Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 288 Wh | Explorer 300 Plus leads
RIVER 3 245 Wh
Explorer 300 Plus 288 Wh
Explorer 300 Plus: +43 Wh (+17.6%).
RIVER 3 vs Explorer 300 Plus
VS
300W
Running power
300W
245 Wh
Battery
288 Wh
7.7 lbs
Weight
8.4 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers shopping for a compact, LFP-based portable power station in the 300W class. The RIVER 3 and Explorer 300 Plus share identical running watts (300W), surge capacity (600W), LFP chemistry, and 3,000-cycle longevity. Both powered the same 17 out of 53 tested devices, producing a tied compatibility score of 33.
Where they diverge is in the details. The Explorer 300 Plus holds a larger 288 Wh battery versus the RIVER 3's 245 Wh, giving it about 18% more stored energy per charge. On the other hand, the RIVER 3 is lighter at 7.7 lbs compared to 8.4 lbs, accepts up to 110W of solar input, and reaches a full solar charge in roughly 3.2 hours.
It also supports 12 compatible solar panels versus just 4 for the Explorer 300 Plus. The tradeoff is straightforward: more capacity or faster, more flexible solar charging.
Overall Winner
Explorer 300 Plus
Powers 17 of 53 tested devices
Home backup: Tie RV / mobile: Tie Solar: RIVER 3
Explorer 300 Plus wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose RIVER 3 if...
- + Portability matters for your setup
- + You want faster solar recharging
Choose Explorer 300 Plus if...
- + You prefer this brand ecosystem and support channel
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: 300 W | Tie
RIVER 3 300 W
Explorer 300 Plus 300 W
Delta: Tie (0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 600 W | Tie
RIVER 3 600 W
Explorer 300 Plus 600 W
Delta: Tie (0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 7.7 lbs | RIVER 3 leads
RIVER 3 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)
Explorer 300 Plus 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg)
RIVER 3: -0.7 lbs (7.9% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | Tie
RIVER 3 3,000 cycles
Explorer 300 Plus 3,000 cycles
Delta: Tie (0%).
Compatibility Coverage
These two stations produce the same result on 53 of 53 devices.
Both can run: 17 · Neither can run: 36
Neither can run · 36 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)
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
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | RIVER 3 | Explorer 300 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 245 Wh | 288 Wh ✓ |
| Running Power | 300 W | 300 W |
| Surge Power | 600 W | 600 W |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) ✓ | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) |
| Energy Density | 70.0 Wh/kg | 75.8 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 3
Faster Max solar input 110 W
Connector XT60i
Full charge time ~3.2h
Compatible panels 12/20
MPPT: 11-30V
Explorer 300 Plus
Max solar input 100 W
Connector Proprietary
Full charge time ~4.4h
Compatible panels 4/20
MPPT: 12-27V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
Device Compatibility
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
RIVER 3Explorer 300 Plus
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 3 | Runtime | Explorer 300 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 2.1h | Safe | 2.4h |
| 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 3 | Runtime | Explorer 300 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 1h | Safe | 1.1h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
1/111/11
1/11
1/11
| Device | RIVER 3 | Runtime | Explorer 300 Plus | 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 | 0.7h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
1/41/4
1/4
1/4
| Device | RIVER 3 | Runtime | Explorer 300 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 0.8h | Safe | 1h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Medical(4)
2/42/4
2/4
2/4
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
Grab the RIVER 3 if solar versatility matters most to you. Its higher 110W solar input, faster 3.2-hour solar charge time, and compatibility with 12 panels make it the stronger pick for off-grid and outdoor use.
The Explorer 300 Plus earns the overall nod thanks to its larger 288 Wh battery, which stretches runtime for phones, laptops, and small appliances on a single charge. For buyers who prioritize capacity over solar speed, the Explorer 300 Plus is the better buy.
RIVER 3 vs Explorer 300 Plus FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, RIVER 3 or Explorer 300 Plus?
Explorer 300 Plus is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, RIVER 3 or Explorer 300 Plus?
Explorer 300 Plus has higher battery capacity (288 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
RIVER 3 has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, RIVER 3 or Explorer 300 Plus?
RIVER 3 is lighter at 7.7 lbs vs 8.4 lbs. RIVER 3 is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
Both power stations can run 17 of 53 tested devices.