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.
Thanks to AirTags, I can track my bags from drop-off to the plane to the luggage carousel. And even when the worst happens, and my bags end up in Orlando when I'm in Michigan (true story), I know where they are and how to find them.
"First, we bought one Apple AirTag for my husband's wallet. Then we bought a second one for his car keys," said this repeat buyer. "Now, we have a four-pack, which is cheaper, for our golf bags and checked roller bags."
Tired of dealing with a menagerie of remotes every time you want to watch TV? Stop the insanity with this 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. Plus, this is as low as it's ever been.
If you don't like that feeling of having something wedged in your ear and don't need active noise cancellation, these buds are the way to go. How are they different from the previous generation? The shorter stem gives them a cleaner look, and the new quick-press controls mean no more fumbling to pause your tunes or take a call. Plus, they fit better and stay put, so you won't have to keep adjusting them while you're at the gym or running to catch the train.
"I decided to upgrade from my AirPods 2 and I'm impressed!" a happy listener wrote. "Sound quality is great! Wow! They don't feel like they're going to fall out of my ears and [are] very comfortable."
This wildly popular holder — over 70% off for Prime Day — works with almost any model phone and vehicle. Mount it to your dashboard, windshield or vent without leaving a trace when you remove it. It'll keep your cell secure through even the bumpiest of pothole-ridden roads.
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 from 0 to 80% in just 2.4 hours.
Need a new tablet? This is the latest version of this iPad, so the fact that it's already on sale makes this a deal worth considering. According to Yahoo Senior Deals Writer Chris McGraw, "It's an ultra-light, thin tablet that's powerful enough to replace your laptop for most tasks but slips into your bag without a second thought. With a large 11-inch Liquid Retina display, you're swiping and scrolling in vibrant color and sharpness that makes any screen that came before feel like an old tube TV.
"If you've got a habit of toggling between a dozen apps, streaming videos and replying to messages at once, you're in for a treat. This iPad is ready to keep up with whatever you throw its way. And if you're into gaming, the graphics capabilities mean you can play even demanding games without dropping a frame."
One recent recipient wrote, "I love my new iPad. It is so easy to use. My last one was a hand-me-down; this is so much faster and I can do so much more on it. The screen size is perfect and the battery lasts for days. It can do everything I need very quickly."
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.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
