Even though camping is usually enjoyable, there are some conveniences that can enhance a trip. Our reviews can assist you in locating the top products for your outings, whether you’re looking to furnish your tent with a comfortable camping mattress or curl up in a hammock with a blanket, a good book, and a cooler full of drinks.
Best Portable Showers
Nemo Helio Pressure Shower
Pros
- Surprisingly packable
- Good pressure
- Durable
- Water lasts a long time
Cons
- Narrower spray
- The learning curve to fill and close
- Must hold in ON position
The NEMO Helio Pressure Shower is a surprisingly adaptable camping shower that’s great for so much more than just camping thanks to a special combination of functionality and portability. The foot pump exerts sufficient pressure, allowing you to continue cleaning with both hands. The 2.9-gallon capacity holds water for an unexpectedly long time with a narrow showerhead. With a nozzle that is similar to a kitchen sink sprayer, the Helio is able to clean a variety of objects, including dishes and dogs, with ease. It is stable thanks to its long, low shape and four tiny feet, which also aid in its quick solar heating. The Helio is also incredibly portable because it can be folded up to a tiny fraction of its overall size and is made of materials that are both lightweight and strong.
Numerous minor problems we had with earlier iterations of this shower have been resolved in the most recent version. Although the opening is still small, it is now in a funnel-like slot. It takes a little practice to fill and seal the cap, but after a few attempts, it becomes second nature. The sprayer nozzle is narrower than many more conventionally shaped showerheads, but it still produces a gentle, constant stream that is both calming and simple to use. We have a hard time thinking of a situation where this shower wouldn’t be useful given its portability and versatility.
Mr. Heater Boss-xb13 Basecamp Shower System
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- It comes with a carrying case
Cons:
- It’s very difficult to completely dry the tank out after use even after days
- Some buyers have complained that the pump mechanism pops off easily
Portable camping showers from Mr. Heater’s Boss use a D-cell-powered pump and a propane burner heated by standard, one-pound canisters. The smallest model in the lineup, the XB-13, produces 0.6 gallons per minute and has a runtime of up to 40 minutes. The water is heated by up to 35 degrees Fahrenheit over the temperature of the source water when the 12,000 BTUs of power ignite using electric ignition. The closest thing to taking a shower at home while camping is to use it with a portable shower tent.
Advanced Elements 3-Gallon Summer Shower
Pros:
- Easy portability
- Constant pressure and water supply last a long time
Cons:
- It requires a roof rack
- The shower nozzle is not included
The Advanced Elements 3-Gallon Summer Shower looks silver, but don’t be deceived. After a few hours in the sun, four layers and a reflective surface on the inside heat the water to well over 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The Summer Shower comes with a mirror and an easy-on nozzle, as well as a small pocket for soap. Although the 2.5- and 5-gallon versions are also available, the 3-gallon size is more manageable when it is filled with water.
Sea To Summit Pocket Shower
Pros:
- Super lightweight and compactable
- Easy-to-use design
- Heats easily in the sun
- Easy to fill
- Everything is included
Cons:
- Relatively low pressure
- Hanging is challenging
- The top roll leaks slightly
The Sea to Summit Pocket Shower seems insignificant when it’s packed away in its tiny, under-6-inch case and only weighs a few ounces in your pack. Contrary to popular belief, this model unfolds into a 2.6-gallon dry bag-style shower. A few rolls and a clip get everything ready to go, and its large open top makes scooping water directly out of a lake super simple. A warm evening shower results from the black exterior’s effective absorption of the midday sun. Bathtime is made simple by a straightforward twisting nozzle that is located right on the bottom of the bag and has clear instructions printed right next to it. Additionally, a long piece of parachute cord is provided for hanging it in a tree, though this task will be made simpler if you learn some useful knots (such as the trucker’s hitch). And yes, the 4.7-ounce figure for this model includes the weight of the cord and the storage bag.
As it sat on its side and heated in the sun, the unit we tested had a consistent, slight leak from the top roll. We made an effort not to stress out too much, but this never even scratched the surface of how much water it could hold. Although it’s still lighter than most heavier competitors, this 22-pound bag of water is not particularly easy to lift over your head once it’s full. Overall, this simple gravity shower is a great way to upgrade your next backpacking trip because it performs well and comes in a tiny, ultralight package.
Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower
Pros:
- It comes with its stowaway pocket
- Fully-taped seams so there’s no leaking
- It absorbs the sun’s heat pretty well
Cons:
- Gravity showers need a place to hang
- Lower water pressure but longer sessions
- The more water, the heavier to lift
A straightforward battery-operated pump connected to a hose and showerhead makes up the Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower. It includes a hook and suction cup to hang the nozzle so you can take care of your beauty routine with both hands. Whether it’s a bucket or a stream, the source hose plunges directly into the liquid. A filter keeps the grit and dirt out despite the absence of an integrated heater. The USB-rechargeable battery lasts for an hour.
With the Ivation Portable, you can take the convenience of your home shower outside with just a bucket and a fully charged battery. One of the most comfortable and consistently pressured showers we tested is also one of the most affordable. You may wonder why you didn’t purchase it one years ago because of how simple it is to use and its uncomplicated design. The pump’s battery is housed inside and can be quickly recharged with a USB cord in a few hours to give you a leisurely run time of about 50 minutes. A wide shower head and flexible hose make it enjoyable to rinse with and painless to bathe wriggling kids or dogs.
Of course, not all necessary supplies are provided; a bucket to hold water and a USB adapter are your own. Additionally, you’re more likely to run out of water before the battery runs out thanks to the impressively high flow rate (1.2 gallons per minute). But setting up this shower in the backyard is simple if you don’t mind recycling a cooler or an empty bucket. The charging port, which is hidden by a plastic cap on the pump housing, causes us some concern. It seems like tempting fate to fully submerge this if you even once forget to secure the cap or if you break it. We would love to see the Ivation’s hose, which is just under 6 feet long and extended a little. We still enjoy using this shower because it is so satisfying, so we don’t mind cutting costs to purchase this useful rinse station for the backyard.
Reliance Products Flow Pro Pressurized Portable Shower
Pros
- Easy to use with one-hand operation
- Rolls up small and easy-like
- It actually warms up water for a soothing shower experience
Cons
- Some water will drip out of the nossel switch
- 4 minutes goes quickly
One of the smallest camping showers on this list is Reliance Outdoors’ Flow Pro Pressurized Portable Shower, which holds just two gallons. Although it has a neoprene sleeve, trigger-action shower head, and mesh storage pouch (for storing your camp toiletries), these are just a few of the many features that make it a great purchase. It’s also reasonably priced at about $30.
Coleman Solar Shower
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to use
- Handy on/off valve connected to shower head
Cons
- It gets quite heavy when filled to the brim
- It’s time-consuming to drain completely for storage
This solar-powered shower from Coleman continues the company’s reputation as a dependable brand when it comes to outdoor camping equipment.
Ideal for camping trips, music festivals, and other outdoor activities, this straightforward yet effective sun-heated shower bag.
It has a handle for easy hanging and carrying, a short hose, and a small showerhead, and it can hold up to 5 gallons of water, which should be enough for multiple showers. It is made of a heat-locking material that improves sunlight absorption. Impressive portability.
Mr. Heater F235350 Boss-xcw20 Shower System
Pros
- Great water pressure
- The battery holds up well
- Adjustable water temperature
- Handy side faucet
Cons
- There’s no off switch on the shower head
- It goes through the water rather quick
Despite not being appropriate for light-packers, Mr. A heater is a wise purchase for ardent campers who enjoy the great outdoors but also value some home comforts, such as a luxurious shower head. Less primitive camping and more glamping.
This stainless steel shower system uses a propane cylinder to instantly heat the water, giving you a warm and comfortable showering experience, along with a D-cell battery pump that has a runtime of about 40 minutes.
The 18,000 BTUs from the shower can raise the water’s temperature by 42°F. Along with the luxurious shower head, it also includes a handy stainless-steel faucet for washing dishes and brewing hot beverages.
Mr. Heater also features electronic ignition and scald protection to prevent overheating. There is also a 12,000 BTU version that is smaller and less expensive.
Types (Flow Systems) Of Portable Showers
Camping showers have basically three water flow methods:
Gravity: The simplest, smallest, and least expensive variety of portable showers is this one. Typically, you must first fill the bag with water before hanging it from a tree to let gravity do its work.
Pump: To pressurize a water chamber so that it can spray water out of a nozzle, this type of camp shower uses either a hand or foot pump. These showers have higher water pressure when compared to gravity-fed showers.
Electric: An electric water pump is dipped into a container of water in this kind of portable shower in order to force water through the hose. In addition, they have strong water pressure.
Heating Capabilities
A hot shower will undoubtedly improve your trip depending on the climate or your personal preferences.
These are the main ways you can get that nice hot shower while outdoors:
Solar: This is the cheapest option for hot showers because it only needs sunlight to heat the water. As a result, it is also the most preferred. On the downside, it only works during the day or for a few hours after dusk and takes longer to warm up (up to 3 hours depending on conditions).
Gas: You might want to spend money on a gas-powered camp shower if you don’t want to rely on the sun upon to do its magic. These appliances are the quickest at heating water because they typically use propane tanks. A gas-heated shower can serve as a kettle for all of your cooking needs in addition to maintaining your personal hygiene.
Battery: The battery-operated portable showers are also effective, but they tend to be bulky and require a power source to recharge the batteries.
How Can A Portable Camping Shower Be Built?
Most campers struggle to find enough room to set up camp, whether in the front- or backcountry. A portable shower stall is not even necessary when you are camping. A great way to keep your loadout to a minimum is to have equipment that performs two or even three tasks. If you’d rather not carry a separate camping shower (which really only serves one purpose), the best way to build a portable camping shower is to bring gadgets that convert the water containers you already own into a portable shower for camping.
If you’re a strict, no-frills kind of camper, all you’ll need for cleaning up is your Nalgene bottle and some biodegradable camp soap. However, it’s not difficult to construct your own portable camping shower for use in the backcountry if you’re looking for a solution that feels somewhat more like your shower at home. From our list above, the simplest solution is to use something like the Simple Shower Portable Camping Only a few pieces of plastic make up the shower, which can be attached to almost any water bottle. The LifeSaver Jerrycan Shower Attachment can be attached to most water jugs in the jerrycan style for a more sophisticated option. Coleman’s 5-Gallon Camp Shower is a simple plastic bag that uses nothing more than the sun’s rays to deliver a nice hot shower if you’re the type who needs one even when you’re off-grid.
A Camp Shower: How Many Gallons?
Two to three gallons of water are typically delivered per minute by most modern showers used in homes. The equivalent of 30 gallons of water is used during a 10-minute shower. However, typical portable showers are made for much less water consumption. Showering with a portable shower while camping may feel more like a trickle than the reviving blast of water you’re used to at home because the showerheads are typically much smaller with pin-sized holes.
Five gallons is the most water even the biggest portable showers can hold. This is usually sufficient for one person to take a shower that is at least passable for novice campers, giving them enough time to lather up and rinse off. It’s possible for more seasoned campers to use the same five gallons for two or even three showers. The secret is to switch the showerhead on and off quickly. Never allow it to flow freely. By using the “navy shower” method, you can cut your water consumption — both in the wild and at home — by up to 95%.
Conclusion
It can be confusing to decide which type of shower will best suit your needs when there are so many available to keep you and your equipment clean while you’re outside. We had a great time putting these showers through their paces in order to bring you the best options for anything you want to keep clean. With the right camping shower, you can elevate your camping experience, as we hope our investigation and testing have shown you.