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Showering while camping has become the new normal these days. Although it’s not something super important to myself while camping, many people are taking a more glamping approach and opting to a hot shower option while in the great outdoors!
While often times a dive in the river can be thrilling, but what to do if the weather is cold, windy, and unpleasant? Jumping in the water for a quick dip is a lot different than taking a shower and cleaning yourself off.
The best way to accomplish a warm shower while camping is to bring a device that can heat your water up. You can opt for a slower heating solar pouch to warm your water or go for the more expensive propane water heater tank. These devices range in price but also range in speed of heating the water and how much water they can hold. Attaching a portable pop up shower to one of these water heating sources is the best way to accomplish a nice hot shower while camping.
There are a lot of different products available for heating your water up. I’m going to be showing you a few different options below as a starting point. Whether you are willing to fork over the money for a hot shower while camping or just looking for something simple, I’m sure we have something you will like below!
Last update on 2024-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
HOW TO GET HOT WATER WHILE CAMPING
Heating water requires a heat source like a stove, campfire, solar heating bag, or a jet boil device. You can heat the water to the temperature of your liking with these devices. However, some methods of boiling restrict the amount of water heated.
A solar water bag/ bucket can only heat as much sun it can consume. You can opt for devices that provide a continuous supply of hot water. If you want to have water on a day when the sun isn’t out, you may have to opt for something other than the sun to heat up your water. This is when we have to turn to a propane or electric heater.
BEST WATER HEATER OPTIONS
I’m going to show you some options below, these will range from inexpensive solar heaters all the way up to more expensive propane water heaters. All you will need is a water heater and a pop up shower for privacy, if needed.
Advanced Elements Summer Solar Shower - Best Budget Option
This portable camping shower with a water heater is the perfect tool for traveling the world. This portable water heater is a must if you are going on a camping trip for a couple of days and still want to be fresh and as functional as possible.
It is very economical and does not require electricity or propane. This solar-powered water heater has an oversized loading valve, carries up to 3 gallons of fresh water, and folds up quickly for packing. For optimum heat retention and efficiency, the 4-layer structure is designed to heat the water as quickly as possible.
It comes with a hose and a handy shower head on / off, plus a pocket to place your bathroom items in. It’s very small, but when completely loaded with water, it can get heavy, so keep that in consideration. It has a warranty of 1 year as well.
If you are looking for an affordable and compact solution for taking a hot shower while camping, look no further!
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Lightweight
- Saves energy
- Temperature controls present
- Extra pouch for toiletries
Cons
- Longer heating time
- Water doesn’t get as warm as with batter or propane heater.
Mr. Heater Boss-Xb13 - Great Mid Range Option
Typically when you camping, you don’t have a good source of electricity. Which is exactly why this battery-operated heater comes in handy. The device delivers hot water whenever and wherever you need at the touch of a button. The tools provided are spigot, showerhead, and a spinner. Everything you need to have a nice hot shower while camping.
Matchless ignition and customizable temperature are my favorite and the Mr. Heaters core features. It consumes around 12,000 BTU per hour and shows a flow speed of 6 gallons per minute. The machine comes with a filter system to avoid the collection of waste. The motor pump functions on D cell batteries.
Pros
- 24/7 hot water
- Battery operated
- 40 minutes run time
- Compact and handy
- Lightweight
- Hot water safety flow switch present
Cons
- Can Only be used with propane gas
- Slightly pricey
Hike Crew Portable Propane Heater - High-End Option
To get the complete feel of your home shower, you probably won’t find a better portable option than this water heater. It’s a little more expensive than the others, but it just works. If you want a good reliable water heater for warm showers while camping, you probably won’t find a better option.
It comes with an outlet to connect to an AC/DC 12V adapter. Also, the device automatically switches off once the temperature reaches 125°F. The accessories include a shower head with flexible spray designs, Hand Faucet, and a temperature controlling knob.
Pros
- 24/7 hot water
- Automatic shutoff
- Water flow sensor
- Compact device
- Continuous water flow
- Sleek LCD display
- Reliable
Cons
- Expensive machine
- Heavyweight (6 Kgs)
Stearns Sunshower 4.0
This solar water heater is another great budget option. It’s super light weight and will heat up water with the solar pouch even on a cloudy day. It has a built in thermometer so you can see exactly how warm the water is.
If you were looking for an affordable option for a warm shower while backpacking, this might be your best option. It’s super compact and easy to fit in a bag!
Pros
- Handy and lightweight
- Affordable
- Extremely portable, easy to take backpacking
Cons
- Less water flow
- Long wait to warm water up
KIPIDA Solar Shower Bag
A solar shower bag is user friendly and is a great option for heating water. There are a variety of these bags available in different sizes. As they are fueled by solar heat, the only requirement is water and the sun, and they’ll work anywhere.
You just have to be quick with the shower since the water heats up to 45°C in 3 hours. It can be used on an outdoor camping trip, trekking, or hunting a trip. Additional supplied accessories include a removable hose and a showerhead.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Affordable
- Temperature Indicator
- Multiple layers to make it leak-proof
- On-off switch to regulate the speed flow
Cons
- Longer heating time
- Less water capacity
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Benefits Of A Portable Water Heater
Hot showers soothe the tiring muscles and refresh the mood too. You can find portable water heaters that will give you just as good of a shower as you can take from your own home.
Below are the benefits of a portable water heater-
1. Quick hot water supply
Portable water heaters are a great option when there’s no other source to get hot water. They can provide hot water at almost any time of the day. For a person who loves their hot water baths, portable heaters are a great idea. It makes camping more clean, fun, and hygienic. They are also great for emergency situations, when your power or water goes out.
2. Conservation of water
These water heaters don’t waste water while you wait for it to get heated. You can turn the switch on and start using hot water from the first drop itself. As you can use as much water you want, do not waste a lot of water while showering.
2. Compact and Lightweight
For frequent travelers, these portable water heaters won’t take up a lot of space. Moreover, they will be fairly easy to carry around. You can simply put them in your RVs or cars and head for a memorable trip. Carrying them around wherever you go is going to be a hassle-free task.
3. Handy and lightweight
For avid campers who travel a lot, these water heaters are a blessing. They don’t require a lot of space and easily fit in your bag. They are compact and free to carry with you in the car or RV. You can take it around wherever you go.
4. Saves energy
These water heaters are automatic and save a lot of energy. They switch off once the water gets completely heated. They lower the heating time and thus become energy efficient. They are at rest when not in use, thus saving more energy.
5. Easy to use and keep
They are designed to be handy and used anywhere. You just have to connect it to the power supply and provide a water source, and it gets the job done. They are comparatively less bulky, so that it is easy to carry around on your treks and hikes. Also, you can place them anywhere, so they don’t specifically need a particular setup.
Safety Measures
All portable heaters provide a safety guide to shield you from any harm. A temperature controller is present to show you the level and how hot it is.
Also, automatic turn-off operations are present in the devices which shut down the machine when it reaches a certain temperature.
Final Thoughts
Having a hot shower while camping is obviously more of a luxury rather than a necessity. These water heaters range from small, simple and convenient to large expensive and harder to set up. It really just comes down to how you value a hot shower while camping.
If you are camping in the fall you might appreciate the warm shower a little more. I know in my experience, taking a warm shower in the evening, even on a warm day can be so refreshing and relaxing. It also helps me sleep a little better while camping.
Having a hot shower while camping is not for everyone as it might ruin the authentic camping experience. You do you and who cares who judges. I hope you found the information in this article helpful!
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