BLUETTI is well-known for its power stations and their ability to give you reliable power where there otherwise wouldn’t be any. Whether you are camping or using it for work in a remote area, these devices have delivered. The biggest challenge for anyone on the move, however, is lugging around a heavy power station when you are already lugging other things. BLUETTI’s solution to the most portable power helps you not only with carrying your power station but a whole lot more at the same time with the BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station.
Who is the BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station really for, though? Well, truthfully, a lot of people. It’s for travellers who want to step off the grid while keeping a toe or two still firmly on it with the ability to power their creature comforts. They are for people who need reliable power on the move because they are treating themselves to an adventure but need to stay connected. It is also largely for content creators, particularly those who overlap with the campers/adventurers of the world. You can accomplish a lot with the BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station and accomplish it in more places.
The BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station comes with the backpack and removable power station. The backpack has a compartment specifically for the power station with a side flap that can be unzipped for easy access to all of the station’s ports. The front of the backpack has three pockets for storing all sorts of small items as well as areas to clip items to the backpack with a carabiner.
On the front flap of the backpack when you open it up, you have a sleeve for a laptop or tablet. Inside the backpack is a deep pocket that can be your clothing storage if you are going somewhere for a night or two, then an additional pocket that comes with dividers to make this your ultimate camera bag, making for a complete mobile content creation studio.
The back of the BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station, where the power station is actually housed, has a hard flap that goes over the top of the power station to give you even more storage. It is a perfect place for all of the cables that you will need to power all of your gadgets, including the provided AC cable and solar charging cable. The sides of the backpack contain even more storage, including pockets for a water bottle and a small tripod, as well as extra straps on the bottom for a sleeping bag, larger tripod or anything else that you may need to carry outside of the bag.
The power station on the BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack includes two 100W USB-C ports and two 15W (combined) USB-A ports, as well as an AC plug that can handle up to 700W of output. The battery can hold up to 512 Wh (or 20Ah) of storage, which can charge a drone like the DJI Mavic 3 up to five times, a laptop seven times, a phone approximately 18 times and a camera up to 23 times. Add to this the fact that you can be charging spare batteries for your devices, and you can venture away from home base with a smaller setup while maintaining the confidence that you have the power you need to get the job done.
“What’s most impressive about the BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station is simply the possibilities a device like this presents to you.”
One thing I am really missing on the Handsfree 2 is a car charging port for items like air compressors to give you even more flexibility with your power. I could also do with a couple of extra USB-A ports to maximize what you can charge at one time. Sure, toting a car charger to an AC adapter and USB hub that can plug into the AC or USB-C ports could solve that problem for you, but the less you need to stuff in the bag, the happier you will be in the end.
Getting the power station in and out of the backpack is easy, thanks to the built-in handle, so you can simply pull it out after raising the flap covering it. The ease of removal aside, it isn’t always necessary. The flaps on the backpack don’t only give you access to the ports to charge your devices but also the ports to charge the power station. Charging via your AC cable can get you to 80% in 45 minutes, and charging via a 350W solar panel can charge you to full capacity in 2 hours—and yes, BLUETTI makes a solar charging panel that clips to the back of this backpack so you can charge on the move. Charging from your car can fill the power station in just over 3 hours at 24V.
Now, we need to discuss the elephant in the room. Power stations are heavy. Is it really a good idea to haul one that is 16.5 pounds (without any additional gear) on your back?
The answer is yes.
The BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station’s ability to make carrying your power on your back a good idea lives in the design of the backpack. The backpack has exceptional load distribution. As someone with a bad back, bad knees and bad lifestyle choices, a heavy backpack could kick the crap out of me on a long walk. The way this backpack sits on your back and straps around you make the backpack a part of you and makes it so easy to move around.
“The BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station’s ability to make carrying your power on your back a good idea lives in the design of the backpack. “
I was able to wear it for long periods of time with no fatigue. My wife also took it on a longer hike into the woods and had no issues maneuvering around with it on. The straps and back are also built with a mesh material that is incredibly breathable and keeps you from getting too hot with the backpack on for long periods. While the power station doesn’t get very hot when in use, the padding and mesh on the back also keep you insulated from it anyway.
What’s most impressive about the BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station is simply the possibilities a device like this presents to you. I never put much thought into going on location for a shoot outside of a place where I knew I could have everything powered/charging and within my reach. So, making content on the move wasn’t on my radar. When this was presented to me, however, I started to think of shoots that I could do while camping, including doing a whole podcast, complete with my gear from home. The BLUETTI Handsfree 2 simply opens up your world.
With an MSRP of $599 USD on their website, the BLUETTI Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Station is a pricey investment for power on the go but is a mere drop in the hat compared to most power stations you will find on the market. The Handsfree 2 also offers you a level of portability in the form of a well-built backpack and convenience with the ability to carry everything in one place.
Anyone who is looking to expand their horizons while maintaining sustained access to anything they need will find this to be an investment worth making. And for those who love the outdoors and have never made content but want to share their adventures with the world, this could be a vital tool to get that done.
- [All-in-One Backpack Power Station] – Integrated with 512Wh power station and 60L outdoor backpack, this backpack solar power system handsfreely juices your phone, camera, and camping gear on the go.
- [Ideal Drone Backpack for Photographers] – Handsfree 2 has a 700W AC outlet, 2 USB-C, and 2 USB-A to charge 5 devices at once. A dedicated compartment stores all your photography gear neatly.
