5 Best Portable Showers [ Review & Buyer’s Guide ] In 2020
Did anyone mention camping? Indeed! But, wait, you need to stay fresh and clean while on the trail, right? Sure – that’s why you need to grab the best portable shower before you head out for your next excursion. The best part? You don’t have to spend hours looking for one.
Our team of editors went scouting for top-rated camping showers in a bid to find out what makes them stand out. What follows is a closer look at portable showers worth your attention. Outdoor enthusiasts love them, and so do we. Click through to find out what we mean.
Table of Contents
A Complete Guide to Choose the Best Portable Showers
1. Ivation Outdoor Shower – Best Over All
Ivation Outdoor Shower at a Glance
- Type – Electric
- Run time – Seven to Eight Minutes
- Water Holding Capacity – 2.5 gallon
Ivation is quickly becoming a brand to reckon with in home and outdoor appliances circles. A hot contender for the best electric portable shower 2020, this unit is as versatile as you’d want it to be. It will come in handy whether you are hiking, gardening or camping.
While Ivation has a simple, straightforward design, it is incredibly functional. For starters, it operates at a consistent pressure of .66 gallons per minutes. With such an output, it is comfortable to use for the elderly, infants and small pets.
We love the fact that this shower is reasonably lightweight. At a mere 1.9 pounds of weight, you can use it for long without experiencing hand fatigue. Further, it comes with an S-shaped hanging hook, a suction cup holder and a 6.5-foot hose. That way you can suspend it over your car window, tree or a surface above you for hands-free operation.
The best camping shower should be reliable, and that’s what you get with Ivation. It runs on a powerful 2200mA lithium battery that allows it to work up to 60 minutes on a single charge. How about that!
While this shower can last for one hour, you can only use it for 7 to 8 minutes, using a 2.5 gallon of water. Now, that’s enough time to wet, wash, and rinse your body, including the hair. Of course, the runtime will vary depending on the size of your water gallon.
Tip – Be sure to turn off the shower while you’re washing actively. The idea is to help you conserve water and energy.
So, how big is the Ivation portable shower? Well, it measures about 5.9 feet from the head to the handle. You can, however, flex the hose to for a maximum reach of 6.5 feet. That’s enough maneuverability to enable you to hang it from and shower curtain rod.
To top it all off, this shower comes with a carry bag for increased portability. You can also tuck it inside your backpack too. Nice!
2. Coleman Solar Shower – Best for Long Camping Trips
Coleman Outdoor Shower at a Glance
- Type – Solar
- Run time – Enough for multiple showers
- Water Holding Capacity – 5 gallon
This portable shower by Coleman is an excellent alternative if you don’t like the risk of running out of battery power as is the case with the Ivation. It is also a good pick if you’re on a tight budget – this thing ridiculously affordable – in comparison to what it can do.
One of the highlights that make this shower a hit with campers is the fact that you don’t require electricity to use it. Yes! This is a solar-powered unit. All you need to do is to make you leave it to soak up the sun, and you’re good to go.
The smart black material used to make the water reservoir ensures that it heats up quickly, saving you waiting time.
You will love Coleman’s generous capacity. It carries up to 5 gallons of water. With such a volume, it can handle your showering needs for a couple of rounds. More specifically, you can use it in the morning and evening – depending on how well you’ll avoid wasting water.
Sure, Coleman portable shower doesn’t have a long hose compared to the Ivation. However, it provides enough pressure to allow you to wash and rinse comfortable. Besides, the available hose can reach below your shoulders.
Note – Some reviewers say that you can attach a longer hose if you want to extend the reach.
Coleman doesn’t offer much versatility as to how you can use it. You will have to hang it over your head as it pours down the water on you. On the flip side, however, it has a “handle” on the top side, allowing you to suspend it conveniently at a preferred height. You need to look for a relatively tall tree though. Or, you can use a rod.
Moreover, the handle makes it easy for you to haul the shower from point to point. With what it has to offer, we vouch for Coleman as the best portable shower for trips and emergencies. Check it out – there’s a reason for the high ratings by users.
3. Advanced Elements – Best Small
Advanced Elements at a Glance
- Type – Solar
- Run time – Enough for up to two showers
- Water Holding Capacity – 3 gallon
We recommend the Advanced Elements if Coleman is too big for your needs. Better yet, this is the to-go-to unit for shorter trips if you have lots of luggage to carry. Think of it as the shower for a two-day hiking or fishing expedition.
Due to its small size, Advanced Elements is incredibly easy to carry around. How big is it you ask? Well, it features a 3-gallon water reservoir, large enough for a maximum of two showers.
Like Coleman, this option relies on solar energy to warm water. The difference, however, is that it comes with a small, integrated solar panel at the back. In essence, what this means is that it can heat water relatively faster in comparison to its bigger counterpart.
Those who have used it say it can warm your water up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit in three hours. Even more impressive, it has a temperature gauge to make sure that your water doesn’t overheat. How about that!
While Advanced Elements doesn’t carry the most water, it makes up for it by having an extra-large filling valve. Reviewers say it doesn’t take more than 2 minutes to fill it with water. Moreover, the twist-off cap eliminates spills while the wide rubber handle makes it super comfortable to carry your shower.
What’s more? You can count on Advanced Elements to last for many outdoor trips to come. It features a hardwearing, durable four-layer construction for reliable use time and again. Besides, the thick material provides the insulation required to keep your water moderately warm hours.
Did we tell out that you can turn on/off the shower head to save water? Also, you will be glad to know that Advanced Elements comes with integrated Velcro straps to hold your shampoo, soap, and toiletries.
You don’t have to worry about storing this portable shower. Simply roll it after use and tuck it into your carry bag or backpack. And so you may know, Advanced Element’s hose measures about 3 feet – it offers reasonable maneuverability.
4. Big Kahuna Portable Shower – Best for a Bigger Capacity
Big Kahuna Portable Shower at a Glance
- Type – Electric
- Run time – Enough for up to five showers
- Water Holding Capacity – Up to 14 gallons
The name couldn’t have been more appropriate – this is the best portable shower if all the units we’ve reviewed above are too small for your needs. It is the ideal choice for trips that will last for more than a week if you’re going to bring your entourage with you.
Everything about Big Kahuna is on point from the water reservoir volume to the user-friendly design. Regarding capacity, this monster can hold up to 14 gallons of water. Don’t worry if that’s too big for your needs – you can opt for the smaller 4, 7 or 8-gallon models.
Big Kahuna has a super long hose to give you the maximum reach possible. More specifically, the hose is 8 feet long. Now, this makes perfect sense, especially when you consider that you cannot hang this shower due to its sheer size.
While Big Kahuna is an electric and powerful, it allows you to control the showerhead pressure. By extension, this means that you can use it for pets and kids. In other words, this unit design supports versatility to meet your needs even better.
Big Kahuna will handle the rigors of frequent use and serve you for years thanks to the heavy-duty plastic design. In fact, it is this level of robustness that makes this unit great for use in a remote job site or a hiking trip.
The Big Kahuna touts a submersible pump to give an instant shower in seconds. On top of that, it uses an integrated watertight lid to prevent your water from getting contaminated. And for those asking, yes, the container is BPA free and UV resistant to guarantee the safety of use.
Even though we are not taking anything away from Big Kahuna and its innovative features, it is essential to note that you will require 12 volts of power to run it. But then again, that’s what you get with your car’s cigarette plug or RV. And oh, the package includes an accessory plug so you can start to use the shower right after unpacking.
5. Zodi Outback – Best for Instant Hot Showers
Zodi Outback at a Glance
- Type – Gas
- Run time – Enough for up to two showers
- Water Holding Capacity – Up to 5 gallons (Varies with the size of your reservoir though)
Zodi Outback combines a first-class performance and a brilliant design. It is one of the most efficient portable showers you can get on the market. This unit’s capabilities mimic that of your standard showerhead – but a smaller scale.
First, Zodi connects to a 16.4-ounce propane cylinder to heat water in a sec. All you have to do is to add four D-cell batteries to the included slot, twist the cylinder and watch this unit go to work. Be sure to use the Piezo push button to ignite the shower smoothly.
Zodi Outback stays on the ground during use. It is, however, remarkably stable. The propane base is not only wide but also has four snap legs to ensure that the unit doesn’t wobble during use.
Regarding flexibility, Zodi comes with an 8 feet hose to allow you to use the showerhead at a safe distance from the device. Note – each package include a water-saving showerhead to extend battery power for hours.
Despite the simple design, this shower can heat water up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You can adjust the temperature though to meet your preference via the gas valve. We love Zodi’s waterproof battery case, and the on/off switch for easy, comfortable control.
Many reviewers attest to having owned this shower for more than two years. The stainless steel burner is rugged and reliable for durability. Meanwhile, the included storage bag enables you to transport this device with relative ease.
It is essential to note that Zodi Outback doesn’t come with a propane cylinder (you have to buy it separately). As for how long it can last, a five-gallon bucket can give you up to 10 minutes of showering. A ten-gallon water reservoir can go for 20 minutes or more – all at a price that will not summersault past your budget.
Portable Showers – Buying Guide
Regardless of where your outdoor activities take you, from camping and hiking to water sports, it’s vital to remain refreshed and clean. After a day full of challenging experiences, there’s no better way to celebrate than take a shower. Since portable showers come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, you should pay attention to the key features to ensure you purchase a quality and functional product. These features include:
Capacity
A good portable shower should give you a decent amount of water. The models on the market come with varying capacities; some can replace real showers at home, while others are designed for a quick fresh-up. Even though you can refill the water tank, it’s essential to choose a shower with the capacity that suits your needs. Think about the number of people who will use it. If you plan to use it alone, then a small capacity shower will do. However, if it’s intended to serve a group of people, then ensure you invest in a larger capacity portable shower.
Ease of Use
In most instances, portable showers are designed for use outdoors. As such, you don’t need to deal with the frustrations of figuring out how to use the shower during camps or hikes. You’re looking for a simple solution to shower, and not an extra challenge. As such, when you buy a portable shower, ensure I’s easy to use. Also, it should be simple to install, fill, and empty. After a day of camping or hiking, no person will like the thought of struggling to figure out how to set up and use a portable shower. Simplicity is of utmost importance here!
Weight
As the name suggests, you’re searching for a portable shower, so it should be simple to carry. Most models on the market are light and simple to transport. However, there are still other bigger options with additional features. To make the decision about weight, it’s crucial to think about the distance you need to cover, the required capacity, personal need, and then make a compromise between the essential features and the ideal weight. If you want a shower for hiking, then you should choose lightweight options. However, if you’ll be traveling by car, then the weight won’t be an issue so you can pick slightly heavy showers for the entire family.
Durability
It’s essential to check the construction materials to determine the durability of portable showers. A shower can have several essential features, but if the construction is poor, it won’t last. As such, it’ll be a waste of money since you’ll require a replacement after a short period. An ideal option should feature excellent construction. The better the quality of materials and construction, the longer a shower will last. Therefore, always look for durable options that will guarantee several years of service.
Type of Shower
Ideally, three types of portable showers exist. They are solar-powered, battery-powered, and propane-powered. Every type comes with a set of pros and cons, so it’s upon you to make the final decision based on your intended use. Solar-powered models are relatively cheap since they require sunlight to warm your water. However, these showers are slow and they’ll only operate when there’s sunlight. Battery-powered showers feature a hose and pump, and they mostly operate on 4D cell batteries. However, you’ll have to replace the batteries after some time, which could prove costly. Propane-powered showers involver coils and burners, so they’re quick to warm water. Therefore, you should choose a model that suits your area of use without spending a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Conclusion
Zodi Outback brings us to the end of our best portable showers reviews. We hope that we’ve helped you spend your cash on a model whose ability and features are in line with what you were looking for.
We will keep revisiting this roundup from time to time to ensure that it reflects the current status of the market. If we find a unit that we feel deserves to be on this list, you will be the first to know. Feel to share the shower you chose worked out for you!