Which is better for running central air conditioning?

Either one. Both deliver 7,200W continuous with a 14,400W surge, enough for a 5-ton central AC starting up. Pair it with the Smart Transfer Switch for whole-home wiring.

They use the same LiFePO4 chemistry, rated for 4,000+ charge cycles on the HomePower listing. Expect similar lifespan from either, with capacity fading gradually over years of use.

Is it worth stepping up to the flagship package?

If you want whole-home backup, yes. The flagship tier adds the Smart Transfer Switch and an extra battery pack, which is what turns the station into a wired home system.

Can I recharge it from solar?

Yes. Both accept up to 4,000W of solar input and can charge from AC and solar at the same time. The HomePower package includes SolarSaga panels at the basic tier.

How much can I expand it?

Up to 60kWh with add-on battery packs, roughly twelve times the base capacity. That is enough to carry a home through a multi-day outage.

Jackery HomePower 5000 Plus vs Jackery E5000AC Plus Power Station

Q: Are these two the same product?

Effectively yes. Both list 7,200W continuous, 14,400W surge, 120V/240V output, about 5,000Wh base capacity and expansion to 60kWh. The difference is the bundle and the name on the box.

These are the same machine under two names: a 7,200W continuous, 14,400W surge LiFePO4 station with 120V/240V output, about 5,000Wh base capacity and expansion to 60kWh. Buy either for whole-home backup or off-grid use; the deciding factor is which package includes the Smart Transfer Switch and battery packs you need. Owners praise the 240V output and app monitoring, and note the weight and the cost of expansion batteries.

Choose the Jackery HomePower 5000 Plus if you want the package that bundles SolarSaga panels and, at the flagship tier, the Smart Transfer Switch and an extra battery pack.
Choose the Jackery E5000AC Plus if you want the same station sold as a whole-home system built around the Smart Transfer Switch.

Prices

Jackery HomePower 5000 Plus: $1,749.00 at Amazon (last seen Nov 10)