Capacity
Higher is better | Scale max: 269 Wh | EB3A leads
EB3A 268.8 Wh
RIVER 3 245 Wh
EB3A: +24 Wh (+9.7%).
EB3A vs RIVER 3
600W
Running power
300W
268.8 Wh
Battery
245 Wh
10.1 lbs
Weight
7.7 lbs
At a Glance
This comparison targets buyers shopping for an ultra-portable LFP power station under 300 Wh. The Bluetti EB3A delivers 600W of running power and 1,200W surge, doubling the RIVER 3's 300W/600W output.
That extra headroom lets the EB3A power 21 of the 53 devices tested here, compared to 17 for the RIVER 3. Solar recharge is also faster on the EB3A: a 200W max input fills its 268.8 Wh battery in roughly 2.4 hours, while the RIVER 3's 110W input needs about 3.2 hours for a slightly smaller 245 Wh pack.
The tradeoff is weight and longevity. At 7.7 lbs, the RIVER 3 is over two pounds lighter, and its 3,000-cycle rating edges out the EB3A's 2,500 cycles, giving it a longer projected lifespan for daily-use scenarios.
Overall Winner
EB3A
Powers 21 of 53 tested devices vs 17 for RIVER 3
Home backup: EB3A RV / mobile: RIVER 3 Solar: EB3A
EB3A wins overall, but the best pick depends on your use case.
Choose EB3A if...
- + You want faster solar recharging
- + You want broader device compatibility
Choose RIVER 3 if...
- + Portability matters for your setup
Spec Snapshot
Absolute values shown. Bars are scaled within this comparison for readability.
Each metric is independent. Bar lengths are not comparable across different compare pages.
Running Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 600 W | EB3A leads
EB3A 600 W
RIVER 3 300 W
EB3A: +300 W (+100.0%).
Surge Power
Higher is better | Scale max: 1,200 W | EB3A leads
EB3A 1,200 W
RIVER 3 600 W
EB3A: +600 W (+100.0%).
Weight
Lower is better | Scale best: 7.7 lbs | RIVER 3 leads
EB3A 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg)
RIVER 3 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)
RIVER 3: -2.4 lbs (23.9% lighter).
Battery Life
Higher is better | Scale max: 3,000 cycles | RIVER 3 leads
EB3A 2,500 cycles
RIVER 3 3,000 cycles
RIVER 3: +500 cycles (+20.0%).
Where Compatibility Actually Differs
Out of 53 devices tested, 4 show a different result between these two stations.
Both can run: 17 · Differences: 8% (4/53) · Neither can run: 32
Neither can run · 32 devices
These devices exceed both stations on running power and surge.
RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)
Laser Printer
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)
Desktop PC (Gaming/Workstation)
EV Charger (Level 1, 120V)
Central AC (3-Ton)
Dehumidifier (70 Pint)
Gas Furnace Fan (Blower)
Portable AC (12,000 BTU)
Space Heater (1,500W)
Window AC (8,000 BTU)
Electric Water Heater (50 Gal)
Well Pump (1 HP)
2-Slice Bread Toaster
Coffee Maker
Digital Air Fryer
Electric Skillet
Electric Stove (Single Burner)
Electric Water Kettle
Instant Pot (6 Qt)
Microwave Oven (1000W)
Toaster Oven
Rice Cooker
Electric Clothes Dryer
Dishwasher
Washing Machine
Professional Hair Dryer
Circular Saw (Corded)
Corded Drill / Hammer Drill
Electric Chainsaw (14-inch)
Pancake Air Compressor (6-Gallon)
Shop Vac (Wet/Dry, 5-6 HP Peak)
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | EB3A | RIVER 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 268.8 Wh ✓ | 245 Wh |
| Running Power | 600 W ✓ | 300 W |
| Surge Power | 1,200 W ✓ | 600 W |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) ✓ |
| Energy Density | 58.4 Wh/kg | 70.0 Wh/kg ✓ |
| Portability Tier | ultralight | ultralight |
| Chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Cycle Life | 2,500 | 3,000 ✓ |
| Expandable | No | No |
| UPS | No | No |
| AC Voltage | 120V | 120V |
Solar Charging
Best-case charging profile using compatible solar panels.
EB3A
Faster Max solar input 200 W
Connector DC7909
Full charge time ~2.4h
Compatible panels 6/20
MPPT: 12-28V
RIVER 3
Max solar input 110 W
Connector XT60i
Full charge time ~3.2h
Compatible panels 12/20
MPPT: 11-30V
Charge speed comparison
Longer bar = faster charge (inverted scale)
Device Compatibility
All tested devices grouped by category. Click a category to expand.
EB3ARIVER 3
Emergency(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Entertainment(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
EV & Transportation(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Heating & Cooling(7)
1/71/7
1/7
1/7
Home Infrastructure(3)
1/31/3
1/3
1/3
| Device | EB3A | Runtime | RIVER 3 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Water Heater (50 Gal) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| Garage Door Opener (Residential) | Safe | 1h | Safe | 1h |
| Well Pump (1 HP) | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
Kitchen Appliances(11)
1/111/11
1/11
1/11
| Device | EB3A | Runtime | RIVER 3 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Slice Bread Toaster | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Digital Air Fryer | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Skillet | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Stove (Single Burner) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Water Kettle | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Instant Pot (6 Qt) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Microwave Oven (1000W) | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Rice Cooker | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Slow Cooker | Safe | 0.6h | Tight | 0.6h |
| Toaster Oven | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Large Appliances(4)
1/41/4
1/4
1/4
| Device | EB3A | Runtime | RIVER 3 | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | Voltage Fail | N/A | Voltage Fail | N/A |
| French Door Refrigerator | Safe | 0.9h | Safe | 0.8h |
| Washing Machine | Fail | N/A | Fail | N/A |
Medical(4)
4/42/4
4/4
2/4
Outdoor & RV(6)
5/64/6
5/6
4/6
Personal Care(2)
1/21/2
1/2
1/2
Power Tools(5)
0/50/5
0/5
0/5
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our methodology
The Bottom Line
Choose the EB3A if you need more output wattage and broader device coverage for car camping, tailgating, or light home backup; its 600W continuous output handles small appliances the RIVER 3 simply cannot run. Pick the RIVER 3 if minimal pack weight and maximum battery longevity matter more than raw power, especially for hiking or everyday electronics charging. Overall, the EB3A earns the win with a higher compatibility score of 41 vs. 33 and meaningfully stronger output across the board.
EB3A vs RIVER 3 FAQ
Q Which is better for home backup, EB3A or RIVER 3?
EB3A is the stronger overall choice in this matchup based on weighted compatibility across 53 tested devices.
Q Which has longer runtime, EB3A or RIVER 3?
EB3A has higher battery capacity (268.8 Wh), which generally supports longer runtime on the same load.
Q Which charges faster with solar panels?
EB3A has the faster best-case solar recharge profile in our panel compatibility test set.
Q Which is more portable, EB3A or RIVER 3?
RIVER 3 is lighter at 7.7 lbs vs 10.1 lbs. RIVER 3 is rated ultralight for portability.
Q How many devices can each power station run?
EB3A powers 21 of 53 tested devices, compared to 17 for RIVER 3.