Best Portable Shower

Staying clean at home is usually pretty easy – just hop in the shower, turn it on, and enjoy instant warm water. But what about when there is a power outage? Or you are camping or at the beach? How do you stay clean then?

The good news is that we’ve reviewed the best portable shower units so you can wash and stay clean wherever you are.

Some are as simple as nozzles you fit to a water bottle so you can freshen up out on hiking trails. Others are propane powered and work as well as your shower at home.

Whatever you need, you’ll find the best option amongst these reviews.

With so many to choose from, buying the right portable shower may seem a little daunting. So, to make things easier, we’ve tried and tested 11 of the best to make your decision easier.

So, whether you want a simple gravity-fed solar shower bag, or a full-on propane power shower system, you’ll find what you need in the reviews below!

Best Portable Showers

1. Camplux 5L Propane Tankless Water Heater

A lot of the portable systems are nothing more than a hose and a bag that’s warmed by the sun. Very low-tech! If you want something a bit more substantial, consider this propane camp shower. It produces hot water on demand, and yet, it’s completely portable!

Key Features

• Powered by liquid propane
• 32 gallons per minute flow rate
• Heats water to a maximum of 114.8 degrees Fahrenheit
• Works with even very low water pressure
• Battery ignition – no electrical supply needed
• Folding handles for easy transport
• 4” x 4.3” x 14.8” and weighs 14 lbs.
• Propane tank regulator included

This portable unit works the same way as your shower at home. Using propane, it heats water on demand to provide an enjoyable experience wherever you are. It’s ideal for RVing, living off-grid, or as a temporary shower during power outages at home. A handy piece of gear!

Pros

• A real shower – but portable
• High heat output
• Economical to use
• Requires no electricity
• Packed with safety features
• Approved for both USA and Canadian markets

Cons

• Not especially portable as you’ll also need a propane tank and an external water source

If you want a real shower away from home, this propane tankless unit is the one for you. It’s a bit on the big and heavy side, so it’s only really suitable for RV and car camping. But, if you can’t live without a hot shower, you’ll find this product very useful.

2. Reliance Products Flow Pro Pressurized

This portable shower is ideal for taking to the beach and for camping trips. It’s also useful if you want to wash your dog! Light and easy to use, you can take this product almost anywhere, although it’s probably too big and bulky for backpacking.

Key Features

• 8 liter/2 gallon capacity
• Easy pump for pressuring the unit
• Supplied with a six-foot hose and compact trigger action showerhead
• Neoprene insulation cover with pocket head/hose
• 2” x 9.2” x 9.2” and weighs 3.8 lbs.

This DIY camp shower works the same way as a garden water spray. Pump it up to pressurize the water container, and then squeeze the trigger on the showerhead to release the water. Leave the unit out in the sun for a warm shower, otherwise enjoy a cool, refreshing wash anywhere and anytime.

Pros

• Light and portable
• Does not need to be connected to a water supply
• Requires no electricity
• Easy to use

Cons

• Limited water supply – not suitable for longer use

If you want a quick shower to wash off the dust of the day during a camping trip, this is a good option. But, you’ll soon empty the two-gallon tank, so don’t dilly-dally! This product is an excellent choice for no-frills campers who still want to stay clean out in nature.

3. Advanced Elements Solar

Solar bags are the simplest of camp showers, but that’s one of the things that makes them so good! With very little to go wrong, they’re reliable and straightforward to operate and, best of all, can deliver a cold or hot shower as required.

Key Features

• 3-gallon capacity
• Warms up in the sun
• Water temperature gauge
• Large filling cap
• Rolls away when not in use
• Easy to use Velcro attachment strap
• Built-in shower head
• Mesh pocket for a small mirror (supplied)

Using this solar bag is easy! Fill it with water and then leave it in the sun until the contents reach the desired temperature. Then, hang it from a suitable overhead anchor point, such as a tree branch, and enjoy your shower! The back of the bag is clear so you can see exactly how much water is left.

Pros

• Very light and portable
• Use for hot or cold
• Easy to fill
• Strong construction
• Holds enough water for one long or two short uses

Cons

• Could overheat if left in the sun for too long
• Water pressure decreases as the bag empties

This low-tech portable shower is reliable and easy to use. The water can get very hot if left in the sun too long, so it pays to familiarize yourself with the temperature gauge. But, if you want a portable unit you can take anywhere, this model is an excellent option.

4. Ivation Battery Powered

While you could just dump a bucket of water over your head to wash during a camping trip, this battery-powered portable unit is a much more pleasant alternative. It provides a gentle but steady stream of water to leave you feeling clean and refreshed, anywhere and anytime.

Key Features

• Drop-in water pump
• Multi-function showerhead
• Built-in rechargeable battery
• 6-foot flexible hose
• S-hook on the showerhead for hands-free operation
• 45-60 minutes of operation per charge

A lot of battery-powered showers have removable battery packs. With this model, the battery is built into the pump. This makes the entire product much neater and more compact. But, it also means you can just slap on a fresh battery pack if you are running out of power.

Pros

• Compact design
• Decent pumping power
• Long battery life
• Use with any open water source

Cons

• S-hook is not very strong and is prone to breaking

This well-priced product is all about the pump, and it’s one of the better ones on review. The S-hook, however, is flimsy, and a lot of users have reported that it has snapped. That’s a shame because, otherwise, this is an excellent product.

5. Portable Outdoor Electric

This portable system is more than just a shower; it’s basically a 12v power washer you can use to clean almost anything, including yourself! With its built-in rechargeable battery, you can use this product anywhere, and it can also be connected to a 12V car power outlet.

Key Features

• Five-gallon water tank
• Rechargeable ion battery for up to 50 minutes of continual use
• Supplied with a 13’ hose and water-conserving showerhead
• 10 showerhead settings
• Brass connectors and fittings for longevity
• 5” x 12.2” x 11.8” and weighs 9.4 lbs.

While it doesn’t heat the water, this DIY camp shower pretty much does everything else! It’s a power shower you can also use to clean your car or kayak, and you don’t even need to connect it to a water or electricity supply.

Pros

• Long battery life
• Can also be powered by an external power source
• Can be refilled with water while it’s still running for uninterrupted use
• High power output
• Store all the accessories inside for easy storage and transportation

Cons

• Does not heat the water

Providing you don’t want a hot shower, this power washer/portable unit is a very useful item. It’s ideal for RV or van camping, on a boat, or just using at home if you need to wash anything outdoors. Made to last, this high-quality product should provide many years of faithful service.

6. Simple Portable Camping

The Simple Shower really lives up to its name. It’s basically a showerhead you can attach to any suitable bottle. Just squeeze the bottle and direct the jet for a quick wash anywhere and anytime.

Key Features

• Fits most 1-2 liter bottles
• Weighs less than one ounce
• Easy to direct jet
• Made from recycled plastic
• Can be used with warm or cold water

To use this product, simply screw the showerhead into any compatible water bottle and squeeze. Or, just hold it up and let gravity do the work for you. Weighing less than a bar of soap, this is the perfect solution for weight-conscious hikers.

Pros

• Eco-friendly
• Nothing to break or go wrong
• Well-priced
• Made in the USA
• Takes up very little space in your backpack

Cons

• Doesn’t fit all bottles
• You’ll need several bottles of water for a “proper” shower

The Simple Shower is ideal for backpackers who want a wash after a day on the trail. Or for beachgoers who want to wash the sand from their feet. It’s not especially luxurious, but for a quick, convenient way to wash while out in nature, it’s a very handy product.

7. Ivation Portable

The Ivation Portable Camping Shower can be used with any source of water, even a lake or river. Just drop the rechargeable pump into the water for a refreshing wash, anywhere, and anytime. You can hold or hang the showerhead as preferred.

Key Features

• Rechargeable pump
• Two showerheads – regular and concentrated jet
• Ion battery provides 45-60 minutes of use
• Six-foot hose pipe supplied
• Charging cable included

The main advantage of this product is that you can use it with any open source of water – including buckets, bowls, or natural bodies of water. All you need to do is charge the pump. It’s small and light enough to keep in your glove box or backpack.

Pros

• Very portable
• Good battery life
• Charges quickly
• Use with almost any open water source

Cons

• Does not generate much pressure

While this small pump is very light and portable, it’s also not very powerful. If you’re expecting a power-shower-type effect, you’re going to be disappointed. But, if you’re happy with a steady if somewhat gentle water flow, this could be the product you want.

8. Kedsum Portable

Portable camping showers don’t come much easier to use than this model from Kedsum. Just drop the pump in a suitable water container and enjoy instant flowing water. Supplied with two rechargeable batteries, there’s enough power for the whole family to use.

Key Features

• Supplied with two 2200 mAH rechargeable batteries
• 45-60 minutes of use per fully charged battery
• 4l/min water flow
• Weighs just 25 ounces/700 grams, including batteries, charger, etc.
• 6-foot hose and two showerheads

This rechargeable unit is both reliable and easy to use. Best of all, all you need is a bucket or something similar – no need to find a tree to hang a heavy water-filled bag from. And, with two batteries included, it doesn’t matter if you are the last person in your family to use this product; there will still be enough power for you to enjoy a relaxing, refreshing shower.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Long battery life (x2!)
• Fast charging
• Light and compact
• Can be used with any open source of water, including streams and lakes

Cons

• Water pressure is quite low

For a shower on the go, this product is hard to beat. You can also use it to wash down your bike, surfboard, or even your dog! It’s perfect for camping, but if you take it to the beach, you’ll need to find a source of freshwater.

9. RinseKit 

The RinseKit Portable Shower is a very clever piece of kit. You fill it using a regular tap, and that pressurizes the tank without the need for a pump or electricity. It’s more than a shower; you can also use this product to wash your surfboard, kayak, wetsuit, or even your dog anywhere and anytime.

Key Features

• 1.75 gallon capacity
• Five-minute spray duration
• Made from sturdy ABS plastic – BPA-free
• Supplied with all necessary connectors, hoses, and a six-function showerhead
• Can be used with hot or cold water

This self-contained portable shower unit is ideal for beach or camping use. However, to pressurize the tank, it must be filled from a regular tap. If not, there will be no pressure to pump the water. Because of this, you’ll either need to fill it before setting off on your trip or have access to a tap for refills.

Pros

• No moving parts
• No batteries required
• Sturdy construction
• Light and portable

Cons

• The five-minute duration may be too short for more than a single shower
• Water pressure tends to decrease as the tank empties

So long as you have access to a tap, this product is a good option for camping and beach showers. Otherwise, after just three minutes of use, it becomes redundant. It’s a good idea, but a larger water tank would make it more useful. Three minutes of water is not enough for more than a single shower.

10. Ozark

Just because you are camping out in nature doesn’t mean you have to expose your naked body to the elements! This solar bag and cubical combo means you can shower in privacy, no matter where you are.

Key Features

• Solar bag hanging point inside
• Two-section interior so you can shower in one side and dry in the other
• Eight feet high interior
• Supplied with a mat to stand on
• Large easy-access doorway
• Mesh windows for ventilation
• Five-gallon solar bag capacity

This shelter is a bathroom away from home. Whether you use the supplied solar bag or an alternative, you’ll be able to wash and dry in privacy and comfort. Some users also use the second section to house a chemical toilet. It’s ideal for those that prefer glamping and not camping!

Pros

• Good privacy
• Lots of space
• Good capacity
• Easy to use
• Can be pitched by one person

Cons

• Large and heavy
• May not be strong enough to withstand strong winds

If you’d rather not bare all when you have a shower while camping, this product is for you. Big enough for comfort, but not so big it’s intrusive, this is the system you want if you value your privacy but still want to enjoy the call of the wild.

11. Mr. Heater Basecamp

Portable shower units don’t come much more powerful than this system. The pump is battery powered, but the water is heated with propane, providing a truly luxurious experience anywhere and anytime. It’s a big unit, so this system is best suited to RVing and off-grid living.

Key Features

• Stainless steel shell
• Internal rechargeable battery
• Easy carry handles
• Battery run time 40 minutes
• Built-in water filtration system to reduce limescale buildup
• Electronic propane ignition
• Adjustable water temperature with digital temperature display
• 8 gallons per minute flow rate
• 5” x 10.5” x 13” and weighs 22 lbs.

As you’d expect from such a well-made product, this portable shower is packed with safety features, including overheating protectors, low water pressure cut off, and auto propane flame regulation. If you want a powerful system for outdoor use, this product is highly recommended.

Pros

• CSA approved for USA and Canadian markets
• High power output
• Large temperature range
• Reliable and efficient

Cons

• Expensive
• Quite large and heavy

You probably won’t want to carry this system too far from your RV or van. It’s big and, with a propane canister attached, quite heavy too. But, if you need a powerful shower unit that you don’t need to connect to an electrical supply, this could be the one for you. It’s also suitable for off-grid living.

Bottom Line

Staying clean and fresh in the great outdoors has never been easier. All you need is one of these tried-and-tested portable showers. For a low-tech solution, gravity-fed solar shower bags are hard to beat. Just fill them with fresh water, leave in the sun to warm up, and then hang them from a tree branch.

Or, if you want a home-from-home experience, consider a propane system that heats your water.

Battery-powered units fall somewhere between these two options – and most are rechargeable, so they’re good for the environment too. Which one is right for you? That depends on your needs and budget. But, whatever you want, you’ll find the best portable shower reviewed above.

Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more camping essentials such as:

• 4 person tents
• 12 person tents
• Beach tents
• Tunnel tents