The only thing better than the first delicious sip of the day is taking it in the great outdoors, preferably on a chilly morning, with a hint of frostiness in the air to make the warmth in your mug even more enjoyable.
Indulging in a good cup of coffee in the wild has never been easier, or more affordable, than it is today. I gathered and tested a wide variety of camping coffee makers to bring you the crème de la crème. I picked the AeroPress Go as the best camping coffee maker overall thanks to its portable size, efficient performance and reasonable price point, while Snow Peak’s elegant Collapsible Coffee Drip won points for its beauty and simplicity.
To decide which camping coffee makers are the best and which fall short, I looked at dozens of models, and compared weight, ease of use, packability and availability. Camping coffee makers, which differ from their heavier, power-dependent home brew brethren, often weight less than a pound, are manual in operation and have a capacity for making between one and eight cups. I’ve personally tested the majority of our top picks, and for the rest, I relied on the expertise of fellow Forbes Vetted editors and outdoor enthusiasts. Below, see the best camping coffee makers available.
The AeroPress Go is at the top of many “best of” lists when it comes to camp coffee, and it’s no surprise why: The little coffee kit is renowned for its minimal weight, impressive performance and delicious brews. The AeroPress Go’s top-tier coffee can be attributed to its patented design, which means less carbon dioxide in its brews, and more flavor in your morning coffee. (Or afternoon coffee, who are we to judge?)
The AeroPress Go packs down efficiently and easily, adding to its appeal. Although it makes excellent coffee, it only makes one cup at a time, so if you have a group, invest in a couple of these bad boys, or resign yourself to camp coffee duties for most of the morning.
There are some campers who insist that part of the appeal of temporarily living in the wild is the “roughing it” part of the equation. We don’t necessarily agree. If you’re used to your morning espresso and don’t subscribe to the suffer-fest view of camp life, you’re in luck.
The Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Maker is tiny but tough, and while it’s great for espresso drinks, it can work with ground coffee as well. The secret to the success of the Picopresso is a naked portafilter, which allows users to see their espresso flow from a standard 52mm, 18-gram stainless-steel filter basket.
Although the Picopresso delivers excellent espresso on the go, there are a few caveats to using it: This is not an automated machine by any measure, and users must know the art of dialing in the correct grind size, tamping and pulling. It’s also worth noting that the Picopresso does not heat up water, so have a plan for heating when using this camping coffee maker.
A master class in simplicity and ease of use, the Snow Peak Collapsible Coffee Drip is my personal favorite lightweight camping coffee maker for a few reasons. It’s made from food-grade stainless steel and folds flat for easy storage while not in use. The Collapsible Coffee Drip accommodates both Chemex and Hario V60 filters, as well as finer grounds. It’s small and doesn’t require an operating manual to figure out; the pared-back design is handy when you’re bleary-eyed from sleeping in an unfamiliar place and just want the comfort of a dang cup of coffee. While there are cheaper portable camping coffee makers on the market, Snow Peak stands out thanks to its beautiful design, elegant functionality and ease of use.
While each method of coffee making has its charms (and conveniences) there’s something special about the French press. The process requires patience and care, and the slowness of the brew method allows for quiet contemplation—a perfect pairing with the slowness of camping.
OXO is a household name thanks to, well, its household products, but don’t be scared to head outdoors with the Venture French Press in tow. The shatter-proof glass, cleaning-friendly design and non-slip details make it a valuable addition to any camp setup.
I like the OXO for its large capacity (32 ounces), its availability and the fact that it has an easy learning curve. If you’re over pour-over but not ready to make the jump to full-blown espresso, this French press is a great middle ground.
For those craving old-school charm and convenient capacity for groups, turn to Stanley’s Hold Tight Percolator. This stainless-steel percolator makes six cups of steaming coffee, and can accommodate medium- to coarse-ground beans.
Stanley’s percolator features a nonslip silicone handle grip, which comes in handy when the brew is piping hot—and can be taken off when this percolator is used on stoves, which prevents melting or damage. The craftsmanship is what you’d expect of a Stanley product, and although the steel is relatively thin, you should expect this camping coffee maker to last through years of camping if properly taken care of.
Best Single-Use Coffee For Camping
A High-End Instant Brew
Canyon Instant Coffee
Materials: Filter paper, coffee grounds | Weight: ~2 ounces | Brew method: Pouch rehydration | Grind type: Fine | Capacity: Makes 1 8-ounce cup
Complex brewing methods are cool and all, but sometimes you just need caffeine—and fast. If you’ve never considered trying a convenient instant coffee, think again. The new generation of instant coffee far outpaces its predecessor, and boutique brands like Canyon are leading the revolution.
Canyon’s six-pack Instant Coffee is roasted, batch-brewed and freeze-dried using the brand’s single-origin Ethiopian beans. Although this instant coffee skews slightly high at price per pack, the balanced taste, year-long shelf life and pretty packaging more than make up for a few extra cents.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted gear team consists of experienced outdoorsmen and women, who have spent more than one thousand cumulative hours outside testing and stress-testing outdoor gear. The team is proud of the extensive library of gear and fitness recommendations, including a special section of specifically camping and hiking content.
Forbes contributor Hayley Helms tests and writes about a wide selection of outdoor gear, including our guide to Hoka shoes as well as a round-up of the essential hiking gear to take with you on your next trek. She is an outdoor gear and travel enthusiast and has also been published in such outlets as Gear Patrol, Field Mag and Gear Junkie.
This story is overseen by Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta, who lent his expertise and insight to the product recommendations and tips. He has hiked and backpacked a combined thousands of miles across North America, Central America and Europe over two decades.
This story is regularly updated for freshness and accuracy. It was first published in August 2024 and is regularly revised for clarity and accuracy.
How We Chose The Best Camping Coffee Maker
When researching the best camping coffee makers, we relied on extensive hours of firsthand testing, comprehensive research and expert opinions to evaluate a variety of camp coffee makers that reliably deliver a delicious cup of java.
Helms considered more than 20 portable coffee makers for this piece, based mostly on her firsthand expertise, as well as models from respected companies.
All of the camping coffee makers on this list are made with food-grade materials, weigh less than two pounds and are easy to use and clean.
We took prices were taken into account when researching, so there are options for every budget. Most of the camping coffee makers in this guide ring in at less than $50 dollars, with the highest price hovering around $130 for a premium espresso maker.
We included a single-use, instant coffee option on this list for campers who want a streamlined yet tasty experience.
What To Look For In The Best Camping Coffee Maker
There is a camping coffee maker for every camper. When selecting which one to pack for your adventure, consider such factors as weight, ease of use, grind types, capacities and materials.
Brew Method
Choosing which camping coffee maker is right for you depends on what type of brew experience you’re after. If you’re into the slow, steady and methodical approach, try out an espresso maker or French press. If you’d rather have a cup the fast and easy way, instant or pour-over are good options for you.
Materials
Although all of the materials on this list are food safe, there are still considerations when it comes to what your camping coffee maker is made of. Do you want a single material that’s easy to clean, like stainless steel? Or do you want grippy silicone handles, lightweight plastic components or elegant glassware? Plastic and stainless steel are the most popular options available.
Capacity
Make sure the camping coffee maker you select is able to match the performance you expect of it; this is especially true when it comes to capacity. If you’re a frequent solo camper, a camping coffee maker that brews eight ounces at a time is fine; if you frequently camp in groups, make sure you choose a vessel that can make multiple cups at a time, like the Stanley Hold Tight Percolator. For fans of convenience, instant coffees like our Canyon Coffee pick may do the trick.
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