Pecron E3600 Review: This Cheap Power Station Was Not What We Expected!

The Pecron E3600 power station has the potential to become one of the big contenders in the world of budget-friendly solar generators. Some people are hailing it as a potential “EcoFlow DELTA Pro killer,” and when you see how its price tag compares to its specs, you can see why. 

But, just like all of the other power stations we have ever reviewed, there are always a few surprises when you take a closer look. Now that we’ve spent some quality time with the Pecron E3600 and ran it through our usual tests, it’s time to share our experiences.

So, let’s see if the E3600 is as good as “Mr. Pecky” claims, or discover if it’s just an overhyped dud.

‍

First Impressions: A Chunky, but Really Functional Beast 

Pecron power stations have been on our radar for quite a while. In fact, we previously reviewed the Pecron E1500, which, while decent, didn't really blow us away. When we got our hands on its big brother, the E3600, we were curious to see if it could bring us a bit more excitement. Spoiler Alert: It did, but not for all the right reasons.

Visually, this unit is definitely not a stunner—it’s bulky, really plain, and honestly, just a bit ugly. It also weighs in at a hefty 79 pounds. While it did pass the “Tiny Baby Lift Test”, it was close. 

But here’s the thing: for the price, it offers an impressive set of features, as well as some really respectable specs. Let’s take a closer look at what you’re getting for that price of $1,599. 

{{review-summary}}

Spec Breakdown for the Pecron E3600 

The E3600 comes equipped with a 3,072Wh battery, as well as a robust 3,600W inverter that can apparently withstand surges up to 7,000W. We were a little skeptical about the surge rating, but that 3,600W output is really impressive, especially when it’s paired with the Pecron’s solid battery capacity. 

On top of that, the battery capacity is expandable. You can link a total of four expansion batteries to achieve a combined 15.4kWh of storage, and each battery costs only $900. It may sound like a lot, but that’s actually really great value when you compare it to what you’d pay for a similarly sized expansion battery for a more “name-brand” power station.

Speaking of more established power station brands, when we tested the E3600 against the EcoFlow DELTA Pro, which is also compatible with expansion batteries, the Pecron gave it a run for its money. You get the same 3,600W inverter, a similar battery capacity, and a lot of the same features, but the DELTA Pro costs a lot more. The price difference becomes even more stark when you factor in the much lower price for the Pecron expansion batteries. 

Like you can with the DELTA Pro, you also have the option to pair two E3600 units together with a dual voltage hub to reach 7,200W of output power and a 240 voltage—perfect for powering serious setups, like RVs and off-grid cabins. 

There’s no denying it: when you look purely at the specs, the Pecron E3600 is actually pretty difficult to beat in this price range. 

Performance Testing: Efficiency, Charging, and Output

As we have found out the hard way in the past, a power station can be listed with incredible specs, but those specs mean very little if the unit can’t actually perform in real-world situations. Far too many manufacturers exaggerate about what they’re products are capable of, which is why we always put them through our own tests. 

So, let’s see how Mr. Pecky held up. 

Efficiency Testing: 

With a 3,072Wh battery, the E3600 should be able to power a 1,000W appliance for around three hours if it offers anywhere close to 100% efficiency. To be fair, no power station is ever going to be 100% efficient, as the power inverter and a few other internal processes require power, but you still want your power station to get as close to that 100% rating as possible. 

We ran the E3600 with a 3,300W load, just shy of its inverter’s 3,600W maximum, and it lasted about 50 minutes—landing it roughly an 89% efficiency rating. That’s actually a really solid result, especially compared to some of the bigger name brand units out there. In most cases, we’re happy to see anything above 80%, so great job, Mr. Pecky. 

Charging Speed Tests:

Pecron claims the E3600 has a 2-hour charge time from a standard 120V outlet, and they weren’t lying—it hit 100% in just a little bit over two hours. However, one downside is the fact that the unit continues to draw power even after reaching full charge. Plus, it doesn’t have a power button. 

So, if you have it plugged in, make sure you keep an eye on it and unplug it as soon as the battery is fully topped up. If you leave it plugged in, it will keep pulling power, which is just a huge waste of electricity. 

This is a bit of a strange feature, but we believe it’s because the inverter is constantly running, rather than only firing up when something is plugged into the E3600. It’s not a huge deal, but definitely something to keep an eye on if you decide to pick one up. 

Testing the Surge Capacity: 

We mentioned that we were skeptical about Pecron’s claims that the E3600 offers a 7,000W surge capacity. Our testing validated our skepticism. We ran it at around 4,300W for roughly a full minute before it shut off. Anything close to 4,500W, and it shuts off right away.

Pecron might have exaggerated that 7,000W surge rating, and we really doubt you’ll be able to hit anywhere close to that, but you still get a decent amount of leeway if you accidentally overload it by a bit. It’s not the type of power station that shuts down the millisecond you exceed its 3,600W output rating. 

The Sound: 

This thing is loud—like, really loud. If you are running any sort of demanding load, be prepared for the E3600 to sound like a desktop computer from the ‘90s. The whooshing sound of the fans and the weird buzzing noise are both pretty distracting, so it’s definitely not the type of thing you’re going to want to have running in your bedroom while you’re trying to sleep. Truthfully, it might be more of a garage or basement type of power station when it comes to day-to-day use. 

Testing the Solar Input:

One of the E3600’s standout features is its really impressive solar input rating. It’s listed with a 2,400W solar input via two 1,200W strands, and in our tests, we were actually able to hit that input. 

With that said, we ran into some confusion when it came to the included splitter cable, which didn’t seem to work at all. This cable just seemed to confuse the E3600—almost like it thinks it’s just receiving the same input twice, so it only accepts one. 

Without customer support to clarify, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. But, if you’re willing to buy a second cable, rather than using the included splitter, the solar input actually works great. You can hit that 2,400W solar input, which is really solid for those hoping to run their power station on solar power. 

Assessing the Expandability: 

The expandability is another huge plus. As mentioned, you can add expansion batteries to bring your total system’s storage capacity up to a really impressive total of 30.8 kWh. Buying the expansion batteries, you can achieve this for around $10,000, which may sound like a lot of money, and it is, but it’s still way cheaper than what you’d have to spend to hit similar numbers with a more mainstream power station. 

For comparison, if you were spending similar cash to expand a DELTA Pro Ultra, you’d max out at 18kWh after buying the unit and three expansion batteries. In fact, that setup would cost you close to $11,000, so you’d be spending roughly $1,000 more for less storage capacity. It may not sound like it, but 30kWh of storage for just under $10,000 is a bit of a steal. 

What We Liked and Disliked About the Pecron E3600 

Now that we’ve reviewed the specs and taken you through the results of some of our testing, it’s time to highlight where we thought Mr. Pecky nailed it, and where we think the E3600 falls short. 

What We Liked: 

There’s a lot to like about the Pecron E3600, and we didn’t expect that when we first unboxed it. Here are just a few of the highlights. 

• The Price: At $1,599, this is one of the most affordable power stations of its size on the market today. It offers incredible value, especially when you factor in the relatively low-cost expandability.

• Output Port Versatility: The E3600 has all of the output ports that you’d need, including four 120V outlets, four USB-As, two fast-charging USB-Cs, an XT60, a true 30-amp plug, and a few more.

• The 30 Amp Plug: With the E3600, you actually get a true 30-amp plug that is backed by a 3,600W inverter. If you use it in your RV, it’ll actually run everything you need without tripping. Far too many power stations claim they have 30-amp plugs, but their inverter isn’t capable of putting out the necessary power, so they’re pretty much useless.

• The Display Screen: The touchscreen display is more functional than most we’ve seen. You can customize settings, monitor battery performance, and switch between different modes. It’s a big step up from the usual basic displays. Speaking of basics, if you want a more simplistic outlay, you even have an option for a more simplified version of the display screen’s interface, which could be really useful for some of the less tech-savvy senior users.

• The Solar Input: While the splitter issue is a bit frustrating, that 2,400W solar input is really impressive. It’s also a huge draw for anyone with an existing solar panel array.

What We Didn’t Like: 

While there’s a lot to like about the Pecron E3600, it is far from perfect. Here are the main gripes we had with this unit. 

• The Weight: At nearly 80 pounds, this thing is a beast. And guess what? No wheels. It’s such a common complaint here at The Solar Lab that we have started to sound like a broken record, but just put f*****g wheels on your power stations! Carrying a 79 lb power station is a serious workout, and something that only gets more difficult as you get older.

• There is No Light: Speaking of things we repeat often, why doesn’t this thing have a built-in light? It is just a really practical feature that would have been a great addition to the E3600. If you’re in a power outage situation, it can be frustrating and borderline impossible to carry a 79 lb power station and a flashlight at the same time.

• The Total Lack of Customer Support: Here’s the biggest issue we have with this power station and the Pecron brand as a whole. Pecron does not offer customer support. No phone number, no service line—just a Facebook group where you might be able to chat with other buyers. This is pathetic, especially for a brand selling products that cost thousands of dollars. If you want the E3600, but you also want some real support, we recommend buying it from a third-party retailer, like Shop Solar, who will actually help you with warranty issues and provide technical support. We’ve mystery shopped them in the past, and they really do come to the table with actual human support. 

The Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Pecron E3600? 

The Pecron E3600 has a lot going for it, especially for those on a budget who need serious power at a more reasonable price point. It’s expandable, efficient, offers a really high solar input, and it’s packed with useful features, but it also has a few limitations, especially when you start talking about Pecron’s inexcusable lack of customer support. 

However, if you can get past those drawbacks, and don’t mind dealing with a third-party retailer for all of your support needs, the Pecron E3600 offers really good value for the money.

Compared to pricier competitors, like the DELTA Pro Ultra, it really holds its own. Basically, if you’re looking for a capable alternative to higher-end units, the Pecron E3600 might just be your perfect match. 

🛒 Shop the Pecron E3600LFP Power Station:

Shop Solar: https://shopsolarkits.com

Use Code: THESOLARLAB50 for $50 Off

Pecron: https://www.pecron.com

Use Code TSLE3600LFP for 5% Off 

 🛒 We Also Recommend Shopping at Signature Solar: 

Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com

Use Code: THESOLARLAB50 for $50 Off Your Order