EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro vs Goal Zero Yeti 500
Side-by-side on the specs that decide it — surge, capacity, runtime and price.
Both models' specs verified against manufacturer listings · Last updated
The short answer
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro costs $100 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on what you need to run.
- EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro holds 54% more energy (768Wh vs 499Wh), so it runs the same load proportionally longer.
- EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro has 600W more surge headroom (1600W vs 1000W) — that decides whether a fridge, pump or AC compressor will actually start.
- Goal Zero Yeti 500 is 4.1 lb lighter (12.9 lb vs 17 lb).
- Goal Zero Yeti 500 is rated for 4,000 cycles vs 3,000 — meaningful if you cycle it daily.
The Goal Zero Yeti 500 is poor value on paper: 0.71 Wh per dollar versus 1.28 for the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro. Only worth it if you specifically need its higher output or 240V capability — otherwise you're paying a large premium per watt-hour.
The one you actually carry. At 17 lb it is light enough for one hand, yet unlike the true pocket units it has the 800W of output needed to run small appliances rather than just charge devices.
Best for: Backpackers, photographers and festival-goers who care about weight above all.
Where it falls short:
- 800W output limits you to electronics and small loads
- 220W solar input means slow off-grid top-ups
A rugged, water-resistant unit for people who'll actually beat it up. You pay a premium over similar-capacity rivals for that durability.
Best for: Overlanders and job sites where the unit will get wet, dusty and knocked around.
Where it falls short:
- $699 for 499Wh is expensive per watt-hour
- Only a 2-year warranty vs 5 years from most rivals
- 120W solar input is very low
| Spec | EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro | Goal Zero Yeti 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 | $699 |
| Capacity | 768 Wh | 499 Wh |
| Continuous output | 800 W | 500 W |
| Surge output | 1600 W | 1000 W |
| Battery | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycles | 3,000 | 4,000 |
| Weight (lighter wins) | 17 lb | 12.9 lb |
| Max solar | 220 W | 120 W |
| Recharge time (faster wins) | 1h 10m | 1h 25m |
Runtime head-to-head
| Appliance | EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro | Goal Zero Yeti 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 10.9 hrs | 7.1 hrs |
| Mini fridge | 20.7 hrs | 13.5 hrs |
| Chest freezer | 8.2 hrs | 5.3 hrs |
| CPAP machine | 16.3 hrs | 10.6 hrs |
| Sump pump | ❌ | ❌ |