River Bank Battery Review: modular, powerful and filled with ports

Nothing is more boring than a portable battery in the chromed and colorful world of consumer electronics. These are thick, dense plates of lithium-ion cells that we carry not because we want to, but because we have to. What if I told you that long battery life is as appealing in gadgets as Google's doomed project, Ara?

Discover the modular river bank of 94Wh / 25,600mAh from the EcoFlow battery. It does not look like a typical battery, because it is not. It can charge up to five devices simultaneously or act as a three-port USB hub when charging your laptop. Attach a second 44Wh / 12,000 mAh stackable boost module to create an even bigger battery with a sixth charge port that's perfect for air travel. Hell, he can even start your car.

Over the last few months, I have tested one bank during travels through the snow and ice of the Austrian Alps, the brutal dunes of the Sahara Desert and the messy cafes in between. And you know what? I am struck by a weak battery.

Let's start with the load capacity of the River Bank Main Module. Its capacity of 94Wh will be more than enough for most people. It comes with two fast charging USB-C 60W PD ports, two full-size 24W USB-A ports, and a top surface that is in fact a Qi 10W wireless charging pad. I've done it twice and I've never run out of power, despite the generous shooting of my adventures in surfing, snowboarding and kitesurfing with GoPro cameras, outriggers, phones and a half dozens of energy-hungry accessories.

Naturally, I recharged all my devices and the battery each night, facilitated by River Bank's direct charging function. Before going to bed, I would plug one end of the EcoWlow 40W charger into the wall outlet and the other end into the River Bank USB-C PD port. In this way, I could charge the River Bank's battery while charging my iPhone to the charger. and my GoPro, my GPS watch and accessories that require special attention from the remaining USB ports. This has saved me from wearing individual wall outlets for all my devices.

In the morning, the edge of the river, now fully charged, was small and light enough to be thrown into my backpack so my devices would be recharged all day. My exam unit comes with a holster that closes to keep the battery dry and free of sand and other debris. Its internal pocket was perfectly sized to hold a quiver of cables for all my needs: USB-C-to-USB-C, USB-A-to-USB-C, USB-A-Lightning and USB-A-to- microUSB.

At home, I keep the River Bank in a drawer, where it is said that the charge is maintained for up to 6 months (an affirmation that I could not test). It has become a useful accessory for my MacBook because my favorite coffee has no power outlet. There, River Bank can also turn into a three-port USB hub, feeding my MacBook to a USB port while also allowing me to transfer files to a portable SSD. As a bonus, it loads my MacBook to 60 W on USB-C instead of the 29 W provided by the Apple charger. It's great for me, but it might not be enough for owners of true laptops that require more energy.

When you charge your phone or headset on the top of the wireless battery, a white light will flash in the upper right corner. It's not very bright, but it's something to consider if you're sensitive to light and think you might want to use River Bank as the loading center at the bedside.

Lovers of meticulousness will appreciate watching the LED screen of the bank. As the original 400Wh river display launched in 2017, it displays a real-time view of your equipment's energy consumption. The display and the user interface are much better than I have seen on batteries similar to those of companies like Goal Zero, but it is not very visible in good weather.

Watching the wattmeter adapt to the needs of all your connected devices is fascinating, as viewing the data collected by fitness trackers reflects your curiosity about your daily commute. And as fitness followers, I guess many of them will lose interest in the display as soon as they learn the consumption habits of their devices. Others, like me, who own a wide variety of regularly replaced devices, will find reading intoxicating.

EcoFlow also sells a Car Booster stackable module that adds a sixth charge port (60W USB-C) and a slot for connecting jumpers. It also increases the capacity to a total of 138 Wh / 37,600 mAh. This unique stackable design allows you to bypass FAA rules that limit individual batteries to a maximum of 100Wh. I do not see how it's better than carrying a 100Wh battery and a second 38Wh battery that does not stack, but that gives EcoFlow the right to boast of "the biggest battery Rechargeable to the world that you can take anywhere "no matter what it is worth.

EcoFlow indicates that the Car Booster module contains enough power to allow gasoline engines to start up to 4.0L / 2.8T or 3.5L diesel engines firing a maximum of 350A at 12V. And he can do it up to 10 times. I have not been able to test the reminder myself, but it is a good insurance policy for those who want to go even further from the network.

I have however stacked the two modules together. By doing this, the total available power will appear on the screen when a second battery counter appears. The magnetized cliché announcing the physical union was certainly satisfactory, but I am not convinced that it is an important advantage over two consciously decoupled batteries.

The main module of River Bank is available for pre-order for $ 249 in North America. It's not cheap, but it's $ 50 less than the Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC for those who do not need portable AC power. However, it is more expensive than the traditional Anker, Ravpower, ZMI and Jackery battery tiles, which offer similar capabilities but fewer features. River Bank does not come with any included USB cable, but comes with a 40W USB-C wall charger in the box unlike many competitors and a free zipper case at $ 29.99 for those who preorder now.

The price goes up to $ 369 for the Jump Pack, which also includes the Car Booster module. It's not for everyone, but could give you peace of mind if you're into deep driving.