CNET’s key takeaways
- This solar-rechargeable energy station can be a backpack that may carry my tenting necessities. I used to be capable of cost my laptop computer six to 9 occasions, my cellphone 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 usually on sale for $450.
- It is heavy. It weighs 16.5 kilos by itself earlier than including different gear.
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 backpack, which can be a solar-rechargeable energy station, is my new out of doors important. This moveable powerhouse lets me maintain all my favourite electronics absolutely charged, even once I’m deep within the wilderness.
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 is called CNET’s best power station for camping as a result of it is the one one — out of a whole bunch we examined — that’s mixed right into a backpack. It may be fully-charged utilizing solar panels or conventional wall charging. The battery pack matches into the rear pocket of a giant tenting/mountaineering backpack, with loads of area left in the principle compartment for all my different tenting necessities, even meals, garments, gear or all of the units I’ll be powering with the capacious battery.
This newest iteration of Bluetti’s moveable energy station isn’t only for glampers like me. It’s nice for anybody who needs to really work remotely or whose job takes them nicely off the grid. It allows the usage of an enormous number of powered tools 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 is usually a (literal) lifesaver.
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My expertise with the Bluetti Handsfree 2 backpack
The backpack can maintain 66 kilos when absolutely loaded, nevertheless it weighs 16.5 kilos by itself.
I spent a number of days utilizing the Bluetti Handsfree 2 to guage how nicely it saved me related whereas glamping. I took it out on the mountaineering path with me for a number of hours and examined it with a number of units and equipment.
The center of Bluetti’s backpack energy station is a conveyable battery unit, boasting a formidable 512Wh of energy storage and a most output of 700W. The battery matches snugly contained in the rear compartment of a giant, 60-liter blue backpack festooned with hoops, straps and buckles. It’s not probably the most engaging factor, nevertheless it works.
The 512Wh battery’s lifespan relies upon fully on how you employ it or which units you cost with it. For example, I used to be capable of utterly refill a laptop battery six to 9 occasions, a phone 18 occasions and a big drone 5 occasions. It might additionally constantly energy a 10W LED mild bulb for greater than 40 hours with no need to be recharged.
The ability station can pair with a photo voltaic panel (not included) to allow you to cost off-grid.
There’s loads of area to hold equipment, all the pieces from digicam gear to blankets or a tent. The shoulder straps embody buckles to permit you to mount a GoPro or different action camera to assist seize your wilderness adventures. The primary compartment additionally has detachable dividers that permit you to divide the interior area nonetheless you want or depart it as one massive chamber.
The Handsfree 2 affords 5 outputs, all of which can be utilized concurrently. There’s an AC output (as much as 700W) for units with a regular electrical twine, 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 way of my tent on sizzling desert nights with a full-size field fan.
The ability station comes with a handy deal with and matches within the backpack with different gadgets.
There’s an AC enter and a DC/PV enter to cost the battery. I plugged in a regular AC twine and obtained a whole cost in about an hour and 20 minutes. You can even cost it through your automotive. It took me nearly six hours with a 12V charger or barely over three hours with a 24V charger.
The headline charging choice is photo voltaic. Whereas the Handsfree 2 doesn’t include a photo voltaic panel by default, you will get a 100W or 60W photo voltaic panel as a bundle or decide up a standalone moveable photo voltaic panel starting from 60W to 350W. On the 350W level, Bluetti says you possibly can 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
The 60-liter backpack could look spacious, however the moveable energy station inside takes up a big quantity of area.
With the battery loaded, the Handsfree 2 weighs about 16.5 kilos. If you happen to add vital weight with your individual gear, and particularly in the event you’re carrying a tent, water bottles and different equipment on the outside of the pack, it might probably get fairly heavy rapidly. Bluetti says the Handsfree 2 can assist over 66 kilos of load complete attributable to its strengthened again and backside panels. If you happen to plan to do numerous mountaineering, it’s possible 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’s not precisely light-weight, it’s lighter than different energy options approaching its 512Wh capability, and the way in which it matches into the backpack makes it balanced sufficient to hold with relative ease (not less than for brief distances).
Whereas not absolutely waterproof, the Handsfree 2 is waterproof. It contains a number of options to maintain your gear (and the battery) secure from rain, together with waterproof zippers and a rain cowl, and the backpack is made out of splash-resistant cloth.
Contained in the backpack are compartments with detachable dividers, letting you retailer digicam equipment and attachments.
The specs
- Battery Capability: 512Wh LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery
- Output Energy: 700W (AC output)
- 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.
- Automobile Charging: Roughly 5.8 hours (12V) or 3.1 hours (24V).
- 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 cloth, waterproof zippers, features a rain cowl. Not absolutely waterproof.
- 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 ability station that is included with the Handsfree 2 is able to charging your cellphone as much as 18 occasions.
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 is a good backpack and moveable energy station combo for campers, hikers and photographers. Not solely was I capable of cost issues like a cellphone or laptop computer rapidly 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 possibly can take into account a regular power bank just like the InfinityLab InstaGo or Anker PowerCore for round $45. Take into accout, although, that these moveable energy banks are solely good for charging a cellphone 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 mountaineering. Moveable energy stations are meant for campsites and RVs. They often have wheels and may be lifted, however they aren’t significantly moveable just like the Bluetti Handfree 2, which may merely be carried with you irrespective of how tough the terrain is.
