This backpack-sized wind turbine just crushed its Kickstarter goal by 90x
Solar panels are the default for off-grid campers, but they stop working the moment the sun goes down or clouds roll in. The Ventyra R1, a portable wind turbine from Colorado-based startup DIY Electronics, is pitching itself as the fix — a 1 kg (2.2 lb) turbine that fits in a backpack and generates power around the clock. The Kickstarter campaign has already pulled in well over $180,000 against a $1,500 goal, attracting 600-plus backers in a matter of days.
The hardware
The R1 starts generating electricity at wind speeds of just 10.8 km/h (6.7 mph / 3 m/s) — roughly the breeze you'd feel on a mild day. Peak output is 75W; the included VENTYRA Power Hub inverter delivers a continuous 50W, enough to charge a laptop, phone, or USB-C accessory directly. Carbon-fibre blades and a telescopic tripod stand keep the weight down. Assembly takes about three minutes with no tools required.
The Ventyra R1's carbon-fibre blades and telescopic tripod fold down small enough to fit in a standard backpack.
The R1 connects to popular portable power stations — EcoFlow, Jackery, and Bluetti — via a standard XT60 cable. It can also run alongside a solar panel simultaneously, so you're pulling from both sources when conditions allow. At peak wind speeds, the company claims a phone can be fully charged in around 35 minutes.
The included VENTYRA Power Hub inverter delivers 50W continuous output and connects to EcoFlow, Jackery, and Bluetti stations via XT60.
The catch
As TechRadar notes, the performance figures come from pre-production prototypes and have not been independently verified. That's a standard caveat for Kickstarter hardware, but worth keeping in mind before pledging. DIY Electronics has no announced UK distributor or post-launch support structure, and customs and import timelines for UK backers remain unclear.
Early bird pricing starts at $179 on Kickstarter, with retail expected at $300 and shipping set for December 2026.
Price and availability
Early bird pledges start at $179 (around £130) on Kickstarter. Retail price is expected to land at $300 once the campaign closes. Shipping is scheduled for December 2026. For anyone curious about the concept but wary of crowdfunding risk, it's worth waiting for post-launch reviews before committing — per Interesting Engineering, this is the company's first product.
