EcoFlow Stream Review
Thanks for visiting Portable Power Geek. Today, for your perusal, is an EcoFlow Stream Review.
What is the EcoFlow Stream? Well it’s a plug-in home battery, or it can be called a balcony power plant.
When you combine it with solar panels, it becomes a complete energy solution for your home. This type of system can then be called a plug-in solar system, or a balcony solar system.
There are a few different models, some that are just a different size, and others that have a different purpose and must be used in a different way.
We’ll let you know, clearly, what each one does, so you can identify which one you prefer.
And we’ll review the various models, letting you know the pros and cons of each one.
The lowest price for the EcoFlow Stream Ultra model is right here.
Let’s crack on then, shall we?
EcoFlow Stream Ultra
- Peak Output – 1200W
- Capacity – 1.92kWh
- Dimensions – 28.4cm x 25.5cm x 45.8cm
- Weight – 23.1kg
EcoFlow Stream Ultra X
- Peak Output – 1200W
- Capacity – 3.84Wh
- Dimensions – 42.0cm × 29.4cm × 46.0cm
- Weight – 38.8kg
EcoFlow Stream Pro
- Peak Output – 1200W
- Capacity – 1.92Wh
- Dimensions – 28.4cm x 25.5cm x 45.8cm
- Weight – 22.8kg
EcoFlow Stream Max
- Peak Output – 1200W
- Capacity – 1.92Wh
- Dimensions – 28.4cm x 25.5cm x 45.8cm
- Weight – 22.0kg
EcoFlow Stream AC Pro
- Peak Output – 1200W
- Capacity – 1.92kWh
- Dimensions – 25.5cm × 25.4cm × 45.8cm
- Weight – 21.5kg
EcoFlow Stream AC
- Peak Output – 800W
- Capacity – 1.92kWh
- Dimensions – L39.8 × W28.0 × H31.5 cm
- Weight – 21.2kg
TLDR Box
Pros and Cons:
This system, properly set up, has everything you need to save a fair bit of cash in the long-run.
High solar maximum input means if you plan to expand your system over time, you’re unlikely to be throttled by how much power your solar panels can provide you.
If you’re investing in a system like this, you’re likely to want to have good expansion options for the future. That’s certainly the case here. EcoFlow have a solid, proven history of products that enjoy linking up with each other.
Built to last, and a top-notch, bang-up-to-date LiFePO4 battery. And with a 10 year warranty to back it up.
Only a couple of AC ports.
Relatively low 1200W maximum AC output means you can’t use the Stream to operate high-power home appliances.
Price of the EcoFlow compared to the rest of the UK plug-in solar market:
Rating the EcoFlow Stream
You’ve seen the specs, now let’s get to grips with the full review of the EcoFlow Stream.
EcoFlow Stream Ultra Review
What were the pros of the EcoFlow Stream:
A very strong likelihood that it will save you (potentially plenty of) cash in the long run
When you look at the maximum 2800W of solar power that can be obtained, and the likely longevity of a product like this. EcoFlow’s products are proven to last well, and they use the highest quality lithium cells on the power station market. The Stream has some very clever ways to maximise your energy intake from the sun. It has low-light technology that will still take in power in relatively dim, cloudy conditions. They claim one extra hour per day compared to industry averages. Even if it’s not quite that much, over multiple years this could add up to quite a hefty additional solar harvest. The system also offers the best strategies to make use of TOU (Time-of-use) dynamic electricity pricing, so you can make sure you use power at its cheapest times. When you combine the Streak with smart meters, smart plugs and the like (and it is compatible with all the top brands), you’re really going to maximise your energy cost savings.
Can handle a huge amount of power from solar panels
Our game is portable power stations (the clues in our site name!), and we’ve never seen a power station that can handle 2800W of power from solar panels. Even the monster that is the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 (with 4096Wh capacity, and 4000W peak power) can only use 2600W of solar power, and that product is more than double the price of the EcoFlow Stream. The Stream, then, is truly a solar generator – overall, we do rate it as the best way of maximising renewable energy for your home’s power usage.
Excellent expansion options
You can expand up to 11.5kWh of storage, and such an expanded system would take in as much 12kW of solar input. That’s if you get 6 Stream units. You can take it step by step, though, adding units as needed.
It’s built to last
EcoFlow have really gone all-out to make sure the Stream lasts. The key aspect here is without question the lithium battery, and this is an area where EcoFlow outstrips the competition. Their lithium battery uses top quality LiFePO4 cells, rated to last up to 6000 cycles to 70% capacity. They estimate that’ll last you as much as 15 years, and we reckon that’s quite realistic. And aside from the battery, EcoFlow don’t skimp on quality for the rest of the electrical components. Knowing EcoFlow’s material quality and workmanship, we expect a long lifespan from this unit. As a testament to their confidence in these numbers, you’re getting a 10-year warranty.
Cons and possible reasons why this model may not be what you need:
Few ports
Only two AC ports. This is not really a product that can replace a portable power station, the larger models have as many as 5 AC ports (and 13 output ports in total, including up to 4 USB-C ports, for example).
Quite low maximum AC output
It’s a 1200W maximum AC output if you have the single Stream Ultra unit. That’s enough for plenty of your household things like TVs, fans, charging personal electronic devices, game consoles, wifi routers and suchlike. But it won’t be able to manage high power heating or cooling appliances like hair dryers, central air conditioners, space heaters, or large coffee machines. This negative point only matters if you think you’ll use the Stream to power devices. For many users, the main usage point will be the plug-in solar capabilities.
Where can you get it?
Check out the best deal on the EcoFlow Stream Ultra, directly from EcoFlow, right here.
That’s it for our EcoFlow Stream Ultra review, let’s see how the other Stream models compare.
EcoFlow Stream Ultra X
This model is basically the same as the Ultra model, except it has double the battery capacity, and a greater maximum AC charging input.
Pros – aspects in common or even better than the Stream Ultra model in our main review:
double the battery capacity of the original Ultra model – 3.84kWh compared to 1.92kWh. That means you can store a lot more additional energy in the battery, for use when needed.
greater AC charging input of 1200W, compared to 1050W of the Ultra.
all other key attributes are the same. The same MPPT inputs (2000W), the same 1200W maximum AC output, same 10-year warranty, IP65 weather protection, same operation by App using Wifi/Bluetooth.
Cons – aspects that are weaker that the Stream Ultra:
Double the capacity, double the price? Well, no. But expect to pay around 50% more for this Ultra X model.
It’s much heavier, at 38.8kg, compared to 23.1kg for the Ultra model. That’s to be expected, given it has a battery twice as big.
Check the best priced deal, on EcoFlow UK right here.
EcoFlow Stream Pro
Pros – aspects in common or even better than the Stream Ultra model in our main review:
same battery capacity of 1.92kWh.
same 1200W max. AC output, and 1050W maximum AC input.
same 10-year warranty and IP65 protection.
a teeny bit (300g) lighter, 22.8kg, compared to 23.1kg
Cons – aspects that are weaker that the Stream Ultra:
Only 3 MPPT inputs, supporting a 1500W solar setup. The Ultra model has 4 MPPT inputs, allowing a maximum 2000W solar setup.
Check price, it’s this model on EcoFlow UK.
EcoFlow Stream Max
Pros – aspects in common or even better than the Stream Ultra model in our main review:
the Max model has the same battery capacity of 1.92kWh as the Ultra.
AC output is maximum 1200W, the same as the Ultra; as is the 1050W maximum AC input.
covered by the same 10-year warranty and equipped with IP65 protection.
a little lighter than the Ultra model, and the same as the Pro model, at 22.8kg.
Cons – aspects that are weaker that the Stream Ultra:
The Stream Max model has only 2 MPPT inputs, giving you a max 1000W solar input power.
Unlike the Ultra and Pro models, you can’t use the Max model off-grid. It has the same AC ports as those models but these ports can only be used if the unit itself is connected to your mains supply.
Check the best price, it’s this model on EcoFlow UK.
EcoFlow Stream AC Pro
This model belongs to a slightly different category than all previous models on this page. The previous models are the core generator of a balcony solar/plug-in solar setup. This model is an AC-coupled expansion battery to increase the storage capacity of your household power supply system.
Pros – aspects in common or even better than the Stream Ultra model in our main review:
you can use the AC Pro model off-grid, just like the Ultra.
the AC Pro model also has 1.92kWh, identical to the Ultra model.
Maximum AC output is the same, at 1200W. As is the max input of 1050W.
also has IP65 protection, and rated for 6000 life cycles. And with an identical 10-year warranty.
it’s lighter, at 21.5kg.
Cons – aspects that are weaker that the Stream Ultra:
no direct solar inputs allowed into this unit.
U
Check price, it’s this model on EcoFlow UK.
EcoFlow Stream AC
This model belongs in the same category as the AC Pro, directly above this review. It’s not a primary generator in a home solar setup like the Ultra model and the Ultra X, Pro and Max models. Instead, it’s an AC-coupled expansion battery. You’ll either charge it from your house AC sockets, or use it to store power generated by a separate microinverter.
Pros – aspects in common or even better than the Stream Ultra model in our main review:
Some key attributes match the Ultra model, offering 1.92kWh capacity, and 6000 life cycles.
a decent chunk o’ change cheaper than the Stream Ultra.
a little lighter than the Ultra model, at 21.2kg.
Cons – aspects that are weaker that the Stream Ultra:
No solar inputs of any kind.
800W maximum for both AC output, and AC input.
Unlike the AC Pro model, you can’t use the AC model off-grid. In other words, you can only use the AC ports when this battery is plugged into your household AC socket. That means you can’t use it to charge your devices in the event of a power cut.
Check price, it’s this model on EcoFlow UK.
EcoFlow Stream Review Summary
Well, we’ll call it a day there. Hope you enjoyed our EcoFlow Stream Review, and hope it helped with your decision on whether it’s what you need or not.
It’s a plug-in solar system, or balcony solar system from EcoFlow.
EcoFlow are old heads in the business of solar power and portable power storage. They’re a well-reputed manufacturer, and have consistently made good quality products in these categories. We have no concerns on that score.
As you read, there are a whole bunch of models to choose from. You can put together a system to meet pretty much any solar power setup you need. You can combine as many as 6 Ultra units, or combine with one or more of the lower-cost AC Pros, depending on whether you need additional solar panel connections or not.
Or choose the higher capacity Ultra X model if your energy storage needs are higher. Again, you can combine multiple models as required.
We reckon the EcoFlow Stream models are likely to save you a decent amount of cash, monthly; early buyers are overwhelmingly reporting this to be the case. They’re not saying you suddenly pay a pittance for your power, but they’re saying they’re getting a very decent monthly saving from it.
Flaws to report?
We’d have liked it to have more AC ports, and other types of output port. Then it’d really be an all-in-one solution. Letting you power all your household appliances in the event of a power cut, without needing a setup
We’d also have liked it to be able to directly power appliances of a higher wattage than 1200W. You won’t be able to run hairdryers, kettles, electric ovens and the like.
That said, powering your appliances and devices in the event of a power cut is not the main driver for most people buying this unit. It’s the ability to cut your power bills, and the plug-in solar capabilities.
The lowest-cost deal for the Stream Ultra is at EcoFlow UK, right here.
And same for these other Stream models:
- Ultra X model (3.92kWh)
- Pro model (3 MPPT, 1500W solar max.)
- Max model (2 MPPT, 1000W solar max., no off-grid use)
- AC Pro model (no MPPT solar input, can use off-grid)
- AC model (no MPPT solar input, cannot use off-grid)
In brackets for the list above, we describe the main difference compared to the Ultra model.
All the best with your EcoFlow Stream purchase decision!