There’s no reason to skip your morning cup of coffee when camping. In fact, the smell of coffee brewing out in the wild is one of the best parts of a morning in nature.
But what’s the best way to make coffee at your campsite? There are so many options for making coffee when camping.
Let’s look at some of the best coffee makers for camping available right now.
I’ll break down some of the pros and cons of five of the top options and finish off with my recommendation.
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What Are The Best Coffee Makers For Camping?
AeroPress
The AeroPress is a favorite among campers for many reasons. It’s very small, compact, and lightweight, weighing less than a pound.
This makes it a perfect option for backpacking, as well. It’s easy to use and makes delicious coffee.
So you don’t have to be an expert on how to make coffee when camping to get your morning (or afternoon or evening!) caffeine fix.
The grounds don’t sit in the water for long (as they do with a French press), so the coffee generally tastes less bitter.
Users also rave about the flavor of AeroPress coffee.
The AeroPress makes coffee by the cup, so you don’t have to worry about making too much.
And everyone can make their own custom brew to their taste and strength preferences.
It’s versatile, too, since you can also use it to make espresso-style coffee besides regular coffee.
While made out of plastic, it’s BPA free, and very durable. It stands up to dents and does not break easily, perfect for a long hike or a lot of use.
It’s easy to clean: the used grounds are compacted into a disk that you can usually discard at your site. And just need to rinse the AeroPress.
The AeroPress comes with paper filters. But there are also reusable metal filters available that are better for camping. This is because you don’t have to worry about producing waste.
You’ll need something to boil water in to use the AeroPress. But in some ways this makes it even more versatile.
This is because you can use any cooking vessel that you’re already bringing with you. And don’t have to worry about carrying heavy or bulky equipment.
Pros:
- Lightweight, durable and compact
- Easy to clean
- Can use a reusable metal filter
Cons:
- Not most suitable for large groups
- Need to boil water separately
Hario V60
The Hario V60 is a consistent favorite camping coffee maker for many reasons.
First is the taste of the coffee it makes—many campers love the smooth flavor.
And the manufacturer describes it as “umami,”. This is that elusive element of flavor best described in English as savory.
It’s also easy to customize your cup of coffee. You can pour the water over the grounds quickly for a lighter taste, or more slowly for a deeper, stronger brew.
That way, everyone in your party can have a customized cup of coffee.
It’s also one of the most inexpensive options on this list. And it’s very lightweight, weighing less than a pound.
It’s small, although its shape is a bit awkward for carrying. Like the AeroPress, the Hario V60 requires a filter. And some users note that they have to be specially ordered.
That said, you can buy a reusable cloth filter, though that won’t be the easiest item to clean while camping.
Like the AeroPress, you need a separate contraption in which to heat the water. It’ll also need to be something that is easy to pour from.
This is because the rate at which you add water to the Hario V60 has a great deal to do with the flavor of the coffee. This makes it a bit less easy to use compared to the AeroPress.
Pros:
- More control over the brewing process
- One of the cheapest options
- Small and lightweight
Cons:
- Need to carry filters
- Need to boil water separately
- Need some knowledge of correct technique
Bialetti Moka Pot
Newer isn’t always better, and the Bialetti Moka Pot is testament to that fact, on and off the trail.
The Bialetti Moka Pot is a great option for campers. And it’s an especially versatile item, since you can use it every day, at home and at the campsite.
It’s available in a variety of sizes, from one cup all the way up to 12 cups, perfect if you have to supply a crowd. But the smaller model is usually better for camping since it’s easy to carry.
This is especially important if you’re camping somewhere that isn’t accessible by vehicle.
As a camping coffee maker, the ease of use is especially important. It doesn’t need any measuring, and it’s fast.
If taste is important to you, the Bialetti might be your best option. It’s great for preserving the flavor notes of the coffee beans you use.
Its simple cleaning process also makes it good for camping.
All byproducts are completely biodegradable and earth-friendly. This is something the Bialetti company prides itself on.
What’s more, it only requires water to clean. In fact, you’re not supposed to clean your Bialetti with soap.
The more you use it, the better it tastes, and that makes it a simple camp coffee maker.
You’ll need some kind of heat source for the Bialetti. But it’ll work on whatever stove or cooktop you use for anything else while camping.
While it makes espresso, you can use fewer grounds for regular coffee.
Pros:
- Good option for small or large groups
- Lightweight and durable
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Larger models aren’t compact
- Takes longer compared to other options
GSI Percolator
Want a classic camping coffee percolator? The GSI is a great option.
One of the best things about this product is actually the way it looks.
It’s blue with white speckles. And you might recognize it from countless movies and classic shots of campers.
It isn’t only the look that makes this a great option for campers. The GSI is hardy.
It’s made of steel and the enamel finish is kiln-fired, making it resistant to chips and scratches.
At the same time, it’s lightweight, weighing only about a pound. Although it’s much less compact than other models on this list.
How’s the coffee? Pretty darn good, actually. One of the best things about the GSI is the even heating, for a consistent, delicious cup of coffee.
Because of the even heating, you can use the GSI on many heating sources, from camp stoves to a grate on an open flame.
It’s also fast, so you can get your day started quickly.
Pros:
- Iconic style and appearance
- Chip and scratch resistant
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Bulky and not very compact
- Takes longer compared to other options
Wacaco Nanopresso
The Wacaco Nanopresso is a unique little gadget used to make espresso on the go.
Don’t let its size deceive you. This camp coffee maker produces divine espresso, complete with perfect crema. Every single time.
If taste matters more to you than anything else, the Wacaco Nanopresso might be your best bet.
It’s so delicious that you may even replace your home espresso maker.
One of the best features of this product is its size and shape. It’s tiny, only about six inches long; it fits into the palm of your hand.
Unlike some of the other options on this list, its compact shape makes it easy to stick in your backpack. It weighs less than a pound, too.
One of the neat things about this model is that it’s hand-operated, so you don’t need batteries or a power source.
It does need a little muscle, although newer models are easier to use than in the past.
One of the downsides of the Wacaco Nanopresso, though, is that it has a lot of little parts that you have to clean.
Needless to say, this is less than ideal at camping grounds, and they can be easily lost.
It’s also one of the most expensive options on this list. So you’ll want to do your research and make sure it meets your needs before purchasing.
Pros:
- Claims to create enough pressure to make genuine espresso
- Very compact and lightweight
- No electricity needed
Cons:
- Need to clean many little parts
- Expensive compared to other options
- Needs strength for creating pressure
What About A Coffee Grinder For Camping?
The easiest solution here is to travel with coffee that’s already ground, either in the store or at home.
But for those of us that need fresh-ground coffee, there are portable options.
There’s several on the market. But for the best hand coffee grinder for camping, look for something lightweight and durable.
You don’t want anything with a lot of little parts or that’s too bulky or large. You also may want to consider whether you have control over the grind itself.
Take a look at my post on the best hand coffee grinder for camping here.
Conclusion
So, which is the best coffee maker for camping?
In large part, that depends on your needs. Consider how often you camp, how many people you’re brewing for, and other personal factors.
All in all, though, the AeroPress is one of the most popular and is the favorite on this list.
It checks so many boxes, since it’s lightweight, compact, durable, and travels well.
You can use it to make coffee for a crowd or only for one. Most importantly, it makes a mean cup of coffee.
Whichever camp coffee maker or camping coffee percolator you choose, don’t forget the most important thing.
Enjoy your time in the great outdoors!
As always, use extreme care and caution whenever you use fire or a heat source.
Have you tried any of these camp coffee makers when you’ve gone camping? Do you have a different suggestion for the best coffee maker for camping?
Let me know in the comments below. Stay caffeinated!