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The build isn’t quite as good as EcoFlow’s more expensive units or the 1st generation River Max for that matter, and I would have liked all the USB ports to support fast charging.
The unit comfortably kept my car (beer) fridge running on a drive down to London, and I also tested it running my desktop PC set up which included the PC itself and two monitors. The power draw stayed under around 300W, so this was well within the limits of the unit. Mains, USB and Solar Charging There is also an option to connect directly to the power station over Bluetooth when there’s no WiFi – just tap on “use without Internet” when you’re asked to select your WiFi network. I’ve already covered adjusting AC charging speed under Settings in the app, and will mention other relevant options as I proceed through the review. I’d recommend making sure the firmware is up to date – there’s already been several updates to the firmware just whilst I’ve been testing the power station. The display is very clear indoors but a little harder to see outdoors in bright sunlight. The front of the unit has the now standard EcoFlow LCD screen but with just a single colour white display – not EcoFlow’s typical blue secondary colour. The RIVER 2 series represents the latest improvements in EcoFlow’s innovative portable power stations (PPS). A substantial upgrade on the original RIVER collection, the RIVER 2 series includes the RIVER 2 Max and RIVER 2 Pro. It has a clean design but doesn’t feel quite as premium as other EcoFlow units I’ve tested. It’s made mostly from a hard plastic, but there is some movement and flex in some of its component parts. It is lighter than the original River Max though at 6.2kg – even more impressive considering it now has the LFP battery, and I much prefer its more useful flat top even it there’s a missed opportunity for a wireless charging pad or two. You can see its dimensions above, but although a little shorter than the River Max it’s a fair bit deeper, even before taking into consideration its rear carry handle. And it no longer has the removable battery of the original River Max.There’s no power button for the USB ports – it comes on with the unit which I prefer. And you can set the unit time out in the app to “never” to keep the USB ports on even when supplying tiny amounts of power, just like a mains wall charger. Unplugging the mains lead to simulate a power cut with no noticeable effect powering the desktop PC When deciding between the models, consider your specific needs and review both options to determine the right choice for you. Battery Capacity (wh/kWh)
If you’re mostly camping in place, the RIVER 2 Pro is the better choice. RIVER 2 Max Vs. RIVER 2 Pro: Head-to-Head Specs Press the power button to turn the unit on which also enables the USB ports. The DC and AC ports have their own power button.There are 3 standard 5V 2.4A USB-A ports. It’s surprising these ports don’t support any fast charging standards but I confirmed their rated output with a USB load tester. There’s a far more useful 100W USB-C output. Looking at the three main LiFePO4-equipped power stations at this capacity, I would say this is the best current option based on the overall specification and price (I haven’t used the other two, so I can’t comment on real-world usage).
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends. OK, we’ve spent alot of time with the River 2 – is it a useful device? The answer is yes, as long as you’re aware of how little power you have on board. As you can see, the number of outlets provided by the RIVER 2 Max and RIVER 2 Pro is identical. But with 300W more AC output, the RIVER Pro can power higher-wattage devices. Size, Weight, and PortabilityConnect RIVER 2 Pro to our EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel and go from 0-100% battery in as little as 4.5 hours. However, a full recharge may take up to 9 hours, depending on the sun and weather conditions. Keep in mind, RIVER 2 Pro doesn’t actually charge more slowly than the RIVER Max. The Pro has a bigger battery, so it takes longer to recharge fully. If you don’t have a large budget OR if you think you will only be charging your phone, tablet or laptop multiple times over say a weekend of camping then the River 2 will be perfect for you. AC charging is 1200W, though the RIVER 2 Pro isn’t far behind with 940W, and a full charge of the DELTA 2 is slower than a full charge of any of the RIVER 2 models at 80mins vs 60-70mins (due to its capacity).
The River 2 Max has a 512Wh LiFePO4 or LFP battery which supports 3000 complete charge cycles compared to the 500 cycles of the River Max’s standard Li-ion battery. This is the smallest unit I’ve reviewed so far that comes with this more desirable battery chemistry. Another crucial factor to consider is the maximum amount of electricity a PPS can deliver at once. AC output determines what appliances you can operate and how many you can run simultaneously. For the RIVER 2 Max, you can go from 0-100% battery in just 60 minutes using an outlet. At this rate, it’s five times faster than other options on the market and 38% faster than our previous RIVER generations. Colour LCD display – using the exact screen of the Delta 2, this is probably the best display on the market in terms of useful information. The display shows a) time left to fully charge/discharge b) existing battery % remaining c) power coming in and d) power going out.I have been using both the RIVER 2 and DELTA 2 for the past few weeks. As much as I love the bigger DELTA 2, I have found that the smaller size of the RIVER 2 makes it more convenient for me to use in a lot of scenarios. The side panels of the River 2 are featureless. It’s the front and rear faces where the main action happens. Front Panel For solar charging, I tested this with the 400W EcoFlow solar panel and the bifocal 220W solar panel. On a semi-sunny day, I was able to hit a peak input of 220W with both panels, which is the limit this portable power station can take from a solar panel.
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