EcoFlow Our score 7.6/10 #4 of 4 small for real capacity
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus
Updated
A 286 Wh EcoFlow that charges from the wall in an hour and can add an extra battery, but delivered one of the lowest shares of its rated capacity of any model we track.
Independent tests put this portable power station's usable capacity at 218 Wh, 76% of the rated 286 Wh (one test so far).
Real capacity
218of 286 Wh
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CNET
76%
AC output
600 W
More than 2 of the 3 other small models we review. 1,200 W surge.
Cost per usable Wh
$1.37
#32 of 33 models we've priced.
PriceyWeight
10.4 lb
21 usable Wh per lb
Battery
LiFePO4
Long-life chemistry
Warranty
5 years
Wall charge
1 h
EcoFlow's figure at 380 W AC input.
How much of the 286 Wh do you get?
Each bar is the full rated capacity. Blue is what the tester measured coming out of the AC outlets; the striped end is what was lost.
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CNET 218 Wh · 76%
How long will it run your devices?
Add what you want to power and see how long the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus lasts on its tested 218 Wh, counting the power it uses on itself and any solar panels you add.
Our score: 7.6 out of 10
Worked out from the tested capacity and the specs on this page, compared with the other models we track. Capacity, power and charging are compared with the 4 small models; battery, build and features with all 37. Price isn't part of it. How we score.
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Capacity and power 35% of the score 6.9
What goes into capacity and power Measure This model Score Tested usable capacity 60% 218 Wh 5.6 Continuous AC output 25% 600 W 8.8 AC surge 15% 1,200 W 9.2 Compared with the 4 small models we track. Scores run from 5 to 10; 7.5 is the middle of the group.
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Charging 25% of the score 8.7
What goes into charging Measure This model Score Wall charge to full 40% 1 h 8.8 Max solar input 35% 220 W 9.4 UPS switchover 25% 10 ms 7.5 Compared with the 4 small models we track. Scores run from 5 to 10; 7.5 is the middle of the group.
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Battery and build 25% of the score 7.6
What goes into battery and build Measure This model Score Battery type 30% LiFePO4 10.0 Cycle life to 80% 25% 3,000 cycles 5.7 Warranty 25% 5 years 8.5 Usable Wh per lb 20% 21 Wh/lb 5.1 Compared with all 37 models we track. Scores run from 5 to 10; 7.5 is the middle of the group.
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Features 15% of the score 7.4
What goes into features Measure This model Score Expandable battery 25% Yes 10.0 AC + USB-C outlets 20% 4 5.6 USB-C max output 15% 100 W 7.0 240 V output 15% No 5.0 App control 15% Yes 10.0 Wheels 10% No 5.0 Compared with all 37 models we track. Scores run from 5 to 10; 7.5 is the middle of the group.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Full wall charge in about an hour, according to EcoFlow.
- Expandable to 858 Wh with EcoFlow's extra battery.
- Battery backup (UPS) mode with a 10 ms switchover, plus a USB cable so a computer can read its status.
- 5-year warranty and 3,000 cycles to 80%.
Cons
- Delivered 76% of rated capacity in CNET's test, one of the lowest shares of any model we track.
- Costs more per usable watt-hour than the BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 at the prices we checked.
- The manual declares FCC Class A, the class meant for commercial settings.
- Only one test so far.
Who it's for
People who want a small unit that recharges fast and can grow later, for devices, a router or a CPAP during short outages.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want the most usable energy from a small unit. The BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 and Anker SOLIX C300 delivered more in testing.
Features
- Battery backup (UPS) mode : yes
- Takes extra batteries : yes
- LiFePO4 battery : yes
- Solar input, 220 W : yes
- Car charging : yes
- 240 V output : no
- RV outlet (TT-30) : no
- App control : yes
- Wheels : no
How it compares with other small models
| Model | Usable | Delivered | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus 286 Wh rated | 218 Wh | 76% | $299 | Pricey |
| UDPower C400 256 Wh rated | 221 Wh | 86% | $169.99 | Pricey |
| Anker SOLIX C300 288 Wh rated | 234 Wh | 81% | – | No price checked yet |
| BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 288 Wh rated | 232 Wh | 80% | $289.99 | Pricey |
Questions
How much usable power does the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus have?
CNET measured 218 Wh at its standard 480 W load, against a rated 286 Wh.
Can you add a battery to the RIVER 3 Plus?
Yes, one RIVER 3 Plus Smart Extra Battery (572 Wh), for 858 Wh in total, per EcoFlow.
Full specs
From the maker's US manual or product page unless noted. Each value links to where we found it.
Capacity and battery
- Cycle life (to 80% capacity)
- 3,000 cycles
- manuals.ecoflow.com (source for Cycle life (to 80% capacity))
Output and ports
- Boost mode (heating loads only)
- 1,200 W X-Boost: heating loads at reduced voltage.
- us.ecoflow.com (source for Boost mode (heating loads only))
Charging
- Wall charge to full
- 1 h EcoFlow's figure at 380 W AC input.
- us.ecoflow.com (source for Wall charge to full)
Size and build
Warranty and certification
- Certifications
- FCC Part 15 Class A FCC Class A is the class meant for commercial settings. Most home products declare Class B.
- manuals.ecoflow.com (source for Certifications)
- Released
- Not published
Where this data comes from
Capacity figures come from the independent testers linked above. We record their numbers, the date and the load, and link to their reports; the testing is theirs. Specs come from EcoFlow's own US documents, and we note where they disagree with each other or with test results. Prices are checked by hand on the brand's US store.