The Best Camping Gadgets

Whether car camping or heading deep into the backwoods, be better prepared with this cool camping gear.

By Tony Carrick | Updated Mar 30, 2022 12:52 PM

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The Best Camping Gadgets Option

Photo: amazon.com

Camping offers a means of escaping the stress of civilization, allowing you to decompress with the help of nature. That doesn’t mean you have to leave all the comforts of home behind, though. Camping gadgets make communing with the wild a little more civilized.

We’ve rounded out a guide with all the must-have camping accessories: from phone chargers to drinking water filters and even emergency radios. In this guide, you’ll learn how to tell the best camping gear from the rest. Take a moment to review this guide to the best camping gadgets you can fit in your backpack.

  1. BEST OVERALL: LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
  2. BEST VALUE: Atomic Bear Paracord Bracelet (2 Pack)
  3. BEST CAMPING LANTERN: Vont 2 Pack LED Camping Lantern
  4. BEST CAMPING STOVE: BioLite Campstove 2
  5. BEST PORTABLE SHOWER: Sportneer Solar Shower Bag, 20L/5 Gallon
  6. BEST EMERGENCY RADIO: FosPower Emergency Solar Hand Crank Portable Radio
  7. BEST MOSQUITO REPELLER: Thermacell Portable Mosquito Repeller
  8. BEST HEATED JACKET: Milwaukee Jacket KIT M12
  9. BEST SLEEPING BAG: Hyke & Byke Quandary Down Sleeping Bag
The Best Camping Gadgets Option

Photo: amazon.com

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Camping Gadgets

When shopping for camping gear to accompany you on your adventure, it’s important to consider such factors as the type of camping you’ll be doing, the length of your trip, the environment you’ll be camping in, and the risks you’ll be facing.

Camping Type

There are two types of camping to consider when purchasing outdoor gear: car camping and backwoods camping. Car camping involves a campground that is accessible to personal motor vehicles. Though you’ll be camping in a tent, your car is just a few steps away, making it easy to bail out should the weather change or an emergency arise. With car camping, weight and size aren’t much of an issue when choosing the cool camping gear you want to take with you.

Backcountry camping involves strapping on a backpack, tent, food, sleeping bag, and other essentials and hoofing it into the woods on a trail. Given that you’re carrying gear potentially miles into the wilderness over rugged terrain, the size and weight of your gear are major concerns. While taking a 12-pound double-burner camp stove or a couple of gallons of water with you for car camping may be just fine, hauling that weight into the backwoods is impractical.

This means that compact, lightweight gear is crucial for backwoods camping. With your car miles away at the trailhead, it’s vital to have emergency gear with you when backwoods camping. This includes everything from emergency food and water to survival kits.

Power Source

Flashlights, stoves, and other devices need to get their power from somewhere. Options include gas, electric, and solar.

  • Gas: Gas is ideal for camp stoves that need to deliver enough power to boil water. Even small camp stoves pack 10,000 BTUs of power from a small butane/propane canister. You will need to carry a supply of gas with you. Though these canisters are relatively small and lightweight, their heft can add up over longer journeys.
  • Electric: Lanterns, flashlights, portable charging packs, and emergency radios use electric power in the form of batteries. Battery technology has come a long way over the years. Today’s lithium batteries can provide more power and last as much as ten times longer than your standard alkaline battery. A powerful 25,000 mAh lithium-ion battery pack, for example, has enough juice to charge a smartphone four times. Batteries are relatively small and light, making them easy to carry with you.
  • Solar: Some radios, chargers, and even camping showers use the sun as a power source. While the sun offers a limitless energy source, keep in mind that solar power only works when the sun is out. Your solar-powered gadgets won’t be of much use on cloudy days, under tree cover, or at night. Solar power is also much slower to provide energy than fuel or batteries; therefore, it is primarily used as an emergency backup.

Access to Amenities 

Your ultimate camping setup will depend on what kind of amenities will be available at your planned destination. Camping means making some sacrifices, as you won’t have access to many of the amenities you may take for granted at home.

While many car campgrounds have restrooms, potable water, and showers, backwoods camping depends entirely on what you bring with you, with the only amenities being those that you haul along. With that in mind, consider what you can’t do without when gearing up for your camping trip.

Length of Trip

The length of your camping trip will dictate what kind of gadgets you need to take with you. A more extended trip means you’ll need more batteries for flashlights or gas cartridges to power a camp stove. Determine how long your power sources will last and how many spares you’ll need to carry you through to your return to civilization.

A longer trip may also demand additional gear. For example, while a couple of days in the woods without bathing may be OK, you may crave a shower if you’re spending a week or more in the backwoods. This may make toting a lightweight solar shower with you a good idea.

Environment 

Consider what you’ll be facing when you go camping. Higher elevations and colder seasons bring lower temperatures that require cold-weather gear such as heated jackets, wood-burning stoves, and fire starters. During warmer months, you may need gadgets to protect you from the sun, treat water, or ward off bloodthirsty bugs.

Safety and Risk Factors

Safety is always important when going camping. While car camping may be a low-risk activity given the accessibility of your car, backpacking inherently carries much more risk. An injury or extreme weather can leave you stranded in the backwoods with limited access to help. It’s also easier to get lost when backwoods camping. With this in mind, consider gadgets that fulfill basic needs, including devices that can filter water for drinking, devices that allow you to signal others for help, and wood-burning stoves that can keep you warm.

Our Top Picks

The list below includes some of the most useful and unique camping gear you can add to your pack as you head out onto the trail.

Best Overall

The Best Camping Gadgets Option: LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Photo: amazon.com

This aptly named straw stands out among clever camping gadgets due to its practicality. It can be a true lifesaver when backwoods camping far from civilization and potable water. The LifeStraw can filter a staggering 1,000 gallons of contaminated water without the use of harmful chemicals such as chlorine and iodine. It uses tiny 0.2-micron filters that trap dangerous bacteria and parasites as the water is drawn through the straw, making the water safe to drink.

At just 2 ounces, it’s much lighter than iodine tablets and water purifying kits. You don’t even need a container. Simply stick the straw into the water and drink directly from the source. This straw requires no power source and has no expiration date. It comes in a sealed bag for easy transport.

Product Specs

  • Primary Use: Water filtration
  • Weight: 0.1 pound
  • Size: 8.6 by 0.9 by 0.9 inches

Pros

  • Filters over 1,000 gallons of water
  • 0.2-micron filtration system
  • Light and compact
  • Does not require a power source and does not expire

Cons

  • Some users report issues while using the straw

Get the LifeStraw personal water filter on Amazon and at Walmart.

Best Value

The Best Camping Gadgets Option: Atomic Bear Paracord Bracelet (2 Pack)
Photo: amazon.com

If you want the best campaign setup for less, it’s a good idea to look for gadgets that have been around for a long time. Paracord bracelets aren’t new. They’ve been around for a long time and are a handy way to carry an emergency cord. But an emergency cord is only going to get you so far. For keen outdoor enthusiasts, Atomic Bear has integrated a whole host of lifesaving gear into its version of this survival bracelet, including a flint and steel fire starter, a compass for navigation, a whistle for signaling rescue teams, an emergency knife, and 12 feet of paracord.

This bracelet comes in a two-pack with one black bracelet and one orange and black bracelet. Both bracelets are adjustable to fit a variety of wrist sizes.

Product Specs

  • Primary Use: Emergency rope
  • Weight: 0.07 kilogram
  • Size: ‎10.8 by 3 by 0.4 inches

Pros

  • Flint, fire starter, a compass, a whistle, an emergency knife, and paracord included
  • 2 bracelets included
  • Comes in a variety of colorways

Cons

  • Some users report issues while using

Get the Atomic Bear paracord bracelets on Amazon and at Walmart.

Best Camping Lantern

The Best Camping Gadgets Option: Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern, LED Lantern
Photo: amazon.com

Whether cooking under the stars or making a nocturnal nature call, visibility is crucial when camping in the great outdoors. This powerful lantern will light up your entire campsite with 30 LEDs that broadcast light in all directions.

The lantern’s design makes it convenient to carry. It collapses into a small canister that fits easily into a side pouch, while its aircraft-grade aluminum construction adds durability. This tough lantern will survive drops of up to 10 feet or even being submerged in water. With a weight of just 10 ounces, it’s an excellent companion for weekend backpacking trips. It uses three AA batteries that provide up to 90 hours of runtime. These lanterns come in packs of two.

Product Specs

  • Primary Use: Light and visibility
  • Weight: 10 ounces
  • Size: ‎7.5 by 7.3 by 5.2 inches

Pros

  • 30 LEDs per light
  • Collapsible design
  • Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
  • Batteries included

Cons

  • Batteries may drain quickly

Get the Vont camping lanterns on Amazon and at Walmart.

Best Camping Stove

The Best Camping Gadgets Option: BioLite Campstove 2
Photo: amazon.com

Bring your own mini power plant with you on your next camping trip with this camp stove and wood-burning electricity generator. Capable of generating 3 watts of electricity as it burns twigs and kindling lying around your campsite, this is one of the best camping accessories for your kitchen on the go. It then stores this energy in a 2,600 mAh battery, which you can use to charge smartphones, LED lights, and other electronics with USB charging cables.

While it’s burning, it can also cook, allowing you to boil 1 liter of water in about 4.5 minutes. As it burns, an LED display lets you know the stove’s fire strength and electricity output. Aluminum legs keep it steady, while a stand holds a pot for cooking. Internal fans circulate hot air for more efficient cooking. This innovative stove weighs about 2 pounds, making it an excellent option for backwoods camping.

Product Specs

  • Primary Use: Cooking and preparing food
  • Weight: 1.3 kilograms
  • Size: 5 by 5 by 14 inches

Pros

  • 2,600 mAh battery
  • Low energy consumption
  • LED display built-in
  • Sturdy aluminum legs

Cons

  • May take up space when packed
  • Pricey

Get the BioLite camp stove on Amazon.

Best Portable Shower

The Best Camping Gadgets Option: Sportneer Solar Shower Bag, 20L_5 Gallon
Photo: amazon.com

Just because you’re going camping doesn’t mean you need to forgo personal hygiene. This lightweight portable shower from Sportneer will keep you from offending your campmates throughout the whole camping trip. You don’t have to endure a cold shower either, as this bag will heat water to a toasty 113 degrees when exposed to about three hours of sunlight.

A temperature gauge on the bag lets you know how hot the water is, and an on/off switch on the showerhead prevents water loss between showers. With a capacity of 5 gallons, this bag provides enough shower capacity for the whole family. It features durable PVC construction that resists tears and stains and a convenient front pocket for shower accessories like a bottle of environmentally friendly shampoo. This shower bag weighs just over a pound when empty and fits in a convenient carrying bag.

Product Specs

  • Primary Use: Bathing
  • Weight: 0.5 kilogram
  • Size: ‎11.8 by 5.9 by 2.8 inches

Pros

  • Holds 5 gallons of water
  • Can warm water if left in the sun
  • On/off switch built in
  • Durable PVC construction

Cons

  • Takes some time to heat up
  • Shower hose may leak

Get the Sportneer portable shower on Amazon.

Best Emergency Radio

The Best Camping Gadgets Option: FosPower Emergency Solar Hand Crank Portable Radio
Photo: amazon.com

In case of an emergency, it’s nice to have an emergency radio and power source that doesn’t rely on you having a full set of batteries or fuel for power. In addition to functioning off three AAA batteries, this radio will also work off two alternative power sources, including a solar panel and a hand crank. Both sources can create enough power to run the radio, lights, and its built-in SOS alarm on their own.

The 7-band radio can receive emergency weather information and news broadcasts. It also includes a 2,000 mAh power bank that can provide power for smartphones and tablets. Lighting features include a flashlight and reading lamp. This rugged radio is also water resistant. It weighs about 11 ounces, making it a good option for backwoods camping.

Product Specs

  • Primary Use: Emergency calls
  • Weight: 0.6 pound
  • Size: 6.2 by 2.9 by 2.1 inches

Pros

  • Powered by batteries, a solar panel, and/or a hand crank
  • 7-band radio, flashlight, and SOS alarm included
  • 2,000 mAh power bank
  • Water-resistant design

Cons

  • Batteries not included
  • Some users report manufacturing defects

Get the FosPower emergency radio on Amazon and at Walmart.

Best Mosquito Repeller

The Best Camping Gadgets Option: Thermacell MR3 Portable Mosquito Repeller
Photo: amazon.com

Nothing ruins a camping trip like hungry mosquitoes in the great outdoors. But rather than slathering on oily DEET-based repellent, ward off those bloodsuckers with this portable mosquito repeller from Thermacell. The MR3 mosquito repeller uses a fuel cell to heat a small pad that distributes bug repellent into the air, creating an odorless, invisible 15-foot bubble of protection from mosquitoes for up to 12 hours.

Weighing just half a pound, this device can easily slip into a backpack pocket to carry with you, making it ideal for car camping or backwoods trips. The repeller comes with three pads and one fuel cell.

Product Specs

  • Primary Use: Insect repellent
  • Weight: 0.4 pound
  • Size: 7.6 by 2 by 3 inches

Pros

  • Repels insects from 15 feet away
  • Works for up to 12 hours
  • Lightweight and compact
  • 3 pads and a fuel cell included

Cons

  • Some users report little effect

Get the Thermacell mosquito repeller on Amazon and at Walmart.

Best Heated Jacket

The Best Camping Gadgets Option: Milwaukee Jacket KIT M12
Photo: amazon.com

If you’re looking for a quality jacket, check out the Milwaukee M12 heated jacket. This heated jacket comes in men’s and women’s sizes and uses Milwaukee’s M12 power tool batteries that provide up to eight hours of runtime. It comes with an M12 charger and a 12-volt battery that fits nicely in the battery pocket.

Milwaukee makes this jacket with a stretch polyester shell, which is both wind and water resistant. It also has high-loft insulation to retain heat, even when the heat is not on. It has three outer zip pockets, an inner zip pocket, and a separate battery pocket. With three adjustable temperature settings, there are heating coils on the chest, in the front pockets, and across the back.

Product Specs

  • Primary Use: Heat and water resistance
  • Weight: 4.7 pounds
  • Size: ‎4 by 20 by 13 inches

Pros

  • Comes in men’s and women’s sizes
  • 8 hours of runtime
  • Charger and battery included
  • Wind and water resistant

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Batteries may drain if set to a higher temperature

Get the Milwaukee heated jacket on Amazon and at Walmart.

Best Sleeping Bag

The Best Camping Gadgets Option: Hyke & Byke Quandary Down Sleeping Bag
Photo: amazon.com

The Quandary stands out for its unique design that maximizes heat retention, water resistance, and compressibility. A filling made of 650 fill power duck down provides excellent loft and warmth. Yet all three sizes of the three-season Quandary weigh less than 3 pounds, keeping pack weights light.

When the description says hydrophobic, it’s not necessarily talking about the down but the shell. A water-resistant treatment protects the down from moisture to maintain body heat better. Horizontal baffles, or pockets, keep the down in place. Note that its narrow shoulder design may not work for those with a broader than average build.

Product Specs

  • Primary Use: Sleeping
  • Weight: 2.7 pounds
  • Size: 10 by 7.5 by 7.5 inches

Pros

  • 650 fill power duck down construction
  • Lightweight and compressible
  • Water resistant and retains heat

Cons

  • Pricey
  • May be too small in the shoulders for some users

Get the Hyke & Byke sleeping bag on Amazon.

Our Verdict

When you are getting ready for your camping trip, one of the most important things to bring with you is a universal water source like the LifeStraw water filter with its small construction, ease of use, and powerful filtration system. But you should also be equipped with a multitool like the Atomic Bear paracord bracelet with its flint, fire starter, compass, whistle, emergency knife, and paracord included.

How We Chose the Best Camping Gadgets

We researched the best gadgets for camping in their respective categories and discovered that the top options include water filters, multitools, cooking appliances, emergency radios, insect repellent, lights, clothing, and sleeping bags.

Each of the fun camping accessories we included above is durable enough to sustain the elements while also being lightweight and compact enough to fit in your pack. Many also come with batteries included, have long-lasting battery power, and/or can be charged remotely in case of emergencies.

Many of these tools also have multiple purposes. For example, the Paracord bracelet has over 6 uses and the camping stove can charge your phone. For heating and overall health, the heated jacket, sleeping bag, and portable shower also make camping more comfortable and safe.

FAQs

If you’re wondering what camping gear is a must-have for your trip or how to keep your devices powered for the entire adventure, read on for answers.

Q: What are 10 essentials for camping?

Although there are many amenities that you can go without when camping, there are some things you shouldn’t leave at home:

  • A compass, map, or GPS device
  • Emergency food rations
  • Emergency water treatment
  • Shelter
  • A dry change of clothes
  • A first-aid kit
  • Matches, a lighter, or fire starter
  • A flashlight, lantern, or headlamp
  • A multitool knife
  • Insect repellent

Q: What is the best camping stove? 

With its ability to cook your meals while simultaneously charging your smart devices, this technologically advanced camping stove from BioLite is one of the best you can buy.

Q: How do you get power when camping?

Power is essential to operate flashlights, smart devices, stoves, and other gadgets. Although you may be off the grid when camping, there are power sources you can take with you, including fuel, batteries, and solar power. Fuel canisters are the best way for running a camp stove, while batteries offer power for flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps. Solar cells allow you to harness energy from an unlimited source on clear days.