Ecoflow River 2 portable power station Australian hands on testing

Whereas writing this text my laptop computer isn’t being powered by its built-in battery or from grid energy. As a substitute my laptop computer is plugged into the USB-C port of an Ecoflow River 2.

The River 2 is the brand new smallest capability choice in Ecoflow’s vary of transportable energy stations and a part of their new “River 2” 3-product line of entry-level transportable energy stations beneath 1kWh in capability.

The River 2 sequence goals to supply cost-effective on-the-go battery capability and emergency dwelling backup for small gadgets. This base mannequin which I examined is RRP $649 in Australia.

Bruce Wang, CEO of EcoFlow commented:

“The launch of the RIVER 2 sequence underlines EcoFlow’s dedication to significant innovation that solves real-life issues. With an unsure financial and environmental outlook, we need to make clear, transportable vitality accessible to everybody, all over the place. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 sequence makes this doable, providing sensible, versatile and inexpensive vitality options for adventures within the nice outdoor or throughout energy outages at dwelling.”

Charging to 100% in an hour because of a LFP battery the River 2 has an ultra-long lifetime rated at 3000 battery cycles till the battery degrades to 80% capability.

LFP batteries present a safer and extra dependable output and might endure extra excessive temperatures, enabling RIVER 2 for use in tough climate circumstances. Moreover, all EcoFlow RIVER 2 fashions include a 5-year guarantee.

Keep away from shopping for a transportable energy station that has an NMC battery as a result of it can probably deteriorate to 80% capability in solely 500 cycles: eg 1.5 years if used each day.

River 2 Specs

Guarantee: 5 years

Capability: 256Wh / 20Ah 12.8V

Internet Weight: 3.5kg
Dimensions: 245×214×142 mm

Optimum Working Temperature: 20°C ~ 30°C
Cost Temperature: 0°C ~ 45°C
Discharge Temperature: -10°C ~ 45°C
Storage Temperature: -10°C ~ 45°C (20°C ~ 30°C is greatest )

AC Enter: 220-240V ~ 50Hz/60Hz, 8A Max, 360W
USB-C Enter: 5V/9V/12V/15V/20V⎓3A, 60W Max
Photo voltaic Enter: 11-30V⎓8A, 110W Max
Automotive Enter: 12V/24V⎓8A, 100W Max

AC Output (x1): Pure Sine Wave, 300W whole (surge 600W), 240V ~ 50Hz/60Hz
DC Output (x1): 12.6V⎓8A, 100W Max
USB-A Output (2): 5V⎓2.4A, 12W Max per port
USB-C Output (x1): 5V/9V/12V/15V/20V⎓3A, 60W Max

Unboxing

Contained in the nicely padded field you’ll discover the River 2, mains energy cable, 12V energy cable and a paper handbook. You may also cost it instantly by way of USB-C or a photo voltaic panel (panel and cables are additional purchases).

Setup & Testing

You don’t want the Ecoflow Android or iPhone app however with out it you gained’t have the ability to get software program updates for the River 2 {hardware} or change settings.

I examined the River 2 and it precisely matched the claimed 1 hour time to recharge from flat to 100% from mains energy.

I then used my laptop computer whereas plugged into it and exams present it could possibly energy my Lenovo Thinkpad laptop computer for over 3 hours which might be useful for a subject employee.

The display is sort of clear and straightforward to see. It turns off to save lots of energy now after some time, simply press the ability button under the display softly to show once more. Press onerous on the ability button for just a few seconds to show the River 2 off utterly.

I’ve a fairly new and environment friendly Fisher & Paykel fridge so I made a decision to see how lengthy it might be powered if there was an sudden energy outage and I used to be at dwelling to change the fridge plug from mains into a totally charged River 2.

In response to my take a look at my fridge may run for 3 to three.5 hours, which is spectacular for a small transportable 256Wh capability LiFePO4 battery capability just like the River 2. Many older fridges would keep on for a a lot shorter period of time as they use much more energy.

For the remainder of the testing interval I used the River 2 to recharge telephones, tablets, torches and rechargeable 18650 batteries.

Is the Ecoflow River 2 price shopping for?

If you happen to draw 300 watts directly by plugging a lot of issues in it might final appx 40min till flat. This isn’t very helpful.

It can not energy any excessive energy machine like an induction cooktop, transportable heater, microwave, hair dryer and many others that wants a continuing 600-2400 most AC output. For that you’d want a a lot greater, heavier and costlier transportable energy station.

So is it price shopping for the River 2?

With a capability of 256Wh and most AC output of 300W whole (surge 600W for brief interval) the River 2 is sort of helpful for small issues eg: in an influence outage or local weather emergency like flood or fireplace you may use it to maintain a small lamp on in addition to recharge telephones, tablets, rechargeable torches and many others.

If in case you have a brand new energy environment friendly fridge and there’s a brief energy outage when you’re at dwelling the River 2 can maintain your chilly meals recent for a pair hours till grid energy returns.

Earlier than you spend your cash verify to see the worth and options of different comparable appx 256Wh capability transportable energy stations so long as they’ve a long-lasting LFP battery .

For instance in the mean time the competing 268Wh capability BLUETTI EB3A is on sale for $499 (often $599) which appears quite a bit higher besides… :

• BLUETTI EB3A is rated for 2500 battery cycles (500 fewer) earlier than it degrades to 80% capability
• at 4.6kg it weighs 1.1kg greater than the River 2 so it’s much less transportable
• it solely has a 2 12 months guarantee whereas the River 2 has a 5 12 months guarantee

EcoFlow River 2 sequence is accessible for buy as of immediately third April 2023 for RRP $649 from the EcoFlow Australia web site, Amazon, Harvey Norman, Anaconda, Complete Instruments and Battery World.