Portable power stations provide the convenience of on-demand power whether you’re camping, experiencing a power outage, or working remotely off-grid. These lithium battery packs can power anything from lights and phones to small appliances and power tools. EcoFlow stands out in the portable power station market with sleek designs and innovative features for maximizing power and recharge speed.
The EcoFlow River Pro 2 builds on the success of the original River Pro model. With a capacity of 768 watt-hours, it’s a mid-sized option that balances power with portability. EcoFlow claims the River Pro 2 is the “Best Portable Power Station under 1kWh” with fast recharge times, a strong inverter, and multiple ways to recharge including solar.
Unboxing
The EcoFlow River 2 Pro comes packed in a cardboard box with minimal packaging inside. All you get is the power station itself, a manual, and a charging cable. The charging cable provided is quite long, which is useful for positioning the power station far away from an outlet when charging.
The charging cable has a standard plug that you’d find on a computer monitor or desktop computer on one end. On the other end, it has a custom plug that connects to the AC input port on the back of the power station.
That’s all you get in the box besides the manual. There are no solar panels or other accessories included with the base package. Just the power station, an AC charging cable, and a manual to get you up and running.
Setup
Getting started with the EcoFlow River 2 Pro is easy and straightforward. Simply take the power station out of the box along with the included charging cable.
The River 2 Pro has two charging inputs on the back – an AC input that accepts the included power cable to charge from a wall outlet, and an XT60 input for solar panels or charging from a car.
To begin charging, plug the included power cable into the AC input port and connect the other end to a wall outlet. The River 2 Pro will automatically begin charging. You’ll notice the fan on the side kick in as it starts receiving power.
The XT60 input accepts 11-50V and up to 13A max for solar or car charging. To use this port, you’ll need a compatible XT60 cable or adapter connected to your solar panel or car charging port.
Once powered on, the River 2 Pro will automatically detect and begin charging from either solar or car without any additional setup required. The ports are interchangeable.
With either input, charging progress and time to full charge will be displayed on the River 2 Pro’s screen. And that’s it – with the power station plugged in, you’re all set to start charging up and getting ready for off-grid power!
EcoFlow App
The EcoFlow app is a Bluetooth-enabled app that allows you to control and monitor the River 2 Pro. When I accessed the app, it detected the River 2 Pro and allowed me to connect it to my phone via Bluetooth.
Some key features of the app include:
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Firmware updates – I was able to check for and install the latest firmware update directly through the app. Keeping the firmware updated ensures you have the latest features and optimizations.
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Input/output control – I can limit the maximum charging input as well as control the DC outlets right from the app. This allows me to prolong battery life or match the outlets to my devices.
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Usage monitoring – The app provides real-time monitoring of watts/amps going in and out. I could see how much power was being pulled while charging and track the remaining runtime.
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Usage statistics – The app tracks lifetime usage statistics so you can see energy usage over time.
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Remote on/off – You can power the River 2 Pro on or off remotely using the app.
Overall, the EcoFlow app provides excellent remote control and monitoring. I especially like the ability to install firmware updates directly through the app to keep the River 2 Pro optimized.
Battery Capacity Test
To test the claimed 768 watt-hour battery capacity, I performed a drain test using a heat gun set to pull 0.2C from the battery. 0.2C works out to about 150 watts based on the claimed capacity.
I started the test by resetting my power meter, which read 153 watts from the heat gun. At the same time, I disconnected the charging cable so that the power station was only being powered by the battery.
The River 2 Pro lasted for 647 watt-hours before hitting zero percent on the display and shutting off the inverter output. This works out to about 85% efficiency from the claimed 768 watt-hour capacity, which is a decent result for a lithium iron phosphate battery system like this. Most quality power stations tend to deliver 80-90% of their rated capacity in real-world testing.
While the tested capacity was a bit lower than the claimed number, the River 2 Pro still provides ample power for most needs like charging phones, running small appliances, and powering lights. The battery efficiency is quite good and falls within the expected range.
Recharge Time – Testing the Claimed Recharge Speed
EcoFlow claims the River 2 Pro can recharge from 0-100% in 70 minutes when using the maximum AC input.
To test this, I completely drained the battery using a high wattage heat gun. With the battery at 0%, I plugged the River 2 Pro into an AC outlet pulling 940W.
I started a timer as soon as I plugged it in to track the recharge time. The River 2 Pro has an easy to read display showing the input wattage and remaining time until full charge.
The battery charged smoothly, with the fan turning on about halfway through to keep things cool. The River 2 Pro reached a full 100% charge in 69 minutes and 30 seconds – just under the claimed 70 minute recharge time.
Based on my test, the EcoFlow River 2 Pro can indeed recharge from empty to full battery in around 70 minutes when using the maximum AC input. This rapid recharge capability makes the River 2 Pro convenient compared to slower charging alternatives when you need to power back up quickly.
Inverter Capability
The AC inverter on the EcoFlow River 2 Pro has 4 outlets and is rated for 800W of continuous power, with the ability to handle 1600W surges. I tested the inverter’s capability by running multiple appliances simultaneously.
First, I tried using an electric kettle rated at 800W along with an Instant Pot rated at around 800W. The inverter lasted about 30 seconds before shutting off to protect itself. Next, I ran the kettle along with a 300W egg cooker. This loads totaled about 1100W, which is under the rated 1600W surge handling. The river 2 Pro powered both appliances simultaneously until the kettle finished boiling.
Finally, I tested the inverter’s limits using a 1800W heat gun. The EcoFlow powered the heat gun by engaging X-Boost mode, which lowers the voltage output to accommodate higher loads. The heat gun ran but at lower intensity than if powered directly from an outlet. Overall the inverter performed to its rated specifications under real world conditions.
Features
The River 2 Pro has a versatile array of outlets and ports to meet your power needs:
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AC Inverter – 800W continuous, 1600W surge with 4 AC outlets. Supports most appliances under 800W.
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USB Ports – 3x 12W USB-A ports for charging phones, tablets, etc.
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USB-C Port – 1x 100W USB-C port for laptop charging and higher power USB devices.
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DC Outlets
- 1x 12V cigarette lighter outlet, 126W max
- 2x 5.5mm barrel plug ports, 36W max
With X-Boost mode enabled, the inverter can sustain 1600W which allows you to run even more high-power appliances like blenders, power tools, etc.
The variety of output options makes the River 2 Pro flexible for powering everything from phones and laptops up to small kitchen or workshop appliances on the go.
Solar Charging
I tested how quickly the River 2 Pro could recharge using solar by connecting a 220W solar panel on a sunny April day.
The solar panel connected easily using the XT60 port on the back of the power station. After completely draining the battery, I laid the solar panel flat facing the sun. Despite not having the panel perfectly angled, it quickly ramped up to 171W of input. Adjusting the angle steeper towards the sun’s position allowed it to reach 195W.
The power station’s display estimated a 4 hour recharge time from 0-100% based on the 195W solar input. This demonstrates solid solar charging capabilities from a portable power station of this size. While angle and sunlight intensity play a role, the River 2 Pro can leverage solar to recharge reasonably quickly.
Pros
The River 2 Pro has several advantages that make it a compelling portable power station:
- Decent battery capacity at 768Wh
- Fast recharge time of 70 minutes from 0-100%
- Strong 800W continuous output (1600W surge)
- Useful app with firmware updates
- Can recharge from solar at 195W (tested with 220W panel)
- Four AC outlets and multiple DC outlets
- Advanced features like X-Boost for high-draw appliances
- Excellent value at under $1/Wh (MSRP $649)
- Lightweight and portable at 17 pounds
- Reliable lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry
- Produced by a reputable company like EcoFlow
- Comparable performance to similar units that cost much more
- Capable of powering most essential appliances in an outage
The combination of fast recharge, high inverter rating, app connectivity, and overall value make the River 2 Pro one of the top portable power stations in its size and price class. It’s a versatile unit well-suited for most emergency power needs.
Cons
The EcoFlow River 2 Pro has a few downsides worth considering:
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The fan can get quite loud when the device is working hard or charging. This may be distracting in a small indoor space.
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The USB-C port only outputs 100W, which limits fast charging larger devices like laptops. Some competing models offer up to 140W from USB-C.
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It’s heavy at 17.2 pounds. Carrying it any distance can be cumbersome, especially compared to lighter 1KWh models from Jackery or Anker.
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There are no wheels or extending handle, so moving it requires lifting. Wheeled models may be easier to transport.
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The LCD screen turns off after 30 seconds. You have to adjust the setting in the app to keep it on, which could be inconvenient.
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No wireless charging or app connectivity. Some models allow monitoring and controlling through WiFi or Bluetooth without connecting cables.
So in summary, the River 2 Pro is on the heavy side, lacks some convenience features like wireless control, and has a slightly underpowered USB-C port relative to the competition. Those may be worthwhile tradeoffs for the fast recharge speed, but should be considered.
Verdict: A Great Portable Power Station for Camping and Outages
The EcoFlow River 2 Pro is a strong contender in the portable power station market under 1kWh. It offers a good balance of features, battery capacity, recharge speed, and power output at a reasonable price point.
In testing, the River 2 Pro performed well across all the key categories:
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The 768Wh battery capacity provides ample power for several hours of use for items like phones, lights, laptops, and small appliances.
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The 70 minute recharge time is one of the fastest for a battery of this size. It can recharge from solar at a decent speed too.
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An 800W pure sine wave inverter can comfortably run most portable appliances, with X-Boost allowing surges up to 1600W.
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Solar and wall charging inputs, 4 AC outlets, multiple USB ports, a 12V car socket, and Bluetooth app control provide versatility.
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At just 17.2 pounds, the River 2 Pro is lightweight and portable enough for camping, RVing, emergency backup, and more.
Considering the above, the River 2 Pro is easy to recommend for anyone needing an affordable mid-sized power station. It’s well-suited for power outages, camping trips, charging devices on-the-go, and similar applications. For the price, you get reliable performance and useful features in a compact package.
Pricing
The EcoFlow River 2 Pro has an MSRP of $649, though it can often be found for less. This puts it at a price per watt hour of under $1 ($649/768Wh=$0.84/Wh), which is quite competitive for a lithium iron phosphate battery portable power station of this capacity.
At this price point, the River 2 Pro hits a sweet spot of providing decent power capacity and features at a relatively affordable cost. It’s a good option for someone looking for an emergency backup power supply for their home, or a portable power station for RV or camping use.
The pricing is quite reasonable compared to other similar capacity power stations on the market. For example, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Lithium costs $1299 for 983Wh ($1.32/Wh), while the Anker 757 PowerHouse costs $699 for 757Wh ($0.92/Wh). So the River 2 Pro manages to beat those competitors in terms of price per watt hour.
Ultimately, the EcoFlow River 2 Pro provides good value for money. You get a decent amount of power capacity and useful features at a very fair price point. The pricing makes it accessible for more consumers compared to some premium-priced competitors.
Alternatives
When considering the EcoFlow River 2 Pro, there are a few other comparable portable power stations to look at as well:
Jackery Explorer 1500
The Jackery Explorer 1500 is one of the top competitors to the River 2 Pro, with a similar capacity of 1488Wh. It features a pure sine wave inverter like the EcoFlow, with 1600W surge capability and 1800W max output via the 12V car outlet. The Explorer 1500 charges slightly faster than the River 2 Pro, in about an hour with a 500W AC input. It also can recharge from solar at 200W compared to 220W on the EcoFlow.
The Jackery has a more rugged, outdoor-focused design, with an integrated top handle and control panel. It lacks some of the advanced features like X-Boost though. Pricing is typically $200-300 more than the EcoFlow.
Anker 757 PowerHouse
Anker’s PowerHouse 757 offers similar performance specs to the River 2 Pro in a more compact size. It has 1024Wh capacity, 1000W continuous inverter, and can charge in 1.6 hours. The 757 supports 200W solar input for recharging.
The Anker does have a less sophisticated app and fewer outlet ports than the River 2 Pro. It’s also heavier at over 20lbs. The 757 tends to cost $100-200 less than the EcoFlow.
Bluetti EB70
On the more affordable end, the Bluetti EB70 provides a decent 716Wh of capacity. It has a 700W pure sine wave inverter and can take 200W solar input. Charging time is around 2 hours for a full recharge.
While the EB70 doesn’t have as much capacity or as fast charging, it costs almost half the price of the River 2 Pro. So it’s a good budget-friendly option.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the EcoFlow River 2 Pro is an impressive portable power station that lives up to EcoFlow’s claim of being one of the best options under 1kWh.
It performed very well in our battery capacity test, returning 85% of its claimed 768Wh capacity. The recharge time was also excellent, fully recharging from 0% in just 69.5 minutes.
The 800W pure sine wave inverter provides ample power for most appliances, with the ability to surge up to 1600W. Features like the EcoFlow app, X-Boost mode, and fast solar charging add a lot of versatility.
Overall, the River 2 Pro provides great performance and an extensive feature set in a compact package. For the price, it’s hard to find a better value portable power station under 1kWh. The combination of battery capacity, recharge speed, power output, and features make the EcoFlow River 2 Pro easy to recommend for RV and camping use, emergency power, or off-grid applications.