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At first glance, the EcoFlow River 3 Plus looks like many other small power stations, but I’ve been using it for the past 4 months, and I have to admit that it is surprising and impressive: Small enough to slide under the seat of my truck, and weighing just 10.4 pounds, it seemed ideal for charging electronics on camping trips. I was surprised to find out it was also capable of running my coffee pot, microwave oven, or deep freezer at home.
This 600-watt rated compact power station supports 1,200-watt devices in X-Boost mode. The River 3 Plus is powered by a sealed lithium iron phosphate battery that can handle 3,000 charge cycles and still retain up to 80 percent efficiency. As for protection, the battery is IP54 protected against dust and moisture, and enclosed in a fire-retardant, drop-resistant shell. The base unit comes with 286 watt-hours of capacity. For extended runtime, it is expandable up to 858 watt-hours by adding extra batteries—and the connection is wire-free.
Top Pick
EcoFlow River 3 Plus
The EcoFlow River 3 Plus has been perfect as a charging hub and for powering small devices in camp, lighting the tent, running a fan to keep the bugs away, and making coffee. But the compact size does have limitations—the power supply is not endless. For example, my regular coffee maker at home uses between 43 and 45 percent of the charge to brew 6 cups of coffee, so while the unit works well as a backup there, it can’t be counted on to support a coffee maker every morning on a week-long camping trip. However, for those who use a CPAP at night, this unit is worth consideration for camping. It should power the basic function, but comfort features like a humidifier or heated tubes may require an extra battery.
So far, I’ve been relying on the onboard 45-watt solar panel to recharge in camp. From 10 percent, it usually takes the whole day to fully charge the EcoFlow River 3 Plus using the 45-watt solar panel—close to 8 hours, or more if the sun exposure is limited. Those who want to expand the off-grid input will find that the unit can accept up to 220 watts of solar charging when external solar panels are added.
EcoFlow has several different models, and the River 3 is often the first that many shoppers notice. However, the River 3 Plus boasts several noteworthy upgrades over the River 3, including more base capacity (600 watts and 286-watt hours in the River 3 Plus versus 300 watts and 245-watt hours in the River 3), more outlets, a built-in light, and wire-free expandable capacity. I also prefer the layout of the River 3 Plus over the River 3, because it keeps the control panel, charging ports, and outlets on the front and back, leaving more space on the sides for ventilation. The 3 Plus is slightly larger and weighs a bit more than the River 3, but those are minimal tradeoffs for the improvements in functionality and design.
Where to Buy the EcoFlow River 3 Plus
Get the EcoFlow River 3+ at:
