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From portable picks to electric models for RV and car camping.

As much as we love our elaborate at-home coffee setups (Coffee grinders! Espresso machines! Pour-over coffee makers!) most of those tools are not exactly portable. If you’re heading into the great outdoors and want a good cup of joe, you’ll need to take a different approach. That's why we set out to research and test the best camping coffee makers that prioritize portability, durability, and brewing convenience without sacrificing taste.

The Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab has spent decades testing kitchen appliances and coffee makers, including drip coffee makers, single-cup brewers and French presses. When we test coffee makers, we round up the best models on the market and narrow down the field before testing for aspects like ease of use (like filling the water tank and brew basket and cleaning the carafe and filter after use, if applicable). We also take temperature readings during and after the brewing process, as well as during the keep-warm cycle. And of course, we rate the flavor of the resulting cup of coffee.

While we haven't formally tested every one of the camping coffee makers on our list in the Lab, we've selected many of our road-tested top picks from top brands in our other coffee maker categories, vetted user reviews, and know what to look for when it comes to buying the best: Material, price, durability, and ease of use. Here, we prioritized camping coffee makers that are easy to clean, lightweight for their category, reasonably priced, built to last and that brew a great cup of coffee efficiently. These are the best camping coffee makers of 2021:

Beloved by coffee enthusiasts for its ability to brew a full-bodied cup in less time than a French press, the classic AeroPress is the best camping coffee maker for most people. It perfectly balances portability, usability and price without sacrificing taste. The compact plastic construction of this press means it’s both lightweight and durable and can be tossed in any pack, and the paper microfilter prevents grittiness and makes clean up easy. The AeroPress can make one to three cups of standard coffee (or stronger, espresso-like coffee) at a time directly into the vessel of your choice.

Thanks to its single-piece plastic construction, this Hario coffee dripper is both packable and very affordable, making it our best value pick for camping coffee makers. Although making pour-over coffee can be one of the more finicky methods to get right, fans of the method’s unbeatable taste and level of control will find this dripper simple to use. The quality of the coffee from this dripper is also higher than that from the ultra-lightweight mesh pour over makers designed for hikers. Compatible paper filters will provide a smooth cup and can easily be packed away.

Similar to the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip, the Primula Coffee Brew Buddy is constructed of a single piece of mesh held in place by a plastic ring that fits over most coffee cups, making it lightweight and ultra-portable. You can rinse the mesh out for repeated use, no extra filter required. While the quality and clarity of this brew isn’t as strong as with standard pour over makers, this is another great lightweight solution for hikers and anyone with limited space. The only way it significantly differs from the Ultralight Java Drip is that it sits within your cup rather than above it, which can lead to the coffee steeping rather than dripping.

Although true barista-quality espresso is impossible to consistently achieve in the wild, the Wacaco Nanopresso is the best alternative we’ve ever seen to a proper espresso machine. This portable espresso maker can generate up to 18 bars of pressure with hand power alone, brewing a creamy espresso shot anywhere you also have access to hot water. It’s a pricey gadget for camping coffee, and it’s not the easiest to use without some practice, but it’s the go-to for campers who are seriously serious about their espresso. There's also a version that uses Nespresso pods.

If being close to nature and away from technology makes you want to brew your coffee the old-fashioned way, consider the percolator. This classic stainless steel percolator is an ultra-durable option for brewing your coffee over a camp stove or on the outer grate of a fire — just be careful with the position of the handle. With both 8-cup and 12-cup variations available, this percolator can suit small groups or entire families.

This compact, vacuum-insulated and almost-unbreakable French press makes a much better option for camping than traditional glass or plastic presses. You can use the multifunctional Espro to prepare your coffee and then pour it into a mug, or you can drink directly out of the stainless steel carafe like a travel mug — it has a unique filtering system that keeps the coffee from becoming gritty or bitter once separated. This press makes 10 ounces of coffee at a time, but holds up to 15 ounces as a mug.

This ultra-lightweight, collapsible pour over coffee maker from GSI Outdoors is designed for hiking, backpacking, and other excursions where space (and weight) is at a premium. The single mesh filter clips on to the cup of your choice — just pour hot water over your favorite grounds, and you have a fresh cup of coffee. You can rinse the mesh out for repeated use, no extra filter required. While the quality and clarity of this brew isn’t as strong as with standard pour over makers, this is the most lightweight solution for coffee connoisseurs in the great outdoors.

If you’re looking to bring the convenience of a standard drip coffee maker on your RV camping trips, this four-cup coffee maker from Cuisinart is an affordable solution. The stainless steel carafe with dripless pour spout is made to retain heat and last for years to come — no need to worry about shattered glass. The Cuisinart’s compact construction also means it will fit under cabinets and won’t take up too much precious RV space. 

A classic moka pot can produce some super delicious, espresso-like coffee with very little effort — and founding Italian brand Bialetti still makes the best moka pot on the market. With its iconic design and aluminum construction, the Bialetti Moka Express is great for campers who have access to a camp stove or open fire and want their coffee strong and fast, without any extra filters or gadgets. This model brews three cups at a time, but the Moka Express goes up to 12 cups in size. 

This electric kettle from Spardar may not be a true coffee maker, but it can heat 12 ounces of water using only a 12v outlet — a critical feature for brewing while car camping. When an open fire or camping stove isn't accessible first thing in the morning, this kettle can heat water for your favorite pour over or press coffee maker, or you can combine the water directly with instant coffee. The kettle's multiple temperature options also give you more control over your brew. Just take note — the water can take up to 20 minutes to reach boiling point.

✔️ Size: Because space and pack weight are at a premium for some campers, many of the best camping coffee makers brew single servings, between one and three cups at a time. If you’re traveling solo or with a partner, these small brew options will suit you just fine. But if you’re camping with a family or larger group, you’ll prefer one of the options that can brew six to 12 cups at a time, including percolators, drip coffee makers, and moka pots.

✔️ Manual vs. electric: Many of the smaller and more portable options for camping coffee are non-electric and require you to heat your water separately, whether that be over an open fire, a camp stove, or with an electric kettle. The electric models (drip coffee makers, in this case) generally have a greater capacity and don’t require separately heating the water, but are obviously less portable and not ideal for camping without an RV or car. Keep in mind you’ll also have to pre-grind your coffee if you’re not able to bring an electric or manual grinder with you for the freshest beans.

✔️ Material: While the ideal material comes down to your preferred brew method and camping scenario, you’ll want to shop for camping coffee makers made of durable materials like plastic, aluminum, and stainless steel, and avoid breakable or rust-prone materials like glass and cast iron. If pack weight is something you care about, you’ll also want to stick with coffee makers that are lightweight and compact.

✔️ Portability: Most portable coffee makers require you to heat your own water separately. If you’re not a hiker going lightweight and low-tech with a single piece of camp cookware, you can choose between a standard kettle, an electric kettle, or a 12V kettle that plugs into your car, like the Spardar 12V Car Kettle. If you want the daily coffee experience without any of the equipment, consider trying one of the best instant coffees, like the biodegradable, single-serve instant coffee packets from Voila.