• Bluetti has revealed a truly portable power station in the Handsfree series.
• This battery powered backpacks are designed for photographers, professionals and adventurers who find themselves outside often.
• The LiFePO4 batteries feature a IP65 water resistance rating.

These days, most modern backup power supplies are portable in the sense that you can pick them up and move them without a fuss. However, Bluetti has launched a new solution that really is portable, because it’s contained in a backpack.

The Bluetti Handsfree series is a range of backpacks that contain LiPO4 batteries which can be charged from mains or a solar panel. Yes, the solar panel can be carried on your back as well.

There are two models in the range, the Handsfree 1 and the Handsfree 2. The Handsfree 1 comes with a 42L BluePack1 backpack and the power station has 268Wh of capacity and a 300W max output from its LiFePO4 battery. The Handsfree 2 includes a 60L BluePack 2 with a 512Wh battery and 700W output. As this product is designed for outdoorsy types there are plenty of storage compartments around the bag including hooks and mounts for carrying cameras, drones and camping equipment.

Bluetti says that its ErgoBLUE support system helps evenly distribute the weight. With the battery and the backpack, the Handsfree 1 weighs in at 5kg and the Handsfree 2 at 7.5kg. The company says that the packs can support up to 30kg of weight.

The batteries also have five outlets including AC, USB Type C and USB Type A ports.

“The Handsfree series uses long-lasting automotive-grade lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, providing over 4,000 charging cycles and lasting up to 10 years. These batteries perform safely in temperatures from -4°F to 104°F [-20°C – 40°C]. Moreover, BLUETTI’s BLUETOPUS AI-BMS ensures protection against overcharging, overvoltage, and other hazards. The IP65 water resistance rating guarantees the system stays safe in harsh weather conditions,” the manufacturer said in a statement.

Pricing starts at $299 for the Handsfree 1 but a 120W solar panel can be bundled with the backpack for $499. The Handsfree 2 starts at $399 but with a 120W solar panel it goes up to $599.

The company says this backpack is for photographers and other professionals as well as the adventurous sort who don’t want to stop making content for the ‘Gram just because they’re in the boonies. For context, a Handsfree 2 with a solar panel (that weighs 5.7kg) will have you carrying 13.2kg before you’ve even packed your supplies and equipment.

While a number of Bluetti products are available locally we doubt this backpack will arrive here. It’s a bit too specialised even if being outdoors is a very South African trait. With that having been said, if we spot the Handsfree series locally we’ll be sure to let you know.