The EcoFlow Wave 3 is the third generation of portable heat pumps that combine cooling, heating and dehumidification in a device the size of hand luggage. With 1,800 W of power (6,100 BTU), it cools a room by 8 °C in 15 minutes, and in winter with 2,000 W of heating, it raises the temperature by 9 °C also in a quarter of an hour. Add a 1 kWh LiFePO₄ battery, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity and new smart modes (Sleep, Auto, PetCare) and you have a gadget that suits van-lifers, campers and anyone who wants a backup “air-con” for the home office.
If you've been chasing #vanlife photos on Instagram for a few years, then you know the scenario: parked van, sun at its zenith, 40°C inside, dog looking offended, and you're looking for shade, which in the camping world only exists on electricity bills. EcoFlow says it has a solution – the Wave 3, which is said to lower the temperature by 15 °F (≈8 °C) in 15 minutes, completely without a cable, if you connect a 1 kWh battery module underneath it.
Technical details (specifications): EcoFlow Wave 3 portable air conditioner
| What | Wave 3 |
|---|---|
| Cooling | 6,100 BTU / 1,800 W |
| Heating | 6,800 BTU / 2,000 W |
| Battery (optional) | 1,024 Wh LiFePO₄, up to 8 h of operation |
| Weight | 15.3 kg (device) + 9.7 kg (battery) |
| Noise | 44–58 dB (Sleep Max) |
| Dimensions | 519 × 297 × 336mm |
| Input voltage | 100-240V AC or 11-60V DC |
| Application | EcoFlow Oasis (Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz, BT) |
Why is Wave 3 better than Wave 2?
- +20 % stronger cooling (6,100 BTU vs. 5,100 BTU) and noticeably faster airflow (330 m³/h).
- Quieter Sleep-mode at 44 dB – about whispering in the morning over coffee.
- Smart ways: Auto switches between heating and cooling, PetCare automatically starts the air conditioning when the cabin exceeds 25 °C and sends you a push notification.
- Dehumidifier – because the mold in the van is not #aesthetic.
- App remote – also works via Starlink, says a test at The Verge.
Field test: cold van, warm heart
Other people tested the Wave 3 and placed it in a 9 m² “Sprinter” and confirmed that the device easily maintains 16 °C at night if the van is parked in the shade; in direct sunlight there is no magic - physics is still queen. In Eco-mode, the battery lasted 13 hours of heating in the tiny-house experiment, and in Max-cool three hours.
Charging: from sun to alternator
Charge the battery:
- AC 700 W – 100 % in ~2 hours
- Solar 400W – ~3 h (ideal for a roof panel)
- EcoFlow Alternator 800 W – while driving in 1.3 hours
In short, while you're driving from a high-mountain lake to the coast, the battery charges faster than you quench your thirst with a cold beer.
Price and Availability: EcoFlow Wave 3 Portable Air Conditioner
- USA / EU: 899 $/ € eur (with discount), set with battery 1,449 $/ €
Who is Wave 3 intended for?
- Vanlifers & digital nomads – small square footage, lots of electricity from the sun.
- Campsites without hookups – 8 hours of night cooling with battery.
- Micro-offices & workshops – additional air conditioning that does not require drilling a hole in the wall.
- Homeowners with (too) cold attics – heats faster than an oil radiator, but consumes less.
Conclusion: EcoFlow Wave 3 Portable Air Conditioner
EcoFlow Wave portable air conditioner 3 is like the Swiss Army knife of portable air conditioners: it cools, heats, dehumidifies, and does it more quietly and for longer than before. It's not the cheapest, it's not the lightest, but for travelers who count every watt and every cubic centimeter, it's the most exciting plug-and-play heat pump on the market right now.
If your van needs an icy wave of refreshment or you want a backup heater for winter power outages, the Wave 3 is probably the coolest (and warmest) investment of 2025.
