When it comes to portable power stations, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus and the Pecron E1000LFP are two of the most competitive options in the mid-sized category. We have reviewed them separately, and we often recommend both of them to our viewers and readers.
Both power stations are designed for camping, light emergency use, and day-to-day portable power, but while they share a lot of similarities on paper, the price gap between them is significant.
So, should you spend the extra money on EcoFlow’s more streamlined unit, or is this Pecron power station the true budget champion here? We put them head-to-head in another This or That showdown to find out.
Before diving into our head-to-head comparison of these two power stations, here’s how they compare on paper:
If you want to learn more about either of these power stations, you can read our full reviews on them:
➡️ EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Power Station Review
➡️ Pecron E1000LFP Portable Power Station Review
It’s worth pointing out that both of these units are power stations that we regularly recommend, so you can feel confident that you’ve made a good choice if you decide to pick either of them up. The purpose of this showdown is simply to see which of the two is the better power station. Let’s get into it:
This one’s simple, as both the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus and Pecron E1000 have 1,024Wh LiFePO₄ batteries and 1,800W inverters. That means in terms of raw numbers, they’re identical here.
When we tested them, the batteries and inverters for both units performed as advertised, so this round is a tie. We’ll give them each a point.
In our testing, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus consistently surged higher and more reliably than the Pecron E1000. The Pecron performed fine within its continuous output limits, but EcoFlow just has the edge in handling sudden spikes.
If you’re hoping to be able to squeeze a bit of extra power out of your solar generator to run appliances and devices with higher start-up requirements, it’s going to be a lot easier with the EcoFlow power station.
The DELTA 3 Plus earns the first tie-breaker point.
The Pecron E1000LFP wins this round with a 600W solar input, which is just ahead of the 500W solar charge rate you get with the EcoFlow 3 Plus.
That extra 100W may not sound like a lot, but it would make a difference when you’re trying to recharge quickly in an off-grid setting. Honestly, a 600W solar input is actually pretty respectable for a power station with a 1,024Wh battery capacity. In less than two hours, you could fully charge your Pecorn power station with solar panels, which is pretty impressive.
Plugging into a wall outlet, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 accepts up to 1,500W, which allows it to charge significantly faster than the Pecron E1000’s 1,000W AC input will allow.
While both can be fully charged with a wall plug in about an hour thanks to their relatively small batteries, EcoFlow edges ahead thanks to that extra 500W of input power.
Almost all of EcoFlow’s recent power station releases have been ridiculously quiet, with the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra being one of the quietest power stations we have ever tested. So, it seems like EcoFlow has invested good money into equipping their units with quiet fans.
The DELTA 3 Plus continues this trend, and even under really demanding loads, it stays whisper quiet. On the other hand, the Pecron E1000 can get noticeably louder. Think of an old Dell PC trying to run the latest computer games.
If you’re looking for a quiet power station you can comfortably use inside your main living space, or even inside something like a tent or RV, the DELTA 3 Plus is a no-brainer.
On paper, EcoFlow and Pecron are really similar when it comes to the number of output ports and how there are spread out:
The Pecron technically has more grounded outlets, as well as few extras, but layout matters. When plugging in bulkier items like a camera battery charger, the Pecron E1000’s outlets are a bit crowded, which can mean plugs and adaptors can overlap and block other ports.
On the other hand, EcoFlow’s ports are better spaced, preventing any sort of plug-in conflicts. It’s a really close round, but we’re going to give it to the DELTA Pro 3 Plus purely because we think it offers slightly better real-world usability.
Looks may not be everything, but the EcoFlow brand has always seemed to take pride in them. The DELTA 3 Plus is no exception, and it just looks and feels really sleek. We can also tell that it was made with higher-quality plastics, which not only makes it feel durable, it gives it a more modern design.
The Pecron E1000LFP works fine, but feels a lot more utilitarian. It almost looks like a tool company designed it. Don't get us wrong, a Pecron power station will get the job done, but if you’re someone who cares about looks, you might be a bit disappointed.
If you were unwrapping these portable power stations on Christmas, we think you’d be thrilled with the look of the EcoFlow unit, while the Pecron E1000 would get shoved to the back of your closet. We know we're being superficial, but EcoFlow still scores another point.
Here’s where Pecron makes up some ground. All of its outlets and plugs are on the front of the unit, making it easier to use in tight spaces, corners, or if you have it shoved in the trunk of a car.
Like the DELTA 2 Max before it, EcoFlow split the outlets between the front and back on the DELTA 3 Plus. While this might not be an issue for some people, it’s a bit less convenient, so the E1000 power station earns this point.
Both units can be paired with expansion batteries, but EcoFlow’s DELTA 3 Plus can be scaled up to 5,000Wh, while Pecron tops out at maximum battery capacity of 4,096Wh.
That extra 1,000 Watt-hours of storage capacity could be a game-changer during longer power outages. EcoFlow takes another point.
Neither company has ever blown us away when it comes to customer support. Both have human support staff, which is better than we can say for some solar brands and power station companies, but the experience is average at best.
We previously mystery shopped EcoFlow, and they weren’t exactly helpful or knowledgeable. Pecron didn’t even have phone support until recently, and we still think they have a lot to learn before we start recommending them for their after-purchase support.
We wish these brands had customer support like Anker, but they don’t. This one’s a tie, but we’re not giving either unit a point for this category.
This is where Pecron comes swinging back with a near-knockout punch. At just $399, the E1000LFP is a full $300 cheaper than the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus, which is usually priced at about $699.
That’s a huge difference for two units that are otherwise very close in design and capabilities. While it’s only worth a single point within the context of this power station comparison, it’s going to be a major deciding factor for a lot of buyers.
At the end of the day, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus technically wins with more points. It’s quieter, charges faster, surges harder, and looks better doing it. But here’s the catch: pretty much every round EcoFlow won was by a fairly slim margin (aside from the noise levels).
On the other hand, the Pecron E1000 Power Station holds its own at a drastically lower price point. With nearly identical specs and a much friendlier price tag, it’s hard to ignore the sheer value Pecron offers. The price difference is so substantial that you could almost pick up the Pecron E1000 and an EP3000 Expansion Battery for the same price as the DELTA 3 Plus on its own!
If money is no object, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 is the premium pick. But for most people, we’d probably recommend grabbing the Pecron E1000LFP and using the $300 you save to invest in a Pecron solar panel, an expansion battery, or even a second unit. Any of these options would give you a better overall system for about the same money as a single DELTA 3 Plus.
Check Price at Shop Solar: www.ShopSolar.com
Check Price at Pecron: www.Pecron.com
Check Price at Shop Solar: www.ShopSolar.com
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