ZDNET's key takeaways The EcoFlow River 3 is a new compact portable battery
It is available for $239.
It's portable and lightweight, making it easy to carry, it features fast charging, going from 0% to 100% in 55 minutes, and has a 245Wh output capacity
Since portability is a priority for the River series of portable batteries, they're much less powerful than alternatives and best suited for smaller tasks or shorter use times. $239 at Amazon
EcoFlow announced the addition of three new portable batteries to its lineup in 2024: the River 3, River 3 Plus, and Delta 3 Plus. While the new batteries are now available for purchase, I've been testing the EcoFlow River 3 since its launch to see how it performs, and I couldn't be happier with it.
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The EcoFlow River series is a group of portable batteries prioritizing portability and convenience, making for lightweight units that can go almost anywhere. The Delta lineup prioritizes power, meaning that while they're still technically portable, EcoFlow Delta batteries are heavier and bulkier than River units, as evidenced by my garage's almost 200-lb Delta Pro Ultra battery.
I've tested Delta and River portable batteries and thoroughly enjoyed testing the latest River 3, which has become my favorite portable battery. The River 3 doesn't compare directly to the Delta series; they're built for different purposes. Still, the River 3 is compact and lightweight enough to carry around to charge small devices or to place next to a device somewhere far from a power source.
The River 3 is a small, entry-level battery that weighs under 8 lbs. It is perfect for carrying everywhere you may need extra power with little compromise. For Pete's sake, this battery is lighter than my third child was at birth.
All of the EcoFlow River 3 portable battery's output ports are on the front. Maria Diaz/ZDNET
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