Looking for an efficient way to charge your drone in the field? Pilots traveling between operations may have to rely on weak car chargers or coffee shop pit stops to recharge. For pilots who are literally in the field, there may be no way to recharge.
This is where portable power plants come into play. Portable powerful power plants have become easier to purchase, cheaper, and more powerful in recent years.
What are the most notable recommendations you’ll find in this guide? These are two products made directly by DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer. That’s because in April 2024, DJI unveiled two impressive options. Both the DJI Power 1000 and DJI Power 500 are designed to keep your drone soaring on the go.
One of the more established names in portable power plants is Jackery, one of the leading manufacturers of efficient solar generators. There’s also Bluetti, which won the CES 2023 Innovative Product Award for its solar power system.
But of all the products featured in this guide, it’s probably the most difficult to keep your eyes off the newest DJI product. Despite being known for drones, DJI’s portable power station is a logical fit. After all, the company has more than 10 years of battery research and development experience.
Now check out our definitive guide to the best portable power plants on the market today.
Guide to portable power plants (for charging drones, laptops, mobile phones, etc.)
The best portable power station to charge your drone
Traditionally, drone pilots have relied on car chargers or bulky generators to recharge in the field. Car chargers have limited power and slow charging times, while generators are noisy, produce smoke, and are bulky to transport.
Portable power plants offer a stylish, quiet and powerful solution. For example, DJI’s Power 1000 produces only 23 dB, which is quieter than most home refrigerators.
And you don’t necessarily have to be a drone pilot to enjoy the benefits of a portable power plant. This product appeals to campers who want to charge their phones and lights in nature without the loud noise of a generator disturbing the peace.
Even if you’re not camping, these products are great to have at home in case of a power outage or other emergency situations, especially if the power is out for an extended period of time due to a storm.
So here’s a guide to some of the best options, chosen specifically for the needs of drone pilots (but great choices for anyone).
DJI Power 1000
Perhaps it’s no surprise that one of the best portable power stations for charging drones comes from DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer.
DJI launched the Power 1000 in April 2024 as the ultimate accessory for drone pilots flying in the field. This powerful device offers very high capacity and is perfect for long distance travel or multiple drone batteries. It boasts fast charging that can be fully charged in 70 minutes. It can be charged up to 80% in just 50 minutes.
Other key specifications of the DJI Power 1000 include:
- Battery capacity of 1024Wh
- Weight 13kg
- Maximum power output 2200W
By pairing this charging station with a separately sold charging cable that integrates with certain DJI drone batteries, a 10% charged battery can be charged to 95% in approximately 30 minutes. This is possible thanks to the DJI Power SDC ultra-fast charging feature that works on most of DJI’s latest drones.
There are two 140W USB-C output ports, with a total power output of up to 280W. It also supports both 1200W fast charging mode and 600W standard charging mode. It also combines with a Zignes 100W solar panel for solar charging.
The sticker price is $999, but you’ll find it priced as low as $699 at third-party retailers like B&H Photo.
DJI Power 500
More portable than its larger siblings, the Power 500 is ideal for short adventures and fits nicely in a backpack. Fast charging is also prioritized. Again, it can be fully charged in 70 minutes.
Other key specifications of the DJI Power 500 include:
- Battery capacity of 512Wh
- Weight 7.3 kg
- Maximum power output 1000W
The same DJI Power SDC ultra-fast charging feature found on the 1000 also works here. There are two 100W USB-C output ports, and the total power output is up to 200W. It also supports both 5400W fast charging mode and 270W standard charging mode.
It’s basically half the performance of the DJI Power 1000. But it’s also half the price. It’s only $499 (although these tend to go on sale often, I think $379 is a really good deal).
EcoFlow River 2 Pro(768Wh)
At just $429, it’s the cheapest portable charging station in this guide. Of course, you won’t be using this to power your RV, but it’s still more than enough for a drone pilot on the go. One charge can charge a 40WH drone 15 times.
The station itself can be fully charged in just 70 minutes. And the full charge cycle is 3000 times. That means you can recharge it every day for over 8 years.
Not only is it affordable, but it’s also lightweight at just 17.2 pounds. It has a built-in handle for greater portability.
It’s actually more powerful than the DJI Power 500, but costs about $70 less. So what are the downsides? One big problem is the lack of USB-A. USB-A is the most commonly known USB type, so its absence is really disappointing.
Jackery E2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) Portable Power Station
This advanced option is one of the most powerful and expensive stations in this guide. Don’t just settle for consumer drone charging. This will power high-end drones as well as more rugged objects that require power, such as RVs and large appliances. The price is $1,999.
What makes this product even more attractive is the 30% tax deductibility. This purchase qualifies you to claim residential clean energy credits. However, contact your utility provider to determine eligibility and learn more about the Residential Clean Energy Credit Program requirements.
There are a total of 10 ports and options include AC, USB-A, and USB-C. The rated maximum output is 1,800W and the rated capacity is 3,000Wh. It takes 2 hours to fully charge the AC (though it can reach 80% in 1.3 hours). The device itself is rated for 4000 full charge cycles.
Explorer 2000 Plus also supports capacity expansion by expanding up to 12 kWh. It can also be expanded up to 24 kWh when used with a parallel drain plug.
Blue Tea AC200MAX (2048Wh)
The highest capacity of the group, the AC200MAX can handle the most demanding drone shots and power an entire campsite. Yes, NEMA TT-30 and 12V/30A DC ports are suitable for RV dwellers.
It boasts a variety of ports and supports solar panel charging (additional cost) for long-term use. Wireless charging has become more convenient. Think of it as being able to power most home appliances under 2200W.
How powerful is it? Can charge a 50Wh drone 34 times. Alternatively, it can charge a 10Wh phone 170 times. You can use it to power a 60W refrigerator for 28 hours continuously.
At $1,699, it’s slightly cheaper than the $1,999 Jackery 32000 Plus Kit mentioned above, but it’s more powerful in some metrics. It lasts only 3,500 charging cycles compared to Jackery’s 4,000 charging cycles. However, you may not reach 3,500. 4,000 charging cycles means daily recharging for almost 11 years.
You can use a solar panel and a wall outlet to charge the AC200MAX simultaneously, but dual AC charging requires a second Bluetti AC adapter.
Drone Girl’s recommendations and comparisons
There are quite a few options. So how do they actually stack up against each other? Here is a comparison of some of the key features:
| characteristic | DJI Power 1000 | DJI Power 500 | EcoFlow River 2 Pro | Zachary Explorer 2000 Plus | Blue Tea AC200MAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (Wh) | 1024 | 512 | 768 | 2042 | 2048 |
| weight pounds) | 28.6 | 16.06 | 17.2 | 61.5 | 61.9 |
| Price (USD) | $999 | $499 | $429 | $1,999 | $1,699 |
| ideal target | Long distance travel, multiple batteries | short trip, backpacking trip | Weekend trip, fast charging | Heavy-duty devices (large drones and RVs, etc.) | Filming and camping in high demand |
| outstanding features | High capacity, fast charging | Portable, fast charging, lightweight | Fast charging, compact | 30% tax deductible | Large capacity, solar panel compatible |
| port | USB-C, AC, car port | USB-C, AC, car port | USB-C, AC, car port | 2 USB-A, 2 USB-C, 5 AC outlets, 1 car port | A total of 16 ports: AC/USB/car port/100W PD/NEMA TT-30/12V/30A DC port |
Choose the best portable power plant for your specific needs
The best portable power stations I recommend are listed above. But how do you choose which one is best for you? Consider some of the following factors:
Your own drone battery requirements: How many watt hours (Wh) does a drone battery consume? The capacity (Wh) of the charging station must be high enough to recharge the battery multiple times.
Mobile app integration: Is it one of the best features you can find in a portable power station? Smartphone app integration. This gives the station the ability to perform tasks such as monitoring battery life and controlling power output.
Number of devices that need to be charged at once: Are you charging your drone or need to power your laptop, camera, or other devices? The number and type of ports (USB-A, USB-C, AC outlet) determines how many devices can be charged simultaneously.
Features of charging portable charger: What happens if my portable power plant runs out of power? In the case of power usage, this may be the case. If so, consider a power plant with built-in solar panel compatibility first. For example, DJI sells the Zignes 100W solar panel, which is designed to integrate with the DJI Power 1000/500 using the DJI Power solar panel adapter module.
This makes charging not only environmentally friendly, but especially on the go.
Portability: Do you prioritize lightweight options for easy backpacking, or can you handle a heavier station with a larger capacity?
budget: Of course, the price of a portable power plant varies depending on its capacity, features, and brand. These choices fit a variety of budgets and may ultimately be the deciding factor in your final decision.
safety: Lastly and most importantly, safety. Look for a station with built-in protection against overcharging, short-circuiting, and overheating. To avoid damage, make sure the station’s output wattage is compatible with your device.
And don’t overlook other safety standards. For example, DJI Power 1000/500 have all passed 26 product test certifications from SGS, a Swiss third-party testing agency. At the same time, it is made of fuse-resistant, flame-retardant and high-strength materials.
