CNET’s key takeaways
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.
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