What’s better than a Sunday morning, a nice cup of coffee, and a beautiful sunrise? Watching the sunrise out of a tent with a great cup of coffee can lay the foundation for a successful outdoor adventure.
But there’s nothing worse than taking that first, much-anticipated sip of coffee, only to feel like spitting it out because it’s too bitter, or even worse, grainy. Do your coffee the right way with one of the best camping coffee makers.
The options below are durable, easy to use and pack, and most importantly, they make great coffee. Whether you’re looking for a pour-over coffee maker, French press, percolator, or a simple drip option, these are the best models for camping and backpacking.
The Best Camping Coffee Maker
Best coffee for backpacking: Starbucks Via
- Single-serve or bulk instant coffee
- Can mix hot, cold, or even into meals
- Saves time and weight
Specifications:
- Brand: Starbucks
- Weight: 9.91 Ounces
Pros
- Weighs almost nothing
- Takes up almost no space in a pack
- Instant
- No mess
- Affordable
- Easy to adjust the strength
Cons
- The coffee is OK, but not great
- Single-serve packages make waste
Ok, we know this is going to make the coffee snobs scoff. But we spend a whole lot of time in the backcountry with big miles to cover and sometimes you just need some hot coffee and caffeine to get going. And when weight matters, modern instant coffee is hard to beat. Shoot, you can even mix it directly into your oatmeal or drink it cold if you really need to hustle along. We dropped this in as the first choice for a reason: Many folks use it as a top choice. It’s also readily available at almost any grocery store and you can buy it either in individual packets or big tins. The tins are great and cost about $10 for 30 cups.
See the Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee on Amazon
See the Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee on Walmart
Best coffee grinder: VSSL Java Manual Hand Coffee Grinder
- Made from aircraft-grade aluminum
- 50 adjustable grind settings
- Stainless steel burrs
- Carabiner lid
Specifications:
- Brand: VSSL
- Model: 01-122-00
- Weight: 1.2lbs
Pros
- Great for top-notch coffee on camping trips
- Compact and easy to take anywhere
- Easy to use, quick grinding
- Durable
Cons
- Does not actually brew coffee
While this product doesn’t actively brew coffee, it’s still a popular option. The VSSL Java is a manual coffee grinder that is the perfect size to pair with a camping coffee maker or portable coffee station. Pop in coffee beans, set the desired consistency of your grind, and crank away. Our editor has used this for coffee, dried herbs, and grasses she has foraged. It has done a great job every time. The grind is fast and smooth and there’s never any catching.
This survival coffee maker is outfitted with stainless steel burrs and 50 unique grind settings for truly artisanal coffee. It’s also super-easy to pack thanks to its compact size and carabiner that allows you to clip it to your pack or anywhere else.
See the VSSL Java Manual Hand Coffee Grinder on Amazon
See the VSSL Java Manual Hand Coffee Grinder on VSSL
Best backpacking coffee maker: Sea To Summit X Brew Collapseable Drip Coffee Maker
- Silicone and nylon construction
- Removable stainless steel mesh filter
- Makes up to two cups of coffee
- Folds flat
Specifications:
- Brand: Sea to Summit
- Model: 101-32
- Weight: 0.12kg
Pros
- Pretty easy to clean
- Lightweight
- Compact
Cons
- Hard to make multiple cups of coffee
This is one of my absolute favorite camping coffee makers. Especially when space is at a premium, such as when backpacking, this coffee maker really shines. But I also use it as my go-to coffee maker in my van, where space also really matters. It’s made out of durable nylon and food-grade silicone and it collapses to pack flat.
This pour-over kit includes a stainless steel mesh filter that is easily removable (and re-insertable) for washing. To clean while camping, just rinse it out, although it is hard to get 100% clean while camping — I don’t mind a few leftover grounds. Even easier, just bring a paper filter and throw it away once you’re done brewing your morning coffee.
It fits on wide camping mugs and bottles and holds up to two cups of liquid. This is one of the best backpacking coffee makers on our list, but it works just as well for car camping or even just at home when you need a quick cup.
See the Sea To Summit X Brew Collapseable Drip Coffee Maker on Amazon
See the Sea To Summit X Brew Collapseable Drip Coffee Maker on Sea To Summit
See the Sea To Summit X Brew Collapseable Drip Coffee Maker on Dick’s Sporting Goods
Most durable coffee maker: Bialetti Venus 6-Cup Stainless Steel Espresso Maker
- Made of 18/10 polished stainless steel
- Ergonomic handle, lip-up top, and integrated spout
- Works with all stove types including gas, electric, and induction
- Makes 12oz of coffee
Specifications:
- Brand: Bialetti
- Model: 0007255
- Weight: 1.19lbs
Pros
- Brews fantastic coffee
- Durable, sleek design
- Suitable for all stove types
Cons
- Only one cup
- Bulkier than other options
Another one of my favorite coffee makers for camping, the Bialetti stovetop espresso maker is a classic.
My family always had one of these growing up, and when I left the house for college, I was given my own Bialetti as a gift. It wasn’t until years later that I realized how versatile it is for camping. Because it’s made out of three pieces of metal, it’s easy to clean. It isn’t the most packable, but it makes great coffee.
Because of its not-so-great packability, as well as only making one real cup of coffee (six espresso cups), I typically reach for one of my other camping coffee makers. But this great coffee maker still deserves a spot on this list.
The three-piece travel coffee maker includes space in the bottom to put water, a basket for the grounds, and an upper receptacle for the brewed coffee. Just fill it with water and grounds and put it on the stove on low heat until it starts to gurgle. Then enjoy a delicious cup of espresso with whatever add-ins you want.
See the Bialetti Venus 6-Cup Stainless Steel Espresso Maker on Amazon
See the Bialetti Venus 6-Cup Stainless Steel Espresso Maker on Walmart
Best camping percolator: Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator
- Makes up to 12 cups
- Made from stainless steel
- Corrosion-resistant
Specifications:
- Brand: Coleman
- Model: 2000016403
- Weight: 2.2lbs
Pros
- Makes lots of coffee for big groups
- Great tasting coffee
- Easy to clean all parts
Cons
- Challenging to use if you’ve never used a percolator
If you go camping with big groups of friends and family, you need to find a coffee maker that makes delicious coffee for everyone. This percolator from Coleman makes up to 12 cups of coffee — plenty for the whole crew. The stainless steel construction resists corrosion and is easy to clean.
To make coffee, you’ll need a coffee filter designed for a percolator or a normal coffee filter with a hole poked in it. Put water in the bottom of the percolator and then add in the base, tube, and basket with lid (all included). Add coffee to the basket on top of the filter (get your filter wet if it doesn’t want to stay down). Then put your coffee maker on a stove or campfire until it is boiling. Once boiling, lower the heat until it is done percolating. Enjoy perfectly brewed coffee in the great outdoors!
See the Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator on Amazon
See the Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator on Walmart
Best insulated coffee maker for one: Stanley Classic Travel Mug French Press
- Durable stainless steel press
- Vacuum insulated to keep drinks hot for four hours
- Leak-proof and packable design
- 16 oz capacity
Specifications:
- Brand: Stanley
- Model: 10-01855-013
- Weight: 1.2lbs
Pros
- Durable design that should last for years
- Doubles as a mug
- Keeps coffee warm
Cons
- Not the lightest coffee maker due to the double-wall insulation
If you love the taste of French-pressed coffee, then you will love this innovative, stylish coffee press from Stanley. The leak-proof design is ideal for campers, hikers, or daily commuters, and it will easily fit into a backpack. It’s perfect for a single cup of coffee and easy to use.
This mug is made from high-quality, durable, and rust-free stainless steel. It is also fully dishwasher safe. The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your coffee warm for hours. Just fill the mug with water and coffee, wait about 10 minutes, and then press with the included french press insert. Put the lid on, and caffeinate away!
See the Stanley Classic Travel Mug French Press on Amazon
See the Stanley Classic Travel Mug French Press on Walmart
See the Stanley Classic Travel Mug French Press on Stanley
Best camping espresso maker: Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
- Patented and easy-to-use pumping system
- Works with all your favorite coffee grinds
- Heatsink design protects hands and keeps liquids hot
- 80ml capacity
Specifications:
- Brand: Wacaco
- Model: 2724571317685
- Weight: 11.8oz
Pros
- Small and portable
- Makes great coffee
- No batteries needed
Cons
- Lots of parts that could get lost
If you love espresso, then you will love the Nanopresso system from Wacaco –- no batteries necessary. This manual espresso machine works with any type of ground coffee to bring you unparalleled fresh espresso flavor even when you’re not at the coffee shop.
The patented pumping system can create up to 18 bars of extraction pressure with the help of your hands. Use the included scoop to add the perfect amount of coffee to the filter basket and tamp it down using the bottom of the scoop. Screw on the top, add boiling water, unlock the piston to start pumping, and build up pressure to extract your espresso. You can drink as is or add milk or water for your favorite coffee drink! The Nanopresso also includes a detachable cup on the bottom of the machine.
See the Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker on Amazon
Best insulated french press: Stanley Stay-Hot French Press
- 18/8 stainless steel construction
- Double-wall insulated French press
- Stays hot for up to four hours
- 48 oz capacity
Specifications:
- Brand: Stanley
- Model: 10-02888-007
- Weight: 3lbs
Pros
- Ideal for large groups
- Coffee stays hot or cold for a long time
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
Need to brew coffee for multiple people but also want it to stay hot for the whole morning? We all know a french press makes great coffee without a lot of effort, but most glass french presses get cold really quickly. And if you’re camping in cooler temps, a hot cup of coffee is key for starting your day right. So brew up a pot of french press coffee in this insulated french press from Stanley and expect hot coffee for up to four hours.
The two layers of 18/8 stainless steel keep your coffee warm or make cold brew coffee and it’ll stay cold for up to nine hours. Just put water and ground coffee into the french press, wait about five minutes, and then press the coffee with the mesh plunger.
See the Stanley Stay-Hot French Press on Amazon
See the Stanley Stay-Hot French Press on REI
See the Stanley Stay-Hot French Press on Stanley
Best single cup coffee maker: Primula Single Serve Camping Coffee Makers
- Portable pour-over coffee
- Compact and lightweight
- Reusable fine mesh filter
- Coffee strength is determined by the rate you pour hot water
Specifications:
- Brand: Primula
- Model: PCBR-0146
- Weight: 1.6oz
Pros
- Lightweight and small
- Easy and quick to use
- Affordable
Cons
- Only one cup of coffee
If it’s just you and you want something simple and lightweight, this Primula Brew Buddy tea-strainer-style coffee maker might be the perfect option. It’s cheap and easy to stash in your backpack.
Just stick the Brew Buddy on top of your coffee mug, add grounds, and then add water to make your coffee in as little as thirty seconds. The extra fine mesh filter keeps grounds out of your cup. When you’re done, just dump out the grounds and rinse. It’s also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning when you get home from your camping trips.
See the Primula Single Serve Camping Coffee Maker on Amazon
See the Primula Single Serve Camping Coffee Maker on Walmart
Best ultralight coffee maker: GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip
- Ultralight pour-over coffee
- <0.5oz ultra-light design
- Sturdy and durable legs that clip onto a mug’s rim
- Nesting design for storage
Specifications:
- Brand: GSI Outdoors
- Model: 79480
- Weight: 6.4oz
Pros
- Light and small, very portable
- Budget-friendly
- Makes good strong black coffee
Cons
- Only makes one cup at a time
- Doesn’t sit super well on a thick-walled mug (like a chunky ceramic mug)
GSI is known for lightweight and compact outdoor gear and they bring that mindset to the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip coffee maker. The legs fold into the mesh filter, making it easy to pack. If you’re looking for something ultra-light, this might be the best camping coffee maker for you.
The plastic legs ensure stability by clipping onto your mug. The mesh filter allows your coffee to drip without the grounds getting through. Nothing ruins that last sip of coffee like grinds in the bottom!
Weighing less than half an ounce, the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip is easy to take wherever you go.
See the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip on Amazon
See the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip on Amazon on Backcountry
See the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip on REI
Best for large groups: Coleman Enamelware Percolator
- Crack-resistant coffee pot made of double-coated enamel
- Chip-proof and corrosion-resistant
- Extra-wide coffee percolator base for greater stability
- 14 cups capacity
Specifications:
- Brand: Coleman
- Model: 2000016405
- Weight: 2.4lbs
Pros
- Large capacity, perfect for bigger groups
- Makes excellent coffee
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Slightly challenging to learn how to use
If you’re looking to make coffee for a large group, this large camp coffee maker will do the trick. You can make up to 14 cups of great-tasting coffee while camping in this easy-to-use percolator. The double-coated enamel matches the old-school Coleman blue speckled cookware, so you can make a complete set.
This coffee maker comes with a wide base, tube, basket, and basket lid — everything you need. Just add ground coffee to the basket, water to the base, and set over a flame to brew quality coffee.
See the Coleman Enamelware Percolator on Amazon
See the Coleman Enamelware Percolator on Walmart
Best for K-Cups: Presto MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker
- Compatibility with K-Cups
- Portable, lightweight, compact design
- Comes with a refillable MyJo cup
- Compatible with standard-sized coffee and travel mugs
- Heat-resistant, anti-slip, easy-grip silicone handle
Specifications:
- Brand: Presto
- Model: 2835
- Weight: 14.1oz
Pros
- Small, easily portable
- Quick and easy to use
- Refillable MyJo cup included
Cons
- Not great if you don’t already use K-cups
This little coffee maker is a nifty tool to use at home or while car camping. If you’re an avid Keurig user at home, it might be easiest to bring a few pods out camping. And with the Presto MyJo, you can do just that. Or you can use the included refillable MyJo cup to add whatever ground coffee you’re in the mood for.
Add your K-Cup to the base and boiling water to the top and then use the plunger to slowly press hot water through your K-Cup pod. Within a minute, you’ll have a silky smooth brew, practically instant coffee.
See the Presto MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker on Amazon
See the Presto MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker on Walmart
See the Presto MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker on Wayfair
Best camping coffee press: AEROPRESS Original Coffee and Espresso Maker
- Uses rapid, total immersion brewing process
- Makes one to three cups in about a minute
- Can make hot or cold brew
- Filters included
Specifications:
- Brand: AeroPress
- Weight: 10oz
Pros
- Rich, smooth, and less bitter coffee
- Very quick brew time
- Pretty easy to clean
Cons
- Lots of pieces to keep track of
The Aeropress coffee maker is well-known and loved as an everyday coffee maker, but it turns out it’s also one of the best coffee makers for camping as well. It’s affordable, lightweight, and doesn’t need any electricity to brew good coffee. The downside is that it uses a lot of pieces, but if you just put it all into a gallon-sized bag, you’ll never have to worry about losing something. The Aeropress coffee maker makes one to three cups of coffee in one pressing.
The Aeropress Original uses a rapid immersion process that gets rid of the bitter coffee taste that comes with any brew method that leaves grounds in water for extended periods of time. You can also make a cold brew without any extra effort. The Aeropress Original comes with about 350 special filters which makes clean-up a breeze, or you can purchase a reusable metal mesh filter separately.
See the AEROPRESS Original Coffee and Espresso Maker on Amazon
See the AEROPRESS Original Coffee and Espresso Maker on Walmart
Why trust us
Coffee is necessary. It’s the elixir of life and it keeps us all going. And exploring the great outdoors is no different — here, caffeine might be even more necessary.
When I’m camping, I’m typically waking up in the morning to go hiking or climbing. The first thing I need to get me out of bed and outside is a cup of joe. Whether I’m making a pot of french press coffee, easy Aeropress coffee, or quick pour-overs, my coffee makers are always one of the first things I pack for a camping trip.
I’ve tried out many different ways to make coffee while camping, from instant coffee (never what you want it to be) to specialty coffee. And while I may not be a coffee connoisseur at home, I’ve tried it all in the outdoors. I can tell you what works and what’s better left at home.
Who this is for
If you like to spend your weekends in the great outdoors but are tired of dealing with the not-quite-right taste of instant coffee, this guide is for you. You can have the best-tasting coffee and spend your time outside — both are possible at the same time. The coffee makers we selected for this guide are portable, easy to use and make great coffee. You can use them while traveling, camping, or at home.
How we picked
We picked the best coffee makers by researching and from personal experience. I’ve used a lot of different coffee makers in my years of camping around the United States and abroad. I took that experience, talked to other friends who love camping and researched some of the newer coffee makers on the market. We tested coffee makers while backpacking, car camping, and at home.
How we tested
We tested these coffee makers while car camping around the country in an Astro van, tent camping in the deserts of Utah, backpacking in the Cascade mountains in Washington, and living out of a tent near a glacier in Alaska. We’ve tried all of the camping coffee options for you and made this list based on tested experience and research.
Features to look for in camping coffee makers
Brew strength
Whether you’re in need of a serious pick-me-up, or if you just want to have something hot to sip on, brew strength can drastically affect how much you enjoy your coffee. With many coffee makers, you can adjust how strong your coffee is by how much water and coffee grounds you put in. But some coffee makers use other technology to make your cup stronger or weaker.
Portability
It’s important that your coffee maker is easy to bring along on the road. You’re definitely not going to want to bring your 12-cup drip coffee maker on a backpacking trip. Other than how heavy it is, there’s nowhere to plug it in!
Size and portability are important when choosing a coffee maker for camping. If you’re camping out of your car, you may be able to get away with a heavier, bigger option, but for the best backpacking coffee maker, you definitely want the smallest, most packable option.
Cleanup
Easy cleanup, such as a mesh filter that can be easily cleaned, is an essential part of the ideal camping coffee maker. Paper coffee filters can be an easy option if you have access to trash, but if you’re in the backcountry, you’re going to want something that can be easily rinsed off without needing to dispose of a paper filter.
Durability
Your coffee maker should last for years, so durability is important. Many of the options on this list I have personally used for years and find to be incredibly durable, but make sure to check out reviews before purchasing to see other people’s experiences over time.
Size
Space is often an issue when camping, so having a small and packable coffee maker is important. Some of the options on this list pack down smaller when they’re not in use, while others are small to start out with. There are some that are bulkier that are better for using a van or RV for camping.
Material
What your coffee maker is made out of will impact durability, packability, and sometimes taste. Many of the options on this list are made from metal, silicone, plastic, or mesh. Material is definitely something to consider when purchasing a camping coffee maker.
How to brew the perfect coffee outdoors
Here we give you a few tips to brew the perfect cup every time.
French press
Never used a french press before? It’s one of the most simple ways to make coffee. Just fill up the press with hot water and coffee grounds and leave it alone for around five minutes. Then press down the filter to keep all of the grounds trapped in the bottom, and pour yourself a hot coffee!
Pour-over
This is about as straightforward as it gets — just fill your filter with grounds and pour hot water over the grounds. You need to find the optimal speed to pour over the grinds. Quickly enough to keep the grounds wet, but slowly enough that it’s only filling up the filter halfway and not overflowing.
Percolator
A percolator is a little different than some of the other types of coffee makers out there. You’ll fill the base with water and then add the grounds to the basket above that. Then put it on low heat (keep the flames inside the bottom of the pot) and wait for the water to start running through the grounds. Wait until the coffee is dark to your taste before drinking.
Camping coffee maker FAQ
Q: How do you power a coffee maker while camping?
Ideally, you don’t have to power it at all. Of course, if you have a generator or other source of power, you can always use that to power a standard drip coffee maker. But if you’re in the wilderness without any electricity, you need something else. For example, Aeropress uses rapid immersion to brew the perfect cup of coffee, while Wacaco Nanopresso uses a pumping system.
Q: What grind size should I use?
This depends on what type of coffee maker you’re using. If you’re making espresso, grinding your coffee as small as possible is important. For french press coffee, a coarser grind size helps with extraction and keeps small grounds from getting through the mesh filter. For pour-over, choose a medium grind size.
Q: Is a french press, percolator, or pour-over better for camping?
All of these options are great for camping, and it all depends on your taste and how much space you have for storage. Pour-over makers tend to be the smallest and most packable, while a french press or a percolator tend to take up more space.
Q: Should I pre-rinse paper filters?
Without rinsing, paper filters can give a papery taste to your coffee. If your coffee blend is particularly light, you may notice this more. Coffee pros do rinse paper filters before using them for making pour-over coffee, so you can if you want. However, I’ve drank coffee with a paper filter for years without rinsing the filter and it tastes great to me.
Sources:
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- Coffee Grind Size Chart: How Grind Size Affects Coffee Flavor – MasterClass
- How To Make The Perfect Cup Of Coffee – Jamie Oliver
