DJI Shrinks 1-kWh Power Station to Backpack Size

Getting reliable power on camping trips or during emergencies just got a whole lot easier to pack.

DJI, the company famous for consumer drones, just launched the Power 1000 Mini, a portable battery station that solves a problem anyone who's tried van life or camping knows well. Most 1-kilowatt-hour power stations are bulky beasts that eat up precious cargo space, but DJI squeezed all that capacity into something roughly the size of a shoebox.

The numbers tell the story. At just over 12 inches wide and 25 pounds, the Mini delivers 1,000 watt-hours of power while taking up far less room than competitors. It can run a small fridge, microwave, or coffee maker, and charges back to 80% in under an hour.

DJI added some clever touches that show they actually talked to real users. A retractable USB-C cable pops out from the case to charge laptops and cameras at 100 watts, eliminating the need to carry yet another cord. The device can recharge from your car battery while you drive, from solar panels, or from a regular outlet.

The company designed the Mini with content creators in mind, people who need to keep cameras and drones powered in remote locations. But it works just as well for weekend campers or as emergency backup during power outages. Four AC outlets, multiple USB ports, and even a built-in LED lamp make it genuinely versatile.

The Bright Side

This isn't just about convenience. Portable power stations like the Mini make it easier for people to live and work away from traditional power grids, whether that's by choice or necessity. Natural disasters and aging infrastructure mean more frequent outages, and having reliable backup power used to require expensive, complicated generator setups.

The lithium ferrophosphate batteries should keep 80% of their capacity through 4,000 charging cycles, meaning this could serve someone reliably for years. That's less electronic waste and more long-term value than cheaper alternatives that die after a few hundred uses.

The Mini costs around $600 in Europe and Canada, competing directly with larger rivals that cost similar amounts but offer less portability. It hasn't received US approval yet, but DJI expects that soon.

What makes this news genuinely hopeful is how it democratizes energy independence, making reliable portable power accessible to more people in a package that actually fits into real life.