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EcoFlow River 2: Two-minute review
The River 2 has been out for a couple of years now, but I think it’s a great buy due to the solid spec and increasingly cheap price. The unit tested here has been with me since launch and I have taken it on dozens of adventures without it skipping a beat.
Are you after the latest model instead? Take a read of our EcoFlow River 3 review and see if the updated version is better suited to your needs.
The River 2 is the smallest in EcoFlow’s ultraportable River 2 power station series and it has a 256Wh capacity. Note that I tested the Australian spec model, but aside from a different AC plug depending on the country it’s sold in, the underlying capabilities are the same.
The River 2 is basically a big battery bank combined with a 230V/120V inverter, high power USB and 12V outputs, and a range of charging ports. The River 2 can handle 300W AC appliances, with a surge capacity up to 600W.
The River 2 series is designed to be very portable, and is great for any charging or power needs when out and about. Not just for recreation either – it’s well suited for professionals who need to run equipment in the field – especially since it can be combined with solar for charging anywhere. The River 2 can also be used like a UPS, to automatically keep your modem or other critical devices powered on through a blackout.
Importantly, the River 2 series uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells, which allows for a large amount of full cycles. The River 2 is rated at 3,000 cycles (100% to 0%) before capacity drops to 80% of the original. That means you could recharge it almost every day and it would take 10 years to drop to 80% of original capacity. Even then, with 80% capacity being around 200Wh, that’s still a heap of juice.
On the front, the River 2 has a single 230V/120V AC power socket, a 12V/8A car-style DC accessory socket, dual USB-A ports (5V/2.4A) and a 60W USB-C PD input/output that can charge a laptop, or charge the power station itself. When plugged into the wall, the River 2 charges at up to 360W. That’s fast, and means it can go from dead flat to full in just an hour – an incredibly handy feature when you need to recharge in a hurry. It also has a DC input port on the back that can accept 11-30V, and charge the battery at 110W. This means the power station can be quickly charged in the car (or 24V in a truck), or with a solar panel or other DC power source.
The River 2 has a screen that shows remaining charge, time until flat at current usage, and input/output wattage. That’s all that most users will likely need, but you can also connect to the power station using a slick app from EcoFlow. This provides all sorts of deeper functionality, like setting maximum charge and discharge levels, setting specific charge rates, updating the firmware and more.
I have really enjoyed my time with River 2, but of course there are some minor niggles. At higher loads, the River 2 does need a fan to keep internal temperatures down. It’s not especially noisy and doesn’t run all the time, but is potentially a way for dust to build up (and require occasional cleaning) over time. Otherwise most of the things I wish for (like a 100W USB-C output) are options on the larger capacity models.
The River 2 did command a somewhat premium price at launch but has been getting much more affordable over time and has had some great discounts lately. All in all, it offers an excellent mix of features that is well worth it for those who need reliable portable power on the go.
Do you need something smaller, for charging a phone or laptop? Then check out the TechRadar guide to the best power banks.
EcoFlow River 2 review: price and availability
- How much does it cost? Launch RRP of $239 / £269 / AU$649
- When is it available? Available now
- Where can you get it? Available in most major markets including the US, UK and Australia
The River 2 has been out for a couple of years now and is easily available for much less than the launch RRP. The easiest place to find it is generally direct from EcoFlow, though it’s also stocked on Amazon and at a large number of third-party retailers.
Generally speaking the River 2 is solid value, considering the focus on portability, unique features and long warranty. It also has fairly frequent sales that can bring it down to less than half price.
• Value score: 4 / 5
EcoFlow River 2: Design and features
- X-Boost for over-wattage appliances
- Very fast AC charging
- Solar input
- 5-year warranty
One of my favorite features on the River 2 series is a completely non-technical one – the huge grab handle. Even though the unit is only 3.5kg, the handle makes it very easy to carry long distances, but doesn’t make it too bulky to fit in a bag. My least favorite thing is the fan, which can get mildly noisy under load, and is a potential place for dust or water to get inside the River 2.
At 256Wh, the battery in the River 2 can be run flat very quickly (under an hour) if using the full 300W AC output. Lower power devices will run from hours to days, depending on the power use. Thanks to the huge 3,000 cycle life (to 80% capacity), you can fully discharge and recharge the River 2 multiple times in a day if need be, and rest assured the battery won’t wear out in a hurry. One thing to keep in mind is that the 256Wh capacity means the River 2 can’t be taken on a flight, as it’s over the 160Wh limit most airlines use. For the full rundown of the rules, take a look at my guide on how to travel safely with a power bank.
It’s great to have a wide range of charging options on the River 2, but the clear standout is the very impressive 360W AC charge rate. I extensively tested the power station out and about, and being able to quickly grab some charge was very useful. While it takes just 1 hour to go from 0% to full, even just 5 minutes can bring back 10% charge. Charging in the car and using the solar mode is a fair bit slower (around 100W), but it was very handy when further afield, or camping. I also loved the USB-C charge option, as it made it easy to plug in overnight without using the bulky AC cable, and does not need to use the fan.
EcoFlow River 2 specs
Capacity: 256Wh
AC Output: 300W (Surge 600W) Pure Sine Wave 230V/120V
Solar / Car Charging: 11-30V, 8A, 110W max
Cycle Life: 3,000 cycles to 80% capacity
USB Charging: 1x 60W USB-C (input/output), 2x 12W USB-A
Other Outputs: 12V, 8A (100W)
Dimensions: 24.5 x 21.4 x 14.2 cm
Weight: 3.5kg
Warranty: 5 years
The 300W (600W surge) AC output is well-sized for most devices that might be used on the go, and the River 2 also has X-Boost, which allows certain high power devices (up to 600W) to be run at lower power without overloading the power station. The AC output can also be turned off completely via a button, or in the app, saving standby power. If the River 2 is plugged into the wall, and a device is plugged into the power station, then it automatically works as an Uninterruptible Power Supply. This is a handy extra feature, especially for when the River 2 is not being otherwise used. For example, it can be left plugged in to keep your modem running in the event of a blackout, or power critical things like a fish tank heater.
While the River 2 has a screen with key information, the more in-depth control is done via the app. It can connect via Wi-Fi and be managed even when away from home, or directly connected to (for example when camping) via Bluetooth. The EcoFlow app has options like being able to limit the maximum charge or discharge percentage of the power station, turn the outputs on and off, or set timeout periods. Importantly, the River 2 series is backed by an impressive 5-year warranty, which gives peace of mind that the power station will be with you for the long haul.
• Design and features: 4.5 / 5
EcoFlow River 2 review: Performance and testing
- 60W PD USB input/output
- UPS style functionality
- Solar and DC charging
The River 2 series rates very well for portability, and the 3.5kg heft is very easy to carry with the sturdy grab handle. The unit has large rubber feet, and the plastic shell is robust. The ports on the front are well laid out and not too crowded, so plugging and unplugging multiple things is easy. The display is easy to read even in bright sunlight, though I wish the buttons were more recessed, as I found they could be accidentally pressed if the River 2 is in a bag.
I connected the River 2 up to a load tester for the 12V DC and USB outputs, and the ports all happily gave their specified wattages and voltages. The AC output provides clean power without dropping the voltage at full load, and the X-Boost functionality worked as intended to avoid shutdown at higher loads.
The River 2 real-world usable capacity depends on how fast you discharge it, and through what output, but overall efficiency is excellent, and generally under 10% of the rated capacity is lost in conversions. One minor niggle – charging power banks has mixed results, with some charging, and others only being able to charge the River 2. A workaround is to use a USB-C charger in the 12V socket, but it would be great if the River 2 had a USB-C input only port on the rear.
The River 2 fan won’t kick in for USB-C use, but will spool up to high speed if fast charging via AC, or running something that uses a significant amount of the 300W available. The AC charge rate can be limited in the app, and at the minimum 100W, the fan is quiet, but still audible. One minor frustration is that the fan speed control is overly enthusiastic, and often cranks up to full speed for a few seconds before dropping back.
I managed a full charge from dead flat in 58 minutes on AC, and at peak rates could restore 10% charge in just 5 minutes. Charging from USB-C took a touch over 5 hours. Solar and car charging worked well – though the solar voltage and amperage inputs are somewhat awkward compared to what typical portable solar panels provide. Still, a 100W solar panel (or the EcoFlow 110W panel) can easily charge the power station up in as little as 4 hours. For those who want more solar input, check out the River 2 Pro and Max. The River 2 is rated for a UPS switching speed of under 30ms, and in my testing I didn’t have an issue even with finicky, lower power electronics. That said, it’s not quite a true UPS, so not designed for very sensitive equipment.
While excellent overall, the EcoFlow app doesn’t have as much detailed information as I’d like, like allowing tracking of solar collected (or other data logging), or viewing how many cycles the power station has done. I also feel it’s a missed opportunity to add some automation options, like being able to schedule the outputs to turn on and off at certain times.
• Performance: 4.5 / 5
Should I buy the EcoFlow River 2?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Value |
The River 2 series has a fairly premium feature set, which results in a higher-end price tag. Compared to the limited competition, the River 2 excels in areas like battery cycle life, being compact and low weight, and the inclusion of USB-C charging. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design & features |
The River 2 includes a solid mix of features, without going overboard on options that will add mass without providing much extra utility. The key advantages are that it’s lightweight, very portable, and flexible enough to be used every day for many years. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Performance |
The River 2 performed above and beyond in all my tests, and was extremely reliable, yet rugged enough that it does not need to be treated too gently. All the outputs (and inputs) happily sustained their full wattages for the entire battery capacity, even in (simulated) hot and cold conditions. |
4.5 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Final verdict
Overall the River 2 is a very competent little power station that is well suited to a variety of uses. It focuses on portability over maximizing features and spec – leaving that for the larger River 2 Max and Pro. The River 2 is powerful enough to be a worthy addition to your next camping trip, and combined with a solar panel, makes it possible to keep devices charged indefinitely. Other options like the UPS functionality mean the River 2 is also useful at home between adventures.
The 256Wh capacity is well suited to daily use, and the fast charge ability makes it very easy to top up any time. The ability to silently charge from USB-C is great for nighttime use, or just for avoiding needing too many cables. The long 5-year warranty and 3000 cycle battery longevity mean the River 2 can be pushed hard without worrying about a shortened lifespan. The EcoFlow app is quite slick, but a little lacking when it comes to deeper levels of control and data logging.
While the power station isn’t perfect, and larger Max and Pro models might suit some users better, the River 2 is a great option.
[First reviewed August 2025]
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lindsay.handmer@futurenet.com (Lindsay Handmer)
