Ecoflow released their new, upgraded River 2 power station recently and we need to know how it compares with the original River, what are the upgrades and how worthy it is. Let us dive deep into it.
Both River and River 2 have different variants like Pro, Max etc. In this article, we are comparing the base versions. Cost-wise, River 2 Max and River are the same. So, I have also included River 2 Max in the comparison tables.
The models being compared are as follows:
| PREVIEW | PRODUCT | |
|
EcoFlow River (old) | See on Ecoflow |
|
EcoFlow River 2 | See on Ecoflow |
Ports
EcoFlow River 2 has 6 ports (4 fewer ports over River) which include AC, Car charging, Solar and USB ports. Also, River 2 comes with a 5-year warranty compared to a traditional 2-year warranty.
River 2 misses out on DC port which is a bummer!
| River | River 2 | River 2 Max | |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.3 Kg | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 Kg | 13.2 lbs / 6 Kg |
| Output Ports | 10 output ports | 6 output ports | 11 output ports |
| AC Power Outlets | 3x 120V AC outlets, 600W | 2x 120V AC outlets, 300WÂ | 2x 120V AC outlets, 500WÂ |
| USB-C Port | 1 port 100W Max | 1 port 60W Max | 1 port 100W Max |
| USB-A | 3 ports (one with fast charging at 18W), 2x 12W | 2 ports, 12W max | 3 ports 12W Max |
| DC Port | 2 Ports 13.6V, 3A | None | 2 Ports (12.6V, 126W Max & 13.6V, 36W Max) |
| Car Port | 136W | 100W | 100W Max |
| LED Light | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AC Input | 120V 250W Max | 100V-120V, 360W max | 100-120VÂ 660W Max |
| Car Charging |
12V |
12/24V | 12/24V |
| Solar Charging |
200W Max |
220W Max | 220W Max |
| Smart Controls | Yes (WiFi and Bluetooth) | Yes (WiFi and Bluetooth) | Yes (WiFi and Bluetooth) |
| Dimensions (LxWxD) | 11.3 x 7.3 x 7.7 in | 9.6 x 8.4 x 5.5 inches |
10.6 x 10.2 x 7.7inches |
| Warranty | 2 Years | 5 Years | 5 Years |
| Solar Bundles | 8 different options | 1 option | 1 option |
Battery Capacity, Power and Surge
Compared to its predecessor, River 2 has diminished battery and power capacity. EcoFlow has reduced the Power capacity to 300W which is half the previous capacity of 600W. According to me, the most important improvement in the battery department is the use of LFP over NCM batteries. LFP batteries have much higher recharge cycles which means more life. (This is the same reason why LFP batteries usually have a larger warranty period compared to NCM batteries).
LiFePO4 batteries are more efficient and significantly safer compared to the older lithium-ion batteries
| River | River 2 | River 2 Max | |
| Power | 600W | 300W | 500W |
| Battery capacity  | 288Wh | 256Wh | 512Wh |
| Surge | 1800W | 600W | 1000W |
| Battery Type | NCM (lithium-ion) | LFP (LiFePO4) | LFP (LiFePO4) |
| Life Cycle | 500 cycles to 80%+ capacity | 3000 cycles to 80%+ capacity | 3000 cycles to 80%+ capacity |
| Price/Battery Cycle | $0.814 | $0.09 | $0.166 |
If you are looking for a higher capacity, versatile power station, you might want to consider Delta 2 over these
Charging
Fast charging is a very important feature, especially for smaller power stations, which you use for emergency backup and traveling.
EcoFlow has improved the charging time for River 2 Models which is just 60 minutes.
Full charge in just 60 minutes? This is what you need for your last-minute trip!
| River | River 2Â | River 2 Max | |
| Charging Time | 96 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins |
| AC/Solar/Car Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C Charging | No | Yes | Yes |
EcoFlow River vs River 2 – Which One To Choose?
EcoFlow River has been one of the best choices for Portable Power stations under 600W. New River 2 has a lesser capacity and lesser ports for a lower price. The main reason for an upgrade would be the LFP battery which gives you 3000 recharge cycles which is amazing.
If you are looking to buy River, it is better to opt for River 2 Max, which provides all the latest features for an almost negligible price difference (including an offer of $30). It has a much higher battery capacity, faster charging, almost 6x battery cycle and more ports.
If you just need an entry-level power station, River 2 might be a good choice.
I do not recommend buying EcoFlow River as it is outdated and 500 battery cycles is a huge letdown.
If I were you, I would choose River 2 Max as it has decent battery capacity for multipurpose use including remote work and outdoorsy stuff. It is equally portable as River 2
| PREVIEW | PRODUCT | |
|
|
EcoFlow River (old) | See on Ecoflow |
|
|
EcoFlow River 2 | See on Ecoflow |
