Two minute review
Portable power plants come in many battery capacities and inverter capacities. For everyday use, a 1000 W / h battery and a 1000 W AC inverter are more than sufficient to supply small to medium-sized devices with power for a reasonable period of time. Those numbers make a small and affordable unit with a size comparable to a portable cool box and weighing 10 kg.
70mai, a subsidiary of Xiaomi and better known for its dashcams, recently entered the portable power plant market with the Tera 1000. This feature-packed product is available for sale for $ 649 (approximately $ 485) directly from the 70mai website. Even with an MRSP of $ 999 (around £ 747), it remains one of the most affordable 1000W stations out there. The 70mai website also offers packages of the station with one or two solar panels for $ 819 and $ 922 (about £ 689), respectively.
The Tera 1000 comes with a 1000 W / h battery and a 1200 W AC inverter. It has a large color LCD and connects to the 70mai mobile app via Bluetooth. A large number of AC and DC output sockets are included in the scope of delivery and, together with the integrated power supply, make the Tera 1000 a versatile and compact product.
(Photo credit: future)
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The Tera 1000 with its side speaker grilles could be mistaken for a retro ghön box. The device is well constructed and comes in a compact cardboard box with protective foam. The integrated orange handle is flush with the top and is large enough for any type of hand. The case has a smooth texture and rounded edges. For a power plant, it is very pleasing to the eye. Two large, rectangular rubber pads prevent the stand from slipping, even at a steep angle.
(Photo credit: future)
At 12.3 kg, the station is quite heavy, but that weight includes a massive 600 W AC charger. The device measures 30 cm x 23 cm x 30 cm and comes with an accessory bag that contains a power cord, a car charger cable and an instruction manual.
(Photo credit: future)
The plastic case is supported internally by a steel frame which increases the durability of the design. A single large fan on the right side ensures that the device stays cool even under heavy loads. The station offers more than 1000 charge cycles before the battery capacity drops to 70%.
(Photo credit: future)
As with other similar devices, the output jacks are on the front. The AC system supports 1200 W in continuous mode and 2400 W in surge mode. It is switched on with a push button and has three sockets that are widely spaced. This is useful when connecting AC devices with a large footprint, such as B. a power meter or a Wi-Fi smart plug. Fast charging of the station can be done with the built-in AC charger that charges the battery in less than two hours. There is also a 200 W Anderson port on the front panel that allows connection to a solar panel.
The low voltage section consists of seven sockets, all of which are activated by a push button similar to an alternating current. A powerful 60 W Type-C port allows laptops and game consoles to be charged quickly. A second Type-C with 18 W charges smaller devices like smartphones, while two USB-A with QC3 support are also included to power older devices. A regulated 10 A 13.6 V car socket is included in the scope of delivery and can supply devices such as a tire inflator with power. Finally there are a pair of 3A 13.6V DC5521 sockets.
(Photo credit: future)
In use
A bright LCD turns on when the main power switch is held down for three seconds. The same button turns off the power plant if it is pressed for another three seconds. The LCD menu is well designed and the remaining battery capacity is shown centrally. Navigation is via four pushbuttons on the right, which can be used to activate various functions such as the LED light or the AC fast charging mode. Planning to turn the AC / DC section on and off is also supported. At the top of the screen there are various icons that indicate, among other things, the pairing and fast charging status.
The power plant supports the DC passthrough mode, in which the DC part is supplied with power during the charging process. The AC section, on the other hand, switches itself off when charging. Two square spots that look like smaller screens are located on each side of the main display and serve as an energy-saving LED flashlight. The solar charger is accessible by connecting a panel to the Anderson port and is based on MPPT technology to maximize efficiency. Charging via solar panels takes approximately five hours based on the station’s input capacity of 200 W. This can be achieved with two 100W 70mai solar panels.
The Tera 1000 has an integrated Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface and slowly consumes the main battery over time. With the BLE activated, there was no noticeable drop in the battery charge for two weeks. The Bluetooth connection connects the power plant to the mobile application, which is available on both Apple and Android platforms. The app installation is simple and only requires that both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on the smartphone. The owner needs to create a new 70mai account to use the station. Once that’s done, the device is added via an app menu.
(Image credit: 70mai)
The app is easy to use thanks to a simple menu. The AC and DC sections are controlled via screen buttons. The AC fast charge mode and the LED light can both be turned on via the app, while the output power to the connected loads is accurately displayed in real time. The range of the Bluetooth mode is about five meters.
The competition
The advantage of the Tera 1000 compared to other brands is that it is modern with many options such as the possibility of quick charging, a large color display and of course the possibility to control it remotely via app. Price remains a good argument for getting an MSRP of $ 999.
The Tera 1000 is strikingly similar to the Jackery Explorer 1000, as both have similar colors.
The Jackery station is more compact and lighter because no power supply is included. The Explorer 1000 should use less power without a load because it is not a connected device. However, it is out of date and lacks an app and all of the remote functions that this portable powerhouse offers. It also has fewer DC outlets and can only charge in 5.5 hours, which is double the time of the Tera 1000.
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000 X is very similar in terms of battery capacity and inverter performance. But with a retail price of $ 1,400, it’s 40% more expensive than the Tera 1000. The Yeti 1000 X uses battery technology that allows fewer charge cycles, while the number of AC and DC connections is also limited.
The Ecoflow Delta Mini is another similar product. It has a smaller 882 Wh battery, but a higher inverter output of 1400 W. It is more expensive, has fewer power outlets and no flashlight.
Final verdict
The Tera 1000 from 70mai offers a well-balanced product in terms of AC output power and battery capacity of 1200 W or 1000 W / h. It has many features like a color screen and bluetooth connection that make it a breeze to use. There are output options to cover most home appliances and appliances. However, having a built-in 600W power supply has both advantages and disadvantages and one thing is for sure, you will never forget to bring it with you. However, this adds to the overall weight of the power plant, which is heavier than the competition. The LED flashlight could also be a bit brighter and have more focus.
We also highlighted the best portable power plants and the best laptop portable battery chargers
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