EcoFlow RIVER 3 vs Bluetti EB3A
Same bench, same derating, same five axes. Our pick: EcoFlow RIVER 3 (WattScore 82 vs 81) — but the right answer depends on which spec you're buying for. The table settles it.
★ Bench pick
EcoFlow
RIVER 3
desk backup and weekend car camping
Under $300 · LFP
Bluetti
EB3A
strongest inverter under $300
Under $300 · LFP
| Spec | EcoFlow RIVER 3 | Bluetti EB3A |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 245 Wh | 268 Wh ◂ |
| AC output | 300 W | 600 W ◂ |
| Surge | 600 W | 1,200 W ◂ |
| Weight | 7.8 lb ◂ | 10.1 lb |
| Solar input | 110 W | 200 W ◂ |
| AC outlets | 2 | 2 |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 1 |
| Chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Fast charge to 80% | 30 min | 45 min |
Modeled runtime, reference loads
Full-Size Refrigerator · 150W
Modern 18–22 cu ft units average 100–200W while the compressor runs, cycling roughly a third of each hour. The 1,000W+ startup surge is what disqualifies small stations — capacity is rarely the first problem.
CPAP Machine (no humidifier) · 40W
A bare CPAP draws 30–60W. Turning on the heated humidifier roughly triples draw to ~90–150W — budget for it if you use one. Use the DC adapter where available; it skips inverter losses and buys ~20% more runtime.
The verdict
Buy the EcoFlow RIVER 3 if you want the better all-rounder — it takes the WattScore 82 to 81 on our bench, and it's the stronger pick for desk backup and weekend car camping.
The Bluetti EB3A still makes sense if its strengths line up with your use case — it's positioned as strongest inverter under $300, and per-row wins in the table above show exactly where it pulls ahead. Cross-check both against your actual loads with the runtime calculator before deciding.