The EcoFlow Wave 2 is an exciting new portable air conditioner from EcoFlow that functions as both an air conditioner and a heater. This dual-functionality makes the Wave 2 a versatile climate control solution for a variety of environments.
In this review, we’ll provide an in-depth look at the Wave 2’s performance based on hands-on testing. Key questions we’ll answer include:
- How much power does the Wave 2 use off both AC and DC power sources?
- What type of runtime can you expect off EcoFlow’s batteries and power stations?
- Does the Wave 2 actually work to cool and heat living spaces effectively?
We’ll also discuss considerations around setup and exhaust requirements, provide real-world testing results, overview the pricing and value proposition, and give recommendations on which battery or power station bundles make the most sense.
By the end of this review, you’ll have a complete picture of what the Wave 2 can do, how to get the most out of it, and whether it’s the right climate control solution for your needs. Let’s dive in!
How the EcoFlow Wave 2 Works
The EcoFlow Wave 2 works differently than traditional air conditioners. It has a dual-loop system that maintains neutral air pressure in the room.
On the front of the unit, it pulls in air from the room. This air passes through a heat exchanger and comes out much cooler, effectively cooling the living space.
The hot air from the living space gets moved to the back of the unit. Here, the Wave 2 pulls in outside air through a separate intake. This fresh air passes through a second heat exchanger, where it absorbs the heat from the air from inside. The now-warm outside air gets exhausted outside of the living space.
This dual-loop system means there is no positive or negative pressure created in the room. Traditional portable ACs often create negative pressure as they exhaust air to the outside. The Wave 2’s neutral pressure system is more efficient and doesn’t create drafts in the room.
Testing Setup
To test the EcoFlow Wave 2 for power usage numbers and estimated run times, I used three different EcoFlow power sources:
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The EcoFlow Delta II Max – This power station has a 2,048 watt hour capacity with lithium iron phosphate batteries rated for 3,000 charge cycles.
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The EcoFlow Delta II – This is a smaller power station with 1,024 watt hour capacity and the same lithium iron phosphate batteries.
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The EcoFlow Wave II Battery – This expansion battery has a slightly larger capacity at 1,159 watt hours but uses lithium ion batteries rated for 800 cycles.
The Delta II Max can take up to 1,000 watts of solar input for unlimited runtimes. Since the Wave 2 uses 500 watts or less, having enough solar panels feeding into the Delta II Max allows for continuous operation.
These three EcoFlow products provided all the power needed to thoroughly test the Wave 2 across different modes and usage scenarios. The Delta II Max with its high capacity battery was best able to push the Wave 2 to its limits and reveal the full runtimes possible.
Power Usage
I tested the power usage of the EcoFlow Wave 2 in the different operating modes. The Wave 2 has an eco mode, normal mode, and max mode which control the compressor speed and power draw. I measured the power usage when running on AC power versus when running on DC power from one of EcoFlow’s batteries.
The results showed that the Wave 2 is more efficient when running on DC power versus AC power. This is because the Wave 2 has a DC compressor, so when running on AC it has to first convert the power to DC before running the compressor.
On DC power in eco mode, it pulled around 198 watts. In normal mode, 345 watts. And in max mode, 460 watts.
On AC power in eco mode, it pulled 238 watts. In normal mode, 400 watts. And in max mode, 535 watts.
So you can see that on each mode, the power draw is lower when supplying DC power versus AC power. This means that if you want the longest runtimes, using one of EcoFlow’s batteries is the most efficient way to run the Wave 2.
Estimated Run Times
The next question I wanted to answer was how long could you expect the Wave 2 to run when powered by EcoFlow’s different batteries and power stations. I tested the Wave 2 with three different power sources:
- The Delta Pro, which has 2048 Wh of capacity
- The Delta, with 1024 Wh
- The Smart Extra Battery, with 1159 Wh
I also tested each power source in the Wave 2’s three operating modes:
- Eco Mode (lowest power consumption)
- Normal Mode
- Max Mode (highest power consumption)
The results showed a clear relationship between battery capacity, mode, and runtime. With the largest Delta Pro in Eco Mode, the Wave 2 ran for a full 12.5 hours. But in Max Mode, that runtime dropped to just 3.2 hours.
The medium-sized Delta powered the Wave 2 for 6.1 hours in Eco Mode and 1.6 hours in Max Mode. Finally, the Smart Extra Battery resulted in 6.5 hours of Eco Mode runtime and 1.7 hours in Max Mode.
It’s clear that the Wave 2 requires a substantial battery to achieve extended runtimes. The Delta Pro provided the best performance, but even then only achieved 5.5 hours in Normal Mode. So realistically, you’ll need a large power station like the Delta Pro to run the Wave 2 for more than just a few hours.
Real-World Testing
I tested the EcoFlow Wave 2 in a couple different real-world scenarios to see how it performed.
Large Room with Vaulted Ceilings
The first room I tested it in was a large dining room/kitchen area with vaulted ceilings. This room tends to be warmer than the rest of the house even with central air because of the high ceilings.
During testing on 100+ degree days, the Wave 2 was able to lower the room temperature by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of a day. It was able to hold the temperature down instead of letting it rise steadily throughout the day. So it definitely made the room more comfortable compared to not using the Wave 2.
Master Bedroom
The other room I tested the Wave 2 in was the master bedroom. This room has normal 8 ft ceilings.
In this smaller room, the Wave 2 performed even better than the large vaulted ceiling room. It was able to keep the bedroom at a very comfortable temperature. I likely could have lowered the temp more by using Max mode instead of Normal mode.
So the Wave 2 performed noticeably better for cooling in a medium sized room versus a large room with high ceilings.
Truck Cab
My final real-world test was seeing if the Wave 2 could keep my truck cab cool on a hot 104 degree day.
I attached the cold air blower hose and ran it into the cab since the windows don’t open well. I also tracked the outside ambient temp.
The Wave 2 was able to keep the inside temp cooler than the 104 degree outside temp, but it did still get fairly warm in the cab. This is likely because the cab has large windows and no insulation.
Running it at night could cool the cab down more effectively. But the Wave 2 did help compared to not using it at all.
So in summary, the Wave 2 performed well for real-world cooling tests in different conditions. It was most effective in a medium sized room. And could provide some cooling benefits in spaces like a truck cab, but very hot spaces are still challenging to cool significantly.
Exhaust Tube Considerations
One thing to note with the EcoFlow Wave 2 is that the exhaust tube can get very hot during operation. The exhaust tube is not insulated, so it radiates a lot of heat as the hot air from inside your home is expelled outside.
I noticed during my testing that I could feel a significant amount of heat coming off the exhaust tube. This is wasted heat that can actually contribute to heating your home.
To prevent this wasted heat, I recommend putting some sort of insulation around the exhaust tube. A towel or small blanket wrapped around the tube works well. This insulation acts as a barrier to trap the heat inside the tube so it gets expelled outside rather than heating your room.
The shorter you can make the exhaust tube, the better. By placing the Wave 2 right next to the window so the tube is as short as possible, there is less surface area to radiate heat into your home. Every bit of insulation helps reduce the temperature around the exhaust tube.
Performance Review
Overall, I found the Wave 2 to be highly effective at cooling down spaces when used properly. In my master bedroom, I was able to reduce the temperature by over 10 degrees Fahrenheit on the hottest days. This made sleeping much more comfortable even without air conditioning.
The Wave 2 struggled more in large open spaces with high ceilings, like my vaulted ceiling living room and kitchen. It was able to reduce the temperature by around 2 degrees in this space. Still helpful, but not enough to make it feel cool on 100+ degree days.
I discovered that placement of the Wave 2 is key for getting the best performance. Putting it close to the window and aiming the cold air vent right where you want the cooling effect works best. It’s meant for spot cooling rather than cooling an entire large room.
The Wave 2 is also not designed to replace a powerful central A/C system. It works best for supplemental cooling or for use in spaces like RVs or tents where you can’t install a permanent A/C system. Just don’t expect it to cool down your entire house on the hottest days. But it makes a big difference in smaller rooms when used properly.
Unique Uses
One of the things I really liked about the Wave 2 was the ability to aim the airflow where desired. For example, when cooking in the kitchen, the heat from the oven and stove inevitably warms up the space. With the Wave 2, I was able to angle the airflow directly onto the cooking area. This seemed to immediately dissipate the excess heat, preventing the kitchen from becoming uncomfortably warm.
Another unique way I utilized the Wave 2 was by taking advantage of excess solar power. My off-grid solar system often reaches full battery capacity around noon each day. In the past, this excess solar energy was essentially wasted. But with the Wave 2, I’m able to put that surplus power to good use. By setting the Wave 2 to Max mode, I can quickly cool down any room in the house. The powerful airflow also allows me to direct the cold air exactly where I want it. Overall, the ability to precisely aim the chilled airflow combined with the capacity to utilize excess solar power made the Wave 2 exceptionally useful during hot summer days.
Pricing and Recommendations
The Wave 2 is currently on sale on EcoFlow’s website for $1,299. There is also a bundle that includes the Wave 2 and an extra 1,159Wh expansion battery for only $400 more, priced at $1,699 total.
EcoFlow has provided a special 5% off discount code for viewers which I’ve included in the video description below, making the bundle an even better value. At under 50 cents per watt-hour with the bundle, it’s a solid deal.
When it comes to purchasing, you have a few options:
- Buy the Wave 2 by itself
- Get a standalone power station to run the Wave 2
- Opt for the full Wave 2 bundle with the extra battery
The bundle with the expansion battery is likely the best option since it gives you extended runtimes. With a large 2,318Wh capacity between both batteries, you’ll get the most usage before needing to recharge.
Having sufficient power is key for running the Wave 2 efficiently and getting the most out of its cooling capability. The bundle gives you that built-in power while still being portable enough thanks to the handle design.
Let me know in the comments which option you would choose – the Wave 2 alone, a separate power station, or the full bundle!