Best Camping Coffee Makers of 2026
Portable Coffee Makers for Camping, Backpacking, and Outdoor Use
September 23rd, 2026, updated with another year's worth of testing notes
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There’s no reason you should have to venture into the backcountry without a good cup of coffee when you roll out of your tent in the morning. The best camping coffee maker depends on how you travel, how many people you’re brewing for, and how much weight and cleanup you’re willing to deal with, whether you want a single cup on a backpacking trip or a large pot for the whole crew.
Our lead tester, Stasia Stockwell, has worked in coffee shops and cafés and has spent years brewing coffee while camping, backpacking, road-tripping, and guiding in the outdoors. For this guide, we used camp coffee makers from Colorado and Utah to Montana, Hawaii, and Alaska, including backpacking trips, camper-van travel, rafting trips, and multi-season backcountry guiding.
We evaluated each brewer for flavor, consistency, ease of use, cleanup, weight and packability, durability, serving capacity, and the amount of extra gear or waste each system required. We also compared how forgiving each method was when brewing outside, where you may not have a scale, a gooseneck kettle, or the same level of control you have in a kitchen.
Top Pick: The AeroPress Original earns our Best Overall award. It consistently produced some of the best-tasting coffee in our side-by-side comparisons, tying with the Hario V60 for flavor while being easier to use consistently. We also liked that it worked with a basic camp kettle, cleaned up with very little water, and held up through repeated camping, backpacking, ski, and van trips without requiring especially careful handling.
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Camping Coffee Maker Summary Table
| COFFEE MAKER | TREELINE AWARD | BREW TYPE | CAPACITY | WEIGHT (BREWER) | PACKABILITY | FILTER MATERIAL | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AeroPress Original | Best Overall Camping Coffee Maker Read why |
column press | 10 oz | 6.5 oz | water bottle size | paper or stainless (separate) | $40 |
| AeroPress Go | Best Camping Espresso Coffee Maker Read why |
column press | 1 cup | 5.6 oz | stows in mug | paper or stainless (separate) | $50 |
| Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper 02 | Best Camping Pour-Over Read why |
pour-over | 4 cups | 3.5 oz | cone-shape | paper (separate) | $14 |
| MSR MugMate | Best Single Cup Camping Coffee Maker Read why |
steep | 1 cup | 0.98 oz | stows in mug; does not collapse | stainless basket | $25 |
| GSI Enamelware Percolator | Best Camping Percolator Read why |
percolator | 8, 12 cups | 21.3, 26.3 oz | large | stainless mesh | $33, 44 |
The best camp coffee makers
The Best Overall Camp Coffee maker:
Aeropress Original
Brew Type: Vacuum press/column
Weight: 13 oz (6.5 oz for brewer alone)
Serving Size: 1 cup (10 oz) or 4 espressos
Filter Type: Paper (stainless sold separately)
What we liked: Excellent flavor, consistency, light, packable, durable
What we didn't like: Some backpackers may consider it heavy, proprietary filters
Excellent tasting coffee that’s consistently good with every brew: That’s the AeroPress in a nutshell. But add to that the fact that this home kitchen favorite is light and packable enough to stash in your backpack or camper and durable enough for any outdoor adventure, and you’ve got a recipe for the ideal camp coffee maker. The AeroPress Original and the best camping espresso maker, the AeroPress Go, inched out the Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper for our “Best Overall” award thanks to their versatility and consistently good coffee, no matter the skill level of the person brewing it.
Compare prices of the Aeropress Original
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The classic AeroPress is designed with a plunger-like device that pushes hot water through the coffee grounds, a process referred to as forced extraction in the coffee world.
The AeroPress uses a small paper filter, which helps give the finished brew a clean and smooth taste and keeps sludge from forming at the bottom of your cup. It comes with some and you can purchase replacements or a reusable stainless steel filter.
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Another bonus of the AeroPress is that it’s easy to control the strength of your coffee. Want a strong, espresso-like brew? Can do. If you prefer a regular cup of American-style coffee, just add some hot water.
The AeroPress can even make cold brew for hot summer days at camp. Our taste-testers loved AeroPress coffee’s smooth and robust flavor and favored it in the top two of all the brew methods tried. (The Hario V60 received an equal amount of praise for flavor.)
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Unlike pour over systems that require a goose-neck-style kettle for optimal extraction, with this system, pouring precision isn’t vital (primarily because this method uses forced extraction rather than percolation).
Pouring hot water from a basic camp kettle or even a cook pot with a spout like the MSR Titan Kettle works just as well as a proper coffee kettle.
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Brewing a cup of coffee with the AeroPress takes only about one minute, and cleanup is easy: Remove the cap, push out the coffee grounds and filter into the trash in one swoop.
Bonus: Extra water for rinsing the brewer clean isn’t necessary since the grounds come out in one solid puck. We rinse the plunger when using it at home, but not in the backcountry when we’re conserving water.
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While you do have to dispose of a paper filter with this brew, it’s incredibly small (in fact, it’s the smallest of any camping coffee system that uses a paper filter). That means it won't add much weight or bulk at all to the trash you pack out.
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The original AeroPress can brew up to four servings of espresso-strength coffee or a few small cups of regular coffee. The AeroPress Go (review below), being smaller, can make up to three servings of espresso and two small cups of regular coffee. Because of this, the AeroPress is ideal for individuals or a few people but may be tedious to use for big groups when a large coffee percolator (like the GSI Enamelware Percolator) or french press requires less work.
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The classic AeroPress weighs 16.5 oz. (including all accessories and cup) and packs to the size of a small travel mug. The Go is smaller and lighter at 11.5 oz, making it even more packable.
The AeroPress is plenty small for car camping trips and reasonably packable enough to take backpacking if weight isn’t a concern. The AeroPress Go is even better-suited as a portable travel coffee press.
Neither system is the lightest or most packable in our test, but the ease of use, durability, versatility, and quality of coffee more than make up for that.
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Made chiefly of tough plastic without any dainty parts to the system, the AeroPress and AeroPress Go don’t have durability issues. We used the AeroPress on adventures across the west, from winter ski trips in a camper van to summer camping and backpacking in the Rockies (our testers don’t mind sacrificing some ounces in their packs for great coffee).
The AeroPress can handle most anything a backcountry adventure could throw at it. From being jostled around in packs and camping bins to near-daily use for months at a time while traveling in a van, it functions good-as-new and hardly shows signs of wear.
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The AeroPress Original comes with a tote bag, 350 microfilters. The AeroPress Go packs into its own included camp mug and also includes 100 microfilters and a travel filter holder that fits 20 filters.
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The AeroPress Original offers the best-tasting camp coffee that provides both versatility and consistency with every brew. Moreover, it’s all in a reasonably compact, travel-friendly, and highly durable package. That’s why the AeroPress and its smaller sibling, the AeroPress Go, are hands-down our favorite camp coffee makers.
Best Camping Espresso Coffee Maker: AeroPress Go
Brew Type: Vacuum press/column
Weight: 11.5 oz (5.6 oz for brewer alone)
Serving Size: 1 cup (8 oz) or 3 espressos
Filter Type: Paper (stainless sold separately)
What we liked: Excellent flavor, consistency, light, packable, durable
What we didn't like: Proprietary filters
The AeroPress Go is our winner for best camping espresso coffee maker because it is one of the only ways you can get a forced extraction brew in the backcountry. Like the AeroPress original, it uses a plunger-like mechanism to force hot water through the coffee with more than just gravity. By doing it manually, the AeroPress Go mimics what you would get with a plug-in espresso maker at a coffee shop or at home.
If you're traveling or backpacking and need a smaller coffee maker, the AeroPress Go uses the same classic design as our overall winner in a smaller package that weighs 1.5 oz less and makes only a slightly smaller cup of coffee (8 oz vs. 10 oz).
Compare prices of the Aeropress Go
A PCT thru-hiker tested this AeroPress Go and still loved carrying it after 500 miles. It makes one cup and weighs less than the regular size AeroPress.
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The AeroPress Go uses the same plunger-like device as the AeroPress to push hot water through the coffee grounds, a process referred to as forced extraction in the coffee world. The primary difference between the original and the Go is that it’s more compact and designed specifically for travel; the way they brew coffee is identical.
The AeroPress Go uses the same small paper filter as the AeroPress, which helps give the finished brew a clean and smooth taste and keeps sludge from forming at the bottom of your cup.
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As with the AeroPress Original, the AeroPress Go doesn't need a gooseneck kettle to get the perfect brew. This is primarily because this method uses forced extraction rather than percolation. This means you won't have to carry along a heavy or bulky kettle on your travels but instead can use a regular backpacking cookpot or even a hotel hot water kettle.
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Made chiefly of tough plastic without any dainty parts to the system, the AeroPress Go doesn’t have durability issues. We used the AeroPress Go thru-hiking the PCT (our testers don’t mind sacrificing some ounces in their packs for great coffee).
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The Go is smaller and lighter than the AeroPress. At 11.5 oz, it is even more packable.
The AeroPress Go is even suited as a portable travel coffee press, to fit easily into carry-on size travel packs and in backpacking packs.
While the Go isn't the lightest or most packable in our test, the ease of use, durability, versatility, and quality of coffee more than make up for that.
Best Camping Pour-over Coffee Maker: Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper 02
Brew Type: Pour-over
Weight: 3.5 oz
Serving Size: 1-4 cups
Filter Type: Paper
What we liked: Price, ease of use, size availability, evenly extracted, clean and bright cup
What we didn't like: Learning curve to build technique for a better tasting cup
A perfectly hand-brewed pour-over is a coffee lover’s dream. Take that cup of coffee into the backcountry, and you’re set for a great morning. Then, to add a cherry on top, make the brewing device for that perfect cup of coffee incredibly affordable. Now we’re talking.
The Hario V60 Pour-over is a simple coffee brewer. First, perch the plastic, cone-shaped coffee dripper over your mug, carafe, or even insulated tumbler. Then, fit it with a paper filter and pour hot water over the grounds to brew your coffee.
Compare prices of the Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper 02
The Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper is a lightweight version of the barista classic ceramic V60. This makes it more portable to outdoor locations. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
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When brewed properly, the V60 makes a delicious, evenly extracted, clean and bright cup of drip coffee. No sludge is left in the cup thanks to the paper filter.
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The V60 coffee dripper comes in three sizes: 01, 02, and 03. We tested the 02 size, which can brew one to four cups of coffee at a time, and found this to be the ideal balance of versatility and packability.
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While the V60 is simple to use, honing your technique will enhance the overall flavor of your coffee. To get an even extraction, you must pour the water slowly in small circles, evenly hitting all the coffee grounds with water. This process can take practice, but it’s not complicated. With these steps, the V60 tied with the AeroPress for the best overall flavor in our comparative taste test.
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Clean-up for the Hario is easy. Remove the filter with the grounds and place them in the trash. When camping or in the backcountry, you will have paper filters to pack out your used filter and grounds. But we think that’s a sacrifice worth making for better-tasting coffee.
Washing with clean water isn’t necessary with the V60 since the paper filter keeps the grounds contained. However, you can give it a quick rinse if you’re at home or if conserving water isn’t a concern at your campsite.
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The V60 is made of BPA-free plastic and weighs just 3.5 oz. However, while it’s light, it is not the most packable in our test. The cone shape can be precarious to fit in a backpack for hiking it into camp, though it’s possible.
For car camping, the V60 is no hassle at all to pack. After several camping trips, the plastic proved durable and returned to the kitchen good as new. While this plastic seems slightly more prone to cracking than the plastic on the AeroPress, we had no issues and suspect this brewer will last many seasons of camping as long as it is not crushed beneath all your gear.
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While the V60 brews equally delicious coffee compared to the AeroPress, the AeroPress inched its way to our top pick primarily because of its versatility and ease of use. What the V60 boasts is a lighter weight and a much lower price point. For the price, we’re hard-pressed to find a better coffee brewer.
Best Single Cup Camping Coffee Maker: MSR MugMate
Brew Type: Steep
Weight: 0.98 oz (filter only--bring your own mug)
Serving Size: 1 cup
Filter Type: Mesh
What we liked: Lightweight, no need for filters, versatile
What we didn’t like: Doesn’t come with mug
The MSR MugMate is the best single cup camping coffee maker, which makes it a good choice for backpacking and travel. If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of weight and space in your pack to forgo lackluster instant coffee or messy cowboy coffee, then we think the MSR MugMate is your best option for the coffee drinker who wants to bring good coffee deep into the backcountry.
This little one-cup brewing device fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 1 oz. Coffee grounds are placed inside the mesh metal filter and steeped in hot water for a smooth and strong cup. (We found that giving the grounds a good stir once placed in a camping mug of hot water helped get proper extraction from the coffee.)
Compare prices of the MSR MugMate
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We love the MugMate for its versatility. Brew a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, then steep tea leaves before bed and avoid plastic and paper wrappers that come with many tea bags. When backpacking and camping, we found ourselves using the Mugmate for tea just as often as we did for coffee.
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When it comes to durability, the MugMate was put through the wringer and passed the test. Our writer used this portable coffee maker almost daily over multiple seasons of backcountry guiding in Alaska.
She used it as a travel coffee maker on several road trips and camping trips across the west. She's stashed it in her pack for dozens of backpacking trips, from Colorado and Utah to Hawaii and Alaska. Even when the Mugmate was tossed in a backpacking pack or travel duffel, it never broke or showed any major damage.
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The filter design of the MugMate means you don’t have to carry in or pack out paper filters, which is a big bonus for backpacking.
Because of this, you may find a small amount of sludge in the bottom of your mug, similar to a french press brew. To clean after a brew, just toss coffee grounds from the filter into the trash. A small splash of water will help remove any remaining grounds from the filter.
It’s worth noting that there are backpacking brew systems that are lighter and more packable than the Mugmate, like the GSI Ultralight Java Drip (see review below). However, we found these to be often more finicky to use. We also found other brewed coffee wasn’t quite as good as on the MugMate. They also did not boast the same versatility as the Mugmate.
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In our side-by-side taste test comparison, the MugMate hung with the best and ranked third, behind the AeroPress/AeroPress Go and Hario V60.
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It’s worth noting that the MSR MugMate is just a filter and doesn’t come with its own mug. However, this versatile system works with cups and water bottles of all sizes. We’ve seen it used with Nalgenes, Klean Kanteens, and even Hydro Flask water bottles. Likewise, we’ve seen the Mugmate fit GSI mugs, Snow Peak mugs, and of course, MSR mugs. One tip is if your mug is too big, set a long-handled camp spoon across the rim and rest the Mugmate on top.
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Overall, the downsides to the MugMate are few and more than reasonable to bring good coffee along on the trail. You won’t get as clean of a cup as you do with brewers that use a paper filter, but it will be much smaller and lighter than those options. It won’t be as light as a packet of instant coffee, but the resulting brew will taste far fresher with a well-rounded flavor profile. If good coffee is a must no matter where you are or how far you hike, then the Mugmate is what we’re bringing along.
Best Camping Percolator: GSI Outdoors Enamelware Percolator
Brew Type: Percolator
Weight: 21 oz or 26 oz
Serving Size: 8 cups or 12 cups
Filter Type: None needed
What we liked: Makes a lot, price, can put over a campfire or a stovetop, fun to use, no filter
What we didn't like: A pain to clean, not small or light, coffee doesn't taste as good as single-cup options
The GSI Outdoors Enamelware Percolator is the best camping percolator for trips when you need to make coffee for the whole group. If you’re making coffee for the whole crew at your campsite, you won’t want to use a small, single-serve brewer unless you don’t mind having your whole morning consumed by brewing coffee for caffeine-hungry campers. The easiest way to brew a big pot of coffee at camp is with a stovetop percolator, and our favorite is the GSI Outdoors Enamelware Percolator.
Compare prices of the GSI Outdoors Enamelware Percolator
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To get full-flavored coffee, you do need to make sure to give the brew enough time. While it takes several minutes to get a full coffee pot, this time is hands-off, so you can start prepping breakfast while the coffee brews on your camping stove.
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The GSI percolator does not require any paper filters, which means there’s less to worry about packing and less to fill your trash bag at the end of the trip. Like the metal mesh filter of the MSR MugMate or the metal filters standard in french press makers, this coffee percolator does allow for some sediment to get through, but it makes for a nice robust flavor.
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Because it’s made of enameled steel, this stovetop percolator is far from small and light (backpacking with it is a no-go). But, it’s very durable and offers a great classic camp style to boot. Despite being a companion on car camping trips, my percolator still brews good as new.
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While several brands offer similar-looking enamelware percolators, the GSI Percolator is considered the gold standard and consistently has the best ratings.
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If you’re looking for a workhorse camping coffee maker that will last years and make enough coffee for the whole family at once, the GSI Enamelware Percolator is a solid option.
Best Camping French Press:
Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press
Brew Type: French press
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Serving Size: 48 oz
Filter Type: None needed
What we liked: Durable, insulated, serves multiple people
What we didn’t: On the large and heavy side
The Stanley Classic Stay Hot French press is everything you could hope for in a solid camp coffee maker. It holds enough to caffeinate a couple of coffee chuggers or even a group. The French press style is easy to use and simple to clean. Most of all, it’s durable and good at keeping coffee warm long after it’s been brewed. If weight isn’t a concern, this coffee maker is an excellent choice.
Compare prices of the Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press
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This French press is double-wall insulated, which means a couple of things: yes, it’s on the heavy side, but it also will keep your coffee much hotter than a single-walled version, including the common glass ones you might use at home. This makes it ideal for camp when the mornings often have a chill to them.
The size of the Stay Hot French Press, at 48 oz, is large enough to keep coffee flowing for a group of people, but not so large that you’d mind bringing it even for just two campers. If you’re consistently camping with large groups, the GSI Percolator holds more and is ideal for lots of coffee drinkers wanting their morning brew at once.
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Like most other French presses, a coarse grind on your beans is recommended to get the best taste and least amount of sediment. When brewed with the proper ratio of beans and water, this produces a very tasty cup of coffee, especially for those who like the way a press brews. If you prefer a cleaner taste to your coffee (without lingering sediment and oils), consider another brewing method that uses a paper filter. But this brews coffee just as well as any French press we’ve tried.
The real benefit to this brewer is the double-walled insulation. This means you can keep coffee hot for at least a couple of hours, if you like to enjoy slow mornings at camp. To get the best results and hottest coffee for the longest amount of time, we recommend pre-warming the press by pouring some hot water inside to warm the interior metal walls, then dumping it out just before starting your brew.
We tested the Stay Hot French Press on multiple camp-out sessions, including early mornings and long days spent tailgating at a ski resort in cold temps. The coffee in the press stayed hot for over two hours when left inside a cold car (with below-freezing outside temps). After a couple hours, the coffee turned to lukewarm and was less desirable. But, to get the best flavor from your coffee, you don’t want it to sit much longer than that anyway.
Clean-up is like any other French press: discard the grounds (in the trash, not on the ground!) and rinse it out. There is no paper filter to worry about, but that does mean it might take a bit more time to clean all the loose grounds out of the pot.
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There are only minor downsides to this coffee maker. If you need something light and packable, look elsewhere. This is one of the heaviest and bulkiest in our test. But that generally matters a bit less for car camping than for backpacking anyway. It’s also not the most affordable in our test, but we do think it offers good value given the usefulness and durability.
This press is made with burly, double-walled stainless steel and can certainly take a beating. It’s a piece of camp kitchen that should last many years, if not decades. If you’re a French press coffee lover, then this is the best one to pack to the campsite. It’s durable, brews well, and keeps ample coffee on tap and hot when you need it.
Other camping coffee makers we tested
ESPRO P0 UltralighT Travel Coffee Press
Brew Type: French press
Weight: 7.4 oz
Serving Size: 12 oz
Filter Type: None needed
French press coffee makers don’t have to be delicate and made of glass, like the one from your favorite cafe. Nor do they need to be overly cumbersome and heavy. The ESPRO Ultralight proves that you can have delicious french press coffee in a light and compact vessel.
The ESPRO is a French press system designed specifically for travel. However, the Ultralight takes it a step further than other travel coffee makers. This coffee press is light and small enough to take camping and even backpacking if weight isn’t a top priority. At 7.4 oz. and the size of a thin water bottle, this coffee maker doubles as a camping mug and can carry a half-liter of water on the trail when it’s not being used for coffee.
Compare prices of the ESPRO Ultralight Travel Coffee Press
What really makes this coffee press stand out is the filter. A basket-shaped, dual-layer fine mesh filter helps the ESPRO Ultralight brew some of the smoothest and cleanest tasting french press coffee we’ve had.
We attribute its great flavor to the doubled-up fine filters, which let minimal coffee residue through to the final cup. Once the coffee is pressed, extraction stops completely to avoid bitterness.
The doubled-up fine filters on the ESPRO Ultralight kept grounds out of our coffee better than integrated press systems like MSR’s Coffee Kit for the Reactor stove or Coffee Kit for the Windburner stove or the Jetboil Flash Java. These coffee presses work by integrating with your cooking pot for backpacking.
The ESPRO Ultralight travel press is also vacuum insulated to keep coffee hot for hours after brewing, so you don’t need to carry an extra insulated tumbler.
No paper filters are needed for the ESPRO, and cleanup is quick but not as hassle-free as the AeroPress. To wash, dump grounds from the bottom of the coffee mug into the trash and give the mug a good rinse.
In our taste test, the ESPRO stood out for its smooth flavor. While it didn’t quite beat out paper filter brewers, like the AeroPress and Hario V60, it was the best french pressed coffee we’d had.
That excellent flavor and travel-friendly design make it one of the most highly-rated coffee makers in both the outdoor world and the kitchen appliance world.
Additional features like a lid with a handle make the ESPRO Ultralight ideal for traveling and taking coffee on the go. So if you’re the type who likes to sip your coffee slow and maybe even take it on the trail, this brewer is an excellent option.
Brew Type: Pour-over
Weight: 0.4 oz
Serving Size: 1 cup
Filter Type: None needed
The GSI Ultralight Java Drip is a backpacking-oriented coffee brewer designed to be one of the lightest and most packable coffee makers you’ll find. It brews pour-over style drip coffee with reasonably good flavor in a very compact package. So if instant coffee isn’t for you and you want a brewing system that’s as small and light as possible, consider the GSI Ultralight Java Drip.
Ultimately, we found that the MSR MugMate was easier to use and brewed a better tasting, more robust cup of coffee than the Ultralight Java Drip, which is why it won our pick for backpacking.
View the GSI Ultralight Java Drip
Brew Type: French press
Weight: 16.1 oz
Serving Size: 8 cups
Filter Type: None
We tested the OXO Campgrounds French Press 2.0 as a contender for Best French Press. Its large size can accommodate up to 8 cups, which isn't quite as much as the percolator that won that category, but does make a lot of coffee. Ultimately, we found that like most French presses (including the glass ones you find at coffee shops), it's hard to keep grounds from getting into your coffee. Ultimately, we found the Stanley Stay Hot and the ESPRO both offer a smoother and cleaner tasting french press coffee.
View the OXO Campgrounds French Press 2.0
how to make a good cup of coffee
The author making camp coffee in Glacier National Park. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Good coffee is reasonably simple to brew; you just have to know the basics. Depending on the brewing device you’re using, brewing the perfect cup can take a little practice.
Coffee beans
First, your beans: freshly roasted coffee made from quality coffee beans is always best.
Look at the roast date on the bag when you buy coffee and use it while it is still fresh. If you have access to a local or specialty roaster, that can also be a good place to find freshly roasted beans.
Grinding
The second element to consider is grinding. It’s best to grind coffee beans fresh just before brewing, though that’s not always a viable option on backcountry trips.
If you don’t mind the extra weight and work of bringing a hand coffee grinder on the trail, you can grind fresh at camp. But if you prefer to keep it simple and pack pre-ground coffee, grind it shortly before you leave on your trip for the best possible freshness.
Grind size is also important. Different brewing systems require different-sized grinds. A French press generally needs a coarser grind, while a moka pot or many AeroPress recipes use a finer grind, and a pour-over will usually do best with something in between.
If you don’t mind the extra weight and work of bringing a hand coffee grinder on the trail to have coffee fresh at camp, consider something like the highly sought-after GSI Outdoors JavaGrind Coffee Grinder or Snow Peak Field Barista Coffee Grinder.
Water
Third, think about your water. If you’re camping or backpacking, you’ll likely filter your water from a fresh source using a water filter or purifier. Clean, treated water will also make better-tasting coffee.
Then you’ll need to get that water to a good brewing temperature using a backpacking stove or a camping stove. Around 200°F is a useful target for coffee brewing, but boiling temperature changes as you go up in elevation. At sea level, water boils at 212°F, while in high mountain environments it boils at a lower temperature. Remember that since you aren't fully boiling water, you won't be killing viruses, bacteria, or parasites so treating your water beforehand is important.
If you’re camping near sea level, let boiling water cool slightly before brewing. If you’re high in the mountains, using the water soon after it reaches a boil may be more appropriate.
Coffee-to-water ratio
There is a term often called the Golden Ratio in coffee brewing, which refers to the amount of coffee and water used for brewing.
A ratio around 1:16 coffee to water is a useful starting point for many brewed-coffee methods. That means roughly 16 grams of water for each gram of ground coffee, though the ideal ratio can vary with the brewing method and your taste preferences.
This ratio translates to about “one to two tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water,” according to the National Coffee Association and the Specialty Coffee Association. We know you’re unlikely to pack a kitchen scale with the tent poles, so keep this general rule of thumb in mind when brewing in the backcountry.
Paper filters vs. metal and mesh filters
Paper filters create more waste when making coffee in the backcountry, but they also produce a cleaner-tasting cup with less residue and sludge.
For camping and backpacking, reusable mesh filters like the MSR MugMate and other metal filters have strong advantages because there are no disposable filters to carry. They generally allow more oils and fine particles into the finished coffee, however.
When it comes to flavor and preventing sludge buildup in the cup, our testers generally favored coffee brewed with a paper filter.
Water kettle
Some kettles are better suited to certain brewing methods than others. Kettles with a gooseneck spout allow you to pour water with more precision, which can help with even extraction when making pour-over coffee.
You do not need a specialized kettle for most camp coffee methods, though. An AeroPress, French press, MugMate, or similar brewer can work with the camp kettle or pot you already use.
Our best budget coffee maker, the Hario V60 plastic, has a blooming technique that requires some practice, but can make an incredible cup of coffee. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Coffee blooming
Blooming refers to wetting freshly ground coffee at the beginning of the brewing process and allowing trapped gases to escape before continuing the brew. It is particularly useful with pour-over coffee.
To bloom coffee, thoroughly wet the grounds with a small amount of water and allow them to bubble for about 30 to 45 seconds. Then proceed to brew with the remaining water.
Blooming isn’t practical with every brewing system, including traditional percolators and moka pots.
Technique
If you’re brewing in a pour-over device like the Hario V60, it may take a little practice to get the pouring technique down. Use a gentle circular motion to pour the water and evenly soak the coffee grounds for a more even extraction.
If you’re using a paper filter, avoid pouring water above the level of the filter, which can allow grounds to enter the finished cup.
Other methods, such as the AeroPress, French press, or MugMate, rely less on precise pouring technique and can therefore be easier to use consistently at camp.
The AeroPress uses a plunger-like device to push hot water through the coffee grounds, a process referred to as forced extraction in the coffee world. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Camping coffee brewing methods
The MSR MugMate shown here incorporates aspects of a pourover and steeping, two methods of brewing coffee. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
There are several types of coffee brewing systems out there, but most camp coffee makers use some combination of percolation, immersion, or pressure-driven extraction. Within those methods, there are several common brewing systems we considered in our research and testing.
pour-over
Pour-over coffee brewers are just what the name implies: hot water is poured over a bed of grounds that sit in a brewing device, and the coffee drips from the bottom of the brewer into a pot or your mug.
Types of pour-overs include the Hario V60, the GSI Ultralight Java Drip, and the Sea to Summit X-Brew. Many pour-over coffee makers, like the Hario V60, require a paper filter. Others, like the GSI Ultralight Java Drip, have a built-in coffee filter.
This brewing style relies on water passing through the grounds rather than allowing them to steep freely. While some drip-style brewers require electricity, many camping pour-overs do not.
French press and immersion brewers
Immersion brewers allow coffee to steep, much like tea, in hot water. The most common type of immersion brewer is a French press.
French press brewers allow the coffee grounds to float freely during extraction inside a container, such as a glass pitcher in traditional French press models or a stainless travel mug like the ESPRO models. The coffee grounds are then pressed down with a mesh metal filter to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee. French presses do not require paper filters since the filter is built into the brewing system.
In the camping and backpacking world, several French press systems are also designed to integrate with camping pots and stoves, including coffee press accessories for systems such as the MSR Reactor, MSR WindBurner, and Jetboil.
Percolator
Percolator coffee pots use a filter basket that holds the coffee grounds above the water in the pot. As the water heats, it circulates through the grounds and back into the pot.
The GSI Enamelware Percolator is an example of this brewing method. Most camping-specific percolators do not require paper filters. Instead, the metal basket that holds the grounds acts as a reusable filter.
AeroPress
The AeroPress is a brewing system that finds itself in a category largely of its own. This brewing device is part immersion brewer and part pressure-driven extraction since it uses a plunger to push hot water through the coffee grounds after the grounds are immersed in hot water.
The AeroPress uses small paper filters for each brew, though reusable metal filters are also available. In our testing, we preferred the cleaner cup we got with paper filters.
Moka pot and manual espresso-style brewers
A stovetop moka pot places water in a chamber at the bottom of the brewer below the ground coffee, with a filter separating the two. As the water heats, pressure pushes it upward through the grounds and into the upper chamber. Paper filters are not needed for this type of brewing system.
The Bialetti Moka Express is a classic example. While designed for a home stovetop, it is just as easy to use on a compatible camping stove.
Manual espresso-style brewers use a different pressure-based system and can produce a more espresso-like drink. They should not be confused with moka pots, which make strong, concentrated coffee but do not operate at the same pressures as a traditional espresso machine.
The best camp coffee maker will depend on how you like to get outdoors, who you like to spend time with, and how strong you like your coffee. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
How to Choose the Right Camp Coffee Brewer for You
The best camping coffee maker depends on how you camp, how much coffee you need, and what kind of coffee you like to drink. If you’re backpacking, a heavy metal percolator is probably off the table, and something light and packable like the MSR MugMate will be much more suitable. If you’re car camping with a large group, a percolator like the GSI Enamelware makes it easier to brew several cups at once. And if taste is paramount, brewers like the AeroPress or Hario V60 produced some of the best-tasting coffee in our testing.
| If you want... | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The best balance of flavor, consistency, and ease | AeroPress-style brewer | Makes flavorful coffee without requiring precise pouring technique and is easy to clean |
| The lightest setup for backpacking | Mesh steeping filter or ultralight pour-over | Adds very little weight or bulk and can work directly with your mug |
| A clean, bright cup of coffee | Paper-filter pour-over | Paper filters remove more fine particles and oils |
| Full-bodied coffee | French press | Retains more oils and fine particles for a heavier-bodied cup |
| Coffee for several people at once | Large French press or percolator | Lets you brew multiple servings at once |
Buying Advice: What to Look for in a Camping Coffee Maker
Choosing the right camping coffee maker depends on your specific outdoor adventures, group size, and coffee preferences. Here are the essential factors to consider before making your decision.
Weight and packability
Consider how you'll be traveling to your campsite. Car campers can handle heavier options like the GSI Enamelware Percolator or Stanley French Press, while backpackers need ultralight options like the MSR MugMate (1 oz) or GSI Ultralight Java Drip (0.4 oz). Look for systems that nest inside mugs or collapse flat for maximum space efficiency in your pack.
Group size and serving capacity
Match your coffee maker to your typical group size. Single-cup brewers like the AeroPress or Hario V60 are perfect for solo adventures or couples but become tedious for larger groups. If you're regularly camping with 4+ people, consider group-friendly options like percolators or large French presses that can brew multiple servings at once.
Brewing method and taste preferences
Different extraction methods produce distinct flavor profiles. Pour-over systems like the Hario V60 create clean, bright coffee but require technique. French presses produce full-bodied coffee with some sediment. Percolators make strong, traditional camp coffee. The AeroPress offers versatility, making everything from espresso-style shots to regular American coffee.
Filter requirements
Decide whether you want to deal with paper filters or prefer reusable systems. Paper filters create cleaner-tasting coffee and easier cleanup but add weight and waste to pack out. Metal mesh filters eliminate waste and weight but allow more sediment and oils into your cup. Consider your Leave No Trace priorities and taste preferences.
Durability and construction
Camp gear takes a beating, so look for robust construction. Plastic systems like the AeroPress and Hario V60 are surprisingly durable and lightweight. Metal options like enamelware percolators handle rough treatment but add weight. Avoid delicate glass components unless you're exclusively car camping.
Ease of use and cleanup
Some brewing methods require more skill than others. The AeroPress and percolators are nearly foolproof, while pour-over systems like the V60 benefit from technique development. Consider how complex you want your morning coffee routine to be, especially before you've had your first cup. Simple cleanup is crucial when water is scarce.
Heat source compatibility
Ensure your coffee maker works with your camping stove setup. Most systems work with any heat source, but some percolators and stovetop espresso makers perform better with consistent, controllable heat. Electric options obviously require power access from your vehicle or campground hookups.
Versatility
Some coffee makers pull double duty. The MSR MugMate works for both coffee and tea. French presses can brew cold brew concentrate. The AeroPress makes espresso-style shots or regular coffee. If pack space is limited, versatile systems offer more value per ounce carried.
Altitude considerations
If you frequently camp at high elevation, remember that water boils at lower temperatures as altitude increases. This can affect extraction, particularly with brewing methods that rely on precise water temperature. The AeroPress and French press methods are more forgiving of temperature variations than pour-over systems.
Care and maintenance tips
To get the most flavor out of your coffee beans, it is best to grind beans fresh just before brewing. Here, the author uses a hand grinder to grind coffee beans in camp. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Clean out grounds after each use
Remove coffee grounds as soon as practical rather than letting them dry inside the brewer. At established campsites, dispose of them according to campground rules. In the backcountry, pack out used grounds and paper filters with the rest of your food waste.
Rinse and dry the brewer
A quick rinse is enough for many brewers while you are camping. When you get home, clean the coffee maker more thoroughly according to the manufacturer’s instructions and let all parts dry completely before storing them.
Pay particular attention to reusable mesh filters, French press screens, and small openings where coffee oils and fine grounds can accumulate.
Clean coffee oils periodically
If your brewer starts smelling stale or coffee begins tasting off even when you use fresh beans, coffee oils may have built up on the filter or brewing surfaces. Wash removable components with the cleaning method recommended by the manufacturer.
Check seals, filters, and moving parts
Inspect paper-filter holders, reusable mesh screens, French press plungers, AeroPress seals, and moka-pot gaskets periodically. Replace worn or damaged components rather than replacing the entire coffee maker when spare parts are available.
For moka pots in particular, make sure the gasket, filter plate, and pressure valve remain clean and in good condition.
FAQ
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Choose a brewer that’s light, filter-free, and fool-proof. The 1 oz MSR MugMate or 0.4 oz GSI Ultralight Java Drip sit on any mug, use a coarse grind, and clean out with a quick rinse—no paper filters or scale required.
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Systems that use paper micro-filters—AeroPress, AeroPress Go, or a Hario V60—produce the brightest, clearest coffee because the paper traps fine particles and oils that slip through mesh screens.
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Yes. Leave No Trace standards treat grounds like food waste. Let them cool, shake them into a zip-top trash bag, and pack them out with the paper filter (or scatter at home in your compost).
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A simple backcountry rule is 2 rounded Tbsp (≈10 g) of coffee for every 6 fl oz (≈175 mL) of water—the “golden 1:16 ratio.” No scale? Fill the AeroPress scoop once or heap a standard soup spoon.
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Yes—stovetop moka pots (e.g., Bialetti) or hand-pump units like the Wacaco Nanopresso reach 8–18 bar pressure and pull a true 30 mL shot. They’re heavier than drip gear but still lighter (and cheaper) than an inverter-powered machine.
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Likely over-extraction: water too hot, grind too fine, or steep/pour time too long. Keep water around 195–205 °F (90–96 °C), use the correct grind, and stop a French-press brew at 4 minutes or an AeroPress at 1 minute.
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Plunge halfway, add a few ounces of water, swirl, then pour the slurry through a mesh strainer or paper towel into your trash bag. A silicone spatula pops the grounds puck out if the mesh is removable.
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Yes. Grinding immediately before brewing can improve flavor, but carrying a grinder is unnecessary for most camping and backpacking trips. If you want to use pre-ground coffee, grind it shortly before your trip and store it in an airtight container or bag.
The important thing is choosing a grind size that works reasonably well with your brewing method.
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It depends on the brewer. French presses generally work best with a coarser grind, pour-over brewers use a medium grind, and moka pots typically require a finer grind. AeroPress recipes vary considerably and can work with several grind sizes.
If a brew tastes weak, harsh, or unpleasantly bitter, adjusting grind size is one of the easiest ways to troubleshoot it.
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No. A gooseneck kettle is particularly helpful with pour-over brewers such as the Hario V60 because it gives you more control over where and how quickly you pour.
For an AeroPress, French press, MugMate, or percolator, a normal camping kettle or cookpot is generally enough.
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Absolutely. French presses, reusable mesh filters, percolators, and moka pots all work without disposable paper filters.
Paper filters tend to produce a cleaner cup with less sediment, while reusable metal or mesh filters allow more oils and fine particles through. Which tastes better is largely a matter of preference.
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Paper-filter systems and the AeroPress are among the easiest because most of the grounds remain contained when you finish brewing. With an AeroPress, the coffee puck and filter can be pushed directly into your trash bag, while a pour-over filter can be lifted out with the grounds inside.
French presses and reusable mesh brewers require a little more rinsing because loose grounds remain inside the brewer or filter.
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Use a brewer that makes several servings at once rather than repeating a single-cup method. Large percolators and French presses are usually the most practical options for group camping.
Single-serving brewers such as an AeroPress work well for one or two people, but repeatedly brewing individual cups becomes tedious for a larger group.
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A moka pot uses steam pressure to push hot water through coffee grounds and produces a concentrated, strong cup of coffee. It operates at much lower pressure than a traditional espresso machine, so the result is not technically the same as espresso.
Manual espresso-style brewers use a pumping mechanism to generate more pressure and can make a drink closer to traditional espresso.
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Yes. Many of our favorite camping brewers, including the AeroPress, Hario V60, French presses, and moka pots, are also popular home coffee makers. In fact, using your brewer at home before a trip is one of the easiest ways to figure out the grind size, coffee-to-water ratio, and technique you prefer before trying to make coffee at a campsite.
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It can. Water boils at a lower temperature as elevation increases, so at higher elevations you may not be able to reach the same brewing temperatures you would at sea level.
In practice, this usually means using the water soon after it reaches a boil at high elevations and being willing to adjust grind size or brew time if your coffee tastes under-extracted.
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Look for a brewer that keeps the grounds contained. The AeroPress and paper-filter pour-overs are particularly convenient because the grounds can be packed out together with the filter.
No matter how you brew your coffee, when you’re camping in backcountry environments, it is essential to pack out all your used filters and grounds. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Coffee Waste Disposal and LNT in the Backcountry
It’s essential to know how to dispose of your used camp coffee grounds in the backcountry. As with any camp cooking, we stress using Leave No Trace Practices. This means packing out all your trash, including used coffee filters and grounds.
Whether camping, backpacking, bikepacking, or on a dayhike with friends, a freshly brewed cup of coffee and time with friends can enhance any outdoor experience. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
How to Taste Coffee
Coffee produces three primary flavors, with many nuances that come within those flavors. The primary three flavors of coffee are acidity, sweetness, and bitterness. Good coffee should always have both acidity and sweetness, but rarely bitterness.
Bitterness only comes out when coffee is over-extracted and not properly brewed. This can be avoided by considering your techniques and recipe, like grind size, and following the golden ratio. See our section on How to Make Good Coffee for details.
With a hot cup of coffee in front of you, first, swirl the coffee to release aromas, then smell the coffee. What aromas do you notice? Possibly chocolatey notes or hints of fruit? After smelling, take a sip and swish it in your mouth to ensure it covers all your taste buds. Then, take a moment to think about the different flavors.
We tested coffee under real-world conditions, like when the dogs want to “help” brew the coffee. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
How We Researched and Tested
I've worked in specialty coffee for years and started with a baseline knowledge of how great coffee should taste when brewed at home or in our favorite coffee shops. I used that knowledge as our primary standard when comparing how different coffee makers brewed in the field.
From there, we researched dozens of brewing devices--both those designed specifically for camping and ones that weren't. Every camping coffee maker on our list had to be suitable to take into the backcountry. Preferably, they generate little waste.
We went out and tested dozens of camping coffee makers. From backpacking in Glacier National Park to road tripping and even van-lifing (in a truck, not a van), we spent countless mornings brewing coffee at campgrounds and trailheads around the American West.
Our trips varied from lightweight backpacking, to car camping with big groups, to back-of-the-truck camping, and tricked-out-van camping with our coffee in tow.
Finally, we had external (read: not outdoors people) coffee experts taste coffee from the different brewing devices and rate them based on the overall flavor.
When it came down to it, the flavor was the most important factor. We also factored in weight, packability, durability, ease of use, waste disposal, and price. In the end, we landed on the best camping coffee makers for the perfect cup brewed in the backcountry.
- Backpacking and campground brewing
- Road-trip and van camping
- Side-by-side brew comparisons
- Real-world camp kettles and cookware
- External coffee expert taste tests
- Flavor and brewing consistency
- Ease of use and cleanup
- Weight and packability
- Durability and serving capacity
- Extra gear and waste required
About The Author / Why You Should Trust Us
A true mountain dweller, Stasia Stockwell feels far more at home on a high alpine ridge than a busy city street. Stasia writes primarily in the outdoor and adventure travel realm, focusing on destination content and gear reviews that are intriguing and informative for newcomers and experts alike. She’s worked as a backpacking guide in southeast Alaska and written for BACKPACKER, REI Co-op Journal, and The Dyrt, along with her work for Treeline Review. She’s a lifelong skier, mountain biker, backpacker, and trail runner who’s passionate about lowering barriers to entry for outdoor sports.
Stasia is both a lifelong camper and coffee snob who refuses to go anywhere without great coffee in tow. Along with her experience in the outdoor industry, she’s worked in several coffee shops and cafes, honing her barista skills and learning how to taste coffee. She’s as much a passionate foodie as she is an outdoor adventurer and can most often be found deep in the mountains with a good cup of joe.
You can see all of Stasia's stories at Treeline Review or at her website.
