The EcoFlow Delta Plus 3 puts an emphasis on charging and expandability with its upgrade from the Delta 2. The unit may run hot and suffer from a loud fan, but these are workable issues when factoring in overall quality and potential uses. While I may stray from using it for a long-lasting power outage, it can come in handy during those short, sporadic brownouts.
EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus
EcoFlow’s Delta 3 Plus is a fantastic upgrade from the Delta 2 with only one real glaring issue. Its 1,800W output and 1,024Wh capacity aren’t industry-leading, but coupled with super fast charging, they lend to a rather efficient and dependable power station. Unfortunately, a fickle fan and temperature control may spell trouble down the road.
- Fast AC, solar, and car charging
- Integrates with EcoFlow Smart Generator 3000
- Ample output for home and recreational applications
- Lightweight unit is easy to travel with
- Loud fan at high outputs
- Temperature control seems inefficient
- Face buttons could be easier to see
- Battery capacity could be larger
Price and Availability
The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus is available via Amazon for $899 or with a 400W solar panel for $1,998. The unit can also be purchased directly through EcoFlow for $799, with a 220W solar panel for $1,448, or with an 800W alternator charger for $1,398.
A Must-Have for Emergency Preparations
In a market flooded with competitors, it can be difficult to stand out. EcoFlow found a few ways to help its Delta 3 Plus shine among competitive units like the DJI Power 1000. The Delta 3 Plus is a fantastic mid-level power station that has all the makings of a lifesaver during emergency situations, barring one issue we’ll touch on later. Equipped with a 1,204Wh battery, it’s more than enough power to keep something like a refrigerator running for more than half a day. Coupled with the dual-fuel EcoFlow Smart Generator 3000, you can, in theory, convert this smaller model into a whole-home backup.
The Delta 3 Plus is outfitted with six AC outlets, capable of 1,800W total. If you need a boost, it can surge to 3,600W, but that’s going to eat the battery up quite a bit. Unless, of course, you expand the capacity up to 5,000Wh using something like the Delta Pro 3 Expansion Battery. Sure, the base battery could be bigger. However, EcoFlow opted for portability first and left it up to the consumer to decide if more power is needed.
In fact, it’s that portability that allows the EcoFlow to serve a dual purpose: as a convenient household tool to help in light emergency situations and as part of a camping kit.
A Fine Companion For the Outdoors
At only 27.6 pounds, the Delta 3 Plus is a lightweight power station. It’s also not exceptionally large, at 15.7 by 8 by 11.2 inches. So long as you have a little extra space in your trunk or RV, this EcoFlow model is a no-brainer power source for your pseudo “roughing it” camping trips. At the very least, the two 140W USB-C and two fast-charging 36W USB-A outputs can keep phones, laptops, and other small electronics sufficiently charged.
The biggest benefit to the outdoor experience is the 500W solar charging compatibility. Though EcoFlow states that using both can achieve a full charge in 70 minutes, my experience with solar panels has me believing otherwise. I didn’t have one available to test on the Delta 3 Plus, but even in the clear light of day at the perfect angle, I’ve always found solar panels come up a little short (about 20 or so watts) from their labeled rating. That’s not to say EcoFlow’s panels can’t hit 500W each. I’d just be prepared to see a lower number.
Fast Charge Times, Even in Your Car
There are three ways to keep the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus powered, including solar. The quickest, as with any power station, is the 1,500W AC input. The unit had no issues climbing up to that wattage, though it steadied around 1,350 to 1,400W most of the time.
Regardless, the battery was at full power within an hour. That kind of fast charging is invaluable in today’s constantly moving world. It also comes in handy when you forget to plug it in until the last minute. I’m actually guilty of this, as I intended to take it for a test in Nevada’s great outdoors but completely forgot to charge the battery after draining it the night before. Within minutes of being plugged in, I had sufficient charge to take it outside. Even on a solar panel, the Dual 3 Plus charges fast enough to ensure you can keep common appliances like a fridge running throughout the day.
Along with solar and AC charging, there’s also the 800W car charger, which was another fine surprise. I didn’t get my unit to hit 800W, though that’s more on my decade-old car than EcoFlow. That 800W is promising, though, and I think this may be the first time I’ve reviewed a power station and didn’t instantly write off car charging as an emergency-only option. Here, there are some merits to it, so long as your car battery is up for the task and it can achieve close to maximum.
To minimize the drain on your electric bill, combine AC and solar charging. The Delta 3 Plus will draw from the solar panels to reduce how much is coming from the AC plug.
Temperature Control Could Lead to Future Issues
As with any power station I review, my initial test was with a vacuum. It draws over 700W consistently and is a good test to see how well the unit handles that kind of stress. Here’s where I fear the EcoFlow may falter over time. For as loud as my vacuum was, I could still hear the Delta 3 Plus fan. Typically, power station fans aren’t loud, and I’m not sure if it was overworking or if the unit’s temperature control is that extensive or faulty.
Charging smaller devices like my laptop wasn’t taxing enough, as the fan never kicked on. Unfortunately, because the unit was generating some power, it still got warmer than I expected. I hoped it was a fault in my unit specifically, but after checking other assessments of the Delta 3 Plus, I noticed that issues with the fan and temperature control seemed universal.
Should You Buy the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus?
If not for my concerns over its temperature control, I’d say EcoFlow’s Delta 3 Plus is an immediate purchase. I would consider what you need it for and if you’re going to be running it consistently at maximum wattage. If that’s the case, you may want to look at a different unit, as this feels more like an “in case of emergency” or recreational unit.
There is a lot to like about it, and with the expandable battery, fast charging, and Smart Generator 3000 compatibility, it sounds like it could keep your home running during a hurricane. Factoring in my worry about the fan, though, I would use it to keep a fridge going in the event of a power outage. I just wouldn’t rely on it to take on a number of resource-hungry appliances, even if modded to accommodate the wattage.
Where the Delta 3 Plus seems to shine is with light home and recreational use. For charging drones, keeping phones powered, and even keeping an electric cooler chilled during an outing, I’d more than trust the Delta 3 Plus. Even working outside, I know the unit could keep my laptop and any other devices charged. So, while I wouldn’t so much let it run my entire life, I’d be comfortable with it picking up the slack in places.
EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus
EcoFlow’s Delta 3 Plus is a fantastic upgrade from the Delta 2 with only one real glaring issue. Its 1,800W output and 1,024Wh capacity aren’t industry-leading, but coupled with super fast charging, they lend to a rather efficient and dependable power station. Unfortunately, a fickle fan and temperature control may spell trouble down the road.
