Tried the Ecoflow Wave 3: This mobile air conditioner cools small rooms effectively

The Ecoflow Wave 3 is one of the few portable air conditioners with two hoses. In practical tests, it proves that it can effectively cool mobile homes, garden sheds, or small rooms under the right conditions. However, it can't compete with permanently installed units.

Most portable air conditioners only have a single hose that directs the waste heat outside. As Stiftung Warentest has found, this isn't particularly effective even under ideal conditions. This is because a negative pressure is created in the room because air is blown out, but no fresh air is drawn in from outside. This causes warm outside air to flow in through windows, doors, or cracks, significantly reducing the cooling performance.

Things are different for units that draw in air through a second hose. Ideally, they almost match the performance of permanently installed air conditioners with an indoor and outdoor unit. The new Ecoflow Wave 3, currently priced at just under €800, has also proven this in practical tests, but you still shouldn't expect too much from this small monoblock.

Even its predecessor was capable of effectively cooling small rooms under the right conditions. The Wave 3, weighing 15.6 kilograms and splash-proof to IPX4 standards, does this even better with optimized technology, despite being just as compact at 519 × 297 × 336 millimeters. It uses environmentally friendly R290 (propane) as the coolant.

Higher performance

Among other things, Ecoflow has increased its power output from 5100 BTU (1500 watts) to 6100 BTU (1800 watts), meaning it can now cool rooms with a floor area of ​​eleven to 17 square meters instead of a maximum of ten. ntv.de tested the Wave 3 in a 13-square-meter attic space, which, with a ceiling height of 2.35 meters, has a volume of approximately 30 cubic meters—ideal test conditions.

The Wave 3 is ready to use right out of the box, but like all mobile devices, it would be virtually pointless without some tinkering. If you simply hang the hoses out the window, even the maximum performance is barely enough to reduce the temperature in an overheated room to a tolerable level.

No effective cooling without tinkering

It's not without reason that Ecoflow includes a cardboard disc with two holes matching the diameters of the two hoses. You need to find or make a suitable insert that ensures that air flows exclusively through the hoses in both directions.

ntv.de commissioned a specialized company to cut a Plexiglas panel with two holes for connecting flanges to fit the open window. Magnetic adhesive strips on the panel and window frame allow for quick installation and removal. The idea came from Kliman-Guru .

The flanges had to be slightly adjusted because the Wave 3's hoses have a slightly larger diameter. This is due to a new insulation layer that slightly increases efficiency, as the exhaust air in particular can get very hot. Despite the insulation, ntv.de still measured a temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius on the hose.

Easy to use

Once the hoses are connected, you can get started; no further steps are necessary. Operation is simple. The brief but understandable included quick start guide is sufficient to understand it. Among other things, you can set the desired temperature or fan speed directly on the device, let it do everything automatically, or select the operating mode.

In addition to cooling, a heating function is also available, so you can also use the Wave 3 in winter if you wish. You can also choose whether the device should operate in the economical Eco mode, at maximum performance, or in the quiet sleep mode.

Dehumidifier included

The Wave 3 also offers the new option of using the device exclusively to reduce humidity. As with the temperature, you can set the desired value using the arrow keys. All settings and measured values ​​are shown on a display above the keys.

The air is also dehumidified during cooling, which is why you occasionally need to empty a collection container inside the device via a hose. You'll receive a notification when this is necessary; the button for this function is also located below the display.

It's more convenient to configure the most important settings via the Ecoflow app. There you'll also find a more detailed user manual—unfortunately only in English—and additional options.

Got to the dogs

In addition to a timer, there's now also a "pet sitting" function, for example, if a dog is waiting for its owner in a vehicle. When this function is activated, the Wave 3 automatically starts maximum cooling at 40 degrees Celsius until it reaches 25 degrees Celsius. Additionally, a notification is sent to your smartphone when you're within Bluetooth range. The device also connects to Wi-Fi, but these are ideally located outside your home.

If you don't have a power outlet in your vehicle, you'll need the optional battery pack to which the device can be connected. Ecoflow currently offers it in combination with the air conditioning system for around €600. This adds another 9.7 kilograms to the Wave 3's weight, but it's what makes the device truly mobile. The battery, which is IP67-rated against dust and water, has a slightly lower capacity of 1024 watt-hours than its predecessor, but is still better.

Even an improved battery has its limits

Most importantly, it's now a lithium iron phosphate battery, which is more durable than lithium-ion batteries. According to Ecoflow, it retains at least 80 percent capacity after 4,000 charging cycles. Even with daily use, that equates to a lifespan of up to ten years. Furthermore, the battery can now be charged independently of the air conditioning system, including with a solar panel. A depleted battery can be fully charged in three hours from a wall outlet.

Equipped this way, the Wave 3 should serve a good purpose in a small camper or caravan. It also performed well in the comparatively large test room. At peak performance, it was able to cool it from around 26 degrees Celsius to a much more comfortable 22 degrees Celsius in about two hours. The battery lasts roughly that long, too.

Relatively undemanding

If the Wave 3 is plugged into a wall outlet, you can, of course, run it at full power for longer. In a room at 25 degrees Celsius, it consumed around 650 watts, and its peak power is 690 watts – that's comparatively economical. In eight hours, it consumes approximately 5.5 kilowatt-hours, which, at a price of 30 cents per kilowatt-hour, comes to around €2.40. In reality, the costs are usually lower, as the power is reduced when the temperature reaches a desired level.

When running on battery power, the Eco mode is ideal. It took considerably longer for the room temperature to reach 22 degrees Celsius, but then a single battery charge is sufficient for even a short night. The special Night mode barely extends the runtime; it primarily reduces the noise level by setting the fan speed to the lowest setting. You can still hear the Wave, but you can sleep while it's running. However, the reduced fan speed also means the room cools more slowly.

It's important to note that the roof of the test apartment is well insulated, and the window of the test room has external shading. Under less favorable conditions, such as when a caravan is parked unprotected in the blazing sun, the Wave 3 quickly loses the battle against the heat without a power connection and provides little relief.

Conclusion

The Ecoflow Wave 3 can be an effective and quite efficient air conditioner for small spaces, mobile homes, garden sheds, etc. However, you have to be realistic and ensure ideal conditions, or the purchase, which costs almost €1,400 including the battery, will be a waste of money.