EcoFlow Wave 3 Portable Air Conditioner with Heater: Everything You Need to Know

EcoFlow

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EcoFlow’s award-winning WAVE portable air conditioners redefined the possibilities of temperature control on the road and on or off-grid.

EcoFlow WAVE 3 Portable AC is the most versatile compact HVAC solution for tent and car camping, RVs, and anywhere else you want to stay cool or warm without cables or being tied to the utility grid.

But what exactly is the EcoFlow Portable AC + Heater, and how does it work?

Read on to find out.

What is the EcoFlow Wave 3?

WAVE 3 is the latest addition to EcoFlow’s award-winning line of WAVE portable air conditioners and space heaters.

It’s a significant upgrade on WAVE and WAVE 2 — offering superior cooling and heating performance and many other benefits, including greater portability, additional charging options, longer battery life, and more.

Unlike most “portable” ACs or space heaters, which need to be connected to a power source like a wall plug to run, EcoFlow WAVE 3 is a truly wireless option.

Other wireless portable ACs have limited battery life, typically lasting only 3-5 hours before they need recharging.

EcoFlow WAVE 3 + Add-On Battery (1024Wh) provides up to 8 hours of cooling or heat between charges.

It’s also highly expandable with add-on battery options and is seamlessly compatible with EcoFlow portable power stations.

Now that you know the basics, let’s dive into the details, starting with ideal use cases.

EcoFlow WAVE 3 Ideal Use Cases: Camping, RVing, Home Use, & More

Tent and Car Camping

Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors, but with higher-than-average temperatures and extreme heat expected from coast to coast, EcoFlow Wave 3 offers a reprieve from the sun during the day and will help you sleep at night.

And when the temperatures start to drop in fall and winter, use EcoFlow WAVE 3 to turn up the heat.

With 6100 BTUs of cooling & 6800 BTUs of heating power, EcoFlow WAVE 3 can drop the temperature in your tent or vehicle by 15℉ or quickly warm you up by 17°F in just 15 minutes!

By adding EcoFlow WAVE Exhaust Ducts, you can operate the unit inside or outside your tent or vehicle, giving you the ultimate in operating flexibility.

If you want to level up from camping to glamping, it’s never been easier than pairing the WAVE 3 portable AC with EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus.

With 1800W of AC output (3600W surge ), EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus is more than powerful enough to keep all your devices charged and camping appliances running for the duration of your trip.

You can even run a projector for an outdoor movie night!

With expandable battery storage capacity up to 5kWh, it’s ideal for extended road or car camping trips.

Both EcoFlow WAVE 3 and DELTA 3 Plus have multiple charging options, including portable solar panels and vehicle alternator charging to keep your outdoor adventures powered indefinitely off-grid.

RV and Van Life

More and more Americans are embracing the freedom of RV or Van Life and spending significant periods or living full-time off-grid.

Large motorhomes, like Class-A and Class-C RVs, often have on-board HVAC systems built-in…

But when you’re stationary for extended periods, you’ll need access to shore power or alternative electricity sources to keep cool or stay warm.

EcoFlow WAVE 3 is completely wireless and can run for up to 8 hours on a full battery charge.

You can double your run time by adding the 1024Wh EcoFlow WAVE 3 Extra Battery or extend it even further with a seamlessly compatible EcoFlow portable power station.

Many small trailers and Class B motorhomes don’t have adequate HVAC systems built-in…

Rooftop AC units are the traditional solution, but EcoFlow WAVE 3 arguably makes them obsolete.

It’s compact enough to sit between the two front seats of a Class-B RV and keep the vehicle cool or warm while you park.

Home Use: On or Off-Grid

EcoFlow WAVE 3 can quickly cool or heat many rooms (ideally 120-180 square feet or less) in your home, whether you live in a city apartment or an off-grid cabin.

Unlike window AC units, EcoFlow WAVE 3 doesn’t require mounting hardware or permanent installation.

You can easily move it to different rooms in your house to provide AC or space heating wherever you need it most.

With multiple charging methods, it’s easy to stay powered up either with household electricity on-grid or solar panels off-grid.

More on the various charging options below.

Key Features and Specs

Cooling and Heating Performance

For such a compact unit, EcoFlow WAVE 3 packs a powerful punch.

AC Performance

Cooling Power: Rated at 6100 BTU (British Thermal Units).
Rapid Cooling: Achieves a 15°F temperature drop in just 15 minutes.
Testing Conditions and Performance Notes: Performance tested in a controlled environment of approximately 353 cubic feet (equivalent to 10 cubic meters) at a starting temperature of 77°F.

Space Heating Performance

Heating Power: 6800 BTU (British Thermal Units)
Rapid Warm-Up: Achieves a 17°F temperature increase in just 15 minutes.
Testing Conditions and Performance Notes: Performance tested and validated in a controlled environment of approximately 353 cubic feet (equivalent to 10 cubic meters) with a starting temperature of 60°F.

Battery, Solar & AC Power

Battery Storage Capacity: 1024Wh with optional WAVE 3 Add-On Battery. Longer run times can be achieved by connecting a compatible EcoFlow portable power station or solar generator.
Solar Charge Input: Up to 400W of rated power. Requires portable or rigid solar panels and WAVE 3 extra battery. Fully charged in 3 hours of peak sunlight.
AC Power: 700W of household electricity when plugged into a standard outlet. Fully charged in 2 hours,

Design & Installation

Flexible Dual Duct Design: Conventional air conditioners rely on compressors to pump cool air into a space and extract warm air out. EcoFlow WAVE 3’s flexible dual duct design allows you to operate the unit either inside or outside the space you’re heating or cooling. It’s highly adaptable to almost any installation area.
Fully Wireless: No need for wires or cables as long as the Add-On Battery is charged.
Whisper Quiet Operation: Turn on sleep mode for quiet comfort while you rest. The operating noise of 44 dB is similar to the hum of a modern fridge and more silent than many window ACs.

Smart Features: App Control, Modes, and Automation

WAVE 3 is the smartest portable AC and space heater available.

It offers full remote control using the EcoFlow app, five preprogrammed modes, and customizable automations to meet your unique needs.

Smart Modes

Automatic Function: EcoFlow WAVE 3 monitors ambient temperature and automatically switches between cooling and heating to ensure maximum comfort whether you’re asleep or awake.
Sleep Mode: Enjoy quiet comfort (44dB) while you sleep.
Dehumidifier: It’s not just the heat, it’s the humidity. Set your desired moisture level, and WAVE 3 will dehumidify to meet your needs.
Pet Mode: Keep your furry friends safe in your vehicle while you run errands in sweltering heat. Set a temperature range from 77°F to 113°F to prevent heatstroke. Receive an app notification if it’s getting too hot or the battery’s running on empty.
Water Drain Alert: EcoFlow WAVE 3’s built-in water tank maximizes convenience and ease of installation by storing waste water inside the unit instead of relying on an external drainage hose or pipe. When the tank nears capacity, you’ll receive an App alert reminding you to empty it.

Power and Compatibility

Add-On Battery and Extended Use

The EcoFlow WAVE 3 Add-On Battery provides 1024Wh of storage capacity and also significantly extends WAVE 3’s functionality by providing additional charging methods like solar panels and vehicle alternator charging.

Without the Add-On Battery, plugging into a household electricity outlet is required to operate the unit.

Solar Panels and Other Charging Methods

EcoFlow WAVE 3 with the Add-On Battery offers multiple charging methods, helping ensure you stay cool or warm wherever you go, on or off the grid.

Solar Panels: 400W of solar input is perfect for recharging anywhere there’s sunlight with EcoFlow’s 400W portable solar panel or 2 x EcoFlow NextGen 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel to maximize solar energy capture and conversion efficiency. Third-party PV modules are also compatible. Charge in as little as three hours. WAVE 3 Add-On Battery required.
AC + Solar Multicharging: By connecting the EcoFlow WAVE 3 Add-On Battery to an AC output and a 400W solar panel simultaneously during the day, you can fully recharge in 75 minutes.
Vehicle Alternator Charging: Top up WAVE 3 on the road with EcoFlow’s 500W or 800W Alternator Charger. Go from flat to full in as little as 1.7 hours while driving. Wave 3 Add-On battery recommended.
Car Power Outlet Charging (Up to 100W): Emergency charging in 10. 8 hours. Wave 3 Add-On Battery required.

Is the EcoFlow Wave 3 Worth It?

If you value comfort and portability from a camping, RV, or off-grid AC and space heater, EcoFlow WAVE 3 is the ultimate choice.

It’s not the cheapest option on the market, but it's well worth the initial investment when you factor in all the benefits.

With an industry-leading cycle life of 4000 full charges/discharges before battery storage capacity diminishes to 80%, it can provide over 10 years of daily use.