RIVER 2 vs RIVER 2 Max: 256 Wh or 512 Wh?
Weight, watts, solar: when Max is worth double the capacity — without pretending it is a DELTA.
1. Same family, two runtimes
RIVER 2: about 256 Wh, 300 W AC (600 W surge), ≈ 3.5 kg. RIVER 2 Max: 512 Wh, 500 W AC (1 000 W surge), ≈ 6 kg. LFP chemistry on both, fast AC charging.
Max is not “two RIVER 2s” for every job: higher AC output changes what you can start (small fridge, light tool), not only how long it lasts.
2. When 256 Wh is enough
Phones, LED lights, a 40–60 W laptop, emergency router, a fridge-free weekend: RIVER 2 stays lighter to carry and easier to stash.
A microwave, hair dryer or fridge with a hard startup surge is already out of scope — including on Max.
3. When Max makes sense
Cameras, a small 12 V cooler, van evenings, solar up to ≈ 220 W: Max doubles energy and holds a bit of 230 V better.
Weight goes to ≈ 6 kg. If you hike with the station, extra runtime hits the shoulders. For a real 230 V fridge or router+fridge backup, see RIVER 2 vs DELTA 2.
4. Solar and charging
RIVER 2 caps lower on solar input (≈ 110 W) than Max (≈ 220 W). A 220 W bifacial panel is better used on Max — if you have sun and the right MC4 / XT60 lead.
On AC, both aim for fast refill. Do not size a purchase on a marketing charge time: compute useful Wh (load × hours + 20–30 %).
5. RIVER 2 / Max checklist
List peak watts, then Wh over 8–12 h. If you exceed ~300 W or ~250 Wh useful, Max (or a DELTA) is the honest pick.
Amazon prices move. Open the sheets: bundles, seller, condition. This site does not lock a tariff.
- Walking with it → RIVER 2
- Small cooler / ~500 W useful → Max
- 230 V fridge / home backup → DELTA, not a RIVER
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