EcoFlow is know for their vast array of portable power stations. From the beastly Delta Max to the portable Delta Mini, there's really something for everyone. Now they've taken things to a whole new level, introducing the EcoFlow Wave portable air conditioner. Yes — you read that right. It's an air conditioner you can take with you, wherever you decide to go. Camping, off-the-grid life, or even just out to the garage. It goes where you go.

EcoFlow Wave portable air conditioner: Price and availability

The EcoFlow Wave rings in at $1499 — quite a lot for the comfort of cold air. This truly is a case of getting what you pay for, however. The Wave is a unique product that will fit a very unique set of off-grid uses. Keep in mind as well that if you want to be 100% off-grid, you'll need to factor the $899 add-on battery to that price as well, which may be pushing the budget a bit too far.

> Check out the Ecoflow Wave at Amazon

EcoFlow Wave portable air conditioner: What's good

Listen, we won't give the run around here. The EcoFlow Wave is a solid product that will appeal to those that really want the ultimate in comfort when on the go. You can easily cool a tent, small cabin or apartment, or even a larger room in your home in almost no time at all. With its 4,000 BTUs, the no-frills set up will have you up and running in short order, and the robust EcoFlow app ensures you can monitor and change settings on the fly, even from afar (providing you have Wi-Fi of course).

For all intents and purposes, having the add-on battery is really what makes the Wave a powerhouse. Sure, you can plug it in wherever a free outlet is available, but being able to put it in a tent, cord free, is something that just can't be matched. Throw on the included vent hoses and you're crystal cool (clear?). That being said, the Wave can lower the temperature of a 50-80ft space by 10 degrees in just 8 minutes.

Perhaps one of the biggest features of the Wave is that there is no excess water drainage to deal with. The Wave takes the excess water and directly sprays it onto the condenser to evaporate it internally, so you are left without manual drainage. That means you can sleep through the night and not have to worry about water, well, anywhere. The eception here is if the air humidity if over 70%, in which case you may need to drain manually.

I ran a test here in a smaller room, around 40sqft or so, and found that the Wave was able to take the temperature from around 86F to just about 75F in under an hour. From there is sat pretty steady, dropping a few degrees over the next few hours until it hit my setpoint of 68F. This was indoors without any of the ducts in use. The humidity was quite high, so I did have some excess water when I was done, but as the manual states, a quick tipping of the machine before moving gets that right out.

The EcoFlow Wave will run for up to 8 hours with the optional battery pack attached, up to 12 hours when paired with the DELTA Max, or up to 16 when paired with the DELTA Pro.

EcoFlow Wave portable air conditioner: What needs work

Is it loud? Yes. But let's be honest, it's an air conditioner. Also, there are fans and compressors and moving parts — it's not magic. You can certainly vent it according to your needs, which may mean leaving it outside your tent rather than in, or tucking it away in the corner of your apartment.

The Wave might be a bit heavy for some, especially with the battery attached. It does take up quite a bit of space as well if you're used to car camping or traveling without much extra cargo.

While the app is very robust, it did take a bit to get acquainted. It may be almost too robust for some, but that's just nitpicking. I also did initially have an issue with the firmware update out of the box. During the update, my Wave shut down then restarted with a flashing 10 on the display. Referencing the manual, the error code told me to shutdown the unit and restart. I did just that, but received the same error multiple times. Finally, I restarted, then was able to connect the app and complete the update. It ultimately worked out, but I was scared for a good 30 minutes that I had bricked my unit before getting to test it out.

EcoFlow Wave portable air conditioner: Competition

Is there competiton? Not really. There are small, portable devices that can blow out cold air, sure. But are you going to use them in a tent or cabin when it really matters? Maybe. But for what you get with the Wave, you're really in an entirely different space than "standard" portable air conditoners. Obviously the battery is what sets things apart here, but you won't find anything comparable in this size, power or ease of use. You always "get what you pay for" and the Wave is no exception. Even when pushing well over $2k with the battery, there aren't really any other options in this category.

EcoFlow Wave portable air conditioner: Should you buy it?

We're not pushing too hard to sway anyone on this one. You either know you want it or you don't. It's a niche product that does at amazing job for its intended purpose.

> Check out the Ecoflow Wave at Amazon

EcoFlow offers variety of portable power stations, from the 288Wh EcoFlow River to the big-daddy power-them-all Delta Max to the less-is-more Detla Mini. Now, with the introduction of their latest model, the Delta 2, there's yet another option for those on the go that want a mid-range option to keep them powered up. No matter if you're car camping, tailgating or just want a source of emergency power, the 1024Wh Delta 2 has your back

Handling almost any electronics up to 2200W, the Delta 2 can run your most-used accessories no matter where you are. Weighing at around 27lbs, it won't hold you back as you can easily move it wherever your needs may be.

EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station: Price and availability

The Delta 2 portable power station is available for $999 direct from EcoFlow, with optional solar panels tacking on a few hundred dollars. As-is, you can charge the Delta 2 via any standard outlet or on the go in your car, but those that will be venturing futher off the grid may opt for any number of solar panels to go along for the ride as well.

There's also a $799 add-on smart battery that will expand the Delta 2 to 2048Wh to give you even more power. This is extremely convenient if you like the size of the Delta 2, but possibly don't always need the extra juice. You can put the extra smart battery on or off as needed.

> Check out the EcoFlow Delta 2 at Amazon

EcoFlow Delta Mini portable power station: What's good

Tailgating? Check. Camping? Check. Power out at home? Check. The Delta 2 can handle more than you think. Power up all your devices thanks to a variety of inputs including USB-C, wall-style and DC. 1800W AC output means you can charge many of your home appliances, and faster AC charging gives you the edge on the competiton, 7x over.

While solar charging is a definite bonus, keep in mind that if you're stuck under cloudy skies you'll have a hard time juicing up the Delta 2. The panels can get up to 500W input to charge from anywhere in as fast as 3 hours. Bright sunny days are your friend (obviously) so just be aware that solar charging shouldn't be your only means of charging. For most, charging at home before heading out or even keep the Delta 2 plugged into your car accessory port will do the trick.

As we said earlier, you can also opt for the $799 add-on smart battery that brings the Delta 2 up to 2048Wh. The battery, essentially the same size and look of the Delta 2 itself, charges and discharges in unison. It also has one of my favorite features, a compact storage compartment that can be used for stowing cables and accessories.

There's also a 5-year warranty that will give you peace of mind and keep you worry free no matter where the Delta 2 may take you — or you take it!

EcoFlow Delta Mini portable power station: What needs work

It's hard to find any real downsides to the Delta 2. Could it have a bigger capacity? Sure, but that's why there are other products in the Delta line. There's nothing much to hate on here, but the Delta 2 also doesn't have many stand-out features either. A few years ago when power stations like this were still relatively new, any of the features of the Delta 2 would be seen as near revolutionary. But in the current over-saturated power station market, the Delta 2 is really just your average mid-range, sub-$1000 power station.

If we had to get nitpicky, it would really just be that the Delta 2 doesn't have any amazing, standout features. Everything you need is here, mind you, there's just no big "wow" factor.

EcoFlow Delta Mini portable power station: Competition

Is there competiton? Yes. And lots of it. Where there used to be only a few big-name players in the game, now there are power stations a'plenty ranging from the small, help me charge my phone a few times devices, to the much larger, "man I'm glad this thing has wheels" devices. Something like the Jackery Explorer 1000 fits the bill here, though that model offers slightly less wattage and fewer ports. Just one of the comparable power stations in this price range.

That being said, if you're trying to keep things under $1000, the Delta 2 really does pack quite a punch. You can charge multiple devices at once — including most of your home applicances — and the app is really a treat to use with it's robust set of features and wireless controls.

EcoFlow Delta Mini portable power station: Should you buy it?

If you need to power a whole bunch of stuff when you're on the go — or want a solid emergency power source, the Delta 2 is a great buy. With more than enough room for multiple devices at once, a thorough mobile app and brick-less charging, there's a lot to like here for the sub-$1000 pricetag — until you add on solar panels or the extra battery, then you're pushing into a much higher price bracket.

> Check out the EcoFlow Delta 2 at Amazon

It feels like not all that long ago that I had my first robot vacuum. A cheap, no-name brand, it worked (kind of) for cleaning up here and there. It wasn't spectacular, and it certainly didn't have any extra features, and I often times found it wandering aimlessly, going in circles or even falling down my stairs. It wasn't until I discovered Roborock with the S5 that I truly saw the potential of robot vacuums. With the S7 MaxV Ultra, I've come pretty damn close to the summit of my robo vacuum Everest. At $1399 this monster setup isn't cheap. But Roborock has really taken things to the next level, in both home automation ... and pricing.

Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra: The features

You've seen a robot vacuum before. Most of us have. But you've probably never seen one quite like this. While auto-emptying docks are anything new, until now, they've just been a mediocre bonus. I've previously only used devices with no dock, but found that I was still only emptying the dust bin every 2-3 cycles. With the S7 MaxV Ultra, I've yet to change the dust bag since I started using it nearly 3 weeks ago. Roborock says some users can go for up to 7 weeks between changes. Along for the ride is a built-in mop (a real mop - more on that later) that also plays nicely with the clean and dirty water tanks in the dock. For someone with hardwood that won't stay clean for more than a day, this is a huge bonus. The dock self cleans the mop, and will let you know when it's time to swap out that dirty (and smelly!) water or dust bin.

The S7 has a ReactiveAI 2.0 Obstacle Avoidance System. Pretty much a fancy way of saying there are lasers that keep the S7 away from anything that may be in the way when while it's running. The in-app mapping not only draws your room(s) but also adds in any furniture it finds, making it easy for future zone or spot cleaning. The built-in mop doesn't simply drag a microfiber cloth around as it did on earlier models, but now offers an automatic mop lift and sonic mopping to really get that deep-down clean.

Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra-intelligent mapping and cleaning

The first time you fire up the S7 MaxV Ultra (providing you have map save mode toggled on) your new sidekick will run a course around your home, narrowly avoiding obstacles and finding its way between even the tightest of spaces. While doing so, it will magically map your entire room (or multiple rooms) in real-time and show you an overhead view within the app. Keep in mind that the first time this happens it may take a bit longer to run while the S7 gets the lay of the land, but it's well worth it, I assure you.

One that initial cycle is complete, you'll be able to go into the map (of which you can have more than one for multiple floor dwellings) and note any furniture or other obstacles, as well as putting up "virtual walls" and no-go zones. These are typically places you want your vac to ignore, in my case, things like my Christmas tree during the holidays. The map also makes it effortless to do selective zone cleaning or room cleaning with a few simple taps. Along for the ride here are options for suction power and mop intensity, both customizable on various levels. You can even choose to have the S7 run the route multiple times if things are especially dirty. You can start a clean manually or easily pre-program from within the app.

The S7 does a wonderful job when it comes to cleaning (as it should!) which is really no surprise. While most will be a fan of the straight vacuum capabilities, the mop is nothing to scoff at this time around. Unlike my S5 which really just drags around a damp microfiber cloth, the S7 MaxV Ultra has an auto-lifting sonic mop that really seems to actually clean my floors — something that's a first for me. I didn't hate previous versions of these mops, I just didn't see that much value in them most days. Now, I find myself mopping the floor almost as often as I vacuum, just because the S7 does such a great job. Keep in mind that I mean great job for a robot vac — this is surely no replacement for actually mopping your floor manually. The best part of the package is that I don't have to plan ahead to mop. There's no mop attachment to put on (it stays on all the time) and I don't have to worry about finding a clean cloth or filling any tanks. The S7 is prepped with clean water and ready to go at a moment's notice. And when it's done, the mop is cleaned and ready to go another round.

One of the great overengineered bonuses of the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra is the on-board camera complete with video calling capabilities. Will I ever have a valid reason to video call my bot? Unlikely. Do I love that it's built-in? Absolutely! Pet owners, for example, may live the ability to conference in Fido during a long day away.

Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra auto-emptying & cleaning

Perhaps the biggest selling point of this near $1400 setup is the auto-emptying features. No longer will you have to worry about emptying the dust bin after running once or twice. Now you can last nearly 7 weeks (maybe more?) without changing the dust bag and for the better part of two weeks without so much as thinking about clean water. And when those times do come, it takes just a few minutes to dump the dirty water, fill the clean tank, and swap out the dust bag for a new one. Having the dock to do the literal dirty work is a real time saver. I find myself running my vac almost every day, regardless of whether I actually need to or not because ... well, why not?

It also does take up quite a bit of space. If you've ever had a robot vacuum before, you know they have a decent footprint, but can often slide into a corner or under a table and be out of sight and out of mind. Regarding the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, you'll need to have plenty of room for this beast of a setup. You can still nestle it in a corner or under a table, it just needs to be a bigger corner or table.

Did I mention the emptying and cleaning processes are LOUD. Well, they're LOUD. It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that when one thing is sucking air and nastiness from another thing with a good deal of force, it will be loud, but yeah. THIS PART IS LOUD. Thankfully, it's only a few seconds at the end of the cycle when it does happen, but don't think it's something that will go unnoticed.

Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra: What I like

Obviously, there is plenty to like here, but that's what you expect when buying a vacuum that costs as much as a brand-new laptop or eBike, right? Having the auto-emptying dock is one of those things you never know you're missing when you don't have it. I never really minded having to empty the dust bin on my other vacs every few cycles, but now it's such a great feeling to just let it do what it does best and not have to think about it. Weeks in and I still haven't emptied the dust bin.

The upgraded sonic mopping is also wonderful. For the first time, I can say that the mop job is actually worth doing, not just an afterthought. I used to not worry about mopping with my S5 — or I'd mop manually after it ran — but now I look forward to how great my floors loop after an intense clean.

Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra: What I don't like

Outside the biggest factor, the hard-to-swallow price tag, there isn't a ton not to like with the S7 MaxV Ultra. One of my main gripes is how loud the emptying and mop washing is. Huge deal? Not really, but it makes you think a bit before you run the vacuum. For those that typically automate for when they're out of the house, this isn't an issue, but if you're the work-from-home type or want to clean while you're sitting on the couch, it's something to keep in mind.

One other issue I experienced, which thankfully won't be something I have to deal with too often, is the intense stink of the dirty water tank. I imagine this is just from the dirty water sitting for weeks at a time and could possibly be prevented by more frequent changes, however. Roborock does off a cleaning solution that they said may help with the smell, but I have yet to try it.

Also, something to note, while the mop does clean itself, it still requires a bit of hands-on to keep it tidy. It definitely got a bit gunking over the last few weeks. There was quite a bit of buildup inside the dock that I had to clean out a few times. Obviously, this isn't 100% avoidable, and light years better than cleaning daily or after each cycle, but it was still a pain to remember at times before it got overrun with crud.

The S7 MaxV Ultra also takes up a good deal more space than other, solo robo-vacs. You'll need a good amount of floor space to put the entire setup, and probably somewhere a bit out of sight as well (like in a corner or under a table).

Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra: The conclusion

As I said previously, I've had a few different robo-vacs over the past few years. I wasn't ever really disappointed with the performance of any of them. It wasn't until I started using the S7 MaxV Ultra that I truly realized the capabilities of robotic vacuums and how truly autonomous and self-contained they can be. I'm able to run cleaning cycles — both vacuuming and mopping — without needing to worry about emptying the dust bin or filling the mop tank before every cycle.

Is it perfect? No. Is it close? Absolutely. Aside from the few minor issues I experienced, the S7 MaxV Ultra is a true beast of a vacuum. The sonic mopping is a true game-changer, and having clean water and a dust bin at the ready really makes this a hands-off vacuum that you'll fall in love with. Swallowing the huge price tag will absolutely be the most off-putting factor for many people, though

The Explorer 1500 solar bundle comes with the generator itself and four SolarSaga 100w solar panels. When purchased separately, each panel costs $300, so buying the bundle saves you a few hundred dollars. The 1500 is much sought after, and while the stock on Amazon does fluctuate, the inventory at Jackery does seem very stable.

If you don't feel you will get the use out of all four solar cells, you can buy the 1500 generator and two cells separately; it will just take longer for the battery to reach full charge. Or, if you live in a cave and have no use for solar charging, nix the panels altogether.

Jackery Explorer 1500 solar generator: What's good

There is a lot to recommend the Explorer 1500 solar generator. Like its smaller sibling, the Explorer 1000 can keep your campsite fully charged and powered for a long time, but with the 1500, you have the added advantage of a high peak load. This kind of peak load allows you to keep your home appliances like fridge/freezers powered when your house loses its grid connection or lets you use an A/C unit in your camper to keep you cool for a little while. If you aim to use the Explorer 1500 as your sole emergency power source, this is perhaps the most substantial advantage vs. the 1000. The Explorer 1000 is great, but it can't keep up with those big energy devices.

While the solar side of things may take a little longer than they say on a dreary day in new New Jersey, over in Southern California, things are very different. The SolarSaga 100's can outperform Jackery's modest measures by a fair amount when they have full sun for hours. James often managed to get the full 100w out of them, sometimes up to 100w in an hour, which is extremely impressive. Having a set of panels that can exceed expectations means that the actual battery part of the 1500 takes more time to drain, giving you extra time when the sun goes down.

Suppose you aren't using the Explorer 1500 all the time for car camping or some other adventure and will be using it for emergency power. In that case, one of my favorite features is the ability of the 1500 to hold a charge for an extended period. Unlike some portable power units that may lose a good bit of charge over time, the Explorer 1500 has held up for months sitting on a shelf with a full charge and no loss. This is especially handy for the New Jersey home, where I mainly use the 1500 for emergency power in bad weather. Knowing that it will always be charged and ready — even after just sitting on a shelf for months at a time — brings along great peace of mind.

Jackery Explorer 1500 solar generator: What needs work

As mentioned above, the Explorer 1500 is great as an emergency power source, but lugging it around can be a bear at over 35lbs. even with the built-in carry handle, this thing is a beast. If you're leaving it in your car or RV or carting it in a wagon on your outings, it may be fine — but even just carrying it up the stairs or from room-to-room can be quite the chore.

Then there's the price. With a $1600 price tag, this isn't cheap — and that doesn't account for the solar panels, which can tack on another $1,000 if you opt for all four. Then again, if this is going to be your primary portable or emergency power source, that price could be well worth the juice the Explorer 1500 cranks out time and time again. At least, if you buy the bundle, you can save a little money on the entire set.

Jackery Explorer 1500 solar generator: Competition

While the Explorer 1500 is great for long weeks away, it might be too big and bulky for those who are only looking for short trips. If you only camp at weekends or want power for your beach parties, then the Explorer 1000 — the 1500's smaller sibling — is likely a better choice. While it can't keep your home refrigerator running, it can supply you with power for just about anything else you might need.

Comparable offerings include the upcoming $999 EcoFlow Delta Mini and its older sibling, the $1400 EcoFlow Delta. The Delta has a capacity of 1260Wh with an output of 1800W, while the Delta Mini rings in at 882Wh with an output of 1400W. Both are on par with the Jackery offerings and come with a slightly better display, more input options, and a mobile app that is useful for monitoring from afar.

Jackery Explorer 1500 solar generator: Should you buy it?

When it comes down to it, you either need this much beefy power, or you don't. If you're looking for a solid portable generator that you can charge up by nearly any means and will use to power almost anything with a plug — and you don't mind carting around a 35lb behemoth — then the Explorer 1500 may be just what you're after. It's great as an emergency power source or for those living the van life and wants maximum power. On the flip-side, if you're more of a car-camper or just need something to run your coffee pot on a weekend away, or spin your blender for a tailgate party, something like the Explorer 1000 may be more of the portable power you're looking for.

While the bulk of the generator and the four solar panels is a lot, I have used the Explorer 1500 more than I thought I would. The bulk of the battery sits in my car most of the day while we camp, while the four panels keep it topped up the entire sunlight hours. You can even detach a solar cell and take it with you to the beach to charge a couple of phones, leaving the rest to keep charging your battery pack. The Explorer 1500 has so many uses it's become a staple in all our trips away.