The two best things in life are camping and coffee. That’s a scientific fact. It’s also a fact that you haven’t really lived until you’ve experienced both at the same time. Of course, not every coffee connoisseur loves the great outdoors, and not every camper covets the black gold. But for the rest of us, sipping a hot cup of joe in the wilderness borders on the spiritual.
Whether you prefer the ritual of a slow pour-over or the efficiency of a French press, we’ve tested a wide range of camping coffee makers to suit every style. From ultralight setups for solo trekkers to group-friendly brewers that can handle morning rush hour at the campsite, these are the best coffee makers for making your mornings better—no matter where you wake up.
Read on to discover all of our delicious favourites!
Table of Contents
Best Coffee Makers for Camping Reviewed
VSSL
Nest Pour Over Kit + Java G25 Coffee Grinder
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1. BEST OVERALL COFFEE MAKER
For Which Type of Camper
Perfect for car campers and vanlifers who want hot, high-quality coffee without the fuss, the Hydro FlaskInsulated French Press Coffee - 32 Oz is built for relaxed mornings and second cups. It’s not ultralight, but it’s ideal for those who value comfort, convenience, and consistent heat.
Why We Picked It
Tested on chilly mornings and slow-moving camp breakfasts, the Hydro Flask press delivered rich, sediment-free coffee that stayed hot for hours. Our testers praised the insulated stainless steel design, smooth plunging action, and one-handed pourability. It’s durable, easy to clean, and practically spill-proof—earning top marks across the board.
Features and Benefits
- TempShield insulation keeps coffee hot for hours
- Mesh filter effectively strains fine grounds
- 360° press-in lid allows for easy, spill-free pouring
- Ergonomic handle for a solid, comfortable grip
- 18/8 stainless steel resists rust and flavor transfer
- BPA-free and dishwasher safe
- 32 oz capacity—great for sharing
Price: 79.95$
Hydro Flask | Dish
2. Best Runner-Up
For Which Type of Camper
The GSI Outdoors Javapress 30 oz is a great match for campers who love the ritual of French press coffee but don’t want to risk glass in their gear bin. Ideal for car campers, glampers, or backpackers who have a little room to spare and want a flavorful, full-bodied brew in the backcountry.
Why We Picked It
Tested by our team on multiple car camping trips and cool mornings, the Javapress stood out for its balanced blend of performance, packability, and price. Our tester Adrian—a former café manager turned camping gear editor—loved the clean, sediment-free taste and secure plunger system. It holds temperature well and the rugged design can handle life at the bottom of a gear bag. Plus, the price is hard to beat.
Features and Benefits
- Silicone ring plunger prevents “blow-by” and grit
- Double-walled lid & insulated sleeve retain heat while brewing
- Lightweight & shatter-resistant BPA-free carafe
- 30 oz capacity—great for two or three campers
- Comfort-grip handle and pour-through lid for easy serving
- Weighs only 10.3 oz—solid for short backpacking trips
- Includes plunger, carafe, lid, and insulated cozy
Price: 49.95$
GSI Outdoors | Thermos
3. Best Budget Coffee Maker
For Which Type of Camper
This one’s for classic campers, weekend cabin-goers, or anyone chasing that nostalgic cowboy coffee vibe—without breaking the bank. Though the GSI Outdoors Camping 8 Cup Coffee Maker isn’t what you’d call ultralight, it’s perfect for car camping, RV life, or even your vintage-style kitchen at home.
Why We Picked It
Our tester Mark—an old-school percolator loyalist—brewed several rounds of strong, smooth coffee in this enamel beauty while on a family glamping trip. It scored high for taste, simplicity, and value. Despite its low price, the pot’s triple-layered construction heated evenly and held up to repeated use over both flame and stove.
Features and Benefits
- Brews 8 cups of classic percolated coffee
- Black or blue speckled enamelware finish with vintage appeal
- Kiln-hardened steel body resists chips and scratches
- Three-ply construction for better heat distribution
- Unbreakable resin cap lets you monitor the brew
- Includes insert basket and lid
- Weight: 21.3 oz | Dimensions: 8" x 5.9" x 9"
Price: 47.49$
GSI Outdoors | Pan
4. Best for Solo Hikers
For Which Type of Camper
Built for ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, and solo adventurers, the GSI Outdoors Coffee Rocket is perfect for those who count every gram but still crave a quality cup in the wild. It’s compact, featherlight, and free of any single-use components—making it ideal for minimalist campers who want function without frills.
Why We Picked It
We tested the Coffee Rocket on multi-day solo hikes where space and weight were tight. Our gear tester Stéphanie, who regularly shaves toothbrush handles to save pack weight, gave it high marks for its ease of use and quick cleanup. At just 2.7 oz and requiring no paper filters, it brewed reliably flavorful, sediment-free coffee with virtually zero footprint. The fold-out legs and nesting parts felt stable and well-engineered, even after multiple uses.
Features and Benefits
- Weighs just 2.7 oz (77 g)—perfect for ultralight kits
- No paper filters needed thanks to built-in screen
- Clever nesting design fits inside most backpacking mugs
- High-efficiency brewing with sturdy folding legs
- Mud-free results from raised drip cone
- BPA-free, dishwasher-safe Infinity plastic won’t absorb odors
- Includes: drip cone, filter screen, grounds cup, folding legs
- Dimensions: 3.3" x 3.3" x 3.8"
Price: 20.25$
GSI Outdoors | Cup
5. Best Camp Percolator
For Which Type of Camper
A dream come true for traditionalists, group campers, and anyone who wants that nostalgic, bubbling-perk experience over the fire. The GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless 12 Cup Percolator is built for cabins, car camping, and long mornings at the picnic table—not for fast-paced backpackers, but ideal for slow coffee lovers who like to serve a crowd.
Why We Picked It
Our tester Erin, who grew up brewing cowboy coffee with her dad, called this the “Cadillac of camp percolators.” It delivered rich, bold flavor across multiple tests on both propane and open-flame setups. The rugged stainless steel construction held up beautifully to repeated heating, and the PercView knob made it easy to monitor brew strength without overdoing it. It's built like a tank and pours like a teapot.
Features and Benefits
- Brews 12 cups—perfect for group mornings
- Glacier Stainless steel resists corrosion and wear
- PercView knob helps monitor brewing strength
- Silicone handle stays cool for safe pouring
- Hinged lid prevents loss in camp chaos
- Includes insert basket and lid
- Weight: 2 lbs 1 oz | Dimensions: 9" x 5.9" x 8.6"
Price: 69.95$
GSI Outdoors | Dish
6. Best for Groups
For Which Type of Camper
The BioLite CampStove KettlePot & Coffee Set is perfect for group campers who want a compact, all-in-one coffee and cooking system. Whether you're car camping with friends or fueling a multi-person base camp, this setup lets you boil, brew, and serve up to six cups in one go—without needing separate pots and presses.
Why We Picked It
BioLite’s nesting design is simply genius. The stainless steel KettlePot doubles as cookware and a carrying case for the CampStove (sold separately), while the French press attachment lets you brew a full batch in a single session. It’s lightweight, efficient, and ideal for mornings when everyone wants coffee—fast. Testers loved the easy-pull handle and packable design.
Features and Benefits
- Brews up to 6 cups at once
- KettlePot doubles as cookware and storage
- Compact and lightweight (total: ~19 oz)
- Stainless steel and BPA-free materials
- Press handle unscrews for easy storage
- Capacity: 1.5L | Weight: Kettle: 16.4 oz / Press: 2.8 oz
Price: 69.95$
BioLite | Dish
7. LOW-KEY FAVOURITE
For Which Type of Camper
The VSSL Nest Pour Over Kit + Java G25 Coffee Grinder is for hardcore coffee freaks who want a premium, all-in-one brewing experience—without losing out on quality, style, or portability. Ideal for design-conscious campers, vanlifers, and those who consider good coffee a non-negotiable.
Why We Picked It
This is the sleekest, most integrated mobile coffee system we’ve tested—seriously. The Nest Kit delivers two double-walled mugs, a precision pour-over device, and VSSL’s rugged Java G25 Grinder—all of which pack into a single, compact unit. Made with 80% recycled stainless steel, it’s durable, beautifully designed, and surprisingly space-efficient. A splurge, yes—but a very refined one. Chef’s kiss.
Features and Benefits
- Complete brewing system with grinder and pour-over
- Nests into a compact 6-piece unit
- Two 10 oz double-walled mugs + splashproof lid
- Premium Java G25 Grinder included
- Made with 80% recycled stainless steel
- Best-in-class portability and design
- Care: Hand-wash recommended
Price: 294.99$
VSSL | Cutlery
What to Look for in a Camping Coffee Set
1. Types
Take a look at our guide to outdoor coffee making for a complete and detailed list of camping coffee methods and gear.
All-in-One
All-in-one coffee makers are devices (as opposed to kits) that allow you to brew your coffee with a single piece of technology. A perfect example is the Wacaco Minipresso GR.
Pour Over Kits
These coffee making kits use the drip method. It’s a simple method that requires a filter drip and some filter paper (or a reusable filter, like the one included in the GSI Outdoors Gourmet PourOver Java Set).
Percolators
When you think of cowboys by the campfire, a pistol and a percolator should come fast to mind. This is the longest but simplest coffee-making method in the woods. All you need is fire, water, coffee grounds, and a percolator. Highly recommended for nostalgic campers and those who don’t give a flint about pack weight.
For an awesome modern percolator, check out the GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless 6 Cup Percolator, a smaller version of our favourite camping coffee percolator.
French Press
The hallmark of this method is the plunger, which translates surprisingly well to on-trail use. Many brands, including JetBoil have created lightweight, durable plungers that can be quickly disassembled for transport.
2. Weight & Packability
For car campers and glampers, weight and packability don’t rank high on your list of concerns. Conversely, long-distance hikers, thru-hikers, and backcountry campers must be careful. While the former category can happily indulge in any brewing technology, we recommend the latter stick with drip and French press kits for ultralight results.
3. Ease of Use
Ease of use encompasses a few essential facets: durability, operation, and cleaning. Simply put, you want something that’s sturdy, straightforward, and easy to clean. All our top picks have demonstrated an above-average ease of use rating.
4. Taste!
Though entirely subjective, taste is important! Certain coffee snobs among us will note a big discrepancy on their palate when sampling coffees brewed using different methods. For us less gifted coffee drinkers, however, taste is almost entirely tied to the bean itself.
FAQs for camping coffee makers
Q: What is the best way to make coffee while camping?
A: The best way to make coffee while camping depends on many factors - least important is the actual coffee-making method!
First, ask yourself whether weight and packability are important when choosing a coffee-making method. Second, consider how much time you can devote to the coffee-making process. Finally, how many people/cups do you want to squeeze out of a single brew? Once you’ve narrowed down your use-case, you can decide which method is best for you.
Q: How long do you percolate coffee on a camp stove?
A: When it comes to brewing wilderness java, percolating coffee has been the long-standing historical method. With the advent of minimalist machines, however, it’s become something of a lost art. This is in part due to its longer brew time and bulkiness when compared to alternatives, like French press and espresso devices.
That said, if you’ve got time to while away in the woods, percolating your grounds is a simple and reliable technique for creating a perfect cup of joe. In general, you’ll want to let it simmer for around 20 minutes. Percolating gives you complete control over the strength of your coffee: The longer you percolate, the stronger your brew. It also sounds lovely as it boils on an open flame!
Q: What to do with coffee grounds when backpacking?
A: Follow the Leave No Trace dictum: Pack it in, pack it out! If it didn’t originate in the woods, it shouldn’t be left in the woods. Bring a ziplock bag for your used coffee grounds; once you return to civilization, you can either compost the grounds or toss it in the trash.
Conclusion
Choosing the right coffee maker for camping can feel overwhelming. Between brewing methods, weight considerations, and setup complexity, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why we put these models to the test in real outdoor conditions, across a range of use cases—from glamping to minimalist backpacking.
Whether you’re chasing café-level espresso on the trail or just want a quick morning boost, there’s a coffee maker here to match your routine and priorities. The key? Pick gear that fits the way you camp—and let the good mornings roll.
Next up, pair your perfect coffee maker with the perfect camping stove!
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