Camping showers

10 Best Camping Showers For Every Trip

Pros
  • Built-in temperature indicator 
  • Foot pump
  • Adjustable nozzle
  • Durable, UV-resistant material
Cons
  • A little small

If you're looking for a solid all-around option for your next camping trip, this AFISHTOUT outdoor camping shower is definitely worth considering. It's a solar option with a built-in temperature gauge, and it holds up to 12 litres of water.

What's more, it comes with a neat foot pump, and it's super lightweight. The flow rate is a little slow, and you will have trouble getting a lot of warmth into it on cloudy days, but there's little else not to like.

This robust camp shower gets five stars from me. It's very competitively priced, and it's one of the best models that I've personally used.

AFISHTOUR Portable Camping Shower
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Australia is a hot, dusty, sweaty place, and it's easy to end up smelling rather ripe if you're not careful. Showers can be few and far between when you're on the road, and a soup of smells swirling around the car can be enough to spoil anyone's trip.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good swim to wash off as much as anyone else, but there's nothing quite like rolling up to camp and pulling out the camping shower for a quick rinse.

In this guide, I've outlined 10 of the best camping showers on the Australian market. Have a look - I'm sure there's an option that's perfect for your needs!

My Review process

I'll be honest, I haven't actually tested every camping shower on this list. But I've used dozens of different models over my years of camping, and I've developed a very clear understanding of what makes a good shower.

For me, the right camping shower should fit your budget, have a reliable power source, be easy to use, and be suitable for the type of travelling you're doing.

I've combined this knowledge with comprehensive research to bring you the following list of the best portable camping showers.

Best Overall Camping Shower
My Winner
Pros
  • Built-in temperature indicator 
  • Foot pump
  • Adjustable nozzle
  • Durable, UV-resistant material
Cons
  • A little small

If you're looking for a solid all-around option for your next camping trip, this AFISHTOUT outdoor camping shower is definitely worth considering. It's a solar option with a built-in temperature gauge, and it holds up to 12 litres of water.

What's more, it comes with a neat foot pump, and it's super lightweight. The flow rate is a little slow, and you will have trouble getting a lot of warmth into it on cloudy days, but there's little else not to like.

This robust camp shower gets five stars from me. It's very competitively priced, and it's one of the best models that I've personally used.

AFISHTOUR Portable Camping Shower
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Best Camping Shower for the Money
My Winner
Pros
  • Gravity fed
  • Velcro straps to hold toiletries
  • Different sizes available
  • Very competitively priced
Cons
  • Doesn't work well in low sun

On a tight budget and want something to keep you clean while you're on the road? This simple Advanced Elements gravity shower comes in 10-litre and 20-litre models and features a durable, four-layer design to reduce the risk of leaks.

What's more, there's a built-in temperature gauge, a neat carry handle, and velcro straps to hold your toiletries. The shower head is a little small, and it's hard to achieve a high flow rate, but this makes it all the better for camping when water can be a little tight.

Overall, I'd seriously recommend this shower if you're looking for an affordable option for your next road trip.

Advanced Elements Summer Solar Shower
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Best Lightweight Camping Shower
My Winner
Pros
  • Small and lightweight
  • Can be used with most plastic bottles
  • Very competitively priced
  • Great for hiking and backpacking
Cons
  • Cold shower only

This Simple Shower portable camping shower is super simple, but I've found it to be a very useful tool to keep in my hiking pack. It can be attached to most one and two-litre water bottles, which means that you can keep an empty bottle to fill from a nearby water source for your shower.

The main downside is that it offers no way to heat water. You could always heat it over a fire or on your camp stove, but you will be having a cold shower if not.

Simple Shower Portable Camping Shower
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Best Camping Shower for Backpacking
My Winner
Pros
  • Small and compact
  • Great solar heating functionality
  • Up to 7 minutes of shower time
  • Very affordable
Cons
  • Works poorly in low sun and cold conditions

I personally love Sea to Summit products, and their lightweight solar camping shower doesn't disappoint. It's small and compact, and it can be folded into a small bundle for backpacking or hiking. 

Then, when you get to your destination, you simply need to fill it with water, leave it in the sun for a few hours to warm, and enjoy your hot shower! 

It is small, but it provides up to 7 minutes of shower time because of the water-saving shower head and slow flow rate. The main downside is that, as with all solar models, you will have trouble getting a hot shower in cloudy or cold conditions.

Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
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Best Solar Camping Shower
My Winner
Pros
  • 20-litre capacity
  • Convenient carry handle
  • Hassle-free set-up
  • Flexible hose
Cons
  • Works poorly in low sun and cold conditions
  • Not the most durable option

This KIPIDA solar shower is a little simple, but it's a decent option if you want a rugged, no-frills option to throw in the back of the car. You shouldn't have any trouble heating your water to a decent temperature in warm weather, and there are numerous product options and variations so you can get exactly what you want.

KIPIDA Solar Shower Bag
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Best Gas Camping Shower
My Winner
Pros
  • Up to 2.4 litres per minute flow rate
  • Provides an excellent hot shower
  • Built-in battery-powered pump
  • Integrated safety features
Cons
  • Requires gas as a fuel source

Gas camping showers take things to a whole new level, and this Mr. Heater shower system is the best I've used. It has great water pressure with a 2.4 litre per minute flow rate, and it can be connected to a portable gas bottle. The pump runs off of four D-size batteries.

What's more, this model comes with a selection of safety features, including an over temp cut-off to reduce the risk of burns. It also comes in at just 6.35 kg, making it a lightweight, highly portable option for camping with friends or family.

Mr. Heater BOSS-XB13 Shower System
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Best Electric Camping Shower
My Winner
Pros
  • Gas and electric power options
  • Built-in LED display
  • Reliable 12 volt pump
  • Provides constant water flow
Cons
  • Quite expensive
  • Low flow rate

This Hike Crew shower mixes electric and gas power sources, making it an extremely versatile option. For one, you can use a portable gas bottle to heat your water, making for a pleasant shower.

Alternatively, you can use the included AC/DC adapter or 12V plug to power the system. The included pump provides a constant water flow, and the built-in LED display shows information about water temperature and other things. There's even an adjustable temperature knob.

Hike Crew Portable Water Heater & Shower
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Best Camping Shower for Vans/RVs
My Winner
Pros
  • Fast water heating
  • Adjustable temperature and water flow rate
  • Overheating shut off
  • Very efficient
Cons
  • Requires external bucket or water tank
  • Quite heavy

This gas-powered camp shower is a popular option for use with an RV or caravan. It features adjustable knobs so you can control the water temperature and flow rate, and there's a neat overheating killswitch to stop the maximum water temperature from being too high.

One thing I love is how efficient this model is. You can heat 10 litres of water in just a few minutes, making it an excellent choice for families and larger groups.

Camplux Tankless Propane Water Heater
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Best Rechargeable Camping Shower
My Winner
Pros
  • Small and compact
  • Fully rechargeable
  • Can be powered from a 12V socket
  • Long hose
Cons
  • Cold showers only

If you're looking for a simple, compact cold-water shower, this innhom rechargeable model is an excellent choice. It comes with a 2200 mAh battery that provides up to 45 minutes of run-time per charge, and you can also power it from your car's cigarette lighter socket.

The main downside is that this unit doesn't heat your water at all. But as with all cold-water showers, you could always warm your water first on a fire or camping stove.

innhom Portable Camping Shower
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Best Shower Tent for Camping
My Winner
Pros
  • Provides excellent privacy
  • Camp shower ready
  • Easy to set up
  • Sandbag pockets for anchoring
Cons
  • Camping shower not included

Sometimes, just having a camping shower isn't enough. After all, it's a little difficult to have a comfortable shower in the middle of a campsite when you're surrounded by strangers.

Enter the Wakeman Portable Pop Up Pod. This pop-up shower tent can be set up in just minutes, and it enables you to take a comfortable shower and change in private.

Wakeman Portable Pop Up Pod
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What Is The Best Camping Shower Setup?

The right camping shower setup will depend on your specific needs and the type of camping you're doing, but there are a few key things that you need to get right.

Privacy

Outdoor showers are great, but one of the keys to having a comfortable hot shower after a long day of activities is getting a little privacy.

If you're camping in a remote area on your own or with a partner, you might be happy enough to strip off under the trees. However, adding something like a camp shower tent to your kit can make for a much more pleasant camping experience.

Water Source

You should also ensure you have enough water (or access to enough water) for your setup.

If you're backpacking, for example, you probably won't want to carry 10 litres of water around. But if you have a large vehicle with a little extra space, you could install a large freshwater tank so you can have a nice, long warm shower.

Fuel Source

Using a solar shower? Make sure you're going to have enough sunlight to heat your water. Running a gas water heater? Make sure you have enough propane for warm showers for your whole trip.

How To Choose The Best Camping Shower

There are numerous decision-making factors to consider when you're choosing a new camping shower. I've outlined a few of the most important below.

Budget

The first thing I'd recommend doing is setting a clear budget. Prices for camping showers can range from under $50 to as much as $1000 each, so it's important to identify how much you're willing to spend from the start.

Power Source

The three main types of camping showers are electric, solar, and gas-powered. Most solar showers are little more than a simple bag that you can place in the sun to heat.

Gas-powered models are more reliable, and they enable you to achieve a comfortable temperature, regardless of your water source. However, you will have to carry some sort of gas bottle for a gas shower.

Electric and rechargeable options are becoming more popular, but some of these don't have any water-heating capability. However, they can be quite useful if you want to pump water to rinse dirty feet or wash dishes during your camping trip.

Size & Portability

It's important to get a camping shower that's the right size and portable enough for your needs. For example, you will want something small and compact if you're backpacking, while a larger gas shower could be the right option for camping with your family.

Capacity/Flow Rate

A few questions to ask here include:

  • What flow rate does a shower have?
  • How many minutes can you shower for? 
  • Do you need an external water source?
  • What is the water capacity?

Extra Features

You might also like to look for things like extra safety features, a digital display, or an adjustable shower head.

Make sure you're getting a shower hose that's long enough, and think about whether you need things like a foot pump or scald protection.

Summary

The best all-around camping shower in Australia is the AFISHTOUR portable camping shower. It's closely followed by the budget-friendly Advanced Elements solar shower, and the other eight options on the above list are all excellent in their own right.

What are you waiting for? Grab a camp shower and enjoy being able to wash on your next extended adventure!

Common questions

We find the best portable camping shower is the Mr. Heater BOSS-XB13 Shower System. With a built-in battery pump and a host of safety features, it provides an excellent hot shower.

The best camping shower is the AFISHTOUR Portable Camping Shower. This solar-powered shower uses a foot pump for consistent water pressure just like you'd enjoy at home.

Yes, there are portable showers that heat hot water like the Mr. Heater BOSS-XB13. However, they usually need to be connected to a gas source.

If you don't have a shower and need to get clean quickly, any source of fresh water from a bucket or hosepipe will work. Just make sure you don't have any exposed cuts or abrasions if you're not 100% sure of the water source.

The term “dry shower” has become popular to describe antibacterial bodywash that comes in a can. They don't require any water, you just rub it into your body to feel clean and fresh. It doesn't beat having a real shower though!

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*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.