Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,024 Wh | DELTA 2 leads
DELTA 2 1,024 Wh
RIVER 2 Max 512 Wh
DELTA 2: +512 Wh (+100.0%).
DELTA 2 vs RIVER 2 Max
1,800W
Running power
500W
1,024 Wh
Battery
512 Wh
26.5 lbs
Weight
13.4 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison matters most for buyers choosing between a portable backup station and a more capable home-ready unit. The DELTA 2 delivers 1800W of running power with 2700W surge, enough to handle 39 out of 53 devices in our compatibility testing. The RIVER 2 Max manages 500W continuous and 1000W surge, covering 20 of those same 53 devices.
Battery capacity tells a similar story: the DELTA 2 stores 1024 Wh and accepts up to 500W of solar input, while the RIVER 2 Max holds 512 Wh and tops out at 220W solar. Both use LFP cells rated for 3000 cycles. The DELTA 2 also supports expansion batteries, giving it a growth path the RIVER 2 Max lacks.
The tradeoff is weight: the RIVER 2 Max comes in at 13.4 lbs, roughly half the DELTA 2's 26.5 lbs, making it far easier to carry on trips.
Overall Winner
DELTA 2
Powers 39 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for RIVER 2 Max
Home backup: DELTA 2 RV / mobile: RIVER 2 Max Solar: DELTA 2
DELTA 2 wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose DELTA 2 if...
- + You want faster solar recharging
- + You want future battery expansion
- + You want broader device compatibility
- + You need all-day runtime headroom
Choose RIVER 2 Max if...
- + Portability matters (13 lbs vs 27)
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: 1,800 W | DELTA 2 leads
DELTA 2 1,800 W
RIVER 2 Max 500 W
DELTA 2: +1,300 W (+260.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 2,700 W | DELTA 2 leads
DELTA 2 2,700 W
RIVER 2 Max 1,000 W
DELTA 2: +1,700 W (+170.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.4 lbs | RIVER 2 Max leads
DELTA 2 26.5 lbs (12.0 kg)
RIVER 2 Max 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg)
RIVER 2 Max: -13.0 lbs (49.2% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | Tie
DELTA 2 3,000 cycles
RIVER 2 Max 3,000 cycles
Delta: Tie (0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 19 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 20 · Differences: 36% (19/53) · Neither can run: 14
Only DELTA 2 can run 19
2-Slice Bread Toaster RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Coffee Maker RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Digital Air Fryer RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Skillet RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Stove (Single Burner) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Electric Water Kettle RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Instant Pot (6 Qt) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Toaster Oven RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Rice Cooker RIVER 2 Max: Running shortfall
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Space Heater (1,500W) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Window AC (8,000 BTU) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Dishwasher RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Washing Machine RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation) RIVER 2 Max: Running shortfall
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop) RIVER 2 Max: Surge shortfall
Professional Hair Dryer RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Laser Printer RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Neither can run · 14 devices
These devices have startup surges that exceed both stations.
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Central AC (3-Ton)
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Electric Clothes Dryer
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
Circular Saw (Corded)
Corded Drill / Hammer Drill
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | DELTA 2 | RIVER 2 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,024 Wh ✓ | 512 Wh |
| Running Power | 1,800 W ✓ | 500 W |
| Surge Power | 2,700 W ✓ | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs (12.0 kg) | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 85.3 Wh/kg ✓ | 83.9 Wh/kg |
| Portability Tier | portable | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Expandable | Yes | No |
| UPS | No | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
DELTA 2
Max solar input 500 W
Connector XT60i
Full charge time ~3.7h
Compatible panels 19/20
MPPT: 11-60V
RIVER 2 Max
Faster Max solar input 220 W
Connector XT60i
Full charge time ~3.3h
Compatible panels 17/20
MPPT: 11-50V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
Device Compatibility
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
DELTA 2RIVER 2 Max
Emergency(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
| Device | DELTA 2 | Runtime | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Size Freezer (15-17 Cu. Ft.) | Safe | 4.5h | Safe | 2.2h |
| Sump Pump (1/2 HP) | Soft Start | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
Entertainment(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
EV & Transportation(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
4/71/7
4/7
1/7
| Device | DELTA 2 | Runtime | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 8.6h | Safe | 4.3h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Soft Start | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Tight | 0.7h | Fail | N/A |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Soft Start | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Safe | 1h | Fail | N/A |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | DELTA 2 | Runtime | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 4h | Safe | 2h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
10/111/11
10/11
1/11
| Device | DELTA 2 | Runtime | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | Safe | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Safe | 0.5h | Fail | N/A |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Safe | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 2.4h | Safe | 1.2h |
| Toaster Oven | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
3/41/4
3/4
1/4
| Device | DELTA 2 | Runtime | RIVER 2 Max | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Tight | 0.4h | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 3.5h | Safe | 1.7h |
| Washing Machine | Safe | 0.6h | Fail | N/A |
Medical(4)
4/44/4
4/4
4/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
5/64/6
5/6
4/6
Personal Care(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Power Tools(5)
0/50/5
0/5
0/5
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The Bottom Line
Buyers who need broad device coverage for home backup, extended outages, or serious solar charging should pick the DELTA 2. Its 73.5 compatibility score and expandable design justify the extra bulk.
The RIVER 2 Max earns its place for campers, day-trippers, or anyone prioritizing a lightweight kit that still runs smaller electronics reliably. Overall, the DELTA 2 is the clear winner here, doubling the capacity, tripling the output, and powering nearly twice as many devices.
DELTA 2 vs RIVER 2 Max FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, DELTA 2 or RIVER 2 Max?
DELTA 2 is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, DELTA 2 or RIVER 2 Max?
DELTA 2 has higher battery capacity (1,024 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
RIVER 2 Max has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, DELTA 2 or RIVER 2 Max?
RIVER 2 Max is lighter at 13.4 lbs vs 26.5 lbs. RIVER 2 Max is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
DELTA 2 powers 39 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for RIVER 2 Max.
Q Can you expand the battery capacity of DELTA 2 or RIVER 2 Max?
Only DELTA 2 supports expansion batteries for additional capacity. RIVER 2 Max is limited to its built-in 512 Wh.