Camping, backpacking, and reconnecting with nature can be a lot of fun. But one of the things that put people off is the lack of a proper shower. Luckily, there is an alternative to using the nearest lake: a portable camping shower.
A camping shower can clean you and your gear and allow you to stay outdoors for longer. Cleanliness can help reduce the chances of coming into contact with harmful bacteria and viruses and keep you from getting sick if you have a sensitive immune system. Besides, a nice shower is a welcome treat at the end of a long day.
There is a wide array of different models available, so trying to find the right one may feel overwhelming. In this guide, we go through the top models, key features, and FAQs.
The best camping showers
Editor’s choice: Extremus Rainbow Falls Camping Shower
- Mesh storage pouch
- PVC construction
- Velcro straps for hanging
- Reinforced seams for durability
- Heats up via the sun’s rays
- 6.6-gallon capacity
The Extremus Falls Camping Shower is my tried and true easy-to-use portable shower. I keep this one stocked in my van at all times. I’ve used it to clean myself, my gear, and even a friend’s muddy dog. Even when I have the entire 6.6-gallon tank filled, this isn’t too heavy. The water pressure isn’t the best, but you can look further down our list for pressurized shower models.
The PVC construction is durable and has yet to show any signs of wear. I love that the shape encourages all the water downwards, there’s no maneuvering of the bag necessary to get the last bits of water out. Handy velcro straps make easy attachment points and the hose tube is a great length. When you’re done, it can all be packed back inside the mesh storage pouch and tucked away.
See Extremus Rainbow Falls Camping Shower on Amazon
Best vehicle-mounted option: Yakima RoadShower Portable Shower
- 55in hose
- Pressure relief valve
- Hand or electric pump to pressurize the tank
- Mounts onto a roof rack
- Attachment for garden hose
- Four, seven, or ten-gallon tank size
For those who are willing to invest, the Yakima RoadShower Portable Shower is a vehicle-mounted shower and our premium pick. Some assembly is required here, so getting it set up takes a bit longer, but the rewards are worth it. If you spend time sleeping and camping in your vehicle, this may be the perfect model for you. It can be attached to a Yakima roof rack and comes in a few different sizes, but we’re talking about the four-gallon model today.
This tank comes with a stick-on temperature gauge. There is a pump to pressurize the tank and a built-in pressure relief valve so the tank is never over-pressurized. The 55in hose gives you plenty of working room.
See Yakima RoadShower Portable Shower on Amazon
See Yakima RoadShower Portable Shower on REI
Luxury camp shower pick: Nemo Helio Pressure Shower
- Polyester and neoprene construction
- Up to a 10-minute shower
- Excellent water pressure
- 5.8-gallon tank
- Seven-foot hose
If you want superior water pressure, a large tank, and an easy-to-use system, the Nemo Helio Pressure Shower is the answer. The 5.8-gallon tank is spacious. With a few steps on the foot pump, you can create exceptional water pressure and continuous spray for up to 10 minutes. The extra water pressure is especially helpful if you have to clean gear or dishes around camp.
The seven-foot neoprene hose is long enough for an overhead shower and you can combine this device with a privacy shelter, like Nemo Heliopolis, for a luxurious outdoor shower experience. To get warm water, place the full tank in the sun. Overall, the Hello pressure shower is a great camp shower and offers some of the best water pressure on this list.
See Nemo Helio Pressure Shower on Nemo
See Nemo Helio Pressure Shower on REI
Almost pocket-sized: Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
- Shower head at the bottom of the water vessel
- Gravity-powered shower
- 10L capacity
- Budget-friendly
- Warmed via solar power
The Sea to Summit Pocket Shower is a budget-friendly camper’s dream. Simple to use, compact, and offers a seven-minute shower. The Summit Pocket Shower is gravity fed and the shower head pokes right out of the bottom of the water reservoir. Give it a turn for more or less water pressure and leave the bag in the sun for warmer water. This product is simple to use, effective, and budget-friendly.
See Sea to Summit Pocket Shower on Sea to Summit
See Sea to Summit Pocket Shower on REI
See Sea to Summit Pocket Shower on Moosejaw
Recommended: Advanced Elements Solar Powered Summer Shower
- Budget-friendly portable shower
- Pockets for holding soaps and shampoo
- Gravity-powered
- Reflective panel
- Heats via solar power
The Solar Powered Summer Shower has a capacity of five gallons; not the biggest on the market, but with a price tag set to under 50 bucks, it offers great value for money.
It is constructed from four-ply and features an insulator panel and reflector panel to convert solar energy. The showerhead is fairly intuitive to use and has simple on-and-off control. There is a handy side pocket for shampoo and body wash, which means you can keep all your showering accessories together.
See Advanced Elements Solar Powered Summer Shower on Amazon
See Advanced Elements Solar Powered Summer Shower on Walmart
Most versatile: Simple Shower Portable Camping Shower
- Budget-friendly price
- Can turn water bottles into showers
- Extremely portable
- Works with a variety of water sources
It may not look like much but the Simple Shower Portable Camping Shower is popular for reason. It is Amazon’s choice because it transforms one or two-liter water bottles into portable showers.
For the price and portability (it only weighs 2oz), we think it’s a winner.
See Simple Shower Portable Camping Shower on Amazon
See Simple Shower Portable Camping Shower on Walmart
Hottest water temperatures: Camplux Portable Tankless Water Heater
- Water temperatures up to 114°F
- Adjustable water temperature using knobs for hot or cold showers
- Just add water, batteries, and a propane tank
- Includes shower head and hose
- Propane water heater
The Camplux Portable Tankless Water Heater is the perfect way to make your camping trip more luxurious. We reckon this is the closest you can get to your home shower outside. It runs on propane and comes with everything you need to get started. It can achieve temperatures of 114.8°F (46°C), which means you get a truly hot shower, wherever you are in the world.
The great thing about this camping shower is how versatile it is. You can plug it into the mains for a constant stream of water, or use two D-cell batteries and a water tank if you’re far from civilization. The water pressure will surprise you, it’s much more than you’ll get from a standard solar-powered camping shower. Of course, the downside is that it’s much bulkier and you need to carry around a propane tank.
See Camplux Portable Tankless Water Heater on Amazon
See Camplux Portable Tankless Water Heater on Home Depot
See Camplux Portable Tankless Water Heater on Walmart
Most innovative: Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower
- Rechargeable battery
- Extremely versatile
- Water vessel not included
The Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower has an innovative design. Powered by a rechargeable 2200mAh lithium battery, just drop the machine into a bucket of water and it transforms it into a steady stream of water. You don’t need a propane tank or perfect sunlight. All you need is a bucket of water.
The shower head comes with a suction cup and a hook, so you can hang it wherever you are. As you’d expect, it doesn’t feel like a power shower but it provides a steady stream that’s more than enough to have a refreshing wash. You can charge it with a USB port. When fully charged you’ll get around an hour of continuous use.
See Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower on Amazon
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See Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower on Wayfair
Multiple pressure settings: Kipida Solar Shower Bag
- Water temperatures up to 113°F
- Five-gallon capacity
- Multiple water pressure settings
- Small shower head
- Includes storage bag
The Kipida Solar Shower Bag is one of the most popular camping showers on Amazon. If you’re looking for a simple way to keep clean and refreshed on your next camping trip, this solar shower is a solid option. The bag has a capacity of five gallons, which gives you enough time to have a thorough wash. To heat the water, leave the bag out in direct sunlight for around three hours. After this, the water temperature will be about 113°F (45°C).
It has two pressure settings, low and high. That means you can choose between a more satisfying shower and conserving water. Not many solar showers offer this level of versatility. It’s also worth mentioning that it’s one of the most durable camping showers on the market.
See Kipida Solar Shower Bag on Amazon
Best propane camp shower: Gasland 6L Tankless Water Heater
- Can heat 1.58 gallons of water per minute
- High water temperature protection over 167°F
- Can be mounted or used as a portable shower
- Easy-to-use dials
- Propane tank not included
The Gasland 6L Tankless Propane Water Heater has a maximum power output of 41,000 BTU/hour, which means 1.58 gallons of water per minute and temperatures as high as your shower at home.
It comes with almost everything you need (only a propane tank is missing). You can permanently mount it to your campervan or hang it using the metal hook. It is CSA-approved, so it is certified safe. The hose length works well for a small space but is on the small side. This is one of the closest options to an actual shower.
See Gasland 6L Tankless Water Heater on Amazon
Why trust us
Our team has years of experience testing home goods, outdoor products, and everything in between. We pride ourselves on recommending the best products and providing comprehensive buying guides.
Who this is for
This guide is for anyone looking for a portable shower for camping trips, van life, or anything in between. We have models that are budget-friendly and easy to use, as well as more complicated models that are more like a home shower and offer heated water off-grid.
How we picked
We selected these models through research and comparison. Aside from tried and true favorites, we looked at online reviews, technical specifications, and construction for each model.
How we tested
We tested all the best camp shower models outdoors. Our interest in this device started with a friend who insisted on showering every day. He would heat water on a camp stove and take a sponge bath every morning. For Christmas, I bought him a portable shower and he fell in love. After seeing how handy it was, I got one for myself and the rest is history.
Features to look for in camping showers
Size
Size and our next feature, tank capacity, often go hand in hand. Given that you’ll be transporting your outdoor shower to the campsite and back, you’ll want something reasonably sized and reasonably portable. Consider the weight and bulk of your chosen model before purchase and how it will fit in your car or method of transportation.
Tank capacity
The best portable showers have a tank capacity from a few liters up to a few gallons. Water can be heavy, so a larger tank capacity will give you a longer and more luxurious shower, but can be extremely heavy. The flow rate and water pressure can also affect how quickly you run through the tank. Gravity showers may have a lower capacity but run for just as long as propane or battery-powered models.
Heating capabilities
Having a nice hot shower on a camping trip is a luxury but can make your trip so much better. A great shower does wonders for your mind and body, it can help you stay off-grid longer. Many budget-friendly portable camping showers have a black bag that can be heated with sunshine, but you do need sunshine. Other heating methods include battery power, propane tanks, and pumps. These are often more reliable for hot water, but require extra gear and often extra space.
Supplementary uses
A campsite shower is versatile. You can use it to hose off your feet or clean dirty shoes and clothes, wash laundry, or even your pet.
Types of camping showers
As you can see from our list above, there is a wide variety of camping showers to choose from.
Solar powered
Solar-powered camping showers are eco-friendly and probably the cheapest to run. The only thing you need to warm the water is daylight. Often, they feature a black bag made from PVC with a hose connected. However, more expensive, higher-quality solar showers are usually made of PVC-free materials. There are various capacities available, from smaller 2.5-gallon units to large five-gallon models.
A major downside to solar energy showers is the one thing that makes them so popular; they need sunlight. Battery and propane-powered models heat water much faster.
Battery-powered
The most common type of battery used in this kind of setup is a 4-D cell battery. Battery-powered showers are essentially a hose and pump with a shower head that draws water from a container. The downside is that although they are very portable, you will have to replace batteries regularly or use a generator. You’ll also need to find something to warm the water.
Propane-powered
If you are interested in having a shower that is most like the one back home, get a propane-powered model. These use burners and coils to warm the water. The water is hot in minutes.
The speed at which heat is produced by a propane shower is determined by the same measurement used for propane stoves, BTUs. The higher the BTU, the quicker it will warm the water. These showers are nice but certainly add some heft to your trip.
Camping shower FAQ
Q: How does a camping shower work?
Most camping showers work via gravity. Generally, you fill the bag with water, let it heat up, and then set the reservoir up high and use the shower head to clean yourself. Some other portable camping showers use a foot pump or other methods to transport water.
Q: Can you put hot water in a camp shower?
It is best to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for what water temperature is appropriate for your model. Some materials can tolerate hot water much better than others.
Q: How do you warm up water in a camping shower?
Most camping showers have a dark storage bag for the water which heats water using the sun’s rays. This often won’t result in a hot shower but will offer you a warm shower. Other portable showers may feature heating systems but solar warmth is most common.
Q: How much water do you need for a camp shower?
The capacity of each camp shower varies but generally expect to need a few liters.
Q: How long does a five-gallon shower last?
In a normal bathroom, a five-gallon shower will last about two minutes as many shower heads use approximately 2.5 gallons per minute. However, if you are using a solar shower or another portable shower method, your shower can last quite a bit longer. Some camping showers have more than a five-gallon capacity.
Sources:
- Do Solar Showers Really Work? – Sciencing
