OUPES Mega 3 Power Station Review: An Affordable Powerhouse or a Major Oops?
At The Solar Lab, we've been scouring the market for a more affordable alternative to the big-name power stations that we usually review. Lately, our comments section has been buzzing with requests to shed some light on the OUPES Mega 3 Portable Power Station. Well, we listened to your requests and got our hands on one, and after some thorough testing, we're here to share our findings.
So, did OUPES drop a major ‘Oops’ with the Mega 3, or is this thing actually a budget-friendly gem? Let's check it out!
Our First Impressions and Overview of Specifications
Despite its clunky name, the OUPES Mega 3 Home Backup & Portable Power Station, makes a fairly strong first impression.
Weighing in at 86 pounds, it passes our always-reliable "tiny baby lift test." For context, this is about 15 pounds lighter than the EcoFlow DELTA Pro, which is a noticeable difference when you're hauling it around, carrying it up a flight of stairs, or just lifting it in and out of the trunk of your vehicle.
Under the hood, the OUPES Mega 3 packs a 3,720Wh internal battery, as well as a 3,600W pure sine wave inverter, peaking at 7,000W. It features a standard AC input of 1,800W, promising a full charge from a wall outlet in about two hours.
On the all-important solar front, it supports up to 2,100W solar input, which should also charge it in under two hours with the right solar panel setup. Again, really solid stuff for a unit of this size and retail price.
The front panel boasts five 12-volt AC outlets, a true 30-amp plug, a 12-volt car socket, two-barrel connectors, an Anderson port, four USB ports, and two USB-C ports. On the back, you'll find the battery expansion port, traditional house-style breakers, solar connections, and an AC input port.
The built-in display screen is functional, providing all necessary information without too many frills. However, it’s worth mentioning that visibility is pretty much limited to direct head-on viewing, which might be a bit annoying in some setups, or if you’re trying to view the screen outside in direct sunlight.
The accompanying app is really user-friendly and tells you everything you’d want to know quite clearly. Where the OUPES App is a little different from what you get with other power station brands is the way it forces you to set it up with Wi-Fi, rather than allowing you to just start out by connecting your device with Bluetooth.
We know, sounds a bit strange, right? Turns out, it’s actually a pretty cool feature that is worth the added step, as an internet connection actually unlocks additional features, like Google Home and Alexa compatibility. We think having the ability to control your power station with voice commands could be really useful if you’re planning on using it in a workshop, garage, or anywhere else where your hands might be dirty, or if you’re just kicking back and don’t want to reach for your phone.
Testing and Performance
We put the OUPES Mega 3 through our standard series of tests to see how it stacks up. First up was efficiency. With a 3,720Wh battery, it should theoretically last about 62 minutes under a 2,968W load. In reality, it lasted 53.5 minutes, which equates to about 86% efficiency. This isn’t a big deal, and it’s actually on par with most high-end power stations. Interestingly, the unit shut down on us at the 2% capacity mark, preserving just enough battery to keep its fans running and prevent it from overheating—a thoughtful safety feature.
The OUPES Mega 3 just plain didn’t perform well with our surge tests. It barely handled loads exceeding 3,600W, despite its 7,000W peak rating. This means it won't be forgiving if you accidentally push it over its limit.
On the other hand, charging speed was another area where it performed as advertised, going from 2% to 100% in just over two hours via the AC input port. Solar charging is a bit more nuanced; you'll need the right solar panel array to hit the 2,100W input limit, but it is achievable. If you’re planning on maximizing its solar potential, it would be worth investing in the right panels to get the solar charging humming efficiently.
One standout feature is pass-through charging. Whether you're using AC or solar input, the Mega 3 allows you to power your devices while it charges, which isn't always a given with these units, but it’s a major perk. Imagine you’re caught without power, or in a fully off-grid location, but you can’t access power while your unit is connected to solar panels? Forget about dealing with that crap if you’re running the Mega 3.
Noise-wise, it's comparable to the DELTA Pro, sounding like desktop computer fans running at full tilt. It's definitely not whisper-quiet, but it's also not loud enough to be a major disturbance. If you’re not in the same room as the unit, you probably wouldn't even hear anything.
The Nitty-Gritty: Pros & Cons
The Pros:
Despite our initial skepticism with taking a look at one of the lesser-known units and brands, we found a lot to like about the OUPES Mega 3. Each AC outlet supports 20 amps individually, unlike some competitors that split amperage between outlets.
It also comes with a variety of cords, accommodating all of its ports right out of the box. This is a nice touch, especially considering some high-end units in way higher price ranges skimp on included accessories. It may sound like a minor thing, but sourcing cables and connectors can be incredibly frustrating when you’ve just dropped thousands of dollars on a new power station.
The Mega 3's lighter weight when compared to the DELTA Pro and other similar units is another plus. While 86 pounds is still hefty, the difference is noticeable and you’ll appreciate it if you plan on moving the thing around on a regular basis. We were also surprised how much we liked the forced Wi-Fi setup for the app, which, while initially a bit annoying, unlocked useful features that might have otherwise gone unused.
The customer support experience was surprisingly positive. When we called them as a test and jokingly asked them to confirm how to pronounce "OUPES," the support team was really friendly and didn’t seem annoyed by such a trivial question. When we got into some of the more detailed questions, they were also knowledgeable and helpful. They quickly answered everything and left us with a good impression, something we really can't say for all brands, especially those that focus on lower-cost solar equipment.
Lastly, OUPES claims to donate 5% of proceeds to providing power stations to those in need, particularly to people requiring backup power for their medical devices. If this is true, it's a nice touch that differs from the attitude of some of their competitors.
The Cons:
No product is perfect, and like any other, the OUPES Mega 3 has its flaws. For starters, the website is a near-clone of EcoFlow's, which doesn't inspire confidence. It feels like they're trying too hard to emulate a bigger brand rather than establishing their own identity.
The unit also advertises a peak shaving feature, which, as far as we could tell, is completely absent from the app. This is misleading and a letdown for anyone hoping to use this feature to save on energy costs. Another major head scratcher was the fact that the battery capacity is expandable, but the inverter's power output is not. You can't pair two units to double the output power, unlike you can with some other brands.
The hard plastic wheels are another minor gripe. Not only do they feel a bit cheap, they can scuff hardwood floors, and a switch to rubber wheels would have been a simple yet significant improvement.
How Does it Stack Up to Similar Units?
When compared to other power stations, the OUPES Mega 3 holds its ground well. It stacks up favorably against the hugely popular EcoFlow DELTA Pro, particularly when you consider the significant price difference between the two units. The DELTA Pro might offer expandable inverter capacity, but for many users, the Mega 3's output and features will be more than sufficient for basic backup at a fair price.
Another unit that we previously reviewed and could be classed as a competitor is the Zendure SuperBase V, which offers a bit more in terms of battery and inverter capacity, but comes with its own set of quirks, like the brand’s weird decision to regularly fluctuate on price and the unit’s awkward weight. Simply put, the Mega 3 is lighter and arguably more practical for basic everyday use. Plus, the price point seems fairly stable, so you can be confident you snagged a deal when the Mega 3 does go on sale.
Our Final Verdict
In conclusion, the OUPES Mega 3 isn't an "oops" at all. It's a solid, affordable power station that performs well in most areas. It has some quirks and limitations, but these are outweighed by its numerous strengths - the most significant of those being its affordable price point.
If you're in the market for a budget-friendly power station that doesn't skimp on essential features, we’d say the OUPES Mega 3 is definitely a great option!