Price
In comparing DJI power stations with those from other companies, three main factors stand out. The first one is price. DJI power stations are competitively priced, providing good value for the features they offer.
Connectivity
One of the key factors that set DJI power stations apart is their connectivity. They come in two sizes – Power 500 and Power 1000, offering users the option to choose based on their power needs. The larger Power 1000 model provides more power output and capacity, catering to users who require a longer-lasting battery.
Style and Ergonomics
Another standout feature of DJI power stations is their style and ergonomics. These power stations are designed with user comfort and convenience in mind. The sleek and modern design not only looks good but also ensures easy portability and handling.
Portability and Convenience
I still find myself carrying around the power 500 over the power 1000 because of its size. It’s so easy to just grab right off my shelf, throw it down by my side, walk out to my car and bring with me. So all my devices stay charged during the day. The power 1000 is lightweight too for what it is, but it has two handles, making it less convenient for on-the-go use than the smaller power 500.
Input and Output Power
Let’s talk about input and output power. This is very important to consider when purchasing a power station. You want to make sure it has a high input power so that the big battery inside charges up quickly when you plug it into the wall. Additionally, you want to ensure it has a high output power so that when you’re plugging in multiple devices, it can distribute power evenly amongst everything plugged in.
Comparison between Power 1000 and Power 500
The power 1000 is superior on the input and output power front, given its larger size. However, the power 500 holds its own with a nice maximum power transfer that can handle most everyday devices like drone batteries, cameras, laptops, phones, and even heavier equipment like studio lights or displays. Both models can charge up quickly with a high input power relative to their capacity.
Powerful Charging Capability
They can each be fully charged in 70 minutes or charged to 80 in a quick 50 minutes. So let me give you a real world example as to why a high output wattage on a power station is important.
High Wattage Output
Here we have a space heater. This thing is a power hungry monster. It usually wants anywhere between 100 to 1400 watts of power to operate on high. So if we go ahead and plug this into the power 1000, we go ahead and turn on the AC outlet. This now gives us power to the power heater well go ahead and turn this on its going to kick on, and these watts are going to jump up. Super high weve got 697, 827, 13, 180, 1300. So right now we are operating at about 13300 wats of total Alpo power 1447.
Efficient Power Supply
So this also includes charging up the mini batteries here, but, as you can see, it is effortlessly powering this space heater on high. Now I can say that, because this is drawing so much power, its going to kill the battery super fast, so, for example, it estimates that we have 30 total minutes of runtime to power. This big old device here so lets go ahead.
Quick Shutdown
Well, turn this off its going to take six seconds to turn off by itself Ill go ahead and Ill hit the AC power here on the power one 000, so that powered it with no problem whatsoever went up to about 1450 Watts.
Power Output Test
Now, instead, if we plug this into the power 500, we go ahead and turn on the AC power. Remember the maximum output of this is 1000 Watts. We go ahead and turn it on to start to climb here to 1300 1400 and shuts off so there the breaker must have tripped inside it totally kicked off the AC outlets and because was drawing in so much power. It just kind of kicked itself off now.
Surge Capacity
Its nice to see that it could handle surges of power up to say 1500 Watts, but once it started to sustain that power, it just instantly shut off. But theres kind of like a real world example as to why you might want a more powerful power station.
Charging Capability
As you can see, I can easily charge up a bunch of batteries all at once on the power 500, which again makes it my choice to kind of bring with me on the daily, because I just charge batteries Im not trying to bring a a portable Space heater with me speaking of capacity.
Capacity Comparison
The power 1000 has twice the capacity of the power 500 and in my use of these devices, this is the approximate usage Ive gotten out of them for my everyday devices. That I use this means that really for most of your daily activities, if youre a Solo Traveler both of these should be perfect.
Group Usage
If you, however, plan to share this power station and let a group of people enjoy the energy that you brought along, it could go pretty fast, like if Im out with four or five friends, werere all flying drones and were all also charging off of one of These power stations chances are the energy, probably is going to go.
The Power and Capacity
Quick, you’re going to run out of power, but what’s nice is that you have that high enough output wattage to literally fill up every single port on the front of either of these power stations and be charging a drone battery all at once without any hiccups.
Ports and Interfaces
Speaking of those ports, this is equally important to the power and capacity of these batteries. Oddly enough, both batteries have the same exact ports, except for the extra SDC Port here on the power 1000, which lets you interface with more solar panels, for example.
Size Discrepancy
This is really strange, as usually when a company comes out with two different Power stations of different sizes. The larger Power Station usually has more outlets and more ports to interface with, as you have a ton of space like here on the front of this battery here.
Port Layout
You’ve got so much space down here to add potential extra ports. With that said, there are two AC Outlets that are decently spread out, so you can plug in cords that have larger bricks if necessary, without blocking each other.
Port Varieties
You’ve got two USBC ports, two USBA ports, the SDC Port, which we already discussed there’s a second on the larger power 1000, and you have that input port for charging the actual battery.
Charging Options
Something that I really like is the physical switch right there next to the input port that lets you choose whether you want to charge the battery at the maximum wattage or if you want to charge it at half that speed for the power 500.
Power Options
This would be 540 WTS or 270 Watts, while the power 1000 gives you the option of 1200 Watts or 600 watts its really nice to have this option available for both of these power stations, because I dont want to kill the battery overnight and charge it at The maximum speed, if I dont need to like, if Im going to not be using this for hours on end, why not charge the battery at a slower speed to preserve the health of the battery packs inside.
Flexibility and Ease of Use
Now sure, if Im going to be on the road Im stopping at a quick restaurant and I want to juice the power station up as fast as possible, while Im stopping and Im near an outlet, I can plug it in charge at the maximum speed, get as much power as possible and then get back on the Road so again its nice to have the flexibility and also the ease of use to just flip that switch on the front to change depending on what my needs are.
Display Screen
Theres, also a screen here on each of the devices that shows you. Information like the current state of the battery, what ports are currently drawing power, the battery capacity remaining as a percentage, a timer that shows you how quickly the battery will be charged or di depending on current usage and, of course, the input and output power boldly displayed In Watts now the USBC ports on both of these power stations differ in a couple of ways.
Output Wattage
So, for example, the output wattage on the power 500 from each USBC Port is 100 Watts, while the output power from each of the USBC ports on the power 1000 is 140 Watts, which is a slight difference. But, for example, for somebody like me that uses a MacBook Pro 16in. I know that I get a 140 W brick in the box with my laptop so its nice. I can get the full power out of the USBC ports here on the power 1000, whereas its going to charge just a little bit slower on the power 500, but 100 watts is a really good speed and can usually charge almost any device at full speed.
Inputting Power
Now, heres another way that these ports differ. They actually act as a form of inputting power on the power 500, which is the smaller Power Station. It can input power at up to 200 Watts, which sure isnt blazing fast like the included charger. But in a pinch, where youre in a hotel or on a road trip – and you forget your charger – this would be more than sufficient to charge up the power station in a few hours or overnight. I cant help but think that this same feature would be so important to have on the power 1000. For the reason I just mentioned being able to charge it. If you forget the actual charger for the device itself, sure if it only charged at 200 WTS, it would take a few hours to charge up this entire battery inside of the power 1000, but itd be better than having nothing.
Main Features of DJI Power Station
It would be nice to carry one cord with me on my trips and just charge up everything with USBC, but because this can only charge up with the included charger. Ive got to make sure. I always have that on me. Okay, so I would say that those three things right there, the three main pillars of a power station, the input and output power, the capacity as well as the available ports are right in line with all the other power stations available on the market. Sure some might have more AC Outlets. Some might have more USBC ports at that point, its kind of splitting hairs, but youre going to get a solid power station in all three regards. If you buy either the power 500 or the power 1000, its got a high input power, a high output power, a nice capacity to charge and power things on the go and also has enough ports on the front to make sure that you can output power and Interface with any device that you might have.
Unique Features of DJI Power Station
Now, what I want to do is get into some of the things that make these power stations a little bit more unique than others on the market, because, as I mentioned, there are literally dozens you could choose from so What makes the power 500 power 1000 unique and stand out from the rest. So first is this SDC Port, which yes is nothing special on the surface level and will primarily be used for a solar panel to input power.
The Power of DJI’s Fast Chargers
But DJ has made a special set of fast chargers for their own products to take advantage of the higher output power that this port offers. So, for example, I have a special cord that DJI manufactures that I can plug from the SDC Port directly into my Air3 battery to charge it up super fast. To give you comparison when I charge the Air3 directly through the drone from the USBC Port, the maximum power it draws is 63 Watts, which means it can charge from 10 to 100 in an hour and 6 minutes.
The Benefits of Using the DJI Power Station
Compare this to plugging it into the fast charger it reaches a maximum of 123 watts and charges in just 48 minutes that is 18 minutes per battery faster, which will make a significant difference when you’re cycling through batteries throughout the day. To me, this is a pretty big game changer, because there are some shoots that I go on where I need to be charging batteries constantly as fast as possible to keep up with how much I fly like. For example, I have nine Mavic 3 batteries and sometimes I get home and all nine Mavic 3 batteries are completely depleted, so being able to go and plug them in and charge them up so that I can basically cycle between two batteries. One is charging up fast, while one is being flown really is a nice treat.
Considerations When Using the DJI Power Station
Now here’s the one issue is that you lose the convenience of having the charging Hub, so you need to make sure that you’re constantly swapping out batteries as they’re fully charged, because you can only plug in one battery at a time so really depends on what you need.
Fast Charging Capabilities
Do you want the speed of charging up batteries as fast as possible, and you just need to stay on top of it and make sure you swap them on and off, or do you want to just plug it into the Hub set it and forget it, and Let them charge up on their own and go 1 2, three, so on and so forth.
Compatibility with DJI Products
Now, for your reference, DJI makes this fast charger for other products in their lineup, so they make a fast charging cable for the Mavic 3, the Air 3, the Matrice 30, and the Inspire 3. All these increase the wattage that the battery charges at and plug directly into the battery.
Convenience of Charging Multiple Batteries
So like here’s, a quick scenario for you: let’s say you buy the Matrice 30 or the Inspire 3 and you realize that those drones take two batteries at once. So, in order to fly with these drones, you need to plug in two batteries. Therefore, being able to operate off a charging Hub is really nice because you know that two batteries are going to be charging at once, so you can take them off plug them in and start flying immediately.
Limitations of Power 500
If you’re going to be using the Power 500, you can only plug in one battery at a time which means when you plug it into the SDC Port, you can only be charging one Inspire 3 battery. Once that Inspire 3 battery charges, you can take it off and put on another so that you then have two for one single flight.
DJI Power Station Review: The Best Portable Drone Charger
Charging your drone batteries on the go can sometimes be a hassle, especially when you only have one battery charger. DJI has finally come up with a solution to this problem with their latest portable drone charger, the DJI Power Station.
Charging Efficiency
The DJI Power Station comes in two models – the Power 500 and the Power 1000. The Power 500 is perfect for charging one battery at a time for drones like the Inspire 3 or the M30. However, if you need to charge two batteries simultaneously, the Power 1000 is the way to go. With both SDC ports, you can ensure that your batteries are ready for each flight.
Game-Changing Features
In my opinion, the DJI Power Station is a game changer when it comes to charging drone batteries on the go. The ability to charge batteries faster and more efficiently makes it a must-have for any drone enthusiast. The convenience of being able to control the charging speed directly on the device is a feature that sets this power station apart from others.
Design and Build Quality
One of the standout features of the DJI Power Station is its design. The aesthetic is quintessentially DJI, with a sleek and modern look that sets it apart from other power stations. The ergonomic handles, bright and snappy screen, and overall top-notch build quality make using the Power Station a joy.
Overall, the DJI Power Station is a must-have accessory for any drone enthusiast who values convenience and efficiency. Whether you’re out in the field or on the go, the Power Station will ensure that your drone batteries are always charged and ready for flight.
Port Accessibility
I also really enjoy the fact that all of the ports are right on the front of the device so they’re on the same side of the power station. Some of these power stations will put the output ports on the front and the input ports on the back, which I can understand, but it can be annoying if I want to place this out of the way say against a wall or in the back of my Trunk, having everything right there on the front and easy to access just makes things more.
Safety Features
Now let’s talk about safety, and this is something that is very important to discuss when talking about a battery of this size that can output and input as much power as the power 500 and power 1000k. You really want to make sure that you’re getting it from a reputable company that has a good history with batteries and DJI. DJI has been developing batteries of all different kinds for their drones for years, from the tiny mini drones to the larger Inspire drones. Even the batteries on the larger Agras drones are basically a power station themselves, holding immense power.
This combined with the fact that all these batteries are intelligent flight batteries – for example, the Matrice 300 RTK battery here has computers and chips inside to let the battery know what is going on at all times.
Safety First
This means its going to look out for any potential faults. Its not going to draw too much power, its not going to say overheat or catch on fire. Its got computer chips on board to make sure that it is safe to use and all his technology has been brought over to DJs power stations as well. For the sake of not getting anything wrong, this here is the exact verbiage that DJ has on their website about the safety and usage of these power stations. Theyre made with safety as the number one priority and with longevity in mind. So just know that when you pick up this to charge your drone or power any device, you might have youre getting one of the safest power stations that you can buy on the market.
Infinite Power with Solar Panels
Okay, so Switching gears now lets talk about the infinite power hack and that is the solar panel. You can purchase separately to power up these power stations while on the go so DJI doesnt actually manufacture the solar panel themselves. But this is the zigis 100 wat panel that is fairly small and lightweight it folds up for easy, traveling and, of course, opens up to capture energy from the Sun. You can rig up to three of these to the power 500 and six of them to the power 1000 using the STC ports and the solar adapter that feeds that energy into the battery. The reason I say this is an infinite power.
The Power of Solar Energy
Hack is because, if you do the math and look at how much power you can input versus how much power you might be outputting, you could potentially just draw energy directly from the Sun to power and charge your devices. So, for example, if I have one solar panel hooked up to my power – 500 inputting 100 Watts. I can therefore outpace almost any DJI drone battery.
Charging Efficiency
So if Im charging a mavic, 3 battery at say 65 Watts off of the charging Hub, I never going to outpace the solar panel. If Im getting Peak power from the Sun Im going to be drawing energy right from the solar panel and never actually touching the battery inside, even if Im charging more power hungry devices like say my MacBook Pro that I had mentioned – charges at a maximum of 140 Wts and maybe Im charging other devices too, like my remote controller and lets say my headphones and anything else, I might have on me sure Im going to be taking power from the battery but Im instantly replacing some of it from the solar panel.
Advantages of Solar Charging
So I therefore have more capacity inside than what is actually advertised because Im slowly inputting it, while also using it now. I know that using a solar panel can be clunky from bringing it with you to actually having to set it up to make sure that its always facing the Sun. But really, if I was going to be purchasing a power station, Id probably go the route of picking up the power 500 so that I can bring it with me on the daily use it as I need it.
The Power of Solar Panel
On days where drawing more power is necessary, bringing a solar panel along can be beneficial. By harnessing energy from the sun, it becomes possible to charge up a smaller power station, enabling greater capacity without the need for a larger battery. This strategy allows for increased convenience on a daily basis.
Cost-Efficiency
At the time of filming, DJI’s Power Stations are being offered at sale prices of $379 for the power 500 and $699 for the power 1000. Despite being listed at these discounted rates, their actual prices are $499 and $999 respectively. When compared to other similar products in the market, such as the Anchor Solix line of power stations priced at $1000, DJI’s Power Station stands out as a more affordable option. This price difference of $300 makes the DJI Power Station an attractive choice for consumers.
Final Considerations
It should be noted that the current sale prices of the DJI Power Stations may not be permanent. Some companies tend to label their products as being on sale as a marketing strategy to generate demand and create a sense of urgency among potential buyers. However, even at their regular prices of $499 and $999, the DJI Power Stations offer competitive pricing for the features and performance they provide.
DJI Finally Did It! – The Best Portable Drone Charger (DJI Power Station Review)
Competitive Pricing and Quality
If I miss the sale, I might not get the best deal so again. I’ve got no idea if that is going to be the price moving forward, but I would say that if it is, I hope DJI can keep up with demand and make enough of these, because they are priced very, very competitively for what they are. Now, I’ve used power stations from a lot of different companies – Jackary, EcoFlow, Anker, there’s a lot of them out there – but from what I can say, DJI’s offering, especially for their very first power station, is very good.
Fast Charging Capabilities
For me, these are my go-to power stations as of now, just because of the fact that I can charge my drone batteries the fastest. If I need to charge my laptop, my Apple MacBook Pro, my iPad, my goggles, or anything else I have on me, I know that I can keep up with it because it’s got a nice high output power and I can charge them fast with the high input power. It really does check all the boxes and gives you some extras.
Convenient USB-C Charging
I’ve never seen a power station of this size be able to be charged over USB-C. That, in my opinion, is a really cool feature to have for those just-in-case moments. It adds an extra level of convenience and versatility to the DJI Power Station.
Choosing the Right Power Station
Which one is right for you? I really can’t answer that. Look at both of these options, see what they offer, and see which one is going to fit your workflow the best. Even though I’m such a power-hungry user, both power stations have their own unique strengths and advantages.
The Perfect Portable Drone Charger
One of the most important accessories for any drone pilot is a reliable portable charger. It can make all the difference when you’re out in the field and need to quickly charge up your batteries. DJI has finally released the perfect solution with their Power Station.
Lightweight and Easy to Carry
The DJI Power Station is designed to be lightweight and easy to carry, making it the perfect companion for any drone pilot on the go. Its compact size allows you to easily transport it from one location to another without any hassle. Whether you’re hiking to a remote location or just need to move between different shooting spots, the Power Station is a must-have accessory.
Fast and Efficient Charging
One of the standout features of the DJI Power Station is its fast and efficient charging capabilities. It is capable of charging multiple batteries simultaneously, allowing you to get back in the air in no time. This is especially useful for professional drone pilots who need to maximize their flight time and complete their work efficiently.
Convenient for Travel
For those who travel frequently with their drones, the DJI Power Station is a game-changer. Its compact design and ability to charge multiple batteries at once make it the perfect travel companion. Say goodbye to carrying around multiple chargers and dealing with tangled cords – the Power Station simplifies your charging setup and streamlines your workflow.
When it comes to portable drone chargers, DJI has truly delivered with their Power Station series. With competitive pricing, excellent connectivity options, and stylish design, DJI power stations set a new standard in the market. Whether you opt for the Power 500 or Power 1000 model, you can be sure to have a reliable power source for your drone adventures.
The DJI Power Station is a must-have accessory for any drone pilot looking for a reliable and efficient portable charger. Its lightweight and compact design, fast charging capabilities, and convenience for travel make it stand out from the competition. Say goodbye to worrying about running out of battery power in the field – with the DJI Power Station, you’ll always be prepared and ready to take to the skies.
