EcoFlow Wave 3 Review

If you’ve been hunting for a genuinely portable air-con that can run off batteries, solar or the mains — and do heating too — the EcoFlow WAVE 3 is one of the most compelling options currently on the market. It’s aimed squarely at van-lifers, caravan owners, campers and homeowners who want a small, mobile climate solution rather than a heavy, fixed unit. I’ll share how it performs at home and on the road, realistic runtime expectations, buying details for the UK, how it stacks up against rivals, and why someone might choose an EcoFlow.

What it is and key specs

The WAVE 3 is a battery-friendly portable heat-pump air conditioner with a rated 6,100 BTU cooling capacity and 6,800 BTU heating capacity. It’s written up as a 1,800 W (cooling) / 2,000 W (heating) device and supports an optional removable ~1,024 Wh LiFePO₄ add-on battery that extends cordless runtime. It also offers app/Wi-Fi control, dehumidification and multiple operating modes (i.e. Auto, Eco, Max, Sleep, Pet). 

How it works at home

In a home setting the WAVE 3 behaves like a compact, fast-responding room unit for small spaces (bedrooms, home offices and small living rooms). Because it’s a heat pump rather than a resistive heater, it can both cool and heat efficiently — EcoFlow claims quick temperature changes in a small test volume. Practical reality: the WAVE 3 is best for rooms up to roughly ~15–17 m² (small bedrooms, vans converted to living space). In larger, sun-filled rooms or open-plan living areas it will struggle to match a full-size domestic A/C. For homeowners who want a temporary/portable solution for a spare room or to move between rooms, it’s definitely a suitable option.

For a caravan, van or tent

This is where the WAVE 3 shines. It was designed with mobility in mind: compact form factor, an add-on battery that clips on, and multiple charging routes (mains, EcoFlow power stations, car alternator/12–48V sources, or solar). Off-grid it is realistic to run it for several hours on the add-on battery in Eco mode — EcoFlow advertises up to ~8 hours on the 1,024Wh battery in Eco mode (actual runtime depends on ambient temperature and mode). In Max cooling you should expect much shorter runs (hours can drop into the low single digits). For caravans, pairing the WAVE 3 with solar panels and a larger EcoFlow power station (or the Wave add-on battery plus alternator charging) gives the most usable off-grid setup. Reviewers in the van/RV community report strong convenience and mobility, though results vary with ambient heat and insulation. 

Realistic runtime expectations

• With the WAVE 3 add-on battery (1,024 Wh): Eco mode - up to 8 hours (optimal, cool conditions). Max cooling can be as little as 2–4 hours depending on ambient temp/setting. 

• With a larger EcoFlow power station (e.g., Delta series or additional batteries): multiply hours accordingly — pairing to a 2–3 kWh system gives true all-night operation in Eco mode. Charging it outdoors is possible via solar (times vary depending on panel used and amount of sunlight). 

It is important to note that claimed run times are measured in small, controlled test spaces — real world performance (direct sun, poor insulation, high humidity) will shorten runtime. According to Reddit, community reports are mixed: many praise the convenience; a minority report less cooling than expected.

UK buying info & price guidance

EcoFlow’s UK site and multiple UK retailers list the WAVE 3 with an RRP that varies by bundle:

• Unit only: commonly seen around £699–£799 (sales vary by retailer).

• Unit + add-on battery bundle: commonly around £1,099–£1,199 (early promotional pricing at launch has been advertised). Stock and small price differences across UK shops are normal. As always, we recommend that you check with the official EcoFlow UK website and authorised and established retailers such as ourselves for warranty purposes and quick dispatch time. 

How it compares to competitors

Compared with conventional portable A/Cs (such as Midea, Frigidaire, Black+Decker) the Wave 3 differs in three big ways:

1. Battery / off-grid capability. Most mainstream portable A/Cs need mains power; the Wave 3 can run cordless with its add-on battery and be recharged by solar/alternator. This makes it unique for camping, caravans and outdoor life. 

2. Smart app and ecosystem. EcoFlow provides app control, remote scheduling and integration with other EcoFlow batteries and panels — helpful if you already own EcoFlow kit and if you don't it is pretty simple and straightforward to operate.

3. Price vs performance. Traditional mains units often give higher BTU for less money (good for pure home use) and can be quieter at similar cooling power; EcoFlow trades raw room-cooling power for mobility and efficiency. Reviewers generally praise the Wave 3’s build and features but because it is a niche product, it can be priced above other basic portable units. In other words, its in a class of its own.

4. Advantages of choosing an EcoFlow WAVE 3

Final verdict for UK buyers

If your priority is mobility and off-grid use (caravanning, van-life, camping, occasional room-to-room use at home) the EcoFlow WAVE 3 is one of the best engineered solutions on the market — it’s flexible, smart, and integrates with a renewable charging workflow. If instead you need maximum cooling for large domestic spaces or the cheapest mains-only solution, a conventional portable or a dedicated split/window system will give better raw cooling per pound.

If you expect to run a lot off battery, budget for the add-on battery or a larger EcoFlow power station and consider solar panels for long trips. Read recent reviews — most published reviews are positive, but community posts show some variation in performance between units, so inspect returns/warranty policies if you depend on it for long trips.