x USB-A Port
  • 1x 12V car port
  • Built-in flashlight (button on the side)
  • Accessory storage box for cables and chargers
  • 4x SolarSaga 100W solar panels (Jackery Solar Generator combo package, otherwise sold separately)
Jackery Solar Generator Box on picnic table with book, kindle
Keep all your charging cables in the convenient hard-sided accessory box
Man plugging in charger into portable Jackery power station

The 4x SolarSaga panels are lightweight, foldable, and easy to carry with an integrated handle (ours sit behind the driver’s seat!). The 1500 Power Station is portable, too, but is quite hefty at 30+ pounds.

To connect the solar panels to the Jackery is super straightforward as well. You can just unzip the cord behind the solar panel and insert it into Jackery’s input plug.

On the smart LCD screen, you will be able to see how many watts the sun is feeding Jackery! Likewise, whenever you charge your devices or plug in an appliance for power, you will be able to see the consumption right on the screen.

With all this in mind, the Jackery 1500 can power:

  • Mini Cooler
  • Blender
  • Coffee Maker
  • Pressure Cooker
  • Electric Grill
  • Microwave
  • And more!
What the Jackery Explorer 1500 can power. Image courtesy of Jackery
Jackery makes staying connected while camping and traveling so much easier!

Is Jackery Explorer 1500 Good for RV’ing & Traveling?

If you are planning on traveling full-time in a van or RV, then having Jackery by your side will simplify life and be there for you in case of power outages!

Even if you are a weekend warrior adventuring or camping after 9–5 and on weekends, then you could do with a Jackery to make sure you stay charged on the go.

Below are ways you can use Jackery based on your lifestyle.

Tent campers, RV’ers/overlanders, weekend warriors, nomadic families:

  • Power coffee makers, mini stoves, mini grills, blenders, lights, mini-fridges, TVs, and more!
  • Charge all your gear off-grid — phones, laptops, cameras, plus all your adventure gear.
Female van lifer sitting in van beside Jackery solar power generator explorer 1500

FAQ of the Jackery Solar Generator 150

  • How many phone charges can you get from the Jackery 1500?

Although I have yet to charge my own phone this many times, you can supposedly charge your phone up to 130 times and your laptop over twenty times. In other words, if you’re camping for multiple days off-grid, the Jackery 1500 will keep you charged and connected.

  • Is Jackery 1500 waterproof?

Splash-proof yes, left-out-in-the-rain-proof? No.

  • How many hours does it take to charge the Jackery Explorer 1500?

There are three ways you can charge your Jackery Power Station.

  • 4 hours by Solar Input (4x SolarSaga 100 panels)
  • 4 hours by AC Outlet (wall outlet in your home or plug at a serviced campsite)
  • 13 hours by car outlet
Woman sitting in campervan at campsite with solar panels charging Jackery 1500 power station
Love when we can take advantage of the sun to charge our Jackery!

Jackery 1500 Pros & Cons

As a full-time van lifer, I can say the number one pro of Jackery is I can charge my phone, laptop, and camera — the three things I need on a daily basis so I can do my job and keep this life of travel going.

The second most important benefit of having Jackery is that it takes the stress away from not having power and having to find a public place where we can charge our gadgets.

As I mentioned before, we have done six months of traveling in our campervan without this clean source of energy, and it was always a delicate dance to try and find a Starbucks (and/or a Tim Horton’s, since we were in Canada). We rarely could plug directly into our van’s outlets because we needed to spare the battery power for our van’s water pump, lights, and exhaust fan. So having a Jackery is just a huge relief.

Jackery, Power the Outdoors

Now for the cons…

Jackery is pretty compact but the Power Station is quite heavy to lug around so setting it up can take time. The 4x SolarSaga 100 panels take up a bit of space, too, but they fold up nicely and can be stored together behind our driver’s seat for easy access.

The device itself I can hardly complain about, though. Right now, Jackery is holding up quite well. The only thing we noticed is that the battery will slowly deplete if you leave any of the charge ports in “on” mode even if nothing is charging.

Man wearing outdoorsy cap with Jackery Solar Generator Explorer 1500 sitting on picnic table at campsite.

Overall Thoughts & Takeaways

Overall, Jackery will spoil you as a camper or RV’er. It will remove any worry about not being able to stay charged and connected, or powered while on the go and exploring outdoors.

The cost of the Jackery 1500 can hurt a bit, but the investment is well worth it. Plus, if you purchase directly from their website, the free 2-year warranty gets a bonus 1-year extension.

And if the price tag is a bit steep to pay it all in one go, you can enroll in monthly payments with Affirm (for purchases above $500).

There’s never a better time to invest in clean energy to power your adventurous outdoor lifestyle. ☀️ 🌿 Visit Jackery.com to learn more!

Was this Jackery review helpful? Save and share with a friend!

By: Bri · In: Van Life

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You need to add this short and fun hike to your BC You need to add this short and fun hike to your BC bucket list! 

📍Whistler Train Wreck 
🥾Easy - 2.6km roundtrip, 15 mins one-way 
🚂 Features 7 mangled railway cars from a 1956 train wreck, now covered in graffiti and art
🚴‍♀️ Popular spot for mountain bikers, artists, and filmmakers 
🐻 Bears in the area, be wildlife-wise! 
🚙 Free parking on Jane Lakes Rd
☀️ Best time to go is early morning to avoid crowds 
📸 Don't forget your camera! (Or if you're me, your SD card...🤦‍♀️) 

This place is definitely giving The Upside Down vibes, right? 😲

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BANFF ITINERARY👇 My 'Ultimate 7-Day Banff Itin BANFF ITINERARY👇

My 'Ultimate 7-Day Banff Itinerary' is now live on the blog! You don't want to miss out on this post -- it is JAM-PACKED with fun adventures to be had in Banff National Park! 🏔💃 

✨ Day 1 — Banff Town
Hit up the breweries, ride the gondola, visit natural thermal springs, and more! Read the post for deets.

✨ Day 2 — Lakes
Check Lake Louise and Moraine Lake off your bucket list! Simple to follow tips on how to get there (because in reality, it's a nightmare).

✨ Day 3 — Adventure Time
From mountain biking to rock climbing to whitewater rafting, there are many awesome summer activities in Banff to enjoy with friends or family.

✨ Day 4 — Road Trip the Icefields Parkway
Literally alllll the deets on the blog, go read it! 

✨ Day 5 — Hike! 
I recommend three epic day hikes to do in Banff, one of each difficulty (easy, moderate, challenging).

✨ Day 6 — Picnic & Paddling
Explore more of Banff's amazing lakes, but this time a little more off the beaten path.

✨ Day 7 — Final Activities + Departure
Depending on your itinerary, you may have time to squeeze in one last activity! Check the blog for the list! 

To think we were in Banff last week of June, and it's already the first week of August. 🥲 Time is F L Y I N G. Don't sit on your moment to take that trip, hit publish on that blog post, or whatever it is you really want to do! 

As always, send me your questions! xx 

#lakelouise #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #bigbeehive #banffblog #newblogpost #adventureblogger #travelblogger #canadatravel #canadablog #hikebanff #banfftrip #albertaviews #albertatourism
As slow-traveling digital nomads, we often get ask As slow-traveling digital nomads, we often get asked, “How do you find housing in the countries you travel to?” After exchanging glances with Paul, I start, “Well…” And in short, I explain that renting an apartment overseas involves a whole bunch of keyboard strokes.

Housing abroad is often much cheaper than renting an apartment in the States (depending on where you live, obviously). It’s also much easier to rent for extended periods.

Ultimately, our journey as digital nomads over the last 7 years has taught us that finding the “golden nuggets” of accommodation options abroad takes patience and practice!

But practically speaking, how does one rent an apartment abroad even if you’re not in the country yet? How do you send money across currencies without incurring huge bank fees, and what should you be wary of?

Read my full blog post "How to Find & Rent an Apartment Abroad" on my blog for all the details! Link in bio @bucketlistbri 🌞

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#livingabroad #digitalnomadtips #nomadiccreators #rentingabroad #expatlife #remotework #locationindependence #laptoplifestyle #nomade
BANFF SUMMER BUCKET LIST 🌞👇 Get the full li BANFF SUMMER BUCKET LIST 🌞👇

Get the full list of 25+ things to do this summer in Banff National Park in my latest blog post (link in bio, @bucketlistbri)

🚴‍♀️ Mountain e-biking 
🚠 Banff Gondola
💦 Upper Falls at Johnston Canyon
🐌 Natural thermal springs at Cave & Basin
🐎 Horseback riding
💦 Bow Falls Trail near downtown Banff
🛶 Whitewater rafting on the Bow River
🛶 Canoeing/paddling on glacier-fed lakes
🚌 Road tripping the Icefields Parkway
🥾 Hiking Big Beehive at Lake Louise 

Head to my blog bucketlistbri.com for more Banff travel guides! ✨ 

#banfftravel #banffalberta #summerincanada #summerbucketlist #canadianrockymountains #rockymountains #banffnationalpark #mybanff #banfflakelouise #lakelouise #caveandbasin #bowlake #banfftrip #banffgondola
My word for August? Action. 👇 Action is the k My word for August? Action. 👇 

Action is the key that unlocks living fully. 

It’s the transformational step that manifests all thought & theory & intention into existence, into being, into becoming that very thing. If we want to become a certain someone then we have to act the way that certain someone would act. Every now and then, I will struggle to identify as X because I’ve been resisting doing those actions that require me to be X. 

Take blogging, for example. I’m a full-time blogger but for weeks I have been prioritizing *everything* else other than blogging (social media, ahem). Soon enough, like so many times before, I fall into a dark pit where little light gets in or gets out. I begin to un-know myself and focus more on short rewards & results rather than my purpose or my fulfilled self on a daily basis. To get back to my knowing, and to my identity as a blogger, I had to start blogging again — because it’s the action that unlocks the person, not the thought or intention. 🔐 

Let’s take another example —

In my mind, I’ve always been someone who journals. After all, journaling at a young age is what ultimately led me to blog online throughout my college years, which is what is leading me today as a professional blogger and in my writing journey toward becoming a published author. But, if we look back at this year, the number of times I actually journaled — put pen to paper or typed my thoughts out in a Google Doc — can be counted on one hand. But in the last two weeks, I’ve chosen to turn that belief about myself into action. Now I journal for five minutes every morning and night. The result is that I am now someone who journals because it’s my actions that make it so. 

The true results are that I’m living more fully, by taking action and fulfilling the beliefs I have about myself, or at least the beliefs I have about who I wish to be. The key lies in the doing. If you want to become a blogger, you have to do the action over and over again to become it. 

Thanks for reading — just some reflections I wanted to share!

How are you taking action in August? 🦁
Answering one of our FAQ: “How do you travel ful Answering one of our FAQ: “How do you travel full-time with a cat?”

I’ll let the Reel do the talking, but if you have questions please drop it in the comments and I’ll get back to you!!

Would your cat enjoy a travel lifestyle? 🐾

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#adventurecat #pettravel #catonaplane #digitalnomadcouple #nomadicewithpets #cattravel #travelcat #nomadiccreators #catvanlife #catsonleash #fulltimetravelers
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