DJI Power 1000 Mini: Lighter, Faster, and Built for the Drone Bag
DJI’s original Power 1000 was a powerhouse, but it was also a brick. At over 14 kg, it was the kind of gear you’d only lug if you absolutely had to. The new Power 1000 Mini is DJI’s attempt to fix that "portability" problem, trimming the fat to create a 1,000Wh station that actually fits into a mobile workflow without requiring a hand truck.
The 11-Kilogram Question: Is it Actually Portable?
The Power 1000 Mini cuts the weight of its predecessor by roughly 20%, landing at 11.5 kg (25.4 lbs). While the "Mini" branding suggests something you might toss in a backpack, let’s be realistic: 25 pounds is roughly equivalent to carrying three gallons of milk. You aren't taking this on a five-mile hike, but for car campers and wedding photographers, the new integrated handle and 314 x 212 x 216 mm footprint make it vastly easier to haul from the trunk to the site.
Despite the diet, DJI didn't compromise on the battery chemistry. The Mini still utilizes Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cells. These are the gold standard for longevity, rated for 4,000 charge cycles before hitting 80% capacity. If you use this every other day, you're looking at a decade of service before the battery starts to show its age.
The Secret Weapon: Fast-Charging for Pilots
On paper, the specs are respectable but standard: a 1,000W max output (800W sustained) and a clever built-in retractable USB-C cable that delivers 100W bidirectionally. However, the real reason a drone pilot would choose this over a generic competitor like the EcoFlow River 2 Pro or Bluetti EB70 is the SDC port.
While competitors require you to plug in a standard AC "brick" charger, DJI’s SDC ecosystem allows for direct DC-to-DC fast charging. For owners of the Mavic 3 or Air 3 series, this means juicing a flight battery from 0% to 100% in about 30 to 45 minutes. In the field, where "golden hour" doesn't wait for a slow charger, that efficiency is the Mini's true selling point.
The port array includes:
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One Built-in Retractable USB-C (100W): No more digging for cables.
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One Standard 100W USB-C: For your laptop.
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Two 12W USB-A: For smaller peripherals.
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Two AC Sockets: Enough for a field monitor or a small DIT station.
Rapid Recovery and Market Pressure
In the world of field production, charging speed is life. The Power 1000 Mini hits an 80% charge in just under an hour at a wall outlet, reaching a full 100% in 75 minutes. This isn't just a corporate metric; it’s the difference between being ready for a sunrise shoot or being stuck in the hotel room waiting for a status bar to move.
For off-grid work, the unit plays well with solar panels and supports USB-C input. The addition of a built-in LED with an SOS mode makes it a viable emergency backup, though its primary DNA remains rooted in tech-heavy outdoor use.
Currently retailing in China for CNY 2,499 (approximately $359 USD), the Mini is priced aggressively. If DJI maintains this pricing for its 2026 global rollout, it will severely undercut US-market mainstays like Jackery and EcoFlow, which typically hover around the $500–$600 mark for 1kWh of LFP capacity. DJI isn't just selling a battery; they are pricing it to dominate the ecosystem.