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.
Both have exceptional features, capacity, and output, but which one is right for you?
Both models are excellent options for camping, backpacking, and off-grid adventures. They’re compact and lightweight, and depending on your electricity consumption and the appliances you want to run, the battery capacity and power output can deliver the power you need to go off-grid.
Determine which option is best for you with this head-to-head comparison of the RIVER 2 Max vs RIVER 2 Pro.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max vs RIVER 2 Pro: Specifications
The main distinctions between the RIVER 2 Max and RIVER 2 Pro are the battery capacity and power output.
The RIVER 2 Pro has more electricity storage (Wh/kWh) and output capacity (W/kW) than the RIVER 2 Max, but the Max is lighter, smaller, and easier to carry.
River 2 Max takes just an hour to recharge fully using AC electricity. The Pro takes 70 minutes with AC, but can take longer to charge with solar panels than the Max. Both RIVER 2 Max and Pro offer 220W of solar charging input, but the Pro offers more storage capacity, so it takes longer to charge from 0-100%.
When deciding which option is right for you, consider your specific off-grid needs regarding power output, charging speed, and battery capacity.
What to Consider When Choosing Between the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max and RIVER 2 Pro
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max and RIVER 2 Pro both offer compact solutions for portable off-grid electricity.
But there are some differences:
- Battery capacity
- AC output (maximum wattage)
- Charging speed
- Size, weight, and portability
When deciding between the models, consider your specific needs and review both options to determine the right choice for you.
Battery Capacity (wh/kWh)
Battery capacity measures how long a portable power station can run without recharging. The RIVER 2 Max offers 512Wh of capacity, while the RIVER 2 Pro packs more punch with 768Wh of electricity storage.
A 50% increase in storage of 256Wh is significant, but how it impacts you depends on your energy consumption between charges. If you need to power devices longer or run household appliances, consider the Pro for extended battery life and greater power output.
AC Output (Maximum Wattage in W/kW)
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.
The RIVER 2 Max has an AC output of 500W (1000W starting watts with x-boost). That means the highest wattage appliance it can run is 500W with a maximum starting wattage of 1000W. The RIVER 2 Max can also operate several devices simultaneously as long as their total wattage doesn’t exceed 500 running Watts.
On the other hand, RIVER 2 Pro offers substantially more power. With an operating AC output of 800W (1,600W of starting power with x-boost), RIVER 2 can power up to 80% of high-wattage home appliances.
Adding up the total operating and starting wattages of the appliances you want to run simultaneously is crucial to ensure you purchase a PPS that meets your needs.
Here’s a table of average running and starting watts of common appliances for your reference.
| Appliance | Rated (Running) Watts | Starting Watts |
| Dishwasher | 1300 | 1800 |
| Washing Machine | 1200 | 2300 |
| Refrigerator/Freezer | 700 | 2200 |
| Light Bulb | 60-75 | 0 |
| Microwave | 600-1000 | 0 |
| TV | 500 | 0 |
| Toaster | 900 | 0 |
| Vacuum | 1440 | 2500 |
| Coffee Maker | 1000 | 0 |
| Blender | 300 | 800 |
| Clothing Iron | 1500 | 0 |
| Dryer | 5400 | 7000 |
| Toaster Oven | 1200 | 0 |
| Curling Iron | 1500 | 0 |
| Space Heater | 2000 | 0 |
| Laptop | 50-300 | 0 |
| 20” Box Fan | 200 | 350 |
Cycle Life
The cycle life of a portable power station measures how many times the battery can discharge and recharge before it begins to decrease in performance. A cycle refers to running the PPS from a full charge to zero.
Using cutting-edge LiFePO4 batteries, RIVER 2 Max and Pro have an equally impressive cycle life of 3000 cycles to 80+% capacity. After 3000 complete cycles, the battery will still function at around 80% capacity.
What does that mean in the real world?
You’ll get about ten years of daily use — six times longer than the industry average for portable power stations.
Charging Options
The RIVER 2 Max and Pro each offer four charging options, enabling you to go from 0-100% electricity storage capacity pretty much anywhere — fast!
- AC (Household) electricity
- DC (Car adapter) electricity
- Solar panels
- USB-C
Charging Speed
The faster a portable power station recharges, the sooner you can use it again. That’s great news for anyone who chooses the RIVER 2 Max or RIVER 2 Pro, as both offer impressive charging speeds 5x faster than the industry average.
For the RIVER 2 Max, you can go from 0-100% battery in just 60 minutes using a standard wall outlet. At this rate, it’s five times faster than other options on the market and 38% faster than our previous RIVER generations.
For the RIVER 2 Pro, enjoy even faster charging times. You’ll be impressed as you watch the charge go from 0-100% in just 70 minutes with a standard wall outlet, which is a 27% increase in charging speed. It’s also more than five times the industry average.
The RIVER 2 Pro takes slightly longer to charge to full capacity than the RIVER 2 Pro. That’s because it has 50% more storage capacity.
If you use solar panels to generate clean, renewable energy, RIVER Max supports one EcoFlow 160W Portable Solar Panel or 220W Bifacial Solar Panel. You can recharge your PPS entirely off the grid in as little as four hours of peak sunlight.
Connect 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.
Finally, both the RIVER 2 Max and RIVER 2 Pro can operate and recharge simultaneously.
Solar Charge Capacity
All EcoFlow portable power stations turn seamlessly into solar generators when you add solar panels. Both the RIVER 2 Max and Pro have a maximum solar input of 220W and pair perfectly with one 160W Portable Solar Panel or 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel. Or, you could opt for up to two 100W Flexible Solar Panels for a rated power wattage of +/- 200W – 220W.
Number and Type of Outlets/Plugs
Another factor to consider is how many outlets you need to power all your family’s devices simultaneously.
| Type of Outlet | RIVER 2 Max | RIVER 2 Pro |
| AC | 4 outlets, 500W total | 4 outlets, 800W total |
| USB-A | 3 ports, 5V, 2.4A, 12W Max per port | 3 ports, 5V, 2.4A, 12W Max per port |
| USB-C | 1 port, 5/9/12/15/20V, 5A, 100W Max | 1 port, 5/9/12/15/20V, 5A, 100W Max |
| Car Power Output | 1 Port, 12.6V, 10A/3A/3A, 126W Max | 1 Port, 12.6V, 10A/3A/3A, 126W Max |
| DC5521 | 2 ports, 12.6V, 3A Max per port | 2 ports, 12.6V, 3A Max per port |
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 Portability
When you use a portable power station on the go — size, weight, and portability matter.
RIVER 2 Max and Pro are both designed for portability, but the Max is the more compact option.
The RIVER 2 Pro is heavier and slightly larger than the RIVER 2 Max. The Max weighs 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) and has dimensions of 10.6 x 10.2 x 7.7 in (270 x 260 x 196mm).
The Pro weighs 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg), and its dimensions are 10.6 x 10.2 x 8.9 in (270 x 260 x 226 mm).
The RIVER 2 Max is easier to carry and store, making it more portable than the RIVER 2 Pro.
However, the Pro has more capacity and output, despite being only slightly larger and heavier.
Consider how it impacts your use case when comparing differences in size and weight. If you plan to carry your PPS on extended backpacking or hiking trips, the tradeoff of greater portability for less electricity may be worth it.
If you’re mostly camping in place — or backing up a few devices and appliances at home — the RIVER 2 Pro is the better choice.
RIVER 2 Max Vs. RIVER 2 Pro: Head-to-Head Specs
| Spec | RIVER 2 Max | RIVER 2 Pro | |
| General | Capacity | 512Wh | 768Wh |
| Net weight | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg ) | |
| Dimension | 10.6 x 10.2 x 7.7 in (270 x 260 x 196mm) | 10.6 x 10.2 x 8.9 in (270 x 260 x 226 mm) | |
| Output | AC Output Ports | US/CA: 4 outlets, 500W total | US/CA: 4 outlets, 800W total |
| X-Boost | US/CA: 1000W | US/CA: 1600W | |
| Input | AC charging | 660W | 940W |
| Solar charging | 220W, 11-50V 13A Max | 220W, 11-50V 13A Max | |
| Car charging | Support 12V/24V, default 8A | Support 12V/24V, default 8A | |
| Battery | Cycle life | 3000 cycles to 80+% capacity | 3000 cycles to 80+% capacity |
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max vs RIVER 2 Pro: Which Is Right For You?
If you want to take your PPS camping or just need some extra juice around the house, the RIVER 2 Max and Pro are each outstanding options for portable off-grid power.
The Max is lighter and more compact than its counterpart. The Pro offers more electricity storage and output capacity for those who want to operate larger (or more) devices for longer.
Ultimately, your usage and portability requirements should determine the best model for you. Check out EcoFlow today for off-grid solar solutions for everything from camping to whole home generators.