Turn Up the Chills with the Ecoflow Wave 3: Your Travel-Friendly Cooling Solution!
Effective cooling of compact spaces achieved by this compact air conditioner for mobile use.
Byazyar Jamal
Get ready to beat the heat as you explore the great outdoors with the Ecoflow Wave 3, an innovative mobile air conditioner that gives you the freedom to chill small spaces. Perfect for motorhomes, garden cabins, or even those sweltering trips in a muggy tent! But remember, it's no match for permanently installed devices.
The Wave 3 sets itself apart from other mobile climate devices by packing a swift punch with its dual hoses, ensuring efficient cooling in different conditions. Most portable ACs can only blow out heat, making internal temperatures plummet while unwanted warm air sneaks in from gaps and cracks. However, with the Wave 3's pesky vacuum-sealed room problem solved, it can perform almost as admirably as a fixed indoor-outdoor unit. Currently retailing around 800 euros, this purring powerhouse has stolen the show, although it's not a monster that can handle vast expanses.
Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun
Ecoflow wasn't content with just one hose, giving the Wave 3 an edge over other mobile units peddling a single condenser. The earlier version was already a crowd-pleaser, impressively cooling niche spaces, but the Wave 3 amplifies its capabilities, thanks to optimized tech. Even though it's comparable in size at 519 x 297 x 336mm and weighs just 15.6 kg, it's solidly built, boasting an IPX4 water resistance for some splashes and sprays. Plus, it runs on the eco-friendly R290 refrigerant (propane).
No Slouch in the Performance Department
Just in case you were wondering if the Wave 3 could bring the heat, let me set the record straight: itrocks! Powered up from 5,100 BTU (1,500 watts) to an impressive 6,100 BTU (1,800 watts), it now boasts the ability to chill spaces with up to 17 square meters of floor space, up from the original 10 sq.m. The Wave 3 was put to the test in a 13 square meter attic room with a lofty 2.35-meter ceiling—prime conditions for an air-based battle royale.
No Pain, No Gain: A Little DIY Work Keeps the Cool Coming
While the Wave 3 is handier than your average drone and can operate right from the box, reaching peak cooling potential requires a tad of DIY magic. Just hanging your hoses out the ol' window won't cut it; you'll need a bit of ingenuity and elbow grease. Ecoflow includes a cardboard sandwich complete with hose-sized holes. Assembling a suitable insert ensures that fresh air flows exclusively through the hoses in both directions.
Thanks to air conditioning guru, a plexiglass sheet with two window-sized connectors was custom-fitted to one lucky teststa's window (think "Risky Business" with less skin). Using strong magnetic tape, it was easily attached and detached. Due to minor discrepancies between Wave 3 hose diameters and the connectors, they did need a smidgen of adjustment, but our resident mechanical whiz was more than ready for the challenge.
Once the hoses were snugly connected, it was game on! Operation is a breeze, with a simple manual guiding even the technophobes through the cooling craze. Set the desired temperature or fan speed, vest in the automatic mode, or go DIY and select your favorite operating mode.
Bonus Features: Heatwave Got You Down? No Worries!
If temperatures drop, the Wave 3 flips the script and becomes your ultimate winter warm-up machine. Chill mode is out, pyro mode is in! Adjust the heat levels as needed, but remember, this device doesn’t have coals or a fireplace, so don’t expect a real campfire atmosphere. Also, you can go eco-friendly and opt for eco mode or set it to maximum power, and for super-quiet nights, there’s even a silent sleep mode.
Feeling extra pet-friendly? Let the Wave 3 watch Fido and Fluffy while you’re out conquering the world, thanks to the fantastic "Pet Care" feature. If Fluffy’s waiting in the car or tent, the device will automatically switch to max cool when temperatures reach 40 degrees (Celsius) until a cozy 25 degrees is reached. Got a smartphone? You’ll be notified via Bluetooth as soon as you roll up to your sweltering car or tent.
The Wave 3 can also connect to Wi-Fi, but since it's not a home surveillance device, it’s best to keep it plugged in at your home base. If your vehicle isn’t electrified, grab the optional battery that snaps onto the device, pushing the total weight to 25.3 kg. Bonus points for the IP67-rated battery, which holds 1024 watt-hours of power—just enough to outlast a single-use Duracell Bunny on steroids.
The Extended Battery Life: Batteries Not Included
Okay, so the battery is technically included, but considering its hefty price tag, you might as well call a battery shop. The price difference between the standard Wave 3 and the battery-powered version is as wide as the Grand Canyon. Thankfully, the extended battery is worth it, as it retains 80% of its capacity after 4000 charge cycles. In other words, with daily use, this bad boy clocks in at nearly ten years of lifespan. Plus, you can now charge the battery separately from the Air Con unit, even employing solar panels if you fancy yourself a tech-savvy green-thumb.
Performance in Action: Room Warmer? No Problemo!
So, how does the Wave 3 stack up? When fired up in a small camper or van, it outperformed its predecessor. However, in our relatively spacious test room, its power came up a bit short, cooling down roughly 26-22°C in about 2 hours without the battery—roughly the same time as the battery lasted. Still, that's more than enough to keep a tent or small annex humble and inviting during a heatwave.
If you're running the Wave 3 on AC power, you canunleashits full cool potentialcontinuously until you're Dragon Tattooed in goosebumps. In room temperatures hovering at 25°C, the unit consumed an efficient 650 watts with a max peak of 690 watts—relatively thrifty, considering the sizeable cooling power this little ~~devil~~ gem produces. Whenύthing is said and done, the device consumed about 5.5 kilowatt-hours over an 8-hour period, costing approximately 2.40 EUR at the standard rate of 30 cents per kilowatt-hour, though costs can decrease substantially as energy usage typically scales back when temperatures plateau.
Ditching the power gases and choosing the eco-friendly route ensures longer runtimes, as the device's energy consumption is adjusted accordingly. It will, however, take significantly more time to chill your new icebox. On the flip side, switching to Night Mode drops the volume levels for optimal slumber, making those REM cycles worth the wait.
Pro Tips for Cooling Down Your Crib
- Insulate with Abandon: Make sure your tiny pied-à-terre is well-insulated, and seal any gaps with fabrics, paddings, and draft guarders.
- Window Whisperer: Highlight your love affair with thermal curtains or blankets—they work wonders in shutting out the burning heat that tries to slip in through the windows.
- Don't Underestimate Shades: Apply reflective sunshades to windows or fabrics for a subtle touch of protection that packs a cooling punch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ecoflow Wave 3 is a sweet portable air conditioning solution for keeping small spaces chill and comfortable. However, the Wave 3 is not a bruiser meant for conquering vast swaths of heated lands. Realistically, consider the ideal conditions, or you'll be left with an expensive paperweight—especially when resorting to the battery, which can set you back nearly 1,400 euros! Other than that, you'll be well on your way to unshakable relaxation and be the envy of all your fellow campers.
So pack your bags, prep those tents, and set your sights on adventure! With the Ecoflow Wave 3, you won't have to sweat the small stuff (or the big stuff)!
Source: ntv.de
- Travel, Adventure, Camping, Mobile Living, Outdoor Cooling
- The Ecoflow Wave 3, a mobile air conditioner, is perfect for small spaces during travel and outdoor adventures, such as motorhomes, garden cabins, and tents. However, it's not suitable for permanently installed devices.
- The Wave 3's dual hoses allow for efficient cooling in different conditions and perform almost as admirably as a fixed indoor-outdoor unit. It can be compared to smart-home-devices in terms of innovation and performance.
- To maximize cooling efficiency, some DIY work is required, such as assembling an insert for fresh air to flow through the hoses and attaching a plexiglass sheet with connectors to windows. This device can also be connected to Wi-Fi for additional convenience, particularly when connected to a home base.
