Review: EcoFlow River 3 Plus power station

Last year, I reviewed EcoFlow’s River 2 power station—a compact and portable unit designed to power low-draw devices like laptops, smartphones, and other everyday electronics. It was easy to charge, versatile, and well-suited for a variety of use cases.

I came away genuinely impressed.

As someone who had done a fair bit of camping without a reliable power source, the River 2 quickly became an essential part of our family’s car camping setup.

Since then, it’s seen plenty of use—most recently over Christmas, when we spent more than two weeks camping in a tent. It served as our primary power source, keeping everything charged from cameras, phones and headlamps to our coffee grinder. Through wet weather, damp mornings, and scorching summer heat, it performed reliably and with minimal hassle.

Now, and about a year later, EcoFlow has released two new models in the River series—and we’ve got one on the test bench: the River 3 Plus.

The River 3 Series

EcoFlow’s River 3 lineup includes two models: the River 3 ($459), which features a 245Wh capacity and 300W output, and the more powerful River 3 Plus ($499), which we’re reviewing here. The Plus version offers a 286Wh battery and a 600W total AC pure sine wave output.

That makes the River 3 Plus significantly more powerful than the River 2 I tested last year. Just to clarify, the River 3—not the Plus—is the direct successor to the River 2. The River 3 Plus is a bigger and more capable unit, designed to handle higher power demands.

Design & build

Even with its bigger battery, the EcoFlow River 3 Plus sticks to the brand’s familiar, functional design. It has a sturdy built-in handle at the back and a well-organised set of ports on both the front and back:

• 2 × USB-A ports (12W max each, 24W total)

• 1 × USB-C port (100W max)

• 1 × Car outlet (12.6V / 10A, 126W max)

• 3 × AC outlets (600W total output)

I would have probably preferred to see one of the USB-A ports replaced with another USB-C port as fewer and fewer of my devices use USB-A in 2025, but it's a minor quibble. 

Weight-wise, at 4.7 kg, the River 3 Plus is not exactly lightweight, but that extra heft comes with more capability compared to its smaller siblings, and it's likely not the kind of device you'll be lugging on your back anyway.

If you do take it out, you'll appreciate that its made from fire-retardant plastic and built tough enough to survive drops from up to a metre, so it’s a great fit whether you’re using it at home or out camping. With its IP54 rating, it’s also protected against dust and light splashes.

Up front, there’s a newly upgraded LCD screen that shows all the important info—input and output power, battery percentage, estimated charge/recharge time, app connection status, UPS mode, and more. It's easy-to-read and well laid out too.

There’s even a strip light just below the screen with three modes (including a flashing emergency setting), and you can control it via the EcoFlow app—perfect for switching it off from bed without having to get up.

Finally, and for better or worse, EcoFlow has taken a leaf out of GoPro's playbook and now sells a variety of accessories for its power stations, including a PegBoard and a carbon fibre wrap for the River 3 Plus, so you can accessorise your device to your heart's content. 

Charging options

You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to keeping the River 3 Plus charged. Out of the box, it includes both a standard AC cable for wall outlets and a car charger—so whether you're at home or on the road, you're covered.

For more off-grid flexibility, the River 3 Plus also supports solar input up to 220W, making it a solid option for eco-conscious users or those spending extended time outdoors.

There's even a DC input, allowing you to hook it up to a gas generator if needed.

One standout feature is its ability to act as a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). With switchover times of less than 10 milliseconds, it can keep essential devices powered during sudden outages without missing a beat—a huge plus for anyone relying on uninterrupted power for sensitive electronics.

Charging performance is also impressive. When plugged into the mains, the River 3 Plus can go from zero to 100% in around an hour. And despite the rapid charging, it stays surprisingly quiet.

I noticed the older River 2 Plus would kick on its fans fairly often—especially while charging or when the ambient temperature rose.

The River 3 Plus, by contrast, runs noticeably cooler and quieter under similar conditions, making it more discreet and pleasant to use day-to-day.

Battery Life & Expandability

With a 286Wh capacity, the River 3 Plus offers solid performance. In testing, it fully charged a MacBook Pro about 2.5 times and can recharge a smartphone roughly eight times.

For extended use, the battery can be expanded with EcoFlow’s EB300 (286Wh) or EB600 expansion modules, connected via a port found behind a rubber plug on the base, although these are fairly expensive.

The River 3 Plus also offers EcoFlow's X-Boost technology, which enables the device to deliver up to 1200W in short bursts, effectively allowing it to power high drain devices such as electric grills if they draw less than 1200W of power. Some devices may also have a slightly higher initial draw than 1200W despite being rated for less, so may not work. 

I had fun testing it with various devices around my home, but didn’t have a huge amount of success — most small appliances like a jug, microwave, sandwich press, and vacuum cleaner pushed it into overload mode, although it did power my Technics turntable, which got me thinking about the possibilities of remote DJing gigs in the backcountry - but I digress.

The reality is that if you're looking for a power station that can reliably run more demanding power hungry devices, you're probably better off with one of EcoFlow’s more powerful models.

Another thing to mention is the EcoFlow app further enhances control, allowing you to monitor input/output stats and battery level, adjust charging speeds and power settings, schedule tasks and perform firmware updates.

The wrap-up

There’s a lot to like about the EcoFlow River 3 Plus. With a price tag just $40 higher than the standard River 3, it’s an easy and worthwhile upgrade—especially considering the significant jump in capability.

While the original River 3 is a bit limited in power and flexibility, the River 3 Plus delivers enough juice for the vast majority of casual users. Whether you're looking to keep your smartphones, laptops, and cameras charged, or want a reliable power source for a weekend camping trip with the family, the River 3 Plus checks all the right boxes.

That said, more demanding users—those running high-draw appliances or needing extended off-grid power—may find the River 3 Plus doesn’t quite go the distance. In those cases, the EcoFlow Delta 2 is a better fit. With a much larger 1kWh capacity (expandable up to 3kWh), 1800W AC output, and up to 15 ports, it's a serious step up in performance.

Of course, that extra power comes at a cost: at $1,499, it’s a significant investment. 

In short, the River 3 Plus is an excellent middle-ground solution—offering solid performance, great portability, and strong value for money.