I found the Goldilocks of portable power stations, and I take it on all my adventures (and now you can save big with this Black Friday deal!)

What is the deal?

Black Friday offers sees the worth of the EcoFlow River 2 Max by 38%, from $449 to $278.

I like energy stations. They’re the off-grid adventurer’s reply to the ability financial institution. They’re an enormous field of batteries that can be utilized to cost USB gadgets and run devices that want AC energy.

However energy stations may be huge, weighty issues. That is fantastic in case you have a car to haul your gear to your vacation spot, however when you’re happening foot, most energy stations are simply too heavy to lug about.

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And most of these which are sufficiently small to hold are too small to be helpful.

The EcoFlow River 2 Max sits within the center — compact sufficient to be transportable, sufficiently big to be sensible. 

EcoFlow River 2 Max tech specs

• Capability: 512Wh
• Internet Weight: 13.4lbs
• Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.2 x 7.7 inches
• Cell Chemistry: LFP (lithium iron phosphate)
• Cycle Life: 80%+ capability after 3,000 cycles
• AC Enter: 100-120V, 50Hz/60Hz, 660W Max
• Photo voltaic Enter: 11-50V, 13A, 220W Max
• Automotive Enter: 12V/24V, 8A, 100W Max
• USB-C Enter/Output: 5/9/12/15/20V, 5A, 100W Max
• AC Output: 120V, 50Hz/60Hz, 500W (Surge 1000W)
• DC Output: 12.6V, 10A/3A/3A, 126W Max
• USB-A Output: 5V, 2.4A, 12W Max
• DC5521 Output: 12.6V, 3A, 36W Max
• App Management: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• Discharge Temperature: 14°F to 113°F/-10°C to 45°C
• Cost Temperature: 32°F to 113°F/0°C to 45°C
• Optimum Working Temperature: 68°F to 86°F/20°C to 30°C
• Storage Temperature: 14°F to 113°F (68°F to 86°F is greatest)/-10°C to 45°C (20°C to 30°C is greatest) 

Observe that the model I am testing is the variant aimed on the UK market, so it has totally different AC shops and energy inputs/outputs, however past that the unit is identical because the US variant.

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I’ve beforehand examined the River 2 Max’s smaller sibling, the River 2, which weighs in at 7.7 kilos, has an influence capability of 256Wh, and able to a sustained AC output of 300W (600W max). That smaller energy station is ideal for instances whenever you need to take energy outdoor, however you do not want an excessive amount of of it.

The River 2 Max takes issues to the subsequent stage. The capability is doubled to 512Wh, the burden bumped as much as 13.4 kilos, and it’s able to a sustained AC output of 500W (1,000W max). Whereas 13.4 kilos is hefty, it is some 22% lighter than the earlier era EcoFlow items of comparable specs.

You possibly can recharge the River 2 Max utilizing considered one of 4 strategies — AC, photo voltaic, 12V in-car, and USB-C. When you select AC, the unit can go from zero to 100% in an hour, which implies you’ll be able to depart charging to the final minute.

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If you wish to go completely off-grid, EcoFlow presents a 160W photo voltaic panel that may recharge the River 2 Max in about 4 hours. The panel is sturdy and waterproof to IP68, so it is the proper journey companion for the River 2 Max.

The photo voltaic panel provides weight and bulk, but it surely transforms the River 2 Max into a very off-grid resolution.

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And it really works rather well. I’ve examined this within the UK in Might and will get 125W out of the panel with it positioned flat on a roof and a hazy solar, which is superb efficiency.

You is perhaps frightened that every one the charging and discharging goes to wear down the River 2 Max, however you should not be. 

When you have been to utterly cost and discharge the River 2 Max six instances per week, EcoFlow claims the lithium iron phosphate batteries would final for 9.6 years earlier than their capability drops to 80%.

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A built-in fan kicks in and retains the batteries cool when charging and discharging at excessive wattages. The fan generates a most of 62db of noise, which is the kind of sound stage you’d get from a family dishwasher. I’ve had this energy station operating subsequent to my head and I did not discover the noise all that noticeable.

When you do not need to spend your time jabbing buttons then the River 2 Max may be managed remotely utilizing the EcoFlow App. Regulate charging ranges, tweak settings, and alter charging speeds, all out of your iPhone or Android smartphone.

The River 2 Max can be used as a backup gadget for when the energy goes out. It might detect the mains energy is down and swap over to the battery in 30ms, which implies that related gadgets will carry on operating as if nothing has occurred.

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Some context: a typical Wi-Fi router attracts about 10W, which implies this unit can hold the router going for about 16 hours.

The unit is rugged and effectively constructed and shrugs off the knocks and bumps that it’s going to inevitably get when getting used.

At present obtainable for $449, the EcoFlow River 2 Max is competitively priced and is extremely really helpful for these in search of a very transportable energy resolution. I plan on taking this on extra adventures actual quickly.