We recently handed the BLUETTI Handsfree 1 solar backpack to a friend of ours—a professional outdoor photographer—to see if it’s actually useful in the field or just a gimmicky gadget bag. After a weekend of camping with drones, cameras, and a laptop in tow, here’s what stood out.
First impressions: the backpack is big—60L big (it won’t fit as your carry on for air travel). It looks like a serious hiking pack and feels sturdy without being overly heavy. Our friend packed it with a drone, mirrorless camera, extra lenses, a laptop, and the usual outdoor gear, and still had space to spare. Despite the load, the bag stayed comfortable thanks to padded straps and good weight distribution.
But the standout feature is the built-in power station—and it delivered. Over the weekend, our friend was able to charge a phone, camera, drone, GoPro, and even a laptop—all while moving around the campsite. The ports (2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, and one AC outlet) are placed smartly so you don’t need to open the bag to charge.
We didn’t test it with solar panels, but they can be strapped to the back—handy for longer off-grid trips. The foldable panel design means they won’t get in the way when not in use.
One of the best little features: side-access power ports. Our friend could plug in a camera battery mid-shoot without unpacking anything—a small but very practical detail.
As for weather, the bag handled light rain with no problem. It’s not fully waterproof, but the splash-resistant fabric and zippers kept everything dry. There’s a rain cover stored in the bottom just in case things get worse.
At home, the pack’s power bank charges fast—0 to 80% in under 45 minutes, which is great if you’re heading out in a rush.
At $399 CAD (on sale for Prime Day! regular price $699 CAD), it’s not cheap. But for people who work or travel off-grid with gear that needs regular charging, this backpack actually makes sense. It’s more than a bag—it’s a mobile power station.
The BLUETTI Handsfree 1 is more than a clever idea—it’s genuinely useful for creators, photographers, and remote workers who need to stay powered in the wild.
Thanks to BLUETTI for sponsoring iPhone in Canada during Prime Day week.
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