The RIVER 2 Max is part of EcoFlow’s series of portable power stations specifically designed for outdoor adventure. They are small, compact and meant to be easy to carry. At the same time, they offer significantly more power than comparably sized power stations.
Golden Ears Provincial Park is a hiker and camper’s paradise, with its sprawling trails, towering peaks, and pristine lakes. I’ve been visiting the campgrounds for years, and recently had the opportunity to bring the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max with me on a camping trip.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max Best Features:
- Battery capacity of 512 Wh, with xStream surge up to 1,000W
- Can be used as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
- Pure sine wave AC output
- LifePO4 battery extended 10 years life span.
- Only weighs 13.3lbs
- Can be expanded with additional batteries, increasing capacity and run time.
- Supports fast charge USB-C Power Delivery.
- Parallel charging feature allows for powering two devices simultaneously with two USB-C ports.
- Has advanced safety features such as over-voltage protection, short-circuit protection, and over-temperature protection, ensuring the safety of the device and connected devices.
Design and build quality
The design and shape of the RIVER 2 Max reminds me of a toaster oven or wireless printer. It’s small, square and easily fits into a medium size backpack. The build is durable, and performs well even while getting jostled. There are no overly sensitive controls which can get accidentally turned off or on.
The device has a large LED screen that’s easy to read. You can also monitor and control the power station using a mobile app. This gives you the ability to remotely change a number of settings, including charging levels and speed limits so you can really fine tune the operation.
I also love how lightweight it is. Even with a heavy duty 512W battery capacity, the power station only weighs 13.3 pounds! It’s rare to find such a compact power source with this level of power.
The RIVER 2 Max has one handle on the side for carrying, although it does not come with its own case. So, if you want to have other transport options, you’ll need to buy a bag separately.
Power output and capacity
The RIVER 2 Max has battery capacity of 512W, with xStream boost up to 1,000W. It can provide power to multiple devices at the same time, including a pure sine wave AC outlet that can output up to 1200W. It also has two high power USB-C PD ports with 100W output each, and two USB-A ports with 12W output each.
I was able to charge gear like LED lights, laptop, phone and bluetooth speakers for 2 days without needing to recharding the RIVER 2. The battery finally went below 20% when I connected a 200 watt space heater one chilly night. I was able to run it for 2 hours before the power station quit on me.
Recharge options
I was able to test solar and car recharging during my Big Sur trips. The power source connects to one 160W solar panel, and took about 6~ hours to recharge back to 100%. EcoFlow states that solar should recharge in 3-4 hours or less, but as we all know sunlight can be spotty and inconsistent, depending on your location. Big Sur has its own microclimate with a lot of tree shade, and is often overcast.
One day I tested recharging using my car cigarette outlet, and this seemed to take about as long as solar. When I discovered this, I switched back over to solar to avoid wearing out my car battery. The RIVER 2 Max recharges in less than 1 hour via an AC outlet, which is the fastest way to get it back to full power.
Battery life cycle
My next favorite feature is the incredibly long 10 year life cycle, with EcoFlow’s stated promise of 100% charge for up to 3,000 cycles! Power stations I’ve had in the past have averaged 5 years or less before they start dropping below 80%, so this is a significant improvement.
However, I expect this life cycle to be far greater, because the 3,000 cycles is based on using the power station 6 times a week!
This extended life span is thanks to the LifePO4 battery, a lithium-ion battery that uses a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cathode. LiFeP04 can last far longer than old school lithium batteries, plus the tech is more stable and less prone to overheating or catching fire.
If you keep your device wattage in the 50W – 100W range, the RIVER Max 2 can easily last for 12 – 24 hours without needing a recharge.
Compatibility
The RIVER 2 Max is versatile and can handle a range of devices. I’ve primarily used the power station for small camping gear and the occasional space heater or coffee machine.
I haven’t tested this myself, but other customer reviews talk about using the power station as a home uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and running big appliances like boilers and air conditioners during power outages. The battery does need to be in xSteam mode to pull this off, but other reviewers praise this feature and find the RIVER 2 Max to be a great home battery backup.
Final Thoughts
I highly recommend the RIVER 2 Max. It’s made my camping trips to Big Sur a lot more convenient, and far exceeded my expectations. My favorite features are the 13 lbs. weight, extra long 10-year life cycle and 1,000W surge capacity. It’s got everything I personally need and delivers amazing features in a small package.
When it comes to value for money, it blows the competition out of the water. Especially when compared to brands like Goal Zero Yeti which charge 2x-3x more for similar functionality, this little dynamo gives a big bang for your hard earned buck.
