Dnsys is the brand that dared the knee: its Z1 is the only motorized knee exoskeleton in our comparison that you can receive today, and its X1 is the least expensive motorized hip model in stock that we track. The main reservation: the store does not take back a device once it has been opened or activated.
The Dnsys lineup: X1 for the hip, Z1 for the knee
Two products, one for the knee and one for the hip. Prices checked on the Dnsys US store on Oct 1, 2026.
1 to 2 products · Updated 10/02/2026
-
1. The motorized knee
Dnsys Z1
- Built for the knee
- Energy recovery on descents
- Size range published in black and white
The most distinctive product in our comparison: where the others assist the hip, the Z1 assists the knee and recovers energy on descents. It is the only dedicated knee unit here, but the standard version has one battery and adds no push uphill.Our score Our score breakdownAssist power9.0Real-world range7.5Weight and comfort10.0Value for money8.5Warranty and support7.0 -
2. Lowest price
Dnsys X1
- 900 W peak and 40 N·m of torque
- The least expensive motor above 800 W
- The lightest hip model in our comparison
A credible but rougher alternative: 900 W and 40 N·m for $110 less than the Hypershell X Carbon. Range and strap comfort fall behind Hypershell, and it ships with one battery. Consider it when price is the deciding factor.Our score Our score breakdownAssist power9.0Real-world range7.0Weight and comfort9.0Value for money9.0Warranty and support7.0
Editorial and user score scale: from < 5 to 10 · amber is reserved for the user score
The two can be combined, and that is one of the brand’s good ideas: more on that just below.
Dnsys versions and prices
Each product comes in several versions, and the price gap mostly comes down to batteries. Prices checked on the Dnsys US store on Oct 1, 2026.
| Version | Price (Oct 1, 2026) | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| ⚡ X1 Lite | $689, out of stock | Entry level, 500 W peak |
| ⚡ X1 Carbon | $889 | 900 W peak, one battery: the version we review |
| 🔋 X1 Carbon Pro | $1,289 | Two batteries; excluded from returns by the store |
| 🦵 Z1 Dual Joint | $1,299 | Both knees, 900 W peak: the version we review |
| 🔋 Z1 Dual Joint Pro | $1,999 | Both knees, two Plus batteries: 18.6 mi (30 km) in total |
| 🔗 X1 Carbon + Z1 pack | $2,088 | Hip and knees, $100 less than buying both separately |
Good news: everything combines. The X1 and the Z1 can be worn together; the brand designed them for that.
Dnsys in six dates
A young brand, built on crowdfunding rather than on investors.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Dnsys founded in Beijing by a team of engineers |
| Apr 2024 | X1 Kickstarter: $1,188,887 from 1,612 backers in one month |
| Mar 2025 | Direct sales of the X1 open on the brand’s store |
| Jul 2025 | Z1 launch, which passes $2.5M in crowdfunding |
| Dec 2025 | Limited edition Z1 Pro Death Stranding 2, with the studio Kojima Productions: a first batch of 100 units |
| Jan 2026 | Z1 honored at the CES Innovation Awards 2026, in three categories |
Two products in two years, each financed first by its future buyers: the brand moves fast, in a corner of the market (the knee) where it has almost no rival.
Who is behind Dnsys
Dnsys is the brand of Dnsys Innovation, a Beijing company founded and run by Sage Dong. The devices are made in Shenzhen, and the algorithms are developed in Beijing.
The team is technical first: more than 90% of the staff works in research and development. The brand highlights engineers who came from DJI and Xiaomi.
On funding, we found no public funding round. Dnsys lives on its sales and its crowdfunding campaigns. That is less reassuring than Hypershell, which has raised $120M, but the brand has had the X1 on the market since 2024.
Which Dnsys should you choose?
Knee or hip? It depends on what costs you the most on a hike: the climbs or the descents.
| Your situation | Our pick | Why this one (prices of Oct 1, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🦵 The descents cost you | Z1 | 900 W at the knee and, according to Dnsys, energy recovered on every downhill step |
| 💵 You want a motorized hip at the lowest price | X1 | The X1 Carbon is $889 for 900 W peak |
| 🔗 You want the hip and the knee | X1 Carbon + Z1 pack | $2,088; the Hypershell Halo does both in one device, but it is a preorder |
| 🔋 You walk all day | Hypershell X Carbon | Two batteries in the box, 21.7 mi (35 km) in total, for $110 more than the X1 Carbon |
| ⚖️ Weight comes first | X1 | 4.9 lb (2.2 kg) with its battery, lighter than every Hypershell and Ascentiz we compare |
Our favorite at Dnsys: the Z1, because it is the only motorized knee exoskeleton you can get today. The X1 is mostly chosen for its price.
Knee pain already there? Ask a doctor or a physical therapist first: the Z1 is a sports product, not a medical device.
Dnsys: our take on the brand
Dnsys has a real lead on the knee. Its weak point is everything around the purchase.
What sets Dnsys apart
- The only motorized knee exoskeleton you can get today, which recovers energy on descents, according to Dnsys
- The least expensive motorized hip in stock among the models we track: the X1 Carbon at $889 (Oct 1, 2026)
- A lineup that combines: hip and knees are worn together, and the pack costs $100 less than buying both separately
- Ships from a Los Angeles warehouse in 3 to 7 business days
What holds us back
- Strict returns: the store takes back only a device that has not been opened or activated, and never the X1 Carbon Pro
- An app that lags behind the hardware: a flaky Bluetooth connection and unintuitive settings come up often in owner reports
- Short battery life on the X1 at full assist: about half a battery is gone after 90 minutes at the highest setting
Our position: Dnsys for the knee without hesitation, for the hip if the price makes the difference. And choose the right size the first time: do not count on a home trial.
Buying a Dnsys in the US
We checked prices and terms on the official Dnsys US store. What to know before you order:
- 📦 Ships from a Los Angeles warehouse in 3 to 7 business days
- ↩️ Returns only if the device was not opened or activated: the X1 Carbon Pro is excluded, and outside a defect the return is at your cost. Check the return window on the store before you pay
- 📏 Get the size right: the Z1 lists a fit range of 4 ft 11 in to 6 ft 5 in (150 to 196 cm) and 88 to 269 lb (40 to 122 kg)
- 🔎 Check the “sold by” line on any marketplace listing: a third-party seller may charge far more than the brand does
To place the X1 among hip models, see our best hiking exoskeleton ranking, or the overall ranking for every option.
Frequently asked questions
Can you trust Dnsys?
On the hardware, yes: the brand has had the X1 on the market since 2024, and its Z1 was honored at the CES Innovation Awards 2026. Caution applies to the terms of sale: strict returns, and a store that does not take back an unboxed device. Order knowingly, in the right size.
Can you wear the X1 and the Z1 together?
Yes, the brand designed them to combine and sells them as a pack: $2,088 on Oct 1, 2026, which is $100 less than buying both separately. If you prefer one device that motorizes the hip and the knee, the Hypershell Halo does it, but it is still a preorder.
Can the Dnsys Z1 help with bad knees?
The Z1 is built to assist knee movement on climbs and descents; according to Dnsys, it assists up to 50% of the movement. It is a sports product, not a medical device, and we make no medical claim. If you have knee pain, talk to a doctor or a physical therapist before you buy.
Can you return a Dnsys that does not fit?
Only if it has not been opened or activated, and the store does not accept returns on the X1 Carbon Pro at all. Do not count on a home trial. Check the current return window on the store before you order, and measure yourself first: the Z1 lists fits from 4 ft 11 in to 6 ft 5 in and from 88 to 269 lb.
The Editorial Team
Comparative analysis of exoskeletons and mobility assistance
How we review
- Cross-checked French and English sources: published independent tests and feedback from real users.
- Verified specifications from several sources, with data normalized for easy comparison.
- No measurements of our own: manufacturer values are flagged as such.
- Prices and availability tracked regularly, rankings continuously updated.