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== EcoFlow Technology Inc. ==
{{StubNotice}}
{{CompanyCargo
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2017
| Industry = Portable solar generators, portable power stations
| Website = https://ecoflow.com
| Logo = Ecoflow logo.svg
}}


'''{{Wplink|EcoFlow|EcoFlow Technology}}''' is a manufacturer of solar-energy storage devices designed for mobile and off-grid use. The company systematically [[Forced app download|requires installation]] of a proprietary, closed-source application on a mobile device to unlock the full functionality of its battery backup products.


Ecoflow Technology Inc. is a manufacturer of solar energy storage devices designed for mobile and off grid use. The company systematically requires installation of a proprietary closed source application, installed on a mobile device, to unlock the full functionality of their battery backup products. 
==Consumer impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}


The application connects to the EcoFlow devices via Bluetooth or over WiFi, however, the app cannot be used with the devices without creating an account with EcoFlow and periodically connecting to their servers for an authentication token.
===Reliance on application<!-- Needs refs! -->===
The application connects to the EcoFlow devices through {{Wplink|Bluetooth}} or over {{Wplink|Wi-Fi}}, but the app cannot be used with the devices without [[Forced account creation|creating an account]] with EcoFlow and periodically connecting to their servers for an authentication token.  


This creates inherent privacy risks and raises concerns about data collection and unwanted telemetry by the manufacturer. It also poses a problem for their customers who may go off grid for extension periods of time with no data connection available.
This creates inherent privacy risks and raises concerns about data collection and unwanted {{Wplink|Observability (software)|telemetry}} by the manufacturer.  Account creation requires user address, and usage of the app requires creation of "spaces" in which to place devices - in effect tracking location of devices in the home.  None of this data is inherently necessary for any features of the battery systems. It also poses a problem for their customers who may go off-grid for extended periods of time with no data connection available. Moreover, it is unlikely that the system will remain fully usable after support is discontinued by the manufacturer or if the company ceases operations.


The benefits of their integrated app are displayed prominently in marketing media. The customer only discovers the requirement to create an account after purchasing the product and installing the app.
App installation and account creation are required to unlock the full functionality of the solar generators. Key features such as current limiting while charging from an AC power source are unavailable without the app. 
 
The benefits of its integrated app are displayed prominently in marketing media. The customer only discovers the requirement to create an account after purchasing the product and installing the app.
 
===Deceptive marketing===
Company participates in deceptive/manipulative marketing practices including regular FOMO large 'sales', a rewards program with "credits" for remaining in-ecosystem, and conducts much of its marketing through paying influencers to showcase and/or include products in their videos, often undisclosed.
 
==Product performance==
===PowerOcean===
The PowerOcean lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries continuously consume ~100W when charging or discharging which EcoFlow misrepresent on their dashboard app as an increase in house load. Therefore, unless the battery is at a 100% state of charge (SoC) or at its reserve limit, then the batteries will consume more power (~2.4kWh/day, ~16.8kWh/week and 873.6kWh/year). Also, as each battery pack has a capacity of 5kWh the battery will have drained itself in 2 days @ ~2.4kWh/day.
 
When solar generation to the PowerOcean inverter increases, the house load also increases, which is assumed to be a misrepresentation of the inverter efficiency losses. Furthermore, the calculated efficiency based on the losses is in the ~80s% which is short of the >96%<ref>https://enterprise-service-eu-cdn.ecoflow.com/enterprise/documentation/1736237468159/EcoFlow%20PowerOcean%20(Single%20Phase)_Datasheet_EN_20241230.pdf#page=2 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708180331/https://enterprise-service-eu-cdn.ecoflow.com/enterprise/documentation/1736237468159/EcoFlow%20PowerOcean%20(Single%20Phase)_Datasheet_EN_20241230.pdf Archived])</ref> efficiency claimed.
 
==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
 
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...
 
==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}
 
==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Companies]]

Latest revision as of 03:31, 16 March 2026

Article Status Notice: This Article is a stub


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Ecoflow
Basic information
Founded 2017
Legal Structure Private
Industry Portable solar generators, portable power stations
Also known as
Official website https://ecoflow.com

EcoFlow Technology is a manufacturer of solar-energy storage devices designed for mobile and off-grid use. The company systematically requires installation of a proprietary, closed-source application on a mobile device to unlock the full functionality of its battery backup products.

Consumer impact summary

[edit | edit source]

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):

  • User Freedom
  • User Privacy
  • Business Model
  • Market Control

Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


Reliance on application

[edit | edit source]

The application connects to the EcoFlow devices through Bluetooth or over Wi-Fi, but the app cannot be used with the devices without creating an account with EcoFlow and periodically connecting to their servers for an authentication token.

This creates inherent privacy risks and raises concerns about data collection and unwanted telemetry by the manufacturer. Account creation requires user address, and usage of the app requires creation of "spaces" in which to place devices - in effect tracking location of devices in the home. None of this data is inherently necessary for any features of the battery systems. It also poses a problem for their customers who may go off-grid for extended periods of time with no data connection available. Moreover, it is unlikely that the system will remain fully usable after support is discontinued by the manufacturer or if the company ceases operations.

App installation and account creation are required to unlock the full functionality of the solar generators. Key features such as current limiting while charging from an AC power source are unavailable without the app.

The benefits of its integrated app are displayed prominently in marketing media. The customer only discovers the requirement to create an account after purchasing the product and installing the app.

Deceptive marketing

[edit | edit source]

Company participates in deceptive/manipulative marketing practices including regular FOMO large 'sales', a rewards program with "credits" for remaining in-ecosystem, and conducts much of its marketing through paying influencers to showcase and/or include products in their videos, often undisclosed.

Product performance

[edit | edit source]

PowerOcean

[edit | edit source]

The PowerOcean lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries continuously consume ~100W when charging or discharging which EcoFlow misrepresent on their dashboard app as an increase in house load. Therefore, unless the battery is at a 100% state of charge (SoC) or at its reserve limit, then the batteries will consume more power (~2.4kWh/day, ~16.8kWh/week and 873.6kWh/year). Also, as each battery pack has a capacity of 5kWh the battery will have drained itself in 2 days @ ~2.4kWh/day.

When solar generation to the PowerOcean inverter increases, the house load also increases, which is assumed to be a misrepresentation of the inverter efficiency losses. Furthermore, the calculated efficiency based on the losses is in the ~80s% which is short of the >96%[1] efficiency claimed.

Incidents

[edit | edit source]

Add one-paragraph summaries of incidents below in sub-sections, which link to each incident's main article while linking to the main article and including a short summary. It is acceptable to create an incident summary before the main page for an incident has been created. To link to the page use the "Hatnote" or "Main" templates.

If the company has numerous incidents then format them in a table (see Amazon for an example).


Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Ecoflow category.

Example incident one (date)

[edit | edit source]
Main article: link to the main CR Wiki article

Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).

Example incident two (date)

[edit | edit source]

...

Products

[edit | edit source]

This is a list of the company's product lines with articles on this wiki.


Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


See also

[edit | edit source]

Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.


Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


References

[edit | edit source]