Backpack Power Stations

Carrying power on your back is a different job from lugging a handled box. If you hike, shoot video on location or work in the field, weight placement and free hands matter as much as capacity. This page helps you decide whether a backpack power station suits you, and which style of kit fits.

Power station only, the lightest way in

The simplest option is the Handsfree 1 power station on its own, with no panel in the box. It suits people who recharge from a wall or a car before they leave and just want a pack that carries power for a day out. If your trips are short and you return to a socket each night, this keeps cost and weight down. Charging on the trail is not part of the deal, so plan your use around one full charge.

The BluePack listings look like the entry point for each generation. They are priced low, and the names suggest the pack side of the system rather than a full kit. Read the listing closely before ordering, so you know exactly what arrives.

Handsfree 1 with a solar panel

Add a panel and the pack becomes something you can top up away from the grid. The Handsfree 1 comes bundled with a 60W or 100W panel, and the SP100L bundle pairs it with a 100W panel. A bigger panel generally gathers sunlight faster, but it is also more to unfold and carry. This style suits multi-day hikes, camp-based filming and fieldwork where you stay put long enough to set a panel in the sun.

The SP100L bundle is another route to the same idea, if you prefer that panel.

Handsfree 1 as a complete pack

The plain Handsfree 1 listing is the middle ground: the full backpack power station without the extras. It suits someone who already owns a panel, or who will add one later. Buying it this way lets you decide on solar after a few outings, once you know how much power you really use.

Handsfree 2, the newer generation

The Handsfree 2 is the second generation of the backpack line. Several listings carry the same name at different price points, so check the product page for what each includes before you compare. This is the one to look at if you want the newer model and are happy to spend more than on the first.

Handsfree 2 with a solar panel

The Handsfree 2 also comes bundled with a panel: the SP100L, or the PV60L. As with the first generation, the choice is between a larger panel that gathers more and a smaller one that is easier to carry. These kits suit longer trips, remote shoots and anyone who wants the newer pack and the means to recharge it outdoors.

How to choose

• Trip length. One night or a day shoot can run on a single charge. Longer trips point to a panel.
• Panel size. The names show 60W and 100W options. Bigger collects more but adds bulk to your load.
• Generation. Handsfree 1 and Handsfree 2 are separate models. Check the listing for what each offers.
• What is in the box. Several names repeat. Confirm whether the panel is included before you buy.
• Your devices. Add up the watts of what you will charge, and compare with the specifications on the product page.

Questions people ask

Is a backpack better than a handled power station?

For walking any distance, usually yes, because the weight sits on your back and your hands stay free. For a car camp or a home backup, a handled box is often simpler.

Do I need a solar panel?

Only if you cannot recharge before or between outings. Short trips often do fine without one.

Can I add a panel later?

Some listings sell the pack alone and others bundle a panel. Check compatibility on the product page and in the manual.

Which should I pick, Handsfree 1 or 2?

Start with your trip length and what you need to power. Then compare the two listings and choose the one that covers it.