Is THIS the Holy Grail of VAN COOLING? My Brutally HONEST Review of ECOFLOW Wave 2 AC for VAN LIFE! 

Bob, I installed a walmart Keystone energy star 5,000 btu window ac in my van and it works great from my Bluetti AC200P and 720 watts of solar. It only draws 360-380 watts when the compressor is running, and 60 watts when it switches to just the fan. In eco mode, the compressor does not run much at all, and my hightop conversion van is ice cold. I paid $200, and I have been on the road full time almost a year with no issues thus far. Thanks for all you do for us Nomads Bob. Safe travels.

You're the only person on RU-vid I've seen give honest reviews for stuff you get for free. It means a lot to us!

Not even a nomad but I greatly enjoy your videos!

You're the only RU-vidr I do trust the reviews. Thank you, for taking massive amount of time & effort on the reviews.

I used to hear stories told a long time ago. They were about something called integrity. It's difficult to recognize, because it's been such a long time, but I think I just saw some.

Thank you for Truly considering us in your reviews. This is just one thing we love you for. Thanks Bob

These honest reviews are Important for the manufacturers to hear, they need to know how a device like this needs to function for the people who are using it.

I found that a small window ac is about the best thing for me, I have a Haier 5000 btu unit that draws about 600 watts at max and an average of 250-400 watts for most of the day and partway into the night. It only cost about $100 new and about an hour and $30ish to mount it so it exhausts to the outside, there are a lot of resources online about how to do this. I did this shortly after you did a video with a fellow in a small travel trailer with a dog, he was really into the solar oven thing too but I forgot his name :( super interesting fellow though. Anyways, 800 watts of solar with a 200 amp-hour lithium battery runs my little ac fine with no problems whatsoever! All the panels and battery, wiring, controller, and the AC was pretty close to the price of just this unit.

It seems that my little swamp-cooler works better than that huge heat producing box. Thank you for your honesty Bob.

What an incredibly gorgeous mountain range behind you!!! WOW!!!

Bob, you are the man! We love your brutally honest reviews and commentary! Keep the info and videos coming.

The only thing stopping me from full time van life is the cooling problem

Thank you for your honesty The company that really listens to your critiques and manages to provide a product that really meets our needs will make an absolute killing

I use a mini swamp cooler I got from Home Depot. Takes 3 gal of water per day, and uses only 60 watts. Works great.

I've lived in Montana for 63 years I was recently forced out of being able to rent as some people from Idaho bought the home I rent. I am on disability second pacemaker defibrillator... They raise the rent so high that I only have $93. A month left to pay my power phone Van insurance, dog food. I am so thankful I have my van. It is a 1997 Chevrolet Express with a high top. I bought the eco-flow Wave 2 For myself for my 63rd birthday May 11th. It took me a long time to save for it, Now I will save for the battery. I do have a 200 watt solar panel on top of my van, that I used to run my 12 volt fridge/ freezer chest, and it keeps my phone and my tablet charged. Thank you so much for the review, I love every one of your videos. Bob if you get to Montana you let me know 😀

Thanks for not trying to sell us that ball and chain. Guess I'll be chasing 70 degrees.

This is so true and honest! I have an EcoFlow wave 2, and I pair it with an EcoFlow delta pro, and it really wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I drive a truck and was hoping to be able to sleep in my cab overnight without idling, so I had some high hopes for it. When I finally got it up and running, my first thoughts were, “That’s it?” It wasn’t really even a hot night, but the machine itself made it warm inside the cab. I guess it drew a lot from my battery (fully charged) so the battery only lasted 4 hours. Even though it said the ambient temperature was down to 60 farhenheit, it was actually blowing out that air, and yet since the hoses were in the same room as me, the hoses heated up and it made me a bit warmer. Also, and not like a lot of people really pay attention to it anyway, both the EcoFlow delta pro and wave 2 generate relatively large electromagnetic fields. It even says in the manual that those people with a pacemaker need to be cautious about spending time around it. That should also say something. Even with shielding, it’s eh because the shielding needs to breathe, meaning that when it cools you down, you still need to find a way to circulate the air, and a fan likely won’t penetrate the shielding unless you place it inside the shield. You sleep with the fan on the outside, though, and you still end up getting too hot. So in a way, the wave 2 creates more problems than it does solutions. While it keeps the cab somewhat cool, it has a slew of other issues (takes up space, EMF field, not really that cool, generates heat through the tubing, heavy power draw, very costly compared to a regular old generator, etc). It’s a great idea, in theory, and to its credit, it is quiet, and no one would have a clue that you have an A/C unit running. It is electric, so hey, it is pumping out less fumes into the air. Obtaining the LiPO4 battery and the way it is produced is very questionable. As for practical applications, it needs more work. I don’t know that I can justify paying $3200 for the bundle pack (that is with the delta pro and wave 2 as my source). Bob is right in that the wave 2 costs less on its own (about $900 when you factor in tax or buy the battery with it, it is currently advertised as $799 as a standalone). Even with a small room, you have to question the ROI. If you save money in rent for a year, and your average rent is $1000 a month, maybe then if you were using it every night and not getting hotel rooms or any storage units, you could recoup the costs quickly, but if you are living a nomadic lifestyle, chances are you will have costs that will be hidden and unusual, things you didn’t have prior. Also, you need to think about the time it takes and the space it takes to set it up. If you don’t have a lot of room, the effort to operate this equipment takes exponentially longer to set up and move around the next day you can walk normally in your own space. The equipment is a bit heavy, so you don’t want to have to move it every day if you can help it. Once you factor those things in and add the cost of the unit(s), you then need to ask yourself how long you are willing to endure those conditions to make the ROI worth it. It’s tough to find out the resultant conditions of these devices without buying one for yourself. But if you do all that work and find you are not suffering too badly and can stick it out for a couple years (anywhere up to however many hot nights you anticipate experiencing), then I would say it is a justifiable purchase and recoups its value. Otherwise, it is not a wise purchase, and you are better off using other methods. Bottom line: this one is a long game, and for particular cases, it can work. However, just as Bob said, for the majority of people, it is not a wise purchase, and you are better off doing something else, even if that means using a regular generator. The numbers need to make sense. I really appreciate Bob taking the time to be honest about these cons, separate of what the companies want him to say. If they are good companies, they’ll take the criticism (“thanks for your feedback,” right?) and grow from it.

Glad to see you again. Watching from Belize. Living in Cayo. I live on my SS. ALL my bills total $800 USD . I live good here that includes a house cleaner. No cold weather and a USD is worth 2 BZD..... Mountains to the sea 2 hrs. Enjoying my life here, come join me.

Hey Bob, try the backpack mini split unit! Very curious about that.

Thank you for putting us first

Glad to see you back on your feet ❤

Thanks for being honest to the folks that NEED good and honest reviews.

Very accurate review. I have one in my 2022 Ram Promaster 1500. I got it and used it last year. It does not have a permanent spot in the van so I kept it on the floor next to my pantry and at night lifted it onto the passenger seat for venting out the passenger window. It is HEAVY!! I'm 67 and not weak, but having to move it from the floor to the seat every day was IRRITATING! But I couldn't live without it. I used it primarily at night so I could get good sleep. I live in San Diego County in the hot inland area. During the day I would drive down to the coast by the beach & find a tree to park under. At night I have obligations inland so the air conditioner was essential at night. Worth it? NO. HEAVY, huge power draw (thank goodness for shore power). Takes up a LOT of space. I felt I was a slave to it. No other options, though. I wish there were. I would sell it but I truly do need it. So, this year I will break my back moving it back and forth from the floor to the seat again. Oh ... and the hoses are a pain and are NOT built to be expanded & collapsed daily. I'm beginning to see cracks in them and will be getting out the duct tape soon. Edited: One other thing not mentioned in the video ... you have to collect the condensate. That's the water that builds up. There is a drain and hose that comes with the unit but you have to have some way to catch that water or it ends up all over the floor. It produces about a gallon over night depending on the humidity where you are.

First, I am a huge ECOFLOW fan and have Wave1 and Wave2 plus their Frig/freezer, River2 Pro and Delta Max 2000. They all work well for me! I use Wave1 and Wave2 in my small house in Montana: low humidity and I use the exhaust hoses with thermal wraps. I don't experience heat from the unit itself, but the exhaust hose - YES, which is why the thermal wrap. I have Wave2 in my "living room" which opens to my bedroom ... a floor fan to move air from living room to bedroom. Wave1 is in my "office" and cools that 11x11 south facing room plus another fan to move air to adjoining kitchen. My house is '85 vintage. I have the aux battery for WAVE2 but at "home", I am plugged in so power is not an issue. BUT, I did test battery and consistently get 7 hours at 90F temps. In my RV, I have used the units for off grid. Now, 33 foot Class A motorhome, 2 slides and I do have a 5K Onan gen but prefer not to use it except to recharge. IDK ... I am very happy with Wave1 and Wave2 in my situation. I am planning on downsizing to ??? and even if a van, I would put Wave2 in passenger area vented out passenger window with cool air hose to living area. I know minimal insulation in a van vs home vs motorhome AND I never intend to be in temps of 100!!! So ... my experience.

Your honesty is gold and appreciated!

When it gets that warm out, I think it's time to move north or up in the mountains. A short drive up in the mountains makes a huge difference when you gain altitude. If desperate you can always wet a cloth and put it on your neck and head, and wet your hair and put a fan on, it works. Good honest review as always. Thank you, Bob.

Appreciate your honesty Bob. We need more of that everywhere.

I have a converted E250 Ford van. No high top. I don’t like to be hot…so air conditioning was very important to me. I removed the back window and replaced it with a thick piece of wood paneling…painted white. I cut out a square hole for my 5000 BTU A/C and installed it there. It works great and probably doesn’t use as many watts as that Eco Flo A/C unit. Plus I don’t have to worry about lugging it around or taking up too much space. It certainly would not be any worse of an eye sore as that EcoFlow model either. It’s installed in the back window out of the way of the interior and works great!

Price alone is a no go. Bob don't expect to many companies to ask you to review their products, you're to honest. 👍👍

Thank you Bob! ❤

Thanks Bob you’re the Best

I absolutely LOVE your honesty! It's why we turn to you over everyone else!!!

First of all, thank you CheapRVliving for the video. It is much appreciated. Secondly, just about every video I'm watching on yt regarding heating/cooling in a van/camper talks about how "well" the units work, but rarely do any of them mention insulation variables. My guess is, the better the insulation, the better the results. I'm planning my camper DIY build with Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) which are extremely efficient, which would help with the power draw of the heat/AC unit tremendously. I just don't know what approach to take yet. I'm a huge fan of mini woodburning stoves for heat (venting out the side, not the top). I've also seen DIY air conditioners using coolers and ice. I'm currently trying to figure out how to make an ice maker work (very low power draw) as the ice source, and then feeding the ice maker with the melted ice from the cooler somehow. Any ideas?

Have been looking at this thanks for helping me not waste $$$

We trust you Bob. Thank you for doing the review.

I've looked all over at different ideas for AC. I've also experimented and come up with more elaborate ideas. I'm in an Ext Express. At the end of the day, spending more on a battery system and just getting a window unit seems the best option. I went to the junk yard and bought a spare rear driver's side door with a window (I wanted to experiment and my original didn't have a window cutout). Rear doors are way easier to remove than side barn doors as they have bolts. Side doors are pinned on and a real pain. I saw on Endgame's channel here on youtube that he built a sort of hidaway for his window unit install that made everything look more "stealth" or at least presentable. I'll be copying that for my build and I'm near certain that will be one of the easiest and best looking build's for this purpose. The reason for boxing it in that way is that sometimes I work in more affluent areas with HOA and, as you may know, they look for any reason to fine or kick people out. That sort of install keeps it looking more like a service vehicle.

yeah the heat is my enemy so much more than the cold. i concur :) thank you for your unboxing.

Cool air coming in & heat generating inside = Crazy!

At least I can count on your honesty. Most RU-vid videos just hype up products.

What a beautiful backdrop you have today!

Haven't even started the video yet and i'm saying thank you so I don't forget to express my appreciation

Honesty is the best policy !!! Just a thought Bob, not a nomad here but in heat and humidity would a dehumidifier benefit people - it's smaller and more compact. It seems to help in my house even w/out running the A/C. 90F in the desert and in Florida aren't the same.

Temperature drops 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit every 1,000 feet of altitude. Anywhere north of San Francisco on the coast will be way cooler in the summer from the arctic ocean water. And a van in the open sun versus in the shade of trees in the forest makes another big difference. Being able to escape the heat in a cold lake or creek makes a difference too. With fairly accurate weather forecasts a week into the future van lifers should be able to drop the temperature of their vans as much or more as an Ecoflow Wave 2 with better planning and driving. Since my avatar is a squirrel I should also mention splooting: Laying on your tummy on a cool patch of ground. I have never had the guts to try this in public but it's a popular option with dogs, cats and squirrels.

Thank you for posting this review. I have owned the Wave 2 with the optional battery for about a year. I travel, live and work from a 19' travel trailer. While I did not initially purchase the Wave 2 to cool or heat the TT, I have tested the unit out in the TT and realized similar results to yours. What I do use the unit for is supplemental cooling for my SUV as I travel with my dog. It works well keeping this small space cool for my pup, but struggles to cool the TT. Should anyone want to make the investment to add this unit to your kit, please know that while it works, there are many concessions that one may want to consider before moving forward. For those who may want to use this unit in an RV or TT, I have found setting it up in the bedroom and closing the door to work well for cooling this room first. I then open the bedrrom door and use well-placed fans to circulate the cooled air. Thanks again for posting your findings. I was beginning to think that my experiences were unique to my particular unit.

I always appreciate your honest reviews!

You are the most honest person on RU-vid and I come here to learn the truth

I am glad to see an honest review of one of these. I know if you ran it off an ECO Flow PowerStation with the DC connector it would take less power to run. I think most people show it taking about 300 watts that way. But unless you have one dedicated to it and enough solar to power everything, it would still take too much to run it and the space it takes up is important. I went with an 8000 btu Midea u shaped inverter window unit for my trailer, it works but also takes plenty of solar to keep it going all day. But my battery bank is big enough to keep it going all night. At the lowest compressor speed, it takes about 150 watts. At the highest compressor speed, it takes about 900 watts. Most of the time it is between 300 and 500 watts. It cost about $400 after taxes. If I was in the desert, I would probably go with a swamp cooler instead. The best thing about the window unit is that it takes very little space inside my trailer and is powered by my solar setup.

Thanks Bob for what you do.

Great advice. Thank you!

I have one of those 12v mini splits, it works great,does well running on my 600v solar charging system..✌

Works well enough, achieved 15 degree difference (which felt cool inside the square drop trailer-in the shade, the lowered humidity helped a lot too) in 95F and 80% humidity weather here in Florida. I was also running two small USB powered fans to circulate the cooler air. My main complain is not being able to mechanically/manually set the unit to external drainage. Every time the unit shuts down the drainage is reset to internal, which in turn shuts down the unit when really full, which happens a heck of a LOT here in Florida. The hoses, being proprietary sizes are also a PITA to hook up to anything commonly used in small trailers. The Wave 2 was outside the small square drop due to space issues, I also wish the company made a raincoat for the unit.....

The best system we've seen so far is the AC split that Brian reviewed last year. Thank you for being honest and telling us what we need to know, Bob! I can't believe someone actually sent you a request to change your review after it was already posted; that took some nerve.

Hello again, Bob it's good to see you up and moving around. Thank you for your honest review. I'm sending a blanket prayer to you now for continued strength and good health. Toledo 💙

TY Sir, you are a gem! I am just beginning my budget build, with a plan for a very humble, full-time vanlife retirement. I have been seriously considering the Ecoflow 2 for several months and, with the recent "ON SALE" discounts they are offering, was on the verge of pulling the trigger. Though it pains me to have to surrender and need to go back to the drawing board, I cannot afford costly quality of life mistakes.

I think this will work for my teardrop based on your review. Thank you for the heads up

Thank you Bob for being so honest! 🙏😊👍🏼

Your review is spot on. I bought one last year and perhaps my only regret is buying the battery bank too. I have a Promaster and do have room to set this up on my counter behind the driver’s seat. Etsy has a great plexiglass insert for the air intake and exhaust hoses for the driver’s window, I added an insulated “blanket” for that hot exhaust hose and an extra long hose to duct the cool air to my bed. I don’t like the time it takes to set this up, and consider that it is just for when I need to be somewhere that it is hot at night (rare occasion), and that I have shore power (also rare occasion…but will pay for the camping in a hot place or moochdock). For $900 this gives me flexibility over where I can go and stay comfortable without drilling holes and adding a lot of lithium to my system. It also allows me to feel secure being able to close and lock up and still stay cool. For anyone out there who has the money to spend on this, just know that it will only cool a small van about 10 degrees..with lots of steps taken to insulate (insulated window covers and insulated curtain to divide the cab). I do take my dog with me. (Don’t live in the van), and just would never trust this or anything to maintain temperature.

Thanks for another excellent video.

Love your Bluetti hat, such a great company!!

Great review, tons of relevant info, Bob! Also, I want a Bluetti hat like yours! I ❤ my Bluetti! 😊

Thanks for the very honest review. I had been wondering about these. I think I will pass. Keep up the great work!

I use a Zero breeze in my 4runner, goes behind my driver seat. Works perfect with my 400AH of battery and DC-DC charger. Zero breeze has to be used in small space and have well insulted windows. Its draws only 20Amps max. Zero breeze won’t work in van unless you use like an insulated blanket to wall off your bed area but for my 4runner it’s awesome.

Thank you Bob. I have a Chevy full size 1/2 ton.

I have one in my 1985 Toyota Coachman. It works well. I have it vented properly and it does cool my space enough to keep it cool enough, but not cold. I have used the heat feature in April in Indiana. Outside temperature was not that cold. The heat function will not keep it warm enough to be comfortable during winter months.

Bob wells for President

I'd love to see a video comparing this Ecoflow to a 5000 btu high efficiency window AC.

Love your videos....thks for helping people to have a good free life

Your honest reviews of the content , truly helps the people living on a monthly income... we all appreciate you're honest breakdowns of items.

THANK U FOR KEEPING UR INTEGRITY ON THESE REVIEWS❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Thank you so much. 😊

Thanks Bob, take care!!!

First Insulation, Insulation, Insulation. Then figure out how to run a standard 120 volt 5,000 BTU window air conditioner? Perhaps even at a lower input power level

I’ve been a trucker for nearly 30 years, living on the road. I’m also about to downsize from my small Wolf Pup travel trailer to just living out of my pickup truck. My point is that I bought a Stanley/Lasko high velocity blower fan several years ago, and I carry it around everywhere on the road. It’s just a fan but has been the absolute best thing to keep air circulating comfortably. I’ve been stuck in Miami, FL with a broken AC in the peak of summer heat and was quite comfortable. It only cost about $50 on Amazon. It used ac current, so I plug it into my little 300 watt inverter and never have any issues with it.

Truly appreciate all you do for others and your honesty Many Blessings Butterfly

I have a Zero Breeze in my 5x8 off road trailer. It came standard and was installed in the rear galley along with my Bluetti AC200Max and rooftop 800 watt panels. It actually works great up to 100+ degrees, but that’s when my Bluetti won’t charge either. The moral is: Go to higher elevation in the summer

If you are using solar to run the air conditioning then you'd have to consider that you'll have to be sitting in the direct sun a good part of the day (unless you have a lot of portable solar panels), which would increase the temp in your van signjficantly compared to parking in the shade.

I own one, and I agree with your assessment. I did however find that if the tubes can be insulated (in my case I used a couple jackets and bungy cords), it added about 30% efficiency. Respects

Great vid as always Bob. Thank you for all you do!

I really appreciate your forthright and no-nonsense review videos. One thing I don't get is why more people doing vanlife don't prioritize white vehicles. I know not everyone has the option to choose paint color when they're getting into vanlife, but it makes such a HUGE difference to comfort if you can, and it works hand-in-hand to optimize any cooling solution.

Bob...when I met you in person, I told you you were performing a "public service".....that still holds true. Ron B.

Follow the weather you like

Bob...we always trust you!

Thanks, Bob. I spent many hours this week trying to decide whether to pop for one. I had already ruled it out (mostly on the basis of reviews of Ecoflow's customer service = bad), but I feel better about the decision now. (LOL at wearing Bluetti hat while doing this...)

Seems like the best bet would be a smaller 5000 BTU window unit and buying two power units for the price of the ecoflow.

5k btu window units are way cheaper and draw less power and throw way more cold air. It does require a way to DIY engineer a way to fit it into a van window and each van requires it's own unique approach. But that's what van builds are all about. The units only weigh about 35 to 40 lbs and don't take up that much room -- so just design a fast easy way to set up and take down.

I'm one of those odd people that this AC unit works well for. I have a Promaster 1500 high roof, I do have the spare room (right behind the seat), I only have 400 W solar but I have an inverter that I can use to charge the battery while I'm driving if I use all the charge, and I bought a refurb spare battery for the Ecoflow, so I can have one that lasts through the night if I use up the one from the day. It struggles to keep me cool if the humidity is high and the temps are over 90-95, but its better than nothing to get rid of the humidity. If it's really struggling, I curtain off the area of my bed and just use it to cool down that small space- and it works well. It has its limitations but it's better than anything else I've found if I don't have shore power.

Thank you - finally an honest and helpful review!

I greatly appreciate coming across your video. You just saved me a lot of hassle and now I can put my energy elsewhere. Thank you. I am now a new subscriber.

However, were someone who does camping at state parks or places they have electricity it works really well. But as you say, you have to have the space work. I have the zero breeze mark two and if it is over 105° it doesn’t do a great job during the daytime, but it does take the humidity out which helps me in South Florida. But at night time about two in the morning I have to turn it off usually because it gets really cold.

We love you Bob!

I have zero intention of ever camping in anything over, say °85. And that would be rare and short-term! 😅 But, even then, there's the added heat it produces and the priceless space it takes up! So even on shore power, I wouldn't want it. Thank you so much for letting us know these things!

Always so entertaining and informative!!!

I read an article saying a freezer is extremely efficient. Just check out the power requirements and manage some frozen water bottles , run a solar powered fan over them and swap em out before they get too hot….. good luck 👍

Thanks for your honesty!

Isn't it ironic. To run the machine you need the sun constantly to charge the battery, and the sun is what's making it too hot needing a cooler. Ah, life has these little curves !

Thanks for doing this one Bob. I know many people have asked you about these units, including myself. I've just decided to move on and move to higher elevation for my warmer days. Thank you again.

I appreciate the honesty. I have a generator and 2500 watts in jackery power stations so I think this would work well for my situation. See you in January at the RTR!

Thank you for your honesty!

Thanks for an honest and thoughtful review! I’ve always been skeptical of these, they seem like a great concept… but portability often has tradeoffs

Love your honesty dude!