Bluetti EB3A vs EcoFlow River: Side by Side Comparison of Capacity, Output, Performance

If you’re a camper who needs a power source, an emergency prepper looking for backup power, or just someone interested in sustainable energy, the choice of power station is an important one.

But how do Bluetti and EcoFlow compare? Both pack impressive features in a small package, but they are different in some fundamental ways.

In this comparison, we’ll explore Bluetti EB3A vs EcoFlow River technical features – type of lithium batteries they use, storage capacities, charging speeds, outlets and ports, and bonus features like WiFi capability.

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How do Bluetti EB3A vs EcoFlow River compare?

Both the Bluetti EB3A vs EcoFlow River are lightweight, portable power stations well suited for camping and having backup emergency power when you need to charge devices like smartphones, LED lights and laptops.

Pros and Cons

Bluetti EB3A

• Pros: Long-lasting LiFePO4 battery, dual AC + solar charging option, UPS fallback, not waterproof, longer DC​​.
• Cons: Limited power capacity for high-demand appliances, only two AC outlets, longer recharge time when plugged into DC port​​.

EcoFlow River

• Pros: Powerful output, expandable battery, quick recharging, wide selections of outlets and ports, and clear LCD display.
• Cons: NMC battery life is limited to 500 cycles, no wireless charging option.

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Battery Type

• The Bluetti EB3A features a premium LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery, which is known for its longevity, stability and lower risk of flammability.

• The EcoFlow River features an NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery, which is known for having higher energy density, but a shorter lifespan.

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Capacity

• The EcoFlow River has more battery capacity, starting at 288Wh and expandable to 576Wh.
• The Bluetti EB3A maxes out at a capacity around 268Wh.
• This means that the EcoFlow River has larger storage capacity than the Bluetti EB3A, and allows you to access more energy when you need it.

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Output Power and Peak Surge

• The EcoFlow River has more output power, with 600W AC output and 1800W X-Boost surge. This is the River’s most impressive feature.
• In comparison, the Bluetti EB3A has 600W output and 1200W surge.
• This means the EcoFlow River is better than Bluetti in this scenario for running devices that need a lot of start-up power, like a blender or power tool.

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Cycle Life (Lifespan)

The number of charge cycles represent the number of times the power station’s battery can be charged and discharged to 80% before it starts to lose capacity. The more charge cycles a power station has, the longer life span it has.

• The Bluetti EB3A has 3,000 more charge cycles. The Bluetti EB3A has a total of 3,000 charge cycles, in comparison to the EcoFlow River’s 500 charge cycles.

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Outlets & Ports

Port/Outlet Type	Bluetti EB3A	EcoFlow RIVER 2
AC Outlets	2 x 120V/5A AC outlets	3 x AC outlets
DC Ports	2 x DC 5521 (12V) + 1 x 12V/10A DC port	3 x DC ports
USB-A Ports	2 x 5V/3A USB-A ports	2 x USB-A ports
USB-C Port (100W)	1 x 100W USB-C port	1 x USB-C PD (100W)
USB-C Fast Charge	N/A	1 x USB-C Fast Charge
Wireless Charging Pad	1 x Wireless Charging Pad (15W)	N/A

• AC Outlets: The EcoFlow RIVER 2 offers 3 AC outlets, compared to 2 AC outlets on the Bluetti EB3A.
• DC Ports: Both have multiple DC ports, but the configurations vary slightly.
• USB-C Ports: Both models offer a 100W USB-C port, but the EcoFlow RIVER 2 has an additional USB-C Fast Charge port, giving it more versatility.
• Wireless Charging: Only the Bluetti EB3A includes a 15W wireless charging pad, making it more convenient for charging devices wirelessly.

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Charging Time

Here is a comparison table of the real-world charging times for the Bluetti EB3A and EcoFlow RIVER 2 using different charging methods:

Charging Method	Bluetti EB3A (268Wh)	EcoFlow RIVER 2 (256Wh)
AC Wall Outlet	1 to 1.5 hours	1 hour
Solar Charging	3 to 4 hours (200W input, ideal conditions)	3 to 6 hours (110W input, ideal conditions)
Car Charging (12V)	6 to 7 hours	4 to 5 hours
Car Charging (24V)	3 to 4 hours	3 to 4 hours
USB-C Charging	N/A	4.5 to 5 hours (60W input)
Dual Charging (AC + Solar)	1.5 to 2 hours	N/A

• AC charging: The EcoFlow RIVER 2 charges slightly faster, reaching full charge in 1 hour. This is compared to 1 to 1.5 hours for the Bluetti EB3A.
  • Bluetti users report that the EB3A reaches 80% charge in about 40-45 minutes, with the final 20% taking longer because of the battery management system.
• Solar charging: The Bluetti EB3A supports a higher solar input (200W) and charges slightly faster than the EcoFlow RIVER 2 (110W).
• Car charging: Both power stations are comparable when charging via 24V, but the RIVER 2 charges faster via 12V.
• USB-C charging: Only the EcoFlow RIVER 2 supports USB-C charging, with a charge time of 4.5 to 5 hours.

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Connectivity

• Both the Bluetti and EcoFlow units can sync with a smartphone and be remotely managed using an APP.
• The Bluetti EB3A is Bluetooth enabled .
• The EcoFlow River is WiFi enabled and can receive updates to the power station, including features, optimizations, and security fixes.

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Bonus Features

• The Bluetti EB3A has 20ms UPS capability and can act as an UPS (uninterrupted power supply) that automatically activates in a power outage. The UPS will transition within 20 milliseconds to power sensitive devices like medical equipment or refrigerators.
• The Bluetti EB3A has a wireless charging pad, which is convenient for charging things like smartphones. The EcoFlow River doesn’t have this.

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Warranty:

• The warranty period is 2 years for the Bluetti EB3A and 5 years for the EcoFlow River.

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Bluetti EB3A vs EcoFlow River Comparison Chart

Conclusion – Final Verdict

After thorough review, we choose the Bluetti EB3A as the better product. This decision is based on the LiFePO4 battery and larger number of charge cycles that the Bluetti EB3A provides in comparison to the EcoFlow River. While the EcoFlow River provides impressive surge power, the NMC lithium battery is its weakest feature and biggest limitation.

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Useful Resources: Bluetti EB3A vs EcoFlow River

1. Bluetti Official Website
2. Jackery Official Store
3. According to customer feedback, the Bluetti EB3A’s real-world tests delivered about 82.1% of its 268.8Wh capacity. This is a little below the usual expectation of 85% for similar models.
4. Another concern cited by users is the occurrence of the EB3A overheating during charging when the battery is low, which could be a firmware issue​​.