If you're looking for an essential home backup solution that can power appliances during outages or in off-grid living situations, consider investing in expandable battery backups. Some models in the Jackery Plus series are designed with modular expandability, allowing you to connect extra battery packs and increase capacity as your power needs change.
The expandable Jackery Solar Generator models can keep your critical appliances, such as refrigerators, lights, TVs, and fans, running during power outages and can be expanded as needed. In this article, you'll learn which Jackery models offer expandable capacity, how much power each can reach, and how to choose the right setup based on lifestyle and energy needs.
In this article, you'll learn.
- Expandable power stations or solar generators ensure you don't have to invest in a new setup if your power needs grow.
- Jackery Solar Generators feature a modular expandability design, allowing you to increase the capacity by adding extra battery packs.
- Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus, and Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus are expandable with the help of compatible add-on battery packs.
- Which Jackery Portable Power Stations allow expansion, and which ones don't.
Why Does Expandability Matter in Portable Power Stations?
When you first buy a power station, you usually size it for today's needs. But if you add a fridge to your camping gear or face longer blackouts than expected, you will need more power to meet your needs. Expandability means you can add extra battery packs to your solar generator, so you don't have to buy a new setup as your power demand grows.
You can add one extra battery anytime and more later as needed. There is no need to upgrade your entire power station. Whether you're powering a remote office, a backup security system, or just keeping the lights and WiFi on during a storm, you'll have the option to scale and get long-term value without waste.
Which Jackery Models Are Expandable and to What Capacity
Some Jackery Plus models are expandable, so you can increase the capacity by adding battery packs. Each expandable model in the Plus series comes with a built-in capacity that works well for moderate needs on its own. However, what sets them apart is their ability to connect with multiple external battery packs, increasing the total capacity to match the power needs of a small cabin to an emergency home battery backup system. Here are the popular Jackery Solar Generators that can be expanded:
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is a reliable home battery backup for smaller setups. The base unit has a capacity of 1264Wh, and you can add up to three Jackery Battery Pack 1000 Plus to reach a total of 5kWh. That's enough to power a WiFi router, lights, and a fridge in a cabin for a couple of days. It's also great for remote property surveillance systems, tiny homes, or even as a lightweight backup option in mild climates where short outages are common.
Appliances Running Time
- Refrigerator (300W) = 3.3H
- Light (50W) = 15.2H
- WiFi Router (10W) = 37.0H
- Microwave (1000W) = 1.0H
- Portable AC (1000W) = 1.0H

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus has a 2042Wh base capacity and is strong enough for refrigerators, power tools, or multiple other home emergency appliances. The best part is that you can easily expand the capacity up to 12kWh by connecting up to five Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus to one Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus. It's suitable for homes dealing with outages caused by storms, extended blackouts, or energy-conscious families who want to keep essentials like medical equipment, heating pads, or security systems running for days.
Appliances Running Time
- Refrigerator (300W) = 5.3H
- Light (50W) = 24.6H
- WiFi Router (10W) = 59.8H
- Microwave (1000W) = 1.6H
- Portable AC (1000W) = 1.6H

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is built for long-term, high-demand use. It is the most expandable Jackery system and starts at 5040Wh. It can be scaled all the way up to 20kWh when combined with two Jackery Battery Pack 5000 Plus across two Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Stations and build a Jackery Whole-Home Backup Kit 5000 Plus. It's an essential home backup that can power appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, window AC units, and other large appliances. It is also ideal for RV setups and homes in regions with frequent or prolonged outages.
Appliances Running Time
- Refrigerator (300W) = 12.2H
- Light (50W) = 42.8H
- WiFi Router (10W) = 71.4H
- Microwave (1000W) = 4.1H
- Portable AC (1000W) = 4.1H

|
Base Unit Capacity |
Expandable Up To |
Number of Battery Packs Supported |
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus |
1264Wh |
5kWh |
3 |
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus |
2042.8Wh |
24kWh |
10 |
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus |
5040Wh |
60kWh |
10 |
Which Jackery Models Are Non-Expandable
While the Jackery Plus series mentioned above offers flexible capacity, Jackery also offers many compact models that come with fixed storage. These are great for single-day use or portable situations, but they don't support additional battery packs. Here's the list of Jackery models that are non-expandable but can be used during power outages and outdoor adventures:
- Jackery Explorer 100 Plus
- Jackery Explorer 240
- Jackery Explorer 240 v2
- Jackery Explorer 300
- Jackery Explorer 300 Plus
- Jackery Explorer 500
- Jackery Explorer 600 Plus
- Jackery Explorer 1000
- Jackery Explorer 1000 v2
- Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro
- Jackery Explorer 2000 v2
- Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro
- Jackery HomePower 3000
- Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro
FAQs
Which Jackery models are expandable with extra batteries?
Currently, the expandable models include the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus, and Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus. These allow you to connect additional battery packs to increase total capacity and run appliances for long hours.
How much capacity can the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus be expanded to?
You can expand the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus up to 12kWh by connecting five Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus. You can also connect two Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Stations in parallel and then add five battery packs to each to increase the capacity to 24kWh. This makes the solar generator suitable for extended home backup or powering larger systems.
Is the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus the most expandable model in the series?
Yes. The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station is one of the most expandable models, allowing for a capacity of up to 60kWh by adding ten Jackery Battery Pack 5000 Plus to two power stations.
Can you use Jackery expansion batteries with older Jackery models?
No. Expansion batteries are only compatible with some Plus models. The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is compatible with the Jackery Battery Pack 1000 Plus, whereas the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is compatible with the Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus. Similarly, the Jackery Battery Pack 5000 Plus is compatible with the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus. Older Explorer and Pro models are not designed for modular capacity upgrades.
Are there any safety concerns when adding expansion batteries to Jackery?
Yes. Before adding the expansion batteries to Jackery Portable Power Stations, make sure the power station is compatible with the add-on battery pack. In addition, do not add more batteries than recommended to avoid any overloading issues.
Conclusion
Expandable power stations provide the flexibility to build a backup system tailored to your lifestyle. Instead of investing in separate units or upgrading every time your power use increases, you can simply expand your existing setup to save money, space, and effort. From the compact Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus for light usage to the powerful Jackery Whole-Home Backup Kit 5000 Plus for whole-home backup, there's a flexible option for almost any household.
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