Head-to-head test
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro vs Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus
Real-world runtimes, scenario verdicts, and ownership costs compared — which wins for your use case.
Full profiles: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro → · Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus →
Written by Gunner GustafsonUpdated
Whole-Home Backup Tester, Station Arena Test Desk
$349.00 · direct from EcoFlow
Last checked 8 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
$1,709.00 · direct from Jackery
down from $1,899 · 10% below usual
Last checked 8 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Spec deltas
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro (768Wh) and Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus (3,584Wh) sit in different weight classes. The real question: do your power needs justify the larger unit, or would you be overpaying for capacity that sits unused? The HomePower 3600 Plus has a slight edge, but the margin is close enough that your use case should break the tie.
What the spec gap means in practice: the HomePower 3600 Plus's 3,600W inverter has the headroom for a window AC, a full-size fridge, and power tools. The RIVER 2 Pro's 800W inverter can't run the heaviest of those — a window AC or a high-surge power tool needs more than it can hold, whatever its 1,600W surge ceiling does at the instant of startup. On stamina, the HomePower 3600 Plus keeps a fridge alive for roughly 20 hours vs the RIVER 2 Pro's 4 hours. The cost? Portability. At 77.2 lbs, the HomePower 3600 Plus is heavy enough to make you think twice about moving it. The RIVER 2 Pro at 17.2 lbs is something one person can actually carry.
Pick the HomePower 3600 Plus if your primary use is weekend camping or 8-hour blackout. Go with the RIVER 2 Pro if its specific strengths below line up better with your use. Most buyers stop at the sticker price and miss this: over a full lifespan the HomePower 3600 Plus works out to about $0.09/kWh against the RIVER 2 Pro's $0.15, a gap that compounds in the HomePower 3600 Plus's favor the more you cycle it. Keep scrolling for the full breakdown. The scenario verdicts below hold a few surprises.
Bench Notes
What each unit does well, where it falls short, and the trade-offs that matter.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro
At 800W, this unit is strictly for personal electronics (phones, laptops) and small CPAP machines. Do not expect to run kitchen appliances. At only 17.2 lbs, it is exceptionally portable. You can easily carry it one-handed to a campsite or tailgating party. A standout feature is the value proposition: at roughly $0.45 per watt-hour, it's one of the most cost-effective options on the market.
Strengths
- +Costs $1,550 less
- +Lighter by 60 lb
Trade-offs
- –Weaker inverter (-2,800W) limits appliance compatibility.
- –Can receive complaints about fan noise under heavy load.
- –Sealed capacity — the HomePower 3600 Plus can add batteries to grow past 768Wh; this one can't.
- –Shorter-lived battery — rated for 3,000 charge cycles vs the HomePower 3600 Plus's 6,000, so it wears out sooner.
Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus
With a massive 3,600W output (and 7,200W surge), the HomePower 3600 Plus can run high-wattage appliances like space heaters, hair dryers, and electric grills without tripping. Weighing in at 77.2 lbs, this is not a unit you want to carry far. It's best suited as a stationary backup or RV companion. A standout feature is the value proposition: at roughly $0.53 per watt-hour, it's one of the most cost-effective options on the market.
Strengths
- +Larger battery capacity
- +Higher AC output
- +Faster solar charging
- +Rated for 6,000 charge cycles — much longer battery lifespan
Trade-offs
- –Substantially more expensive (+$1,550) than the RIVER 2 Pro.
- –Significantly heavier (+60 lbs), making it harder to move.
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 · 2 nights · needs 2,100Wh
Weekend Camping
Two nights off-grid with essential comfort
HomePower 3600 Plus
The RIVER 2 Pro doesn't finish — 653Wh usable against the 2,100Wh this needs leaves it 1,447Wh short, about 31% of the scenario covered. The HomePower 3600 Plus covers it with 946Wh to spare.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Phone Charger 15W×6h · LED Lights 40W×8h · Box Fan 75W×14h · CPAP Machine 40W×16h
SCN-02 · 8 hours · needs 1,645Wh
8-Hour Blackout
Keep the essentials running through a night without power
HomePower 3600 Plus
The RIVER 2 Pro doesn't finish — 653Wh usable against the 1,645Wh this needs leaves it 992Wh short, about 40% of the scenario covered. The HomePower 3600 Plus covers it with 1,401Wh to spare.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Fridge 150W×8h · Router + Modem 20W×8h · LED Lights (4 bulbs) 40W×6h · Phone Charger 15W×3h
SCN-03 · 8 hours · needs 320Wh
CPAP Overnight
Sleep therapy without interruption — the #1 medical use case
HomePower 3600 Plus
A CPAP is about 40W for eight hours, so both of these cover the night several times over — capacity isn't the question here, and the percentages are a formality. What matters is the box next to your pillow, and the only published difference is a rating: the HomePower 3600 Plus is rated 30dB against the RIVER 2 Pro's 62dB. Each is the maker's own published rating, and the makers do not measure the same way — EcoFlow's RIVER series publishes a maximum reached under heavy load, where most makers publish a best case, so neither number describes a 40W draw and the two are not really comparable. Treat them as a reason to look for hands-on reports before either one goes next to a bed, not as a difference you can count on hearing.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD CPAP Machine 40W×8h
SCN-04 · 8 hours · needs 910Wh
Remote Workday
Full work day off-grid without power anxiety
HomePower 3600 Plus
The RIVER 2 Pro doesn't finish — 653Wh usable against the 910Wh this needs leaves it 257Wh short, about 72% of the scenario covered. The HomePower 3600 Plus covers it with 2,136Wh to spare.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Laptop 60W×8h · External Monitor 30W×8h · Router + Modem 20W×8h · Phone Charger 15W×2h
SCN-05 · 4 hours · needs 670Wh
Tailgate Party
Game day power for the crew
HomePower 3600 Plus
The RIVER 2 Pro comes up just short — it needs 670Wh and has 653Wh usable, a 17Wh gap (its nameplate 768Wh actually clears this — the flat 15% conversion allowance is what tips it under). Trim that much — one small appliance's worth across the day — and it finishes. The HomePower 3600 Plus covers it outright with 2,376Wh to spare.
Battery budget usedlower = more headroom
LOAD Blender 400W×0.5h · LED TV (55") 80W×4h · Bluetooth Speaker 15W×4h · Phone Charger (×3) 45W×2h
SCN-06 · 24 hours · needs 4,685Wh
Van Life Daily
A full day of mobile living — 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 HomePower 3600 Plus 1,639Wh (65%). 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
LOAD Mini-Fridge 150W×24h · Laptop 60W×4h · Phone Charger 15W×3h · LED Lights 40W×5h · Fan 75W×8h
The Load Test
RUNTIME = (Wh × 0.85) ÷ 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: HomePower 3600 Plus runs 14.9h vs 3.2h.
$1,899 list · direct from Jackery
Planning for more than this? Describe your whole setup and get it sized →
Modeled from the spec record — same math as the tables below. Methodology
Runtime by appliance
Real-world runtime estimates for common appliances, modeled at 85% inverter efficiency.¹
Essentials
The basics you need runningscale 0–203.1hComfort & Convenience
Makes off-grid life actually enjoyablescale 0–40.6hHigh-Draw Appliances
These reveal the real limitsscale 0–3h¹ Runtime = (capacity × 0.85) ÷ 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 — see methodology.
Conclusion
July 10, 2026
Verdict: the HomePower 3600 Plus, on Power Score margin
These two units are closely matched on individual specs, but our Power Score analysis gives the HomePower 3600 Plus the edge with a composite score of 5,023 vs 2,414.
Today the HomePower 3600 Plus is $1,709, $190 under its typical $1,899. The verdict weighs typical prices, not today's. Prices checked 8 days ago.
Overall score margin: 2,414 vs 5,023 (−108.1%)
List prices as of July 10, 2026. The links below open EcoFlow's and Jackery's current prices.
$1,709.00 · direct from Jackery
down from $1,899 · 10% below usual
Last checked 8 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
or check the RIVER 2 Pro price$349.00 list
Written by Gunner Gustafson, Whole-Home Backup Tester · Station Arena Test Desk · Updated July 10, 2026
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, CPAP, Food Truck, Apartment Balcony, Camping.
Full specifications
ᵈ Derived: price ÷ rated capacity. See the data behind our comparisons →
Comparison ToolAdd more power stations, side by sideOpen Tool →How these numbers are produced
Numeric verification
Every figure on this page traces to our spec database or arithmetic on it — no estimated numbers.
Owner claims
Statements about owner experience are cited to published reviews.
Runtime model
Runtime = (rated capacity × 0.85 inverter efficiency) ÷ 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 →Class ranking (the star rating)
Each unit's star score is a category ranking, not customer reviews — 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 5★. Here, RIVER 2 Pro rates 4.7/5 (84th percentile of 20 Compact-class units), and HomePower 3600 Plus rates 4.0/5 (40th percentile of 16 Home Backup-class units).
How the class ranking is computed →Test Notes & Caveats
Hidden gotchas and advantages we spotted that you won't find on the product page.
HomePower 3600 Plus: 77.2 lbs Is a Commitment
At 77.2 lbs, this is manageable but not fun to move. That's heavier than a large checked suitcase. How much it costs you depends on whether it rolls — wheels and a telescoping handle change the job completely at this weight, and our spec record doesn't track them, so look at the product photos before you plan on carrying it from the car.
RIVER 2 Pro: 62dB Published
62dB is about as loud as a normal conversation. The HomePower 3600 Plus is rated 30dB, 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 HomePower 3600 Plus's is its maker's best case — so the gap between them may be larger or smaller than it looks, not simply smaller. 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 — fine if that covers you, but it's the ceiling. By contrast the HomePower 3600 Plus can add expansion batteries, though the first thing it has over the RIVER 2 Pro is its own 3,584Wh base — expansion is the step after that, for the buyer who would outgrow 3,584Wh as well.
UPS Switchover: ≤20ms vs ≤30ms
Both list a UPS mode, at different rated speeds. The HomePower 3600 Plus is rated ≤20ms — fine on paper for routers and most electronics; the fussiest PC power supplies sit right at this line. The RIVER 2 Pro is rated ≤30ms — 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. The HomePower 3600 Plus's figure is a maximum rather than a guarantee — it depends on registering the unit with Jackery, which is what extends the base term to the full period. 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 HomePower 3600 Plus's 2.6, but that spread is the price gap, not the terms.
Battery Lifespan in Real Years
The HomePower 3600 Plus is rated for 6,000 cycles vs 3,000. In real life: at daily use, that's 16.4 vs 8.2 years. At weekend use (twice a week), it's 58 vs 29 years. One caution reading years across different sizes: a cycle is 3,584Wh on the HomePower 3600 Plus and 768Wh on the RIVER 2 Pro, so count lifetime energy — roughly 21,504 kWh against 2,304 kWh over the rated life. After hitting the cycle limit, the battery doesn't die — it drops to ~80% of original capacity, which is still very usable.
Full record above — the Test Desk pick is the HomePower 3600 Plus.
Check HomePower 3600 Plus price →or check the RIVER 2 Pro priceOwnership Analysis
What happens after you buy — 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
│ warranty ends · Reaching the cycle rating means ~80% capacity remains — degraded, not dead.
Analyst note
The RIVER 2 Pro is cheaper to buy, but the HomePower 3600 Plus is cheaper to own. At $0.09/kWh over its lifetime vs $0.15/kWh, the HomePower 3600 Plus's higher cycle life and capacity make each dollar go further over the years.
Brand trust
EcoFlow
Ecosystem
Largest in portable power — 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 — 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 — Reddit r/Ecoflow_community (~31K members), multiple Facebook groups, and an official community forum
App experience
Rated 4.6/5 iOS (~8,400 ratings) · 4.2/5 Android (~17,000 ratings)
Unique strength
Fastest-charging technology (X-Stream), deepest product ecosystem, and most active innovation cadence. At the very top of the range, the DELTA Pro Ultra platform stacks batteries and inverters into whole-home backup — a flagship path, not a line-wide feature.
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.
Jackery
Ecosystem
12-15+ models across Explorer (portable) and HomePower (home backup) series, plus SolarSaga panel ecosystem and innovative form factors
Support
US-based support but widely criticized. Reddit reports describe slow/dismissive responses, scripted AI agents, strict receipt requirements for warranty claims, and refurbished replacements for clearly defective units. Strongly recommended: buy from Costco or Amazon for return protection.
Community
Smallest community of the major brands — Reddit r/Jackery has ~2,000 members. YouTube presence is solid due to brand recognition.
App experience
Rated 2.3-3.3/5 iOS and Android — the weakest app experience of the major brands. Multiple confusing apps (Jackery app vs Jackery Home) and mandatory login even offline.
Unique strength
Highest brand recognition and widest retail distribution (Costco, Home Depot, Best Buy, Amazon). The "Toyota" of power stations — dependable, proven, wide availability. Innovative form factors like the Solar Gazebo and Solar Mars Bot.
Worth knowing
A couple of older models still ship NMC chemistry with a shorter rated lifespan, so check the cycle rating on the specific unit — though most of the current line has moved to LFP. Generally perceived as overpriced for the specs offered compared to newer competitors. App experience is significantly behind rivals.
Analyst note
EcoFlow and Jackery are close competitors. Both have established support channels and growing ecosystems. Compare their specific warranty terms and community size for your peace of mind.
Growth path
RIVER 2 Pro
FIXED CAPACITYFixed at 768Wh, with no expansion — 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.
HomePower 3600 Plus
EXPANDABLESupports Jackery expansion batteries, so you can add capacity later without replacing the base unit — useful if your needs may climb past 3,584Wh.
Accepts up to 1,000W of solar. Enough for a serious multi-panel array.
Adequate ports for most setups, but heavy users may want a power strip.
Expansion batteries are Jackery-specific. You're investing in the Jackery ecosystem.
Realistic full solar rechargeat 70% of rated panel output — see methodology
Analyst note
The RIVER 2 Pro is sealed at 768Wh, which is fine if that covers you. The HomePower 3600 Plus starts at 3,584Wh and can grow beyond it with Jackery expansion batteries — real headroom the RIVER 2 Pro doesn't have if your needs climb toward partial-home backup.
The Bottom Line
The full picture comes down to this. The HomePower 3600 Plus edges ahead on our overall analysis, but the margin is narrow enough that your specific use case should drive the decision. Review the scenario verdicts above — if the RIVER 2 Pro wins in the scenarios that match your life, it's the right choice regardless of aggregate scores.
If neither the RIVER 2 Pro nor the HomePower 3600 Plus feels like the right fit, your power needs probably sit outside what these two target. Use our comparison tool above to explore alternatives that better match your specific wattage and runtime requirements. Prices on portable power stations fluctuate frequently. Both EcoFlow and Jackery discount regularly, so check the current price before committing. Prime Day and Black Friday pricing typically drops 20-30%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers drawn from the spec record and cited owner research.
Is the HomePower 3600 Plus worth $1,550 more than the RIVER 2 Pro?
The short answer: yes, if you'll actually use the extra capability. The HomePower 3600 Plus costs $1,550 more, but that premium buys you 2,816Wh more battery capacity (that's 16 extra hours of running a mini-fridge); 2,800W higher AC output (opening the door to more demanding appliances); a longer-lasting battery rated for 6,000 cycles — that's 16 years at daily use; 780W faster solar charging for quicker off-grid recovery. On a cost-per-watt-hour basis, you're paying $0.53/Wh vs $0.45/Wh. Factor in cycle life and the math flips: the HomePower 3600 Plus costs $0.09/kWh over its lifetime vs $0.15/kWh. The "expensive" unit is actually cheaper to own. For regular use, we'd pay the premium.
How does the 2,816Wh capacity difference actually affect daily use?
The HomePower 3600 Plus's 3,584Wh battery keeps a mini-fridge running for roughly 20 hours vs the RIVER 2 Pro's 4 hours. Where it really matters: during an 8-hour blackout running your fridge, router, lights, AND charging your phone simultaneously (about 1,645Wh total), the HomePower 3600 Plus handles it while the RIVER 2 Pro runs dry. What specs don't mention: runtime drops 20-30% in cold weather (below 32°F/0°C) as battery chemistry slows down. The HomePower 3600 Plus's extra capacity provides a critical cold-weather buffer. For occasional phone and laptop charging, both are overkill. This gap only matters for sustained, multi-appliance use.
Can I actually carry the HomePower 3600 Plus, or is the RIVER 2 Pro the only portable option?
At 17.2 lbs, the RIVER 2 Pro is manageable for one person over short distances: parking lot to campsite, trunk to tailgate. The HomePower 3600 Plus at 77.2 lbs? You'll want a buddy, a wagon, or wheels. For reference, 77.2 lbs is about the weight of a bag of concrete. If your use case involves any carrying, the RIVER 2 Pro wins decisively.
How fast can each unit recharge from solar panels in real conditions?
On paper, the HomePower 3600 Plus accepts 1,000W vs the RIVER 2 Pro's 220W of solar input. What the spec sheet won't tell you: solar panels typically deliver only 60-80% of their rated output due to panel angle, cloud cover, and temperature. In realistic conditions, expect full recharge in about 5.1 hours for the HomePower 3600 Plus and 5.0 hours for the RIVER 2 Pro. That gap widens on cloudy days, when the HomePower 3600 Plus's higher input ceiling captures more of whatever sunlight is available. One more thing: summer gives you ~7 productive solar hours per day. Winter drops to ~4. If solar is your primary recharge method, the HomePower 3600 Plus's advantage is substantial.
"6,000 vs 3,000 cycles" — what does that actually mean for me?
In real years: the HomePower 3600 Plus (6,000 cycles) lasts 16.4 years at daily use, 58 years at weekend use (twice a week), or 250 years at twice-monthly camping trips. The RIVER 2 Pro (3,000 cycles): 8.2 years daily, 29 years weekends, or 125 years twice-monthly. What most people miss: hitting the cycle limit doesn't kill your battery. Capacity drops to about 80%. Your 3,584Wh unit becomes a ~2,867Wh unit. Still very usable. For weekend users, both batteries will outlast the warranty by years.
What if I need more capacity than the RIVER 2 Pro's 768Wh later?
The RIVER 2 Pro is sealed at 768Wh, so if you expect your needs to climb, the HomePower 3600 Plus is the more future-proof pick: it starts at 3,584Wh and adds Jackery-compatible batteries without replacing the base unit. That said, "not expandable" isn't a flaw on its own — if 768Wh comfortably covers your loads, the RIVER 2 Pro is a complete unit, not a downgrade.
Is EcoFlow or Jackery more reliable for long-term ownership?
Both brands have strengths and trade-offs. EcoFlow: Mixed. 2-5 years depending on model (DELTA Pro Ultra line gets 10 years). Some users report smooth claims; others report runarounds. Register your product to extend coverage. Jackery: 2-5 years depending on model (premium models like 5000 Plus get 5 years, budget models get 2 years). Registration required for extension. Claims process can be frustrating. One piece of advice from the power station community: regardless of brand, buy from Costco or Amazon. Their return policies provide a safety net that manufacturer warranties alone can't match, especially for a product you'll rely on in emergencies. Both brands use LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries in their current lineup, the most proven chemistry for longevity and safety.
Bottom line: should I buy the RIVER 2 Pro or the HomePower 3600 Plus?
We'd pay the premium for the HomePower 3600 Plus. Yes, it costs more. The capability jump is real: you're stepping into a tier that handles appliances the base model can't start. The RIVER 2 Pro is still solid if budget is the priority, but the HomePower 3600 Plus will leave you less likely to wish you'd "gone bigger" six months from now. That regret costs more than the price difference.
Brand matchup
EcoFlow vs Jackery: measured across every matchup →Where to buy
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro
$349.00
$349.00 · direct from EcoFlow
Last checked 8 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Jackery HomePower 3600 PlusPick
$1,709.00
$1,709.00 · direct from Jackery
down from $1,899 · 10% below usual
Last checked 8 days ago. Prices move — check before you buy.
Prices may vary by retailer and are subject to change.