Best Camping Coffee Maker: Our Top 9 Picks

During my latest trip to Germany’s beautiful North Sea Coast, I realized there was something missing from Coffeeness: a best camping coffee maker guide.

Sure, I probably shouldn’t have been thinking about work while on vacation. But I’m always thinking about coffee, so I guess I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place in that regard.

Anyway, now that I’m officially back in the saddle, I’ve decided to put things right. So, coming up, you’ll find my curated selection of the very best camping coffee makers out there. I’ll also give you a few tips and pointers on what to look for in a portable coffee solution.

Best Coffee Makers For Camping at a Glance

Here’s a quick overview of the camping coffee makers I’ll be reviewing today:

Why Buy a Coffee Maker for Camping?

In the old days, folks didn’t really care about drinking good coffee while camping or backpacking. It was simply a case of getting some caffeine into your system before heading out on the trail or hitting the climbing crag.

However, things have come a long way in recent years, and you no longer have to put up with instant coffee granules or a pot of cowboy coffee.

With that said, plenty of specialty roasters are now offering their own versions of instant coffee, some of which actually isn’t that bad. Still, I always advocate for using the best coffee beans you can, grinding them fresh and preparing your coffee with care.

Personally, I think it’s worth buying a good camp coffee maker seeing as you can take it with you anywhere – not just out into the woods.

Seriously, whenever I’m going to be staying in hotels for a while, I’ll make sure I bring a bag of beans, a way to brew a good cup of coffee and a manual coffee grinder. After all, hotel coffee isn’t exactly known for being particularly drinkable.

The same goes for when you’re visiting relatives. If the thought of having to drink Folgers from your grandma’s ancient coffee maker for a week sends shivers down your spine, bring your own coffee kit. It won’t take up much room and you’ll have a much nicer time. That said, maybe keep it on the down-low; you don’t want to cause offense!

How to Choose the Best Portable Coffee Maker for Camping

Now that we’ve established the benefits of camping coffee brewers, let’s take a look at a few of the factors to consider before buying.

Your Budget

As with any purchase, how much money you can spend will play a big part in determining what you’ll get. Fortunately, camping coffee makers are, for the most part, extremely affordable.

In fact, you shouldn’t need to spend more than 20 bucks or so for a decent pour-over dripper. Still, remember that you’ll need to buy filters and you might need to invest in a hand coffee grinder if you don’t already own one.

Size and Weight

Pretty much the whole point of a camping coffee maker is to be lightweight and portable. That goes double if you’re going to be taking your favorite brewer on multi-day backpacking trips.

With that in mind, look for something that won’t take up much room in your pack and won’t get easily damaged as you’re hauling it around.

On the other hand, those who need something for car camping with large groups of coffee drinkers won’t be as concerned about the portability factor. In fact, the coffee maker’s brewing capacity will be of much greater concern. That said, you’ll still want something sturdy that’ll withstand both the elements and the test of time.

Equipment Needed

It’s all very well having the most compact coffee maker available, but you might still need extra equipment to actually brew coffee. So, if you’re going for a pour-over dripper or AeroPress, remember that you’ll need a way to heat water.

While something like a GSI Outdoors pot will do in a pinch, I’d recommend a compact gooseneck kettle like the Hario V60 Buono.

Of course, I don’t expect any but the nerdiest of you to bring along a coffee scale on a camping trip. However, one thing you’ll definitely want is a hand grinder for the best tasting fresh coffee.

Again, there are some seriously compact and durable options out there, including the Hario Mini-Slim Plus and the Porlex Mini. Oh, and the Porlex crank arm fits neatly inside an AeroPress, so extra points for that model. Anyway, check out my guide to the best manual coffee grinders for all the latest and best options.

Ease of Use

As far as I’m concerned, all the brewers on my list are really easy to use. Still, not everyone wants to fiddle around with a pour-over dripper, or take the time to perfect their espresso.

So, if it’s just a simple pot of bean juice you’re after, consider brewing coffee in a French press or percolator.

Cleaning

The regular Coffeeness readers among you will know that I’m kind of a clean freak when it comes to home espresso machines and super-automatic espresso machines. However, when I’m out in nature, the last thing I want to be doing is cleaning a coffee maker to within an inch of its life.

All the models listed below are easy to clean, but some require a little more work than others. Personally, I’m a fan of the pour-over coffee maker when I’m traveling because cleanup is just a case of trashing the filter and giving the dripper a quick rinse with hot water.

However, do remember that if you’re in the wilderness, you’re going to have to stick to the rules of Leave No Trace. While your garden plants like coffee grounds, you should always bring used coffee grounds back home rather than dumping them in the woods.

The 9 Best Camping Coffee Makers

AeroPress Coffee Maker: Overall Best Camping Coffee Maker

Choosing the best overall camping coffee maker was easy – I just had to go with the trusty AeroPress Classic Coffee Maker.

Thanks to its super simple and efficient design, using the AeroPress is a piece of cake. Still, that’s not to say you can’t get creative with this awesome device; you can customize your brew to get everything from complex, espresso style coffee to rich, full-bodied coffee and even cold brew.

Costing just $34.99, the AeroPress is super affordable, and you might find yourself using it at home as well as at the campsite. Sure, there’s a slight learning curve involved in using the thing, but once you’ve figured out your preferred method, brewing a cup of coffee takes next to no time.

Best of all, the AeroPress is almost self-cleaning, thanks to the fact that the plunger pushes the used coffee puck out of the tube once you’re done.

While the AeroPress comes with a supply of paper filters, you can cut down on extra costs down the road by investing in a stainless steel reusable filter.

See Also: AeroPress Review

WACACO Nanopresso: Portable Camping Coffee Maker

If you’ve checked out my guide to the best portable espresso makers 2025, you’ll know how highly I rate the WACACO Nanopresso. This nifty mini espresso set is ideal for those who can’t imagine going without their daily espresso shot, no matter how deep in the woods they might be.

I’ll admit to having been a little dubious about how well this little brewer would work, but during the testing process it made superb espresso with a bold flavor. Thanks to its innovative design, you create the necessary pressure for extraction by pumping a pop-out piston with your thumb. And seeing as the Nanopresso has a pressurized filter, you don’t have to worry too much about dialing in your grind size.

Best of all, the Nanopresso is compact, rugged and comes with a cool travel case as well as an espresso cup.

The WACACO Nanopresso costs $84.90, which is pretty reasonable considering its performance. Oh, and if you want to go one step further, consider the Barista Kit, which includes a larger water tank, espresso tamper and bigger brew baskets.

See Also: WACACO Nanopresso Review

MiiR Pourigami: Pour Over Coffee Maker for Camping

You guys know how much I love my Hario V60 dripper. However, for the purposes of this guide, the MiiR Pourigami won out as the best camping coffee maker for pour-over aficionados.

For starters, the MiiR Pourigami features an ingenious folding design – you simply arrange the panels to form a legit pour-over coffee maker. What’s more, the Pourigami is constructed from medical grade stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about hot water and coffee mixing with plastic. And at just $29.95, this dripper won’t break the bank.

While the MiiR Pouragami isn’t the most lightweight option out there, it does fold up into a very compact package. Plus, it comes with a travel case that’ll store the dripper and a few filters.

Speaking of, the manufacturer produces its own coffee filters but you can use Hario V60 02 paper filters if you want. Alternatively, consider the unfortunately named CoffeeSock Reusable Cotton Filter as a more eco-friendly option when you’re out in nature.

Related: Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker

Fellow Clara French Press: French Press Coffee Maker for Camping

Seeing as cooking up a pot of French press is so straightforward, it’s the ideal brewing method for camping or backpacking. However, your traditional Bodum French press isn’t going to last long in transit because of its glass beaker.

Enter the Fellow Clara, which is about as rugged as a French press can get. Not only does this thing look super classy, it’s made from durable stainless steel. Heck, it even features double walled construction, so it’ll keep your delicious coffee nice and hot.

Other features setting the Clara apart from other French presses include an enhanced filtration mesh for a cleaner cup of joe and an all-directional pour lid. You’ll have to pay, though; the Fellow French press currently costs a whopping $99.00.

Perhaps one of the Fellow Clara’s best features for camping is the presence of ratio aid lines on the inside of the press. While I’d always weigh out my coffee beans at home, those markers will come in mighty handy at the campsite, and you won’t have to bring your coffee scale with you!

See Also: Fellow French Press Review

Bialetti Moka Express: Best Camping Coffee Percolator

I know plenty of people who regard the Bialetti Moka Express as the best camping coffee maker out there. It’s easy to see why – this sturdy little stovetop espresso maker weighs practically nothing and you’d really have to try hard to break it.

With that in mind, you’ll never have to worry about tossing the Moka Express in your backpack and heading into the hills.

Costing just $24.21 for the 1-cup model, the Bialetti Moka Express is a budget-friendly coffee maker that couldn’t be easier to use. You simply add water to the bottom chamber, spoon ground coffee into the filter then screw the thing together and put it on a flame.

That’s a real bonus, seeing as you won’t need to carry a kettle with you.

The main drawback to using a stovetop espresso maker is that you’ll need a grinder capable of producing really finely ground coffee. Seriously, even pre-ground supermarket coffee probably won’t be fine enough to get good results. Not that I’d ever recommend using that anyway!

See Also: Moka Pot Review

Coletti Bozeman Camping Coffee Pot: Best Campfire Coffee Pot

Designed by battle-hardened combat veterans, the Coletti Bozeman Camping Coffee Pot is seriously rugged and well-made.

Constructed using all stainless steel parts, the Coletti Bozeman is a classic percolator pot that’s ideal for larger groups. Plus, it’s easy to use when you’re out in the backwoods; simply fill with water, add coffee grounds to the basket and put the pot over your campfire.

Before long you’ll have hot coffee bubbling away.

Incidentally, you can also use the Bozeman camping pot to make traditional cowboy coffee by ignoring the filter insert altogether.

The Coletti Bozeman Camping Coffee Pot is available in several sizes, with the 9-cup model costing $40.09 on Amazon. That’s actually really reasonable, given the build quality of this camping coffee pot.

By the way, I simply must draw attention to the manufacturer’s promotional material, which includes the line, “When you want something strong, and it’s too early for beer, brew with a Bozeman.” Hold on a minute, I was under the impression it’s never too early for beer when you’re a wilderness-conquering tough guy!

Related: How to Make Cowboy Coffee

Jetboil Flash Java Kit: Propane Coffee Maker for Camping

At $112.49, the Jetboil Flash Java Kit is definitely the most expensive camping coffee maker on my list.

Still, when you consider the fact that this kit doubles up as a way to cook soup or steam vegetables, the price looks a lot more reasonable.

The Jetboil kit includes the manufacturer’s incredible Flash cooking system, which is basically a compact and super-fast stove. In fact, the Jetboil system heats water to boiling point in a matter of minutes, making it an efficient way to make tasty coffee while camping or backpacking.

Speaking of coffee, the Flash Java Kit includes a silicone French press coffee maker insert, which slides into the main cooking vessel. You simply add coffee and water to the pot then ignite the stove. You’ll know when the water is boiling thanks to a cool color change indicator on the side.

Sure, you aren’t going to get the most gourmet cup of French press you’ve ever tasted, but this space-saving system will get the job done quickly and efficiently.

GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip: Best Backpacking Coffee Maker

Another compact and portable pour over coffee maker, the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip is a favorite among backpackers who need to keep weight to a minimum.

This awesome dripper is made from nylon and plastic, and clocks in at just 0.4 ounces (11 grams). To use the thing, you attach the clip on legs to your camping cup. Plus, its collapsible design means it’ll fit into the tightest of spaces in your backpack.

It’s really easy to make coffee with the Ultralight Java Drip – you simply add coffee with a medium grind size, then slowly pour in boiling water. A couple of minutes later, you’ll be rewarded with a single cup of great coffee.

From what I’ve heard, this dripper produces coffee with a great flavor, although the legs can feel a little flimsy. Then again, I’m sure that with slow pouring, this won’t be a big deal. Besides, the Ultralight Java Drip costs just $9.95, so it’s hard to complain!

Stanley Pour Over Set: Ideal for Car Camping

If you’re looking for an indestructible one-cup coffee maker, the Stanley Camp Pour Over Set might be the way to go. Seriously, this baby is about as rugged as it gets, thanks to its burly stainless steel construction.

The Stanley can make up to 20 ounces (590 milliliters) of flavorful coffee, and seeing as it employs a metal reusable filter, it’ll maintain your water temperature as its brewing coffee.

Sure, the Stanley Pour Over Set is far from the most lightweight option on my list. So, it might not be ideal for multi-day hiking trips. However, the included mug is a really nice touch, and helps justify this camp coffee maker’s $45.00 asking price. Personally, I could see myself using this as a home coffee maker then taking the mug with me to the office.

Decision Time: Best Coffee Maker for Camping

Choosing the best coffee maker for your needs shouldn’t be a stressful experience. I mean, what’s more important is that you’re able to relax and rejuvenate while enjoying being out in nature.

That said, what could really be better than waking up in a tent, stepping out into a beautiful, peaceful morning and brewing a delicious cup of coffee?

I’m fairly confident my list of portable coffee makers has something for everyone. Just remember to use the best quality coffee beans and always grind ’em fresh if you can!

Camping Coffee Maker FAQ