The Ecoflow Delta 2 may have just killed the fuel generator market in the US. For the price, this unassuming work horse of a portable power station gives a metric tonne of value. We reveal what makes the new and affordable Delta 2 stand out in a crowded market, as well as what it’s missing. In under 5 minutes you’ll know whether this portable power unit is your next best purchase or a pointless punt without the grunt.

Key takeaways

Wins – is the Delta 2 portable power station worth the price?

• The Delta 2 uses LifeP04 battery cells instead of NCM ones. This one factor is a major upgrade from the Delta (1000) in cost efficiency and safety. You now get 3000+ charge cycles (instead of 800 with the previous Delta).
• For the price of this unit, the LifeP04 features give you market beating value for money.
• Battery charge times are industry leading; 50 minutes from a wall outlet.
• When you have the cash, you can triple the storage capacity from 1000Wh to 3000Wh by adding the Delta Max 2 battery. Or just add backup power by connecting the Ecoflow Smart Generator.
• 5 year warranty – even at this smaller size – is 3 years more than the comparable Bluetti power stations.

Losses – what to know before you buy

• Takes just 500W max of solar power (at <60 volts). This is not super fast, if you ‘re relying on solar charging.
• If you want to charge it with your own solar panels, you’ll need to buy a separate cable to do this.
• Not much amperage on the DC ports. If you want to plug in your DC-run RV, go for a bigger base model power station like the Delta 2 Max.
• IP20 waterproof protection which basically means zero waterproofing. To use the Ecoflow Delta 2 outdoors, make sure it’s under cover or buy the waterproof protection bag accessory.
• It runs hot, which kicks in the cooling fans and they are louder than you think. If it’s running hot you have to wait for it to cool before charging.

What is the Ecoflow Delta 2 Portable Power Station 1024Wh?

Made by Ecoflow, the Delta 2 is a battery power generator. It’s also a solar powered generator if you buy it with the Ecoflow solar panels.

Released in late 2022 in the US, its a beauty of a portable energy solution for flexible applications, from outdoor adventures to home backup. We’re happy to report that the Delta 2 has just released in Australia in September 2023.

Here’s what you get with the bundled Delta 2 power system:

• lithium battery (LifeP04 battery cells)
• built in battery management system
• onboard MPPT controller and inverter
• smart control app
• portable solar panels
• connecting cables.

The unit comes with a 5-year warranty as a part of EcoFlow’s commitment to providing sustainable and efficient power solutions that respect the environment.

The Delta 2 is a new release of the base model in this Ecoflow series. The premium model in this series is the Ecoflow Delta 2 Max Portable Power Station.

Features at a glance

Compact Size, Mighty Power

At first glance, the Delta 2 might seem like a compact, sleek device. But don’t let its size deceive you. It’s a solar power generator designed to deliver a punch. It’s also a robust portable solution without the unnecessary bulk. The perfect blend of design and functionality, so you don’t have to compromise on either.

The headline 1024Wh of energy storage in the battery will deliver around 90% of this – 921Wh – after efficiency losses.

What can you run with 921Wh?

How about an entire off grid Tiny House, for about 3 hours. That’s a 210L fridge, toilet fans, LED lights, gas cooking and hot water – all run off this little beast of a battery.

Even more impressive is the instantaneous power that this mini powerhouse puts out. 1800 watts is good for running a couple of bigger kitchen appliances at the same time. The on-board Battery Management System will boost this to 2200 watts for even more grunt when you need it.

And then there’s the surge power. A whopping 2700 watts for a few seconds, so you can to start up compressor based appliances like small fridges and freezers or a heater element.

For a base level model, its a total powerhouse.

A battery that grows with you

You’re looking at USD$1500 for this solar powered generator bundle, including the solar panels. And for the convenience of emergency backup of critical appliances, we think that’s affordable.

It’s comparable with traditional fuel based generators, if you factor in that there’s zero running costs.

The best thing? This little unit will grow with your energy needs.

If you’re strapped for cash but need more power later, the Delta 2 will expand with you. These are your options, by storage capacity:

1. Add the Delta 2 Extra Battery and double the energy storage to 2000Wh
2. Add the Delta 2 Max Extra Battery and triple the energy storage to 3000Wh
3. Add the Ecoflow Smart Generator (dual fuel) and get a massive 20,000Wh of extra storage with a standard LPG bottle.

Solar PV Compatibility

The future is solar, and this generator is here to prove it. It seamlessly intergrates with solar PV, so you can harness the sun’s energy to power all of your devices. We were surprised how easily the Ecoflow batteries plug and play with their solar panels. One cable plugged in at either end and the battery management system does the rest.

It took us less than a minute to literally turn sunshine into power. Flawlessly.

You can charge it with Ecoflow’s 220 watt or 400 watt solar panels in under 6 hours.

Battery Brilliance

At the heart of the newer Delta 2 lies its state-of-the-art battery system. This isn’t just any battery; it’s a well designed LifeP04 lithium battery that really makes the Delta 2 power station really stand out.

The safety in this battery deserves it’s own headline. The battery cells are safe than other types of lithium. And the smarts in the battery deliver a Christmas list of electrical protections. You don’t have to worry about overloading the Delta or burning out whatever appliances you plug into it. As long as your voltages match, you’re sweet.

LifeP04 batteries offer the best of longevity, efficiency, and reliability.

Let’s take a look how.

Charge cycles

The LifeP04 battery cells in the Ecoflow Delta 2 increase the number of times you can charge the battery. Ecoflow says after 3000+ charge cycles you’ll still have 80% of the original amount of energy storage. 6000 cycles will take you down to 50%.

Thats 10 years of use, charging once a day.

But you’re more likely to charge it a couple of times a day give the amazing fast charge capability. 6000 cycles will let you you charge it twice a day for 10 years.

Charge time

Ecoflow’s X-Stream fast charge technology is industry beating. The Delta 2 1024Wh power station takes less just over an hour to charge from 0% to 100% from a wall outlet.

The battery will accept 1200W (max) of AC charge. You can also set the charge wattage from inside the App. That translates as less down time if you’re on-the-go, working remotely or living a nomad lifestyle.

Fast charge times plus 3000+ charge cycles gives you excellent value for money.

Functionality to burn

The built in pure sine wave inverter gives you really smooth good quality power. So it’s perfect to run more sensitive electronics like PCs.

We also like the little details, like auto shut-off for the LCD screen after 5 minutes, to save on parasitic energy losses. And it shuts itself off entirely after 2 hours if there is no draw on the battery. That’s smart energy efficiency in a nutshell.

If you’re looking for loads of ports, the Delta 2 has a mind boggling 15 outlets to plug in just about anything you can think of:

• 6 AC ports for appliances
• 4 USB-A ports for older style laptops, PCs, etc
• 2 USB-C ports for your Apple gear, mobile, ipad.
• 1 car charging port (10 Amps max)
• 2 DC ports

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Power for the price. At USD$999 RRP (battery only), this is an affordable starter solar power generator
• for a lot of people. The best of it is, you can add storage as and when you can afford it.
• That brings us to scalability. This little workhorse grows as your family grows. You can add spare batteries to this unit and scale it up to 3000Wh.
• Basic Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) function for critical loads. Connect devices through the battery AC outlet and plug the battery into the wall and there’s an automatic switch over to battery power if the grid goes out. Switching occurs with a 30 millisecond delay.
• 12 kg or 27 pounds – light enough to carry just about anywhere.
• The App. It’s easy to use and the custom settings really let you get exactly what you want out of your Delta 2. From control over firmware upgrades to depth of discharge, the App lets you use power exactly the way you want.

Cons

• Design. The location of the ports is weird and unwieldy. Instead of running the ports off the front where the screen is, they run off either end. So if you have the Delta inside the back of your camper, you need space for cables on each side AND at the front so you can see the screen. Not great for compact spaces.
• Slow solar charging. The on-board battery can take 1200W of AC charge but only 500W of solar. If you’re relying on solar panels, you’re going to need 3 hours in full sun given efficiency losses. Reality is, solar panels rarely produce their rated output for many reasons. So count on more than 3 hours to fully charge the Ecoflow Delta 2.

Is the Delta 2 right for you?

Practical Applications

Emergency Home Backup:

The question is, at 1024Wh and 1800 watts, is this mighty mini generator big enough for home back up?

The answer? It depends.

It’s not big enough to run your house.

Nor is it big enough to run energy-guzzling family size appliances for long. Think your induction cooktop, your kettle and your toaster. These items take a lot of starting and running watts. More than the Delta 2 can deliver.

But it is powerful enough to run a single high energy appliance – like a fridge / freezer – alongside some energy efficient LED lights and everyones hand-held devices.

And for a 3 to 6 hour blackout, that might be all you or your family needs.

So yes, it’s an affordable base model home backup option. To just keeps some lights on, the fridge cold and the family entertained for a few hours in the dark.

And if it’s not, then just add the Delta 2 Max extra battery and voila! 3000Wh of stored power at your fingertips next time the power goes out.

Camping and Outdoors:

If the call of the wild is strong in you, then you can answer it without leaving modern comforts behind. Whether you’re on the road or boondocking, the Delta 2 ensures you’re always powered up.

It’ll run your 12 volt camp fridge, some lights, your bluetooth speaker and all of your kids devices, all at once. Ah, the serenity!

Charge it simultaneously with the 220 watt Ecoflow solar panels and you’ll get

At 12kg, you can’t carry it up the side of mountain. But you can slip it in your camper’s stowage compartment and fire it up anywhere.

What’s missing from the Delta 2?

You won’t find the fancy charging pads available on some portable power stations like the Bluetti EB200P and AC200P.

There’s no dual charging with the Delta 2, but it doesn’t need it if you’re only looking at home backup power, with 1200W of charging from a wall outlet.

Who should buy the Delta 2?

Family road trips: Throw this unit in the back of the car with the kids and they can charge their iPhone, Nintendo and iPads from it the whole way. Ahhh, the serenity!

Trades and DIY enthusiasts: Think power saw, drills, nail guns, .. The hard shell keeps the battery cell protected and rubber feet means it won’t slide around in your truck. And it’s nice and light at just 12kg. We recommend waterproof bag accessory if using it on a work site to keep the weather and dust out.

Adventurers and Van lifers: The open road, the call of the wild, the thrill of adventure – the size and weight of this model is built for those who dare to explore.

Remote Workers: In today’s digital age, work isn’t confined to an office. Whether you’re on a beach or in a cabin in the woods, the Delta 2 has the right functions to make sure you’re always connected, always powered up.

Who Shouldn’t buy it?

RVs and Caravans

If you want a solar battery for your RV or Caravan, there’s something you should know.

The DC outlets on the Delta 2 and Delta 2 Max power stations are limited in amperage. 3 Amps is all you get. Not ideal if you want to plug the 12 volt DC electrical system from your RV straight into your solar battery.

So what are your options?

Take a look at either the Delta Pro or the Bluetti EB200P. The Delta Pro has a 12.6 volt 30 Amp Anderson port perfect for RVs. The Bluetti EB200P is a cheaper option that also offers a 12 volt 30 Amp RV port.

🛑 Tiny home enthusiasts should also pay attention to Amperage limits.

The the AC input ports the Delta 2 are maxed out at 10 Amps. Not ideal again, if you’re working with with a standard caravan cable and and AC 120v or 240v system. This is the case with many Tiny Homes.

The problem is that standard caravan cables are 15 Amps not 10 Amps.

But there is a work around that makes the Delta 2 viable for Tiny Homes.

Get a 15 Amp to 10 Amp adaptor and plug your Tiny Home or Caravan in with that. Called the Ampfibian, here’s what they look like:

Good for EPS not for UPS

The UPS is limited to one device at a time. It might be good enough for a fish tank, a CPAP machine or oxygen machine. But there’s a reason Ecoflow calls it EPS (Emergency Power Supply) not UPS. For true UPS you’ll need better than a 30ms delay.

Don’t use the Delta 2 for data servers and other super sensitive equipment.

Alternative products

In the same size and price model, you’ll find the:

• Bluetti AC180
• Jackery Explorer 1000
• Goal Zero Yeti 1000x

Comparisons with these products coming soon! 😃

In a nutshell

The Delta 2 isn’t just another portable power station; it’s a powerhouse. For the price, the Delta 2 promises to redefine your energy game. The future of energy freedom is here, and it’s powered up and at your door within a week. If you want it.

FAQs