Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,070 Wh | Explorer 1000 v2 leads
RIVER 2 Pro 768 Wh
Explorer 1000 v2 1,070 Wh
Explorer 1000 v2: +302 Wh (+39.3%).
RIVER 2 Pro vs Explorer 1000 v2
VS
800W
Running power
1,500W
768 Wh
Battery
1,070 Wh
18.3 lbs
Weight
23.8 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers choosing between a mid-size portable power station and a higher-capacity unit for camping, tailgating, or light home backup. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 delivers 1500W of running power and 1070 Wh of capacity, nearly doubling the RIVER 2 Pro's 800W output and exceeding its 768 Wh battery by about 39%.
That extra headroom matters: the Explorer 1000 v2 powered 33 of 53 tested devices compared to 22 for the RIVER 2 Pro, and its 20ms UPS function adds a layer of protection for sensitive electronics during outages. Solar charging tops out at 400W input on the Jackery versus 220W on the EcoFlow, though the RIVER 2 Pro finishes a full solar charge faster at roughly 5 hours versus 7.6 hours.
The tradeoff is weight: the RIVER 2 Pro comes in at 18.3 lbs, saving you over 5 lbs compared to the 23.8 lb Explorer 1000 v2.
Overall Winner
Explorer 1000 v2
Powers 33 of 53 tested devices vs 22 for RIVER 2 Pro
Home backup: Explorer 1000 v2 RV / mobile: Tie Solar: Tie
Choose RIVER 2 Pro if...
- + Portability matters for your setup
- + You want faster solar recharging
Choose Explorer 1000 v2 if...
- + Built-in UPS with 20ms switchover
- + You want broader device compatibility
- + You need all-day runtime headroom
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: 1,500 W | Explorer 1000 v2 leads
RIVER 2 Pro 800 W
Explorer 1000 v2 1,500 W
Explorer 1000 v2: +700 W (+87.5%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 W | Explorer 1000 v2 leads
RIVER 2 Pro 1,600 W
Explorer 1000 v2 3,000 W
Explorer 1000 v2: +1,400 W (+87.5%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 18.3 lbs | RIVER 2 Pro leads
RIVER 2 Pro 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg)
Explorer 1000 v2 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg)
RIVER 2 Pro: -5.5 lbs (23.1% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 4,000 cycles | Explorer 1000 v2 leads
RIVER 2 Pro 3,000 cycles
Explorer 1000 v2 4,000 cycles
Explorer 1000 v2: +1,000 cycles (+33.3%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 11 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 22 · Differences: 21% (11/53) · Neither can run: 20
Only Explorer 1000 v2 can run 11
2-Slice Bread Toaster RIVER 2 Pro: Running shortfall
Electric Skillet RIVER 2 Pro: Running shortfall
Electric Water Kettle RIVER 2 Pro: Running shortfall
Instant Pot (6 Qt) RIVER 2 Pro: Running shortfall
Rice Cooker RIVER 2 Pro: Running shortfall
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) RIVER 2 Pro: Running + surge shortfall
Space Heater (1,500W) RIVER 2 Pro: Running shortfall
Window AC (8,000 BTU) RIVER 2 Pro: Surge shortfall
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation) RIVER 2 Pro: Running shortfall
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V) RIVER 2 Pro: Running shortfall
Washing Machine RIVER 2 Pro: Running shortfall
Neither can run · 20 devices
These devices exceed both stations on running power and surge.
Digital Air Fryer
Electric Stove (Single Burner)
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Toaster Oven
Coffee Maker
Central AC (3-Ton)
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Electric Clothes Dryer
Dishwasher
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Professional Hair Dryer
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 | RIVER 2 Pro | Explorer 1000 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 768 Wh | 1,070 Wh ✓ |
| Running Power | 800 W | 1,500 W ✓ |
| Surge Power | 1,600 W | 3,000 W ✓ |
| Weight | 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg) ✓ | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) |
| Energy Density | 92.5 Wh/kg | 99.1 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | ultralight | portable |
| Chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 | 4,000 ✓ |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS | No | Yes (20 ms) |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
RIVER 2 Pro
Faster Max solar input 220 W
Connector XT60i
Full charge time ~5.0h
Compatible panels 17/20
MPPT: 11-50V
Explorer 1000 v2
Max solar input 400 W
Connector DC8020
Full charge time ~7.6h
Compatible panels 19/20
MPPT: 16-60V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
Device Compatibility
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
RIVER 2 ProExplorer 1000 v2
Emergency(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
| Device | RIVER 2 Pro | Runtime | Explorer 1000 v2 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Size Freezer (15-17 Cu. Ft.) | Safe | 3.4h | Safe | 4.7h |
| Sump Pump (1/2 HP) | Fail | N/A | Soft Start | 0.7h |
Entertainment(2)
1/22/2
1/2
2/2
EV & Transportation(2)
1/22/2
1/2
2/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
1/74/7
1/7
4/7
| Device | RIVER 2 Pro | Runtime | Explorer 1000 v2 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 6.5h | Safe | 9h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Fail | N/A | Soft Start | 0.9h |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.7h |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.5h |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Safe | 1.1h |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | RIVER 2 Pro | Runtime | Explorer 1000 v2 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 3h | Safe | 4.2h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
1/116/11
1/11
6/11
| Device | RIVER 2 Pro | Runtime | Explorer 1000 v2 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.5h |
| Coffee Maker | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.5h |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.5h |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Fail | N/A | Tight | 0.5h |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.8h |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 1.8h | Safe | 2.5h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
1/42/4
1/4
2/4
| Device | RIVER 2 Pro | Runtime | Explorer 1000 v2 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 2.6h | Safe | 3.6h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | Safe | 0.6h |
Medical(4)
4/44/4
4/4
4/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
5/65/6
5/6
5/6
Personal Care(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Power Tools(5)
0/50/5
0/5
0/5
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The Bottom Line
The RIVER 2 Pro suits buyers who prioritize portability and need to run lower-draw devices under 800W on shorter trips. The Explorer 1000 v2 is the better fit for anyone who needs broader device coverage, higher surge capacity (3000W), and basic UPS functionality for home backup. With a compatibility score of 61 versus 44 and meaningful advantages in power output, battery life, and cycle count (4000 vs. 3000), the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is the stronger pick for most buyers.
RIVER 2 Pro vs Explorer 1000 v2 FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, RIVER 2 Pro or Explorer 1000 v2?
Explorer 1000 v2 is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, RIVER 2 Pro or Explorer 1000 v2?
Explorer 1000 v2 has higher battery capacity (1,070 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
RIVER 2 Pro has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, RIVER 2 Pro or Explorer 1000 v2?
RIVER 2 Pro is lighter at 18.3 lbs vs 23.8 lbs. RIVER 2 Pro is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
Explorer 1000 v2 powers 33 of 53 tested devices, compared to 22 for RIVER 2 Pro.
Q Does RIVER 2 Pro or Explorer 1000 v2 have UPS mode for power outages?
Only Explorer 1000 v2 has UPS (uninterruptible power supply) mode with a 20ms switchover time, which keeps connected devices running during a power outage without interruption.