Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 288 Wh | Explorer 300 Plus leads
RIVER 2 256 Wh
Explorer 300 Plus 288 Wh
Explorer 300 Plus: +32 Wh (+12.5%).
RIVER 2 vs Explorer 300 Plus
VS
300W
Running power
300W
256 Wh
Battery
288 Wh
7.7 lbs
Weight
8.4 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers shopping for a compact, sub-300W portable power station for light loads like phones, laptops, and small fans. The RIVER 2 and Explorer 300 Plus share the same 300W running output, 600W surge rating, LFP chemistry, and 3,000-cycle lifespan. They also powered the exact same 17 out of 53 devices in testing, finishing with identical compatibility scores of 33.
Where they split: the Explorer 300 Plus carries a larger 288 Wh battery versus 256 Wh for the RIVER 2, giving it roughly 12% more stored energy per charge. The RIVER 2 counters with a 30ms UPS function for uninterrupted home backup, faster solar charging at 3.3 hours versus 4.4 hours, and compatibility with 12 solar panel options compared to just 4. It also weighs 0.7 lbs less.
Choosing between them comes down to whether you prioritize extra capacity or faster solar refills and emergency backup switching.
Overall Winner
Explorer 300 Plus
Powers 17 of 53 tested devices
Home backup: RIVER 2 RV / mobile: Tie Solar: RIVER 2
Explorer 300 Plus wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose RIVER 2 if...
- + Portability matters for your setup
- + You want faster solar recharging
- + Built-in UPS with 30ms switchover
Choose Explorer 300 Plus if...
- + You prefer this brand ecosystem and support channel
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: 300 W | Tie
RIVER 2 300 W
Explorer 300 Plus 300 W
Delta: Tie (0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 600 W | Tie
RIVER 2 600 W
Explorer 300 Plus 600 W
Delta: Tie (0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 7.7 lbs | RIVER 2 leads
RIVER 2 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)
Explorer 300 Plus 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg)
RIVER 2: -0.7 lbs (7.9% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | Tie
RIVER 2 3,000 cycles
Explorer 300 Plus 3,000 cycles
Delta: Tie (0%).
Compatibility Coverage
These two stations produce the same result on 53 of 53 devices.
Both can run: 17 · Neither can run: 36
Neither can run · 36 devices
These devices exceed both stations on running power and surge.
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)
2-Slice Bread Toaster
Coffee Maker
Digital Air Fryer
Electric Skillet
Electric Stove (Single Burner)
Electric Water Kettle
Instant Pot (6 Qt)
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Rice Cooker
Toaster Oven
Electric Clothes Dryer
Dishwasher
Washing Machine
Electric Wheelchair Charger
Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Portable Ice Maker (Countertop)
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)
Laser Printer
Laptop
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | RIVER 2 | Explorer 300 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 256 Wh | 288 Wh ✓ |
| Running Power | 300 W | 300 W |
| Surge Power | 600 W | 600 W |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) ✓ | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) |
| Energy Density | 73.1 Wh/kg | 75.8 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | ultralight | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS | Yes (30 ms) | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
RIVER 2
Faster Max solar input 110 W
Connector XT60
Full charge time ~3.3h
Compatible panels 12/20
MPPT: 11-30V
Explorer 300 Plus
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 2Explorer 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 | Runtime | Explorer 300 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Fan (20-inch) | Safe | 2.2h | 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 | Runtime | Explorer 300 Plus | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 1h | 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 | 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 | Tight | 0.6h | Tight | 0.7h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
1/41/4
1/4
1/4
| Device | RIVER 2 | 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 | 0.9h | Safe | 1h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Medical(4)
2/42/4
2/4
2/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
4/64/6
4/6
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 if you need UPS functionality for a home office setup or want quicker, more flexible solar charging on the trail. Go with the Explorer 300 Plus if extra battery capacity matters more than charging speed and you prefer a straightforward portable unit without backup-power features. The Explorer 300 Plus takes the overall edge here thanks to its larger 288 Wh battery, though the RIVER 2's UPS capability and faster solar input make it the stronger pick for off-grid and light home-backup scenarios.
RIVER 2 vs Explorer 300 Plus FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, RIVER 2 or Explorer 300 Plus?
Explorer 300 Plus is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, RIVER 2 or Explorer 300 Plus?
Explorer 300 Plus has higher battery capacity (288 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
RIVER 2 has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, RIVER 2 or Explorer 300 Plus?
RIVER 2 is lighter at 7.7 lbs vs 8.4 lbs. RIVER 2 is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
Both power stations can run 17 of 53 tested devices.
Q Does RIVER 2 or Explorer 300 Plus have UPS mode for power outages?
Only RIVER 2 has UPS (uninterruptible power supply) mode with a 30ms switchover time, which keeps connected devices running during a power outage without interruption.