Cool Camping Gadgets (Buying Guide)
Do you want to upgrade your outdoor gear with some cool camping gadgets, but don’t know where to start? Let us guide you towards some of the best camping gadgets on the market! Our Cool Camping Gadgets overview contains personal favorites from our team, plus various top-rated options and best-sellers in the camping segment on Amazon. With big gift-appeal and excellent customer ratings, these nifty camping gadgets also make great gifts to campers, hikers, or backpacking enthusiasts in your life!
Treat a loved one, or yourself, to one of these cool camping gadgets and take your camping enjoyment to the next level. We’ve included something for every occasion, preference, and budget. From the coolest s’ mores making set for family camping to a state-of-the-art solar charging to quickly revive your smartphone’s battery: you’ll find it on this list.
Get inspired to upgrade the contents of your campsite gear, backpacking equipment, or hikers pack with one of these best camping gadgets, and discover our top-rated picks below:
Cool Camping Gadgets – Overview
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
- Award-winning LifeStraw water filter is a must-carry tool for hiking, camping, travel, and emergencies; no disaster kit is complete without it
A firm-favorite and best-seller amongst outdoor enthusiasts, the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is an absolute game-changer. The design features a ‘Hollow Fiber Membrane Technology’ to turn even the murkiest water into clean drinking water. And it gets even better: this personal water filter even removes the smallest microplastics to guarantee the ‘cleanest’ result possible.
This is not a random fluke gadget on the market, the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is backed up by in-depth scientific research, laboratory testing, and thousands of 5-star customer reviews. It claims to turn any water into clean drinking water might sound too good to be true, but that’s exactly what the LifeStraw achieves.
A potentially lifesaving gadget
The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter lets you enjoy the outdoors in a completely new way. Yes, you could go through the hassle of using traditional water purifiers to create drinking water. But isn’t it much more fun to simply stick your straw in a stream and sip? Plus, this handy gadget can actually be a lifesaver in situations where you find yourself with an empty water bottle and without access to clean drinking water. Which is why we rate it as an essential piece of gear for every hiker, backpacker, and camper. We bring ours on every camping trip, regardless of the location or duration. You might not use it on every occasion, but as the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter weighs just 2 oz, packing it ‘just in case’ is always a great idea.
Innovative, functional, fun to use, affordable, and potentially lifesaving: the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is simply a must-have gadget in your gear collection. Gift it to yourself, or a loved one, and explore a new way to sample nature!
TETON Sports LEEF Lightweight Mummy Sleeping Bag
Unlike most standard sleeping bags, the TETON Sports ultralight LEEF Mummy Sleeping Bag comes a special 3-piece hood that ergonomically contours the head to eliminate pesky cold spots. And it’s not just your head that will comfy warm, as this style by TETON comes with ‘Body-Mapping Technology’. What this means is that the sleeping bag contains extra padding and insulation in the areas where it matters most, for example, around your feet. Don’t worry: this extra padding does not weigh the sleeping bag down, as it only clocks in at 4.4 pounds. Which is pretty impressive for an extra-long, well-insulated sleeping bag! Other gadget-like perks include a vaulted foot box and a full-length draft tube along the zipper to prevent cold air from coming in.
Handy design-elements
And that’s not all! The TETON Sports LEEF Lightweight Mummy Sleeping Bag further enhances comfort with its two separate, zippered compartment on the inside of the bag. Ideal for keeping your personal belongings or camping accessories close. Instead of rummaging around a dark tent, looking for your flashlight, you can simply keep it in your bag – ready to light up your camping adventures in seconds. This style includes a handy compression carry sack, packing down to roughly 15 x 9 x 9 inch. Small enough to be clipped on to hikers packs or comfortably fit in a gear pocket.
Made of top-grade, high-quality materials, the TETON Sports LEEF Lightweight Mummy Sleeping Bag also offers excellent durability. The ripstop polyester shell is water-resistant and heavy-duty: ensuring long-term enjoyment out of this cool camping gadget purchase!
Tip: Want an even bigger sleeping bag? Then check out the Coleman Big Basin Sleeping Bag, another one of our personal favorites!
Hydro Flask 32oz Water Bottle
- Design in mind: with it's easy-access wide mouth, the sleek design holds the same volume of liquid as other leading water bottle brands. Also, safety is top-of-mind, as the bottles are made out of...
The Hydro Flask 32oz is a double-walled design made of high-quality stainless steel. The construction of the water bottle is shatterproof and solid: ensuring it can keep up with you even in heavy-duty hiking scenarios. Its double-walled TempShield Insulation Technology insulation can keep water (or other liquids) chilled up to 24 hours, and heated up to 6 hours.
All-day hydration
The 32oz capacity of the Hydro Flask makes it big enough for all-day hydration on the go, or when relaxing at your campsite. The flask itself features a solid, slip-free grip thanks to its durable powder coat. Whilst the cap and handle are also made with stainless steel pivots to make them more resistant to wear and tear. A flexible strap allows for easy carrying and/or helps you attach the flask to a backpack. We would have wished the Hydro Flask was dishwasher-safe for quick clean-up, but this is not the case. The manufacturer recommends hand-wash only to preserve the quality of the powder coating. That said, as this is pretty much the only con, we don’t consider this a big issue.
Another reason you should treat yourself to a Hydro Flask is that this popular camping gadget has over 7000 glowing 5-star reviews. We know that sometimes customer reviews can be a bit misleading, but if 7000 people give a product a big thumbs-up, you can be fairly certain that it lives up to, and exceeds, expectation. With over 20 colors to chose from, there’s a sleek match for every preference. Whether you want a neutral-colored water bottle, or a bright pink color titled ‘Flamingo’, there’s bound to be a Hydro Flask to quench your thirst!
INONE 12-in-1 Utility Folding Pocket Knife
- ✅ Made of 3CR13 and 2CR13 stainless steel, compact, durable and practical.
The INONE 12-in-1 Utility Folding Pocket Knife weighs 9 oz and comes with all the essentials. This swiss-army knife style design includes a sharp knife, a wire cutter, needle nose pliers, a regular plier, and a double-sided file. To enable quick gear repairs, the multi-tool includes 3 types of screwdrivers: a small screwdriver, a Philips screwdriver, and flat-grooved option. Additional functionality is offered by its wood saw, can opener, and rope cutter. And rest assured, we wouldn’t have chosen this multitool if it didn’t also include a bottle opener, ideal for campfire get-togethers with friends.
Great pricing, great quality
This gadget is also made of high-quality materials, ensuring it will last you for many outdoor adventures to come. For example, the foldable 2.8-inch knife of the INONE 12-in-1 Utility Multitool is made of highly-durable 420 stainless steel. Known for its excellent edge retention and sharpness. You’ll also receive a handy nylon travel pouch with your order, which includes a belt loop for extra portability.
For its affordable pricing, this multitool is quite the steal. Yes, it is not the most top-grade or fancy choice on the market, but we think that’s a fair trade-off for its budget-friendly appeal. The design scores highly in customer reviews, with dozens of 5-star ratings praising its value and performance. Great as a gift to yourself, or hiker/backpacker in your life, we’re confident you’ll get plenty of usage out of this nifty camping gadget.
Legit Camping Double Parachute Portable Hammock
The Legit Camping Double Parachute Portable Hammock is the ideal gadget-gift for any camper that loves putting their feet up after a long day exploring the outdoors. The big appeal of the ultralight, 210T nylon fabric hammock is that this extra-large size is spacious enough to comfortably fit 2 people. The style has a whopping 400 lbs weight capacity. Allowing you to share the relaxing fun with your friends, kids, or partner. That said, we’d be tempted to just lap up all the luxurious space inside this high-quality hammock by yourself…
Ultralight and super portable
Another perk is that this cool camping gadget is not bulky at all when packed. Some camping hammocks tend to take up a lot of space in your daypack or weigh you down when you take them on the go. This is where the Legit Camping Double Parachute Portable Hammock makes a real difference. The style comes with a handy carrying sack that allows you to compress it to a neat 9 x 4-inch bundle. Clip it to your backpack or hikers pack, or store it in your gear compartment with ease. Weighing a mere 1.87lbs, it has an outstanding weight-to-size ratio and will elevate your relaxation level during any camping adventure in the backcountry.
We also like that the Legit Camping Double Parachute Portable Hammock is available in a wide range of colors and prints. From basic neutral to vivid orange, a classic camo to trendy turquoise: there’s a match for every camper! And with a very affordable price-tag, we reckon this may just be the best value deal on this Cool Camping Gadgets overview. Who says you have to pay a premium, to enjoy premium comfort?
Tip: Want to lounge in your luxuriously spacious hammock without the annoying buzz of mosquitos? Then skip the DEET and treat yourself to a Thermacell Portable Mosquito Repellent with Camo Holster. This handy gadget offers a 15-foot zone of protection against mosquitoes, dispersing a high-quality DEET-free mosquito repellent. No odor, no irritated skin: it’s the ultimate mosquito repeller gadget.
Outdoor Solar Charger Mobile Power Bank
- High Quality Portable Solar Charger - Made of durable and reliable ABS+PC+Silicone material,protects it from rain, dirt and shock / drops.Intelligent security protection,avoid over-current,...
The Outdoor Solar Charger Mobile Power Bank is an ultralight addition to your camping gear, weighing just 9 oz. The device comes with a hook and carabiner, so easily attach it to a backpack. Its solar panels will help charge the power bank when exposed to direct sunlight, allowing for a quick boost in battery life when required.
Do note that though the solar panel charging option is handy, it will take quite long to fully charge the battery of the power bank using only direct sunlight. We would, therefore, advise you to charge the device to maximum capacity via a USB-port before you depart for your backpacking trip. This guarantees your power bank is ready to boost your smartphone, Bluetooth speaker, or other electronics when needed. Using the solar charge function to top up its battery life in case of an emergency.
Flashlight and dual-charging option
The device also serves as a portable flashlight thanks to its 2 bright LED-lights that provide powerful illumination when turned on. The dual-USB port even allows you to connect multiple devices simultaneously. However, this will drain the battery life quite quickly, and we recommend reserving some of it in case of emergency. For example, an empty phone battery when you need to call for help.
The Outdoor Solar Charger Mobile Power Bank is also quite budget-friendly, with affordable pricing that makes it a great little gift for any occasion. Also good to know: even though it’s affordable, it doesn’t compromise on quality. According to manufacturer Yelomin, the power bank is water-resistant thanks to its silicone and ABS coating – no dry bag needed to keep this electronic safe! As this is heavy-duty enough to withstand bad weather conditions and sudden shocks. And with dozens of 5-star reviews, other campers seem to agree that this nifty power bank is worthy of your attention!
Extendable Marshmallow Roasting Sticks Set
This set makes roasting marshmallows over a fire pit or bbq easier and safer. Which is a big plus when you’re enjoying the great outdoors with kids, or are a bit clumsy when it comes to fire hazards. The kit includes 5 extendable, high-quality roasting forks. Each fork can be extended anywhere from 10 inches to 34 inches. This means you can maintain a safe distance from the campfire, bonfire, or fire pit (to ensure the only thing getting toasted are marshmallows, not your hands). The rotatable, extendable forks are made of stainless steel and have a comfortable, non-slip wooden handle.
Big gift-appeal
This cooking gadget set comes packed in a heat-resistant, zippered carry sack. Ideal for taking it on the go with you, without the risk of damaging the forks, or the contents of your backpack. It’s not the cheapest roasting set on the market, but we think it’s worth paying a bit more for its quality, style, and big gift-appeal. Plus, as the set comes with a Money-Back Guarantee by the manufacturer, it’s pretty much a risk-free purchase. As any defects or problems will be covered by a refund or replacement. With great customer reviews and fun functionality, this certainly is one of the coolest gadgets to gift the s’mores-lover in your life.
Tip: Need help igniting the fire to use this fancy roasting set? Then check out the 2-in-1 All-Weather Magnesium Firestarter Kit, one of our favorite portable sets to get a campfire – and the party – started!
GSI Outdoors 8 Cup Enamelware Percolator
- STAY CAFFEINATED: Coffee? Always! The Enamelware Percolator makes your caffeine needs attainable for any campsite, cabin, RV, or even a retro farmhouse kitchen.
The GSI Outdoors Enamelware Percolator is one of the most popular camping coffee makers on the market, and it’s no surprise why others give the style 5-stars for value and functionality. Firstly, the percolator’s large 8-cup capacity makes it big enough to brew enough for multiple servings, without having to reheat the water. Secondly, the coffee pot is made of great quality steel with a stylish speckled enamel finish. The enamel finish isn’t just decorative, but it also helps the steel silhouette from scratching easily. The coffee maker also comes with a stainless steel rim, adding to its durability and wear-resistance.
Limited manufacturer’s guarantee
The GSI Outdoors Enamelware Percolator becomes even more of a gadget thanks to its innovative construction. The design uses a 3-ply technique to maximize heat distribution, resulting in a quicker boil on your camp stove. Another perk is that the GSI Outdoors 8 Cup Enamelware Percolator is backed by a limited manufacturer’s guarantee. This means that if your product has any manufacturing defects, you can ask for a return or refund. Which serves as a testimony of how confident GSI Outdoors is in the quality of this piece of cooking camping equipment.
If you love lounging around in a camping chair whilst enjoying a cup of coffee, espresso, tea, or hot chocolate; this could be your favorite new camping gadget! It’s not the most lightweight or easy portable of options, but for car campers, RV-enthusiasts, or those with a fixed campsite, it gets our seal of approval.
Verdict
Normally in every ‘Best of’ overview, we try to pick a winner, based on what we deem the top value-for-money product. However, as we’re comparing such diverse types of gadgets, we’ll refrain from picking a winner – as we simply can’t compare them due to their differences.
We will say that we’re confident every cool camping gadget on this list is a great choice to upgrade your outdoor gear. Each product, whether its the extra-large hammock or the nifty power bank, scores highly in customer reviews on Amazon, and offers excellent value-for-money. We’ve made sure only to include top-rated products, ensuring you get a gadget that lives up to and exceeds expectations.
We also rate these camping gadgets highly for their gift-appeal. If you’re looking for an original gift to surprise outdoor enthusiasts, why not indulge them with a luxurious marshmallow roasting set or a fancy Hydro Flask? We’re pretty sure you’ll make the lucky recipient a ‘happy camper’ indeed!
Get inspired to upgrade your gear with these affordable, great-value, durable, and highly-rated gadgets, and browse your favorites on Amazon now before prices go up!
Disclaimer: Though we’ve tried to include as many of our favorite gadgets on this list, we didn’t want to overload you with information, so some products didn’t make the cut. This doesn’t mean they aren’t fantastic gadgets, but we decided to include products that we think all campers will have some sort of usage for. For example, even though we love inflatable kayaks, we rate inflatable kayaks/collapsible kayaks more as sports gadgets for the active, adventurous camper. We’ll be posting more gadget updates in the future, so simply keep an eye on our homepage for more gadget inspiration, coming to you soon!
