EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Review: Is It Still Worth Buying Years Later?

Should You Still Buy the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max?

The EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max has been around for almost two years at this point. When EcoFlow first launched it, the DELTA 2 Max was their second most powerful solar generator, and they positioned just below the original EcoFlow DELTA Pro. Today, the DELTA 2 Max still ranks just below EcoFlow's DELTA Pro-series flagship models. However, it now competes in a much more crowded market.

With brands like Anker SOLIX, Jackery, DJI, and Pecron releasing units designed to sit in the same class as the DELTA 2 Max, the big question is: should you still buy the DELTA 2 Max in 2025?

To find out, we revisited this unit with some hands-on testing, and we even took it out on a multi-night camping trip to see how it performed in a real-world scenario. So, is the DELTA 2 Max still a good buy these days? Short answer: yes, it is still worth buying, but with a few caveats.

EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Specs Overview

Before we dive into the results of our hands-on performance testing, here’s a quick look at the specifications for the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max:

  • Battery Capacity: 2,048Wh (expandable up to 6,144Wh with two expansion batteries)
  • Inverter Output: 2,400W pure sine wave (supposedly it can sustain outputs up to 3,400W thanks to X-Boost, but we’ll cover why we think that’s B.S. a little later)
  • AC Input: 1,800W AC charging
  • Solar Input: 1,000W solar charging
  • Output Ports: 6 × 120V AC outlets; 4 × USB-A; 2 × USB-C (100W each); 1 x 12V car socket; 2 × barrel connectors
  • Weight: 50 lbs, so it passes Tiny Baby Lift Test, but most people will need two hands to carry it
  • Charging Times: With the AC input, you can charge the battery in just over an hour. With the right solar panel setup, you can solar charge in roughly two hours.
  • Price (at time of review): It’s currently available at a discounted price of just $1,017 (with our discount code: THELAB)

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Testing and Results

We put the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max through our usual series of tests and real-world simulations to see how performs two years after its original release. Here’s what we found:

Load and Continuous Output Testing:

We verified the unit can sustain the 2,400W continuous inverter output its rated with pretty reliably. Under steady resistive loads the output was consistent, the display read accurately, and there was no excessive fan noise or cut-outs.

This may sound pretty basic, but it’s always worth checking, especially given how many older units struggle to sustain their rated output. It also means this unit is a solid choice for running multiple mid-sized appliances at the same time (think loads like a microwave, slow cooker, lights, a medium-sized refrigerator, and charging a laptop and phones).

Surge Power and Starting Tests:

While the inverter had no problem hitting its normal rated output, surge performance is where things got a little disappointing. It basically struggled whenever we tried to run a load that exceeded 2,400W, even if it was just by a little bit. We would recommend keeping this in mind if you’re planning to run loads with more demanding startup requirements, like an air conditioner.

Now, keep in mind that EcoFlow advertises that you can hit a 3,400W output with X-Boost Mode activated. They also say this allows the unit to power 99% of home appliances. However, we stand by our belief that X-Boost is nothing more than a marketing ploy. We’ve even published an entire article about the X-Boost gimmick if you want to read about it.

In short, the inverter works really well, but only if you’re talking about the rated output. Ignore the X-Boost claims, and just expect this unit to be able to hit outputs of 2,400W. Even with X-Boost activated, you really don’t have a lot of surge headroom with this unit.

Efficiency and Idle Power Draw Testing:

Through our testing, we measured 86% inverter efficiency, which is excellent for a mid-range portable power station. When we fully charged the unit and left it to run with just the AC inverter turned on and nothing plugged in, we calculated the idle draw sat around 13.6W.

This means the DELTA 2 Max can sit in standby for days while only lightly draining the battery. For perspective, something like the Anker SOLIX F3800 has an idle draw of around 60W!

That low idle draw almost certainly contributed to the impressive performance we saw out of this thing during our real-world camping test. It also means that it could function extremely well for emergency power storage, even if you accidentally left the inverter on.

Charging Performance (AC and Solar):

The unit accepts up to a 1,800W AC input and up to 1,000W when solar charging. When we tested the AC charging, we found it took about 1.2 to 1.5 hours to fully charge to 100%.

When we tested the solar input by connecting it to a 1,000W solar panel setup, it charged in about 2 hours. Keep in mind that we ran that solar charging test under really good sun conditions, so expect slower times when your solar panels aren’t perfectly oriented or they're in suboptimal sunlight.

General Feature Testing:

The UPS function switched loads cleanly during a simulated grid outage, and the EcoFlow app remains one of the best power station apps out there.

The app is responsive and reliable for remote on/off switching, monitoring input rates and outputs, and toggling features we couldn’t access from the unit’s display screen. It’s also very user-friendly, and connected via Bluetooth without any sort of issues. The EcoFlow App is something we’ve praised EcoFlow for in the past. Unfortunately, way too many other brands refuse to develop user-friendly apps for their power stations.

We also checked and EcoFlow’s 800W Alternator Charger works with this unit, which would be a really practical and cost-effective add-on if you planned to use DELTA 2 Max for camping and overlanding. Basically, you could fully charge the battery from 0% in just over a 2-hour drive.

Field Testing with a Weekend Camping Trip:

As mentioned, we also took the DELTA 2 Max on a two-night car-camping trip. We used it to run LED lighting, charge phones and cameras, and power a small griddle for breakfasts.

In a real-world scenario, the unit was quiet, efficient, and finished the trip with plenty of charge remaining. Again, this was real-world confirmation that the numbers we found during our testing actually translate to practical performance.

It’s a bit on the heavy side, but if you left it in the trunk of your vehicle, or just have some Tiny Baby-style muscles, it’s actually a very solid unit for camping trips.

What We Liked About the DELTA 2 Max

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a look at all the things that stood out to us about this unit:

The Reliable Performance and Efficiency:

It may sound fairly basic, but having an “older" power station to actually deliver on its rated specs is pretty impressive. Some brands used to really exaggerate what their power stations could do. While EcoFlow generally has a great reputation, the brand was also guilty of these sorts of exaggerated performance claims, especially in the early days.

As mentioned, our tests revealed that the DELTA 2 Max can hit all of its rated specs, is really efficient, and it has a very low idle draw. It just works as advertised, and for the unit's class and price point, that’s a meaningful win.

The Practical Port Variety:

EcoFlow gave this model six grounded AC outlets, which is far more useful than smaller units that skimp on grounded plugs. Even the original EcoFlow DELTA 2, which was the DELTA 2 Max’s predecessor, only included two grounded outlets. That said, if you’re okay with those plug restrictions, the O.G. DELTA 2 is now a bargain if you can still find it.

The placement of ports, with the USB ports on front and the AC plugs on the rear, also makes it easy to shove the unit against a wall or in the back of a vehicle without losing access to your inputs. The two 100 W USB-C ports are also nice to see on a slightly older unit, as it means you can still fast-charge phones and other accessories.

EcoFlow's decision to include a dual purpose 12V car socket for charging and powering DC camping accessories is another huge win. It's concealed under a pretty stiff flap, but it works great and is nice to see in a bigger unit.

Expandability and Ecosystem Options:

We really like that the DELTA 2 Max is expandable up to just over 6kWh if you add two expansion batteries. That’s a huge advantage for buyers who want a modular-style power station, but don't quite have the budget for something like the DETLA Pro Ultra or Bluetti AC300. You could buy the main unit now, then add batteries later as your power needs and budget grow.

Even the EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger mentioned above would be another practical accessory for the DELTA 2 Max. EcoFlow also offers a 500W version, but we’d recommend going with the 800W Charger for something the size of the DELTA 2 Max.

You could also add solar panels to your setup, but we’d recommend steering clear of EcoFlow’s own NextGen Panels, as they’re really overpriced compared to more generic panels you can get from retailers like Shop Solar.

Build Quality and Usability:

Another thing that really impressed us with the DELTA 2 Max is just its overall build quality. We were a bit worried that it would feel dated or somewhat fragile compared to the newer models, but the hard plastic finish felt really solid, especially for its age.

The display screen is crisp and easy to read, while the rubber feet and wraparound cushioning for stacking expansion batteries make it less likely to tip over or scratch surfaces. Since EcoFlow updated the unit so it pairs with the latest version of the EcoFlow Smart App, you get all the same mobile controls and responsiveness as you get with a newer EcoFlow power station.

It’s also really quiet for its age. It’s not quite as silent as EcoFlow’s newer power stations, like the DELTA 3 and DELTA Pro Ultra, but you could easily use this thing inside of a tent or in your living space during a power outage. They claim the DELTA 2 Max operates at a volume of 30 dB, and we have no reason to doubt that from our own experience using the unit.

What We Didn’t Like About the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max

While there was a lot to like, and it has certainly aged well, it’s not exactly flawless. Here are a few things we thought were a bit off about this unit:

The X-Boost Claims:

EcoFlow’s X-Boost feature is still very misleading in our view. X-Boost can appear to increase a power station's usable output power by allowing voltage manipulation, but it’s not a substitute for true inverter capacity. If you’re using the power station to power sensitive electronics, like a laptop, messing with the voltage to temporarily increase the output wattage could actually do some damage.

This doesn’t mean this isn’t a great unit for the price, but we would highly recommend planning around the rated 2,400W output and ignoring the inflated X-Boost advertising.

Limited Surge Performance:

In practice, the DELTA 2 Max could barely support any sort of surge beyond the 2,400W output rating, even with X-Boost enabled.

It handled standard loads, but you shouldn’t plan on using it to start demanding appliances or power tools that go beyond its continuous rating. If you need to be able to fire up something like an air conditioner, compressor, well pump, or washing machine, you might want to look at something a little more powerful, like the newer EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 or Anker SOLIX F3800.

No Built-In Light:

At roughly 50 lbs, this thing is heavy enough that you’ll want two hands to carry it, yet EcoFlow didn’t include any sort of built-in light.

For heavy power stations that are designed to be carried, rather than wheeled around, a built-in light is one of the most practical features we think a company can add. Sure, you could use a headlamp while you’re camping, but you don’t want to be dependent on one, especially if a sudden blackout occurs while you're at home.

It's worth pointing out that this isn’t something that’s unique to the EcoFlow 2 Max. In fact, we’ve practically begged EcoFlow to start equipping their bigger units with lights, but they just seem unwilling to listen.

Where the DELTA 2 Max Fits in Today

The DELTA 2 Max still looks like one of EcoFlow’s older units, meaning it doesn’t have the rounded body and silver color scheme they seem to be going with lately, but that doesn’t really matter to us.

It is still a quiet, efficient, and expandable mid-range power station that delivers a nice variety of ports and charges relatively fast.

Newer and bigger power stations, like the DELTA 3 Plus and Pecron E3600LFP, offer bigger batteries and higher inverter outputs, but they’re also heavier and more expensive. Even something like the Anker SOLIX F2600 is comparable in size and performance, but it’s not as expandable and costs more.

The truth is, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max has aged really well, especially if you consider the fact that you can easily pick one up for about $1,000 these days. It’s just a really practical power station, and the option to upgrade and expand it means it could be an affordable entry-point into portable power for a lot of people.

Our Final Verdict: Should You Still Buy the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max?

We have reviewed hundreds of power stations at this point, so we clearly know how to tell a practical unit apart from one that is overly dated. As of right now, the DELTA 2 Max is definitely still worth buying, especially if you can make do with a basic-looking power station. It remains a strong, quiet, efficient unit with excellent port variety and the ability to grow with expansion batteries.

If you care about efficiency, quiet operation, and practical everyday use, this is a good choice. Since it is a bit older, you can also buy it at a very affordable price if you know where to look.

If you need more output power or a bigger internal battery, explore higher-tier units, like the Delta Pro Ultra, Anker F3800 Plus, or Jackery 5000 Plus. But for a lot of people, the DELTA 2 Max still hits the sweet spot between performance and price.

EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station

Main Takeaways

  • 2,048Wh Battery Capacity (Expandable to 6,000Wh)
  • 2,400W Inverter Output
  • 1,800W AC Input and 1,000W Solar Input (Supports AC + Solar Dual Charging)
  • 15 Output Ports

The Good

  • Smart App compatiblity via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
  • The solar input is really high for the size of the battery
  • It has sturdy handles that make carrying it easy
  • The display screen is really easy to read
  • Surprisingly quiet for a slightly older power station
  • The variety of output ports makes charging devices and running appliances a breeze

The Bad

  • EcoFlow exagerates the output with their "X-Boost" claim
  • The surge capacity is unimpressive
  • It's pretty heavy, so you need to carry it with both hands
  • It doesn't have a built-in LED light