Prices are the least trustworthy number in this industry. We only cite list prices we actually saw on official stores on 9 September 2026. Street prices, Amazon lightning deals, and CAD conversions are unknown unless noted. This is not a coupon page.
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 | Jackery Explorer 300 Plus | BLUETTI AC180 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 256 Wh | 288 Wh | 1,152 Wh (AC180); AC180P is 1,440 Wh — different SKU |
| AC output | 300 W total AC (surge 600 W); X-Boost 600 W on UK page | 300 W AC (Jackery product copy); surge not restated on the page we checked | 1,800 W AC; Power Lifting Mode 2,700 W (resistive loads, per BLUETTI) |
| Weight | Approximately 7.7 lb / 3.5 kg | 8.27 lb (Jackery); ~3.75 kg in some listings | About 16 kg / 35.27 lb in spec tables; some marketing still says 37 lb / 17 kg — we cite the spec-table 16 kg figure and flag the conflict |
| Chemistry | LFP (LiFePO4) — EcoFlow “safe LFP” copy | LFP / LiFePO4 (Jackery product copy) | LiFePO4 |
| Cycle life (mfr.) | RIVER 2 Series: EcoFlow states 3000 cycles / ~10 years on the Pro page; confirm RIVER 2 (non-Pro) manual | Jackery markets “up to 10 years” with LFP; numeric cycle count not on the page we checked | 3,500+ cycles to 80% |
| Max solar input | 11–30 V, 8 A, 110 W max (UK spec block) | Requires 8020-to-USB-C adapter for solar (Jackery note) | 500 W max, VOC 12–60 VDC, 10 A |
| Expandable | No | No | No (AC180 is a standalone pack) |
| Charge temp. | See manual | Unknown — check manual | 32–104°F / 0–40°C |
| Discharge temp. | See manual | Unknown — check manual | −4–104°F / −20–40°C (1500 W max at 86–104°F) |
| Warranty (mfr. copy) | 5 years (EcoFlow marketing) | 3-year + 2-year extension if bought on Jackery.com | 5 years (UK/US marketing) |
What $209–$300 actually is
RIVER 2 is 256 Wh / 300 W / 7.7 lb. Explorer 300 Plus is 288 Wh / 300 W / 8.27 lb. These are phone-laptop-CPAP-math and LED-light stations. They are not fridge-for-a-weekend stations unless the fridge is tiny and you are honest about duty cycle. See sizing.
The $499 cliff
AC180 at a $499 list (if it is still there when you look) is a different class: 1152 Wh and 1800 W. That is the first “real fridge inverter” on this under-$500 list, and it is heavier (~16 kg). Confirm the live price; we will not pretend $499 is a law.
Amazon search links (no ASINs): RIVER 2 · 300 Plus · AC180.
Official store — EcoFlow RIVER 2 Amazon search (no ASIN)
Official store — Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Amazon search (no ASIN)
Official store — BLUETTI AC180 Amazon search (no ASIN)