The 9 best camping coffee makers for any type of camping trip

There are few things I look forward to every day as much as I look forward to my first cup of coffee, whether I’m in my own home, car camping at the local campground, or deep in the backcountry. Luckily, I’m not the only one reluctant to give up creature comforts while camping, and the market for camp coffee makers that make tasty coffee is surprisingly broad.

As a professional mountain guide, I’ve used nearly every camp coffee maker in every environment conceivable to make coffee for myself and my guests. When buying a coffee maker for camping for personal use, I look for portable, easy-to-use coffee makers that don’t sacrifice taste.  My overall pick is the Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press. It combines lightweight packability with durability; not only do I use it to make coffee while camping, but I’ve used the same one daily for almost five years. It makes delicious coffee and is one of the easiest camp coffee makers to clean while in the backcountry. 

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The best coffee maker for camping

Best camping coffee maker overall: Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press

Buy it now at REI

Why we like it: I’ve been using the Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press for five years, and I like it so much that it’s become my primary coffee maker in my home, too. Operating similarly to a French press, the Aeropress pushes hot water and grounds through a filter to make a delicious cup of coffee in just a few minutes. One of my favorite features is how easy it is to deal with the grounds; they pop out into a compact puck, so there's no need to dig out grounds or wash the coffee maker between uses. It weighs under a pound, and everything nests inside a container that doubles as a travel mug. 

Keep in mind: The Aeropress is a single-serving coffee maker and makes eight ounces a serving. If you’re making coffee for several people when camping, you may want a more efficient coffee maker for camping. 

Product details: Weight: 11.5 oz | Brew type: Immersion | Material: Polypropylene, food-grade silicone

Best percolator coffee maker: GSI Outdoors 6-Cup Glacier Percolator

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Why we like it: If you’re car camping in a group, percolators are an easy-to-use coffee maker to make coffee when camping. The GSI Outdoors 6-Cup Glacier Percolator is a rugged, stainless steel percolator that can make coffee on a camp stove or over a campfire for a more rustic coffee-making experience. Third-party reviews mention that the corrosion-resistant, marine-grade stainless steel is very durable. GSI also offers the percolator in different sizes, ranging from as small as three cups up to 12 cups. 

Keep in mind: Some reviews mention that the percolator makes small cups of coffee. You may want to size up; for instance, use the 6-cup model for three people. 

Product details: Weight: 1.3 lbs | Brew type: Percolation | Material: Stainless steel, silicone

Best drip coffee maker for camping: Coleman Camping Coffee Maker

Buy it now at Coleman

Why we like it: The Coleman Camping Coffee Maker is great for campers who don’t want to leave their traditional drip coffee pot at home. While the upper half resembles a typical drip coffee maker, the steel base has been designed to fit over most 2- and 3-burner camp stoves, allowing you to heat water and make coffee at camp. The carafe fits 10 cups, and there’s a Pause N’ Serve button that lets you pour a cup of coffee mid-brew.

Keep in mind: At over seven pounds, the Coleman Camping Coffee Maker is the heaviest camp coffee maker on this list. Third-party reviews mention that the plastic upper can melt, and the coffee maker is prone to clogging.

Product details: Weight: 7.2 lbs | Brew type: Drip | Material: Steel, glass carafe

Best camping pour-over coffee device: Stanley Pour-Over Set

Buy it now at Stanley

Why we like it: While Stanley Tumblers may be having a moment in the general public, Stanley also offers a great coffee maker for camping. The Stanley Pour-Over Set, which includes a stainless steel pour-over and a matching, insulated camp mug, is a durable option for car camping or RV trips. The set comes ready to use, with a built-in, reusable filter. 

Keep in mind: This pour-over set is bulky for backpacking. Third-party reviews mention a weak, slow flow when brewing.

Product details: Weight: 1.6 lbs | Brew type: Manual drip | Material: Stainless steel

Best stainless steel French press: Stanley Classic Stay-Hot French Press

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Why we like it: French presses are known for brewing bold, delicious coffee. Unfortunately, most standard French presses are made of components that aren’t durable enough for prolonged camping use. Not so for the Stanley Classic Stay-Hot French Press. It’s made of sturdy stainless steel, with vacuum insulation to keep your coffee hot until you’re ready to drink it. While designed for the outdoors, you can also use this French press at home.

Keep in mind: French Presses can be difficult to clean in the backcountry unless you have access to a sink. Third-party reviews mention that the filter doesn’t always keep all of the grounds at the bottom.

Product details: Weight: 2.5 lbs | Brew type: Immersion | Material: stainless steel

Best camping coffee makers for large groups: GSI Outdoors Moka Espresso Pot

Buy it now at Backcountry

Why we like it: Most camping coffee makers are designed to make coffee for only a few people at a time; if you’re with a large group, you may need the GSI Outdoors Moka Espresso Pot to make coffee when camping. The Moka Pot can brew six double shots, or twelve single shots, of espresso at a time. Add hot water to the espresso shots to make delicious Americanos for everyone. It’s made of stainless steel, so you can brew your coffee right over the campfire. 

Keep in mind: Some third-party reviews mention that espresso leaks out the sides when brewing, right where the ground container screws in. 

Product details: Weight: 1.9 lbs | Brew type: Percolation | Material: Stainless steel

Best for solo camping: Alpine Start Instant Coffee

Buy it now at REI

Why we like it: This one isn’t a coffee maker but rather a pack of instant coffee. I generally only use instant coffee on long backpacking trips where weight is at a premium, as I find it a poor substitute for freshly brewed coffee. Alpine Start is the exception, however. This Colorado-based company rightfully prides itself on delicious, ultralight instant coffee. They also sell instant lattes and dirty chais, as well as dairy-free instant creamers. It’s a great option for solo camping and backpacking trips where you don’t have room for a coffee maker but don’t want to sacrifice taste.

Keep in mind: Alpine Start, like most instant coffee, can be expensive if you use it often or for large groups. 

Product details: Weight: 0.1 oz | Brew type: Instant | Material: Coffee, aluminum foil

Best bang for your buck: GSI Collapsible Java Drip

Buy it now at Backcountry

Why we like it: The GSI Collapsible Java Drip is a slim silicone pour-over that, for under $15, can meet most of your camp coffee needs. It's durable, easy to use, and collapses into a one-inch thick disc, making it easy to pack. The collapsible nature also means it’s less likely to get broken if thrown in a backpack. I’ve had the misfortune of trying to piece together a non-collapsible plastic pour-over with duct tape after it snapped while backpacking, and switched to the Collapsible Java Drip afterward.

Keep in mind: Filters are not included. However, you can find #4 coffee filters at most grocery stores.  

Product details: Weight: 5 oz | Brew type: Manual drip | Material: Silicone, polypropylene

Best coffee maker for backpacking: GSI Ultralight Java Drip Coffee Maker

Buy it now at REI

Why we like it: Compact and weighing under half an ounce, the GSI Ultralight Java Drip Coffee Maker is the best coffee maker for backpacking. The Java Drip is a simple design with a reusable nylon filter supported by three plastic legs. Simply clip the minimalist pour-over onto your camp mug and start brewing. When you’re done, fold the legs in for easy storage.

Keep in mind: The grounds can be difficult to wash out without running water. The clips that hold the filter onto your mug are delicate and easily broken. 

Product details: Weight: 0.3 oz | Brew type: Manual drip | Material: Nylon, polypropylene

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I considered several factors when curating the best camp coffee makers. I looked at these qualities in particular:

• Third-party reviews: I considered third-party reviews from sources other than company websites for unbiased opinions.
• Brand reputation: I picked trusted brands known for making high-quality, durable coffee makers.  
• Ease of use: I chose coffee makers that are easy to use and easy to clean while camping.
• Weight: Camping coffee makers need to be portable and packable, and I included coffee makers that were light enough for backpacking and coffee makers that could be used for car camping.

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Tips for buying a camping coffee maker

How many people you want to make coffee for

Different camp coffee makers make different amounts of coffee, and you’ll want to choose one that fits your group's needs. Coffee makers for camping, like Aeropresses and pour-overs, make one serving of coffee at a time and are best suited for small groups. French presses typically make two to four cups of coffee, while some percolators make six. If you have a large group of campers, consider a moka pot.

Portability

Unlike a home coffee maker, camp coffee makers need to be portable and compact. If you’ll primarily be taking your coffee makers for backpacking, look for the smallest coffee maker possible. If you’re car camping, you can use larger, heavier camp coffee makers like percolators. You also will need a coffee maker that can operate without a power source.  All of the coffee makers on our list make coffee when camping by using water that is heated over a stove or a campfire. 

Ease of use

The last thing you want to be doing in the morning is groggily fumbling with an over-complicated camp coffee maker. Look for one that is intuitive and simple to use. In particular, make sure coffee grounds are easy to clean and dispose of. Leave No Trace dictates that you carry out biodegradable trash like coffee grounds when camping, and having a camp coffee maker that you can dump the grounds into a trash bag will make this a lot less messy.

Weight

If you plan on backpacking with your camp coffee maker, you should prioritize weight and packability over other factors. Look for a single-serving camp coffee maker like an Aeropress or pour-over that’s under a pound. If your coffee maker is for car camping, choose camp coffee makers that are heavier but make more coffee, like a percolator or a French press.

Taste

There’s no sense in bringing a coffee maker camping only to make coffee that doesn’t taste good. Each coffee maker on this list uses one of three different brew methods, and each method results in a slightly different taste. Immersion brews tend to have a richer body, percolation coffee is brighter tasting, and drip coffee is more complex. If you’re new to the method of brewing your coffee makers for camping uses, experiment at home first.

Materials

You also want to make sure your camp coffee maker is made of durable materials. Look for stainless steel and silicone, and be wary of glass or thin plastic.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best coffee-making method for camping?

An Aeropress is one of the best coffee-making methods for camping. Aeropresses are light, durable, easy to clean, and make delicious coffee.

Is a percolator good for camping?

Percolators are a great option to make coffee if you are car camping. They’re easy to use and clean but are heavy and don’t pack down. 

Is there a battery-operated coffee maker for camping?

Makita makes a battery-operated coffee maker, though it isn’t designed for camping. The coffee maker is compatible with Makita’s 12V max CXT and 18V LXT batteries. Third-party reviews mention that it takes a lot of battery power to make a single cup of coffee.