Description
The EcoFlow TRAIL 300 DC is a 288 Wh DC power station for fishing, camping with a car and long outages when you need to keep connectivity at home. Unlike the smaller model, it has a 12 V cigarette-lighter socket and a separate input for a solar panel. Before you buy an EcoFlow TRAIL 300 DC, bear in mind one limitation: it has no 230 V outlets, so all power goes through USB and 12 V.
For a car fridge, echo sounder, USB lamps, a laptop and phones this is enough. According to EcoFlow’s table, a 12 V compressor fridge runs from it for about 23 hours, and a smartphone charges 16 times. The station weighs 2.58 kg and is carried in one hand.
Why choose the TRAIL 300 DC
A 12 V, 120 W socket
The car socket delivers 12 V and up to 10 A, that is up to 120 W. Everything in a car that works from a cigarette lighter connects to it: a fridge, echo sounder, lantern for night fishing, a car pump, a heated blanket.
An input for the sun and a car
The XT60 port marked SOLAR accepts 10–30 V and up to 110 W. From a 110 W panel the station charges to 80% in about 2.4 hours and to 100% in 3.1 hours in ideal conditions. Through the same port it also charges from a cigarette lighter; the cable for this is bought separately.
Two 140 W USB-C ports
Both USB-C ports are identical and bidirectional, that is, up to 140 W passes through each in either direction. There are also two 12 W USB-A. In total the station delivers 300 W and charges up to five devices at once, with each port, including the 12 V socket, taking no more than 140 W.
288 Wh of LiFePO4
The 288 Wh holds 90,000 mAh, which by EcoFlow’s count is as many as nine power banks together. The LiFePO4 cells, the same as in the TRAIL 200 DC, work under a BMS with protection against overload, overheating, overcooling and short circuit. The warranty is 3 years.
27% lighter than the RIVER 3
The manufacturer compares it with the RIVER 3: at similar capacity the TRAIL 300 DC is 27% lighter and takes 48% less space. The dimensions are 16.7 × 11.5 × 16.6 cm, the case withstands drops and knocks on the road, protection rating IP30.
What to power from the TRAIL 300 DC in the field and at home
The station’s usable energy is about 245 Wh, that is 85% of the rating. To estimate the time for your device, divide 245 by its consumption in watts. The values below are taken from EcoFlow’s table or calculated by this formula, so they are approximate.
Fishing and camping
- a 12 V compressor fridge: about 23 hours;
- a 12 V echo sounder: about 22 hours;
- a 12 V fishing lantern: about 15 hours;
- a 12 V heated blanket: about 11 hours;
- a headlamp: 46 charges, an action camera — 38, a drone — 12.
Power outage
- a 12 V home router through an adapter from the cigarette-lighter socket or a USB-C PD → 12 V cable: 10–15 W, that is 16–24 hours;
- a Starlink Mini from a 100 W USB-C: at an average consumption of 25–40 W that is roughly 6–9 hours;
- a laptop: about five full charges;
- an LED strip: according to EcoFlow, up to 71 hours;
- the family’s phones and tablets: 16 and 8 charges respectively.
What you cannot do: a TV, household fridge, microwave, boiler pump and any other equipment with a 230 V plug. In theory some of it can be started through a car inverter in the 12 V socket, but the socket is limited to 120 W and the inverter itself eats part of the energy. For such equipment it is smarter to take a station with outlets.
How it works
The simplest way to charge the station is through USB-C from a Power Delivery charger: with a 140 W charger it takes about 1.9 hours to 80%, with a 100 W charger about 2.6 hours. The box contains only the station and documents, so you need your own charger and USB-C cable.
A solar panel connects to the XT60 input. EcoFlow officially sells the TRAIL 300 DC with 45, 60 and 110 W panels; we have the EcoFlow 60W Solar Panel with an XT60i cable and a 110 W solar panel. From a 60 W panel the station reaches 80% in about 3.9 hours, from a 45 W panel in 7 hours.
On a trip the station can be charged from a cigarette lighter through the same input: up to 110 W, a full charge in about 3.1 hours. The car cable is not included.
Control is by buttons and a display: the screen shows the charge, input and output power and the time remaining. The TRAIL 300 DC has no app or wireless connection. The station may not detect earbuds, bands and other small gadgets, so for them the USB-A has a low-current mode: press the multifunction button twice and the port supplies a small current for three hours.
Comparison with other TRAIL models
| TRAIL 300 DC | TRAIL 200 DC | TRAIL Plus 300 DC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 288 Wh | 192 Wh | 288 Wh |
| Battery | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 | NCM |
| USB-C | 2 × 140 W | 140 + 100 W | 3 × 140 W |
| 12 V / sun | yes / yes | no / no | yes / yes |
| Lantern, app | no | no | yes |
| Weight | 2.58 kg | 1.83 kg | 2.26 kg |
The EcoFlow TRAIL 200 DC is 750 g lighter and more compact, but has no 12 V socket and no solar input. It is a smart choice if all your equipment charges from USB.
The EcoFlow TRAIL Plus 300 DC at the same capacity adds a third USB-C, a built-in lantern, a 140 W handle-cable and an app with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is lighter but runs on an NCM battery. If LiFePO4 and simplicity without an app matter to you, the TRAIL 300 DC remains the logical choice.
When you need 230 V outlets, look at the EcoFlow RIVER 3 with a 300 W inverter or the EcoFlow RIVER 3 UPS if equipment must switch to battery automatically during an outage.
Who the TRAIL 300 DC is for and who it is not for
It suits:
- anglers and owners of 12 V car fridges;
- those who want to charge the station from a small solar panel at a country house or on a hike;
- for connectivity during outages: a router, Starlink Mini, phones, laptop;
- those who prefer LiFePO4 and do not need an app.
Not suitable:
- if you need to power anything with a 230 V plug;
- for devices above 140 W on a single port;
- for flights: 288 Wh is more than the 160 Wh airline limit.
FAQ
Will the TRAIL 300 DC run a car fridge?
Yes, through the 120 W 12 V socket. EcoFlow estimates a 12 V fridge’s run time at 23 hours, but the real time depends on the outside temperature and the fridge settings.
Which solar panels fit?
Panels with a voltage of 10–30 V and an XT60 connector or with a suitable adapter. The input accepts up to 110 W, so a larger panel will not speed up charging.
Will charging be faster if I connect both USB-C and a panel?
EcoFlow describes these methods as separate options and does not publish data on the total speed when connected together. So we do not promise a speed-up from such a setup.
Does the station work as a UPS for a router?
No, UPS mode is not officially declared for the TRAIL series, and the manufacturer does not state the switching time. As a backup source for a router the station works, but you will have to connect it manually when the power goes out. If you specifically need uninterruptible power, look at the RIVER 3 UPS.
Can a laptop be powered?
Yes, through USB-C up to 140 W, if the laptop supports Power Delivery charging. A laptop with a round connector and a 230 V power brick cannot be connected directly.
What is in the box?
Only the station and paper documents. There is no charger, USB-C cables, or car and solar cables in the box.
How should I store the station between seasons?
In a dry place at 0–30 °C. Once every three months EcoFlow advises charging it fully and discharging it to 60%.
Summary
The TRAIL 300 DC is the most practical model of the series for those with 12 V equipment: 288 Wh of LiFePO4, a cigarette-lighter socket and a solar input in a 2.58 kg case. When choosing to buy an EcoFlow TRAIL 300 DC, compare it once more with the Plus version in the table above. Do you still have questions about the compatibility of a fridge or panel? Write through the contacts page.
