I'll Never Go Camping Without This Backpack That Can Charge My Phone 18 Times
This solar-rechargeable power station is also a backpack that can carry my camping essentials. I was able to charge my laptop six to nine times, my phone 18 times and my drone five times in one charge cycle.
The Bluetti Handfree 2 backpack costs $599 at full price, but it is often on sale for $450.
It's heavy. It weighs 16.5 pounds by itself before adding other gear.
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 backpack, which is also a solar-rechargeable power station, is my new outdoor essential. This portable powerhouse lets me keep all my favorite electronics fully charged, even when I'm deep in the wilderness.
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 is named CNET's best power station for camping because it's the only one -- out of hundreds we tested -- that is combined into a backpack. It can be fully-charged using solar panels or traditional wall charging. The battery pack fits into the rear pocket of a large camping/hiking backpack, with plenty of space left in the main compartment for all my other camping essentials, even food, clothes, gear or all the devices I'll be powering with the capacious battery.
This latest iteration of Bluetti's portable power station isn't just for glampers like me. It's great for anyone who wants to truly work remotely or whose job takes them well off the grid. It enables the use of a huge variety of powered equipment without having to haul around a massive, traditional power station or generator. It can also be a huge boon for anyone working in emergency services, where portable backup power can be a (literal) lifesaver.
My experience with the Bluetti Handsfree 2 backpack
The backpack can hold 66 pounds when fully loaded, but it weighs 16.5 pounds on its own.
Alan Bradley/CNET
I spent several days using the Bluetti Handsfree 2 to evaluate how well it kept me connected while glamping. I took it out on the hiking trail with me for several hours and tested it with several devices and accessories.
The heart of Bluetti's backpack power station is a portable battery unit, boasting an impressive 512Wh of power storage and a maximum output of 700W. The battery fits snugly inside the rear compartment of a large, 60-liter blue backpack festooned with hoops, straps and buckles. It's not the most attractive thing, but it works.
The 512Wh battery's lifespan depends entirely on how you use it or which devices you charge with it. For instance, I was able to completely refill a laptop battery six to nine times, a phone 18 times and a large drone five times. It could also continuously power a 10W LED light bulb for more than 40 hours without needing to be recharged.
The power station can pair with a solar panel (not included) to let you charge off-grid.
Alan Bradley/CNET
There's plenty of space to hang accessories, everything from camera gear to blankets or a tent. The shoulder straps include buckles to allow you to mount a GoPro or other action camera to help capture your wilderness adventures. The main compartment also has removable dividers that allow you to divide the internal space however you like or leave it as one large chamber.
The Handsfree 2 offers five outputs, all of which can be used simultaneously. There's an AC output (up to 700W) for devices with a standard electrical cord, as well as two USB-C ports (100W each) and two USB-A ports (rated at 15W output each).
It has enough output to power a mini-fridge to keep my favorite adult beverages icy cold, even without access to ice, and get some air circulating through my tent on hot desert nights with a full-size box fan.
The power station comes with a convenient handle and fits in the backpack with other items.
Alan Bradley/CNET
There's an AC input and a DC/PV input to charge the battery. I plugged in a standard AC cord and got a complete charge in about an hour and 20 minutes. You can also charge it via your car. It took me almost six hours with a 12V charger or slightly over three hours with a 24V charger.
The headline charging option is solar. While the Handsfree 2 doesn't come with a solar panel by default, you can get a 100W or 60W solar panel as a bundle or pick up a standalone portable solar panel ranging from 60W to 350W. At the 350W level, Bluetti says you can fully charge the battery in two hours, while on the lower end, the 60W panel would take around six hours to fill the battery from empty.
Weight and durability
The 60-liter backpack may look spacious, but the portable power station inside takes up a significant amount of space.
Alan Bradley/CNET
With the battery loaded, the Handsfree 2 weighs about 16.5 pounds. If you add significant weight with your own gear, and especially if you're carrying a tent, water bottles and other accessories on the exterior of the pack, it can get pretty heavy quickly. Bluetti says the Handsfree 2 can support over 66 pounds of load total due to its reinforced back and bottom panels. If you plan to do a lot of hiking, you may want to limit the weight of other gear you load into the Bluetti.
The battery pack itself is a solid, dense brick in gunmetal gray, weighing around 15 pounds. While it's not exactly lightweight, it is lighter than other power solutions approaching its 512Wh capacity, and the way it fits into the backpack makes it balanced enough to carry with relative ease (at least for short distances).
While not fully waterproof, the Handsfree 2 is water-resistant. It includes several features to keep your gear (and the battery) safe from rain, including waterproof zippers and a rain cover, and the backpack is made from splash-resistant fabric.
Inside the backpack are compartments with removable dividers, letting you store camera accessories and attachments.
Alan Bradley/CNET
The specs
Battery Capacity: 512Wh LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery
512Wh LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery Output Power: 700W (AC output)
700W (AC output) Output Ports: 1 x AC outlet (700W max) 2 x USB-C ports (100W each) 2 x USB-A ports (15W each)
Input Charging Options: AC Charging: Up to 600W max, fully charged in approximately 1.3 hours. Solar Charging: Up to 350W max, fully charges in approximately 2 hours with a 350W panel. Car Charging: Approximately 5.8 hours (12V) or 3.1 hours (24V).
Dimensions: 12 inches (L) x 4.1 inches (W) x 15.2 inches (D)
12 inches (L) x 4.1 inches (W) x 15.2 inches (D) Weight: Approximately 16.5 pounds (with battery loaded)
Approximately 16.5 pounds (with battery loaded) Backpack Capacity: 60L
60L Backpack Load-Bearing Capacity: Up to 66 pounds
Up to 66 pounds Water Resistance: Splash-resistant fabric, waterproof zippers, includes a rain cover. Not fully waterproof.
Splash-resistant fabric, waterproof zippers, includes a rain cover. Not fully waterproof. Additional Features: Pass-through charging UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) mode Bluetooth app control Built-in screen display for power usage and remaining charge MOLLE-compatible backpack with external attachment points and removable internal dividers 5-year warranty
CNET's buying advice
The power station that's included with the Handsfree 2 is capable of charging your phone up to 18 times.
CNET
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 is a great backpack and portable power station combo for campers, hikers and photographers. Not only was I able to charge things like a phone or laptop quickly and easily (and even simultaneously), the Handsfree 2 also let me power some real luxury accessories.
If the price tag is too steep but you need power on the go, you can consider a regular power bank like the InfinityLab InstaGo or Anker PowerCore for around $45. Keep in mind, though, that these portable power banks are only good for charging a phone once or twice.
While technically portable, power stations have a more powering capabilities than portable power banks, but most are too heavy to lug around when hiking. Portable power stations are meant for campsites and RVs. They sometimes have wheels and can be lifted, but they are not seriously portable like the Bluetti Handfree 2, which can simply be carried with you no matter how rough the terrain is.
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