EcoFlow WAVE 3
(3 reviews)
EcoFlow's portable air conditioner that cools and heats without a power outlet, thanks to a swappable battery lasting up to 8 hours.
Key features
- Power: 1,800W (6,100 BTU/h) cooling, 2,000W (6,800 BTU/h) heating
- Battery runtime: Up to 8h in Eco mode with the 1,024Wh battery (sold separately)
- Refrigerant: R290, more environmentally friendly
- Runs fully cordless thanks to its swappable battery, a rarity in this segment
In detail: EcoFlow WAVE 3, battery-powered portable air conditioner
The EcoFlow WAVE 3 is a reversible portable air conditioner that stands out for a feature rarely seen in this market: the ability to run entirely cordless, thanks to an optional 1,024Wh swappable battery. Rated by the manufacturer at 1,800W (6,100 BTU/h) in cooling mode and 2,000W (6,800 BTU/h) in heating mode, it targets 11 to 18 m² spaces, whether a converted van, mobile home, studio or a room with no central air conditioning.
On battery power, claimed runtime reaches 8 hours in Eco mode, and 2 to 3 hours at full power, enough to cover a night or a nap in an enclosed space without staying near an outlet. Recharging is rated at 1,000W, restoring the battery's charge in 75 minutes via mains, a car's cigarette lighter socket, an alternator, or a portable solar panel, a genuine plus for off-grid use in a van or motorhome.
Control runs through the EcoFlow app, over WiFi or Bluetooth, with an automatic mode that adjusts power based on measured temperature. The R290 refrigerant, more environmentally friendly than traditional gases, equips the unit, whose weight of about 15.6 kg (excluding battery) remains substantial for genuinely daily nomadic use.
Noise level, rated between 44 dB(A) in Sleep mode and 58 dB(A) at full power, places the WAVE 3 in the upper-average range for portable air conditioners when running at maximum, a point worth keeping in mind for night-time use right next to the bed. Backed by a 2-year warranty, the WAVE 3 remains, as of today, one of the few genuinely standalone air conditioning solutions on the market, at the cost of a substantial upfront investment, especially once the battery is added.
Technical data
Detailed characteristics
Performance
| Type?General technical category the unit belongs to (portable, split, evaporative...). | Monobloc portable, with exhaust hose |
|---|---|
| Cooling capacity?The unit's cooling power, expressed in kW or BTU/h (British Thermal Unit per hour). | 1,800W (6,100 BTU/h) |
| Heating capacity?The unit's heating power, for reversible models working as a heat pump. | 2,000W (6,800 BTU/h) |
| Energy class?European energy efficiency class (from A+++ to G), showing how the unit's consumption compares with similar models. | A |
| Recommended room size?Room size or volume the unit is designed for, according to the manufacturer. | 11 to 18 m² |
| Noise level?Noise emitted by the unit, in decibels (dB(A)). As a reference, a normal conversation is around 60 dB(A). | 44 dB(A) (Sleep mode) to 58 dB(A) (maximum power) |
| Refrigerant?Gas used in the cooling circuit. R290 and R32 are now favoured for their lower environmental impact. | R290 |
| Fast cooling?Cooling performance measured over the first minutes of use, useful for comparing how quickly units respond. | Drops temperature by 8°C in 15 minutes (manufacturer figure) |
Features and connectivity
| Add-on battery (optional)?Optional battery, sold separately, allowing the unit to run without being plugged into the mains. | 1,024Wh LFP, up to 8h in Eco mode, 2 to 3h at full power |
|---|---|
| Battery recharge?Time and power needed to fully recharge the unit's optional battery. | 1,000W, 100% in 75 minutes (mains, car socket, alternator or solar) |
| Control?Method used to adjust and monitor the unit day to day. | EcoFlow app (WiFi 2.4G/5G and Bluetooth) |
Dimensions and power supply
| Weight?The unit's weight, an important factor for a portable air conditioner regularly moved between rooms. | 15.6 kg (unit alone, without battery) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions?Width, depth and height of the unit (W x D x H). | 51.9 x 29.7 x 33.6 cm |
Additional information
| Warranty?Period during which the manufacturer commits to repairing or replacing the unit in case of failure, excluding damage or misuse. | 2 years |
|---|---|
| Launch year?Year this model was first released. | 2025 |
Comparison
Within EcoFlow's own range, the WAVE 3 naturally invites comparison with its predecessor, the WAVE 2, a question many buyers ask when choosing between the two generations.
| Criterion | EcoFlow WAVE 3 | EcoFlow WAVE 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling capacity | 1,800W (6,100 BTU/h) | 1,500W (5,100 BTU/h) |
| Heating capacity | 2,000W (6,800 BTU/h) | ≈1,780W (6,100 BTU/h) |
| Weight (unit alone) | 15.6 kg | 14.5 kg |
| Battery runtime (Eco) | Up to 8h (1,024Wh battery) | Up to 8h (1,159Wh battery) |
| Price (unit alone) | ≈£799 | ≈£1,049 |
In short, the WAVE 3 offers more power in both cooling and heating for a lower unit-alone price than the WAVE 2, making it the more logical choice for a new purchase today, with the WAVE 2 mainly worth considering as a second-hand bargain or for compatibility with a battery you already own.
Related video
Video: EcoFlow Wave 3 Real World Test And Review! - Published on 29 April 2025
Our tester's verdict: Christophe Delpuech
The WAVE 3 marks a genuine break from conventional portable air conditioners: its ability to run entirely on battery power, up to 8 hours in Eco mode, makes it an appliance built for a van, mobile home or garden without easy access to a mains outlet. The independent tests we reviewed unanimously praise its fast cooling, with a measured multi-degree temperature drop within a quarter of an hour, and its versatility: the heating function, rare on this type of appliance, allows year-round use. Control through the EcoFlow app is rated as reliable, with an automatic mode that adjusts power based on ambient temperature. The concerns raised are consistent across reviews: a steep price once the battery is added (the air conditioner alone already sits at the premium end), weight and bulk that limit true portability despite the name, and a noise level that climbs noticeably at maximum power, around 58 to 60 dB(A). Reviews on the official store are more mixed on the UK site (3.9/5 across 9 reviews) than the enthusiasm found in independent test articles, a gap worth keeping in mind before buying, though its precise cause isn't something we can pin down from the outside. For committed off-grid use, with a comfortable budget, the WAVE 3 remains one of the few genuinely standalone air conditioning solutions on the market.
Frequently asked questions: EcoFlow WAVE 3, battery-powered portable air conditioner
Yes, provided you add the optional 1,024Wh battery (sold separately): the unit can then run for up to 8 hours in Eco mode or 2 to 3 hours at full power, with no cable at all.
Yes, like any monobloc air conditioner, an exhaust hose venting hot air outside (a window, a van roof, or a dedicated hatch) is required for optimal operation.
Yes, it offers a 2,000W (6,800 BTU/h) heating mode, a feature rarely found on portable air conditioners that allows year-round use, not just during summer.
It's rated at 44 dB(A) in Sleep mode, a discreet level, but climbs to around 58 dB(A) at full power, worth watching for night-time use in close proximity.
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Page published on 31 July 2026