EcoFlow RIVER 2: what it runs and for how long
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 is a 243 Wh LiFePO4 portable power station with a 300 W inverter (600 W surge). Compared with the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max, it has 243 Wh of capacity instead of 512 Wh and 300 W of AC output instead of 500 W. It is the most capacity per dollar in the under-500 Wh class (1.16 Wh per list dollar). It meets our requirements for UPS use with computers and routers and a LiFePO4 station under $500.
What can the EcoFlow RIVER 2 run, and for how long?
Combine loads in the EcoFlow RIVER 2 runtime calculatorOn a full charge it runs a 12V compressor fridge for about 20 h and a CPAP machine for about 3.7 h.
What can’t the EcoFlow RIVER 2 run?
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 can't run a refrigerator or a chest freezer (start-up ~2,200 W, limit 600 W); a microwave or a well pump (needs 1,000 W, inverter is 300 W); a space heater or an electric kettle (needs 1,500 W, inverter is 300 W).
Who is the EcoFlow RIVER 2 a good fit for?
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 meets every requirement for 2 of the 12 uses we filter for.
- ✓UPS use with computers and routers
- ✓A LiFePO4 station under $500
- ✕Camping · needs capacity ≥ 250 Wh; the EcoFlow RIVER 2 has 243 Wh
- ✕Carrying a CPAP on trips (light enough to pack) · needs capacity ≥ 500 Wh; the EcoFlow RIVER 2 has 243 Wh
- ✕Fast solar charging · needs solar input ≥ 800 W; the EcoFlow RIVER 2 has 110 W
- ✕Balcony solar and apartments · needs solar input ≥ 400 W; the EcoFlow RIVER 2 has 110 W
Can the EcoFlow RIVER 2 work as a UPS?
EcoFlow lists a switchover time of 30 ms for the EcoFlow RIVER 2, outside the 20 ms gap that the ITI (CBEMA) reference says typical computer equipment should ride through.
How fast does the EcoFlow RIVER 2 recharge?
From a wall outlet it recharges in about 60 minutes in its fastest mode, per EcoFlow. From solar it needs about 2.9 hours of strong sun at its 110 W solar limit, with panels delivering 75% of their rating.
What are the EcoFlow RIVER 2's full specifications?
These figures come from EcoFlow's official US page, checked 2026-10-12. "Not published" marks specs EcoFlow doesn't publish.
| Capacity | 243 Wh Sold on the US store as RIVER 2 (240); the spec table states 243 Wh. |
|---|---|
| Battery chemistry | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycles | 3,000 Cycle life is rated to 80% capacity or more. |
| AC output (continuous) | 300 W |
| AC surge | 600 W |
| AC outlets | Not published EcoFlow does not state the AC outlet count. |
| Max USB-C output | 60 W |
| Max solar input | 110 W |
| Max AC charging input | 360 W |
| AC charge time (fastest mode) | 60 min |
| Expandable | Not published |
| Max with extra batteries | Not published |
| UPS switchover | 30 ms Under 30 ms EPS auto-switch, not described as true UPS. |
| Weight | 7.7 lb |
| Dimensions | 9.6 × 8.5 × 5.7 in |
| List price | $209 |
How does the EcoFlow RIVER 2 rank against other Under 500 Wh power stations?
Among the 9 current under 500 Wh models, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 is in the top third for weight and Wh per list dollar and in the bottom third for capacity and UPS switchover.
| Spec | EcoFlow RIVER 2 | Rank in band | vs band median | vs band leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 243 Wh | 8th of 9 | -16% | -51% vs Goal Zero Yeti 500 |
| AC output | 300 W | 5th of 9 | level | -50% vs EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus |
| Surge | 600 W | 3rd of 8 | level | -50% vs EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus |
| Solar input | 110 W | 5th of 8 | -29% | -50% vs EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus |
| AC charging | 360 W | 6th of 9 | -5% | -35% vs Jackery Explorer 240 v2 |
| Rated cycles | 3,000 | 4th of 9 | level | -25% vs Jackery Explorer 240 v2 |
| Weight | 7.7 lb | 3rd of 9 | -15% | +92% vs BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini |
| UPS switchover | 30 ms | 6th of 6 | +200% | +200% vs EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus |
| Wh per list $ | 1.16 | 1st of 9 | +14% | leads the band |
Who should not buy the EcoFlow RIVER 2?
Skip the EcoFlow RIVER 2 if any of these describe you; each comes from its published specs.
- You want to keep a desktop running through outages. Its 30 ms switchover is slower than the 20 ms many computer power supplies are designed to ride through. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus is rated at 10 ms.
- You may want more battery later. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 isn't listed as expandable. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus (286 Wh) accepts extra batteries.
- You want to run a kettle, microwave or space heater. Its 300 W inverter is below the 1,000 W or more our cited figures give for each of them. The BLUETTI Pioneer Na delivers 1,500 W.
How long does the EcoFlow RIVER 2 last at different loads?
About 207 Wh reaches the AC outlets, so a steady 100 W load runs for about 2.1 h and a load at its full 300 W rating for about 41 minutes.
| Steady AC load | Runtime from full |
|---|---|
| 25 W | 8.3 h |
| 50 W | 4.1 h |
| 100 W | 2.1 h |
| 200 W | 1.0 h |
| 300 W | 41 min |
What does the EcoFlow RIVER 2 cost per kWh over its rated life?
About $0.29 per kWh of storage at list price, if you use all 3,000 rated cycles. The median for under 500 Wh models is $0.31 per kWh, so the EcoFlow RIVER 2 is cheaper over its rated life.
Rated life energy = 243 Wh × 3,000 cycles ≈ 729 kWh. List price $209 ÷ 729 kWh ≈ $0.29.
How many hours of sun does the EcoFlow RIVER 2 need to refill?
With panels delivering 75% of their rating (our calculator's default), the EcoFlow RIVER 2 needs the hours of strong sun below. Its 110 W solar limit caps the charge rate, so panels beyond about 147 W add nothing in strong sun.
| Panels | Charge rate | Sun hours to refill |
|---|---|---|
| 100 W of panels | 75 W | 3.2 h |
| 200 W of panels | 110 W | 2.2 h |
| 400 W of panels | 110 W | 2.2 h |
| 800 W of panels | 110 W | 2.2 h |
What can the EcoFlow RIVER 2 run at the same time?
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 can carry 2 of the 10 common pairs we check at once, with the runtimes below. It can't carry refrigerator + wi-Fi router / modem, refrigerator + chest freezer, refrigerator + microwave oven, refrigerator + electric kettle, window air conditioner + refrigerator, sump pump + refrigerator, space heater + wi-Fi router / modem and microwave oven + electric kettle: together they pass its running or start-up limit.
| Together | Runtime from full |
|---|---|
| CPAP with heated humidifier + wi-Fi router / modem | 2.7 h |
| TV + wi-Fi router / modem | 1.5 h |
Which EcoFlow RIVER 2 specs are unpublished or conditional?
EcoFlow publishes every spec we track for the EcoFlow RIVER 2.
4 published figures come with conditions, shown under the spec table: AC outlets, UPS switchover, capacity and rated cycles.
How does the EcoFlow RIVER 2 compare with similar power stations?
By capacity, the nearest models from other brands are Jackery Explorer 240 v2, Anker SOLIX C300 and BLUETTI Elite 30 V2.
How is the EcoFlow RIVER 2 different from the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max?
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max is the closest EcoFlow model. Pick the EcoFlow RIVER 2 if you want a lower list price and less weight; otherwise the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max gives you the opposite trade-off.
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 | EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 243 Wh | 512 Wh |
| AC output | 300 W | 500 W |
| Surge | 600 W | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 7.7 lb | 13.4 lb |
| Solar input | 110 W | 220 W |
| List price | $209 | $299 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Which models from other brands are closest in size?
Jackery Explorer 240 v2
Anker SOLIX C300
BLUETTI Elite 30 V2Which other EcoFlow models are similar?
How this page was made. Specs come from each manufacturer's official US spec page or manual, checked on the date shown; specs a manufacturer doesn't publish are marked "Not published". Runtimes are calculated (capacity × 85% inverter efficiency ÷ appliance draw), not measured. We haven't hands-on tested these units. Method and sources · Affiliate disclosure