Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 768 Wh | RIVER 2 Pro leads
RIVER 2 Pro 768 Wh
Explorer 300 Plus 288 Wh
RIVER 2 Pro: +480 Wh (+166.7%).
RIVER 2 Pro vs Explorer 300 Plus
VS
800W
Running power
300W
768 Wh
Battery
288 Wh
18.3 lbs
Weight
8.4 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers choosing between two compact LFP stations that share the same 3,000-cycle longevity but sit in very different weight and output classes. The RIVER 2 Pro delivers 800W of running power and 768 Wh of capacity, nearly tripling the Explorer 300 Plus on both counts.
That gap shows up in device coverage: the EcoFlow unit powered 22 of 53 tested devices versus 17 for the Jackery. Solar recharge potential also favors the RIVER 2 Pro, which accepts up to 220W of panel input and works with 17 compatible solar panels, while the Explorer 300 Plus tops out at 100W and pairs with just 4.
The tradeoff is portability. At 8.4 lbs, the Jackery is less than half the weight of the 18.3 lb EcoFlow, making it far easier to toss in a daypack or carry on short trips.
Overall Winner
RIVER 2 Pro
Powers 22 of 53 tested devices vs 17 for Explorer 300 Plus
Home backup: RIVER 2 Pro RV / mobile: Tie Solar: RIVER 2 Pro
Choose RIVER 2 Pro if...
- + You want faster solar recharging
- + You want broader device compatibility
- + You need all-day runtime headroom
Choose Explorer 300 Plus if...
- + Portability matters (8 lbs vs 18)
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: 800 W | RIVER 2 Pro leads
RIVER 2 Pro 800 W
Explorer 300 Plus 300 W
RIVER 2 Pro: +500 W (+166.7%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,600 W | RIVER 2 Pro leads
RIVER 2 Pro 1,600 W
Explorer 300 Plus 600 W
RIVER 2 Pro: +1,000 W (+166.7%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 8.4 lbs | Explorer 300 Plus leads
RIVER 2 Pro 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg)
Explorer 300 Plus 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg)
Explorer 300 Plus: -9.9 lbs (54.2% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | Tie
RIVER 2 Pro 3,000 cycles
Explorer 300 Plus 3,000 cycles
Delta: Tie (0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 5 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 17 · Differences: 9% (5/53) · Neither can run: 31
Only RIVER 2 Pro can run 5
Electric Wheelchair Charger Explorer 300 Plus: Running shortfall
Portable Oxygen Concentrator Explorer 300 Plus: Running shortfall
Laser Printer Explorer 300 Plus: Running + surge shortfall
Laptop Explorer 300 Plus: Running shortfall
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop) Explorer 300 Plus: Running + surge shortfall
Neither can run · 31 devices
These devices exceed both stations on running power and surge.
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation)
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V)
Central AC (3-Ton)
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Space Heater (1,500W)
Window AC (8,000 BTU)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
Digital Air Fryer
Electric Stove (Single Burner)
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Toaster Oven
2-Slice Bread Toaster
Coffee Maker
Electric Skillet
Electric Water Kettle
Instant Pot (6 Qt)
Rice Cooker
Electric Clothes Dryer
Dishwasher
Washing Machine
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 300 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 768 Wh ✓ | 288 Wh |
| Running Power | 800 W ✓ | 300 W |
| Surge Power | 1,600 W ✓ | 600 W |
| Weight | 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg) | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 92.5 Wh/kg ✓ | 75.8 Wh/kg |
| Portability Tier | ultralight | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS | No | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
RIVER 2 Pro
Max solar input 220 W
Connector XT60i
Full charge time ~5.0h
Compatible panels 17/20
MPPT: 11-50V
Explorer 300 Plus
Faster Max solar input 100 W
Connector Proprietary
Full charge time ~4.4h
Compatible panels 4/20
MPPT: 12-27V
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 300 Plus
Emergency(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Entertainment(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
EV & Transportation(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
1/71/7
1/7
1/7
| Device | RIVER 2 Pro | Runtime | Explorer 300 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 6.5h | Safe | 2.4h |
| Central AC (3-Ton) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Dehumidifier (70 Pint) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Gas Furnace Fan (Blower) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Portable AC (12,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Space Heater (1,500W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | RIVER 2 Pro | Runtime | Explorer 300 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 3h | Safe | 1.1h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
1/111/11
1/11
1/11
| Device | RIVER 2 Pro | Runtime | Explorer 300 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 1.8h | Tight | 0.7h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
1/41/4
1/4
1/4
| Device | RIVER 2 Pro | Runtime | Explorer 300 Plus | 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 | 1h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Medical(4)
4/42/4
4/4
2/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
5/64/6
5/6
4/6
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
Pick the RIVER 2 Pro if you need to run higher-wattage appliances, want broader device compatibility, or plan to build a larger solar setup. The Explorer 300 Plus makes sense for ultralight travel where you only need to charge phones, laptops, and small electronics under 300W. Overall, the RIVER 2 Pro earns the win with a score of 44 to 33, offering meaningfully more power and versatility for anyone whose gear demands exceed basic charging.
RIVER 2 Pro vs Explorer 300 Plus FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, RIVER 2 Pro or Explorer 300 Plus?
RIVER 2 Pro 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 300 Plus?
RIVER 2 Pro has higher battery capacity (768 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
Explorer 300 Plus has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, RIVER 2 Pro or Explorer 300 Plus?
Explorer 300 Plus is lighter at 8.4 lbs vs 18.3 lbs. Explorer 300 Plus is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
RIVER 2 Pro powers 22 of 53 tested devices, compared to 17 for Explorer 300 Plus.