While cowboy coffee has made a popular comeback in recent times, it has a reputation for being overly strong and bitter. That’s a big turnoff for many coffee lovers, who are now turning to other methods to make coffee while camping.
Apart from the traditional cowboy brewing style, there are three popular ways to make coffee at the camping grounds: pour-over, percolation, and French Press.
We’ll review the 7 best coffee makers for camping using these methods. Some models will need a propane camp stove to brew, while others make do with hot water boiled over a campfire.
If you are planning a camping trip soon, check out our reviews and buying guide below to find the most suitable portable coffee maker for your needs.
Here are the Best Camping Coffee Makers
1. AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker – Top Choice
Our top choice, the AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker, is also one of the most popular choices for coffee lovers.
The coffee maker uses an immersion and hand press system to extract the coffee and makes more delicious coffee than you would get with a French Press. It can also make espresso-based coffees such as Americano, Latte, and Cappuccino and can produce about 250ml of coffee from one press.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 4.8 x 4.5 x 11.8 inches
- Item Weight: 6.4 ounces
- Quantity: 1-3 cups
- Made in the USA
The AeroPress comes with a stack of 350 paper microfilters to trap the oil and grit, making it easier to clean. It is also lightweight at only 11 ounces and is versatile enough to use at home or in the office when you’re not traveling.
Making coffee is notably easy with 200°F hot water and finely ground espresso coffee. Scoop the ground coffee on the holder and pour hot water over them and let it drip into your cup as you stir gently. Depress the rest of the coffee into your cup with the plunger after a minute—and enjoy.
Pros & Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ It includes 350 reusable microfilters for high-quality coffee. | ❌ Plastic construction may crack from alternating hot and cold water. |
| ✅ Built with a sturdy, BPA-free design that’s easy to clean. | ❌ Does not produce crema and requires technique for excellent coffee. |
| ✅ Lightweight and compact for versatile use. | |
| ✅ More affordable than standard coffee machines. | |
| ✅ Can brew up to 1,000 cups before needing part replacements. | |
| ✅ Produces drinkable coffee in about a minute of manual pressing. |
While the AeroPress coffee maker is simple to use, it will still take you a couple of tries before you develop a technique for making the perfect cuppa with it. Also, the rubber suction part of the plunger may wear out quickly, depending on how many times you prepare coffee.
Overall, it is an excellent choice for camping, more than home applications, due to its simple and lightweight design.
Rating 4.7/5
2. WACACO Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
The Wacaco Nanopresso is a pocket-sized espresso maker that can produce an excellent shot of espresso on the go.
Wacaco is a Hongkong company that manufactures a variety of coffee and espresso appliances for nomads and outdoor enthusiasts. The Nanopresso unit features an 80-ml water tank with a detachable cup, a coffee scoop and filter basket, and an EVA protective case.
Features:
- Dimensions: 2.44"D x 2.8"W x 6.14"H
- Special Feature: Manual
- Coffee Maker Type: Espresso Machine
The Wacaco Nanopresso is a pocket-sized espresso maker that can produce an excellent shot of espresso on the go.
Wacaco is a Hongkong company that manufactures a variety of coffee and espresso appliances for nomads and outdoor enthusiasts. The Nanopresso unit features an 80-ml water tank with a detachable cup, a coffee scoop and filter basket, and an EVA protective case.
The device produces quality espresso coffee with crema in about two minutes and doesn’t require a technique to consistently deliver delicious coffee.
The manufacturer recommends running one cycle of boiling water on the device to warm it up before making your first cup. The hot water temperature should be at least 190°F. Measure and put 8 grams of finely ground coffee into the filter basket and tamp it to make one espresso shot.
The Nanopresso uses a patented manual pumping system that makes up to 18 bars of pressure to extract the coffee, resulting in a consistently high-quality brew.
Pros & Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Lightweight and compact, ideal for camping. | ❌ The 140ml larger tank and Nespresso adapter are optional accessories. |
| ✅ The high-pressure pump delivers excellent espresso with crema. | ❌ The pump may have a limited service life. |
| ✅ Available in five colors and includes a one-year warranty. | ❌ Costlier than other portable espresso makers. |
| ✅ Easy to clean with minimal water while camping. |
While the Nanopresso has high quality, one of its drawbacks is the pump jamming. Also, you would have to buy accessories separately if you want to use Nespresso capsules or make double espresso shots.
Overall, while it is expensive, most users say it has better value for money than daily trips to local coffee shops.
Rating 4.6/5
3. Bialetti Express Moka Pot
We can’t be thinking of coffee and camping and not consider the moka pot.
If you have ever experienced the goodness of Italian coffee or Cafe Cubano, you will most likely have come across the Bialetti Express Moka Pot.
Features:
- Brand: Bialetti
- Dimensions: 4"D x 4"W x 9"H
- Special Feature: Classic Design, Aluminum Body, Easy-Clean Safety Valve
- Coffee Maker Type: Moka Pot
While there are plenty of Moka pots available in the market, the Bialetti is the original Moka pot, and it produces a tasteful coffee reminiscent of Italian coffee. The Express Moka Pot features aluminum construction with an ergonomic handle and a patented safety valve that makes cleaning easy.
It is also available in various sizes, depending on how many cups you want to prepare in one go, and is compatible with propane, gas, and electric cooktops. This also makes it more suitable for camping with RVs, trailers, or overlanding where you can carry a propane camp stove, unlike typical camping where you prepare your meals over a makeshift campfire.
The coffee preparation method is simple, and you use the safety valve in the boiler to mark the water level. Spoon your ground coffee loosely into the filter cone, close the pot, and put it on the stovetop to extract.
Pros & Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Easy to use and brews rich coffee. | ❌ Requires a stovetop to brew the coffee |
| ✅ Cleans easily by rinsing with warm, clean water. | ❌ It needs a bit of technique to brew it right |
| ✅ Lightweight aluminum construction for easy portability. | |
| ✅ Available in various sizes for convenience. |
Many buyers have noted that only the 6-cup size is built well, while the other sizes have issues. Some of the issues they found include pot discoloration, handles melting, and the pot leaving a metallic taste in your coffee. On the upside, the product comes with a 10-year guarantee.
Rating 4.6/5
4. Eureka! Camp Café 12 Cup Portable Camping Coffee Maker – Best for Group Camping
The Eureka! Camp Cafe 12-Cup Portable Camping Coffee Maker is our best choice for group camping.
It includes a 2.5-liter hard-anodized aluminum boiling pot and carafe to make robust and flavorful coffee for the whole crew. It also has a polypropylene carafe lid and filter holder and requires a #4 paper filter to extract coffee using the pour-over method.
Features:
- Brand: Eureka!
- Dimensions: 8"D x 8"W x 8"H
- Special Feature: Nesting Design, Patented Flux Ring Technology
- Coffee Maker Type: Pour Over
On top of that, the pot is so versatile that you can use it for cooking rice and draining pasta water with the integrated lid strainer.
The Camp Cafe is pretty light at 0.48 pounds for its massive capacity and comes in four parts that nest together, so it’s compact and portable, just perfect for your trip. It also features a high-quality design that makes it reliable for all your camping trips.
However, we recommend using the boiling pot on a camp stove instead of a campfire so you can check and control the heat temperature. The boiling pot features a FluxRing that allows it to boil water quickly and may get damaged when used over a campfire.
Pros & Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Brews large quantities of coffee at once for convenience. | ❌ Only suitable for use over a camp stove |
| ✅ Nesting parts keep it lightweight and compact for easy transport. | ❌ Pot and carafe lose heat quickly |
| ✅ Large-capacity pot is versatile for preparing other camp meals. | |
| ✅ Superior build quality ensures reliability and durability. |
As with any pour-over and drip coffee maker, the brewing process may take longer than usual, considering that you will be brewing a large pot of coffee.
Additionally, the kettle loses heat quickly, and you may end up with warm coffee at the end of the brewing process. On the flip side, it is flexible for prepping most of your camp meals.
Rating 4.5/5
5. Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Percolator
The Farberware Yosemite Classic Stainless Steel Percolator is another superb choice for group camping trips where you need to make several cups of coffee in one brew.
This model is popular with campers because of its top-quality stainless-steel build, versatility in use, and the great-tasting coffee it produces. However, it also requires a stovetop to boil the water, limiting its applications to car camping.
Features:
- Brand: Farberware
- Dimensions: 7.28"D x 8.86"W x 10.83"H
- Special Feature: Permanent Filter
- Coffee Maker Type: Percolator
Farberware is an iconic American cookware brand that offers a lifetime guarantee on its products. The Yosemite model comes in two sizes and features a glass knob that lets you see when the coffee begins to perk.
It also features a permanent filter basket that makes cleaning easy, while the stainless steel construction ensures that your coffee retains its rich flavor.
Pros & Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Non-reactive stainless steel prevents unwanted flavors. | ❌ Not ideal to use over a regular campfire |
| ✅ Heavy-duty and compact for camping and home use. | ❌ The lid fits too tightly, risking damage to the glass knob. |
| ✅ Glass knob to monitor brewing progress. | |
| ✅ Brews 12 cups of coffee for large groups. | |
| ✅ Ergonomic design for easy handling. | |
| ✅ More affordable than competitors. |
It’s great that the percolator doubles as a hot water kettle for other camping needs. But one of the drawbacks that people noticed is the percolator’s tight lid, which causes the glass knob to break when trying to get it open.
Rating 4.6/5
6. MiiR Pourigami – Best for Portability
If pour-over is your thing, then the MiiR Pourigami might do the trick for you. This is a creatively designed portable coffee dripper that gets positive reviews for brewing a smooth and tasty coffee consistently.
Pour-over and drip coffee are the easiest methods of making coffee on your hiking adventures because it just requires pouring hot water over the grounds. The extracted coffee drips into your cup, and while it does not need practice to get it right, it does have some drawbacks.
Features:
- Brand: MiiR
- Special Feature: Lightweight
- Style: Modern
- Recommended For: Travel, Home
The Pourigami features three flat panels made of medical-grade stainless steel with a hardshell powder coating. The panels interlock together, creating a triangular dripper.
As mentioned above, one of the drawbacks is that Pourigami’s design is shallow. So it holds less coffee, and one has to pour small amounts of water as it drips into the cup slowly, which may result in a steeped brew.
Also, some people have observed that the white model stains over time, making the black one more preferable.
Pros & Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Interlocking flat design for convenient portability. | ❌ White models may stain over time |
| ✅ Constructed from medical-grade stainless steel. | ❌ May produce an over-extracted coffee |
| ✅ Easy to use and consistently brews good coffee. | |
| ✅ Includes a carry case that stores your filters. |
On the upside, the coffee maker weighs only 4 ounces and is the size of a credit card when disassembled, making it convenient to carry in a small pack. Additionally, it fits well with most backpacking mugs. We recommend using lightly roasted medium-ground coffee for best results.
Rating 4.4/5
How to Choose the Best Camping Coffee Maker
Brewing Style
Pour-over and drip coffee makers are the fastest and simplest to use. You pour hot water over coffee grounds and let it drip into the mug or carafe. They are also lightweight and affordable, and they give you the flexibility to brew strong or light coffee, according to your preference.
Percolators and moka pots are the traditional options for many seasoned campers because these coffee makers have been around for decades. They use a pressurized method for brewing coffee where heated water is pushed through coffee grounds in a series of cycles until you achieve the desired strength of coffee.
It typically takes about eight minutes or less to brew coffee with a percolator compared to three minutes or less with a pour-over and French press coffee maker.
The French Press models such as the AeroPress and Wacaco Nanopress are user-friendly options that require pouring hot water into the brewing pot. Furthermore, they produce the most flavorful coffee of the three brewing styles, making them popular among coffee enthusiasts.
The coffee maker uses a combination of immersion where you scoop the coffee into the carafe and pour boiling water into it. You let it steep for about a minute, then push or pump out the extracted coffee into a mug.
Capacity
Camping coffee makers come in various sizes, and your choice depends on how many people are tagging along on the camping trip.
Pour-over and the French press models are best for solo users, while percolators and Moka pots are versatile for making coffee for a bunch of people.
Additionally, capacity also affects the size and weight, factors you may consider for portability in backpacking trips.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
While most coffee lovers appreciate using techniques to brew the perfect cup, portable coffee makers should also be simple to use and easy to clean.
Generally, pour-over gadgets are the easiest to use because you can boil water over a campfire and rinse out the filter with little water.
On the other hand, some percolators and Moka pots require a propane cooktop to boil the water, limiting their application to camping with vehicles.
While the French press models don’t need a stovetop to heat the water, their filters are harder to clean.
Versatility is another factor to consider, and the Eureka! Camp Café 12 Cup Portable Camping Coffee Maker excels in this aspect. It features a large boiling pot that you can also use to prepare rice and other camp meals.
However, it also has its drawbacks because some of the food flavors may affect the taste of your coffee. Furthermore, it uses the pour-over brewing method, and brewing 12 cups can be time-consuming, and it doesn’t guarantee a hot cup in the end.
When camping or traveling, it will also be good to bring along a nice insulated mug to keep your drink warm.
Final Thoughts
Every coffee lover has a particular taste that can be hard to achieve when camping with limited resources. However, you can brew a delicious cup of hot java with any of the best portable coffee makers for camping reviewed above. But, if you are having a tough time deciding on which to pick, we recommend the AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Makeras it is the most flexible option available.
The AeroPress is a remarkable gadget that is simple to use and makes a smooth and rich brew almost instantly. Plus, it produces a variety of espresso-based coffees, such as Americano and Cappuccino, making it versatile for outdoor and indoor applications. Overall, whichever coffee maker you choose, we hope you’ll have a fantastic experience brewing amazing coffee at the campsite.
