Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 518 Wh | Explorer 500 leads
RIVER 2 Max 512 Wh
Explorer 500 518.4 Wh
Explorer 500: +6 Wh (+1.2%).
RIVER 2 Max vs Explorer 500
VS
500W
Running power
500W
512 Wh
Battery
518.4 Wh
13.4 lbs
Weight
13.2 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers weighing two similarly rated 500W portable power stations from EcoFlow and Jackery. Both units deliver 500W of running power with 1000W surge capability, and both powered the same 20 out of 53 tested devices, earning identical compatibility scores of 40. The real separation lies beneath the surface.
The RIVER 2 Max uses LFP battery chemistry rated for 3,000 charge cycles, nearly four times the Explorer 500's 800-cycle rating. That longevity gap matters for anyone planning years of regular use at campsites or as a home backup reserve. On the solar side, the EcoFlow unit accepts up to 220W of input and can recharge in roughly 3.3 hours, while the Jackery tops out at 112.5W and needs about 6.6 hours.
The tradeoff: the Explorer 500 edges ahead on weight at 13.2 lbs versus 13.4 lbs and holds a slightly larger 518.4 Wh capacity compared to 512 Wh.
Overall Winner
Explorer 500
Powers 20 of 53 tested devices
Home backup: Tie RV / mobile: Tie Solar: RIVER 2 Max
Explorer 500 wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose RIVER 2 Max if...
- + You value battery longevity (LFP, 3,000 cycles)
- + You want faster solar recharging
Choose Explorer 500 if...
- + Portability matters for your setup
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: 500 W | Tie
RIVER 2 Max 500 W
Explorer 500 500 W
Delta: Tie (0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,000 W | Tie
RIVER 2 Max 1,000 W
Explorer 500 1,000 W
Delta: Tie (0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.2 lbs | Explorer 500 leads
RIVER 2 Max 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg)
Explorer 500 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Explorer 500: -0.2 lbs (1.6% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | RIVER 2 Max leads
RIVER 2 Max 3,000 cycles
Explorer 500 800 cycles
RIVER 2 Max: +2,200 cycles (+275.0%).
Compatibility Coverage
These two stations produce the same result on 53 of 53 devices.
Both can run: 20 · Neither can run: 33
Neither can run · 33 devices
These devices exceed both stations on running power and surge.
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
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop)
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)
Laser Printer
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | RIVER 2 Max | Explorer 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 512 Wh | 518.4 Wh ✓ |
| Running Power | 500 W | 500 W |
| Surge Power | 1,000 W | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 83.9 Wh/kg | 86.4 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | ultralight | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | Other |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 ✓ | 800 |
| 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
Explorer 500
Max solar input 112.5 W
Connector DC7909
Full charge time ~6.6h
Compatible panels 12/20
MPPT: 12-30V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
Device Compatibility
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
RIVER 2 MaxExplorer 500
Emergency(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Entertainment(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
EV & Transportation(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
1/71/7
1/7
1/7
| Device | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 4.3h | Safe | 4.4h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 2h | Safe | 2h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
1/111/11
1/11
1/11
| Device | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 1.2h | Safe | 1.2h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
1/41/4
1/4
1/4
| Device | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime | Explorer 500 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 1.7h | Safe | 1.8h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Medical(4)
4/44/4
4/4
4/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
4/64/6
4/6
4/6
Personal Care(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Power Tools(5)
0/50/5
0/5
0/5
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The Bottom Line
Buyers focused on long-term durability and faster solar charging should choose the RIVER 2 Max, whose 3,000-cycle LFP battery and 220W solar input offer clear advantages for sustained off-grid use. The Explorer 500 earns the overall nod for its marginally greater capacity and lighter build, making it a solid pick for occasional camping or tailgating trips where cycle life is less of a concern. For most portable power needs at this wattage tier, the Explorer 500 is the recommended choice.
RIVER 2 Max vs Explorer 500 FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, RIVER 2 Max or Explorer 500?
Explorer 500 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 Explorer 500?
Explorer 500 has higher battery capacity (518.4 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 Explorer 500?
Explorer 500 is lighter at 13.2 lbs vs 13.4 lbs. Explorer 500 is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
Both power stations can run 20 of 53 tested devices.