EcoFlow River 3 Plus Power Station Review: Powerful and Affordable
When we reviewed the EcoFlow River 3 a few months back, we were impressed by its outstanding price and excellent design. In fact, we loved the portable power station’s looks so much that we described it as “elegant and unobtrusive.” That’s high praise for a category of devices that typically have a boxy shape and usually come in eye-popping colors that are anything but subtle.
But that wasn’t the case with the River 3, which offered a lot of functionality at a great price, while seamlessly blending into nearly any environment. Those are all qualities that carry over to EcoFlow’s latest addition to its power station line-up—the River 3 Plus—which takes everything we loved about the River 3 and further boosts its capabilities.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
This River Runs Deep
Normally when reviewing a new power station, the first thing we like to do is run down all of its important specs—most notably power output and storage capacity. We’ll get to those numbers shortly, but with the River 3 Plus we first wanted to set some context. You see, this device is priced at just $299 (on sale for $209 at press time), which squarely puts it into the “budget” category. But other than its low cost, there isn’t much that is “budget” about this model. Keep that in mind as you continue to read on.
As for those specs we mentioned above, the River 3 Plus offers a sustained output of 600W with a peak output of up to 1200W. It can also store up to 286Wh of electricity in its LiFePO4 batteries. Those power cells are safer and more reliable than lithium-ion batteries, providing a lifespan of up to 10 years of daily use. And if that isn’t enough capacity for you, the power station is also compatible with EcoFlow’s expansion batteries, which can increase capacity up to 858Wh.
The River 3 Plus is equally impressive when it comes to power input. As with most power stations, the unit can be recharged using an AC wall outlet, DC 12V vehicle port, solar panels, and a gas generator. When plugged into the wall, the device can fully replenish its energy supply in under an hour, and it can receive up to 220W of input from solar alone, all with built-in over-charge protection to keep the batteries safe and healthy at all times.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Charging on the Go
The River 3 Plus isn’t lacking in output ports either. The power station comes equipped with three 120V AC outlet (one on the front, two on the back), a 12V DC port, two standard USB-A ports, and one 100W USB-C port. As usual, we would have liked to have seen another USB-C port, but considering the size and price point of this model, some compromises had to be made. Still, you’ll easily be able to charge up to seven devices at the same time, which is very impressive in its own right.
All of those ports are great for keeping mobile devices functioning and appliances running while on the go. For instance, the River 3 Plus is capable of recharging a smartphone more than 25 times or running a Bluetooth speaker for nearly 20 hours. It can also charge a laptop up to four times, power a portable refrigerator for 3.5 hours, and illuminate a 10W lamp for as much as 15 hours. In short, it has the capacity to keep all but the most demanding appliances running while camping or traveling off-grid.
All of those ports, technology, and features fit neatly into a surprisingly small and lightweight package. The unit measures 9.2” x 9.1” x 5.8” and weighs just 10.4 lbs., which—when paired with its rugged built-in handle—only enhances its portability. And like its sibling the River 3, this model features an elegant design that doesn’t stand out on a desk, countertop, or table in any room in the house.
Photo Credit: EcoFlow
More Impressive Capabilities
As is typical with a power station from EcoFlow, the River 3 Plus has capabilities that go beyond recharging other devices in the field. The unit has a number of other nice features that help it stand out from the competition and further enhance its value proposition. For instance, the device comes with a built-in light that is activated by tapping a button on the front of the case. The light itself is soft in nature, meaning it won’t blind anyone at the campsite after dark. It includes two different brightness levels and has a flashing emergency mode, too.
Other notable features include the option to monitor and control the device via a smartphone app and the ability to use it as an uninterruptible power supply. With a 10-millisecond response time, the River 3 Plus is on par with traditional UPS units, but with the added benefit of having better batteries, more storage capacity, and a longer lifespan. The fact that it runs at a whisper-quiet 30dB, even under stress, is an added bonus.
Now comes the part of the review where we remind you that is unit sells for just $299, which is an incredible price when you consider everything it delivers. Excellent power capacity and output, a suite of modern and useful features, and refined looks make it very easy to recommend this power station, even to folks who may not traditionally be in the market for such a device.
At a time when electrical outages seem to be increasingly common and our power grid is taxed more than ever, having even a small back-up charging solution seems like a good idea. But if you lead an active lifestyle where an on-the-go power source makes a lot of sense, this is a very attractive option. The River 3 Plus even has expandable storage capabilities, which is somewhat unusual for a device of this size and at this price point.
As fans of portable power stations in general—and EcoFlow products specifically—we’re excited that the brand is bringing such high-quality models to more users. The River 3 already offered a lot of bang for your buck, but for not much more money, the River 3 Plus is a very nice upgrade. This model continues the company’s legacy of offering outstanding energy solutions to meet a wide variety of needs and it feels like it will be very challenging for any of its competitors to match it in this ultra-affordable space. As usual, EcoFlow has set a very high bar for anyone else to follow, making its River line of power stations the best option for most users.
To learn more about the River 3, the River 3 Plus, and all of EcoFlow’s products, visit the company’s website.
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