Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,516 Wh | Yeti 1500X leads
RIVER 2 Max 512 Wh
Yeti 1500X 1,516 Wh
Yeti 1500X: +1,004 Wh (+196.1%).
RIVER 2 Max vs Yeti 1500X
VS
500W
Running power
2,000W
512 Wh
Battery
1,516 Wh
13.4 lbs
Weight
45.6 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers weighing a lightweight, long-lasting portable unit against a high-capacity home backup station. The RIVER 2 Max delivers 500W of running power from a 512 Wh LFP battery rated for 3,000 cycles, and it weighs just 13.4 lbs.
The Yeti 1500X pushes 2,000W of running power with 1,516 Wh of capacity and handles 3,500W surges, but its NMC chemistry is rated for only 500 cycles and the unit tips the scale at 45.6 lbs. In device compatibility testing across 53 products, the Yeti 1500X powered 43 while the RIVER 2 Max managed 20, earning the Yeti an overall score of 82.5 versus 40 for the EcoFlow.
The tradeoff is clear: the Yeti 1500X covers far more appliances and use cases, yet the RIVER 2 Max offers six times the cycle life in a package that is roughly a third of the weight.
Overall Winner
Yeti 1500X
Powers 43 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for RIVER 2 Max
Home backup: Yeti 1500X RV / mobile: RIVER 2 Max Solar: Tie
Yeti 1500X wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose RIVER 2 Max if...
- + Portability matters (13 lbs vs 46)
- + You value battery longevity (LFP, 3,000 cycles)
- + You want faster solar recharging
Choose Yeti 1500X if...
- + You want future battery expansion
- + 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.
Running Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 2,000 W | Yeti 1500X leads
RIVER 2 Max 500 W
Yeti 1500X 2,000 W
Yeti 1500X: +1,500 W (+300.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,500 W | Yeti 1500X leads
RIVER 2 Max 1,000 W
Yeti 1500X 3,500 W
Yeti 1500X: +2,500 W (+250.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.4 lbs | RIVER 2 Max leads
RIVER 2 Max 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg)
Yeti 1500X 45.6 lbs (20.7 kg)
RIVER 2 Max: -32.2 lbs (70.5% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | RIVER 2 Max leads
RIVER 2 Max 3,000 cycles
Yeti 1500X 500 cycles
RIVER 2 Max: +2,500 cycles (+500.0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 23 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 20 · Differences: 43% (23/53) · Neither can run: 10
Only Yeti 1500X can run 23
2-Slice Bread Toaster RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Coffee Maker RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Digital Air Fryer RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Skillet RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Stove (Single Burner) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Water Kettle RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Instant Pot (6 Qt) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Microwave Oven (1000W) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Toaster Oven RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Rice Cooker RIVER 2 Max: Running shortfall
Dehumidifier (70 Pint) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Space Heater (1,500W) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Window AC (8,000 BTU) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Dishwasher RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Washing Machine RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Sump Pump (1/2 HP) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation) RIVER 2 Max: Running shortfall
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop) RIVER 2 Max: Surge shortfall
Professional Hair Dryer RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Corded Drill / Hammer Drill RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Laser Printer RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Neither can run · 10 devices
These devices exceed both stations on running power and surge.
Central AC (3-Ton)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Electric Clothes Dryer
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Circular Saw (Corded)
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | RIVER 2 Max | Yeti 1500X |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 512 Wh | 1,516 Wh ✓ |
| Running Power | 500 W | 2,000 W ✓ |
| Surge Power | 1,000 W | 3,500 W ✓ |
| Weight | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) ✓ | 45.6 lbs (20.7 kg) |
| Energy Density | 83.9 Wh/kg ✓ | 73.2 Wh/kg |
| Portability Tier | ultralight | portable |
| Chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 ✓ | 500 |
| Expandable | No | Yes |
| 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
Yeti 1500X
Max solar input 600 W
Connector Anderson + DC7909
Full charge time ~5.4h
Compatible panels 17/20
MPPT: 14-50V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
Device Compatibility
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
RIVER 2 MaxYeti 1500X
Emergency(2)
1/22/2
1/2
2/2
Entertainment(2)
1/22/2
1/2
2/2
EV & Transportation(2)
1/22/2
1/2
2/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
1/75/7
1/7
5/7
| Device | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime | Yeti 1500X | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 4.3h | Safe | 12.8h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Fail | N/A | Tight | 1.2h |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Fail | N/A | Safe | 1h |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Soft Start | 0.8h |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.7h |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Safe | 1.5h |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime | Yeti 1500X | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 2h | Safe | 5.9h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
1/1111/11
1/11
11/11
| Device | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime | Yeti 1500X | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.7h |
| Coffee Maker | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.7h |
| Digital Air Fryer | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.6h |
| Electric Skillet | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.7h |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.6h |
| Electric Water Kettle | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.7h |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.7h |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.6h |
| Rice Cooker | Fail | N/A | Safe | 1.1h |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 1.2h | Safe | 3.5h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.6h |
Large Appliances(4)
1/43/4
1/4
3/4
| Device | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime | Yeti 1500X | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.6h |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 1.7h | Safe | 5.1h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.8h |
Medical(4)
4/44/4
4/4
4/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
4/65/6
4/6
5/6
Personal Care(2)
1/22/2
1/2
2/2
Power Tools(5)
0/51/5
0/5
1/5
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The Bottom Line
Pick the RIVER 2 Max if portability and long-term battery longevity matter most, such as car camping or grab-and-go kits where you only need to run small electronics. Choose the Yeti 1500X if you need serious home backup capacity, want to run larger loads up to 2,000W, or plan to expand storage later with add-on batteries. The Yeti 1500X is the stronger overall pick, powering 43 of 53 tested devices and scoring more than double the RIVER 2 Max.
RIVER 2 Max vs Yeti 1500X FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, RIVER 2 Max or Yeti 1500X?
Yeti 1500X 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 Yeti 1500X?
Yeti 1500X has higher battery capacity (1,516 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 Yeti 1500X?
RIVER 2 Max is lighter at 13.4 lbs vs 45.6 lbs. RIVER 2 Max is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
Yeti 1500X powers 43 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for RIVER 2 Max.
Q Can you expand the battery capacity of RIVER 2 Max or Yeti 1500X?
Only Yeti 1500X supports expansion batteries for additional capacity. RIVER 2 Max is limited to its built-in 512 Wh.