Capacity
RIVER 2: +11 Wh (+4.5%).
This comparison targets buyers shopping EcoFlow's compact 300W portable stations for light-duty use like charging phones, laptops, cameras, and small appliances. On paper, the RIVER 2 and RIVER 3 are nearly identical: both deliver 300W of running power with 600W surge, weigh 7.7 lbs, use LFP cells rated for 3,000 cycles, and accept up to 110W of solar input across the same 12 compatible panels.
Device compatibility testing confirms the overlap: out of 53 devices checked, both units powered exactly 17, with zero differences in which devices passed. The RIVER 2 holds a small edge in battery capacity at 256 Wh versus 245 Wh, and it includes a 30ms UPS function for basic home-backup scenarios.
The RIVER 3 claws back slightly with a marginally faster solar charge time of 3.2 hours compared to 3.3 hours. The tradeoff is straightforward: a bit more stored energy and UPS support versus a fractionally quicker solar recharge.
Near-identical โ slight edge
RIVER 2
Powers 17 of 53 tested devices
Absolute values shown. Bars are scaled within this comparison for readability.
Each metric is independent. Bar lengths are not comparable across different compare pages.
RIVER 2: +11 Wh (+4.5%).
Delta: Tie (0%).
Delta: Tie (0%).
Delta: Tie (0%).
Delta: Tie (0%).
These two stations produce the same result on 53 of 53 devices.
Both can run: 17 · Neither can run: 36
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)
Rice Cooker
Toaster Oven
Electric Clothes Dryer
Dishwasher
Washing Machine
Electric Wheelchair Charger
Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop)
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
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
Laptop
| Spec | RIVER 2 | RIVER 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 256 Wh ✓ | 245 Wh |
| Running Power | 300 W | 300 W |
| Surge Power | 600 W | 600 W |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Energy Density | 73.1 Wh/kg ✓ | 70.0 Wh/kg |
| Portability Tier | ultralight | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS | Yes (30 ms) | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
MPPT: 11-30V
MPPT: 11-30V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
| Device | RIVER 2 | Runtime | RIVER 3 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 1h | Safe | 1h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Device | RIVER 2 | Runtime | RIVER 3 | 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 | Tight | 0.6h | Tight | 0.6h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Device | RIVER 2 | Runtime | RIVER 3 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 0.9h | Safe | 0.8h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our methodology
Buyers who want a simple uninterruptible power supply for a modem or small home device should pick the RIVER 2 for its 30ms UPS switching and slightly larger 256 Wh battery. Shoppers focused purely on portable solar use may lean toward the RIVER 3 for its marginally faster 3.2-hour solar charge, though the difference is minimal. These two stations scored identically in our testing, so the deciding factor comes down to whether you need that UPS feature.
RIVER 2 is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
RIVER 2 has higher battery capacity (256 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
RIVER 3 has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Both weigh about the same (7.7 lbs), so portability is comparable.
Both power stations can run 17 of 53 tested devices.
Only RIVER 2 has UPS (uninterruptible power supply) mode with a 30ms switchover time, which keeps connected devices running during a power outage without interruption.