RIVER 3
- you already own one: keep it for phones, laptops and a router
- you want the lightest: 7.8 lb
- your loads stay under 300W
RIVER 3 Plus
- you run up to 600W on three outlets
- a router or a PC needs the 10ms UPS
- you’ll add a battery: up to 858Wh
Prices and stock checked by our price engine on November 13, 2026 at 9:29 AM EST. Each product is rechecked several times a day; the time refreshes when you load the page.
Almost the same battery. The Plus doubles what you can plug in and what the sun can put back.
EcoFlow US no longer sells the RIVER 3: its US page now redirects to an extra battery for the RIVER 3 Plus and Max. The RIVER 3 stored 245Wh and delivered 300W from two AC outlets, at 7.8 lb. The RIVER 3 Plus stores 286Wh and delivers 600W from three, takes 220W of solar instead of 110W, switches to battery in under 10ms instead of under 20ms, and grows to 858Wh with an extra battery, at 10.4 lb. EcoFlow US hasn’t listed the RIVER 3 Plus since November 4, 2026, so the closest model it sells today is the RIVER 2 Max 500: 499Wh, 500W (1,000W X-Boost), 220W of solar and a 60-minute wall refill, at 13.2 lb.
Below: what changed with numbers, a 20-second calculator for your own gear, seven modeled situations, a third option, and what published tests found on each.
If you’re buying today, look at the RIVER 2 Max 500: EcoFlow US no longer sells the RIVER 3 and hasn’t listed the RIVER 3 Plus since November 4, 2026. Between the two RIVER 3 models, the Plus adds 41Wh, twice the AC output, twice the solar input, a faster UPS and an extra battery option, for 2.6 lb more.
- you carry it often: 7.8 lb
- you mostly charge phones and laptops
- your AC loads stay under 300W
- you run up to 600W
- you protect a PC: under 10ms
- you charge from 220W of solar
The five differences that decide it
Both use LFP cells rated for 3,000 cycles to 80%, have one 100W USB-C port, two 12W USB-A ports, an IP54-rated battery pack and an EcoFlow rating under 30dB. These five gaps decide it.
Will it run your setup? Check in 20 seconds
Estimates use 85% usable capacity and 70% of rated solar output. Real results vary with temperature, inverter load, shade and appliance cycling. Fridge and freezer watts are daily averages and do not include compressor startup surges.
Runtime by appliance, one at a time
Simple energy estimates, not measured runtimes. About 208Wh usable on the RIVER 3 and 243Wh on the RIVER 3 Plus; StorageReview got 210Wh out of a RIVER 3 at a 300W load.
Appliance for appliance, the RIVER 3 Plus lasts 17% longer than the RIVER 3.
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What to buy instead today
The RIVER 2 Max 500 is the closest current model in size, with more battery than either RIVER 3 but no 10ms UPS listed. If what you need is runtime rather than a light box, the RIVER 2 Pro stores 2.7 times as much as the RIVER 3 Plus.
The third option: the RIVER 2 Pro at $369
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro: $369 today
If what you need is runtime, not a small box: 768Wh, 800W from four AC outlets, a car socket and two DC barrels, 220W of solar and a 70-minute wall refill, at 18.2 lb. Its EPS switches in under 30ms, slower than either RIVER 3. See the RIVER 2 Pro at EcoFlow.
Seven modeled situations, worked out
Same formula as the calculator above: 85% of the rated capacity, no extra battery.
Wi-Fi router through an outage
Both keep the internet up through a night and most of the next day. The Plus’s 10ms UPS also keeps the router from rebooting when the grid drops.
CPAP, one night
Neither covers a full 8-hour night alone. The RIVER 3 Plus can, with an extra battery; the RIVER 3 can’t be expanded.
Laptop work away from an outlet
Close. TechRadar got about three MacBook Pro recharges out of one full RIVER 3.
A 500W rice cooker
Only the Plus runs it at full power. X-Boost lets the RIVER 3 run heating loads up to 600W at reduced power; PhoneArena’s 600W grill tripped it in under two minutes.
Refill from solar, each at its maximum
The Plus banks twice the energy per hour of sun. Bob Vila refilled a RIVER 3 from below 10% in a little over three hours with a 110W panel.
A desktop PC through a grid drop
Mighty Gadget’s desktop PC kept running through the RIVER 3’s switchover, but 20ms is at the edge of what many power supplies ride through. The Plus’s 10ms is the safer bet.
Carrying it in a backpack
TechRadar fitted the RIVER 3 in the bottom of a standard backpack. The Plus is 2.6 lb heavier and a little taller.
Nine more differences, the spec sheet and the box
Smaller gaps and the things that stay identical, then the full specifications and the box.
RIVER 3 and RIVER 3 Plus weight, dimensions and full specifications
Weight: 7.8 lb for the RIVER 3 and 10.4 lb for the RIVER 3 Plus. Dimensions: 10 × 8.3 × 4.4 in and 9.2 × 9.1 × 5.8 in. RIVER 3 figures come from EcoFlow Canada’s page for the same 120V model.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 and RIVER 3 Plus full specifications
Every published figure for both units, grouped. Green marks the better value.
What’s in the box
RIVER 3
- RIVER 3245Wh, 7.8 lb
- AC charging cable
- Car charging cable
- User manual
RIVER 3 Plus
- RIVER 3 Plus286Wh, 10.4 lb
- AC charging cable
- Manual
- Extra battery sold separately
RIVER 3 contents as EcoFlow listed them when it was on sale; RIVER 3 Plus from EcoFlow’s standard box list.
07 · ChargingHow fast each one refills
Shorter bar, faster refill. Each row is scaled to its slower unit.
RIVER 3: one input for solar or carRIVER 3 Plus: 220W solar or car input
Our solar times divide capacity by input power, with solar at 70% of panel rating.
Every port, side by side
RIVER 3
RIVER 3 Plus
Practical consequence: the Plus adds a third AC outlet, puts two of them on the back for a router or PC, and adds the battery port. Both keep the same USB layout.
09 · NoiseNoise: RIVER 3 vs RIVER 3 Plus
Both are quiet. EcoFlow rates both under 30dB at 1.5 ft; CyberShack measured the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus at 33dB at full load from 2 m, and StorageReview found the EcoFlow RIVER 3‘s fan unobtrusive.
The fan mostly runs while charging on both.Every figure we found, with its source
What reviewers heard: The fan stayed unobtrusive (StorageReview); it spun up when a TV was first connected, then stayed silent (T3, UK unit); it rarely ran at low loads but comes on while charging (Mighty Gadget, UK unit).
What reviewers heard: 33dB at full load from 2 metres (CyberShack, Australian unit); noticeably cooler and quieter than the RIVER 2 (Australian Photography).
Measured by a tester Brand figure
- The fan mostly runs while charging, so charge during the day if it sits by a bed.
Cold, heat and storage: RIVER 3 vs RIVER 3 Plus
The EcoFlow RIVER 3 and the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus share the same limits: charging from 32°F to 113°F, running from 14°F to 113°F. Both battery packs are rated IP54, the pack only and not against immersion.
Figures from EcoFlow Canada’s RIVER 3 page and EcoFlow US’s RIVER 3 Plus page.- In a cold car or tent, bring either one inside to charge: neither charges below 32°F.
- For storage, keep it between 68°F and 86°F with some charge left, and top it up every few months (EcoFlow US).
App, UPS and smart features
The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus does more: a faster UPS with a USB-B link that saves a PC’s data, and an extra battery up to 858Wh. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 matches it on Wi-Fi control.
Same app over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The gap is UPS speed and expansion.Green zone: a switch under about 16ms, which most desktop PCs ride through without restarting.
Can you add a battery later? The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus takes an EB300 or an EB600, stacked without cables, up to 858Wh; the EcoFlow RIVER 3 can’t be expanded.
Does it work as a UPS? The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus switches in under 10ms (9ms measured by StorageReview), and its USB-B port tells EcoFlow software to save data when the battery runs low. EcoFlow rates the EcoFlow RIVER 3 at under 20ms; Bob Vila kept a tankless water heater’s igniter lighting through a cut breaker on it.
Can it run a heater or kettle above its rating? Both have X-Boost for heating loads at reduced power: up to 600W on the EcoFlow RIVER 3 and 1,200W on the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus. It doesn’t help motors.
How does the app connect? Both use the EcoFlow app over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, with charge-speed limits and remote control of the outputs.
Warranty and support
EcoFlow US gives the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus 5 years, with no registration condition listed. Its warranty table lists the EcoFlow RIVER 3 at 24 months; an existing unit keeps the term it was sold with.
Same 3,000-cycle rating. The Plus gets more than twice the coverage.Subject to each brand’s warranty terms and eligibility.
EcoFlow rates both at 3,000 cycles to 80% capacity, about 8 years at one full cycle a day. Calendar aging and heat also reduce capacity, so read the rating as a ceiling.
- If you find a RIVER 3 for sale, check that seller’s warranty before buying: EcoFlow US no longer sells it, and its own term was 24 months.
What reviewers report
We have not lab-tested these two units. Here is what 12 published reviews found, with the source, author and date for each point. Reviews of UK and EU units are flagged: those models charge from 230V outlets and have different sockets, so their charge times and outlet findings don’t carry over to US units.
RIVER 3: StorageReview (October 2024), Bob Vila (December 2024), TechRadar (March 2025), T3 (April 2025, UK unit), RV.com (September 2024), Mighty Gadget (November 2024, UK unit), PhoneArena (February 2025, EU unit)RIVER 3 Plus: StorageReview (February 2025), CyberShack (March 2025, Australian unit), Bob Vila (March 2025), Australian Photography (May 2025, Australian unit), The Gadgeteer (February 2025)
Usable capacity
- RIVER 3Reviewer Running a 300W fan, right at the inverter limit, the testers got 210Wh out of the 245Wh battery before shutdown, about 86%. StorageReview, Corinne OBrien, October 2024
- RIVER 3Reviewer After a week of charging a laptop 3 times and a phone 4 times from one full charge, the battery still showed 57%. Bob Vila, Mark Wolfe, December 2024
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer Reported 0.43kWh discharged and 0.56kWh to recharge; the discharge figure exceeds the 286Wh rating and looks doubtful. StorageReview, Dylan Dougherty, February 2025
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer 240V output test returned 228Wh from the 286Wh battery, about 79% at a 108W load. CyberShack, Ray Shaw, March 2025, Australian unit
Charging
- RIVER 3Reviewer Refilling from empty took 270Wh from the wall, with a peak draw of 322W in fast charging mode. StorageReview, Corinne OBrien, October 2024
- RIVER 3Reviewer From below 10%, a 110W solar panel on a very sunny day refilled it in a little over 3 hours; a wall outlet took about an hour. Bob Vila, Mark Wolfe, December 2024
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer A third-party 120W panel, effective 110W, refilled it in about three hours in perfect sun. CyberShack, Ray Shaw, March 2025, Australian unit
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer With a small 45W solar panel, a recharge from 10% takes most of a day, close to 8 hours. Bob Vila, Mark Wolfe, March 2025
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer Zero to 100% on mains in around an hour (Australian 240V unit). Australian Photography, Mike O’Connor, May 2025, Australian unit
Noise and heat
- RIVER 3Reviewer The fan, rated at 30dB by EcoFlow, stayed unobtrusive through their testing. StorageReview, Corinne OBrien, October 2024
- RIVER 3Reviewer The fan spun up when the TV system was first connected, then stopped and stayed silent during use. T3, Derek Adams, April 2025, UK unit
- RIVER 3Reviewer At low loads the fan rarely ran, but it does come on while charging. Mighty Gadget, James Smythe, November 2024, UK unit
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer Measured 33dB at full load from 2 metres, where the unit would usually sit. CyberShack, Ray Shaw, March 2025, Australian unit
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer Runs noticeably cooler and quieter than the RIVER 2 the reviewer tested before, whose fans kicked on often. Australian Photography, Mike O’Connor, May 2025, Australian unit
UPS and output
- RIVER 3Reviewer Used as a UPS for a tankless gas water heater igniter, it kept the heater lighting after the breaker was cut. Bob Vila, Mark Wolfe, December 2024
- RIVER 3Reviewer A 50-inch TV, soundbar, set-top box and lamp drew 157W at most, about 1.5 hours of TV per full charge. T3, Derek Adams, April 2025, UK unit
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer Lab measurement with a Quarch mains analyzer showed a 9ms transfer time, inside EcoFlow’s under-10ms claim. StorageReview, Dylan Dougherty, February 2025
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer Reviewer uses it as a UPS for router and smart-home gear and rates the 10ms cutover imperceptible. CyberShack, Ray Shaw, March 2025, Australian unit
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer After four months of use, brewing 6 cups on a home coffee maker took 43 to 45% of the charge. Bob Vila, Mark Wolfe, March 2025
Daily use and issues
- RIVER 3Reviewer The USB ports and AC outlets have no covers, only the car outlet and input ports do, a concern in dusty places. Bob Vila, Mark Wolfe, December 2024
- RIVER 3Reviewer Small enough to fit in the bottom of a standard backpack or a Jeep rear tray. TechRadar, Collin Probst, March 2025
- RIVER 3Reviewer The app cannot switch the unit on remotely unless it is already on or the device timeout is set to never. T3, Derek Adams, April 2025, UK unit
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer App over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; EcoFlow recommends a 20% discharge and 80% charge limit for battery health. StorageReview, Dylan Dougherty, February 2025
- RIVER 3 PlusReviewer Would not charge at first in a freezing garage; the reviewer concluded it was below its charging temperature, then it charged normally. The Gadgeteer, Julian Perry, February 2025
Practical limits before you buy
- EcoFlow US no longer sells the RIVER 3. Its US page redirects to an extra battery for the RIVER 3 Plus and Max; check any seller’s warranty before buying one.
- The RIVER 3 stops at 300W. A coffee maker, a hair dryer or a microwave won’t run on it.
- X-Boost is for heating loads only, at reduced power. Motors need the continuous rating: 300W or 600W.
- Neither runs a fridge through the night. 245Wh and 286Wh give about 3.5 to 4 hours at a 60W average.
- The RIVER 3 can’t be expanded. The Plus takes one extra battery, up to 858Wh.
- Bob Vila noted the RIVER 3’s USB ports and AC outlets have no covers, only the car outlet and inputs do.
- Neither ships with a solar cable.
- RIVER 3, per EcoFlow’s spec page: AC output 300W total over 2 outlets, surge and X-Boost 600W; X-Boost is aimed at heating devices.
- RIVER 3, per EcoFlow’s spec page: AC charging 320W (0-100% in 60 min), solar 110W max (as fast as 2.6 hr), car 100W at 11 to 30V (2.8 hr).
- RIVER 3, per EcoFlow’s spec page: Charge temperature 32°F to 113°F, discharge 14°F to 113°F, storage and optimal use 68°F to 86°F.
- Both IP54 ratings cover the battery pack only, not the whole unit, and don’t protect against immersion.
Frequently asked questions
Is the RIVER 3 Plus the replacement for the RIVER 3?
It was. EcoFlow US no longer sells the RIVER 3, and hasn’t listed the RIVER 3 Plus since November 4, 2026. Against the RIVER 3, the Plus has 41Wh more, twice the AC output, twice the solar input and a faster UPS. Buying new from EcoFlow US today, the closest model is the RIVER 2 Max 500, with 499Wh and 500W.
Is the RIVER 3 Plus worth it over a RIVER 3?
If you run anything over 300W, charge from solar or use it as a UPS, yes. For phones, a laptop and a router, the RIVER 3 does the same job 2.6 lb lighter.
Should I replace my RIVER 3 with a Plus?
Only if you hit its limits. The battery is nearly the same size; the gains are output, solar input, UPS speed and expansion.
Which is better as a UPS?
The RIVER 3 Plus: under 10ms, 9ms in StorageReview’s test, against under 20ms for the RIVER 3.
How long will each run a CPAP?
Without humidifier, at 40W: about 5 hours on the RIVER 3 and 6 hours on the RIVER 3 Plus. Only the Plus can add an extra battery for a full night.
Can either run a mini fridge?
Briefly. At a 60W average, about 3.5 hours on the RIVER 3 and 4 hours on the RIVER 3 Plus.
How fast do they charge?
Both fill from the wall in about an hour. From solar, the Plus takes 220W and the RIVER 3 110W, so the Plus refills in about half the time.
Can I add a battery to either?
Only to the RIVER 3 Plus, with an EB300 or an EB600, up to 858Wh.
Do reviews confirm the rated capacity?
RIVER 3: StorageReview got 210Wh out of the 245Wh battery at a 300W load, about 86%. RIVER 3 Plus: no reliable measured figure we could verify. Inverter losses usually take 10 to 20% on AC, which is why our calculator uses 85% of the rating.
What warranty do they have?
EcoFlow US lists the RIVER 3 Plus at 5 years and the RIVER 3 at 24 months.
Related comparisons and reviews
How we compared and sources
Research-based comparison. We have not physically tested these two units. RIVER 3 specs come from EcoFlow Canada’s page for the same 120V model, because EcoFlow US redirects its RIVER 3 page; RIVER 3 Plus specs from EcoFlow US. Usage observations are attributed to named reviewers. Checked on October 30, 2026.
- Specs: EcoFlow Canada, RIVER 3 and EcoFlow US, RIVER 3 Plus, read on October 30, 2026; warranty terms from the EcoFlow US warranty policy.
- Reviewer reports on the RIVER 3: StorageReview, Corinne OBrien, October 2024, Bob Vila, Mark Wolfe, December 2024, TechRadar, Collin Probst, March 2025, T3, Derek Adams, April 2025, UK unit, RV.com, Kraig Becker, September 2024, Mighty Gadget, James Smythe, November 2024, UK unit, PhoneArena, Polina Kovalakova, testing by Orhan Chakarov, February 2025, EU unit; on the RIVER 3 Plus: StorageReview, Dylan Dougherty, February 2025, CyberShack, Ray Shaw, March 2025, Australian unit, Bob Vila, Mark Wolfe, March 2025, Australian Photography, Mike O’Connor, May 2025, Australian unit, The Gadgeteer, Julian Perry, February 2025.
- Runtime = capacity × 0.85 ÷ watts. Solar harvest = min(panel watts, max input) × sun hours × 0.70.
Nearly the same battery. The RIVER 3 Plus doubles the output and solar input with a 10ms UPS; the RIVER 3 is 2.6 lb lighter. EcoFlow US lists neither today: the RIVER 2 Max 500 is the closest model it sells.
Prices checked November 13, 2026 at 9:29 AM EST
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Originally published: November 8, 2026