It’s the very definition of a 21st century problem but it’s one that faces all but the most hardcore of campers – how do you keep your electrical devices on the go when you’re away from home? Using your car engine to charge your phone is an option, of course, but it’s disastrous for the environment and your wallet. You could also spend your time hovering over a power socket in a coffee shop, but that kind of defeats the object of venturing out into the great outdoors.
Luckily, EcoFlow’s new range of RIVER 2 portable power stations is designed to ensure your next adventure doesn’t run out of power. These versatile entry-level charging units are portable, lightweight, affordable and built for rapid charging. They’re also designed to provide a reliable energy source when you’re on the go, whether it’s a spontaneous day trip to the beach, a get-away-from-it-all working vacation or your very own “drive-in” movie night on camp. They also make for a reliable back-up power supply if the lights go out at home.
EcoFlow has been manufacturing portable power stations and eco-friendly accessories since 2017, and they’ve plugged this expertise into the RIVER 2 range. The standard EcoFlow RIVER 2 weighs approximately 7.8lbs (3.5kg) and boasts an energy capacity of 256Wh. The RIVER 2 MAX ups the energy capacity to 512Wh (at a weight of 13.4lbs (6.1kg)), while the EcoFlow RIVER 2 PRO (weighing 17.2lbs (7.8kg)) is even bigger, and comes armed with a 768Wh capacity. Prices range from£269 for the standard RIVER 2 up to £749 for the PRO.
Each member of the RIVER 2 line-up features advanced LFP (LiFePO4) batteries which, according to EcoFlow, offer safer usage, higher durability and more stable performance in extreme temperatures. The brand also says the batteries last long enough to deliver up to 3,000 charging cycles in a single lifetime (the industry average for portable power stations is just 500 cycles), which should give you almost 10 years of use from your RIVER 2, even if you use it once every day.
When it comes to powering up, EcoFlow says that, thanks to its innovative “X-Stream” technology, the RIVER 2 units can also support up to 360W of AC output, while recharging up to 30% faster than the original RIVER range. That translates into the standard RIVER model going from zero to 80 per cent charge in just 48 minutes.
And if you connect your power station to EcoFlow’s Portable Solar Panels (the RIVER 2 also supports third-party panels), you can tap into a clean, free and – weather permitting – limitless source of electricity for your devices. The range supports a maximum solar input of up to 220W, too, meaning the sun can fully charge your power station in as little as three hours.
The RIVER 2 series is also extremely versatile. There’s no need to worry about being limited to lower-power gadgets like laptops and cellphones on camp, because the range’s 800W output can comfortably handle fridges and coffee makers. Meanwhile, the fact the power stations include between five and ten output sockets (including USB, AC/DC and car power outlets) enables you to power multiple appliances simultaneously – in other words, no more arguments over whose smartphone to charge next. They’re even capable of handling higher wattage devices, thanks to “X-Boost“ technology that allows up to 1600W output without overloading. Control comes courtesy of the easy-to-use EcoFlow app, which can connect to your power station via both Wifi and Bluetooth, and gives you remote access to charging data as well as the ability to customise your settings on the go.
So whether you’re cooling drinks for an al fresco party, keeping your mobile fully charged, or simply looking for peace of mind in the event of a power outage at home, EcoFlow’s lightweight and flexible RIVER 2 range can ensure you’re fully charged every time you head into the great outdoors.
EcoFlow’s RIVER 2, RIVER 2 MAX and RIVER 2 PRO are available to buy now in Europe from the EcoFlow Store and Amazon.
