Coffee makers for camping: a barista's expert guide

Celeste Wong sat at a wooden table outside writing a card with a coffee flask and two coffee cups

Recreational activities and coffee in the wild go hand in hand for adventure enthusiasts. Whether hiking, biking, or camping, having a cup of coffee along the way can elevate the experience. However, convenience is key when you're on the move. Portability becomes crucial, as space and weight are limited. So opting for compact, lightweight coffee makers like travel-friendly cafetières or compact pour-over systems are a must.

The main concern lies in heating water to brew the coffee. Heating water can be tricky; you can go old-school with a campfire or portable gas stove which adds to the authentic and rustic experience. If you’re on a camping site, most offer access to electricity, so bringing electric coffee makers or kettles is a viable and convenient option here. My coffee maker recommendations will mostly assume you have hot water available, as these products do not heat the water, but I have listed a few portable burners, just in case.

If you are really particular about your coffee, and staying in a motor camp or camping van, I usually take small, light and compact digital scales to weigh my coffee (available from Amazon, £6.99) and a portable hand grinder for freshly ground beans.

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Of course, I always encourage outdoor enthusiasts and avid travellers to embrace the joy of discovering new local coffee roasters along the way where possible, making the coffee experience part of your exploration. Whenever I’m visiting a new city, I tend to plan my routes via cafés and restaurants I want to visit and discover the area in between and on the way. Either way, get creative, get moving and enjoy your coffee in the great outdoors!

Celeste Wong drinking coffee while looking out on a countryside landscape

Coffee makers for camping: a barista's guide

Aeropress: My go-to travel companion, particularly the Aeropress Go (£32.95, Pact), which compacts the device and extra equipment all in one (cup, stirrer, papers or mesh filter). Great for any kind of travel because it is easy, portable, fast and makes good coffee. Aeropress has just released its new XL which alleviates the problem of only making enough for one, or having to make an extra strong brew to dilute with water. Here is my guide to how to make Aeropress coffee.

Celeste Wong using an Aeropress at the beach

Wacaco portable espresso maker: Easy and convenient, this offers a more traditional espresso style for those who prefer espresso over filter coffee. There are two options available (Amazon, from £22.90), using a coffee pod or ground coffee.

Cafflano Kompresso: This compact and eco-friendly coffee maker has a hydraulic compressor inside that enables 9 bar pressure similar to a machine. You do need to use some strength in pressing it, but when you get it right the result is lovely. Available from Amazon (£51.22) or Kiss The Hippo (£59).

Cafflano: An all-in-one filter coffee maker that grinds coffee, filters through a metal mesh filter, and the lid has a spout which can give directional pouring like a kettle. Plus, it has a cup to drink from. I’ve used this a lot in the past when travelling. It can be a little heavier than some other portable coffee makers, but it all packs inside together as one which is clever. The coffee isn’t as clean as I like and you have to watch your grind size so that it filters smoothly, but overall it is a pretty nifty piece of kit. Available from Amazon (£67).

Stovetop kettle: I think every household should own a stovetop kettle (compatible with gas, fire or electric). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve taken my Melitta stovetop kettle (Melitta, £25) on holiday with me. This kettle in particular is extremely affordable, light and durable. I’ve had mine for years and have often packed it in my suitcase. A gooseneck kettle is not the most convenient shape to pack, so only take it if you have room or keep it in the camper van/motorhome permanently.

Stainless steel dripper: This coffee maker sits on top of your cup and packs down flat. It's a relatively inexpensive option and is great if you want to make one cup. Available from Amazon (£7.99). Make sure you pack paper filters (Amazon, £8.34).

Drip bags: You can buy empty drip bags if you prefer to buy and bring your own preferred coffee. Dirtbags have coffee already in them (Amazon, £8.99) or buy empty filter bags which you can fill with your own coffee of choice (Amazon, £5.99).

Sea To Summit collapsible coffee dripper: These can be quite hard to find, but they are sustainable in very high and low temperatures – from sea to summit! This option makes two cups and is super handy to carry in your bag as it's collapsible. Available from Amazon (£19.50) or Mad About Mountains (£13.99).

Bestargot titanium camping French press: This instrument has a handle that can hang over a fire or be lifted off with a stick. There's a pouring handle on the side that both collapse in. This coffee maker is great for those who enjoy French press-style coffee. Available from Bestargot (£31.05).

Small moka pot: There are lightweight and durable moka pots available that are convenient to throw in your bag. Here is my guide to the best moka pots to buy. A reminder that this method requires a stove.

Coffee bags: Drink Heaped are probably my favourite coffee bags. I tried a range of the best coffee bags available, here are the results.

Instant coffee: Looking for a quick coffee fix? Instant coffee is your friend, and doesn't have to be the low-quality coffee that it often has the reputation for. Here are my favourite instant coffees on the market.