I Found The Perfect Portable Power Station For Off-grid Adventures

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EcoFlow River 2 Max

EcoFlow River 2 Max.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

I emotion powerfulness stations. They're nan off-grid adventurer's reply to nan powerfulness bank. They're a immense container of batteries that tin complaint USB devices and tally gadgets that request AC power.

But powerfulness stations tin beryllium big, weighty things. That's good if you person a conveyance to haul your cogwheel to your destination, but if you're going connected foot, astir powerfulness stations are conscionable excessively dense to lug about.

Also: The champion portable powerfulness stations you tin buy: Expert tested

And astir of those that are mini capable to transportation are excessively mini to beryllium useful.

The EcoFlow River 2 Max sits successful nan mediate -- compact capable to beryllium portable, large capable to beryllium practical. 

EcoFlow River 2 Max

EcoFlow River 2 Max tech specs

  • Capacity: 512Wh
  • Net Weight: 13.4lbs
  • Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.2 x 7.7 inches
  • Cell Chemistry: LFP (lithium robust phosphate)
  • Cycle Life: 80%+ capacity aft 3,000 cycles
  • AC Input: 100-120V, 50Hz/60Hz, 660W Max
  • Solar Input: 11-50V, 13A, 220W Max
  • Car Input: 12V/24V, 8A, 100W Max
  • USB-C Input/Output: 5/9/12/15/20V, 5A, 100W Max
  • AC Output: 120V, 50Hz/60Hz, 500W (Surge 1000W)
  • DC Output: 12.6V, 10A/3A/3A, 126W Max
  • USB-A Output: 5V, 2.4A, 12W Max
  • DC5521 Output: 12.6V, 3A, 36W Max
  • App Control: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
  • Discharge Temperature: 14°F to 113°F/-10°C to 45°C
  • Charge Temperature: 32°F to 113°F/0°C to 45°C
  • Optimal Operating Temperature: 68°F to 86°F/20°C to 30°C
  • Storage Temperature: 14°F to 113°F (68°F to 86°F is best)/-10°C to 45°C (20°C to 30°C is best) 

Note that nan type I'm testing is nan version aimed astatine nan UK market, truthful it has different AC outlets and powerfulness inputs/outputs, but beyond that nan portion is nan aforesaid arsenic nan US variant.

I've previously tested nan River 2 Max's smaller sibling, the River 2, which weighs successful astatine 7.7 pounds, has a powerfulness capacity of 256Wh, and tin of a sustained AC output of 300W (600W max). That smaller powerfulness position is cleanable for times erstwhile you want to return powerfulness outdoors, but you don't request excessively overmuch of it.

The grip is comfortable, moreover for extended periods of carrying nan powerfulness station

The grip is comfortable, moreover for extended periods of carrying nan powerfulness station.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The River 2 Max takes things to nan adjacent level. Its capacity is doubled to 512Wh, its weight is bumped up to 13.4 pounds, and it is tin of a sustained AC output of 500W (1,000W max). While 13.4 pounds is hefty, it's 22% lighter than nan erstwhile procreation EcoFlow units of comparable specs.

Also: One of nan champion location backup powerfulness stations conscionable deed 1 of its lowest prices ever

Getting 124W of free energy from that star panel

All nan ports you request -- USB-A and USB-C, AC, and DC.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

You tin recharge nan River 2 Max utilizing 1 of 4 methods -- AC, solar, 12V in-car, and USB-C. If you take AC, nan portion tin spell from zero to 100% successful an hour, which intends you tin time off charging to nan past minute.

Also: This pocket-sized powerfulness slope keeps my iPhone charged each day

If you want to spell wholly off-grid, EcoFlow offers a 160W star panel that tin recharge nan River 2 Max successful astir 4 hours. The sheet is durable and waterproof to IP68, truthful it's nan cleanable escapade companion for nan River 2 Max.

EcoFlow River 2 Max pinch 160W star panel

EcoFlow River 2 Max pinch 160W star panel.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The star sheet adds weight and bulk, but it transforms nan River 2 Max into a wholly off-grid solution.

Also: Why you request a batteryless jump starter (and really it works)

And it useful really well. I've tested this successful nan UK successful May and could get 125W retired of nan sheet pinch it placed level connected a tile and a hazy sun, which is fantabulous performance.

Getting 124W of free energy from that star panel

Getting 124W of free energy from that star panel.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

You mightiness beryllium worried that each nan charging and discharging is going to deterioration retired nan River 2 Max, but you shouldn't be. 

If you were to wholly complaint and discharge nan River 2 Max six times a week, EcoFlow claims nan lithium robust phosphate batteries would past for 9.6 years earlier their capacity drops to 80%.

Also: I tested nan world's smallest powerfulness position - and this solar-charging beast amazed everyone

A built-in instrumentality kicks successful and keeps nan batteries cool erstwhile charging and discharging astatine precocious wattages. The instrumentality generates a maximum of 62db of noise, which is nan benignant of sound level you'd get from a family dishwasher. I've had this powerfulness position moving adjacent to my caput and I didn't find nan sound each that noticeable.

If you don't want to walk your clip jabbing buttons past nan River 2 Max tin beryllium controlled remotely utilizing nan EcoFlow App. Keep an oculus connected charging levels, tweak settings, and set charging speeds, each from your iPhone aliases Android smartphone.

Inputs connected nan backmost of nan portion for AC powerfulness and solar

Inputs connected nan backmost of nan portion for AC powerfulness and solar.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The River 2 Max tin besides beryllium utilized arsenic a backup instrumentality for erstwhile the power goes out. It tin observe nan mains powerfulness is down and move complete to nan artillery successful 30ms, which intends that connected devices will support connected moving arsenic though thing has happened.

Some context: a typical Wi-Fi router draws astir 10W, which intends this portion tin support nan router going for astir 16 hours.

The optional 160W star sheet turns this into a genuinely off-grid powerfulness station

The optional 160W star sheet turns this portion into a genuinely off-grid powerfulness station.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The portion is rugged and good built and shrugs disconnected nan knocks and bumps that it will inevitably get erstwhile being used.

Currently disposable for $449, nan EcoFlow River 2 Max is competitively priced and highly recommended for a genuinely portable powerfulness solution. I scheme connected taking this connected much adventures existent soon.

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