EcoFlow RIVER 3 Review: The Best Ultraportable Power Station Under $200

Not every situation calls for a 1,000Wh beast. Sometimes you just need to keep your phone charged, run a camp light, and maybe power a small fan. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 is built for exactly that — and it does it well.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Capacity: 245Wh
• Output: 300W (600W X-Boost)
• Weight: 7.8 lbs
• Charge Time: ~60 minutes (wall outlet)
• Battery Type: LiFePO4 (3,000+ cycles)

Who Is It For?

Weekend campers, festival-goers, and anyone who needs a reliable way to charge phones, laptops, and small devices outdoors. It’s also a solid emergency backup for keeping phones and a WiFi router running during short outages.

Ultraportable Done Right

At 7.8 lbs, the RIVER 3 weighs less than a gallon of milk. You can toss it in a backpack without thinking twice. The IP54 rating means it handles dust and light rain, which is a rarity at this price point.

60-Minute Full Charge

EcoFlow’s signature fast charging carries over to the RIVER 3. A full charge in about an hour means you can top it off while packing for a trip and head out the door ready to go. That’s a massive advantage over competitors in this size class that often take 3-4 hours.

X-Boost for Higher Loads

The 300W base output won’t run a blender, but EcoFlow’s X-Boost technology lets the RIVER 3 handle devices up to 600W by intelligently reducing voltage. It’s not perfect for every device, but it significantly extends what this little unit can handle.

What You Can Run

Based on the 245Wh capacity:

• Charge a smartphone 15-20 times
• Charge a MacBook Air 3-4 times
• Run a CPAP machine for one night
• Power a 10W LED camp light for 20+ hours
• Run a small USB fan for 15+ hours

What Could Be Better

The 245Wh capacity is inherently limiting. Multi-day trips without solar will drain it fast. The 300W continuous output means no coffee makers, blenders, or hair dryers. And with only 2 AC outlets, you’re limited on simultaneous connections.

The Bottom Line

The EcoFlow RIVER 3 is the best ultraportable power station under $200. The combination of LiFePO4 longevity, 60-minute charging, and IP54 durability at 7.8 lbs makes it the go-to choice for light camping, travel, and emergency phone charging. If you need more power, look at the Bluetti AC70 or Anker SOLIX C1000 instead.