EcoFlow River 2 Pro Review

EcoFlow is widely known for its large, high-capacity power stations at a premium price point. However, the River 2 Pro is both portable and semi-affordable. It has a high surge capacity for larger appliances and a portable, lightweight design. Despite this, it struggled in our measured output test and lacks a few important features, like low solar input and a noisy fan.

Likes

The River 2 Pro prioritizes portability while offering 800 watts of continuous power, enough to handle medium-sized appliances and devices, such as refrigerators and coffee makers. It can also temporarily run higher-draw appliances using its 1600W X-Boost mode.

It contains 4 AC outlets, giving you plenty of space and flexibility for plug options, which is double what most power stations this size offer. And even though we measured a 614 Wh/hr charge speed, it can reach a full charge in 75 minutes, which is plenty fast.
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Dislikes

The glaring issue with the River 2 Pro is its underwhelming battery capacity. We measured 600 Wh out of its advertised 768 Wh, giving you only 81% usable battery capacity. Its lower capacity stings even more in a small unit since you have limited battery capacity to work with. We had a hard time getting through even a couple of nights of camping with the River 2 Pro while using our standard camping gadgets like our coffee maker, electric cooler, and string lights.

Our other minor gripes include its limited solar input, which maxes out at just 220 watts. It can still complete a full charge under ideal sun conditions in about 4 hours with a standard 200 watt panel, but for those wanting to use solar as a more permanent charging option, the River 2 Pro is not an ideal choice. Given its limited solar input and lower battery capacity, the River 2 Pro has a hard time competing with similar-sized power stations designed for camping and off-grid travel.
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The fan noise on the River 2 Pro is also a factor during charging and high-draw use. Its fast charging comes at the expense of a more powerful fan, and if you're using it in quiet environments, such as by your work desk or at night with a CPAP machine, the River 2 Pro has an unpredictable, high-pitched fan noise that's hard to ignore.
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Should You Buy the EcoFlow River 2 Pro?

The EcoFlow River 2 Pro is relatively affordable, especially with the overall trend of decreasing power station prices, but it fell short in our power output tests, which we consider the most important component of owning a power station. Unless you already own an existing EcoFlow product and prefer to stay brand-loyal, there are other options with better overall performance and value.

What Other Power Stations Should You Consider?

If your budget can stretch a little further, consider the Anker Solix C1000. It has a bigger capacity and roughly double the power output, yet weighs just 10 pounds more - Still plenty light enough for camping and off-grid use. It also offers expandable battery capacity and one of the fastest recharge times in its class.