Review: CTEK CS FREE & Solar Panel
Ever had that sinking feeling when your car battery decides it’s on holiday without telling you, the sad and demoralising sound of tick, tick, tick, blur then silence, and a few flickering dash lights is enough to ruin your day.

Enter the CTEK CS FREE and its nifty solar panel.

First of all, the CS FREE - what is it?
In a nutshell, the CTEK CS FREE is a portable battery charger, power bank, and smart maintainer all rolled into one.

Let’s begin with what CTEK calls an Adaptive Boost system. Instead of sending a brute-force jolt of power to your flat battery (as typical jump starters do), it gives your battery a gentle nudge back to life. Think of it as a supportive friend offering a hand, rather than a shove. Basically, Adaptive Boost analyses the power left in the battery and then delivers the correct amount of charge in a safe and secure way. This means you avoid the risk of frying sensitive electronics in your car - a genuine concern with older, more aggressive chargers on newer vehicles with many sensitive ECUs.

Using the CS FREE as a battery maintainer.
This is CTEK’s bread and butter. Simply attach it to your battery and plug the CS FREE into a wall socket in the garage or on the drive, and let it do it’s thing.

But wait, it has another trick up its sleeve.
If you suspect that your battery won’t cope well during a cold night or freezing day whilst at work, you can attach the CS FREE to your battery, without plugging it into a wall socket, close the bonnet and it will maintain the car battery using its internal battery.  How long the CS FREE will last depends on how much life is in your battery.

Other benefits include additional USB-A and C ports so you can charge your phone, etc. And, when fully charged, the CS FREE will hold charge for up to a year, and has a life span of 300 cycles.

Solar Power: An Off-Grid Dream?
Now, pair the CS FREE with its dedicated solar panel, and you’re stepping into off-grid charging heaven. The panel folds up neatly, ready to be stashed in your boot, and can trickle charge your battery wherever the sun shines. In the age of eco-consciousness, it’s a small but satisfying win to know you’re tapping into renewable energy and not paying shareholders for electricity to keep your vehicle running.

Made from super tough fibreglass it’s waterproof and durable, and once unfolded connects to your CS FREE in seconds, and, the carry case doubles as a stand.

You now have two options: let the sun recharge your CS FREE, or connect the CS FREE to your vehicle's battery to trickle charge that.

The Solar Panel Charge Kit features intelligent and efficient silicon cells with a specially developed safety box so the kit delivers exactly the right amount of power to protect your battery and devices from excess voltage.

If your CS FREE is totally drained, on a sunny day I’m told it can take around an hour to fully charge using solar.

Faults and Drawbacks?

My only real issue is that the CS FREE doesn’t come with a carry case, which is a nuisance as it comes with an array of cables and plugs, some of which I’ve already manage to misplace whilst camping. That said, I think one is available at an extra cost.

On the subject of cost, the price could be seen as the main sticking point. The CS FREE isn’t the cheapest option on the market, particularly when you add the solar panel into the mix. But, as with many things, you get what you pay for. The convenience, portability, and techy features do offer value, especially for regular outdoor enthusiasts.

If you need an immediate jump start in freezing conditions and you’re late for work, a traditional pack might be quicker and a better option for you. The CS FREE can take around 15 minutes to assess and start the adaptive boost, which can feel like an eternity when you’re in a rush.

Conclusion

So, is the CTEK CS FREE with solar panel worth it? I’d say so yes. That said, if you never venture from the beaten track and only use your car for the commute, or shopping, then probably not, as I mentioned, there are cheaper alternatives available.

However, if you often find yourself car camping in the middle of nowhere, or in a camper van, then it’s a great addition to your kit. Also, if you park on the street you can attach your CS FREE to your battery, without mains, and it will maintain and charge your battery - dependant on certain factors, obviously.  Charging your vehicle’s battery without needing to plug it into the mains, for me at least, is a huge bonus.

Your CS FREE also comes with a 2-year warranty.

Link - CS Free
Price - £179.00
Link: Solar Panel Charge Kit
Price - £199.00