Coupled with the included backpack, Bluetti’s Handsfree 2 is the most portable power supply I’ve had the pleasure of traveling with. It doesn’t sacrifice essentials for the sake of convenience, though an additional AC outlet would expand its usability.
Bluetti Handsfree 2 Power Station
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 is a fantastic companion for hikers and campers, its 700W AC output and multiple USB delivering enough power to keep small devices, drones, and even the odd camping appliance charged and ready to go. The durable 60L backpack keeps everything neat and in place, ensuring easy transport for a surprisingly sizable system that would otherwise be a chore to carry.
- Very lightweight and easy to carry
- More than enough compartments
- Fast-charging with solar panel clip on the backpack
- Good power supply for small devices and gadgets
- One AC output is limiting
- Waterproofing could use some work
- Option for a smaller backpack would be nice
- 700W isn’t quite enough for power-hungry camping appliances
Price and Availability
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 and 60L backpack are available as a bundle for $599 on the official Bluetti website. The power station is also available with a 60W or 100W solar panel for $699 or $799, respectively.
Putting the “Portable” in Portable Power Station
Many of the Bluetti power stations I’ve reviewed, like the AC200L and AC300 and B300K combo, all stretch the definition of “portable.” Take the AC200L, for example. At just over 62 lbs, it’s not a unit I want to lug everywhere, but it is a standalone power station that I can take camping so long as I have an RV or a big enough car. That’s one of the things that really drew me to the Handsfree 2. It is fully portable, and not just because it comes with its own vessel, which I’ll touch on shortly.
The power station is a very manageable 12 x 4.1 x 15.2 in and only 16.5 lbs. For reference, that’s about the same weight as a 6-month old baby or one of the heaviest bowling balls at your local alley. While those are awkward to carry, Bluetti added a molded handle so the unit can be easily picked up if you’re on the go.
Speaking of on-the-go, the Handsfree 2 ships with what I felt was the coolest feature of this release, surpassing even Bluetti’s typical power station quality.
A Backpacker’s Dream
Having cut down the size of its portable power station, Bluetti had the opportunity to turn the Handsfree 2 into the ultimate camping and backpacking device. The dual USB-C and USB-A ports and 700W AC outlet really hone in that this isn’t the typical at-home emergency backup device but instead a transportable unit ideal for keeping small electronics like drones, wearables, phones, and cameras powered and operational when you’re far from civilization.
Driving the point home even more, though, is the 60L backpack, complete with so much storage that, for days after receiving the pairing, I kept finding new pockets. If you’re not used to backpacking, which I am not, it’s going to feel incredibly cumbersome. The added weight of the power station, which has its own breathable storage compartment with a waterproof panel, was jarring at first. Then I started adding more and more, like a laptop, a 16 oz water bottle, some food, a jacket, and a few additional odds and ends. I was concerned with how heavy it felt at first, but it didn’t take long for my body to adjust, especially since Bluetti was wise enough to put the power station’s compartment right against the back so it wouldn’t throw off your balance. According to Bluetti, it’s capable of holding a 66lb load, and I know I was nowhere near that.
As much as I loved the storage, the clasps and zippers felt flimsy, and I fear after extensive use, they may start to wear down and break. That’s just speculation, though, as they did survive my trek into Red Rock Canyon without issue. Thankfully, the canvas was a higher quality material, and the waterproofing for the power station was clever, though not foolproof. Small slats in a rubber zippered panel allow you to use the power station even in the rain, but there is still an opportunity for water to trickle in, especially if it drips down the wire. Living in the desert, I wasn’t too concerned, but anyone hiking in the Pacific Northwest may want to keep this in mind.
One of the more intuitive features that I didn’t get to use (because I didn’t have a small solar panel) is the solar panel straps. Portable power stations don’t typically offer the opportunity to literally charge as you go. With the Handsfree 2, you can clip the panels onto the backpack, plug the panels into the station, and let the sun work its magic while you hike. Considering solar charging is much slower than AC charging, not having to remain stationary is far more efficient.
A Modest but Appropriate Power Supply
After reviewing so many of Bluetti’s heftier power stations, I got used to the higher wattage and larger-capacity batteries. Unless I was really pushing the station’s limits, I rarely ever needed that size, so the Handsfree 2’s 700W power output and 512Wh battery don’t seem shockingly low. If this were a home backup battery, sure, those numbers, specifically the 512Wh, wouldn’t get you far. Considering the Handsfree 2 is made for charging portable devices and gadgets like drones, I can’t see either being problematic in the long run.
In fact, my field experience and theoretical scenario calculations all pointed to the life of the LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery being more than enough for most scenarios. When I geared up for a desert hike, the Handsfree 2 was only going to have to keep my laptop and phone charged, which it did without issue. When actively charging, my laptop, an older Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5, hovered around an average of 100 watts. At that rate, the full 512Wh battery would last just over five hours, giving me at least one more full charge, as the Flex 5 takes about four hours to go from 0 to 100%.
Once you start breaking out electric stoves, corded lanterns, space heaters, and the like, you’ll find that the Handsfree 2 does have its limitations. Yes, its rated capacity and output should be enough for backpacking and light camping, especially if you have a solar panel, but if you’re looking to glamp or really break out the appliances, larger power stations (or multiple Handsfree 2s) will be needed.
One Port Too Short
As previously mentioned, the Handsfree 2 comes with two USB-A, two USB-C, and one 700W AC ports. There are more than enough USB inputs, but I do think the station would have benefited from a second AC outlet. If you wanted to charge a drone battery and a laptop at once, you’d have to wait for one to be done. In that instance, splitting two AC outlets at 350W each would be more efficient. I can’t think of a reason why a second outlet couldn’t be included in future Handsfree models, and I do think it’s something Bluetti should consider just to stretch the device’s usability.
Quick-Charging At Its Best
When you’re at home or have access to an AC outlet, the Handsfree 2 charges in a relative instant. Bluetti times it at about 1.3 hours for a full charge, and it definitely came close to that. I timed it a little closer to an hour and a half, which I’m not heartbroken about. Outside of before and after your outdoor expedition, though, chances are you won’t be using the AC input to keep the battery powered.
As with most Bluetti power stations, the Handsfree 2 supports solar charging. While I didn’t have a solar panel to gauge an accurate charge time, Bluetti states it’s about two hours with a 350W solar panel. That, of course, will vary based on sun positioning and panel angle. In my experience, solar panels fall short of their rated wattage, but even adding an extra hour of charge time wouldn’t be a terrible thing. Don’t forget, you don’t need to set up camp and let the Handsfree 2 charge. It clips into the backpack and can work while you move.
Should You Buy the Bluetti Handsfree 2?
Having had quite a lot of experience with Bluetti’s products, I am enthusiastic about the Handsfree 2. It takes the quality of the company’s larger stations and really fixates on the portability aspect. The weight and size of the Handsfree 2 make it one of the most portable options Bluetti offers, and I’m excited about some of the things I’ll be able to do with it. During warmer weather, I plan to escape to the quiet serenity of Mt. Charleston outside of Vegas to work on a few personal writing projects, completely free of Wi-Fi and life’s distractions.
For someone who’s into a more active lifestyle, the Handsfree 2 really opens up the possibilities. Extend the time you have with your drone in the middle of nowhere, keep your devices charged over multi-day excursions, and even use a lower-powered camping appliance without the need for a heftier portable power supply. This simple 16-lb unit and the accompanying 60L backpack make all of it possible in the most convenient way. Save for some very minor issues, there is little not to like about the Handsfree 2.
Bluetti Handsfree 2 Power Station
The Bluetti Handsfree 2 is a fantastic companion for hikers and campers, its 700W AC output and multiple USB delivering enough power to keep small devices, drones, and even the odd camping appliance charged and ready to go. The durable 60L backpack keeps everything neat and in place, ensuring easy transport for a surprisingly sizable system that would otherwise be a chore to carry.
