The Best Coffee Makers for Camping and Backpacking in 2024

The sun creeps over the hillside, the birds are chirping in the trees, and…what’s that? The scent of coffee brewing on the camp stove? Oh, how I love a lazy morning in my tent. Going camping is simply the best way to get back to basics and enjoy nature. Pack one of these best coffee makers for camping and you really are winning at life!

Fortunately, getting back to basics doesn’t mean ditching every creature comfort. In fact, the rich aroma of a freshly brewed coffee can be the perfect way to warm your morning. Not to mention kick-starting your day with a caffeine boost. But, how to brew a coffee in the great outdoors? Well, there’s no need to give up your favourite hot beverage or substitute your usual blend for a tasteless sachet of instant coffee. All you need is a compact coffee maker to take on your travels.

• The best coffee makers for backpacking and lightweight camping
• The best coffee makers for camping
• What to look for when choosing the best coffee makers for camping
  • Weight
  • Capacity
  • Portability and ease of ue
  • Strength and brewing style
  • Cost

Want to know more? See our suggestions of things to look for when selecting the best coffee makers for camping and our list of the best portable coffee makers in 2024!

Summary of the best coffee makers camping and backpacking in 2024

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Product	Best for	Type of coffee maker	Weight	Cost
Wacaco Nanopresso	Camping and backpacking	Espresso maker	336g (11.8oz)	$$$
Stanley Cook + Brew Set	Camping and backpacking	French press	422g (14.9oz)	$$
Snow Peak Folding Coffee Drip	Backpacking	Drip filter	139g (4.9oz)	$$
GSI Outdoors Java Press	Camping and backpacking	French press	292g (10.3oz)	$$
Stanley Adventure Cool Grip Camp Percolator	Camping	Percolator	590g (1.3lbs)	$$
MSR MugMate Coffee/Tea Filter	Backpacking	Filter	28g (1oz)	$
AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker	Backpacking	Immersion and filter combo	181g (6.4oz)	$$
Jetboil Coffee Press	Backpacking	French press	28g (1oz)	$
nCamp Portable Coffee Maker	Camping	Moka pot	650g (23oz)	$$
Bialetti Moka Coffee Maker	Camping	Moka pot	Varies	$$$
Coleman QuikPot Propane Coffee Maker	Camping	Drip filter	4.25kg (9.38lbs)	$$$$$
Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator	Camping	Percolator	1kg (2.2lbs)	$$

The best coffee makers for backpacking and lightweight camping

Wacaco Nanopresso

Serious coffee drinkers, who wouldn’t dream of skipping their usual post meal espresso, need the
Wacaco Nanopresso in their lives, if they don’t already have it, that is. Weighing only 336g / 11.8oz, this is the lightest espresso machine in the world, probably. And it’s also pocket-sized making it ideal for backpacking, camping or long journeys. In fact, the whole thing packs into a sturdy zip up case that’s just like a sunglasses case. Impressive and convenient, sure. But not as mind-blowing as the coffee it produces and the ease in which it is produced. Using a super high pressure pump (18 bars (261 PSI) to be precise), this bullet of a coffee maker delivers perfect cups of crema layered deliciousness that fiercely competes with barista standard coffee, every time. Mind – blown.

Find the latest price on:
>WildBounds | Wacaco

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Stanley Cook + Brew Set

The Stanley Cook + Brew Set is certainly the most versatile coffee maker on our list. The set is made up of two parts; a stainless-steel cooking pot and a removable melt-resistant BPA free nylon French press which slots neatly inside the pot. This multifunctional setup allows you to pack less kit, thereby saving both space and weight in your backpack.

Stanley’s coffee press is a very compact and practical piece of kit. It comes with a manufacturer limited lifetime warranty and retails at a reasonable price. Our only complaint with this campfire coffee maker is that its metal handles can get very hot and difficult to handle.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | Stanley

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Snow Peak Folding Coffee Drip

If space and weight are your top criteria then the Snow Peak Coffee Drip could be the one for you. Its lightweight and durable stainless-steel body can fold flat. This allows it to be stored easily in a backpack. Additionally, its simple pour over design makes it easy to use; it fits over any standard sized cup and can be used with either coarse or fine coffee grind. You will need to remember to pack some paper filters, however, which may be a positive as there’s almost no cleaning required.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | REI | Backcountry

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GSI Outdoors Java Press

The Java Press from GSI Outdoors is a durable companion for your next camping trip. The carafe is made from reinforced BPA free plastic making it robust and durable. Meanwhile, the nylon-wrapped sleeve provides heat insulation as well as an extra protective layer. The sleeve is removable for easy cleaning.

The GSI Java Press works in the same way as a standard French press; just add the coffee grind and hot water then use the silicon ring plunger to filter. Providing that the filter is cleaned properly and pushed slowly, it allows very few coffee grains to slip through.

The capacity of the GSI Java Press is 30 fluid ounces which is equal to four small cups of coffee. Considering its large capacity this coffee maker is light, weighing in at 10.3 oz. It also comes with a mid-range price tag.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | REI | Backcountry

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Stanley Adventure Cool Grip Camp Percolator

With the capacity to serve up 6 cups of the good stuff, the 1 litre Adventure Cool Grip Camp Percolator is excellent option for coffee lovin’ camping families and groups. Its tough stainless steel construction and stylish design make it appealing for campers and glampers alike. But it also comes out on top, above the Coleman Percolator, when it comes to versatility. The removable silicone handle grip means that you can brew up over a campfire for that oh-so-sweet authentic camp coffee taste. As soon as you need to remove the pot from the fire, simply slip the grip back on and serve up.

There’s also a small transparent globe on the lid so that you can see when your coffee starts to perk. Plus, the removable coffee basket means that the pot can be used for other hot drinks, or for serving up cold brews and cocktails, further upping the versatility stakes.

Find the latest price on:
REI | Stanley

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MSR MugMate Coffee/Tea Filter

The MugMate Coffee/Tea Filter from MSR offers the simplest and lightest coffee maker on our list. This filter is made with a durable stainless-steel screen and nylon frame which weighs a total of just 1oz. It can be used to brew either tea or coffee but works best with a coarse coffee grind.

We like that the filter can be used with almost any mug, just set it inside and pour the water over. The two side tabs keep it suspended and also allow you to remove the filter without burning your fingers. This product comes with a lid which sits loosely on top and insulates the coffee whilst steeping. It also doubles as a coaster to put the filter on.

Find the latest price on:
MSR | Amazon | REI | Backcountry

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AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

The AeroPress is a portable coffee maker which can impress even the fussiest coffee drinkers. This model can produce one to three high-quality cups of coffee (depending on the size of the cup). The AeroPress Coffee and Expresso maker uses a combination of immersion and manual pressure which provides rich and flavourful coffee, free from grit and without a bitter taste.
You can use it to make a classic Italian espresso or American style black coffee. Another bonus is that this model is made from a BPA free material. Cleaning is a breeze too as it is simple to disassemble.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon

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Jetboil Coffee Press

The Jetboil Coffee Press is a handy addition to a Jetboil system cookset. It’s compatible with certain models and functions like your typical French press. The press is made from a lightweight combination of plastic and aluminium which weighs just over 1oz.

The product itself is very compact but the flask would need to be purchased separately. The advantage of the Jetboil Coffee Press over other French Press systems is that the press can be flipped upside down to double as a tray for steaming vegetables.

Find the latest price on:
Wildbounds | REI | Backcountry

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The best coffee makers for car camping

nCamp Portable Coffee Maker

The Portable Coffee Maker from nCamp is one of the best camping espresso makers on the market. Its compact size and folding handles make it considerably more portable than your traditional Italian mocha pot. We like that this coffee pot comes with a silicon-wrapped nesting cup which fits over the top half, preventing damage to the lid and handles.

When it comes to serving sizes the nCamp Portable Coffee maker produces 340ml (or four small cups) of espresso-style coffee. It is a bit too big and heavy for backpacking but compact enough for car camping. We like that its all-in-one design means that there’s no cup or filter to remember.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon

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Bialetti Moka Coffee Maker

The Bialetti Moka Stove Top Coffee Maker has been popular among coffee drinkers for decades. It’s designed and manufactured in Italy, so you can guarantee a strong and smooth brew. The pot comes in a range of colours and sizes, from 1-cup to 12-cups, allowing you to select the right model for your trip. The handle is made from plastic so it won’t heat up like metal over the stove, however, this does make it less suited to campfire cooking.

The main drawback is that the Bialetti Moka Coffee Maker was originally designed for kitchen use and, although the aluminium body is quite light, its octagon shape makes it tricky to pack. There are also some small parts which may be hard to keep track of at camp.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon

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Coleman QuikPot Propane Coffee Maker

The Coleman QuikPot Propane Coffee Maker is your outdoors alternative to a household filter coffee machine. Powered by propane and with a large 10-cup capacity it’s a practical camping coffee maker for groups and families.

The Coleman QuikPot will start with a simple push button; it’s fitted with an Instastart ignition switch so there’s no need for matches and you don’t need to watch it brew. The coffee stays hot once brewed thanks to the built-in hotplate. It’s not the fastest product on this list, with an estimated brew time is 18 minutes, however, it is one of the most efficient. A 16oz bottle of propane is sufficient to power this coffee maker for up to 4.5 hours.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon

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Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator

If the Coleman QuikPot is a bit above budget then the Coleman Stainless Steel Percolator may be a better option. Although this camping coffee percolator doesn’t boast any clever features, it still provides a large 12-cup capacity for a fraction of the price.

This Coleman camping coffee maker is made from sturdy stainless steel which is corrosion and crack resistant. It is naturally BPA free and the body can be wiped clean. An interesting feature is the glass knob on the lid. This allows you to see how your coffee is brewing, but it is also prone to cracking if over tightened.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon

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What to look for when choosing the best coffee makers for camping

Weight

Possibly the most important thing for backpackers to consider is how much weight a coffee maker will add to their pack. Ideally, the best backpacking coffee maker should weigh no more than 5 oz. However for car campers or campervanners, weight shouldn’t be the primary consideration.

Capacity

Do you camp solo? With a friend? Or, do you take the entire family? Chances are that your camping companions will share your love for coffee. To avoid commotion in the campsite you might want to choose a coffee maker which can brew multiple coffees at the same time. Similarly, solo campers can save both space and weight by picking a coffee maker which brews just one cup at a time.

Portability and ease of use

Portable coffee makers shouldn’t be a challenge to pack. Models which are streamlined, come with a carry bag or fit together when packed are the most practical.

We also like our camping gear to be as easy to use as possible, that means going from backpack to stovetop within a few minutes. Remember that you may want to use your coffee maker before daylight arrives. We, therefore, look for coffee makers with few parts, as these will be easier to set up.

Consider what cleaning the device will require too. If staying at a campsite you’ll have access to running water, but in the wilderness you may prefer a coffee maker which needs minimal cleaning.

Strength and brewing style

‘Real coffee’ means something different to everyone. On our list, we’ve included coffee makers with a range of brewing styles, the most popular of which are pour-over and French press coffee makers.

When choosing your coffee maker, think about how you prefer to brew your coffee; whether you prefer a coarse or fine grind, and what strength you like it too.

Cost

The best coffee maker for camping is the one that doesn’t break the bank. The items on our list range from budget to premium but the most expensive isn’t necessarily the best for you. Consider your budget first and how much you want to spend on a portable coffee maker.

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Amongst our top picks of the best coffee makers for camping, we hope you’ve found something that will give you the perfect pour every time. But for the times when the unthinkable happens and you find yourself full of coffee beans but without the means to brew it, there’s always the cowboy coffee method! Sure, the coffee is never going to be as good as when brewed using any of the above methods, but it’s better that you might think, and knowing how to make it is an invaluable skill to have if you’re the sort of person who can’t function without a morning brew!

However you like to take your coffee, may it be in wonderful destinations with epic views!

Happy brewing, happy campers!

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