The UK is sinking further into the grip of the energy crisis, most people need to consider taking out a loan every time they turn on the heating, as well as needing to be prepared for blackouts and power cuts. Everyone trying and offset the huge bills, by looking for alternative solutions to their energy needs.
EcoFlow began as a team of battery engineers in 2017 who wanted to create devices focused on sustainable, renewable power and they specialise in smart, portable power stations and solar-powered generators for off-grid life, emergency power and outdoor power sources.
Their products are best known for their high capacity, compact size, and long life, making them popular among outdoor enthusiasts, and people who want to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
EcoFlow is also responsible for one of the most funded Kickstarter campaigns for their previous EcoFlow DELTA Pro in March 2022 raising $12,179,651. The RIVER 2 Pro is their latest and greatest portable power station designed for high output on the go.
Power stations are most often used for camping or living out of a van or boat, on photoshoots or if your area is isolated or prone to power cuts these batteries are a lifeline. They are even more useful in you have access to solar panels and natural lighting.
The River 2 Pro, is a two-toned grey brick that favours practicality over flashy aesthetics due to its utilitarian look, but I wouldn’t say it’s ugly.
At 270 x 260 x 226mm, It’s larger than both the River 2 and the River 2 Max, making it the size of a small air fryer or large car battery.
It’s also moderately light compared to some other portable power stations, at 7.8kg but it’s still not something you’ll easily slip into a backpack or want to carry around all day.
However, for camping, when you have access to transport or keep it in the home for emergencies it’s invaluable
The unit feels strong and robust, so I didn’t worry too much about being too delicate with it, it’s also IP68 water and dust resistant but for extra peace of mind, it’s covered up by a 5-year warranty.
While I appreciate the inclusion of the handle, I wish it had been better incorporated into the design as due to how far back it sits, it makes the River 2 Pro feel awkward to carry.
This is likely to clear the flat surface on top which is handy for placing small objects you are charging or can be used if you want to stack several together, there are two vents at the side which aid heat dissipation.
I have to admit, I was a little intimidated when I first saw the River 2 Pro, but thankfully it’s extremely easy to use with its intuitive controls and simple LCD screen.
The display shows the battery percentage, as well as roughly how long it will power the connected device as well as input and output watts.
The River 2 Pro has an abundance of ports including:
1 x USB-C – 60w
3 x USB-A
3 X AC plugs – 800w
Once charged it’s ready to go and compatible with nearly any device without you needing to fiddle with adapters. The only downside to the ports is how exposed they are, with no covers or protection which is odd given how this unit is made to be outdoors.
For inputs, there is an IEC cable or kettle lead and a DC input both located on the back but also without covers.
The LFP or Lithium iron phosphate battery features a 768-watt-hour capacity making it a powerhouse literally with enough juice to power many demanding devices for hours.
It can handle a surge of up to 1600 watts meaning you can power more demanding electronics like a coffee machine or hair dryer but it still couldn’t handle my air fryer or kettle.
AC Input: 220-240V~ 50Hz/60Hz, 940W 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
One of the few downsides is how loud the unit can be when under load reaching around 65dB which was a little distracting, but it wasn’t constant.
Charging with a car input or USB -C would take quite a while at around 7 hours but it’s still a great option to have especially if you are stuck without power.
With a switchover speed of fewer than 30 milliseconds if your power does go out it can take over nearly instantly and you won’t even notice for most devices.
It contains a 256WH lithium battery designed to last up to 10 years and promises to retain up to 80% of its capacity after around 3000 cycles, which is incredible adding yet more peace of mind.
Versatility is one of its key strengths as the River 2 Pro can be charged four ways. It can be charged in 70 minutes via a mains AC Input, faster than most on the market thanks to its fast charging technology.
It can also be charged using a car input, it can also be charged via USB-C or using a 220W Solar Panel it can be charged in around 4.5 hours.
This is the best option if you want to save money on your energy bills and are somewhere where you can get a lot of light. Of course, there is also the upfront cost of the battery and solar panels. EcoFlow offers a 220W Bifacial Solar Panel for £549, a 160W panel for £379 and a 110W Panel for £319.
It wouldn’t be a smart device without an app which is really helpful and seamlessly connects to the River 2 Pro via Bluetooth.
The app has lots of useful settings, allowing you to check the available battery capacity as well as a handy estimate of how long that will last as well as input and output watts, the ports that are in use as well as wattage.
You can also modify the charging speed between 100 – 940W which can help you further maintain the battery as well as keep firmware up to date.
Even multiple phones and handhelds like the Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, and Steam Deck as well as my laptop couldn’t slow the River 2 Pro down, so I tried more demanding stuff.
I then tried my 42-inch TV and Xbox Series X and it lasted for about 4.5 hours with the TV alone it was estimated to be around 10 hours which was impressive.
I also managed to run a 2000W Convector Heater for 40 mins which I was surprised it was able to do given how demanding the heater was, but it isn’t something I’d do often.
At £749 isn’t exactly an impulse buy and it is on the upper end of the pricing spectrum, however, given its output and versatility it’s more of an investment, and defiantly a must-have for anyone who, like me, can’t live without their electronics and appliances, even on the road.
EcoFlow River 2 Pro Verdict 4/5
There’s a sense of security and freedom I got from using the EcoFlow River 2 Pro, knowing that it’s ready to go in the event of an emergency and that I can rely on it to stay connected to work, friends and family.
It’s also great if you’re travelling to keep all your devices charged, and when filming on location having access to such a portable yet abundant power supply is fantastic. It’s also incredibly easy to use with lots of settings to tinker with within the very helpful app.
An unintended consequence of using the EcoFlow River 2 pro was it made me more aware of my everyday power consumption and it made me more mindful of leaving lights and devices on even when they went plugged into the River 2 pro.
The only improvements I could think of would be a sleeker, lighter design and a reduction in noise, but other than that it really is an astonishingly powerful device at does so much right and offers so much freedom.
