The Best Camp Coffee Makers of 2024: Tested

Coffee snobs unanimously agreed that if quality is what you're after, the AeroPress is tough to beat. "Good coffee is worth its weight in gold," proclaimed one of our testers, who has since sworn off any and all other coffee-making devices on the trail. Even in our blind taste tests, our coffee drinkers noted that other cups (including barista-style espresso) paled in comparison to the rich, smooth coffee brewed with this portable system, which received an REI Co-op Editors' Choice Award.

To use it, add one heaping scoop of ground coffee (about 14 grams using the included scoop) into the chamber, add just-off-boil water and stir, then affix the top with the filter and press the brew chamber down, like a coffee press. Cleanup is simple and efficient: Pop out the compressed used coffee grounds and give it a quick rinse. There are more moving parts than many outdoor coffee-making systems, but even those new to the brew method found the process intuitive after their second cup. (AeroPress has an easy-to-use guide for how to brew a hot or cold cup of coffee.) "The lightning-fast brew time (about two minutes) is also ideal for those who don't have the patience to wait around for a standard coffee press," said one first-time AeroPress user after a camping trip in Wyoming.

The Go brews slightly less coffee (8 ounces instead of 20) than the XL, and includes a travel mug with a lid, which the whole system packs neatly into. Testers found the included mug to be useful while backpacking, however most were attached to their own camp mugs and preferred to use the AeroPress mug as a carrying case. Aside from the mug, the system includes a plunger, chamber, filter cap, filter holder, stirrer, scoop and 350 paper filters. A reusable metal AeroPress filter is also available at REI (sold separately), eliminating the need to tote paper.

We would be remiss to talk about the AeroPress without addressing the elephant in the room: Can you really call AeroPress "espresso?" In technical coffee terms, the short answer is no (which is why we describe it as brewing "espresso-style coffee" in the product description). Although many testers referred to AeroPress colloquially as "espresso on-the-go," it doesn't meet the technical requirements for a true shot of espresso. (According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America definition, pulling a shot of espresso requires specific brewing conditions that the AeroPress doesn't meet, notably the amount of pressure and higher water temperature.) Buy here.

It doesn't look like much, but the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip coffee maker brews a quick, no-fuss cup, with a smooth and bold flavor to kick off a long day on the trail. Three spork-size legs clip easily to most camp mugs, then you drape the handkerchief-size pour-over filter and you're in business. "It's fantastically easy to use," said one tester who paired it with his MSR PocketRocket stove on an overnight in the Teton Range. "And as someone who regularly makes pour-over coffee at home, I'm not sure I could tell the difference between a Hario V60 ceramic pour-over setup, and this lightweight Java Drip."

The whole device, which showcased best-in-test packability, weighs just a quarter of an ounce, making it a staple in our testers' backpacking kits. "If that's not light enough for you, you're probably not the kind of person who stops to sniff the coffee beans anyway," one testy tester concluded. But because the Ultralight Java Drip is supported only by its three leg clips, a few testers found they occasionally had to brace the filter with their hand as the hot water weighed it down. (We think this could be mitigated by pouring slower, which would also net a better-tasting cup.) Cleanup is straightforward—just turn the filter inside out and rinse. Buy here.

Test Reults: If you're looking for a group-friendly and reliable coffee brewer for your next adventure, the OXO Campgrounds French Press 2.0 is our testers' top choice. Beloved for its iconic and simple design, this brewer is remarkably easy to use and brews an impressively flavorful cup.

This affordable French press also scores high marks for durability. The recycled carafe is made of BPA-free Tritan™ Renew food-safe plastic, and is encased in a hard shell for extra protection. "Normally I'm afraid of shattering a French press, but I bet you could drop this one off a ravine and it would survive the fall," one self-described "clumsy" tester says. A fine mesh stainless-steel filter wrapped in silicone creates a tight seal, and additional filters in the lid and spout keep unwanted coffee grounds out of the press's rich, full-bodied coffee. Thanks to a generous 32-ounce capacity and forgiving full-immersion brewing style, you can brew enough cups to satisfy your entire crew with much less effort than it might take to feed them all. Simply scoop 10 tablespoons of coarse-ground coffee into the carafe and fill with hot water up to where the protective shell ends. Place the top on the brewer but don't press the plunger until a 4-minute brewing period has elapsed; then press the plunger all the way to supress the coffee grounds and stop the brewing process. Our testers found that the press pot is a cinch to wipe clean, and knocking out spent grounds is a breeze.

Like most traditional French press pots, this one isn't insulated, so bring your own insulated mugs for chilly mornings. Despite its light weight, its rigid structure feels too bulky for backpacking or ultralight adventures. Buy here.

Our testers are real coffee aficionados (and some outdoorsy professional baristas) who demand uncompromising quality even when they're on the road less traveled. That's why they love the Pour Over Set from Stanley. It's crafted from made-to-last, 18/8 stainless steel that's both easy to clean and BPA free. This tough guy can brave the roughest of journeys while delivering the homey comfort of great pour-over coffee. (It's also backed by the Stanley Built for Life™ limited lifetime warranty.)

The straightforward, 20-ounce drip cone is fitted with a reusable metal filter designed to make tasty coffee in three to four minutes—no need to tote paper filters along. Preparation is convenient and, more importantly, forgiving. As with all coffee brewers, finding the grind size that balances sweetness and texture in the cup may require trial and error, but even testers who had to fine-tune grind size to troubleshoot their first brews report successfully pouring cup after cup of coffee that tasted pretty darn good. "I love the built-in filter," says one coffee-pro tester who loves to brew while camping at state parks with family. "It's less wasteful and the stainless steel creates a clean, articulate cup." The all-in-one kit includes a 12-ounce insulated camp/travel mug, so you can stretch the length and warmth of your walks in the wild, stay caffeinated and lose track of time responsibly.

Some caveats: With its rigid design and beefy construction (the set weighs in at nearly two pounds), this isn't the ideal choice for gram-counters. And the brewer can spill over if you try to fill it to its listed capacity. Avoid a piping-hot mess by pouring brew water gradually and giving the cone your undivided attention. (Think of making coffee as your pre-hike meditation.) Buy here.

No fuss, no muss—said no one ever about brewing espresso in the wilderness. Until now. This Mini Espresso Set from GSI Outdoors is the waking dream of pinky-up coffee enthusiasts who also love game-changing gear. Now it's possible to raise those pinkies tent-side.

The espresso set comes in a compact, hard-shell foam carrying case that is tough enough to Tetris into your pack or camp kitchen kit without worry. Testers unanimously agreed that the espresso-strength coffee this little brewer churns out is of surprisingly exceptional quality, standing well on its own as a quick shot or stretched with hot water or milk. An early tester partial to Americanos affirms that it's "surprisingly forgiving even with pre-ground coffee." Set it on your stove: The hot, steam-pressurized water brews supercharged coffee in around four minutes, no paper filters needed. This single-serve marvel makes it easy to customize drinks, whether you're caffeinating alone or in a group.

One notable quirk: The handle on the stainless-steel demitasse (included) can get pretty toasty if left on the brewer while it's heating. One tester recommends waiting to put the cup in place until right before percolation begins. (The gurgling sounds should cue you in.) There's also occasional splatter during brewing: Dial the heat down a notch to prevent a hot mess. Buy here.

If you're making coffee for a crowd, this percolator from GSI Outdoors is the quickest and easiest way to brew six cups. You simply put coarse grounds inside the chamber (GSI recommends 2 tablespoons for every 6 cups of water, but our testers thought it tasted better when made a bit stronger), place it inside the water-filled kettle, then let it percolate over a stove for four to eight minutes. Coffee snobs likely won't be wowed by the taste, but "it's a quantity-over-quality kind of device that's nice to have on hand," says one tester. This percolator scored high marks for durability, thanks to 18/8 stainless steel that's rustproof and abrasion-resistant. The steel also maintained even heating while on a gas burner, and the silicone grip helps protect your hands when you're ready to pour. Buy here.