Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,024 Wh | DELTA 3 Plus leads
DELTA 3 Plus 1,024 Wh
RIVER 2 Max 512 Wh
DELTA 3 Plus: +512 Wh (+100.0%).
DELTA 3 Plus vs RIVER 2 Max
VS
1,800W
Running power
500W
1,024 Wh
Battery
512 Wh
27.6 lbs
Weight
13.4 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers deciding between a mid-size home backup unit and a compact portable option, both from EcoFlow's lineup. The DELTA 3 Plus delivers 1800W of running power and 1024 Wh of capacity, enough to handle 42 out of 53 devices in our compatibility testing. The RIVER 2 Max manages 500W and 512 Wh, covering 20 of the same 53 devices.
That gap shows up clearly in the overall scores: the DELTA 3 Plus earns a 76.5 versus 40 for the RIVER 2 Max. Solar input tells a similar story, with the DELTA 3 Plus accepting up to 1000W compared to 220W on the smaller unit. Expandable battery support on the DELTA 3 Plus adds long-term flexibility the RIVER 2 Max lacks.
The tradeoff is weight: at 13.4 lbs, the RIVER 2 Max is roughly half the 27.6 lbs of its larger sibling, making it far easier to toss in a car or carry to a campsite.
Overall Winner
DELTA 3 Plus
Powers 42 of 53 tested devices vs 20 for RIVER 2 Max
Home backup: DELTA 3 Plus RV / mobile: RIVER 2 Max Solar: DELTA 3 Plus
DELTA 3 Plus wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose DELTA 3 Plus 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 28)
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 3 Plus leads
DELTA 3 Plus 1,800 W
RIVER 2 Max 500 W
DELTA 3 Plus: +1,300 W (+260.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,600 W | DELTA 3 Plus leads
DELTA 3 Plus 3,600 W
RIVER 2 Max 1,000 W
DELTA 3 Plus: +2,600 W (+260.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 13.4 lbs | RIVER 2 Max leads
DELTA 3 Plus 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg)
RIVER 2 Max 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg)
RIVER 2 Max: -14.1 lbs (51.2% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 4,000 cycles | DELTA 3 Plus leads
DELTA 3 Plus 4,000 cycles
RIVER 2 Max 3,000 cycles
DELTA 3 Plus: +1,000 cycles (+33.3%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 22 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 20 · Differences: 42% (22/53) · Neither can run: 11
Only DELTA 3 Plus can run 22
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
Dehumidifier (70 Pint) RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge 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
Sump Pump (1/2 HP) 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
Corded Drill / Hammer Drill RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Laser Printer RIVER 2 Max: Running + surge shortfall
Neither can run · 11 devices
These devices have startup surges that exceed both stations.
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Central AC (3-Ton)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Electric Clothes Dryer
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Circular Saw (Corded)
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | DELTA 3 Plus | RIVER 2 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,024 Wh ✓ | 512 Wh |
| Running Power | 1,800 W ✓ | 500 W |
| Surge Power | 3,600 W ✓ | 1,000 W |
| Weight | 27.6 lbs (12.5 kg) | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 81.9 Wh/kg | 83.9 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | portable | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Cycle Life | 4,000 ✓ | 3,000 |
| Expandable | Yes | No |
| UPS | No | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
DELTA 3 Plus
Max solar input 1,000 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 3 PlusRIVER 2 Max
Emergency(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Entertainment(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
EV & Transportation(2)
2/21/2
2/2
1/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
5/71/7
5/7
1/7
| Device | DELTA 3 Plus | 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) | Tight | 0.8h | Fail | N/A |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Safe | 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 3 Plus | 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 3 Plus | 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 3 Plus | 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)
1/50/5
1/5
0/5
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The Bottom Line
Go with the DELTA 3 Plus if you need serious device coverage for home backup, extended outages, or high-draw appliances. The RIVER 2 Max makes sense for day trips, light camping, or anyone prioritizing portability over power, since it handles basic electronics at just 13.4 lbs. Overall, the DELTA 3 Plus is the clear winner here, powering more than twice as many devices while offering 4000 LFP cycles and expandable capacity for future needs.
DELTA 3 Plus vs RIVER 2 Max FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, DELTA 3 Plus or RIVER 2 Max?
DELTA 3 Plus is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, DELTA 3 Plus or RIVER 2 Max?
DELTA 3 Plus 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 3 Plus or RIVER 2 Max?
RIVER 2 Max is lighter at 13.4 lbs vs 27.6 lbs. RIVER 2 Max is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
DELTA 3 Plus powers 42 of 53 tested devices, compared to 20 for RIVER 2 Max.
Q Can you expand the battery capacity of DELTA 3 Plus or RIVER 2 Max?
Only DELTA 3 Plus supports expansion batteries for additional capacity. RIVER 2 Max is limited to its built-in 512 Wh.