One of the newest EcoFlow portable faucets is now only $159

What's the deal?

My favorite compact portable battery, the so-called EcoFlow River 3it's currently $100 off and will be available for $159 after the period ends on Amazon Days Prime Big Deal sale.

ZDNET's most important conclusions

• The EcoFlow River 3 is a new, compact portable battery available for $259, currently on sale for its October launch date.
• It is portable and lightweight, making it easy to carry. It features fast charging, from 0% to 100% in 55 minutes and has an output capacity of 245 Wh.
• Because portability is a priority with River Portable Batteries, they are significantly less efficient than their alternatives and are best suited for smaller tasks or shorter durations of use.

EcoFlow has announced the addition of three new portable batteries to its lineup: River 3, River 3 Plus and Delta 3 Plus. Although the new batteries are now available for purchase, I've been testing the EcoFlow River 3 for the past few weeks to see how it performs, and I couldn't be happier with it.

The EcoFlow River series is a group of portable batteries that prioritize portability and convenience, resulting in lightweight units that can be taken almost anywhere. The Delta lineup prioritizes power, which means that while they are still technically portable, the EcoFlow Delta batteries are heavier and larger than the River units, as evidenced by the nearly 200-pound Delta Pro Ultra battery in my garage.

I tested Delta and River portable batteries and really enjoyed testing the latest version of the River 3, which has become my favorite portable battery. The River 3 has no direct comparison to the Delta series; they are built for different purposes. Still, River 3 is compact and light enough to be carried around to charge small devices or placed next to a device in a location away from a power source.

The River 3 is a small, entry-level battery that weighs under 8 pounds. It's perfect for carrying anywhere you may need extra power with little compromise. For God's sake, this battery is lighter than my third child was at birth.

EcoFlow describes the River 3 as having a capacity of 245 Wh. I tested its usable capacity, which according to the manufacturers should be about 85% of the advertised capacity. Usable capacity is the amount of energy that can be used from the battery under normal operating conditions. It often differs from advertised capacity due to voltage cutoffs, safety margins, and operating conditions such as temperature.

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During my testing, the River 3 had an average usable capacity of 205 Wh, or about 84% of the advertised 245 Wh. The warmer the battery was, the lower this percentage was, which was to be expected. Under optimal conditions, this number can increase to 87%, although it is never higher. This is enough for my personal use of a portable battery, which is quite ordinary since the worst that could happen is a camping trip or a short power outage.

EcoFlow River 3 is powerful enough to deliver 300W output power and up to 600W with X-Boost technology, yet quiet enough to be used in the office without distraction. It can operate without a fan when the output power is less than 50W, making it completely silent compared to larger batteries.

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Battery ports include two AC outputs, two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and one DC port. EcoFlow claims that the EcoFlow River 3 has a 20ms switching time, a two-year warranty, and an IP54 rating, which means it is resistant to light rain and water splashes.

I tested the fast charging capability by completely draining the battery to 0%, then plugging it in and monitoring how long it took to reach certain points. EcoFlow River 3 took 18 minutes from fully discharged to 50%, 36 minutes from 0% to 75%, and 55 minutes to fully charge from 0% to 100%.

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With other media, River 3 takes longer to load. It can be charged in the car while traveling and will fully charge in less than three hours, keeping your small devices charged for the duration of your camping trip. It has a solar power rating of 110W, so it can charge to 100% in about three hours using solar panels and direct sunlight, although your mileage may vary.

ZDNET purchasing advice

The EcoFlow River 3 is a great portable battery for beginners if you're looking for a compact power source for charging smartphones, tablets and laptops or keeping the lights on during camping trips. It's also a good choice if you're looking for a dedicated backup battery for specific devices, such as powering some lights, a TV, or a CPAP machine during a short power outage.

Many portable batteries can perform better in certain circumstances than the River 3. Compared to the River 2, the EcoFlow River 3 is smaller and easier to carry, and thanks to the use of GaN, it is more efficient and compact. My husband, for example, was very attached to the Anker Solix C300 DCcompetitor EcoFlow River 3 with a capacity of 288Wh.