I can’t recommend this rugged power station enough to drone users, and it’s now $400 off

DJI Power 1000

The DJI Power 1000 power station in action.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

What is the problem?

THE DJI Power 1000 Power Station now has $400 off the price of this product Amazon Prime Day It’s still online, bringing it down to $599 (offer requires Amazon Prime Membership).

Also: The best Prime Day deals are still here


ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • THE DJI Power 1000 Power Station is available on Amazon for $999.
  • This is a powerful, premium power station designed to meet the needs of professional drone pilots.
  • Unfortunately, there is no storage compartment for SDC accessory cables, nor a built-in 12V car adapter port.

I’ve tested dozens of power stations over the past year, but there’s one that really piqued my interest from the moment I first heard about it. DJIleader in drones and action cameras, has used its expertise in battery technology to enter the competitive world of portable power stations. And the company has made a spectacular entrance into this market with its first offering – the Power 1000.

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For the past week, I’ve been testing the Power 1000, the larger of the two power stations released by DJI earlier this month. It’s one of the first power stations on the market specifically designed to meet the needs of professional drone pilots, if not the first.

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DJI Power 1000 Technical Specifications

  • Battery capacity: 1024 Wh
  • Cellular chemistry:LFP (lithium ferrophosphate)
  • Life cycle: Maintains over 70% capacity after 4,000 cycles.
  • Ports: 2 AC output, 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, SDC, SDC Lite, AC input
  • AC output: AC 100-120V, 50/60Hz, Maximum continuous output power: 2200W, AC 220-240V, 50/60Hz, Maximum continuous output power: 2200W, Maximum output power: 2400W (total)
  • AC output (bypass mode): 100-120 V AC, 12 A, 1440 W, 220-240 V AC, 10 A, 2200 W
  • USB-A output: 5V, 3A, 9V, 2A, 12V, 2A, maximum output power per channel: 24W
  • USB-C output: 5V, 5A, 9V, 5A, 12V, 5A, 15V, 5A, 20V, 5A, 28V, 5A (EPR), maximum output power per channel: 140W
  • SDC and SDC Lite release: SDC: 9-27V, Max Current: 10A, Max Output Power: 240W, SDC Lite: 9-27V, Max Current: 10A, Max Output Power: 240W
  • Net weight:About 13 kg
  • Dimensions: 448 × 225 × 230 mm

Note:The product featured in this review has been tested with UK plugs.

I’ve tested many power stations in the 1000 Wh range, and the Power 1000’s size and weight are in line with my expectations. However, one aspect that immediately struck me was its solid construction: the outer shell is solid, effectively withstanding knocks and bumps without flexing or bending, which is exactly what a power station like this – something that was designed to be carried around – really needs.

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The “ammo box” style handles make it easy to move around with one or two hands, and they’re soft and comfortable to grip, which is definitely a plus since this unit is a considerably heavy piece of equipment.

The Power 1000 is built to last

The Power 1000 is rugged.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The Power 1000’s interface is refreshingly simple, with just a few buttons and switches and an LCD display. It avoids the confusion of small, hard-to-identify “mystery” buttons or the need to rely on an app for essential functions.

I particularly like the lack of reliance on an app to control the power plant, although connecting the unit to a computer for firmware updates can be somewhat tedious.

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The LED display appears to be a quality custom component, which is a welcome departure from the lesser quality panels I’ve seen used by many other power plant manufacturers. It remains clear even in direct sunlight, providing a clear view that makes it easy to quickly grasp all the important information on display.

The ports are smart: you get two AC outlets, two USB-C ports that support 24W output, and a pair of USB-C ports that can deliver a full 240W of power.

Careful selection of ports

A judicious selection of ports.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

I like the solid covers for the Power 1000’s AC input ports and DC ports. They’re sturdy and don’t seem likely to tear or fall off easily, unlike others I’ve seen. However, it’s a bit surprising that DJI chose to cover these ports while leaving the AC outlets and USB ports exposed. Ideally, all ports should have covers to provide some level of protection from dirt and moisture, improving the durability and functionality of the device in harsh environments.

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I ran my usual series of tests on the Power 1000, including checking the battery capacity and charging times of the device, checking the power rating of the ports, and how the AC outlets react to overloads. The Power 1000 passed all of the tests with flying colors.

The Power 1000's port covers are sturdy

The Power 1000’s port covers are sturdy.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The Power 1000’s charge time is about 70 to 75 minutes in fast charge mode and about 130 minutes in standard mode. While the fast charge option is convenient if you’re in a hurry, using standard mode is generally recommended. This slower charging rate puts less strain on the batteries, potentially extending their lifespan.

And in the event of a significant overload, the device simply switches off without any adverse effects, which is a reassuring safety feature.

When in use, the Power 1000 is quiet, with the cooling fan only turning on when needed, and even then it’s not that noticeable, which is convenient when using the power station indoors.

Overloading the Power 1000 with a kettle

Overload the Power 1000 with a kettle.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The unit also supports solar charging, but this requires a solar power adapter moduleand since I wasn’t sent one to test, I can’t comment on that. However, I do like the idea of ​​not having to pay for the solar charging module if you never need solar charging, as it keeps the price down.

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The Power 1000’s SDC ports, designed specifically for fast charging DJI drone batteries, are indeed a thoughtful and useful addition for drone pilots. Each port can be used to charge one battery at a time, which works effectively if you consistently charge your batteries immediately after use, rather than waiting until you have a stack of them.

However, to charge your drone batteries, you will need custom cables, sold separately, which adds to the cost. There are cables for the Air 3, Mavic 3, Matrix 30And Inspire 3 drones.

My workaround for cable storage!

My workaround for cable storage!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

It’s also a bit annoying that there’s no storage space for these cables on the unit. To get around this, I’ve taken to tying them around the Power 1000’s handles, which, while effective, isn’t the most elegant solution. It’s an aspect that could be improved for greater user comfort.

There are also cables to transform the SDC ports to 12V car adapter socket And XT60 port.

ZDNET Buying Advice

I was impressed by the DJI Power 1000It has all the features you would expect from a general mid-sized unit, but with the added functionality that it was designed for drone pilots.

The 1000Wh capacity is about the limit of what you want to lug around, and it has enough ports to distribute that power wisely. I’ve seen power stations absolutely decked out in ports, but two AC ports, USB-A, and USB-C, plus the SBC and SBC Lite ports, is a sensible setup.

The Power 1000 normally retails for $999, which is in line with similar units on the market. However, there is currently a promotion where you can get $300 off, both on Amazon and to the DJI Official Store.

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