Just because you're spending a few days in the great outdoors doesn't mean you should be left out in the cold when it comes to electronics. (Amazon)(Amazon)
It's the beginning of May, and I already have a pile of broken branches in my driveway — victims of the latest springtime thunderstorm. Last night, we lost power for the first time in a while (I only noticed because, at 4 am, all of our bedroom lights came roaring back to life. Dang smart bulbs).
Depending on how long it lasts, a power outage can be anything from a mild inconvenience to a costly mess — especially if you just loaded your fridge with groceries that are now slowly warming to room temp. That's why having a backup power source like the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is not only handy, but can end up saving you some coin. Especially when you snag it on sale like it is at Amazon right now, $350 off.
Never lose your luggage, purse, car, keys — anything, really — again. Just attach one of these smart tags to the item you want to track, and you'll be alerted to its whereabouts via your phone. The deal on this four-pack brings each tag down to about $16 (they typically retail for $25 to $30 a pop). Grab a few for your, er, forgetful family members...
Tired of dealing with a menagerie of remotes every time you want to watch TV? Stop the insanity with this easy and intuitive top-seller (which happens to be the newest model) that can replace 'em all. You'll be able to effortlessly switch between the news, sports, live TV and your favorite streaming platforms for easy access to millions of shows and movies.
If you've been holding off on buying AirPods until there's a sale, consider this the time to pounce. At $89, this pair is down to its lowest price yet.
Now, they don't include active noise cancellation like these do, but if it's a high-quality, comfortable listening experience you're after, these earbuds more than deliver. With up to five hours of listening time per charge (and 30 hours of battery life via the charging case), you'll be able to enjoy music, podcasts, audiobooks and more with limited interruption.
(Psst: AirPods Pro 2 are also on rare sale.)
Make fighting with your family members over power outlets a thing of the past, courtesy of this electrifying gadget. It's equipped with five AC outlets and four USB ports, enough for everyone to charge their iPads, iPhones, MacBooks (you get the picture) all at once. Oh, and it's so much sleeker than having a power strip on your floor — and you won't have to worry about tripping over it.
No, it's not a massive discount, but this bestseller is within a dollar of its all-time low (and it's retailed for as much as $20 in the past).
Prime members can snag this bestselling phone holder at an all-time low — a jaw-dropping 73% off. It's a cinch to install on your dashboard, windshield or vent with a three-layer gel and locking mechanism that won't leave a mark on your car. A 360-degree ball joint and extendable telescopic arm allow you to pivot it as needed. The holder adjusts to fit nearly every kind of phone.
"It has exceeded all of my expectations," said a happy customer. "I used the AC vent mount and it is very sturdy and remains intact while driving. The adjustable arms firmly hold my phone, even during bumpy roads or sudden stops. It is easily adjustable and super easy to install, so I was able to rotate it to get the perfect angle for my needs."
During the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, my wife and I were watching the Colorado Avalanche when the power went out. Bummed, I looked out the window and saw that my neighbor still had the game going on his outdoor projector — which was plugged into an Explorer 1000 V2. Lesson learned.
Its two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one DC car port and three AC outlets mean you can charge your tech as well as run a space heater. For an extra $250, you can add solar panels, which can charge this to 80% in just 2.4 hours.
At $449, this is the lowest price the Explorer 1000 v2 has hit all year — and by a long shot. With summer road trips and camping season coming up, now's a smart time to pick one up.
Using it as a backup for power outages? Sure. But honestly, that's how I use mine the least. I mostly use it when I'm camping or running power tools in the backyard — no more dragging around an extension cord.
I do two types of camping: backcountry and car camping. Backcountry means everything's on your back — no chance I'm hauling a Jackery into the woods. But when I'm car camping with the family? That's where this thing shines.
For example, I've got a portable fridge that plugs into the car while we're driving. But once we're parked, I'm not risking a dead battery the next morning. Instead, I plug it into the Jackery — no cable swapping, no stress. Whether it's a camera, laptop or phone, this power station keeps everything charged, even when you're far from civilization.
More than 1,200 customers have given this Jackery power station a perfect, five-star rating.
"I am not confined to a household outlet when I have an outdoor project. I can use my 10-gallon shop vac and carpet spot cleaner to clean my car anywhere," praised one happy customer who uses the Jackery in a variety of ways. "I have a Mora fridge with a 22.3 Cu. Ft. bottom freezer, and the Jackery can keep it powered for 18 hours. The runtime goes down to about 8-10 hours when I plug in the fridge and my 7.0 Cu. Ft. Insignia Chest Freezer at the same time. I have also used it to run my office set up, which includes an internet router, lamp, monitor, and laptop for 12-14 hours."
Another reviewer kept her food from spoiling: "This was a lifesaver as it arrived 3 days before the hurricane and kept my freezer full of steaks going for a few days. Last storm I had to throw hundreds of dollars of food away."
Finally, this five-star customer appreciated the new tech that went into the Explorer 1000 v2. "I love the fact that Jackery is finally moving to LiFePO4 battery chemistry, which allows for up to 4000 charge cycles (to 70% of original capacity) as per the manufacturer's specifications. That’s a little optimistic, but it’s much better than some other lithium-ion technology that specifies around 500 cycles. I also love the very fast charging at 1000 watts with a 1200 watt option for super fast charging. The charger is conveniently built into the unit, so no more power supply bricks to carry around, or worse, to forget at home."
"Jackery really skimped out on the USB ports," griped this four-star reviewer, "giving you only one USB A, which is ridiculous, and two USB C ports, which is just okay. They could have easily doubled that for whatever it costs to make it into a better, more convenient charging station."
Think the Explorer will come with every cable you might need? Unfortunately not, cautioned another reviewer: "It came with a heavy-duty 'Jackery Orange' AC power cable. I was sad to see that it did NOT come with a cigarette lighter charge cable. And to increase my sadness, I also discovered that it did not come with the solar charge cable, so I had to rush to Amazon and find those items."
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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