Tenting World donated this product for the aim of assessment.
Have you ever ever sat all the way down to squeeze in a number of hours of labor earlier than an epic hike to find that your laptop computer or telephone battery is almost empty? On this EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max assessment, we’ll spotlight how we solved this distant work concern with out dragging out a 25’ extension twine and plugging into the facility pedestal each time we wish to work open air.
Fuss no extra and “energy up” with the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max, a high-capacity, transportable energy station that packs a punch in a compact and light-weight kind. Geared up with over 500 watt-hours (Wh) of capability, this energy station retains your gadgets charged and operating for a lot of hours, even days, relying on the gadgets.
For individuals who take pleasure in tenting off-grid, this EcoFlow transportable energy station is a must have RV accent.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max with Photo voltaic Panel Specs
We’ve compiled these primary EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max specs that will help you examine them to different transportable energy stations on the market. They’re separated for the facility station itself and for the accompanying photo voltaic panel.
Energy Station Specs
- Capability: 512 Wh
- AC Output Energy (Energy Station): 500 watts (1000 watts in “X-boost” mode)
- Weight: 13.2 kilos
- Dimension: 10.6” x 10.2” x 7.7”
- Anticipated Life: 10 years, 3000 recharge cycles
Photo voltaic Panel Specs
- Output Energy: 160 watts
- Weight: 15.4 kilos
- Folded Dimension: 26.8” x 16.5” x 1.0”
- Unfolded Dimension: 26.8” x 61.8” x 1.0”
See the complete checklist of specs and options for the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max.
What Can I Energy with my EcoFlow River 2 Max?
I used to be initially skeptical about this energy station’s sensible use as an addition to our RV gear assortment. However after simply two days of use, I’m completely offered!
As I work subsequent to our RV overlooking the southern tip of the Blue Ridge mountains, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max’s comfort cannot be overstated. I plugged my laptop computer into the AC outlet and my telephone into the USB-C outlet and labored all day with no hiccup.
The X-boost mode briefly boosts the everyday 500-watt AC output as much as 1000 watts. That is excellent for my 800-watt transportable water kettle that boils water in 60 seconds to make espresso, tea, sizzling cocoa, or ramen.
Some RVers additionally use transportable energy stations to energy CPAP gadgets whereas tenting off-grid. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max is ideal for that software as nicely and will energy such a tool for 1-2 full nights of sleep, relying in your particular strain and humidity settings.
What about high-draw gadgets like hair dryers and vacuums?
Many vacuums can be simply nice for a fast clear with the X-boost mode. You’ll have to examine your particular vacuum to verify it’s underneath 1000 watts of energy draw. If you wish to energy a hair dryer although, you’ll wish to go for a beefier energy station just like the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Professional, as hair dryers have a tendency to tug between 1200 and 1500 watts.
The opposite software I envision utilizing most frequently is charging our tech whereas we’re driving, or once we enterprise away from the campsite on a day journey. Sometimes whereas I drive, my spouse and youngsters jockey for our RV’s single inverted outlet linked to our home battery. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max has given us one other resolution to this downside, making for smoother journey and lowering our have to run the generator whereas driving.
As for day journeys, we frequently take our truck to seek out some good rafting or mountain climbing. These may be lengthy days with no amenities. Protecting the facility station within the truck provides us loads of energy to recharge our telephones, cameras, audio system, GPS models, and even electrical coolers.
What Are the Professionals and Cons of the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max?
In my time with the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max, I’ve positively develop into a fan. There may be a lot that EcoFlow has to brag about right here, and never a lot that I might want to be completely different.
Professionals
- Compact. The dimensions was the very first thing that struck me about this energy station. I anticipated one thing a lot bigger however was pleasantly shocked to seek out that it’s smaller than my favourite mini-cooler.
- Light-weight. The 13.2-pound weight spec is deceiving, because the deal with is designed with ergonomics and weight distribution in thoughts, making the unit appear lighter when carried.
- Versatile. The flat prime serves as a mini-table for putting telephones and different small gadgets whereas charging.
- Quick Cost Time. Possibly its greatest function is the extremely quick cost time. When plugged into AC energy, it goes from 0 to 100% in roughly 1 hour!
- Photo voltaic Prepared. The included photo voltaic panel is a good profit for RV residing. The photo voltaic cost time varies primarily based on cloud cowl. With direct daylight, count on the unit to cost from 0 to 100% in about 4-5 hours. I examined the photo voltaic panel on a partly cloudy day.
- Bluetooth Compatibility. With the EcoFlow app, I might see the height photo voltaic enter of 160-170W throughout moments of full solar and the mediocre enter of 20-40W throughout extra frequent cloudy moments. Throughout a span of two hours, I charged the unit from 25% to 52% in suboptimal circumstances. General, I’m pleased with this efficiency and count on it to cost fully with out concern throughout days of full solar.
- Sturdiness. Having no expertise on this space, I anticipated it to be fairly fragile. It isn’t! It’s product of sturdy, weatherproof plastic with monocrystalline photo voltaic cells. Which means tough driving circumstances, rain, and blowing mud gained’t harm these panels, and the photo voltaic cell expertise provides you essentially the most environment friendly photo voltaic charging functionality out there right now.
- Portability. The photo voltaic panel’s carrying case, which additionally doubles as a stand, is ideal for storing it in a storage compartment whereas driving.
Cons
- Deal with Design. My greatest frustration with the EcoFlow River 2 Max is the design of the deal with. This may increasingly come as a shock after I simply completed praising the ergonomics of it. Nonetheless, when carrying this unit, the entrance of it, with the show and the facility shops, faces down. This makes it fairly awkward to then set the unit down on the bottom correctly with out scraping the entrance of it. Whereas I discover this annoying, it’s a side I’m joyful to miss given the advantages and comfort.
- Max Energy. Whereas the max output energy is greater than adequate for charging private tech and in addition works nice for small kitchen home equipment, it falls only a bit quick for power-hungry home equipment like hair dryers. That is hardly a deal breaker for our household as we don’t usually use such home equipment off-grid, however which may be an element to judge with reference to your wants.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max Options
These are the standout options of the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max transportable energy station:
- Versatile Charging Choices. Cost up the facility station with customary AC energy (quickest possibility!), solar energy, DC energy out of your automotive (customary 12V ‘cigarette lighter’ plug offered), or USB-C.
- Handy Cellular App. With a look at your telephone, you may examine the remaining energy and estimated hours of runtime for gadgets at present plugged in. You can too see energy enter and output, which is particularly helpful when charging through the photo voltaic panel and figuring out one of the best angle to orient the panel for optimum charging.
- A number of Outlet Sorts. It consists of 120V AC, 12V DC, USB-C, USB-A, and DC5521 energy shops.
- 5-year Guarantee. I didn’t even assume to examine for this function when evaluating energy stations, however a beneficiant 5-year producer guarantee positive is a pleasant perk for nice peace of thoughts. EcoFlow means enterprise after they say their merchandise are dependable, and so they stand behind them!
Would You Advocate the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max?
The EcoFlow RIVER2 Max provides spectacular portability, energy output, charging velocity, and a spread of options that make it a flexible selection for out of doors adventures and off-grid residing. Its intuitive interface and a number of charging choices additional improve its enchantment.
Contemplating its capabilities and reliability, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max is well worth the funding for many who prioritize high quality and efficiency. In the event you’re searching for a reliable transportable energy station with a powerful function set, it’s a stable selection.
FAQs About This EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max Overview
Whether or not you’re contemplating buying this energy station, or simply searching for to study extra about this product class, I’ve compiled a brief checklist of questions and solutions to assist.
How lengthy does the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max battery final earlier than needing to recharge?
The reply to this query is extremely dependent upon the gadgets you might be powering with the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max, as every kind of machine varies within the quantity of energy it attracts. I discover it extra handy to debate the variety of occasions you could possibly recharge some widespread gadgets, similar to:
- Cellular Telephone: 35+ prices
- Laptop computer: 4-7 prices
- GoPro: 100+ prices
How lengthy does it take to cost the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max?
The time it takes to completely cost the EcoFlow River 2 Max will range.
- Charging from AC energy would be the quickest, taking about one hour.
- The EcoFlow photo voltaic panel can cost the facility station in about 3-6 hours of direct solar.
- Charging by DC energy out of your automotive or USB-C will take roughly 6 hours.
Can you permit EcoFlow RIVER 2 plugged in on a regular basis?
Leaving the EcoFlow River 2 Max plugged in on a regular basis is just not harmful per se, however EcoFlow advises in opposition to it as this setup is just not superb for the battery’s well being.
How Does the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max Transportable Energy Station Examine?
There are two comparable merchandise on this value vary and energy capability which are price studying a bit extra about earlier than making your last choice:
Jackery 550 with SolarSaga 100W Photo voltaic Panel
With an almost an identical weight and battery capability to the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max, one could also be tempted to easily value examine these two merchandise in opposition to one another. Nonetheless, a number of variations give the EcoFlow a giant benefit. First, the EcoFlow has 4 AC energy shops, 2 of these for 3-prong AC plugs, whereas the Jackery solely has 1 AC energy outlet. Second, the Jackery takes almost 7x longer to cost from AC energy, requiring almost 7 hours in comparison with EcoFlow’s 1 hour. Third, the Jackery Photo voltaic panel is simply rated to supply 100W of energy as in comparison with EcoFlow’s 160W photo voltaic panel, which once more permits the EcoFlow to cost quicker on solar energy. Lastly, let’s not overlook about that huge 5-year guarantee from EcoFlow! Jackery additionally supplies a guaranty, however just for 2 years.
Southwire Elite 500 with Photo voltaic Panel
I used to be initially interested in the Southwire above all others as I assumed it will be simpler to get my spouse’s approval. The Southwire aesthetic is a bit much less industrial which is good when used indoors. It additionally weighs 2 kilos lower than the Jackery and EcoFlow, which may be important for a tool that shall be used and liked by all the household. Following alongside this theme, the Southwire photo voltaic panel collapses down a lot smaller than the EcoFlow and Jackery for simpler portability and storage. All that stated, the Southwire solely has 2 AC energy shops, and it requires about 3 hours to cost from 0 to 100%. Despite the fact that I couldn’t discover any particulars a couple of producer guarantee from Southwire, if portability and aesthetic design are a precedence for you, this energy station from Southwire may very well be an honest various to the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max.
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max with the photo voltaic panel provides a sturdy and versatile transportable energy resolution for out of doors and RV fanatics. With the comfort and sustainability of photo voltaic charging, this EcoFlow transportable energy station proves to be well-rounded and extremely environment friendly.
For extra insights and knowledge on out of doors gear and equipment, chances are you’ll be all in favour of these associated posts:
Have you ever tried any of those merchandise? Do you will have any extra ideas after studying about them? I’d love to listen to them – drop a word within the feedback!
