It was an unusual start to the day. After waking and taking the dogs outside, I went to run some errands. Upon returning, I proceeded directly to the garage and flipped off the primary circuit breaker. That is not typical behavior after coming home, is it?

When evaluating the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra X (DPUX for short) along with the EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 3, I faced a distinct challenge: my residence almost never experiences outages. I live in the Chicago suburbs, where severe weather events are uncommon, and underground lines shield the area from storms. This left me no option except to create my own outage simulation.

How I created my own outage

Simulating the outage proved straightforward. My standard breaker box sits in the garage with an EcoFlow Smart Panel 3 serving as a subpanel. To mimic the blackout, I simply switched off the breaker supplying the panel.

EcoFlow Smart Panel 3 proved essential

The Smart Panel 3 marks a major upgrade from the earlier version. It supports up to 32 circuits, which easily covers my 100-amp home. Local codes would need verification, and I am not an electrician, yet it appears the Smart Panel 3 could serve as a main panel if desired. I kept it as a subpanel because the prior Smart Panel 2 lacked main-panel capability, and a full rewiring would have been complicated.

Regarding installation, an EcoFlow-certified electrician handled the work. The company maintains a network of trained contractors across the country for this equipment. This differed sharply from my first installation, where the electrician had to reference the reviewer guide for guidance.

The DPUX supplies power to the Smart Panel 3. This sizable battery and inverter unit measures roughly the size of two large coolers stacked together. It features wheels for mobility, allowing it to be moved outdoors if required, though its primary role is home power delivery.

The Smart Panel 3 delivers extensive data and control. Although I lack solar panels, the system could charge via solar during daylight and supply the home at night. It can also be set to draw from the battery during peak rate periods and revert to the grid when rates drop.

Conducting the test

I aimed to observe performance during a complete outage. I switched off the breaker at 8:53 a.m. and continued with my routine. No family member noticed the change because the DPUX engages in roughly 20 milliseconds. The brief interruption did not even restart my computer or modem. I sat at my desk and began working.

The EcoFlow app provides detailed control over home circuits. Circuits can be toggled on or off as needed. When battery power activates, circuits fall into three priority groups: Must Have, Nice to Have, and Not Necessary. This setup lets users disable nonessential circuits to conserve energy. The app estimates remaining runtime based on active groups. I configured Nice to Have circuits to deactivate at 50 percent charge. During the test, the DPUX hit 50 percent near 1:00 p.m.

Two circuits were set to turn off at that threshold for testing, and the feature operated correctly. I did not keep them disabled because I wanted to measure maximum runtime, and I needed to verify circuit labels with my electrician since they appeared mismatched. When the battery reached 50 percent, only two circuits deactivated, including the dishwasher that I had no plans to use.

Through the app, I tracked remaining power and monitored conditions while working. I restored the breaker at 19 percent charge after 7 hours and 51 minutes. That duration proved solid, covering a full workday with energy remaining.

Throughout the test, power supported the refrigerator, a beverage cooler, two living-room coolers, plus lights, televisions, and computers. My desktop system includes a Legion Tower 5i with a GeForce RTX 4070 and three monitors, representing a notable load. Greater conservation, such as using a laptop or disabling bedroom circuits, would have extended runtime further.

Does the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra X justify its cost?

ECOFLOW Delta Pro Ultra X

EcoFlow Smart Panel 3

The complete setup carries a notable price. My reviewed configuration totals 10,999 dollars, covering the inverter, two batteries, and the Smart Home Panel 3 (a 3,299-dollar component by itself). Installation is extra. Additional batteries can be added, and solar connections are supported. The latest hardware and installer network reflect clear improvements, which is uncommon in product evaluations.

For comparison, the Tesla Powerwall 3 begins at 13.5 kWh, exceeding the 12.28 kWh capacity of the DPUX. The Anker Solix E10 package, including the power module, two batteries, and a smart inlet box, lists for 6,699 dollars, a lower cost than my reviewed bundle. All systems allow expansion, with EcoFlow and Anker units being stackable while the Powerwall expands along available wall space.

Overall, the battery performed well. My current configuration should handle a full day without grid power, with room for future expansion. In an actual outage, I would manage usage more carefully, yet I expect ample warning before power runs out.