Skip to main content
GeneratorChecker

RIVER 2 Max vs RIVER 2 Pro

500W
Running power
800W
512 Wh
Battery
768 Wh
13.4 lbs
Weight
18.3 lbs

At a Glance

This comparison targets campers, tailgaters, and light home-backup users deciding between two mid-range EcoFlow LFP stations. The RIVER 2 Pro delivers 800W of running power and 768 Wh of capacity, a clear step up from the RIVER 2 Max at 500W and 512 Wh.

That extra output lets the Pro handle 22 of 53 tested devices versus 20 for the Max, and its 1600W surge doubles the Max's 1000W rating. Both units share the same 3000-cycle LFP chemistry, 220W solar input ceiling, and compatibility with 17 solar panels.

Neither model is expandable or offers UPS functionality. The tradeoff is weight and charge time: the Pro weighs 18.3 lbs compared to 13.4 lbs for the Max, and its solar charge takes roughly 5 hours versus 3.3 hours for the smaller unit.

RIVER 2 Pro

Overall Winner

RIVER 2 Pro

Powers 22 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for RIVER 2 Max

Home backup: RIVER 2 Pro RV / mobile: Tie Solar: RIVER 2 Max

RIVER 2 Pro wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.

Choose RIVER 2 Max if...

  • + Portability matters for your setup
  • + You want faster solar recharging

Choose RIVER 2 Pro if...

  • + You want broader device compatibility
  • + You need all-day runtime headroom

Spec Snapshot

Absolute values shown. Bars are scaled within this comparison for readability.

Each metric is independent. Bar lengths are not comparable across different compare pages.

Capacity

Higher is better | Scale max: 768 Wh | RIVER 2 Pro leads
RIVER 2 Max 512 Wh
RIVER 2 Pro 768 Wh

RIVER 2 Pro: +256 Wh (+50.0%).

Running Power

Higher is better | Scale max: 800 W | RIVER 2 Pro leads
RIVER 2 Max 500 W
RIVER 2 Pro 800 W

RIVER 2 Pro: +300 W (+60.0%).

Surge Power

Higher is better | Scale max: 1,600 W | RIVER 2 Pro leads
RIVER 2 Max 1,000 W
RIVER 2 Pro 1,600 W

RIVER 2 Pro: +600 W (+60.0%).

Weight

Lower is better | Scale best: 13.4 lbs | RIVER 2 Max leads
RIVER 2 Max 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg)
RIVER 2 Pro 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg)

RIVER 2 Max: -4.9 lbs (26.5% lighter).

Battery Life

Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | Tie
RIVER 2 Max 3,000 cycles
RIVER 2 Pro 3,000 cycles

Delta: Tie (0%).

Where Compatibility Actually Differs

Out of 53 devices tested, 2 show a different result between these two stations.

Same result: 96%

Both can run: 20 · Differences: 4% (2/53) · Neither can run: 31

Neither can run · 31 devices

These devices exceed both stations on running power and surge.

RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)

Sump Pump (1/2 HP)

Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation)

EV Charger (Level 1, 120V)

Central AC (3-Ton)

Dehumidifier (70 Pint)

Gas Furnace Fan (Blower)

Portable AC (12,000 BTU)

Space Heater (1,500W)

Window AC (8,000 BTU)

Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)

Well Pump (1 HP)

2-Slice Bread Toaster

Coffee Maker

Digital Air Fryer

Electric Skillet

Electric Stove (Single Burner)

Electric Water Kettle

Instant Pot (6 Qt)

Microwave Oven (1000W)

Toaster Oven

Rice Cooker

Electric Clothes Dryer

Dishwasher

Washing Machine

Professional Hair Dryer

Circular Saw (Corded)

Corded Drill / Hammer Drill

Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)

Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)

Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)

Full Specs Comparison

Spec RIVER 2 Max RIVER 2 Pro
Capacity 512 Wh 768 Wh
Running Power 500 W 800 W
Surge Power 1,000 W 1,600 W
Weight 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg)
Energy Density 83.9 Wh/kg 92.5 Wh/kg
Portability Tier ultralight ultralight
Chemistry LFP LFP
Cycle Life 3,000 3,000
Expandable No No
UPS No No
AC Voltage 120V 120V

Solar Charging

Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.

RIVER 2 Max

Faster
Max solar input 220 W
Connector XT60i
Full charge time ~3.3h
Compatible panels 17/20

MPPT: 11-50V

RIVER 2 Pro

Max solar input 220 W
Connector XT60i
Full charge time ~5.0h
Compatible panels 17/20

MPPT: 11-50V

Charge speed comparison

~3.3h
~5.0h

Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)

Device Compatibility

All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.

RIVER 2 MaxRIVER 2 Pro

Emergency(2)

1/2
1/2
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
Full-Size Freezer (15-17 Cu. Ft.)Safe2.2hSafe3.4h
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)FailN/AFailN/A

Entertainment(2)

1/2
1/2
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation)FailN/AFailN/A
TelevisionSafe2.1hSafe3.2h

EV & Transportation(2)

1/2
1/2
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
E-Bike Battery ChargerSafe1.8hSafe2.7h
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V)FailN/AFailN/A

Heating & Cooling(7)

1/7
1/7
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
Box Fan (20-inch)Safe4.3hSafe6.5h
Central AC (3-Ton)Voltage FailN/AVoltage FailN/A
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)FailN/AFailN/A
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower)FailN/AFailN/A
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)FailN/AFailN/A
Space Heater (1,500W)FailN/AFailN/A
Window AC (8,000 BTU)FailN/AFailN/A

Home Infrastructure(3)

1/3
1/3
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)Voltage FailN/AVoltage FailN/A
Garage Door Opener (Residential)Safe2hSafe3h
Well Pump (1 HP)Voltage FailN/AVoltage FailN/A

Kitchen Appliances(11)

1/11
1/11
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
2-Slice Bread ToasterFailN/AFailN/A
Coffee MakerFailN/AFailN/A
Digital Air FryerFailN/AFailN/A
Electric SkilletFailN/AFailN/A
Electric Stove (Single Burner)FailN/AFailN/A
Electric Water KettleFailN/AFailN/A
Instant Pot (6 Qt)FailN/AFailN/A
Microwave Oven (1000W)FailN/AFailN/A
Rice CookerFailN/AFailN/A
Slow CookerSafe1.2hSafe1.8h
Toaster OvenFailN/AFailN/A

Large Appliances(4)

1/4
1/4
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
DishwasherFailN/AFailN/A
Electric Clothes DryerVoltage FailN/AVoltage FailN/A
French Door RefrigeratorSafe1.7hSafe2.6h
Washing MachineFailN/AFailN/A

Medical(4)

4/4
4/4
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
CPAP MachineSafe6.4hSafe9.6h
Electric Wheelchair ChargerSafe1.1hSafe1.6h
Medical Nebulizer MachineSafe3.3hSafe4.9h
Portable Oxygen ConcentratorSafe1hSafe1.5h

Outdoor & RV(6)

4/6
5/6
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
Pellet GrillSafe3.7hSafe5.6h
Portable Electric CoolerSafe6hSafe9h
Portable FanSafe5.9hSafe8.8h
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop)FailN/ASafe1.5h
Portable ProjectorSafe1.8hSafe2.7h
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)FailN/AFailN/A

Personal Care(2)

1/2
1/2
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
Electric BlanketSafe2hSafe3h
Professional Hair DryerFailN/AFailN/A

Power Tools(5)

0/5
0/5
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
Circular Saw (Corded)FailN/AFailN/A
Corded Drill / Hammer DrillFailN/AFailN/A
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)FailN/AFailN/A
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)FailN/AFailN/A
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)FailN/AFailN/A

Work from Home(5)

4/5
5/5
DeviceRIVER 2 MaxRuntimeRIVER 2 ProRuntime
LaptopSafe1hSafe1.5h
Laser PrinterFailN/ASafe0.8h
Monitor (27-inch LCD)Safe6.5hSafe9.8h
Starlink SystemSafe3.6hSafe5.4h
WiFi RouterSafe4.8hSafe7.2h

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our methodology

The Bottom Line

Buyers who prioritize a lighter pack and faster solar refills should pick the RIVER 2 Max, especially if 500W of running power covers their gear. The RIVER 2 Pro suits users who need the higher 800W output and 768 Wh reserve for more demanding loads. Overall, the RIVER 2 Pro earns the win with broader device coverage and stronger surge capacity, making it the better all-around pick in this pairing.

RIVER 2 Max vs RIVER 2 Pro FAQ

Q Which is better for home backup, RIVER 2 Max or RIVER 2 Pro?

RIVER 2 Pro is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.

Q Which has longer runtime, RIVER 2 Max or RIVER 2 Pro?

RIVER 2 Pro has higher battery capacity (768 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.

Q Which charges faster with solar panels?

RIVER 2 Max has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.

Q Which is more portable, RIVER 2 Max or RIVER 2 Pro?

RIVER 2 Max is lighter at 13.4 lbs vs 18.3 lbs. RIVER 2 Max is rated ultralight for portability.

Q How many devices can each power station run?

RIVER 2 Pro powers 22 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for RIVER 2 Max.