Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus vs. Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus: Key Differences

Is the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus the Same as the Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus?

No, the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus is not the same as the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus. However, the core battery is the same in both versions. The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus (the power station) and the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus (the bundle) use the same LiFePO4 battery, so runtime, output limits, lifecycle, and expandability are identical for the base unit.

What makes the  Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus different is the bundle. This essential home backup solution includes the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus with a Jackery SolarSaga 500 X Solar Panel (and necessary cables and connectors) so you have an out-of-the-box solar charging solution. While functionally they behave the same once powered, it is the included accessories and immediate solar readiness that separate the bundles. 

Note: If you purchase the Jackery Solar Generator bundle, you don't have to worry about adding extra cables and connectors. All the necessary cables and connectors will be included in the bundle.

What is Included in the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus Bundle?

If you buy the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus bundle, you get a standalone battery or power station. The bundle contains the power station itself and the standard AC charge cable. That gives you the full 3,584Wh battery with multiple output ports to run various appliances. The AC charging cable is used to charge the power station from the wall outlet. 

Here's what you will find in the box of the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus: 

• 1* Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus
• 1* AC Charging Cable 

If there is a power outage in your area or you don't have access to electricity outlets, you can recharge the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus with the help of a gas generator in just 2.5 hours. If you plan to hook this home battery backup to essential home circuits later, it also supports a Manual Transfer Switch to switch to backup power in just 0.01 seconds during an outage.

What is Included in the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus Bundle?

The Jackery Solar Generator bundle HomePower 3600 Plus includes the same power station, compatible solar panels, the AC charge cable, and connector accessories for solar hookup. That means you can set the solar panel up, plug it into the power station via solar charging cable, and begin charging from the sun without buying anything extra.

Here's the list of things you will find in the box of the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus:

• 1* Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus
• 1* Jackery SolarSaga 500 X Solar Panel
• 1* AC Charging Cable

Note: You can also buy the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus (7.2kWh) bundle that includes 1* Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus, 1* Jackery SolarSaga 500 X Solar Panel, 1* AC Charging Cable, and 1* Battery Pack HomePower 3600. This bundle has a larger capacity and offers longer runtime for the appliances.

How to Charge the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus vs. Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus?

Both the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus and Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus support the same charging methods: AC wall charging, gas generator, solar panels, and hybrid (AC + DC). 

The difference is that the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus can be recharged with wall charging, a gas generator, and a hybrid (AC + DC). On the other hand, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus also comes with a Jackery SolarSaga 500 X Solar Panel in the bundle, so you get solar charging immediately, along with other options.

Here's a table revealing the charging options of both bundles:

Can I Just Add the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus Now and Add Solar Panels Later?

Yes. The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus is built with flexibility in mind. You can start with just the portable power station and rely on AC wall charging or generator charging, then add solar panels later without hassle. It is fully compatible with the Jackery SolarSaga 500 X Solar Panel and comes with the right ports to make the connection simple.

The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus also supports battery expansion packs. You can add up to five Jackery Battery Pack HomePower 3600 to extend its capacity up to 21kWh, turning a few days' fridge backup into 14 days of coverage. You can also connect two Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus in parallel and add 5 battery packs to each for expanding the capacity up to 43kWh.

That means you can begin with the essentials and upgrade your essential home power system as your needs or budget allow.

How to Choose Between the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus and Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus?

The choice between the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus and the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus really depends on how and where you will use it. Let’s look at two common scenarios where you can use this essential battery backup solution: 

For Home Backup: If your main worry is keeping the fridge, lights, or essential circuits powered during blackouts, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus is the reliable choice. It not only runs your household essentials but also keeps recharging from the sun, so you get complete peace of mind during long outages.

For RV Life: The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus comes with a dedicated RV port for easy, direct hookup. If you often stay at RV parks with reliable power outlets, the standalone Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus may be all you need. You can recharge the power station from the campground outlets and enjoy reliable power on the go. 

However, if you stay in RV parks where outlets aren’t available, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus bundle becomes essential, since the solar panels let you recharge anywhere under the sun.

Common Questions About Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus vs. Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus

What is the difference between the Jackery HomePower 3000 and HomePower 3600 Plus?

The key difference between the Jackery HomePower 3000 and HomePower 3600 Plus is capacity. The Jackery HomePower 3000 offers 3072Wh of capacity with a 3600W output, while the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus steps up to 3584Wh of capacity with the same powerful 3600W output. That extra storage means a longer runtime for your essentials, such as a refrigerator, lights, and a few electronics running through an extended outage.

The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus also supports expansion batteries, giving you the option to scale your essential home backup up to 43kWh over time. If you want to learn how the newer Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus differs from other 3kWh models, here's the product comparison to check out: Jackery HomePower 3000 vs. HomePower 3600 Plus vs. Explorer 3000 Pro.

Does the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus support dual voltage?

Yes. The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus supports both 120V and 240V output when paired with another Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus in parallel. This is useful if you want to power larger appliances, such as clothes dryers, power tools, etc., that require 240V.

Is the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus expandable?

Yes. The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus is designed to grow with your needs. You can add up to five Jackery Battery Pack HomePower 3600 to increase the total capacity well up to 21kWh per unit or up to 43kWh when connected in parallel. This makes it a flexible long-term solution that allows you to start with one base unit for essentials, and expand later if you want multi-day backup power for your home or extended off-grid trips.

Conclusion

Both the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus and Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus are built around the same robust power station. It is the world's lightest and smallest 3.6kWh LFP power station, capable of running refrigerators and other essential home loads during outages. The difference between the two bundles comes down to convenience and timing. You can buy the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus if you want solar charging immediately and the simplicity of a compatible panel and cable bundle. On the other hand, you can buy the standalone Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus if you already have access to AC outlets, have a gas generator to recharge the power station, or prefer to spread the cost and add panels later.