When it comes to camping, staying clean and refreshed can be a challenge, especially when you’re staying in remote locations far from traditional amenities. However, with the right portable shower, you can transform your camping experience by enjoying a soothing and invigorating shower anytime, anywhere.

These compact and versatile devices have revolutionized the camping experience, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy a soothing and invigorating shower no matter where they are.

In this article, we will explore the best portable showers for camping, highlighting their features and benefits. Whether you prioritize water pressure, portability, affordability, or functionality, we’ve got you covered.

So, let’s dive into the world of portable showers and discover the perfect companion for your camping adventures.

In this Article

Why Portable Showers Improve the Camping Experience

Portable showers greatly enhance the camping experience by providing convenience and flexibility, ensuring a thorough cleansing experience wherever you are. They allow campers to maintain personal hygiene, regardless of their location or access to traditional shower facilities.

Whether you’re camping in a remote area, a campground without showers, or even in your own backyard, portable showers provide a refreshing and convenient way to stay clean. They eliminate the need for improvised bathing methods or trekking long distances to find a water source.

With a portable shower, you can enjoy the outdoors while still keeping clean. It can also help you extend your camping trips without worrying about finding nearby facilities or clean water sources.

By including a portable shower in your camping gear, you can elevate your outdoor experience to a whole new level of comfort and cleanliness.

Photo by Cristiano Neto

Our Top Picks for Portable Showers

Overall Best: Nemo Helio Portable Pressure Camp Shower

Best Value: Ridgewinder Portable Shower for Camping with Dry Bag

Best Budget: Suvast Solar Portable Shower

Most Versatile: Ivation Battery-Powered Portable Shower

Most Compact and Lightweight: Sea to Summit Pocket Shower

Overall Best : Nemo Helio Portable Shower

Overall Rating: 4.9/5

The Nemo Helio Portable Pressure Camp Shower has quickly become one of our favorite camping companion. Setting it up was a breeze, as there was no need to find a spot to hang the unit overhead as instead, it rests on the ground. It provided exceptional water pressure and a strong and continuous spray.

Due to its foot pump, the 2.9-gallon tank could be quickly pressurized, delivering 5-7 minutes of continuous spray. Additionally, its compact and convenient foldable design ensured easy storage, while the 7-foot hose offered versatility for overhead showers.

It excels in providing water pressure, ease of use, versatility, portability, and durability, making it an excellent choice for campers seeking a reliable and efficient portable shower.

Water Pressure: 5/5 – The Helio’s innovative design provides excellent water pressure, ensuring a satisfying shower experience.

Ease of Use: 5/5 – With its foot pump and straightforward setup, the Helio is relatively easy to use, making it convenient for campers.

Versatility: 5/5 – The 7-foot hose and various cleaning capabilities make the Helio versatile for different camping needs, such as showering or rinsing off gear.

Portability: 4.5/5 – The lightweight design of the Helio makes it highly portable, fitting seamlessly into camping gear. However, some users may find it a little bulky to carry during hikes when filled with water.

Durability: 5/5 – The Helio is built to withstand outdoor conditions and is made with durable materials, providing reliable performance during camping trips.

What We Like:

• With its foot pump and straightforward setup, the Helio is user-friendly and convenient, requiring minimal effort and time to get it up and running.
• The 7-foot hose allows for versatile use, enabling you to reach various angles and heights for different cleaning tasks or showering needs.
• The compact and lightweight design of the Helio makes it easy to carry and transport, taking up minimal space in your camping gear.
• The Helio operates without the need for electricity or batteries, making it ideal for off-grid camping adventures.
• The collapsible and foldable design of the Helio allows for easy storage, ensuring that it doesn’t take up unnecessary space when not in use.

What We Don’t Like:

• The Nemo Helio’s tank, with a capacity of 2.9 gallons or 5.8 gallons for the LX model, may require more frequent refills for longer shower sessions or larger groups, which can be inconvenient.
• While the Helio offers a continuous spray, the spray time of 5 to 10 minutes may be restrictive for individuals who prefer longer showers, requiring careful water management to ensure a satisfactory experience.
• The Nemo Helio lacks temperature control or internal heating capabilities, relying on preheated water or the surrounding environment for warm showers.

Overall, the Nemo Helio Portable Pressure Camp Shower truly enhances the camping experience. Its ease of use, impressive water pressure, and portability makes staying clean and refreshed a breeze.

We highly recommend it to anyone seeking a hassle-free and effective solution for personal hygiene during camping trips. It earns its position as the overall best portable shower for camping due to its innovative design and exceptional performance.

Best Value : Ridgewinder Portable Shower with Dry Bag

Overall Rating: 4.9/5

The Ridgewinder Portable Shower with Dry Bag makes the camping experience incredibly comfortable and convenient. Setting it up is a breeze, as it simply involved filling the 10L dry bag with water, and then adding the camping shower pump into it.

The rainfall showerhead provided a soothing flow of water, and it was convenient to have an on/off function, as it allowed for easy control of the water usage.

The rechargeable pump provided plenty of shower time, without the worry that the battery’s charge would run out at any moment. It’s battery can truly provide up to 60 minutes of runtime. The versatile sprayer attachment was also a valuable addition for tasks like dishwashing and gear rinsing.

The Ridgewinder Portable Shower makes camping showers a breeze and adds an extra level of comfort to outdoor adventures. Due to its long battery life, features, and price, we’ve rated it as the Best Value as it offers a great deal of functionality for its price.

Feature Review:

Ease of Use: 5/5 – The Ridgewinder Portable Shower is designed to be user-friendly, with straightforward setup and intuitive controls, making it easy to operate during camping trips.

Durability: 5/5 – Constructed with quality materials, the Ridgewinder Portable Shower exhibits durability and reliability, ensuring it can withstand the demands of outdoor use and last for multiple camping adventures.

Versatility: 5/5 – With its rainfall showerhead and additional sprayer attachment, the Ridgewinder Portable Shower offers versatility for various campsite tasks, from refreshing showers to dishwashing and gear rinsing.

Portability: 5/5 – The lightweight and compact design of the Ridgewinder Portable Shower makes it highly portable, allowing for easy transport and storage in camping gear or backpacks.

Water Pressure: 4.5/5 – The Ridgewinder Portable Shower provides a satisfying water pressure with its strong flow rate of up to 3.5L per minute, ensuring a refreshing shower experience even in outdoor settings.

However, it only offers the rainfall shower setting for the showerhead, which can be a little limiting for those who prefer a focused stream.

What We Like:

• The rainfall showerhead provides a luxurious and soothing shower experience.
• The on/off functionality ensures efficient water usage, allowing for easy control over the water flow.
• The 10L Dry Bag serves as a convenient storage solution and water reservoir, eliminating the need for separate containers.
• The rechargeable pump offers a strong flow rate of up to 3.5L per minute, providing consistent water pressure.
• The versatile sprayer attachment adds functionality for tasks such as dishwashing and gear rinsing.

What We Don’t Like:

• The Ridgewinder Portable Shower offers a rainfall showerhead, which may not cater to users who prefer different spray patterns such as a focused stream or a pulsating massage-like spray. The limited spray options may be a drawback for individuals with specific preferences.

Best Budget : Suvast Solar Portable Shower

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

The Suvast Solar Portable Shower is our top choice for the best budget portable shower. This shower exceeded our expectations as it efficiently heated the 4-gallon shower bag with just a few hours of direct sunlight.

We liked that it had a temperature gauge on it too, as it indicated if the water was hot enough to shower with, without requiring us to use water up to test it.

In terms of value, the Suvast Solar Portable Shower is unbeatable. Its exceptional affordability, coupled with its reliable heating, durability, and convenience, makes it an ideal choice for budget-conscious campers.

With the Suvast Solar Portable Shower, campers or hikers can enjoy a refreshing and comfortable shower experience without breaking the bank.

Feature Rating:

Ease of Use: 5/5 – The simple on/off switch and easy-to-read temperature gauge make it user-friendly and straightforward to operate.

Durability: 4.5/5 – The design and use of durable materials contribute to the shower’s longevity, providing reliable performance during camping trips. Although, the bag shouldn’t be around sharp objects that can puncture the bag.

Versatility: 4/5 – The shower’s ability to deliver heated water makes it versatile for various outdoor cleaning and bathing needs. However due to some user complaints of a plastic taste, we wouldn’t recommend it for drinking water for those who have a sensitive sense of smell.

Portability: 4.7/5 – With its portable design and lightweight construction, the Suvast Solar Portable Shower is easy to carry and transport, making it highly suitable for camping and other outdoor activities. However, some might feel it to be slightly bulky to carry when filled with water.

Water Pressure: 5/5 – The shower’s ability to heat water effectively indicates that it can provide a satisfactory water flow for showering and cleaning purposes. The sprayer ensures water pressure isn’t too slow.

Temperature Display: 5/5 – The solar heating feature allows the shower bag to reach a comfortable 110℉ in just three hours of direct sunlight, providing a pleasant and warm shower experience.

What We Like:

• The integrated temperature gauge provides a clear and accurate reading of the water temperature, allowing users to adjust it to their desired comfort level. This feature ensures a pleasant shower experience.
• The showerhead features a user-friendly design with a simple on/off switch, making it easy to operate. The inclusion of two switching modes for water conservation further enhances its practicality.
• The large filling port allows for convenient water refills through a hose, tap, or any other water source.
• Due to the Thermoplastic Polyurethane material used, when filled with hot water, the bag ensures the water remains hot which is convenient if it’s not a sunny day outside.
• The bag is BPA-free, which relieves safety concerns for many since the bag is going to be exposed to direct sunlight for several hours.

What We Don’t Like:

• Although the shower bag is able to heat up the water through solar heating, and has a temperature gauge, there is no way to set it to heat to a specific temperature. This gives users limited control over water temperature, which may not suit everyone’s preferences, especially in changing weather conditions.
• Although most people wouldn’t notice a smell from the Thermoplastic Polyurethane, those with sensitive noses may feel like it gives off a “plastic smell”.

Most Versatile : Ivation Battery-Powered Portable Shower

Overall Rating: 4.8/5

For a camping trip, the Ivation Portable Shower truly proved to be the most versatile companion we could have asked for. Its compact and lightweight design made it easy to carry and set up in any camping environment.

The water-resistant unit, equipped with a convenient one-touch on/off switch, ensured hassle-free operation even in the great outdoors. The inclusion of a suction cup holder, S-shaped hanging hook, and a flexible 6.5-foot hose allows for effortless placement of the showerhead wherever needed.

Whether securely sticking to a flat surface or hanging overhead with the provided S-style hook, it provided a consistent and enjoyable flow of water.

The rechargeable pump, powered by a 2200mAh lithium battery, delivers up to 1 hour of continuous use, which we found to be ample time for refreshing showers. It also offers flexibility in bucket size that can be used, hence enabling the Ivation Portable Shower to be more versatile.

All of its features combined together ensure it makes the camping experience more comfortable and enjoyable than ever before.

Feature Rating:

Ease of Use: 4/5 – The Ivation Portable Shower is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring a one-touch on/off switch and flow adjustment mechanism that make it easy to control the water flow. However, the on/off switch is placed on the pump which is to be submerged in water, making it difficult to reach.

Durability: 4/5 – The Ivation Portable Shower is made from lightweight materials, however its only able to be charged with up to 5V and nothing higher. This requires the user to be extra vigilant and careful to bring the correct adapter and cable for this unit on their trips if they wish to recharge it.

Versatility: 5/5 – The Ivation Portable Shower offers versatility in terms of placement options and uses. It can be used in various outdoor settings due to the suction cup and s hook included with the unit for hanging.

Portability: 5/5 – One of the standout features of the Ivation Portable Shower is its compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable. It easily fits into a backpack or travel bag without adding significant weight, allowing for effortless transportation during camping or travel.

Water Pressure: 4/5 – The Ivation Portable Shower provides a steady water flow, but the water pressure may not be as strong as some users prefer. It is designed to be more water-efficient, which may result in a less powerful shower experience for those who prefer higher water pressure.

What We Like:

• The compact and lightweight nature of the portable shower makes it highly versatile, allowing for easy transportation and setup in various camping environments.
• The water-resistant construction of the shower ensures durability and reliable operation, even in outdoor conditions.
• The one-touch on/off switch simplifies the shower’s operation, providing convenience and ease of use.
• The included suction cup holder and S-shaped hanging hook offer flexibility in positioning the showerhead, allowing users to adapt it to their preferred setup.
• The rechargeable pump, powered by a 2200mAh lithium battery, provides up to 1 hour of continuous use, offering ample shower time during camping trips.
• The pump can be conveniently charged via a laptop, car adapter, or computer through USB, providing versatility in power options while on the go.

What We Don’t Like:

• The manual advises charging the device with a 5V adapter or less, cautioning against using higher voltage adapters. This charging limitation may require users to ensure they have compatible charging sources readily available.
• The hose may be too short and uncomfortable to use for those who are taller in height.
•  The on/off switch can be awkward to reach as its part of the pump that is submersed in the water.
• Doesn’t come with a travel bag.

Ultimately, the Ivation Portable Shower offers a range of features that make it a versatile and valuable companion for camping.

Its water-resistant design, easy operation, multiple placement options, rechargeable pump, compatibility with various power sources, compactness, extended reach, and steady flow rate make it an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a portable shower solution.

Most Compact & Lightweight : Sea to Summit Pocket Shower

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

During camping trips, the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower proved to be a game-changer, making showering while camping outdoors significantly easier. Its compact and lightweight design allowed it to be effortlessly carried, without compromising valuable space or adding unnecessary weight.

The black nylon fabric efficiently soaked up the sun, heating the water for a warm and soothing shower experience. The 10-liter capacity provided a shower which lasted several minutes (around 7) before the water ran out, however it was enough for a quick shower.

The simple twist mechanism for on/off and flow adjustment allowed for effortless control over the water flow, and it provided an even spray dispersion. Additionally, its versatility as a dry sack for transporting clothes or a sleeping bag added to its practicality.

Feature Rating:

Ease of Use: 4/5 – The Sea to Summit Portable Shower is designed to be user-friendly. However, the attached nylon cord needs to be stronger to easily hang the shower in higher locations. This can cause some slight difficulty when hanging the shower up.

Durability: 4.5/5 – Made from lightweight 70D nylon, the Sea to Summit Portable Shower offers good durability and can withstand rugged outdoor conditions. However, it is recommended to use the unit with a different bungee cord to ensure the shower stays fixed in place.

Versatility: 5/5 – The Sea to Summit Portable Shower is highly versatile, as it can be used not only as a portable shower but also as a regular dry sack for transporting clothes or a sleeping bag.

Additionally the design of the bag makes it possible to use it for washing clothes, rinsing dishes, or other water-dependent camp activities. This multi-purpose functionality adds to its value and adaptability in camping or outdoor scenarios.

Portability: 5/5 – The Sea to Summit Portable Shower excels in terms of portability. Its compact and lightweight design allows for easy storage and transport, making it an excellent option for backpacking or travel.

Water Pressure: 4.5/5 – While the Sea to Summit Portable Shower provides a steady water flow, the water pressure may not be as strong as some users prefer. It is designed as a gravity shower, which results in a gentler shower experience.

This may be a drawback for those who prefer higher water pressure during their showers.

What We Like:

• Easy to pack since it folds up small.
• Its versatile design makes it functional to use for various campsite activities like showering, washing dishes, and washing clothes.
• The large opening makes it easy to fill up.
• The pocket shower’s compact and lightweight design makes it highly portable and easy to carry, making it ideal for backpacking, camping, bike touring, and travel.
• Besides functioning as a portable shower, the pocket shower can also be used as a regular dry sack to transport clothes or a sleeping bag, adding to its versatility and practicality.
• The black nylon fabric efficiently absorbs sunlight, allowing the water to heat up naturally for a warm shower experience without the need for external heating sources.
• The twist mechanism allows for easy on/off operation, giving users control over the water flow to suit their needs.
• The pocket shower comes with a carrying pouch, allowing for convenient storage and transportation when not in use.

What We Don’t Like:

• The shower is designed as a gravity shower, hence the water pressure is a little slow and may not be as strong as desired for those who prefer high-pressure showers.
• The included cord could be more durable to ensure easier and safer hanging.

Despite its minor drawbacks, The Sea to Summit Pocket Shower has great potential to enhance camping, hiking, or any other outdoor experience, making hygiene maintenance convenient, while providing a refreshing retreat in the great outdoors.

Key Takeaways of These Portable Showers

Each portable shower offers unique features and benefits, catering to different camping needs and preferences. By comparing their overall ratings and the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision when choosing the portable shower that best suits your requirements.

Whether you prioritize high water pressure, compactness, versatility, or budget-friendliness, this table will help you navigate through the options and find the perfect portable shower for your camping adventures.

Selecting the Right Portable Shower

Selecting the right portable shower is a crucial decision for campers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a convenient and refreshing bathing experience while on the go.

By considering the overall ratings, pros, and cons of different portable showers, you can make an informed choice based on your specific needs and preferences.

If high water pressure and versatility are your top priorities, the Nemo Helio Portable Shower might be the ideal option. For those on a budget, the Ridgewinder Portable Shower offers excellent value with its rainfall showerhead and dry bag storage.

If affordability is a key concern, the Suvast Solar Portable Shower provides solar heating and safe materials. The Ivation Portable Shower stands out as a versatile choice, while the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower shines with its compact and lightweight design.

Start reviewing the features of these portable showers and consider what you value most in a portable shower! Soon you’ll be able to find the perfect companion to enhance your camping experience and keep you refreshed in the great outdoors!

Don’t forget to check out our article on the best portable shower tents as well, to complete your camping setup!

FAQ

Are Portable Showers Good for Camping?

Yes, portable showers are excellent for camping, offering convenience and a refreshing shower experience anywhere, even in remote locations.

Do Portable Showers Heat Up the Water?

Some portable showers, like the Suvast Solar Portable Shower, use solar heating to warm water, while others rely on pre-heated water for showers.

How Do Portable Showers Work?

Portable showers typically use a pump to draw water from a reservoir, providing pressurized water through a showerhead or nozzle for bathing.

How to Get a Hot Shower While Camping?

Use a solar shower bag like the Suvast Solar Portable Shower, which heats water with sunlight, or choose a portable shower with built-in heating capabilities for warm showers outdoors.

Are Portable Showers Easy to Set Up and Use?

Yes, most portable showers are designed for easy setup and operation. They typically come with user-friendly instructions and require minimal assembly.

How Much Water Do Portable Showers Typically Hold?

Portable showers vary in water capacity. For example, the Nemo Helio Portable Shower holds 2.9 gallons, while others like the Suvast Solar Portable Shower can hold up to 4 gallons.

Can Portable Showers be Used for Activities Other Than Showering?

Yes, many portable showers are versatile and can be used for activities such as washing dishes, rinsing off gear, and even watering plants while camping or hiking.

Do Portable Showers Require Electricity to Operate?

It depends on the model. Some portable showers operate using rechargeable batteries, while others may require connection to a power source for heating or pumping water.