EcoFlow RIVER 3 review
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station (245Wh)
By Tom Calder
Key specs
The maker's figures.
- Capacity
- 245 Wh
- AC output
- 300 W
- Surge
- —
- Weight
- 7.8 lb
- Battery
- LFP
EcoFlow's smallest current station: 245Wh on long-life LFP cells, for phones, lights, a router and a laptop.
- Best for
- A small, newer power station
- Skip it if
- You need to run appliances
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Researched, not used. We haven't used this product. This review is built from the maker's specifications, owner reports and our own sizing.
What we like
- LFP battery
- Light
Worth knowing
- Small capacity
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Our review
EcoFlow's RIVER 3 is a 245Wh LFP power station of about 7.7 lb with a 300W inverter, a 100W USB-C port and roughly one-hour wall charging. It keeps phones, a laptop, lights and a router going through an evening outage. This review covers its outputs, X-Boost, the backup switching small print and how it stacks up.
Who the RIVER 3 suits
The RIVER 3 is one of the smallest stations on our power station comparison: about 10 by 8.4 by 4.5 inches and 7.72 lb by EcoFlow's manual. It is for small loads through a short outage, or for a car or campsite: phones, a laptop, a lamp, a fan, a modem and router. It will not run a refrigerator, a microwave or a space heater for any meaningful time.
EcoFlow's US store now leads with the RIVER 3 Plus and RIVER 3 Max, and the plain RIVER 3 is sold mostly through other retailers, so check which version you are getting.
Outputs and X-Boost
EcoFlow's manual rates the US version at 300W of pure sine wave AC at 120V. Alongside the AC outlets are a 100W USB-C port, which can charge most laptops, two 12W USB-A ports and a 12V car-style outlet rated at 126W. Total output across everything is 550W.
X-Boost, on by default, lets the RIVER 3 run heating and motor-driven devices rated up to 600W without tripping the inverter's overload protection. The manual warns it is not for devices with voltage protection such as precise instruments, and that it is unavailable in bypass mode. EcoFlow also recommends powering one device under 300W at a time to avoid tripping overload protection.
One habit to know: the manual says the AC outlets switch themselves off after a period with no load, so check that a low-draw device such as a router keeps them awake.
Backup switching: read the model name
EcoFlow's series page advertises a switchover under 10 ms, but the RIVER 3 manual separates two versions. The standard RIVER 3 offers emergency power with a transfer time within 20 ms, and the manual says not to use it for devices that need an uninterrupted supply, such as desktops or NAS servers. A separate version, labeled RIVER 3 (10 ms UPS), offers the faster transfer.
For a modem and router, 20 ms is usually fine. For anything that must not blink, check for the 10 ms UPS label, and remember the manual says it is not meant for life-support medical equipment. Our power outage checklist covers what to back up first.
Charging, battery and warranty
EcoFlow says the RIVER 3 series charges fully in about an hour from the wall; the manual advises plugging the cable straight into a wall outlet rather than an extension. Solar input is up to 110W at 11V to 30V, and a car outlet adds up to 100W.
The LFP battery is rated to keep 80% or more of its health after 3,000 cycles. EcoFlow's US warranty lists the RIVER 3 at 24 months, against five years for the RIVER 3 Plus, and the manual warns the warranty may not cover a battery left uncharged and unused for more than six months. It charges between 32°F and 113°F.
How it compares, and the verdict
BLUETTI's Elite 30 V2 is the closest rival: a little more capacity at 288Wh, twice the AC output at 600W, a 140W USB-C port, a 10 ms switchover and a five-year warranty, but at about 9.5 lb it is heavier. The RIVER 3 is lighter and simpler.
Verdict: a compact, quick-charging station for phones, laptops and a router. Skip it if you need a true UPS for a computer, want a long warranty, or plan to run kitchen appliances.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and US listings; facts checked 2 Nov 2026. Sources: EcoFlow: RIVER 3 Series page (US); EcoFlow: RIVER 3 user manual (PDF, reseller-hosted copy); EcoFlow: US warranty policy.
Who shouldn't buy this
Don't buy it if you need to run appliances: go bigger.
This is a Researched review: we haven't used this product. We check every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the US price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who it isn't for. Commissions never change a rating.
If this isn’t the one
Best for A light, affordable mid-size station
Read the review →Best for A small station from a big charger brand
See the comparison →
Best for A small station with a UPS for the router
Questions
Can the EcoFlow RIVER 3 run a refrigerator?
Not in any useful way. Its 300W output and 245Wh battery suit small electronics. For a fridge, look at stations of 1,000Wh or more and read our refrigerator guide.
Is the RIVER 3 a UPS?
The standard model switches to battery within 20 ms, and EcoFlow's manual says not to use it for desktops or servers that need uninterrupted power. A RIVER 3 (10 ms UPS) version offers 10 ms; check the label.
What does X-Boost do?
It lets heating and motor-driven devices rated up to 600W run from the 300W inverter without tripping its overload protection. It is on by default, does not suit voltage-sensitive devices, and does not work in bypass mode.
How long is the warranty?
EcoFlow's US warranty policy lists 24 months for the RIVER 3. It starts on delivery to the original buyer and excludes units bought from unauthorized sellers.