DJI Power 500 Review: Did DJI Just Crush the Competition?
When you hear the name DJI, your mind likely jumps to high-tech drones and handheld camera gear. But what if I told you that DJI has ventured into the world of portable power stations?
We recently reviewed the DJI Power 1000, a beast of a unit that left us feeling pretty impressed. Now, DJI has introduced the Power 1000’s more affordable and compact little brother—the DJI Power 500.
We have to admit that we were pretty excited to test this thing out, but does it actually live up to the high expectations set by its larger predecessor? Let's dive in and see if the DJI Power 500 really crushes the competition.
Quick Specs Overview for the DJI Power 500
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of our own performance tests, let's start out with a quick rundown of the DJI Power 500’s specs:
Weight: 6 lbs (Passed the "Tiny Baby Lift Test” with flying colors—seriously, at 6 lbs, he could probably throw this thing to Australia)
Regular Price: Priced at $499, but it can be found on sale for as low as $349 on DJI's Online Store
Battery Capacity: 512Wh, which means you could power a fridge for 24 hours or keep your Wi-Fi router running for 39 hours
Output Power: 1,000W (Pretty solid for such a small unit)
Charging Options: Regular 120V AC plug-in, solar input charging, or 12V car adapter charging
Output Ports:
- 2 x 120V AC Outlets
- 2 x 100W USB-C Ports
- 2 x 24W USB-A Ports
- 1 x SDC Light Port (Drone charging that can double as a solar input)
According to the specs, this little power station shapes up to be a solid contender, especially if you’re able to scoop it up at its fairly low sale price. But let's take a closer look at what it actually brings to the table.
Our Performance Tests
Here at The Solar Lab, we don't just accept products at face value—we put them through the wringer. Sure, the Power 500’s specs look great on paper, but we’ve seen plenty of brands exaggerate what their products can do. Here’s how the DJI Power 500 performed in our own tests:
Efficiency Testing:
We ran a 905W load on the Power 500, which is just shy of its 1,000W max output. Theoretically, with its 512Wh internal battery, it should have lasted about 33 minutes with this load, but it actually only lasted 27 minutes, giving it a 79% efficiency rating when it’s running at full capacity.
That’s pretty solid, especially considering it outperformed the larger DJI Power 1000 in this department. Still, there’s room for improvement there.
Charging Speed Testing:
DJI advertises a full charge in 70 minutes using a standard 120V AC outlet. In our tests, it took 83 minutes to go from completely dead to 100% charged—just 13 minutes longer than advertised. Not too shabby, but a slight underperformance.
Surge Capacity Test:
While the Power 500 is rated for a continuous 1,000W output, we wanted to test its ability to handle surges. It managed to run a 1,500W load for a few seconds, which is more than we expected from such a small unit.
This is actually pretty significant, as it makes the Power 500 a suitable option for powering devices that have high startup power requirements. This includes power tools, as well as any appliances that draw a lot of power when they’re firing up, like portable air conditioners.
Noise Level Testing:
This thing is actually whisper-quiet, even when the inverter is working at full capacity. If you’re a creator and plan to use it to power your devices while you’re working, or you just want a power station that is quiet enough to use inside your home, this is a huge plus.
Solar Input Testing:
While the solar input works, it requires adapters that aren’t included in the box (more on that later). It’s an annoying issue, but once you have the right gear, it’s pretty straightforward to use.
Pass-Through Charging Test:
We also tested the pass-through charging feature, which allows you to pull power from the Power 500 while simultaneously recharging the unit’s internal battery. It’s a really useful feature that we always look for in any power station. Turns out that it worked flawlessly with the Power 500, both when we were charging it using solar power and with the AC adapter.
Our Overall Thoughts on the DJI Power 500: Pros & Cons
Now that we’ve ran you through the specs and the results of our own testing, let’s discuss what we like and dislike about this little unit:
What We Love About the DJI Power 500
There’s a lot to love about the DJI 500, and the following are just a few of the things that really stood out to us:
Super Quiet Operation:
One of the standout features of the DJI Power 500 is just how quiet it is. The only other units that even come close in terms of noise level are its big brother, the DJI Power 1000, and much higher end power stations, like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra. Given that the Ultra costs around $6,000 for a complete setup, it’s really impressive that this little budget-friendly unit from DJI creates similar levels of noise.
As mentioned, quiet operation is really important for creators who need to charge camera batteries or power drones in the same room they’re working in. After all, nobody wants to deal with distracting noises while they work.
2. Front-Facing Ports for Easy Access:
All the ports on the Power 500 are conveniently located on the front of the unit. This might not seem like a big deal until you find yourself in a real-life scenario where you need to stack this in the back seat of your car or under a pile of gear. No more fumbling around to reach ports on the back or sides—everything is right where you need it.
3. Compatibility with Other DJI Products:
If you're already invested in DJI products, like their drones, you'll appreciate the SDC Light Port. It allows you to fast-charge these types of compatible devices directly from the power station. It’s a nice touch that keeps everything within the DJI ecosystem, ensuring your gear works seamlessly together.
4. Affordability Meets Quality:
If you can pick it up at its low sale price of around $349, the DJI Power 500 offers a lot of value without forcing you to sacrifice much. While it has a smaller battery bank compared to the Power 1000, it retains the same dual 120V AC outlets and two USB-A and USB-C ports.
Aside from the size of the internal battery, the only significant downgrade between the Power 500 and the Power 1000 is the number of SDC Light Ports, but you’re not losing much in terms of functionality.
5. High Power Output:
Despite its compact size, the Power 500 delivers up to 1,000W, which is double its 512Wh battery capacity. This means you can easily charge phones, laptops, drones, or even run a portable air conditioner. It’s a versatile little unit that packs a punch when you need it most.
In fact, during our output power tests, we used the DJI Power 500 to run an AURZEN EAZZE D1 Projector for over 7 hours on a single charge. This portable projector, which comes loaded with Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, was the perfect companion to see how well the Power 500 could handle entertainment on the go. Since this projector is a device that we use all the time here at The Solar Lab, it was a great test of the Power 500’s practicality.
What We Didn’t Like About the DJI Power 500
No product is perfect, and the DJI Power 500 does have its share of drawbacks:
Lack of Included Accessories:
This was a big one for us. The Power 500 just comes with a wall plug—no solar adapters, no car charging cables, nothing. Most other power stations include a variety of adapters and cables to get you started, but with the Power 500, you’ll need to shell out extra cash for basic accessories. This is annoying and actually detracts a bit from the low price point.
If, for example, you want to use solar panels to charge it, you’ll need to buy an adapter that clips onto the side to plug in three 100W panels. And speaking of solar panels…
2. Expensive Solar Panels:
DJI’s solar panels are really pricey. You have the option to buy a branded 100W solar panel directly from DJI, but it’ll cost you more than a 400W solar panel would from most other brands.
This actually seems to be a bit of a trend with some of the bigger brands that don’t specialize in solar equipment. While it’s becoming a fairly common issue, it’s still frustrating, especially if you’re trying to keep your costs down.
3. No Built-In Light:
For a portable power station, especially one designed for creators and emergency situations, the lack of a built-in light is a bummer. Even a simple LED light would make a world of difference when you’re trying to plug cables into it in the dark.
4. No Dedicated App:
DJI has an app for its drones, so it’s surprising that they didn’t put one together for their Power 500. While an app isn’t strictly necessary, especially for a smaller power station, it would have been nice to have the option to check the charge level or power output from the convenience of your phone, especially if you’re running the unit in another room.
5. Limited Ports:
Compared to some other power stations in its class, the DJI Power 500 lacks a bit in the output ports department. Compared to similar units, it has fewer 120V AC outlets, fewer USB-C ports, and no 12V car socket, which would make running certain devices like portable fridges much easier. Plus, the SDC Light Port doubles as the solar input, so you can’t fast-charge your drone and use solar at the same time.
Our Final Verdict: Should You Buy the DJI Power 500?
So, is the DJI Power 500 worth it? If you’re looking for a portable power station that’s quiet, efficient, and easy to use, then the Power 500 is a solid choice. It’s perfect for creators who need a reliable source of power on the go, or for anyone who wants a bit of basic backup power during emergencies. It’s also a great option if you’ve already invested in the DJI product line and want to stick with a brand you trust.
With that said, if you need more ports, accessories, or an app, you might want to look at other options in this price range. We’d definitely feel confident recommending the DJI Power 500, but just make sure you’re aware of its limitations. If you’re okay with a few compromises, this little unit could be just what you need.
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