Last Updated on 26/06/2024
What Are the Best Camping Coffee Makers for Backpacking?
In this guide to the best coffee makers for camping, we review 12 of the top filter, french presses, and percolators for brewing coffee outdoors.
If, like me, coffee is a part of your morning ritual or daily routine, then the thought of leaving that behind can be too much to handle. Or maybe you just enjoy a good cup of coffee when you go camping. Either way, we hope to define the Best Camping Coffee Maker for travel available today so that you don’t have to.
Let’s face it, instant coffee is not on the same level of caffeine goodness as freshly ground coffee, whether you are camping or not. Having your own portable coffee maker allows you to brew the good stuff instead of settling for the instant. But the classic French press cafetiere that you use at home isn’t the most compact coffee maker to fit in your backpack, nor is it the most robust coffee maker to go hiking with. Coffee Percolators work for some people and are made from metal, so they are very rugged, and small percolators can be portable for backpackers.
There is a long list of travel coffee makers that weigh next to nothing and are so compact they will fit inside your camping mug. Whichever filter you choose from these 12 best camping and backpacking coffee makers will depend on how small you want to go and how you like your coffee brewed. You can use the quick links below to skip down the page or keep reading for some backpacker tips.
12 Best Camping Coffee Maker Reviews
MSR MugMate Coffee/Tea Filter
- Design: Pour-over
- Weight: 0.8 oz / 23 g
- Capacity: 1 – 5 cups
The MSR Mugmate Coffee/Tea Filter is a convenient little contraption that will tuck inside almost any mug and weighs just under 1 ounce. It can easily make up to 1 to 5 cups of coffee and doesn’t need any additional paper filters, making it reusable.
Simply add your grounds and pour your water through, letting it steep for a minute or two if you wish before composting the grounds onto the ground. This is one of the best camping coffee makers that doesn’t need paper filters and is very lightweight for backpackers and long-distance hikers; highly recommended.
Snow Peak Titanium Cafe Press
- Design: Titanium French Press
- Weight: 6.4 oz / 181 g
- Capacity: 24 fl oz / 710 ml
The Snow Peak Titanium Cafe Press is my first choice if I have plenty of space in my backpack because I just love the way French Pressed coffee tastes. The titanium construction is rugged and super lightweight at only 6.4 ounces, and the entire thing measures just 5.5 x 3.2 inches. The space inside this coffee press can be used to store your coffee and other kitchen items when not in use, and you never have to worry about rust.
Jetboil Flash Java Kit
- Design: Stove system with french press
- Weight: 13.9 oz / 393 g
- Capacity: 1 liter
The Jetboil Flash Java Kit includes the popular Flash cooking system, Coffee Press, and a sample of Green Mountain Coffee’s Organic House Blend. This truly is the all-in-one cooking AND coffee-making kit for camping, which can boil water in just over two minutes. Made by the very well-established Jet Boil company, you get what you pay for, and you won’t be disappointed if you get this.
Primula Single Serve Coffee Brew Buddy
- Design: Pour-over
- Weight: 1 oz / 28 g
- Capacity: 1 cup
The Primula Single Serve Coffee Brew Buddy is one of the best travel coffee makers for its weight, size, shape, reusability, value, and universal fit. Simply place the Brew Buddy on top of any mug and add some coffee grounds before pouring and leaving to brew. The fine mesh filter does an excellent job of letting the grounds release their flavor but also doesn’t let any loose grounds through.
GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip
- Design: Pour-over
- Weight: 0.4 oz / 11 g
- Capacity: 1 cup
The GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip is, as you might expect, very lightweight and portable. This camping coffee maker uses paper filters and a drip-through method of filtration and clips to any mug with flexible legs. Folding completely flat and weighing less than half an ounce, this is the lightweight backpacker’s ideal piece of kit. You might think that it looks kind of flimsy for outdoor use and packing, but with over 150 happy customers, this product gets a very impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Hario V60 Plastic Dripper
- Design: Pour-over
- Weight: 3 oz / 85 g
- Capacity: 1 – 6 cups
The Hario V60 Plastic Dripper is a small but sturdy pour-over coffee maker that uses disposable filters for a manual brewing experience. Lightweight and travel-friendly, you can take this anywhere you want to ensure you always have a perfect cup of coffee wherever you are. It comes in 3 sizes and a variety of materials, including copper, glass, and steel, but the plastic model is the most durable and lightweight for camping.
Aerobie AeroPress Coffee Maker
- Design: Instant french press
- Weight: 6.5 oz / 184 g
- Capacity: 1 – 3 cups
The Aerobie AeroPress is an innovative coffee espresso maker which uses total immersion and gentle pressure to extract the coffee and release a rich flavor. The espresso-style shots can be used to make all kinds of coffee, including lattes or cappuccinos, by adding milk etc. The Aerobie AeroPress micro-filtered coffee is so pure and particle-free that it can be stored cold for days and used to make cold brews. Comes with a handy carry case if you just can’t leave home without it.
Cafellissimo Paperless Pour Over Coffee Maker
- Design: Paperless pour-over
- Weight: 3.3 oz / 93 g
- Capacity: 1 – 3 cups
The Cafellissimo Paperless Pour Over Coffee Maker is ideal for camping because it is small, robust, and reusable. Simply add your fresh grounds to the top and slowly pour boiled water over it until your cup is full of hot coffee.
Because the mesh is so fine, you need to clean your filter after every use and may need to give it a good scrub every couple of weeks to keep the flow rate up. Designed by baristas, Cafellissmo knows a thing or two about brewing coffee, and this little camping gadget is nice and simple.
Sea to Summit X-Brew Coffee Dripper
- Design: Collapsable pour-over
- Weight: 2.9 oz / 85 g
- Capacity: 1 – 6 cups
The Sea to Summit X-Brew Coffee Dripper has a unique design that allows it to expand from 1 inch to 5.6 inches high. Using a number 4 filter, you can brew 1 – 6 cups of coffee through this and into your container of choice. When collapsed, the Sea to Summit X-Brew Coffee Dripper is transformed into a portable disc with a top cover that keeps it clean and safe inside your backpack.
GSI Personal Java Press
- Design: Pour-over
- Weight: 14.4 oz / 408 g
- Capacity: 500 ml
The GSI Personal Java Press is for those outdoor people who can’t be without a large French press. The 20 fl. oz. carafe is wrapped with insulation to keep your coffee warmer for longer when outdoors and works with a plunger to brew and filter your fresh grounds.
The removable inner unit is made from BPA-Free clear polypropylene, which is shatter resistant and lightweight for easy cleaning. Not so small and packable when compared to the other alternatives but a good robust French press nonetheless.
Farberware Classic 8-Cup Yosemite Stovetop Percolator
- Design: Pour-over
- Weight: 36 oz / 1020 g
- Capacity: 1 – 8 cups
The Farberware Classic 8-Cup Yosemite Stovetop Percolator is a classic stovetop coffee maker that can be used to brew larger pots for groups or to see you through the day with a flask. Made from heavy-duty stainless steel, this certainly isn’t the lightest or most compact option, but it is reliable and can be used as storage when not in use. The clear plastic knob at the top lets you know when the percolation begins, and the lid has a nice tight fit to stop it from rattling around in your bag.
Stanley 6-Cup Adventure Percolator Coffee Pot
- Design: Percolator
- Weight: 32 oz / 908 g
- Capacity: 1 – 6 cups
The Stanley 6-Cup Adventure Percolator Coffee Pot is a robust and reliable outdoor coffee maker which is ideal for camping. The trusted design has a large capacity for group coffee breaks and has easy pouring action.
The silicone handle grip can be easily removed for cooking on an open fire, and the plastic knob on the lid makes checking your brew pain-free. Made from BPA-Free 18/8 stainless steel, this camping percolator is durable and won’t rust. It even comes with a lifetime warranty.
Different ways to brew coffee while camping
There are four main ways to filter your freshly ground coffee beans, and they all have their pros and cons, but the reusable coffee filters are best suited for camping and backpacking.
Disposable Filter
These types of portable coffee makers rely on disposable filter screens to do most of the work and consist mainly of a small structure that sits on top of a mug where the filter can be laid. These are often very lightweight, but obviously, you will always need to carry a supply of filters.
Reusable Filter
These often make some of the best camping coffee makers for backpackers because they are cheap, lightweight, and can be used over and over again. You may have to deal with the odd loose grain of coffee in your brew every now and again, but it is a small price to pay for the convenience.
French Press
These classic French press filters make a very good cup of coffee but are often not very portable. Any kind of glass cafetiere would no doubt smash in your backpack no matter how gentle you are, so unless you get one made from metal or plastic, then these may not be ideal for backpackers. The exceptions are the MSR and Jetboil filters which are an add-on to an already useful product that many people use.
Percolator
Percolators used to be very popular but have been replaced by simpler devices and electric coffee machines in recent years. They are reliable and robust but are known to give the coffee a burnt flavor if you heat it for too long but don’t let this put you off, they are very handy.
Coffee Bags
In recent years we have seen coffee bags becoming more readily available in local supermarkets. Coffee bags are just like tea bags but full of fresh filter coffee. They are lightweight to pack and compostable for the most part, which makes them perfect for camping.
What to look for in a camping coffee maker
Materials
If it is durability you are after, then get a metal camping coffee maker which will not get damaged easily but does weigh more than plastic. Plastic coffee makers are incredibly lightweight but not very durable, which can be risky if you are hard on your gear. French presses for camping should be made of stainless steel or titanium and never glass which would easily get damaged in your backpack. Filters can be as small and lightweight as you like but often require packing paper filters which can be annoying if you run out.
Weight
Weight is a key factor for most hikers, campers, and backpackers and especially for a luxury item like a coffee maker. You can justify taking your coffee filter if it weighs less than a couple of ounces for long-distance hikes, but anything heavier is only really suitable for recreational camping. The tiny pour-over style filters are the lightest; however, because they are so small, they can be a bit tricky to use and only make small cups of camp coffee.
Size
When you are packing everything into a backpack, you only have a limited amount of space. Camping coffee makers that are small enough to store inside your cup or water pot are ideal for packing logistics. If you want to make a lot of coffee for everyone at basecamp, then you really need something bigger than a mini espresso filter. The Aeropress is good because it is so fast to use, but it does take up a bit of space in your bag.
Durability
When you are camping, hiking, and backpacking, you will likely find yourself dumping your backpack on the ground after a strenuous hike or climb. Fragile coffee makers just won’t cut it in wilderness settings, so you should never take a glass french press. Stainless steel and titanium coffee makers are much more appropriate for outdoor use, and plastic filters that can be stored safely work well too.
Ease of Use
Some compact coffee makers focus so much on being the smallest or most lightweight that they forget about user experience. You don’t want to be balancing tiny coffee makers on top of cups in windy weather or pouring water into a thimble-sized filter on uneven ground. The best coffee makers for camping are super easy to use, no matter where you are or what the weather is doing outside your tent.
Taste
Coffee brewed in nature always tastes better than one made at home, but some coffee makers leave a purer taste in your mouth than others. Titanium is an amazing material that does not leach any chemicals or taste, and so delivers one of the best tastes. Stainless steel can sometimes add a tinny taste to your coffee but is unnoticeable for most people.
Plastic can leach if not treated to be heat resistant, but more so when you first use it. For this reason, you should always process a few pots of boiling water through your coffee maker when you first get it to remove any unwanted tastes.
Brew Time
While you often have plenty of free time while camping, the faster you can brew a good cup of coffee, the better. That being said, coffee brewed for longer is stronger and has a fuller taste. So, if you want an instant filter coffee in the mountains, go for a pour-over design, and if you want the maximum kick, go with a percolator or french press.
How to Improvise a Camping Coffee Maker?
The most obvious way is to just tip the coffee grounds straight into your cook pot and bring it to just before boiling. This is known as Cowboy Coffee because this is how they used to do it, but this is often the last resort for coffee lovers. You can carry some disposable coffee filters, which can be fashioned into a DIY tea or coffee bag.
You can also use any clean material that is fine enough to hold the grounds, like a filter as a sort of coffee bag. But you’re not here to learn about how to make Cowboy coffee or drink through a sock, so let’s have a look at our favorite camp coffee makers.
Is an Aeropress Good for Camping?
Aeropress coffee makers are possibly the best french press coffee makers for camping because they are so durable and lightweight. You can let your coffee brew for a few minutes before plunging the top and pouring it into your mug of choice. The design is very compact for packing in your backpack and is a great addition to your camping gear.
How Do You Make Coffee Over a Campfire?
You need a stable cooking pot or kettle to boil water over the embers of a fire. Once the water is boiled, you can remove it from the heat and add your fresh ground coffee into the water. Give it a stir and let it sit for 3-4 minutes before pouring it into your favorite coffee mug. You can do this gently to minimize the grounds in your drink or use a filter to strain out the grounds. A small piece of cloth (an old t-shirt) will do the job, and you have yourself some cowboy coffee.
Fresh Ground Coffee vs Instant Coffee: Which Is Best?
For me, there really is no comparison here. Yes, instant coffee is far easier and doesn’t require any extra equipment, but it just doesn’t come close to fresh filter coffee. You can get instant coffee with 15% real coffee grounds, which is a mild improvement but with filter coffee now available in special bags, there is no need for instant coffee when you are camping.
How to Store Your Coffee While Camping?
I keep my coffee in a small 1-liter dry bag when I go camping, which helps to keep it fresh and protected in my backpack. You can use small Tupperware tubs or a small recycled bottle to keep your coffee airtight inside the dry bag and also prevent it from making a mess in your bag.
What Do You Need to Make Coffee While Camping?
You don’t need much to have a great cup of coffee in the wild. You need the means to boil water and the means to brew coffee, and that’s it. To achieve that, you do need to carry a few extra pieces of equipment, but if you enjoy coffee as much as me, then it is totally worth it. You can, of course, also use the stove for cooking hot meals, which makes it multipurpose. Here is a list of things you need to make coffee while camping:
- Coffee
- Water
- Coffee Maker
- Stove or Fire
- Kettle or pot
- Cup
We hope you enjoyed looking through these 12 Best Camping Coffee Makers For Backpacking, be sure to leave your comments below and subscribe here.
