A great portable shower that doesn’t break and provides a good user experience makes camping, sailing and off-grid living extremely satisfying.
On the other hand, having a portable shower break on you just plain sucks.
In addition to providing campers, sailors, and music festival-goers an effective way to stay clean while away from home, camping showers are also helpful when it comes to washing your pets, cleaning your cooking utensils and gear.
There are some impressive solutions, including solar shower kits, to consider. We’re gonna steer you toward the reliable showers. Keep reading our complete guide on the best portable showers in the market to make your camping experience better.
The Top 5 Portable Showers in 2025
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1
Handheld: Ivation Portable Camping Shower -
2
Steady and Affordable: Advanced Elements 5.0 Gallon -
3
Affordable and Portable: RISEPRO 20L Solar -
4
Rechargeable, Efficient: AZXJC Portable -
5
Easy To Use: Coleman Solar Shower
All the Portable Showers We've tested
The Ivation Portable Camping Shower is a rechargeable unit with a built-in pump, so there is no need to rely on gravity to get the work done.
This camp shower is durable and packable. Plus, you don’t have to stress over a bag’s capacity for water supply. As long as you can refill your bucket, your post-hike rinse or wash after beach fun will be a relaxing experience.
Handheld or hands-free, both are possible with the classic showerhead and long hose. It’s a robust camp shower ready to serve you while camping, traveling cross-country on a van, or washing the dishes.
It’s not the best of the rest. But for those who find it valuable, it’s a worthwhile investment.
To help you check it from every angle, here’s a closer look at the Ivation Portable Camping Shower.
- Total Unit Length: 6’5”
- Hose Length: 5’9”
- Power: 2200 mAh Lithium Battery
- Run time: Approx. 60 minutes
- Charge Time: 2-5 hrs.
- Weight: 1.81 lbs.
- Dimension: 4.33” x 3.27” x 2.8”
- Colors: Orange
- Package Includes: Pump, Showerhead, O-ring, Hose, USB Cable/Wall Socket, Hanging Bracket, Suction Cup, Hook, User’s Manual
Things we like:
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Battery lasts a long time
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Lightweight and super portable
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Easy to assemble and use
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Unlimited water capacity
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Durable build sure to last long
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You can hook/mount it for a hands-free experience
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Decent water pressure for a good wash
Things we don't like:
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You need to dry out the charging port after each use
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It will be useless if you lose the charger
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No instant warm showers. You need to heat water on the stove or solar bag.
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The USB recharge port is also located on the pump which goes into the water and needs to be dried after each use.
There are many gravity-powered outdoor showers on the market. They all have different features to offer. However, not all of them have a consistent water flow or pressure.
The Advanced Elements 5.0 Gallon Summer Shower is one of the exemptions, offering consistent water pressure even when the bag is almost empty. This is a popular item for this reason and because of the price.
Our testing found this one to compare very positively against a lot of other alternatives.
- Capacity: 5 gal
- Product Dimension: 20” x 6” x 2”
- Product Weight: 0.6 kg
Things we like:
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Water warms surprisingly well when positioned properly
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Consistent water pressure even when the reservoir is almost exhausted
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Many useful additional features
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Handle provides substantial help for hanging and transporting the gear
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Sufficient capacity
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Folds up to a very transport-friendly size
Things we don't like:
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Temperature gauge is quite hard to read
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Narrow mouth on the side makes filling a difficult task
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It’s not going to last for ever
Where to buy RISEPRO 20L Solar:
Amazon
Treat yourself to a warm shower outdoors without breaking the bank with RISEPRO 20L Solar Portable Shower.
It’s a lightweight, gravity-reliant, and sun-dependent model. Enjoy the basic features you need for a relaxing wash. It’s a convenient add-on to your camping adventure in the woods or your overnight stay at the summit.
This portable shower from RISEPRO is will hold five gallons of water. That’s roughly a 4-5 minutes of nonstop stream. And price-wise, you might find it an interesting option if you’re short on budget. The low price lends itself to suspicion, so we tested it.
We took this outdoor shower for a camping trip to see if it’s worth the tag, and here’s our verdict.
- Material: PVC
- Capacity: 20L
- Dimension: 12.24” x 6.73” x 2.64”
- Weight: 16 ounces
- Colors: Green
Things we like:
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Easy to use with one-hand operation
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Rolls up small and easy-like
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There’s a front mesh pocket for your soap
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Hangs securely using a durable handle with a quick-release buckle
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It actually warms up water for a soothing shower experience
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Control output with three water flow setting
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No guessing the temp since there’s a built-in thermometer with both Fo/Co labels
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The showerhead is glowing in the dark, handy during nighttime
Things we don't like:
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Some water will drip out of the nossel switch
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4 minutes goes quickly
Where to buy RISEPRO 20L Solar:
Amazon
Where to buy AZXJC Portable:
Amazon
Portable outdoor showers with rechargeable batteries allow for more efficient use of time and resources. That’s why the AZXJC Portable Outdoor Shower is a handy piece of camping gear. It comes with a 3.7 V battery that you can recharge via USB charging.
This is a hard plastic camp shower that has a low profile, but won’t be rolled up as easily as bagged shower models. Obviously. It has, thus, some advantages and disadvantages by comparison.
Let’s dive in to see if this outdoor shower can really make your outdoor experience better!
- Weight: 1.2 kg
- Hose Length (Inlet): 2’
- Hose Length (Outlet): 6’
- Available Colors: Black, Orange
- What’s in the Box: Shower Head, Pump, 6’ Hose, 2’ Hose, Filter, Suction Cap, Hook, Shower Head Holder, Charge Cable, 2 O-rings
Things we like:
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No need to hang water source above the head
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LED lights make make evening showers no sweat
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Accurate flow rate, as advertised
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Long battery life when charged fully
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Accessories allow for haning or hands-free operation
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Not expensive
Things we don't like:
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Proprietary battery charger has no replacement unit
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Cheap materials and poor construction
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No solar bag means no warm water
Where to buy AZXJC Portable:
Amazon
Where to buy Coleman Solar Shower:
Amazon
Coleman is known for being a reliable brand when it comes to outdoor camping gear and this solar-powered portable shower is no exception.
This is a simple yet efficient sun-heated shower bag ideal for camping trips, music festivals, and other outdoor activities.
It’s made with a heat-locking material for improved sunlight absorption, it can hold up to 5 gallons of water, which should be enough for multiple showers, and it comes with a short hose and a compact showerhead as well as a handle for convenient hanging and carrying. Portability is quite impressive.
- Weight: 8.8 oz
- Reservoir: 5 gal
Things we like:
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Compact and lightweight
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Easy to use
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Handy on/off valve connected to shower head
Things we don't like:
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It gets quite heavy when filled to the brim
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It’s time-consuming to drain completely for storage
Where to buy Coleman Solar Shower:
Amazon
Portable Showers | Buyer’s Guide
With so many portable showers available in the market, figuring out which one will actually suit your needs best might be an overwhelming task.
Even though they only have one main function, which is to keep your hygiene up, there are many features to pay attention to before deciding on a unit.
Here are the main things to consider before buying a portable or camping shower:
Size
To find out which type of portable shower is ideal for you, you first need to think about how you will be travelling most of the time.
Off-grid showers vary significantly both in size and weight. So if you’re on foot and only carrying a backpack, you should opt for a compact and lightweight model like the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower. However, if you usually travel by car, a portable shower like Mr. Heater will be less of a concern.
Tank Capacity
Some portable showers like Mr. Heater and Ivation will not have a set water capacity since the way they work is by pumping water from a water container such as a bucket. However, other units will come with a set water reservoir or water tank, which can range from 2.6 to 5 gallons.
When deciding on the water tank capacity for your camping shower, think about how many people will be using it as well as how easy it will be to get water, fill the reservoir, and bring back to your camping site.
Keep in mind that most portable shower bags when filled entirely can be quite heavy to carry.
Types (Flow System) of Portable Showers
Camping showers have basically three water flow methods:
Gravity: This is the most basic, compact, and cheapest type of portable showers. They’re typically a bag that you have to fill with water first, then hang it on a tree to allow gravity to do its job.
Pump: This type of camp shower uses either a hand or foot pump to pressurize a water chamber so it can spray the water out via a nozzle. When compared to gravity-fed showers, these ones offer better water pressure.
Electric: In this type of portable shower, an electric water pump is submerged in a water container so it can push water through the hose. They also offer good water pressure.
Heating Capabilities
Depending on the climate you’re in or your personal preferences having a hot shower will surely make a difference on your trip.
These are the main ways you can get that nice hot shower while outdoors:
Solar: Since it only requires sunlight to heat up the water, this is the cheapest, therefore, the most popular option for hot showers. On the downside, it takes longer to heat up (around 3 hours depending on conditions), it might not work as expected in areas with very little or no sunshine, and it can only be used during the day or within a couple of hours after dusk.
Gas: If you don’t want to depend on the sun to work its magic, you might want to invest in a gas-powered camp shower. These units typically run on propane tanks and are the fastest option for heating up water. In addition to your personal hygiene, a gas-heated shower can double as a kettle for all your cooking needs.
Battery: The battery-powered portable showers are also efficient, but they’re usually heavy and you will need a source of power to recharge the batteries.
Make your own portable shower
However, if you’re into DIY projects, you can always create your own camping shower.
Although this is going to cost you more than some products from our list, it’s a fun way to put your craft skills to good use.
Here’s a video which shows you how to to make a portable shower:
Now we’d like to hear from you. Have you ever used any of the portable showers from our list?
If so, which one? and if not, which one should we have added instead?
Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently asked questions
Every portable shower will come with some advantages as well as a few downsides.
For detailed information, check out our extensive guide on the best portable showers.
Having said that, at this very moment, these are our favorite ones:
- Ivation Portable Camping Shower
- Advanced Elements 5.0 Gallon
- Coleman Solar Shower
- RISEPRO 20L Solar
Portable shower prices will vary depending on their construction as well as features offered.
Prices range from $15-$20 range for simple portable showers, and between $330-$350 for solar powered
If you let the water run continuously, then a 5-gallon bag should last you for about 6 minutes.
Comments
No, that’s not good enough. Which one did you have?
I’ve had 2 ,
The first one only lasted for 3 months, it just stopped working,
The second one, I’ve only had about 5 weeks, the on/ off button has stopped working,
I’ve tried contacting the supplier, no answer back,
The ones that do not run on power can. For the others, I’d not recommend you to do it.
Can you put it under Water