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Best Solar Camp Showers of 2024

We analyzed top picks from leading reviewers to find the best for every need.

By ShopSavvy Team

Published: May 6th, 2024

Last Updated: August 14th, 2024

🚿Anyone who’s spent time camping knows that a warm shower can make a world of difference. Whether you're deep in the woods or at a cozy family campsite, having a dependable camp shower is a game-changer.

We've dug through expert reviews and tested a bunch of solar camp showers to figure out the best ones for 2024. We've got picks for different needs and budgets, so you can find the perfect fit for your adventures.

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Overall Best: Advanced Elements 5-Gallon Summer Shower

ADVANCED ELEMENTS - Summer Shower/Solar Shower - Different Capacity - Shower Head - Reflective Mirror - Fill Valve - Black or Silver 5 Gallon Standard

The Advanced Elements 5-Gallon Summer Shower is our top pick for its exceptional heating capabilities and practical design. This solar-powered shower heats water efficiently, ensuring you enjoy warm showers every time. It boasts a 5-gallon capacity, sufficient for multiple showers, and features a built-in temperature gauge for easy monitoring. The user-friendly design includes an easy-to-fill cap and a robust handle for convenient hanging. While it takes a bit of time to dry fully, its overall reliability and functionality make it the best choice for most campers.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$35.99 at Amazon

More Answers

Still curious about the ADVANCED ELEMENTS Summer Shower? Here are some answers you might find interesting:

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How much water pressure does the Advanced Elements Summer Shower provide?

The Advanced Elements Summer Shower, often called their solar shower, is pretty handy for those outdoor rinses, but it's not exactly like your indoor shower. When it comes to water pressure, it's a bit different from what you might be used to at home. Firstly, about the heating: the manufacturer says it can get water up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit if it's left in direct sunlight for around three hours. This is all thanks to its smart design, using 4-ply construction with insulation and reflection to make the most of the sun. From our research, many folks have said it really does heat water well on bright, sunny days. Now, cloudy days can be a bit of a hiccup. Our data shows that overcast weather can reduce the max temperature of the water. Like, there's this one person from Wisconsin who found it hard to get past 92 degrees on a cloudy day. As for the pressure part—it's not like your home shower with built-in pressure. This one's gravity-fed, so factors like how full the water bag is and how high you hang it can change the flow. It's enough to rinse off after hiking or camping, but it wouldn't give the strong jet you'd expect at home. Also, there’s a built-in temperature gauge, which is quite handy to check the water warmth. And just a heads-up: if you fill the 5-gallon model, it can be pretty heavy, so you'll need something solid to hang it on. Overall, think about where and when you're using the Summer Shower to ensure you get the best results. Keep in mind the need for sunny days and strong support for that gravity-fed pressure for a better experience, whether you're camping or just enjoying your backyard.

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How durable is the Advanced Elements Summer Shower?

The **Advanced Elements Summer Shower/Solar Shower** is quite handy and practical for those who love exploring the outdoors. Our research highlights its great ability to heat water using solar power, which makes it awesome for camping trips or any outdoor adventures where a shower can be a real treat. This shower holds up to 5 gallons of water, which should cover you for a short shower in the wild. The solar heating feature is pretty cool—it can warm the water up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit in around three hours if it's sunny out. That's a big win for most folks, as enjoying a warm shower can significantly boost comfort when you're away from modern conveniences. But how much water you get really depends on the weather. Full sun is the best for heating, and cloudy days might mean cooler water. So, it might not be perfect all the time, depending on where you are and what season it is. One thing to note is that when this shower's full, it can be a bit heavy and tricky to handle alone. You might need someone to help hang it, or at least a strong tree branch or hook. Some feedback we've found mentions that the water flow can be a bit slow, which can be a bit of a downer. And like with most outdoor gear, you’ll want to make sure it’s completely dry before storing to avoid any mildew. In the end, if you’re looking for a solid and portable solar shower, the **Advanced Elements Summer Shower** is a reliable choice. It's particularly good at heating and is convenient to take with you. A few tweaks like improving the flow rate might make it even better, but overall, it’s a great companion according to our findings.

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How long does it take for the Advanced Elements Summer Shower to heat water?

The Advanced Elements Summer Shower is pretty handy, especially if you're into camping or spending a lot of time outside. If you're curious about how long it takes to heat water, here's the scoop. The manufacturer says it can heat water up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit in around three hours, as long as it's in direct sunlight. It's designed with a special 4-ply construction, including insulator and reflector panels, to help with heat retention. Based on our research, this seems to hold true. Some folks have reported that in ideal sunny conditions, it reaches around 110 degrees in three to five hours. One person even mentioned that in Alaska's mild summer weather, it got to the right temperature in about four to five hours. Another noted that the temperature rose steadily from 68 to 110 degrees in about four hours on a warm day. Most people find this shower works well if you're aiming for a warm rinse while out in nature. Just keep in mind, though, that it's really reliant on good weather—particularly direct sunlight. If it's cloudy or you're in a place with less sunlight, you might have a harder time getting it to that perfect temp. In those cases, you might need to plan ahead and have a backup heating option. A quick tip is to preheat some water on a [camp stove](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Dcamp%2Bstove%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) and mix it with the water in the shower bag if the sun isn't doing the job. And remember, placing the shower bag where it gets the most sunlight can really help speed up and improve the heating. Overall, the Advanced Elements Summer Shower does a solid job of heating water when the conditions are right, giving you that nice warm rinse after a day outside. Just be ready with a plan B for those unexpected cloudy days.

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Runner-up: Nemo Helio Pressure Shower

Nemo Helio Pressure Shower (Dark Verglas)

The Nemo Helio Pressure Shower is a standout for its innovative pressurized system, offering a great alternative to standard gravity showers. It comes with a foot pump that allows you to add pressure, ensuring a strong and consistent spray without the need to hang the shower. With an 11-liter (2.9 gallons) capacity, it provides ample water for various uses. Despite being priced higher, its ease of use and portability make it an excellent choice for those who prefer not to lift heavy, water-filled bags.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$129.95 at Amazon

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Budget Pick: Coleman Solar Shower

The Coleman Solar Shower is our top budget pick, offering affordability and a practical design. This 5-gallon shower bag effectively uses solar energy to heat water, making it a cost-effective solution for casual campers. It's lightweight and easy to use, though its construction is simpler and lacks the advanced features of higher-end models. Still, it gets the job done efficiently at a fraction of the cost, making it a great option for budget-conscious campers.

Lowest at Amazon

$22.17 at Amazon

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$12.99 at Menards

Best for Backpacking: Sea to Summit Pocket Shower

The Sea to Summit Pocket Shower is ideal for backpackers who prioritize lightweight and compact gear. Weighing just 5.25 oz and packing down to a small size, this shower has a 2.6-gallon capacity and heats water efficiently using solar power. While its smaller size means shorter shower times, it is perfect for minimalists and those constantly on the move, striking an excellent balance between functionality and portability.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer

$36.95 at Amazon

Best Luxury Option: Camplux Pro Series 6L

For those unwilling to compromise on comfort, the Camplux Pro Series 6L offers a luxury outdoor shower experience. Powered by propane, it provides instant hot water with adjustable pressure and temperature settings. Although it requires a semi-permanent setup with secure mounting and hose connections, it's ideal for extended stays or semi-permanent installations. This shower is perfect for campers who want a setup that feels closer to home, offering superior comfort and performance.

Available at Amazon

View at Amazon

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