Ecoflow Wave 3 Review: a portable air conditioner and heating that is better in every way

I tested the ecoFlow Golf 3a continuation of the all-in-one battery-driven air conditioner, heating and fan I rated last summer. Ecoflow has called its absurd marketing back with a more powerful unit that can be charged through various methods, including the sun. Only now can it automatically retain a set temperature range and also act as a special dehumidifier.

I was grateful that I had Ecoflow’s Wave 2 with me last summer while I was loving around Portugal and Spain. That less powerful A/C helped to compensate day temps during the day that reached 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and made 25c (77F) nights comfortably enough to sleep. But it only worked in small spaces and under the right conditions.

The third generation of portable heat pump from Ecoflow cannot perform miracles. We still only talk 6100btu (1800W) cooling and 6800btu (2000W) heating. And placement is limited by extensive intake and exhaust hoses, and the space needed to collect a container to collect empty water.

But if you have a van, surf hut, work shed, roof tent, boat or another small space that requires incidental temperature control, the Golf 3 could be for you. The prices are discounted for a limited time to $ 849, or $ 1,399 with the battery bundle, before they will rise considerably next month.

While the Golf 2 was limited to spaces smaller than 10 square meters (107 square base), the Golf 3 is designed to work in spaces up to 17 square meters (180 square base). To test the claim, I used the Golf 3 as a heating in a small house of 14.8 square meters (161 square base) about the size of a shipping container, and like an A/C inside a class-B sprinter bus of 9 square meters (97 square base). The Golf 3 has built -in WiFi (and Bluetooth), so that I can connect it to my Starlink Mini And manages remote operation via the excellent Ecoflow app.

Like a stove in a small house with one room, the Golf 3 could only just Dealing with the space, but was a clear improvement compared to the Golf 2. With temperatures ranging from 8C (46F) to 10c (50F) outside, the Golf 3 could keep the temperature inside at approximately 14 ° C (57F) to 17 ° C (63F) at maximum heat. I received 13 hours of runtime from the optional 1024WH LFP battery using a mix of eco and sleeping modes that go through from the evening and all night. The heat was weak, but it was the difference between it needed to need one down-filled comforter instead of two.

In sleep mode – the lowest setting – the Golf 3 is relatively quiet at around 45 dB when measured from a distance of one meter. The sound becomes tiring at ECO or higher, and reaches 60 dB in the Max mode, making it much louder than the 53dB that I have measured from Golf 2. It also makes a steady 36 dB buzzing sound before it is fell after the battery is full.

After I had revised his predecessor, I already had a good idea of ​​how well the more powerful Golf 3 would cool my bus during the day (mixed) and at night (good). It performed as I expected, but I still hoped for more.

Just like the Wave 2, the new Ecoflow Wave 3 is helpless to cool the interior of my van when they are parked in direct sunlight, even with isolated sunglasses installed in the windows. Too much heat is produced by all that glass and steel to prevent it from seeping in the interior, even in North Europe in April.

On a sunny afternoon when the outside temperature never exceeded the 18 ° C (64F), I closed all doors and windows, put the reflectors in place and brought the Golf 3 to maximum cooling. Instead of reducing the indoor temperature, it is rose From 24C (75F) to 28c (82F) for a period of 90 minutes before I stopped it. To keep my van cool in those situations, I should permanently install a permanent (and more expensive) roof on my van. Great, I expected this result, and ecoflow is clearer about the limitation This time.

I strongly recommend pets owners not to rely on the new PET mode from Wave 3. Although it can add comfort to your animal for a few minutes, the Golf 3 cannot keep them safe in a sunny parking space.

As expected, the Golf 3 did much better when I parked in the shade. On a somewhat warmer 19c (66f) afternoon the Golf 3 brought the internal temps to 16c (61F) – the lowest setting of the unit – and maintained it. So, just like the Golf 2, I expect the Golf 3 to keep me comfortable at night in my van, even when external temperatures were 25 ° C (77F) or even a little higher.

When the battery is running in Max Koeling, the Golf 3 died after almost three hours of operation. The 8-hour Runtime Ecoflow Claims is only for the less powerful eco mode.

I didn’t strest the dehumidifier. I mean, it works, and it can be useful to prevent fungus from growing in a motorhome when they are parked in storage during the low season, for example. That can help maximize your value for money by making Golf 3 useful all year round.

The heating and coolability of the Ecoflow Wave’s Dual-use use and BTUs per square inch always distinguishing competitors. The third generation Wave 3 takes a successful formula and improves it, without the unrealistic marketing hype that created confusion and disappointment from buyers of Golf 1 and Golf 2.

But the Wave 3 -heat pump from Ecoflow remains a niche product for anyone who occasionally has to heat or cool small spaces in moderate climates, especially if they are from the grid.

Prices for Golf 3 is a mess because of the insistence of Ecoflow to the use of limited time coupons for goose purchases. At the time of publication that is possible Buy the Golf 3 Without the battery for $ 849 ($ 799 with coupon), but then you miss the charging and portability of solar energy. Most would be better off with the Wave 3 Plus battery combo, Currently discount on $ 1,399Before he increases after 25 May to his full catalog price of $ 2,198. And although Ecoflow usually offers steep discounts on its products made by Chinese throughout the year, they can be surpassed by rates.

Photos by Thomas Ricker / The Verge