Last Updated on April 1, 2021
Camping typically involves spending much of our time in the woods, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. And that also means leaving all the modern comforts behind.
Depending on the location of your campsite, it may be difficult to even access regular amenities like a shower. In most cases, campers are left to improvise.
Now, a shower is a crucial requirement for any successful camping trip. After a long day of hunting bush animals or hiking the trails, you’ll eventually need to get rid of all the dirt, sweat, and grime from your body. Which is why it’s very important that you spare some thought for a nice portable camping shower while planning your camping expedition.
In addition to helping clean yourself, a portable camping shower might also be useful in cleaning your kids and doing the dishes, as well as spraying down your dirty pet.
This post reviews the ten best portable camping showers for off-grid travelers.
Table of Contents
Common Camping Shower Heating Methods
When most campers think of a mobile shower, what usually comes to mind is a basic device that simply dispenses cold water by gravity. It’s true that some camping showers do not heat water. Many of these showers simply operate by gravity, where you install the object at a height higher than that of your head and allow the water to flow down.
Other unpowered camping showers operate by a pump system. You step onto the pump to exert pressure on the system, and that pressure pushes water up to the shower head.
One advantage of unpowered mobile showers is that they’re more affordable compared to their powered counterparts.
But if you’re looking for a truly great camping experience, your best bet is to choose powered camping showers. That’s especially considering that you’ll most likely be taking your showers early morning or later in the day when conditions are a bit chilly. The good news is that a majority of mobile showers come with the provision for water heating.
Now, there are three main heating methods for powered camping showers, including solar, gas, and electricity. Each heating method comes with its own pros and cons.
i. Solar-powered camping showers
Solar-powered camping showers are the perfect mobile showers for off-grid camping as they simply harness the energy from the sun.
You don’t need any fuel to power these showers, which saves you a substantial amount of money that you can spend on other important aspects of your camping.
However, solar-powered camping showers are only reliable to the extent that there’s sufficient sunlight. So, you cannot use them at night. Plus, they generally take longer to heat water.
ii. Gas-powered camping showers
Gas-powered camping showers use special gases as fuels, such as propane. These showers operate like the regular camp stove. Basically, they’re made of a propane tank, heaters, and power grills.
Gas-powered mobile showers are more efficient than their solar-powered counterparts in that they heat water faster. Plus, you can use them to boil water for drinking, cooking, or sterilization.
On the flip side, these camping showers are somewhat expensive.
iii. Electricity-powered camping showers
Electricity-powered camping showers utilize the same operational mechanism as gas-powered showers. The primary difference is that these devices rely on electricity.
Most electricity-powered mobile showers run on rechargeable batteries, some of which allow for solar charging. The batteries can often be heavy and the fact that you usually have to carry more than one only adds extra baggage to your camping gear.
However, there are a few electricity-powered camping showers that simply feature an extension cord that you plug into a socket to get the item to work. Such devices are only ideal if you’re camping on sites with electricity connection.
1. Advanced Elements 5-Gallon Summer Shower
Heating Method: Solar
Capacity: 5 Gallons
Weight: 1 Pound 4 Ounces
Pros
• Medium capacity
• Temperature gauge available
Cons
• Only uses gravity
• Lacks water flow adjustment
Advanced Elements 5-Gallon Summer Shower is a solar-powered, 5-gallon mobile shower that’s incredibly easy to use. Although the device doesn’t give you maximum control over the water flow, it makes up for that with an on/off shower head and an extra-large filling valve. Plus, there’s a temperature gauge that lets you see the current water temperature before taking a shower.
The camping shower also features a 4-ply construction that makes it packable, as well as a reflector panel that allows you to spot it even in the dark. An insulation panel keeps your water warmer for longer, which is especially useful during colder temperatures.
Last but not least, the manufacturer included toiletry pouch for holding your soap and shampoo, as well as Velcro strips for hanging your washcloths.
2. Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower
Heating Method: Solar
Capacity: 5 Gallons
Weight: 8.82 Ounces
Pros
• Medium capacity
• Insulation keeps water warmer for longer
Cons
• Valve can be leaky
• Only uses gravity
Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower is similar to Advanced Elements 5-Gallon Summer Shower in that both devices can hold up to 5 gallons of water, making them ideal for multiple short showers. Another similarity is that the two showers are designed with insulation material that preserves heat, plus an on/off shower head valve for preserving water.
Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower also sports a compact design, making it easy to carry to remote camping sites.
Printed on the front of this shower’s bag is a chart that shows the time the device takes to heat water. As you shall find, that duration depends on the prevailing temperature conditions and the water volume in it.
3. Hike Crew Portable Propane Water Heater & Shower Pump
Heating Method: Gas or Electricity
Water Flow Rate: 2.2 Liters/Minute
Weight: 13.2 Pounds
Pros
• Digital temperature gauge available
• Package includes a carry bag
Cons
• Additional cost in purchasing propane
Hike Crew Portable Propane Water Heater & Shower Pump is a camping shower that primarily runs on propane gas. To operate this mobile shower, you simply connect an AC/DC adapter to the device outlet, and wait for a few minutes for the water to heat up to your desired temperature.
Besides being primarily a propane-powered camping shower, this device can also be powered by your regular car battery. You simply connect its 12V adaptor to your car for instant water heating.
Hike Crew Portable Propane Water Heater & Shower Pump comes with a temperature control knob that allows you to track the water temperature before using it. You also get an automatic Smart Technology that turns off the burner when water temperature reaches 125°F. Other notable features include a hand faucet, shower head attachment, water flow sensor, fuse & tilt protection, and adjustable spray patterns.
4. RisePro Portable Camping Shower
Heating Method: Electricity
Water Flow Rate: 2.5 Liters/Minute
Weight: 1.65 Pounds
Pros
• Remarkably lightweight
• Comes with a rechargeable battery
• Can be used with both cold and warm water
Cons
• Inconvenient location of the on/off feature
If you’re looking for a portable camping shower that doesn’t rely on solar energy but you cannot afford the often-exorbitant cost of gas, then you should probably consider this product. Designed to run on electricity, RisePro Portable Camping Shower comes with rechargeable batteries.
There are up to three different ways of charging the batteries. You can charge them using your mobile phone charger, using a USB cable plugged into your laptop, or using a USB cable plugged into your car.
When fully charged, RisePro Portable Camping Shower guarantees at least 60 minutes of continuous use. Its lightweight and compact design, coupled with the inclusion of mounting accessories, make this camping shower easy to carry in your backpack or car trunk.
5. Mr. Heater BOSS-XB13 Basecamp Shower System
Heating Method: Gas
Water Flow Rate: 6 Gallons/Minute
Weight: 7 Pounds
Pros
• Relatively lightweight
• Package includes assembly parts
Cons
• Slightly expensive
Here is another great portable camping shower for campers who prefer gas-powered devices. One of the strongest selling points of Mr. Heater BOSS-XB13 Basecamp Shower System is its ease of assembly and disassembly.
When you purchase this product, you get a complete kit that includes a quick-connect shower head and assembly parts. To use the shower, you only need to assemble it, add propane gas, turn the pump on, and then turn the power on. Once it’s turned on, the device can heat your water by up to 35 degrees Fahrenheit over and above the source water temperature.
Unlike most gas-powered mobile showers that are unbearably noisy, Mr. Heater BOSS-XB13 Basecamp Shower System gives off minimal noise.
6. Simple Shower Portable Camping Shower
Heating Method: Unpowered
Water Flow Rate: Variable
Weight: 2.08 Ounces
Pros
• Remarkably lightweight
• Fairly affordable
Cons
• Unideal for water heating
Simple Shower Portable Camping Shower is an unpowered and unpressurized camping shower. Unfortunately, that makes the device unsuitable for showering with warm water. To shower using warm water, you’d need to preheat the water and administer it into the system manually.
However, there are various reasons you should still consider investing in Simple Shower Portable Camping Shower.
First, the product is cheaper than all the powered mobile showers on this list. Secondly, this portable camping shower is very easy to use. The system is designed with a spout that resembles a garden hose and a pair of rods which convert most 1 or 2 liter bottles into a mobile shower. And needless to mention, Simple Shower Portable Camping Shower is one of the lightest mobile showers you can ever find.
7. Ozark Trail Instant 2-Room Shower
Heating Method: Solar
Capacity: 5 Gallons
Weight: 20.15 Pounds
Pros
• Includes 2-room privacy shelter
• Washcloth and toiletry pockets available
Cons
• Getting the shower into the tent can be a hassle
Ozark Trail Instant 2-Room Shower is a top recommendation for campers looking for a touch of privacy, thanks to its design that features two separate rooms complete with privacy coating. With these private shelters, you can comfortably shower in your birthday suit. Which is a notable advantage over many mobile showers that require you to shower in the open.
You can shower in one room and use the second room for toweling off and changing your clothes. The shower room comes with a drainable floor so you won’t need to drain the water manually.
What’s more, you can add a portable camping toilet to create a fully self-contained shelter.
8. Reliance Outdoors Flow Pro Portable Shower
Heating Method: Unpowered
Capacity: 2 Gallons
Weight: 3.8 Pounds
Pros
• Fairly affordable
• Lightweight and portable
Cons
• Limited capacity
Reliance Outdoors Flow Pro Portable Shower has a capacity of 2 gallons, which is a glaring drawback. The device is also unpowered, which makes it inefficient at heating water. But there are plenty of cool features that make Reliance Outdoors Flow Pro Portable Shower worth investing in.
First, this mobile shower weighs 3.8 pounds, which is light enough for most campers. The device also features a trigger-action shower head for ensuring continuous water flow. A pressure release valve gives you more control over the water flow, whereas a 6-feet resistant hose offers better maneuverability.
Other noteworthy features of Reliance Outdoors Flow Pro Portable Shower include a washable neoprene sleeve, a mesh pouch for storing shampoo, and a carry strap.
9. Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower
Heating Method: Electricity
Water Flow Rate: 0.66 Gallons/Minute
Weight: 1.9 Pounds
Pros
• Multiple recharging options
• Suction cup for easy installation
Cons
• Inconvenient location of the on/off switch
Compactness, portability, and efficiency. These are some of the reasons you should consider Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower for your next camping expedition. Weighing a paltry 1.9 pounds, this device won’t add significant baggage to your camping gear.
Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower comes with a suction cup support that holds the shower head firmly to any flat surface. There’s also an S-style hook for hanging the shower overhead.
It’s also worth noting that this showerhead is battery-powered. And the rechargeable pump conveniently plugs into a laptop, adapter, car, or computer via USB cable. Once the device is fully charged, you can use it for up to one hour continuously. However, remember to charge the device using a 5V adapter or less.
10. Intex Portable Solar Camping Shower
Heating Method: Solar
Capacity: 5 Gallons
Weight: 1.34 Pounds
Pros
• Medium capacity
• On/off valve for controlling water flow
Cons
• Not insulated
With a capacity of up to 5 gallons, Intex Portable Solar Camping Shower holds just enough water for numerous short showers. That makes it efficient for use by a group of 2 or even 3 campers.
Another thing to love about this portable camping shower is that it can heat water up to 118 degrees F, allowing you to enjoy a hot shower. However, you’ll have to make your showers quick as the device lacks proper insulation which would otherwise prevent heat loss.
Intex Portable Solar Camping Shower also includes an on/off valve for better control of the water flow. The mobile shower is relatively light and compactly designed, hence incredibly portable.
Wrap Up
With thousands of portable camping showers out there, selecting the best product may prove a bit challenging. Before choosing any mobile camping shower, try to understand its heating mechanisms.
As we already mentioned, solar-powered camping showers utilize the energy from the sun. Hence, they’re easier to operate. However, these showers are only reliable during the day.
Gas and electricity camping showers run on gas fuel and electricity, respectively. They’re more efficient at heating water and usually include additional water flow control features. On the flip side, gas- and electricity-powered mobile camping showers are more expensive than their solar-powered counterparts.
If you’re averse to the idea of a powered camping shower, there are equally many unpowered devices you can choose from.
Besides heating capabilities, other factors you should consider when choosing a portable camping shower include the size, weight, tank capacity, water flow rate, and construction.