EcoFlow WAVE 2
(2 reviews)
EcoFlow's reversible portable air conditioner with no installation required, able to run on a swappable battery for up to 8 hours.
Key features
- Power: 1,500W (5,100 BTU/h) cooling, about 1,780W (6,100 BTU/h) heating
- No installation: No drainage needed below 70% humidity, in cooling mode
- Refrigerant: R290 (130g)
- Runs on a swappable battery, up to 8h of runtime with no outlet at all
In detail: EcoFlow WAVE 2, battery-powered portable air conditioner
The EcoFlow WAVE 2 is a reversible portable air conditioner designed to remove the usual installation hassles: thanks to its design, no drainage is needed in cooling mode as long as humidity stays below 70%, compared with the often more demanding condensate management of conventional portable air conditioners. Rated by the manufacturer at 1,500W (5,100 BTU/h) cooling and about 1,780W (6,100 BTU/h) heating, it targets small spaces: a tent, motorhome, van, or a room with no air conditioning.
Like its successor the WAVE 3, it can run on a swappable battery (1,159Wh, sold separately), for a claimed runtime of 8 hours in Eco mode and 2 to 3 hours at full power. Recharging happens via mains, solar, car, or a portable power station, and the unit is controlled through the EcoFlow app.
The R290 refrigerant (130g) equips the unit, whose weight of about 14.5 kg and dimensions of 51.8 x 29.7 x 33.6 cm sit within the average for compact portable air conditioners. Named best portable air conditioner at CES 2023, the WAVE 2 made a real impression at launch with its unprecedented proposition: air conditioning you could genuinely unplug.
Noise level, rated between 44 dB(A) in Sleep mode and 56 dB(A) at full power, stays within the segment average. Now surpassed in power by the WAVE 3, the WAVE 2 still holds real appeal for anyone who already owns a compatible EcoFlow battery, or finds the unit at an attractive price among refurbished models.
Technical data
Detailed characteristics
Performance
| Type?General technical category the unit belongs to (portable, split, evaporative...). | Monobloc portable, with exhaust hose |
|---|---|
| Cooling capacity?The unit's cooling power, expressed in kW or BTU/h (British Thermal Unit per hour). | 1,500W (5,100 BTU/h) |
| Heating capacity?The unit's heating power, for reversible models working as a heat pump. | About 1,780W (6,100 BTU/h) |
| Energy class?European energy efficiency class (from A+++ to G), showing how the unit's consumption compares with similar models. | A |
| Noise level?Noise emitted by the unit, in decibels (dB(A)). As a reference, a normal conversation is around 60 dB(A). | 44 dB(A) (Sleep mode) to 56 dB(A) (maximum power) |
| Refrigerant?Gas used in the cooling circuit. R290 and R32 are now favoured for their lower environmental impact. | R290 (130g) |
| Mains power draw?Electrical power drawn by the unit while running, expressed in watts (W). | 100/240V, 50/60Hz, 820W max |
| Fast cooling?Cooling performance measured over the first minutes of use, useful for comparing how quickly units respond. | Drops temperature by 10°C in 5 minutes (manufacturer figure) |
Features and connectivity
| Add-on battery (optional)?Optional battery, sold separately, allowing the unit to run without being plugged into the mains. | 1,159Wh, up to 8h in Eco mode, 2 to 3h at full power |
|---|---|
| Control?Method used to adjust and monitor the unit day to day. | EcoFlow app (WiFi and Bluetooth) |
| Award?Award or recognition earned by this product at a trade show or in an independent test. | Best portable air conditioner, CES 2023 |
Dimensions and power supply
| Weight?The unit's weight, an important factor for a portable air conditioner regularly moved between rooms. | 14.5 kg (unit alone, without battery) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions?Width, depth and height of the unit (W x D x H). | 51.8 x 29.7 x 33.6 cm |
Additional information
| Launch year?Year this model was first released. | 2023 |
|---|
Comparison
The WAVE 2 naturally invites comparison with its successor, the WAVE 3, newer and more powerful, a question many buyers ask when choosing between the two generations.
| Criterion | EcoFlow WAVE 2 | EcoFlow WAVE 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling capacity | 1,500W (5,100 BTU/h) | 1,800W (6,100 BTU/h) |
| Heating capacity | ≈1,780W (6,100 BTU/h) | 2,000W (6,800 BTU/h) |
| Weight (unit alone) | 14.5 kg | 15.6 kg |
| Battery runtime (Eco) | Up to 8h (1,159Wh battery) | Up to 8h (1,024Wh battery) |
| Price (unit alone) | ≈£1,049 | ≈£799 |
In short, the WAVE 3 offers more power in both cooling and heating for a comparable unit-alone price, making it the more logical choice for a new purchase today. The WAVE 2 remains mainly worth considering as a second-hand bargain or for compatibility with an EcoFlow battery you already own.
Related video
Video: EcoFlow Wave 2 Portable AC Review, Tested While Camping with Lions in Africa - Published on 27 October 2024
Our tester's verdict: Christophe Delpuech
The WAVE 2 paved the way for battery-powered portable air conditioners at EcoFlow, and remains a solid choice today, named best portable air conditioner at CES 2023. Reviews on the UK official store are very positive (4.7/5, though the sample is small), praising the complete lack of installation, no drainage at all needed in cooling mode as long as humidity stays below 70%, a genuine simplicity win over conventional portable air conditioners. The independent tests we reviewed confirm fast cooling, with a measured 10°C temperature drop in 5 minutes under favourable conditions, and an appreciated heating function that extends use into autumn. The same tests note that the unit still remains fairly bulky for genuinely daily nomadic use, that the add-on battery represents a substantial investment, and that noise level climbs noticeably at full power. Against the newer, more powerful WAVE 3, the WAVE 2 keeps one strong argument: its compatibility with an EcoFlow battery fleet some users already own, plus often more aggressive pricing on refurbished or end-of-line units.
Frequently asked questions: EcoFlow WAVE 2, battery-powered portable air conditioner
No in cooling mode, as long as humidity stays below 70%. Drainage is still needed in heating mode.
Yes, with the optional 1,159Wh add-on battery (sold separately), it can run for up to 8 hours in Eco mode or 2 to 3 hours at full power, with no cable.
The newer WAVE 3 offers more power in cooling (1,800W vs 1,500W) and heating (2,000W vs about 1,780W), for a comparable unit-alone price.
It's rated at 44 dB(A) in Sleep mode, a discreet level, and up to 56 dB(A) at full power, within the average for portable air conditioners of this size.
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Page published on 31 July 2026