I am reviewing the new EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station. As an experienced overlander and EcoFlow product reviewer, I was eager to test out the Delta 2.
Earlier this year, I reviewed the EcoFlow Delta Max and was impressed with its performance on several camping trips powering my camper trailer. However, it had an NMC battery chemistry rated for only 800 cycles, making it less suited for daily use.
EcoFlow then sent me the new Delta 2 a couple months before its Australian release in September 2023. This gave me a chance to thoroughly test it at home and on a recent desert adventure. The key upgrade is the LFP battery now rated for 3,000+ cycles, so I was keen to see how it performed for my real-world use.
Full transparency – EcoFlow sent me the Delta 2 for testing and this review, but they do not pay me or require any kind of positive coverage. I aim to share my honest experiences and opinions, good or bad. I appreciate EcoFlow sending products as it allows me to provide in-depth reviews.
Delta 2 Overview
The Delta 2 is the smaller, lighter sibling to the Ecoflow Delta Max that I previously reviewed. Despite the smaller size, it still packs quite a punch. Here are the key specs:
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1024Wh capacity – Roughly half the capacity of the Delta Max, but still substantial for powering devices and appliances on the go
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60W max solar input with 500W max solar charging – Allows charging via solar panels up to 500W total
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1800W pure sine wave inverter with 2700W surge – Plenty of power for running most appliances and power tools
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Now uses LFP lithium battery chemistry – LFP provides around 3000 cycles versus the 800 cycles of the NMC chemistry in the Delta Max. This makes the Delta 2 much better suited for regular daily use.
In comparison to the Delta Max, the Delta 2 weighs about half as much at 12kg. The dimensions are also smaller at 274 x 233 x 451mm making it easier to pack and carry around. The Delta 2’s combination of ample power, solar input, lighter weight, and longer-lasting LFP batteries make it an ideal portable power station.
Testing the Delta 2
I’m not one to chat about products I haven’t given a good run and lucky for me ecoflow sent over the Delta 2 a couple of months before its Aussie release – perfect timing as I was gearing up for a desert adventure trip. This gave me a chance to test it both at home and during the trip.
The Delta 2 has been riding with me in my four-wheel drive braving dust, rough roads, corrugation, scorching 40 degree heat and it’s been my go-to for working remotely from the car and for quite a bit of induction cooking. Still this is no long term review, but I think I have tested it more than most other reviewers of this unit.
On my recent desert trip, the unit really was a lifesaver and proved very handy because we had a lot of often gale force wind and that makes cooking with gas quite difficult. On this trip I took my induction cooker and the majority of the meals I cooked were done by the ecoflow Delta 2 and my induction cooker.
I always have people asking why would you carry something like this if you already have a good lithium setup in the car which I do have. I have a 150 amp hour battery and 700 watt inverter in the vehicle. However, that restricts me really to the car or very close surroundings. I still carry on nearly every trip an additional portable battery pack simply for the fact that it allows me to work and offload footage away from the car. In this case now also it allowed me to cook with the induction cooker away from the car.
Ports and Outputs
The Delta 2 has a versatile array of output ports to power your devices. Here are the details:
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2 x Fast charging USB-C ports – These charge at up to 100W each. I really like having 2 USB-C ports since many similar battery packs only have 1.
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2 x Standard 12W USB-A ports
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2 x Fast charging 18W USB-A ports
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4 x AC outlets on the back – These have enough space between them to plug in multiple different AC plug types, unlike some competitors.
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2 x 5V DC output ports – These output up to 38W each.
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1 x 10A cigarette lighter output – This can deliver up to 128W.
On the output side, the Delta 2 is very well equipped, especially with the 2 fast 100W USB-C ports. The AC outlets also have a nice design with enough space between them.
Charging the Delta 2
The Delta 2 offers various charging options to quickly replenish its 1024Wh battery capacity. You can charge it from a regular wall outlet, solar panels, or a 12V car outlet.
One major benefit is the Delta 2 has a built-in AC charger, so you don’t need a separate charging brick. Just plug it into any wall outlet with the included power cable. The fast charging delivers 1200W, which can fully recharge the unit from 0-100% in around 1 hour.
While fast charging is convenient, it can reduce battery lifespan over time. The EcoFlow app allows you to customize the charge speed with optimized and quiet charging options at lower wattages.
For solar charging, the Delta 2 has a maximum 500W input via the MPPT controller. So you can connect solar panels up to 500W total to charge the unit during the day.
It also comes with a 12V car charging cable to replenish from your vehicle’s cigarette lighter outlet. This charges at a slower 100W rate, so a full recharge takes around 10 hours. Still, it’s a convenient way to top up the battery when driving.
The built-in AC charger, solar capability, and 12V car charging cable make the Delta 2 very versatile to recharge on the go or during power outages. You don’t need to haul extra charging bricks or equipment.
Likes
I really like the smaller size and lighter weight of the Delta 2 compared to the Delta Max. At just over half the size, it’s much easier to store and transport. The footprint is also reduced, so it takes up less space in your vehicle or campsite.
The switch to LFP (lithium ferrophosphate) chemistry is a big plus too. With a lifespan rated for over 3000 cycles, the Delta 2 is now suitable for regular daily use instead of just occasional camping trips. You don’t have to worry about degrading the battery from frequent recharges.
The built-in 500W MPPT solar controller provides ample power input from solar panels. With good sunlight, you can easily recharge the Delta 2 off-grid.
I’m also a fan of the fast AC charging capability. The included power brick can recharge the Delta 2 from 0-100% in around an hour without damaging the LFP battery. Being able to rapidly top up from the mains is very convenient.
A 5 year warranty provides peace of mind on your investment. EcoFlow clearly stands behind the quality and longevity of the Delta 2 power station.
Overall, the Delta 2 improves upon the Delta Max in some key areas while retaining the great features like abundant ports, a strong inverter, and intuitive app control. The increased portability and durable LFP battery make it my top choice for a power station at this capacity range.
Dislikes
There are a few things which you need to take into account with the Delta 2.
First of all, the unit does get a bit noisy when you charge it or if you use it with a high load. I can’t see any difference in regards to fan noise between 600 and 1200 watt charging, but I now change it to quiet charging which only charges with 200 watt and that does reduce the fan noise a fair bit. It has three fan settings which are low, medium and high, but if you charge it even with a battery optimized setting, the fan is fairly loud when using a lot of current for input or output.
Unfortunately, there is no solar charging cable included with the Delta 2 like there was with the Delta Max. You will need to purchase an XT60 solar charging cable either from EcoFlow or you can get them for half the price on Amazon.
I really like the EcoFlow app when it’s working. Initially I needed to do a firmware update and I had a few hiccups there. It took some time and wasn’t really very clear. However, I eventually managed to do the firmware update and since then I had no issues connecting or anything else. I hope that was only due to the update, but I had a similar experience with the Delta Max. So I think the firmware update process could be streamlined a little bit.
Capacity Testing
I did a capacity test of the Delta 2 where I drew a continuous load of 455 watts. The Delta 2 powered my food dehydrator for 1 hour and 55 minutes before shutting off when it reached 5% capacity.
This test showed the Delta 2 has about 874 usable watt-hours of capacity. The advertised capacity is 1024 watt-hours, so my measured capacity was a bit less than that.
Some of this discrepancy is likely because I was using the AC outlets and the inverter itself consumes some energy. But overall it seems the actual usable capacity is around 874 Wh.
Alternate Charging Options
One clever way to charge the Delta 2 faster while driving is to use a DC-DC converter connected to your alternator. This allows the Delta 2 to think it’s charging from solar, while actually pulling power from your alternator.
The DC-DC converter costs around $200, but allows charging at 400 watts, around 3 times faster than the included 12V car outlet cable. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to maximize charging speed from your alternator.
This is perfect if you need to recharge quickly while driving, but don’t want to drain your starter battery. The DC-DC converter charges the Delta 2 without tapping into your starter battery’s reserves.
Pricing
The Delta 2 has an MSRP of $1999. At first glance, that may seem expensive for a portable power station. However, when you consider everything the Delta 2 offers, the price actually seems quite fair.
For starters, the 1024Wh capacity lithium battery alone would cost at least $600-800. Then you have the powerful 1800W inverter which is another $200-300. The 60W solar controller would be around $150. The fast charging support and various outputs add even more value. If you were to buy all these components separately from quality brands, you’d likely spend over $2000 easily.
But with the Delta 2, all those features and capabilities come neatly packaged in one compact unit. You get premium grade components like the UL certified battery cells, MPPT solar controller, pure sine wave inverter etc. So in terms of build quality and reliability, you are getting a lot for your money.
The intuitive app connectivity, 2-year warranty and expandable capacity via add-on batteries also add to the value proposition. Considering everything it delivers, the Delta 2 offers excellent quality and performance per dollar. For an all-in-one portable power solution, it is fairly priced.
Recommendations
The Delta 2 is a great option to pair with an existing power setup in your vehicle to make it more portable. Since it has a decent capacity at 1,024 Wh yet is still compact and lightweight, it can give you extra flexibility to work and use appliances away from your vehicle. If the Delta 2 will be your only power source while camping, make sure to plan carefully for solar charging. With 200W of solar panels and full sun, you can charge it within 5-6 hours. But if you encounter cloudy weather for multiple days, it may be difficult to keep it topped up. An alternate option is to use a DC-DC converter to charge the Delta 2 up to 4 times faster from your car. The DC-DC converter tricks the Delta 2 into thinking it’s being solar charged, when it’s actually charging from your alternator. For around $200 you can charge at 400W instead of just 100W from the cigarette lighter. This lets you fully recharge the Delta 2 during just 2-3 hours of driving. Overall the Delta 2 is a versatile lithium power station, but plan ahead for the charging capabilities that best suit your needs.
Conclusion
The EcoFlow Delta 2 has become my preferred power station and is now my go-to over the Delta Max. I absolutely love this unit – the size is perfect to fit in my car, and the 85Ah lithium capacity is plenty for my needs when camping and four wheel driving.
The main advantages of the Delta 2 for me are the smaller, more portable size compared to the Delta Max, the long-lasting LFP battery chemistry, and the ample power output from the 1800W inverter and 500W solar input. Being able to cook multiple meals with my induction cooker off the Delta 2 is a huge plus.
Overall, I highly recommend the EcoFlow Delta 2 for its lithium capacity and abundant features. It has proven to be an invaluable tool for powering my adventures off-grid. The Delta 2 packs everything I need into a compact and durable package – fast charging, versatile outputs, app connectivity, and long battery life. For these reasons, the Delta 2 will continue to be my top choice portable power station for remote camping trips and overlanding.
Hope
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