Head-to-head test
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro vs Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
The SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is the bigger, stronger unit, the faster one to refill from panels, and the only one of the two that takes an expansion battery. The RIVER 2 Pro is nearly eight pounds lighter and costs $181 less.
Full profiles: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro β Β· Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 β
Looking for a different matchup? EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro vs Anker SOLIX C1000
Written by Ian SchneiderUpdated
Solar & Off-Grid Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
Spec deltas
If I were picking one of these for the cabin, I'd start at the solar port. The SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 takes up to 600W from panels. The RIVER 2 Pro takes 220W. On a short December day in Truckee, with the sun low behind the pines, that difference shows first.
The rest of the spec sheet leans the same way. The Anker holds a third more and runs 2,000W of continuous output to 800W. Reviewers note that's enough for a standard 1,500W space heater with headroom to spareB3. The RIVER 2 Pro can't run a heater that size.
The RIVER 2 Pro's case is the box itself. It's nearly eight pounds lighter and costs $181 less. Four AC outlets and three USB-A ports cover phones, lights and a laptop. It's also sealed, so what you buy is the most it will ever hold.
What the Numbers Reveal
Each conclusion stated first β the numbers behind it on one line, the full analysis below.
Switchover is the gap between the wall power dropping and the battery taking over. Routers ride through either. Many desktop power supplies won't ride through a 30ms gap.
The C1000 Gen 2 is rated to switch to battery in 10ms or lessThe RIVER 2 Pro is rated to switch in 30ms or less
Why it mattersFor a desktop with unsaved work, I'd put it on the Anker.
solar input
In a multi-day outage the panels do the work once the wall is gone. The Anker's solar port is nearly three times the size.
The C1000 Gen 2 refills from the wall in roughly 49 minutes via HyperFlashB1The RIVER 2 Pro takes up to 220W of solar to the C1000 Gen 2's 600W
Why it mattersIf you plan to lean on solar, weigh the 600W port first.
The specific dimensions that decide these two units β everything else is a tie.
PowerScore Breakdown
Selected because: The C1000 Gen 2 leads the composite score by about 800 points.
overall power score
Our composite score puts the C1000 Gen 2 about 800 points ahead. Output is the biggest piece, then switchover speed, capacity and the expansion port.
The RIVER 2 Pro gains only on cost per watt-hour and watt-hours per pound. At 17.2 lb it's the easier one to carry into a walk-in campsite.
Growth Path
Selected because: Sealed against expandable.
solar input
The RIVER 2 Pro is sealed at 768Wh. That's fine if it covers you, and for phones, lights and a laptop it usually does. Outgrowing it means buying a second station.
The C1000 Gen 2 takes Anker expansion batteries, though its first advantage is its own 1,024Wh base. An extra battery at this size buys more hours on the same loads. It won't turn a 2,000W station into home backup, and Anker's expansion range is smaller than EcoFlow's.
What the Specs Don't Tell You
Selected because: Six flags apply, including UPS speed, surge and cycle life.
rated cycles
The noise card shows EcoFlow's own 62dB ceiling under heavy loadA2 beside Anker's best-case 35dB, and those two kinds of figure can't be set against each other.
The surge card splits. The RIVER 2 Pro surges to twice its rating and the Anker to one and a half times, but the Anker's 3,000W ceiling is the bigger number. A motor starting up draws a set number of watts, so on raw starting ability the Anker is stronger. Warranty is a tie at five years.
Lifetime Value
Selected because: The pricier unit is cheaper per kWh delivered.
cost / lifetime kWh
The pricier unit is the cheaper one to own. The C1000 Gen 2 is rated to deliver 4,096kWh over its life and the RIVER 2 Pro 2,304kWh. Spread the prices over that and the Anker works out to $0.13 per lifetime kilowatt-hour against $0.15.
A cycle is one full drain and refill. At one a day, the Anker's rating lasts about 11 years and the RIVER 2 Pro's 8.2. That only counts if you use the unit most days. One that comes out three weekends a year won't reach either rating.
Strengths & trade-offs
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro
Strengths
- +Costs $181 less
- +Lighter by 7.7 lb
Trade-offs
- βWeaker inverter (-1,200W) limits appliance compatibility.
- βCan receive complaints about fan noise under heavy load.
- βSealed capacity β the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 can add batteries to grow past 768Wh; this one can't.
- βShorter-lived battery β rated for 3,000 charge cycles vs the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2's 4,000, so it wears out sooner.
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Higher AC output
- +Faster solar charging
- +Rated for 4,000 charge cycles β much longer battery lifespan
Trade-offs
- βSubstantially more expensive (+$181) than the RIVER 2 Pro.
Will It Power Your Gear?
Scenario math and per-appliance runtimes, modeled from the spec record.
Scenario verdicts
We ran the math on six real-world scenarios. Here's which unit survives your actual life.
SCN-01 Β· 2 nights Β· needs 2,100Wh
Weekend Camping
Two nights off-grid with essential comfort
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 2,100Wh: the RIVER 2 Pro comes up 1,447Wh short (about 31% covered), the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 1,230Wh (41%). Treat this as partial cover β enough for the essentials in it, not the whole list.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Phone Charger 15WΓ6h Β· LED Lights 40WΓ8h Β· Box Fan 75WΓ14h Β· CPAP Machine 40WΓ16h
SCN-02 Β· 8 hours Β· needs 1,645Wh
8-Hour Blackout
Keep the essentials running through a night without power
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 1,645Wh: the RIVER 2 Pro comes up 992Wh short (about 40% covered), the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 775Wh (53%). Treat this as partial cover β enough for the essentials in it, not the whole list.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Fridge 150WΓ8h Β· Router + Modem 20WΓ8h Β· LED Lights (4 bulbs) 40WΓ6h Β· Phone Charger 15WΓ3h
SCN-03 Β· 8 hours Β· needs 320Wh
CPAP Overnight
Sleep therapy without interruption β the #1 medical use case
Either unit
A CPAP at about 40W for eight hours fits in either with room to spare. The RIVER 2 Pro finishes the night with 333Wh left and the Anker with 550Wh. The noise ratings can't pick a bedside winner, since EcoFlow's is a heavy-load maximum and Anker's a best case. For this job alone, take whichever is cheaper or lighter.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β CPAP Machine 40WΓ8h
SCN-04 Β· 8 hours Β· needs 910Wh
Remote Workday
Full work day off-grid without power anxiety
Neither unit
A laptop-and-monitor day needs 910Wh. The Anker falls 40Wh short, close enough that a shorter evening finishes it. The RIVER 2 Pro is 257Wh short and needs a top-up partway through.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Laptop 60WΓ8h Β· External Monitor 30WΓ8h Β· Router + Modem 20WΓ8h Β· Phone Charger 15WΓ2h
SCN-05 Β· 4 hours Β· needs 670Wh
Tailgate Party
Game day power for the crew
SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
Our tailgate basket needs 670Wh. The Anker covers it with 200Wh to spare. The RIVER 2 Pro comes up 17Wh short after our allowance for conversion losses, so leaving one small thing unplugged gets it there.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Blender 400WΓ0.5h Β· LED TV (55") 80WΓ4h Β· Bluetooth Speaker 15WΓ4h Β· Phone Charger (Γ3) 45WΓ2h
SCN-06 Β· 24 hours Β· needs 4,685Wh
Van Life Daily
A full day of mobile living β the ultimate endurance test
Neither unit
Neither unit covers this scenario's 4,685Wh: the RIVER 2 Pro comes up 4,032Wh short (about 14% covered), the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 3,815Wh (19%). This is well outside what either unit is for; the right answer here is a larger station, not a choice between these two.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOADΒ Β Mini-Fridge 150WΓ24h Β· Laptop 60WΓ4h Β· Phone Charger 15WΓ3h Β· LED Lights 40WΓ5h Β· Fan 75WΓ8h
The Load Test
RUNTIME = (Wh Γ 0.85) Γ· LOAD
None of the scenarios above exactly yours? Build it. Toggle what you'd plug in; both units are tested against the combined draw.
Essentials
Comfort & Convenience
High-Draw Appliances
Test duration
8h
Continuous draw
205W
Projected runtime
For this load: SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 runs 4.2h vs 3.2h.
$529.99 list Β· direct from Anker
Planning for more than this? Describe your whole setup and get it sizedΒ β
Modeled from the spec record β same math as the tables below. Methodology
Runtime by appliance
Real-world runtime estimates for common appliances, modeled at 85% inverter efficiency.ΒΉ
Essentials
The basics you need runningscale 0β58hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0β11.6hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limitsscale 0β0.9hΒΉ Runtime = (capacity Γ 0.85) Γ· appliance watts. Within each group, all bars share one time scale (the group's longest runtime), so lengths are comparable across appliances; identical runtimes collapse into a single blue/orange bar. Actual runtime varies with battery age, temperature, and simultaneous loads β see methodology.
Conclusion
October 25, 2026
Verdict: the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2, on Power Score margin
Buy the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2. It holds more, runs 2,000W to 800W, takes far more solar and accepts Anker expansion batteries, where the EcoFlow is sealed. It costs $181 more and still works out cheaper per lifetime kilowatt-hour, at $0.13 against $0.15. The RIVER 2 Pro is the lighter box, and the better pick only if 768Wh will always cover you.
Today the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is $499.99, $30 under its typical $529.99. The verdict weighs typical prices, not today's. Prices checked 28 days ago.
Editor-assigned confidence, based on cited owner research and spec analysis.
List prices as of October 25, 2026. The links below open EcoFlow's and Anker's current prices.
$499.99 Β· direct from Anker
down from $530 Β· 6% below usual
Last checked 28 days ago. Prices move β check before you buy.
or check the RIVER 2 Pro price$389.00 list
Written by Ian Schneider, Solar & Off-Grid Tester Β· Station Arena Test Desk Β· Updated October 25, 2026
Black Friday Β· 26 days out
Prices to beat:RIVER 2 Pro $349SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 $450
The lowest we have recorded for each. We have never seen the RIVER 2 Pro discounted, so any real cut on it would be a first.
Measured Data
Benchmark scores and the full spec record, side by side.
Benchmark scores
Not rated for both units (minimum threshold unmet): UPS, RV Living, Home Backup, Food Truck.
Full specifications
α΅ Derived: price Γ· rated capacity. See the data behind our comparisons β
Comparison ToolAdd more power stations, side by sideOpen Tool βHow these numbers are produced
Numeric verification
Every figure on this page traces to our spec database or arithmetic on it β no estimated numbers.
Owner claims
Statements about owner experience are cited to published reviews β see Sources & Research Notes below.
Runtime model
Runtime = (rated capacity Γ 0.85 inverter efficiency) Γ· device wattage. Solar recharge estimates assume panels deliver 70% of rated output. Cold weather, battery age, and stacked loads reduce real-world results.
Power Score
Computed from 14 published spec dimensions, weighted per use-case bench. Higher is better; a unit must meet a bench's minimum threshold to be rated.
See the full weight table and data sourcing on our methodology page βClass ranking (the star rating)
Each unit's star score is a category ranking, not customer reviews β no buyer opinions feed it. We score every station on size-independent quality (value, output, portability, endurance, ports, warranty, and more), then percentile-rank it against the other units in its capacity class, so a class-leading compact unit and a class-leading whole-home unit can both earn 5β . Here, RIVER 2 Pro rates 4.7/5 (84th percentile of 20 Compact-class units), and SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 rates 4.9/5 (96th percentile of 27 Everyday-class units).
How the class ranking is computed βTest Notes & Caveats
Hidden gotchas and advantages we spotted that you won't find on the product page.
RIVER 2 Pro: 62dB Published
62dB is about as loud as a normal conversation. The SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is rated 35dB, and the two are not the same kind of figure: the RIVER 2 Pro's is a MAXIMUM under heavy charge and discharge, while the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2's is its maker's best case β so the real gap can only be narrower than the numbers suggest, and may even run the other way. For most people, fan noise around 45dB and up is where sleep starts to suffer.
RIVER 2 Pro: Fixed Capacity
The RIVER 2 Pro is sealed at 768Wh β fine if that covers you, but it's the ceiling. By contrast the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 can add expansion batteries, though the first thing it has over the RIVER 2 Pro is its own 1,024Wh base β expansion is the step after that, for the buyer who would outgrow 1,024Wh as well.
Surge Power: Ratio and Ceiling Disagree
The RIVER 2 Pro holds the higher surge-to-continuous ratio (2Γ vs 1.5Γ), but the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 holds the higher absolute surge ceiling β 3,000W against 1,600W. These measure different things. The ratio says how much headroom an inverter keeps above its own rating; the ceiling says how big a startup spike it can actually swallow. A motor draws a number of watts at switch-on, not a multiple of someone else's rating, so on raw starting ability the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is the stronger unit here β while the RIVER 2 Pro is the one running further below its own limit at steady state.
UPS Switchover: β€10ms vs β€30ms
Both list a UPS mode, at different rated speeds. The SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is rated β€10ms β quick enough on paper that desktop PCs and routers should ride through, treating that as the rating it is. The RIVER 2 Pro is rated β€30ms β a transfer this long is one many desktops will NOT ride through, so plan on reboots for sensitive gear. If a computer with unsaved work is the thing being protected, the stated class is worth the attention; nothing here is a lab result.
Warranty: No Difference
Both units carry the same 5-year warranty, so coverage isn't a tiebreaker here. Worth saying because the per-dollar framing can suggest otherwise: the RIVER 2 Pro works out at 14.3 years of cover per $1,000 spent against the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2's 9.4, but that spread is the price gap, not the terms.
Battery Lifespan in Real Years
The SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is rated for 4,000 cycles vs 3,000. In real life: at daily use, that's 11 vs 8.2 years. At weekend use (twice a week), it's 38 vs 29 years. One caution reading years across different sizes: a cycle is 1,024Wh on the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 and 768Wh on the RIVER 2 Pro, so count lifetime energy β roughly 4,096 kWh against 2,304 kWh over the rated life. After hitting the cycle limit, the battery doesn't die β it drops to ~80% of original capacity, which is still very usable.
Full record above β the Test Desk pick is the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2.
Check SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 price βor check the RIVER 2 Pro priceOwnership Analysis
What happens after you buy β true cost of ownership, brand trust, and growth potential.
Lifetime value
Service lifeyears at one full cycle per day
Lifetime energy delivered
Cost per delivered kWh
β warranty ends Β· Reaching the cycle rating means ~80% capacity remains β degraded, not dead.
Analyst note
The RIVER 2 Pro is cheaper to buy, but the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is cheaper to own. At $0.13/kWh over its lifetime vs $0.15/kWh, the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2's higher cycle life and capacity make each dollar go further over the years.
Brand trust
EcoFlow
Ecosystem
Largest in portable power β 12-15 models across DELTA Pro, DELTA 3, and RIVER 3 series, plus solar panels and smart home panels
Support
US-based phone/email/chat support (1-800-368-8604). Experiences are polarized β many report hassle-free prepaid-label replacements, but others report long waits and refurbished units sent for new claims. Pro tip: buying from Costco or Amazon gives you a stronger return safety net.
Community
Largest community in the space β Reddit r/Ecoflow_community (~31K members), multiple Facebook groups, and an official community forum
App experience
Rated 4.6/5 iOS (~8,400 ratings) Β· 4.2/5 Android (~17,000 ratings)
Unique strength
Fastest-charging technology (X-Stream), deepest product ecosystem, and most active innovation cadence. At the top of the range sit two whole-home paths: the TITAN line, one 5 kWh unit that grows to 30 kWh, and the DELTA Pro Ultra platform, which stacks batteries and inverters further β flagship paths, not line-wide features.
Worth knowing
Tested subscription paywalls for advanced app features in early 2025 before community backlash paused the plan. No parts or service offered out of warranty.
Anker
Ecosystem
7-8 SOLIX portable power stations across C-series (compact) and F-series (flagship), plus the X1 home energy system
Support
US-based support. Historically known for incredible no-hassle replacements, but recent reports describe AI-driven support agents giving generic responses and complex return logistics for heavy units (hazmat shipping). The Anker brand reputation is still strong, but SOLIX-specific support quality is trending down.
Community
Moderate β active Reddit (r/Anker, r/AnkerSOLIXCommunity) and growing. Benefits from Anker's massive consumer electronics brand awareness.
App experience
Rated 4.5/5 iOS (~1,100 ratings) Β· 4.3/5 Android
Unique strength
Parent brand trust from Anker's consumer electronics dominance. InfiniPower technology for long cycle life. Strong $/Wh value in the mid-size and larger units β the S2000, F2600 and C1000 are among the better buys per watt-hour in the catalog.
Worth knowing
Support quality appears to be declining from its historically excellent level. Firmware updates have removed features without warning. Expansion ecosystem is smaller than EcoFlow's.
Analyst note
EcoFlow positions itself as a mid-to-premium brand with stronger support infrastructure, while Anker competes on value. The question is whether the EcoFlow ecosystem and support premium is worth it for your use case.
Growth path
RIVER 2 Pro
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 768Wh, with no expansion β so size it for your needs up front rather than planning to add capacity later.
Accepts up to 220W of solar. Limited to a single portable panel.
Adequate ports for most setups, but heavy users may want a power strip.
SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
EXPANDABLESupports Anker expansion batteries, so you can add capacity later without replacing the base unit β useful if your needs may climb past 1,024Wh.
Accepts up to 600W of solar. Suitable for a 1-2 panel setup.
Adequate ports for most setups, but heavy users may want a power strip.
Expansion batteries are Anker-specific. You're investing in the Anker ecosystem.
Realistic full solar rechargeat 70% of rated panel output β see methodology
Analyst note
The RIVER 2 Pro is sealed at 768Wh, which is fine if that covers you. The SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 starts at 1,024Wh and can grow beyond it with Anker expansion batteries β though at this size expansion means longer runtimes on the same loads, not a path to home backup. More hours, not more house.
What Owners Report
Patterns from published owner reports and long-term reviews β every claim cited to its source below.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro
Owner commentary aimed squarely at the RIVER 2 Pro is thin. Our researcher found most RIVER 2 discussion mixes up the base model, the Max and the ProA0. The clearest thread is fan noise. EcoFlow's own FAQ says the RIVER 2 Pro may reach 62dB when charging or discharging at high wattageA2, and one owner cut into the internal plastic to fit quieter fansA1. A Facebook post asks whether UPS use affects battery lifeA3. Only its title could be retrievedA0.
βWill using River 2 Pro as a UPS affect battery life ...β
Sources
ctrl-alt-rees.com
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
Coverage of the C1000 Gen 2 is fuller. Reviewers single out charging speed. HyperFlash takes it from empty to full in roughly 49 minutes, quicker than the original C1000B1. They note its output runs a standard 1,500W space heater with headroom to spareB3, and several call it the mid-size unit to beat this yearB4. The common complaint is the fans. They're near silent under 200W and climb to around 55dB past 1,000W during fast charging or heavy outputB2.
βFast HyperFlash charging β a full recharge in roughly 49 minutes, noticeably quicker than the original C1000's ~58-80 minutes.β
Sources
thepowerpick.com Β· macrumors.com Β· outdoorgearlab.com Β· technerdo.com Β· mensjournal.com Β· powerstationadvisor.com
Sources & Research Notes
Every owner claim in this report is traceable to a published source. The bracketed references above resolve here.
Recurring owner themes
- Fan noise at high wattage charging/discharging is a consistent owner and manufacturer-acknowledged complaint, severe enough that some owners physically mod the unit with quieter fans. [RIVER 2 Pro Β· 2 entries]
- Fast charging and higher output over the original are the standout gains; fan noise under load or fast charging is the top complaint. [SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Β· 3 entries]
- A1
βI've since performed the same mod on my RIVER 2 PRO and it works great for that unit, too - although it did involve cutting away some of the internal plastic.β
ctrl-alt-rees.com blog β 'EcoFlow RIVER 2 Noisy Fan Fix!' Β· 2022-11-17 Β· [negative]
- A2
βWhen charging and discharging at high wattage, RIVER 2 Max and RIVER 2 Pro may make a noise up to 62db.β
EcoFlow official product page β RIVER 2 Series specs/FAQ footnotes Β· unknown Β· [negative]
- A3
βWill using River 2 Pro as a UPS affect battery life ...β
Facebook β EcoFlow Club group post title Β· unknown Β· [mixed]
- B1
βFast HyperFlash charging β a full recharge in roughly 49 minutes, noticeably quicker than the original C1000's ~58-80 minutes.β
thepowerpick.com / macrumors.com β Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 review Β· 2026 Β· [positive]
- B2
βFan noise is the single most common complaint β nearly silent at low load (about 35 dB under 200W), but the fans ramp up audibly during fast charging or heavy output, reaching around 55 dB at 1,000W-plus.β
outdoorgearlab.com / technerdo.com β C1000 Gen 2 review Β· 2026 Β· [negative]
- B3
βThe higher continuous output crosses a useful threshold over the original β enough to run a standard 1,500W space heater with headroom to spare.β
thepowerpick.com / mensjournal.com β C1000 Gen 2 review Β· 2026 Β· [positive]
- B4
βReviewers describe it as a refined, powerful, fast-charging update to a popular 1kWh platform, widely rated the mid-size unit to beat in 2026.β
thepowerpick.com / powerstationadvisor.com β C1000 Gen 2 review Β· 2026 Β· [positive]
Research compiled October 25, 2026.
What Owners Actually Report
Drawn from 35 comments on independent review channels β not from retailer reviews, which skew to the first week of ownership. Each line is our summary of one commenter's claim, linked to the original. We record what they said, including where it contradicts the spec sheet.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro
32 claims from 21 comments Β· 27 from owners Β· 8 with figures
- Runtime
- 5 Β· 0% negative
- Size & weight
- 2 Β· 0% negative
- Solar input
- 2 Β· 0% negative
- Inverter & surge
- 3 Β· 23% negative
- App & firmware
- 3 Β· 0% negative
What owners complain about
Wildly fluctuating DC output on two separate units bought from different retailers.
Build qualityowner1 agreedsource β
Does tend to self-discharge, so he keeps it on the low 100W power setting.
Idle drainowner3 agreedsource β
Unit would not power on within a week of purchase despite a full charge.
Durabilityownersource β
What owners praise
Ran a portable fridge/freezer in a car for 5 hours in 110F Tucson heat, still at 78%.
Runtimemeasuredowner40 agreedsource β
At 17 lbs it is his top pick for grab-and-go power.
Size & weightmeasuredowner4 agreedsource β
Recharges back to 100% in less than an hour.
Chargingmeasuredowner4 agreedsource β
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2
22 claims from 14 comments Β· 18 from owners Β· 6 with figures
- Price & value
- 4 Β· 0% negative
- Runtime
- 3 Β· 15% negative
- UPS switchover
- 2 Β· 0% negative
- Inverter & surge
- 1 Β· 0% negative
- Solar input
- 1 Β· 0% negative
What owners complain about
Gen 2 loses the gen 1's ability to add an expansion battery.
Expandability23 agreedsource β
Same app failure as his other brands: paired devices go missing on later launches.
App & firmwareowner2 agreedsource β
Can only pull 100W from the C1000 Gen 2's 12V ports and cannot confirm how XT60i sensing works.
Otherownersource β
What owners praise
Two units keep his gas furnace, three fridge/freezers and network alive for 5+ hours.
Runtimemeasuredowner15 agreedsource β
Anker 1000 gen 2's edge is a 2000W inverter, also at 25 pounds.
Inverter & surgemeasuredowner8 agreedsource β
Got the C1000 gen 2 on sale for $379 plus a $219 200W panel.
Price & valuemeasuredowner6 agreedsource β
Claims are weighted by how specific they are, whether the commenter owns the unit, and how many readers agreed. Comments that mention a product under a rival's review count for more, because the commenter had no reason to be there. This is what buyers report, not our test results β for measurements we ran ourselves, see the methodology.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the RIVER 2 Pro if youβ¦
- βLight travellers: it's nearly eight pounds lighter than the Anker.
- βBuyers who know 768Wh covers them: phones, lights, a laptop and a CPAP night, with four AC outlets to share.
- βBuyers who want the lower price, at $349.
Buy the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 if youβ¦
- βAnyone whose list might grow: it takes Anker expansion batteries.
- βSolar users: 600W of panel input to the RIVER 2 Pro's 220W.
- βDesk backup: rated to switch to battery in 10ms or less.
- βAnyone who wants to run a space heater: reviewers note its output covers a 1,500W one with headroom to spareB3.
If neither fits
Our weekend camping basket needs 2,100Wh and a van-life day 4,685Wh. Neither unit gets close on its own. Look at a larger station for those. An expansion battery on the Anker gets you partway.
The Bottom Line
The C1000 Gen 2 is the better station by almost every measure on this page. It holds more, runs bigger loads, refills faster from the sun and takes an expansion battery. It's also the cheaper one per lifetime kilowatt-hour.
The RIVER 2 Pro is for someone who knows exactly what they'll plug in and wants to carry less. If there's any chance your list grows, the $181 is worth paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
Is the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 worth $181 more than the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro?
For most buyers, yes. It holds 1,024Wh to 768Wh, runs 2,000W to 800W and takes Anker expansion batteries. It also works out cheaper per lifetime kilowatt-hour, at $0.13 against $0.15, because it holds more and is rated for more cycles. The RIVER 2 Pro is lighter, at 17.2 lb to 24.9.
Can I add more capacity to either of these later?
Only the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2. It accepts Anker expansion batteries, so you can add capacity without replacing the unit. The RIVER 2 Pro is sealed, and its 768Wh is fixed for the life of the unit.
Which one is quieter?
Neither is quiet under heavy load. EcoFlow says the RIVER 2 Pro may reach 62dB when charging or discharging at high wattage. Reviewers report the C1000 Gen 2 near silent under 200W and around 55dB past 1,000W. The figures come from different sources, so they are not a measured comparison.
How fast does each recharge?
The C1000 Gen 2 recharges from the wall via HyperFlash in roughly 49 minutes and accepts up to 600W of solar input. The RIVER 2 Pro accepts up to 220W of solar, so a solar recharge takes considerably longer.
Which is better for protecting a router or networking equipment during outages?
The C1000 Gen 2. It is rated to switch to battery in 10ms or less, against 30ms or less for the RIVER 2 Pro. Routers usually ride through either, but many desktop PCs will not ride through a 30ms gap. Both figures are the makers' own ratings.
Where to buy
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro
$389.00
$389.00 Β· direct from EcoFlow
Last checked 28 days ago. Prices move β check before you buy.
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2Pick
$499.99
$499.99 Β· direct from Anker
down from $530 Β· 6% below usual
Last checked 28 days ago. Prices move β check before you buy.
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.