BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 vs EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus: which should you buy?
The short verdict
For most people, the BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 is the better small station, by a narrow margin. Both hold almost the same energy, 288 Wh against 286 Wh, and both put out 600 W. The Elite 30 V2 handles a 1,500 W start-up surge instead of 1,200 W, weighs 9.5 lb instead of 10.4 lb, and has two USB-C ports rated up to 140 W against one at 100 W.
The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus wins on growth and recharging. Add an EB300 or EB600 extra battery and it reaches 858 Wh, about three times its own battery. The Elite 30 V2 cannot take extra batteries. The RIVER also has three AC outlets instead of two, takes 220 W of solar instead of 200 W, and refills from the wall in about 60 minutes against about 70.
The surge gap decides it if you have a motor load in the 1,200 to 1,500 W range. A 50-pint dehumidifier needs about 1,400 W to start, so the Elite 30 V2 runs it for about 55 minutes and the RIVER 3 Plus cannot start it. A small 5,000 BTU window AC is the same story: about 1 hour on the BLUETTI, and no start on the EcoFlow.
BLUETTI Elite 30 V2
288 Wh · 600 W · $180–$280
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EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus
286 Wh · 600 W · $180–$300
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Buy the BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 if…
You want the lighter box for camping, a car trip or a gift, and you mostly charge phones, laptops and cameras. Two USB-C ports up to 140 W let you charge a laptop and a tablet at once without the AC outlets. It also suits a damp basement or a small room where you may want to start a dehumidifier or a 5,000 BTU window AC for a short spell.
Buy the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus if…
You think you may want more battery later, since one extra battery takes it to 858 Wh. You plug in three AC devices at a time, such as a router, a lamp and a CPAP. It also fits if you top up from solar often or want the slightly faster wall charge.
Specs side by side
The better number in each row is highlighted.
| Spec | BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 | EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 288 Wh (better) | 286 Wh |
| AC output (continuous) | 600 W | 600 W |
| Surge | 1,500 W (better) | 1,200 W |
| Boost mode (heaters, kettles) | 1,500 W | 1,200 W |
| Battery type | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Cycle life (rated) | 3,000 (to 80%) | 3,000 (to 80%) |
| Weight | 9.5 lb (better) | 10.4 lb |
| Wall charge time | 1 h 10 min (0–100%; 80% in 45 min with TurboBoost) | 1 h (0–100% from a wall outlet) (better) |
| Max solar input | 200 W | 220 W (better) |
| AC outlets | 2 | 3 (better) |
| USB-C ports (max) | 2 (140 W) (better) | 1 (100 W) |
| USB-A ports | 2 | 2 |
| 12V / car port | Yes (3 DC ports) | Yes (1 DC ports) |
| Expandable | No | Yes, up to 858 Wh |
| UPS switch-over | 10 ms | 10 ms |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Size | 9.8 x 7 x 6.6 in | 9.2 x 9.1 x 5.8 in |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |
| Typical price | $180–$280 (better) | $180–$300 |
Runtime for common devices
On the BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 (288 Wh), runtimes go from about 55 min for a dehumidifier (50 pint) to about 10 hrs for a Wi-Fi router + cable modem, each running by itself.
Swipe sideways to see every device →
| Power station | Full-size refrigerator 150 W running, about 45 W average | CPAP with heated humidifier 34 W average | Dehumidifier (50 pint) 545 W running, about 273 W average | Wi-Fi router + cable modem 25 W average | Laptop (13-16 in) 65 W running, about 39 W average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 288 Wh | 5.5 hrs | 7 hrs | 55 min | 10 hrs | 6.5 hrs |
| EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus 286 Wh | 5.5 hrs | 7 hrs | Can’t run it | 9.5 hrs | 6 hrs |
Estimates: battery Wh × 0.85 ÷ the device’s average draw. Real runtime depends on temperature, battery age and how hard the device works.
See how every power station on this site handles one device:
Same battery and output, different surge
For steady loads, these two are close to twins. A full-size fridge runs for about 5.5 hours on either one, and a CPAP with a heated humidifier for about 7 hours. A router and cable modem last about 10 hours on the Elite 30 V2 and about 9.5 on the RIVER 3 Plus. A laptop gets about 6.5 hours against about 6.
The difference shows up at start-up. Compressors and motors pull a short spike when they kick on. The Elite 30 V2 allows 1,500 W for that moment and the RIVER 3 Plus 1,200 W. A fridge needs about 1,000 W, so both start it. A 50-pint dehumidifier needs about 1,400 W and a 5,000 BTU window AC about 1,350 W, which only the BLUETTI can handle.
Neither one runs a microwave, kettle or space heater on its 600 W output. BLUETTI Power Lifting (up to 1,500 W) and EcoFlow X-Boost (up to 1,200 W) may run some simple heating devices at reduced power, so check the manual. Even then, a battery under 300 Wh drains fast.
Which one recharges faster?
From a wall outlet, the RIVER 3 Plus is a little quicker. EcoFlow lists about 60 minutes from empty to full. BLUETTI lists about 70 minutes for the Elite 30 V2, or 80% in about 45 minutes with TurboBoost.
For solar, the RIVER 3 Plus accepts up to 220 W and the Elite 30 V2 up to 200 W. That is a small gap. A single 200 W panel suits either one, and real output depends on sun, angle and heat.
Size, ports and backup features
The Elite 30 V2 is about 1 lb lighter and measures 9.8 x 7 x 6.6 in. The RIVER 3 Plus measures 9.2 x 9.1 x 5.8 in, so it is wider but lower.
Both have two USB-A ports, a 12V car port and app control. The BLUETTI has two AC outlets, two USB-C ports up to 140 W and three DC ports in all. The EcoFlow has three AC outlets, one USB-C port up to 100 W and one DC port.
Both list a 10 ms UPS switch-over, so either can sit between the wall and a router or modem. For a CPAP, either one is a short bridge for one outage, never your only backup. Plan with your equipment supplier and prescriber, and sign up for your utility's medical-needs program.
Value
Prices overlap almost completely. The Elite 30 V2 usually sells for roughly $180 to $280, and the RIVER 3 Plus for roughly $180 to $300. Both use LiFePO4 cells rated for 3,000 cycles, so battery life is not a reason to pick one.
Pay for what you will use. If you want the higher surge, the second USB-C port and the lighter carry, the BLUETTI gives you more for the money today. If you may want 858 Wh next year, the RIVER 3 Plus is the only one of the two that gets there.
Common questions
- Can the Elite 30 V2 or the RIVER 3 Plus run a refrigerator?
- Yes, both can. A full-size fridge needs about 1,000 W to start its compressor, below both surge limits. Either one keeps it running for about 5.5 hours.
- Can the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus run a dehumidifier?
- Not a 50-pint model. It needs about 1,400 W to start, and the RIVER 3 Plus surge stops at 1,200 W. The BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 handles 1,500 W and runs it for about 55 minutes.
- Which is lighter, the Elite 30 V2 or the RIVER 3 Plus?
- The BLUETTI Elite 30 V2, at 9.5 lb against 10.4 lb. That is about 1 lb less for about the same battery.
- Can I add a battery to either one?
- Only to the RIVER 3 Plus. An EB300 or EB600 extra battery takes it to 858 Wh. The Elite 30 V2 stays at 288 Wh.
- How many nights will either one run a CPAP?
- With a heated humidifier, about 7 hours, just short of one 8-hour night. With the humidifier off, about 4 nights on either unit. Treat it as a short bridge, never your only backup.