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Electricity isn’t a luxury these days, it’s a necessity. Even short power outages can ruin our day because virtually no home appliances work. However, this is exactly why products like theEcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Stationexist. They can provide electricity when and where you need it most.
I am very much one who tries to plan for the worst-case scenario even in the best moments of my life. Because of this, the fact that I own things likeweather radiosand first aid kits should surprise no one. Yet, somehow, I never quite got around to purchasing a portable power supply even though I’ve always wanted one.
For the past couple of weeks, I have been testing out the EcoFlow DELTA 2 to see if it would meet my needs. As you’ll see in my review, this portable powerhouse not only lives up to its promises but exceeds my expectations in every single way.
A Portable Battery That Powers Everything
The EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station, released in September 2022, is a capable addition to EcoFlow’s extensive lineup of power stations, solar generators, smart appliances, and power banks. With pricing at $999, it falls in line with or slightly under its direct competitors like theAnker 757 PowerHouseor theJackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station.
The DELTA 2 offers 15 charging ports: 4 USB-A, 2 USB-C, 6 AC, 2 DC, and 1 car power output. You can use as few or as many of these ports at a time as you’d like, assuming you don’t go above the maximum output of 1800W. You can also control which ports receive power at any given time by pressing the three on/off buttons (USB, AC, DC/car power).
Although I like the wide variety of output options, I’m sad to see that only two of the six total AC outputs support a grounding pin. You probably can’t hook many items up at a time because of this. However, you could swap items out if needed during an extended outage as a workaround.
According to EcoFlow, the 1800W output is enough to provide power to 90% of your home appliances during a blackout. It says it can run an entire kitchen, including your fridge, for up to 14 hours on a single charge. It can also power a television for 8 hours for important newscasts during storms or entertainment on the road.
Related:Anker 757 PowerHouse Battery Review: Crazy Fast and Powerful
Furthermore, EcoFlow’sX-Boost technologyprevents the battery from becoming damaged or dead if you happen to load it beyond capacity, meaning a device up to 2200W won’t hurt it.
In most of my testing, I simply used the power station to charge smaller items, like laptops, smartphones, and iPads. Doing so, I got three and a half days of use on a single charge of the power station, which is fairly impressive. I also found that turning off the various ports when I wasn’t using them improved the battery time exponentially.
Although the battery duration and charging capabilities of the DELTA 2 are quite substantial, one of its standout features has more to do with what you can accomplish if you own 2 or more EcoFlow products. Unlike most other portable power stations, EcoFlow has developed a way for you to connect extra batteries to the DELTA 2 portable power stations and increase their capacity. With 2 unique battery options, you can expand up to 3kWh.
All you have to do is buy one of theextra batteriesfrom EcoFlow’slist of accessories, and connect the two batteries with the provided cable and ports on the side. Remember that these extra batteries do not offer any additional output ports—they are merely meant to expand the potential for the DELTA 2 device you already own.
ECOFLOW DELTA 2 Extra Battery
Expand the reach and output of your DELTA 2 power station with an 1800W battery.
Not Just Made to Sit at Home
Although the DELTA 2 weighs over 20lbs, it is not designed to be just a basic battery backup device in your home. It’s fit to work both inside and outside the home, making this power station’s possibilities endless.
I found it helpful inside the home since I could provide power to up to six different home appliances (a laptop, television, coffee maker, toaster,instant pot, etc.) and multiple USB devices (smartphones and iPads) simultaneously. I also like that I can move it to parts of my house where the outlets are sparse and still have the power to charge my phone and my laptop.
I worried that its weight would make this portable power station hard to carry. However, its compact design and handles make it easy to lift the device and move it around with even one free hand. This came in handy several times during my testing as I tried to carry the DELTA 2 along with sleeping bags, tools, or other items.
Since I enjoy camping, I also love that the DELTA 2 is portable enough to take along for a weekend at a state park. It kept my phone charged so I could take as many pictures as I wanted and keep an eye on the weather. More importantly, it provided power for items likemy electric cooktopand helped me recharge myColeman LED lantern. I had zero issues with the power station lasting the entire weekend and was able to recharge it once I got home.
If you are someone who enjoys a good DIY project, then this portable power station could save you the trouble of lugging out extension cords to run your saw, drill, or sander. It could also be a great way to run power for your next backyard gathering, especially if you want to play music or control outdoor lighting.
A Variety of Ways to Replenish the Battery
The EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station can be charged using 3 methods: through a traditional AC outlet, via your car’s auxiliary power outlet, or with a compatibleEcoFlow solar panel. I love the versatility this offers, especially for people like me who use the device in various ways.
EcoFlow includes the AC and car charging cables in the package. This allows you to charge with either of the first two methods as you use your device. The quickest option is to use AC charging, but I think the ability to plug the DELTA 2 into a car is a nice bonus that not all portable batteries offer.
If you want to use solar charging, you will need to buy the separateEcoFlow Solar to XT60 Charging Cablebefore you’re able to connect any solar panels to the power station.
At home, I recharged the power station on two separate occasions. It took around an hour, and I could track the battery’s charging progress at any time on the screen or throughthe smartphone app. I also liked that I could keep other devices (like myPixel 4a smartphone) connected without impacting the battery charge time.
The provided charging cable reaches about six feet, which is plenty of distance in most households. Beyond that, each device you plug in will have the additional reach provided by its cable. I could easily plug in my phone and other devices, sit where I wanted to, and still have access to everything.
My only complaint about charging the DELTA 2 is the amount of noise it makes while charging. The fan is quite loud, and I had to stop charging it during a virtual meeting because even the other people I met over Zoom could hear it in the background. Given that the device doesn’t take long to charge, this isn’t the end of the world. However, I could see it being an issue if you attempt to charge it in the car or while trying to sleep.
Unfortunately, I didn’t receive the220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panelto test out with the power station. However, based on most of the sentiment I read online, it seems like a great addition for outdoorsy types who like to care for the environment. I also think they would be handy in situations where you might not have access to electricity for extended periods of time, so I may add these solar panels to my Christmas wish list.
Charge your portable power station anywhere the sun shines.
Yes, There’s an App for That
Another feature that helps the DELTA 2 stand out from the competition is its smartphone connectivity. The power station comes equipped withBluetoothand Wi-Fi, so all you need to do is download the EcoFlow App (available forAndroidandiPhone), then open it, and turn on your power station. The app should find your DELTA 2 and instantly pair it to your device.
Once linked, the EcoFlow app lets you monitor the battery’s input and output. Within the output tab, you may see how many watts each type of port (AC, USB, DC) is using. If you are concerned about power usage at any time, you can toggle each output option on or off directly from the app.
You can also control various settings for your EcoFlow DELTA 2 directly from your smartphone. For example, you can adjust the charging speed, toggle X-Boost on or off, set discharge and charge levels at which the device should stop outputting or inputting electricity, and set automatic timeout periods for the entire unit, the screen, or the AC/DC outputs.
If you want, you can name your DELTA 2 and create an EcoFlow profile from the app as well. Naming the unit could be beneficial if you own more than one unit or frequently spend time with someone who also owns EcoFlow products.
Should You Buy the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station?
To say I was impressed with theEcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Stationis an understatement. This handy portable power station met or exceeded my expectations and worked for everything I needed.
When power is running as it should inside your home, this device can serve merely as an overpriced surge protector or sit in an easy-to-find spot. Either way, you’ll have it ready when weather conditions or construction work take out your power temporarily. And, if you’re conservative enough with its reserves, you can probably get over 24 hours out of it on a single charge.
However, I think this power station will be most useful on future camping trips, especially those where I don’t have access to electricity or a campfire. I can see myself using it with my cooktop and other camping gear, not to mention it keeps my phone charged for photos and weather updates. I may even pick up theEcoFlow Portable Air Conditionerso I can still go camping during the hot, humid summer months in the southeast.
This device more than gives the competition a run for its money, and it makes me want to check out other EcoFlow products to see if they are just as wonderful as the $999 DELTA 2.
