I hate camping. Why would I go out in the forest and be uncomfortable when I have such a delightful bed and climate-controlled home? I’m an indoor person. Still, I recognize the importance of camping in terms of emergency preparedness. The key is finding a balance. That’s why I did this EcoFlow Wave 3 review: I wanted to see how it would improve my camping and emergency preparedness experiences.
Now, for the spoilers, it worked fine, but I’d put it far down my list of items helpful for camping/emergencies because it’s so expensive and relatively heavy to lug around. Read on to learn more about my three months of testing.
Buy the EcoFlow Wave 3 Battery-Powered Portable Air Conditioner here
EcoFlow Wave 3 Review: Setup and First Impressions
I’ve tested dozens of portable air conditioners, but this was only the second battery-powered one. The first was the EcoFlow Wave 2. As with the Wave 3, it isn’t designed to be used like a typical portable AC. Whereas most units come with a window slider you put in your room’s window to vent exhaust, the Wave 3 doesn’t come with a slider. Instead, you receive a cardboard template for creating a DIY slider tailored to your specific situation.
Setup took about 25 minutes, and most of that time was duct taping the hoses to a repurposed window slider. Connecting to the app was seamless, and I appreciate how it displays the remaining battery time. If desired, you can plug the unit directly into a wall outlet to power it. This is also how you charge the battery, unless you opt for a solar panel, which I found to be much slower.
What We Liked about the Wave 3
The main features we liked about the EcoFlow Wave 3 are
- You can use it off-grid
- Quiet operation
- Heating capabilities
The main selling point of the Wave 3 is that it is battery-powered. However, the battery doesn’t last long. On a particularly hot day, when you’re blasting the AC, the battery will last you about two hours. EcoFlow claims it will last for up to eight hours on the lowest setting; however, you may not experience significant relief from the heat unless you’re in a small, enclosed space. Fortunately, the battery only takes about two hours to recharge when plugged into a wall outlet.
At a distance of 6 feet, the Wave 3 measured only 52 decibels. That’s quieter than an everyday conversation, which will keep your campground neighbors off your ass and help you sleep as well as can be expected on an air mattress that’s slowly losing air.
When camping, the sweltering daytime heat often gives way to biting cold at night. This is where the Wave 3’s heating capabilities come in handy. Compared to the dozens of space heaters I’ve tested, the Wave 3 is average in terms of heating performance. However, you still need to vent the hoses, which is not necessary with most space heaters.
What We Didn’t Like
I’ve already mentioned several negatives (i.e., the price, weight, lack of a window slider, and short battery life), so I’ll focus on a new negative: drainage. You gotta do it. You can typically use most portable air conditioners all summer without needing to empty them. The Wave 3 needed its water emptied frequently, primarily because I used it during a swampy Michigan summer.
If you don’t empty it right away, it stops running. This sucks when it’s three in the morning, and you’re overheating. Additionally, you must position the drainage plug correctly to prevent leakage. I learned this the hard way after several wet messes.
Who Should Buy the EcoFlow Wave 3?
Most people should not buy the EcoFlow Wave 3. It’s expensive! Typically, the cost is $1,500 if you purchase it with the battery included. You can save $500 by skipping the battery, which may be worth considering if you have a reliable generator.
That said, the EcoFlow Wave 3 is ideal for
- RV life
- Boat living
- Camping
- Prepping
- Frances McDormand in Nomadland
However, the following people should pass
- Penny pinchers
- Folks looking for a window air conditioner
- Serious hikers and backpackers
Buy the EcoFlow Wave 3 Battery-Powered Portable Air Conditioner here
