The 8 Best Portable Showers For Camping Adventures (2024)

Spending time off-grid typically means leaving the majority of the comforts and amenities of home behind, and after spending a long day in the woods or on the trail, one resource you might quickly find yourself missing is a nice hot shower. Having the ability to wash away the day’s dirt, sweat, and grime can be invaluable, especially during the warmer, summer months. And, though the idea of utilizing an off-grid shower may sound like an involved task, the reality is today’s market is brimming with a host of easily-transportable, easy-to-operate options.

Over the years, the solar-heated, gravity-fed systems have given way to increasingly capable — and often increasingly-compact — mobile shower units. But in order to figure out which type is most conducive to your needs, it helps to have a solid understanding of the product space. So, with this in mind, we’ve put together this exhaustive guide on today’s best portable camp showers. In addition to taking you through our favorite offerings on the market, we’ll also be delving into the various types of camp showers that exist, what to look for when shopping, and some additional uses that make adding a camp shower to your kit all the more worthwhile.

Though every type of portable camp shower performs the same basic function, the way they go about doing it varies pretty drastically. To help get you better acquainted with the product space, below we’ve generated a condensed explanation of the main types of camp showers. There are variations of these different classes, as well as a few unique outlier products, though the overwhelming majority of the time, a portable camp shower will fall into one of these three groups.

Gravity: This is the original type of camp shower and started out as what was essentially a water-filled bag that you could hang in order to allow gravity to dispense water at a steady rate. These are the most minimalist type of camp showers available, though they’re also the cheapest and often the most compact.

Pump: Rather than relying on gravity, this style of portable camp shower utilizes a foot or hand pump that is used to pressurize a water chamber. This affords a portable shower to operate with a decent amount of pressure, letting the nozzle spray rather than merely pour at gravity’s rate. These showers are also available with both soft and hard constructions.

Electric: Instead of using a gravity- or pressure-fed reservoir, this type of camp shower consists of an electronically-powered pump that can be placed into a bottle or body of water. From there, water is run through the powered system, making for a highly-mobile and compact, yet still surprisingly efficient off-grid shower option.

There are mobile camp showers that don’t heat water, though the lion’s share of products in this space do. There are three primary ways this is achieved, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Solar: Harnessing the power of the sun, solar-powered showers must be placed in direct sunlight in order to be warmed. Thanks to the use of reflective elements and/or special insulation, many modern solar-powered camp showers can easily reach temperatures of over 90°F. One major selling point for this category is there’s no need to bring any fuel for your heat source, though the downside to this is that it can only be used during the day (or within an hour or two after dusk). Solar-powered showers also take notably longer to heat up.

Gas: Instead of waiting on the sun to do its thing, some of the more high-end systems utilize a gas-powered setup, not too different from your average camp stove (or home shower, for that matter). These usually take propane tanks that can also power grills, heaters, and other camp gear, and are the fastest options for heating up water. Furthermore, these systems can typically be used to boil water for cooking or sterilization, giving them a bit of added utility.

Electricity: Electronically-powered camp showers work similarly to gas-powered items, though instead of relying on propane-generated BTUs, this style uses electricity. This means carrying around a battery that tends to be on the heavier side, though it can also allow for the possibility of solar charging.

Now that you’ve gotten acquainted with the various types that exist, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what aspects to consider when in the market for an off-grid shower.

Intended Use: This first one is probably the single most crucial aspect, as it should dictate many of the following elements. You’ll want to ask yourself where you plan on using the shower, how long you plan on being off-grid, how many people will be using the shower, and what type of climate you’re in.

Size: Going hand-in-hand with intended use is the size (aka weight and compactness). These mobile units can range from small handheld items to massive units comparable in dimensions to a full-size cooler. Consider your intended use and then plan accordingly. For example, should you be hiking into camp on foot, you’ll want to opt for a smaller, more pocketable shower system. On the other hand, if you’re driving into camp, size and weight is far less of a concern.

Tank Capacity: Thinking about how long you plan on being off-grid and how many people will be using the shower should help you to better hone in on the size of the reservoir (or water tank) on a respective portable shower. This can range from massive, multi-gallon tanks, to handheld units that don’t boast a tank at all.

Heating Capabilities: Not all heated camp showers are created equally, with their respective ability to warm up water hugely varying. This area will mainly come down to the climate (or season) in which you plan on camping, as well as whether or not you plan on utilizing a portable shower for boiling water. For uses in warmer, more tropical climates, this aspect is less important.

Construction: Just like with any piece of outdoor gear, a shower’s overall quality and durability will largely boil down to its construction. The type of material being used will depend on whether it’s a soft or rigid, hard-sided unit — though manufacturers that use quality materials will very seldom fail to advertise such. A general rule of thumb is the bigger and more robust the shower, the more hardwearing and robust the materials should be.

Supplementary Uses: In addition to heating and boiling up water, some camp showers offer other amenities to bolster their overall utility. Some pressurized units can operate at such high PSIs that they can double as (underpowered) pressure washers for cleaning off boots or gear at the end of the day.

Decathlon Quechua Pressure Solar Camping Shower

Best Overall: A hand pump system is always optimal because of the consistent water pressure when your tank is on the ground. Decathlon’s Quechua Shower comes at an excellent price and has a strong flow for upwards of a minute from the pressurizer that can be operated with one hand. Compared to other units that will suddenly stop pouring water, the Quechua is quite noticeable when there’s a drop in pressure since the flow is balanced and consistent as well. Lightweight enough to carry anywhere, this unit holds up to 10L and heats up with the power of the sun.

Flow: Pump
Heating: Solar
Capacity: 2.64 gallons

Coleman Solar Shower

Best Budget Pick: Coleman has seemed to perfect the art of wallet-friendly camping gear, and this Solar Shower is no different. From one of America’s oldest and most trusted outdoor gear brands, this camp shower is a simple bag-style, sun-heated, gravity-fed unit that can be rolled up into an incredibly tiny form. Big enough to house five gallons of water, this product features a reservoir design that aims to maximize surface area in order to make the most of its solar power. A reinforced handle provides an easy means of carrying or hanging when it comes time to shower, and a simple twist valve makes for an incredibly easy-to-use shower.

Flow: Gravity
Heating: Solar
Capacity: 5 gallons

Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower

Best Electric Pump: For some, relying on electricity to power their shower removes the hassle of pumping a device manually. Ivation’s Portable Outdoor Shower is one of the most intuitive designs on this list. You simply drop the pump into a water reservoir, turn it on, and you’ve got pressurized water. You will need a way to heat the water if you want warm showers, but this nifty gadget will do the trick for most. The unit can best be described as an electric pump connected to a showerhead via a 6.5’ hose. And, instead of running off of disposable AA batteries, this system draws energy from a rechargeable 2,200mAh Lithium-ion battery pack that can afford a full hour of run-time. This item is also incredibly versatile and is great for cleaning gear or hosing down a dog after a day at the beach.

Flow: Electric
Heating: None
Capacity: None

Joocla HOTTAP V2 Essentials Kit

Best Gas-Heated: The closest thing to the real deal, Joocla’s HOTTAP V2 Essentials Kit has everything you need to recreate your shower from home once you add the water and the propane tank. There’s also an LED screen in front for controlling the precise temperature. Powered by gas, the system can heat water to temperatures up to 122ºF and can run for 15 hours on a single tank. While the unit requires an external water supply, the hoses can reach up to 100ft to the nearest lake or creek. Offering an unparalleled flow rate of 1.6 gallons a minute, this cutting-edge mobile shower also boasts a simple and intuitive control setup and a myriad of nozzles, hoses, and attachments. It’s definitely heavier than most other showers on the market, but it offers a level of luxury that other showers can’t come close to matching.

Flow: Electric
Heating: Gas
Capacity: None

Sea to Summit Pocket Shower

Best for Backpacking: Sea to Summit has some of the best backpacker-friendly outdoor gear on the market, and this solar-heated Pocket Shower is a great pickup. A more refined take on traditional solar gravity showers, this 4.3-ounce unit is made from the same 70D nylon as the company’s Lightweight Dry Sacks and features fully-taped seams and a roll-top closure. Operated via a twist mechanism valve, the bag holds enough water to allow for approximately eight-minute showers, though when broken down can fit into a 3” x 6” pouch. The Pocket Shower is also sold with a 20-foot cord and Bar-tack attached Delrin D-rings.

Flow: Gravity
Heating: Solar
Capacity: 2.64 gallons

Rainburst Simple Shower

Best Bare-Bones Unit: If you’re really limited on space and aren’t concerned about taking hot showers, check out Rainburst’s Simple Shower unit. Weighing just 2oz, this portable shower might be favorable for backpackers as well, although its bare-bones approach might not be optimal for some campers. The aptly-named device is unequivocally the most basic and compact portable shower option on the market. Unheated, unpressurized, and unpowered, the system simply consists of a garden hose-like spout and a pair of rods that transform the vast majority of one or two-liter water bottles into a highly-mobile shower. Weighing in at only 2oz and measuring just 2.5” x 2.5”, the Simple Shower is also made in America, entirely from recycled materials.

Flow: Gravity
Heating: None
Capacity: None

Overland Vehicle Systems Wild Land Portable Privacy Room with Shower

Best Shower Room: One of the toughest parts about showering outdoors is finding a place to do so. Thanks to Overland Vehicle Systems’ Wild Land Portable Privacy Room, you won’t need to search for privacy any longer. It really is hard to go wrong with any of the exceedingly durable products from OVS, and the off-roading outfit’s portable shower is by no means an exception. The system contains a regular solar-powered gravity shower, as well as a 5ft x 5ft x 6.75ft privacy shelter that includes a hanging system and floor. Every element of this shower is made from decidedly rugged materials with a PU-coated 190T polyester rated at 800mm. Weighing 16lbs in total, the entire system fits into an included carrying sling.

Flow: Gravity
Heating: Solar
Capacity: 2 gallons

Yakima RoadShower

Best for Overlanding: Designed for overlanding and going off-grid, the Yakima RoadShower is another highly utilitarian mobile shower unit that lends itself to a wide variety of off-grid uses. Mounting to the roof of a car via integrated lock loops, the shower is constructed from powder-coated, welded aluminum and can be pressurized via an electric pump or manually by hand if the batteries die — though either can afford the shower water pressure as high as 65 PSI. Protected by a one-year warranty, the system also sports brass water connection fittings, a trio of included hose lengths, a pair of outlet water ports, and a garden hose adaptor for spraying off gear. Lastly, to make sure your water is at your desired temperature, the unit sports a stick-on thermometer strip on the outside.

Flow: Electric or pump
Heating: Solar
Capacity: 4, 7, or 10 gallons