CNET’s key takeaways 

• This  solar-rechargeable energy station can be a backpack that may carry my tenting necessities. I used to be in a position to cost my laptop computer six to 9 occasions, my telephone 18 occasions and my drone 5 occasions in a single cost cycle. 
• The Bluetti Handfree 2 backpack prices $599 at full value, however it’s typically on sale for $450. 
• It is heavy. It weighs 16.5 kilos by itself earlier than including different gear. 

Deep within the wilderness, you do not have many choices for charging your gadgets, a few of that are security necessities, particularly for the informal camper. That is all modified with the invention of solar-powered charging stations. Bluetti’s Hansdfree 2 places the facility of a photo voltaic charger right into a extremely practical tenting backpack, making it probably the greatest tenting gear innovations because the tent and sleeping bag. 

We have examined dozens of moveable energy stations however the Bluetti Handsfree 2 is  the one one which’s constructed right into a backpack. It may be fully-charged utilizing solar panels or conventional wall charging. The battery pack suits into the rear pocket of a big tenting/climbing backpack, with loads of area left in the primary compartment for all my different tenting necessities, even meals, garments, gear or all of the gadgets I will be powering with the capacious battery.

All this makes the modern piece of substances a simple choose for CNET’s best power station for camping in 2025.

This newest iteration of Bluetti’s moveable energy station is not only for glampers like me. It is nice for anybody who needs to really work remotely or whose job takes them nicely off the grid. It allows using an enormous number of powered gear with out having to haul round a large, conventional energy station or generator. It may also be an enormous boon for anybody working in emergency services, the place moveable backup energy could be a (literal) lifesaver. 

My expertise with the Bluetti Handsfree 2 backpack

I spent a number of days utilizing the Bluetti Handsfree 2 to guage how nicely it stored me linked whereas glamping. I took it out on the climbing path with me for a number of hours and examined it with a number of gadgets and equipment. 

The guts of Bluetti’s backpack energy station is a conveyable battery unit, boasting a powerful 512Wh of energy storage and a most output of 700W. The battery suits snugly contained in the rear compartment of a big, 60-liter blue backpack festooned with hoops, straps and buckles. It is not probably the most engaging factor, but it surely works. 

The 512Wh battery’s lifespan relies upon solely on how you employ it or which gadgets you cost with it. As an illustration, I used to be in a position to fully refill a laptop battery six to 9 occasions, a phone 18 occasions and a big drone 5 occasions. It may additionally constantly energy a 10W LED gentle bulb for greater than 40 hours without having to be recharged.

There’s loads of area to hold equipment, the whole lot from digicam gear to blankets or a tent. The shoulder straps embody buckles to assist you to mount a GoPro or different action camera to assist seize your wilderness adventures. The primary compartment additionally has detachable dividers that assist you to divide the interior area nevertheless you want or go away it as one giant chamber.

The Handsfree 2 provides 5 outputs, all of which can be utilized concurrently. There’s an AC output (as much as 700W) for gadgets with an ordinary electrical wire, in addition to two USB-C ports (100W every) and two USB-A ports (rated at 15W output every). 

It has sufficient output to energy a mini-fridge to maintain my favourite grownup drinks icy chilly, even with out entry to ice, and get some air circulating by means of my tent on scorching desert nights with a full-size field fan. 

There’s an AC enter and a DC/PV enter to cost the battery. I plugged in an ordinary AC wire and acquired a whole cost in about an hour and 20 minutes. You too can cost it by way of your automotive. It took me virtually six hours with a 12V charger or barely over three hours with a 24V charger. 

The headline charging possibility is photo voltaic. Whereas the Handsfree 2 does not include a photo voltaic panel by default, you may get a 100W or 60W photo voltaic panel as a bundle or choose up a standalone moveable photo voltaic panel starting from 60W to 350W. On the 350W level, Bluetti says you may absolutely cost the battery in two hours, whereas on the decrease finish, the 60W panel would take round six hours to fill the battery from empty.

Weight and sturdiness

With the battery loaded, the Handsfree 2 weighs about 16.5 kilos. In case you add important weight with your individual gear, and particularly when you’re carrying a tent, water bottles and different equipment on the outside of the pack, it could get fairly heavy shortly. Bluetti says the Handsfree 2 can help over 66 kilos of load complete attributable to its strengthened again and backside panels. In case you plan to do a whole lot of climbing, chances are you’ll need to restrict the load of different gear you load into the Bluetti.

The battery pack itself is a stable, dense brick in gunmetal grey, weighing round 15 kilos. Whereas it isn’t precisely light-weight, it’s lighter than different energy options approaching its 512Wh capability, and the way in which it suits into the backpack makes it balanced sufficient to hold with relative ease (at the least for brief distances). 

Whereas not absolutely waterproof, the Handsfree 2 is water resistant. It consists of a number of options to maintain your gear (and the battery) protected from rain, together with waterproof zippers and a rain cowl, and the backpack is constituted of splash-resistant material.

The specs

• Battery Capability: 512Wh LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery
• Output Energy: 700W (AC output)
• Dimensions: 12 inches (L) x 4.1 inches (W) x 15.2 inches (D)
• Weight: Roughly 16.5 kilos (with battery loaded)
• Backpack Capability: 60L
• Backpack Load-Bearing Capability: As much as 66 kilos 
• Water Resistance: Splash-resistant material, waterproof zippers, features a rain cowl. Not absolutely waterproof.
• Output Ports: 1 x AC outlet (700W max), 2 x USB-C ports (100W every), 2 x USB-A ports (15W every)
• Enter Charging Choices: AC Charging: As much as 600W max, absolutely charged in roughly 1.3 hours, Photo voltaic Charging: As much as 350W max, absolutely prices in roughly 2 hours with a 350W panel, Automotive Charging: Roughly 5.8 hours (12V) or 3.1 hours (24V).
• Further Options: Move-through charging, UPS (Uninterruptible Energy Provide) mode, Bluetooth app management, Constructed-in display show for energy utilization and remaining cost, MOLLE-compatible backpack with exterior attachment factors and detachable inside dividers, 5-year guarantee

CNET’s shopping for recommendation

The Bluetti Handsfree 2 is a good backpack and moveable energy station combo for campers, hikers and photographers. Not solely was I in a position to cost issues like a telephone or laptop computer shortly and simply (and even concurrently), the Handsfree 2 additionally let me energy some actual luxurious equipment.

If the value tag is simply too steep however you want energy on the go, you may think about a regular power bank just like the InfinityLab InstaGo or Anker PowerCore for round $45. Take into account, although, that these moveable energy banks are solely good for charging a telephone a few times. 

Whereas technically moveable, power stations have a extra powering capabilities than moveable energy banks, however most are too heavy to lug round when climbing. Transportable energy stations are meant for campsites and RVs. They often have wheels and could be lifted, however they don’t seem to be critically moveable just like the Bluetti Handfree 2, which may merely be carried with you irrespective of how tough the terrain is.