Ecoflow River 3 Max Plus- vanlife essential or not?

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If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I’m a big fan of having a reliable portable power station in the motorhome. Even if you have good leisure batteries, solar, and a decent charging setup, having a separate power bank you can trust makes life so much easier — especially if you enjoy wild parking or working remotely on the road.

EcoFlow has recently released their new RIVER 3 Series, and the one that’s caught my attention is the RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wireless)

In this post, I’ll explain what it is, how it works, and whether it’s a good fit for motorhome and campervan travel.

Let’s dive in.

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What is the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wireless)?

The RIVER 3 Series has two base units:

  • RIVER 3 – the entry-level model
  • RIVER 3 Plus – the more powerful version with expansion support

The RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wireless) is created by taking the RIVER 3 Plus (Wireless) and attaching the larger EB600 extra battery, giving a total capacity of 858Wh

EcoFlow then add their new Rapid wireless charging module on top — a small 5000mAh magnetic power bank that doubles as a wireless charging pad for your phone- it’s really clever! 

So technically, the RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wireless) is:

RIVER 3 Plus (Wireless) + EB600 Battery

It’s a modular system, but the result is one complete unit with much more usable power for road trips when you’re not hooking into the mains. 


Key Specs

Here’s what matters for van life & motorhome use:

  • Capacity: 858Wh (that’s a lot)
  • AC Output: 600W continuous (up to 1200W with X-Boost) = can power many appliances, including an air fryer.
  • Ports: 3 AC sockets, USB-A, USB-C (100W), USB-C 140W, 12V car socket
  • Wireless charging: 15W pad + 30W wired output
  • UPS: <10ms switching
  • Weight: 10.3kg
  • Charging options:
    • Mains charging: 650W (0–80% in around 2 hours)
    • Solar: up to 220W
    • Charging while driving

Why motorhomers might want it

1. A good size for short-to-medium off-grid stays

858Wh is enough to cover:

  • laptop charging
  • phones, cameras, drone batteries
  • powering a router or Starlink
  • running a 12V coolbox or compressor fridge for several hours, or a 900W air fryer for a while
  • low-draw appliances like fans or LED lights

It won’t run a high-power hairdryer or microwave, but that’s true for most portable power stations unless you go for one of the big Delta units. 

For typical wild parking or a weekend off-grid, the Max Plus version is a brilliant middle ground. It delivers much more than the smaller units and is lighter than the huge “home backup” units that weigh 15–20kg+.


2. Works well alongside your existing motorhome electrics

A portable power station isn’t just about “extra power”. It’s about taking pressure off your leisure batteries.

For example, I always

  • Charge my laptops and camera gear from the EcoFlow, not my main battery bank
  • Use the Ecoflow to run my Starlink and electric blanket.

This saves my leisure battery for running the fridge, heating, lights and anything else key to the motorhome hab area.

The RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wireless) integrates easily because it has standard AC outlets, USB-C, and a 12V socket. You can also charge it from the vehicle’s alternator while driving, which is a big win if you move around regularly, like I do. (I rarely stay in one parkup for longer than two nights. 


3. Fast charging — very useful on the road

One of the biggest frustrations with some portable power stations is how long they take to recharge. The RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wireless) can go from empty to full from mains in around 2.3 hours, which is very quick given its capacity.

If you drive a lot between stops, you can also use:

  • Vehicle charging – I charge mine up using my inverter whilst I’m driving.
  • Portable solar panels, especially useful in summer

4. UPS for protecting sensitive tech

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) switching on the RIVER 3 Plus/Max models is under 10 milliseconds, which means if you’re plugged into a campsite hookup and the supply dips or cuts out (which does happen occasionally), your devices won’t suddenly power off.

This matters for things like:

  • Router / wi-fi setup
  • Starlink
  • A gaming laptop
  • A CPAP machine
  • A desktop-style workstation

It’s not essential for everyone, but it’s a genuinely useful feature for remote workers or anyone who hates a dropped connection halfway through a Netflix episode.


5. The wireless charging pad is surprisingly handy

The “Wireless” part comes because Ecoflow have added a 5000mAh magnetic power bank and a 15W charging pad on top of the unit. 

This means that you can:

  • Drop your phone on top to charge wirelessly — no cable needed
  • Use the mini power bank separately when you’re out exploring, without taking the entire Ecoflow unit with you
  • Charge another device wirelessly while all the sockets are in use

It’s not a must-have, but for someone like me who has a LOT of things she wants to power at once, it’s very convenient. 


6. Quiet operation — good for sleeping nearby

The RIVER 3 Series is quiet. Very quiet. It’s listed as only making 30dB. (roughly “library quiet”).

If you keep your power station on inside the motorhome at night, as I do, this makes a difference. 

Some cheaper units have noisy fans that kick on frequently, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to sleep.


Downsides to consider (to keep this review balanced)

No product is perfect, and there are a few things to be aware of.

1. 600W output limits heavy appliances

It’s fine for laptops, routers, cameras, and many small devices.
But it won’t run some bigger devices, like 

  • big hairdryers
  • Large capacity air fryers
  • induction hobs

That’s not a fault, just the nature of portable power stations at this size. 

As a quick note, if you’re someone who does want to power heavier appliances like kettles or large air fryers, EcoFlow’s DELTA 3 Plus is the next step up, with a 1024Wh LiFePO4 battery, 1800W output and is capable of running 99% of household appliances. Still for everyday motorhome use, the RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wireless) is far more practical in terms of size & payload weight. 


2. Weight and size

At 10.3kg, it’s not light, especially with the extra battery attached. It’s still compact enough for a motorhome, but you’ll need to account for it in your motorhome payload, and also figure out where to store it. 

If you only need power for phones and laptops, the smaller RIVER 3 or RIVER 3 Plus might be better.


3. Solar input is good, but not huge

The RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wireless) takes up to 220W of solar input. This is perfectly fine for topping up during the day, but if you use a lot of power (or you’re touring in winter), you won’t get full rapid recharges from solar alone unless you have exceptionally sunny conditions and good panel placement.


4. You pay for the expandability

The Max Plus Wireless version isn’t the cheapest option. If the extra battery and wireless pad don’t matter to you, the RIVER 3 Plus on its own is more affordable and still very capable.


So… is the RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wireless) worth it?

For many motorhomers, yes.

It’s a smart, flexible system that:

  • covers everyday 12V and AC needs
  • charges fast from multiple sources
  • reduces strain on your leisure batteries
  • protects sensitive tech with UPS
  • works well for short-to-medium off-grid stays
  • adds useful wireless charging on top

If you want a power station that’s big enough for proper travelling, but not so big that it’s awkward or expensive, the RIVER 3 Max Plus (Wireless) is a great choice.

Obviously, it won’t replace your main electrical system, but it will make vanlife easier, especially if you work remotely or enjoy wild parking.

Rating 8/10

Would Recommend? YES

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