It doesn't matter how much you adore camping, the morning just isn't complete without the delicious smell of coffee mingling with the earthy scents of the campsite or wild camping spot. That first sip activates your mind for whatever the day ahead holds.
True, camping can be about sacrificing some of the small luxuries in life and enjoying a back to basics existence. However, there's no reason you should hit the trail without your morning coffee ritual. The best camping coffee makers pack down small to fit in your storage bin or backpack, are easy to use and keep clean, and most importantly serve up a wonderfully delicious mug of coffee every time.
We've spent hours testing the best camping coffee makers around to find the very top coffee contraptions available today, whether you prefer a slow drip or a quick jolt of espresso. From versatile models ideal for glamping and other travel to lightweight, portable drippers that you can pair with your camping mug, we've picked out the best for every adventure.
The best camping coffee makers range from simple to versatile but they are all easy to use and guarantee great coffee every time. Pair these with one of the best camping stoves and one of our favorite camping breakfast ideas and you're sure to bring your mornings in the wild to a whole new level. For the wonderfully smooth brew and for its versatility, we think the standard AeroPress is still the best camping coffee maker around.
The best camping coffee makers
Brew five-star coffee at camp
Weight: 13oz / 369g (inc accessories)
Brew capacity: 10oz / 355ml
Materials: BPA-free polypropylene
This coffee maker is part-pour over and part-press, with three main components: a chamber that sits on top of your cup, a filter cap that screws into it and a plunger. Simply place a paper filter into the filter cap, screw it on the chamber and place it on top of your camping coffee cup. Add coffee and water and gently press the plunger down and you’ll be wrapping your hands around a steaming cup of joe in 20 seconds. You can modify your approach for American, espresso, latte style and even makes a fine cold brew. If you’re going with espresso, you can brew about three shots at a time.
Read our full AeroPress coffee maker review
For
- Brews four different types of great tasting coffee including cold brew
- Lightweight and fairly compact
- Easy to use and no clean
- Includes mug
- Press time is only 20 seconds
Against
- Several parts to keep track of and no carrying case
- Requires special paper filters (but comes with 350)
Crema-topped espresso in moments
Weight: 0.74 lb / 336 g
Brew capacity: 2.5oz / 71ml
Materials: plastic
This compact, cylindrical espresso machine can be held in one hand and, by pumping it using your thumb, can reach up to 18 bars of pressure to pour you a delicious shot whether you’re camping, at home or even at the office. Simply unscrew one end to add the coffee grounds to the basket, then unscrew the other end to add boiling water. Screw everything back together and pump it over your mug eight times to build pressure, then a few more for a shot of delicious, crema-topped espresso.
Read our full Wacaco Nanopresso portable espresso machine review
For
- Great espresso with consistent crema
- Quick and easy to use
- Light and easy to pack and transport
- No need to wait for it to cool down for your next shot
- No need to charge or use batteries
- Robust, no-dent construction
Against
- A little tricky to get the grounds out after use
- Only delivers one shot at a time
- Requires boiling water
Portable campsite espresso maker
Weight: 11oz / 311g
Brew capacity: 2.5oz / 74ml
Materials: Stainless steel
This compact, stainless steel set comes with three simple components (base, filter and funnel) which easily screw together, plus an adorable little espresso cup, and it all works quite like a Moka Pot. It all comes neatly packed in its own carrying case that keeps it protected in transit and makes it extremely packable. When you’re ready for a morning buzz, simply add a predetermined amount of coffee grounds and water, place the whole set up on your camping stove or grill, then sit back in your camping chair and watch it brew in under three minutes.
Read our full GSI Outdoors MiniEspresso Set 1 Cup review
For
- Great tasting coffee
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to use and clean
- Comes with its own carrying case
- No disposable filters needed
Against
- Can be a little messy to scoop coffee into filter
- Needs time to cool down between brews
Filter coffee, espresso, and cold brew
Weight: 11.5oz / 326g
Brew capacity: 8oz / 237ml
Materials: Plastic
The Aeropress GO takes all the advantages of its larger predecessor and packs them into a compact package that’s around the size of a travel mug and can be taken on the road, even fitting in a backpack for those unwilling to sacrifice coffee for trail time. Like the larger model, this coffee maker is part pour over and part press. It comes with some extras like a coffee scoop, stirrer and mug, but you can easily leave those at home if you’re traveling light and just use your favorite camping mug. You’ll love this coffee maker for backpacking, car camping and any time you have to travel somewhere that great coffee isn’t guaranteed.
Read our full AeroPress GO travel coffee maker review
For
- Brews three different types of great tasting coffee including cold brew
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to use and no clean
- Made using BPA-free plastic
- Press time is only 20 seconds
Against
- The mug isn’t the nicest for drinking out of
- Requires special paper filters (but comes with 350)
- A little pricey compared to the larger model
French press and travel mug hybrid
Weight: 12.5oz / 353g (inc accessories)
Brew capacity: 14.3oz / 406ml
Materials: Stainless steel, polypropylene
This simple design features a BPA-free plastic inner chamber and filter that fits inside the stainless steel mug. When you need a jolt of caffeine, just add coffee and hot water to the mug, screw the lid onto the chamber and sit it at the waterline for four minutes, then gently press down. No need to pour your coffee into a separate cup – just sip directly. The vacuum-insulated design keeps your coffee warm for about three hours, which is great because it can hold up to 14oz at a time. If you’re packing up and heading out on the road, it fits easily in your cup holder and you can enjoy it on the drive.
Read our full GSI Outdoors Microlite Java Press review
For
- Holds up to 14oz of coffee at a time
- Fairly compact with handy carrying strap
- Easy to use and clean
- Durable stainless steel outer
- Vacuum-insulated design provides superior heat and cold retention
- Spill resistant with non slip base and sealable spout
Against
- A little heavy for backpacking
- Coffee according to directions is a little strong for most
- A little pricey compared to more versatile coffee makers
Paper-free coffee filter
Weight: 2.7oz / 77g
Brew capacity: 8oz
Materials: Nylon, clear polypropylene
GSI Outdoors Coffee Rocket is a filter designed for those who want a fast, no-fuss route to a decent cup of hot coffee the moment they crawl out of their tent. Just add grounds, fit the legs on to your camping mug, pour some hot water in a spiral motion and in about a minute you’ll have a smooth cup of coffee to start your day. This plastic coffee maker is ultralight, and pretty packable too. Collapsible legs unfold to slot onto your favorite camping mug. When you’re finished, it’s easy to knock out the wet grounds and give it a quick rinse so it’s ready for the next cup. Best of all, there are no filter papers required.
Read our full GSI Outdoors Coffee Rocket review
For
- Ultralight
- Easy to use and clean
- Makes smooth, non-bitter coffee
- Quick brew
- Budget-friendly
- No paper filters required
Against
- Plastic legs are a little flimsy
- May be too light for a windy day
- Scooping grounds in can be a little messy
Classic, lightweight pour over coffee
Weight: 2.95oz / 83.6g
Brew capacity: N/A
Materials: Plastic
Hario’s V60 coffee dripper is the preferred pour over used by baristas around the world due it’s reliably great coffee, and the plastic version is light enough that you can take it backpacking. Place the dripper on top of your coffee mug, line it with a paper filter, add coffee and pour hot water in a spiral motion. If you’re not a barista, chances are you’ll need a few rehearsals to hone your technique, but the dripper comes with a manual. It fits on any size of mug and makes one cup of coffee, but it comes in bigger models too.
Read our full Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper review
For
- Lightweight
- Makes great coffee, with practice
- Works with any size of mug
- Affordable
Against
- Takes some practice to perfect
- Requires special paper filters
Comparison table
| Camping coffee maker | Price | Weight | Brew capacity | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeropress coffee maker | $39.95 (US) / £36.99 (UK) | 13oz / 368g | 10oz | Car camping, glamping, road trips, home use |
| Wacaco Nanopresso portable espresso machine | $69.90 (US) / £59.90 (UK) | 0.74 lb / 336 g | 2.5oz / 71ml | Car camping, glamping, bikepacking, road trips, home use |
| GSI Outdoors MiniEspresso Set 1 Cup | $39.95 (US) / £47.50 (UK) | 11oz / 311g | 2.5oz | Car camping, glamping, bikepacking, road trips, home use |
| AeroPress GO travel coffee maker | $8.50 (US) / £39.95 (UK) | 11.5oz / 326g | 8oz | Backpacking, car camping, glamping, travel |
| GSI Outdoors Microlite Java Press | $34.95 (US) / £36.95 (UK) | 12.5oz / 353g | 14.3oz | Car camping, glamping, road trips, commuting |
| GSI Outdoors Coffee Rocket | $9.95 (US) / £12.95 (UK) | 2.7oz / 77g | 8oz | Backpacking, car camping, glamping, travel |
| Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper | $8.50 (US) / £6.50 (UK) | 2.95oz / 83.6g | 1 cup | Backpacking, car camping, glamping, travel |
How we test camping coffee makers
These coffee makers were tested by people who are serious about their coffee on car camping and backpacking trips in Scotland and California during a variety of weather conditions.
For more details, see how Advnture tests products.
How to choose a camping coffee maker
Needless to say, a good cup of coffee is a very subjective experience and you'll want to put some thought into what you really want out of your camping coffee maker. What you should never do is sacrifice the quality of the coffee, but fortunately camping coffee makers have come a long way. It's a good idea to start with the type of coffee you love – espresso, cold brew or pour over – and then consider what type of camping you'll be doing.
Naturally, if you're going backpacking you're going to want a camping coffee brand that's as packable and lightweight as possible, and while you may have to sacrifice a few frills, you can still ensure a great cup for coffee. However, if you're more a fan of car camping or glamping, you can probably afford the extra weight and splurge on something versatile and a little more high tech. The following are a few areas you'll want to consider when choosing the best camping coffee maker for you.
You can also check out our guide to making coffee while camping.
Coffee
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We all have different ideas about what makes a good cup of coffee, but make sure yours brews the type of coffee you like and consider one that uses a predetermined amount of water and coffee so that you know you can depend on getting the same quality of coffee every time. If yours doesn't come with pre-set measurements, make sure you experiment with it at home before you head to camp to figure out your perfect recipe.
Ease of use
A great camping coffee maker is easy to use and doesn't require you to carry the user manual on every trip. Not only should it be easy to operate, but you want one with easy clean up too – requiring nothing more than a quick rinse or wipe.
Durability
Some camping coffee makers are more intricate than others, and when there are small parts, you want to make sure yours is robust. Look for coffee makers made using stainless steel or hard plastic and make sure to pack them away correctly. Some coffee makers even come with their own protective carrying case.
Portability
Naturally, you don't want your best camping coffee maker to take up too much space on your trip and fortunately they're generally pretty packable. For backpacking adventures, look for something extremely lightweight that might even clip onto the outside of your backpack. For car camping, look for one that packs up inside itself or a carrying case so you can easily fit it in your storage bin and don't lose track of smaller parts in transit.
Brew capacity
Another thing to consider is how much coffee you want in the morning. If you're happy with a single shot of espresso, you can definitely size down, but if you like a few shots or you're brewing for a group, you'll need one meant for larger quantities, or one that cools off quickly so it can be handled again straight away.
Value
The question of value somewhat depends on how much you value your coffee in the first place, but you might be willing to pay more for a coffee maker that offers multiple functions or makes specialty coffee like espresso. Another thing to consider is whether your coffee maker requires paper filters – a coffee maker that seems really affordable might actually become more expensive over time if you're buying paper filters every year.
