Midwest weather, you have to love it! With record low temperatures -20° F and -40° F wind chill it can cause you to worry about what happens if the electricity goes out. And for those in states to the south and east of us the Winter weather going on, I am sure they are very concerned right now about the situation.
Which brings me to what do you do if the power goes out? In today’s economy, to lose food in the fridge or meat in your freezer would be costly. . Especially for those on a tight budget. Even more disastrous would be no way to heat your home or keep you and your family warm. Everyone needs to be prepared for these situations. Whether winter weather or severe summer storms, this can be a real possibility. Or maybe you are thinking about boondock camping this year.
WHY NOT A GAS GENERATOR?
I know many people in the midwest have a gas powered generator and they are great, but what happens when you run out of fuel and unable to get more? With the generators I reviewed, you have the back up solar charging capabilities that could be a real need. In any of the above cases, having a back up power source is crucial. Even though they can seem expensive to purchase, it is well worth the investment in protecting your family and the food in your home. The portable generators can then be used while camping also.
In doing research on different power sources, I did comparisons on the Ecoflow and Jackery portable generators. During this research I have come to the conclusion that I would lean toward the EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator 4096Wh DELTA Pro 3 with 2X400W Portable Panels. It has 120/240V 4000W AC Output and is a Solar Generator for Home Use, Emergencies, RV’s and Power Outages. This system is expandable and has several features that made my decision in choosing this unit. It can be recharged several different ways– 7 to be exact. The unit cost is less expensive and includes the two solar panels in the price, where the Jackery unit did not have these included.
| Feature | Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus | EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 Portable Power Station |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity (Wh) | ~5040 Wh (base, expandable up to ~60 kWh with extra battery packs) | ~4096 Wh expandable up to ~48 kWh with extra batteries and parallel units |
| Battery Chemistry | LiFePO₄ (long life, 4000+ cycles at ~70-80% capacity) | LiFePO₄ (~4000 cycles to ~80% capacity) |
| Rated AC Output | ~7200 W typical running (up to ~14,400 W with two units) | ~4000 W with 120V/240V output (can exceed with X-Boost or parallel setups) |
| Surge Power | Up to ~14,400 W when linking two units/extras | Up to ~6000 W with X-Boost (surge) in single unit scenario |
| Solar Input (Max) | Up to ~4000 W solar input (very fast with compatible panels) | Up to ~2600 W with dual PV ports (high solar input for quick recharge) |
| AC Charging Speed | ~1.7 hrs from AC with high input (fast for its size) | ~50 min to 80% via high AC input, very rapid on a unit this size |
| Expandability | Yes — up to ~60 kWh with extra packs and parallel units | Yes — scalable up to ~48 kWh (more with multiple units in parallel) |
| UPS (Backup) | Yes — 0 ms swap for critical devices | Yes — ~10 ms fast UPS for sensitive tech and home backup |
| Port Types | Multiple AC (120/240V), USB-C/A, 12 V, expansion ports | Multiple AC (120/240V), USB-C/A, DC, Anderson/And so on |
| App Connectivity | Yes (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, smart transfer/charge settings) | Yes (EcoFlow app for energy management and priority charging) |
| Best Use Cases | Large home backup, whole-house essentials, heavy motors and appliances | Home backup, off-grid living, high-output scenarios with expandability |
| Approx. Weight | ~117 lb (heavy but wheeled) | ~115 lb with wheels and handle |
| Typical Price Tier | Premium whole-home backup segment (higher cost) | Premium but often lower entry price vs full expanded Jackery system |
- Energize Almost Everything. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 supports 120V/240V voltage and has a 4000W output (6000W with X-Boos…
- Forget Refueling. Featuring a 4096Wh LFP battery capacity, expandable to 48kWh with extra batteries or smart generators,…
- Plug and Play. Experience hassle-free power with the DELTA Pro 3, a versatile portable power station that’s easy to set …
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