Two people peeking out from within a red sleeping bag.
Jeremy Pavia / Wirecutter

Gear for Car Camping

  • We’ve updated this list with new recommendations where applicable.

As great as backpacking in the wilderness can be, there’s something special about the simplicity of car camping: Just toss your gear into the car, roll down the windows, and aim for the nearest state park. Bring the following items—all vetted through weeks’ worth of outings by Wirecutter staffers—and you can combine a taste of the wild with almost all the comforts of home … coffee included.

Essentials

Sleeping bag

3 picks, $139–$359

Whether you’re sleeping in a tent outside your car or in your car itself, a good sleeping bag will keep you warm and comfortable no matter the conditions outside.

A versatile bag

The reasonably priced, recycled poly-fill Siesta 20 is great if you need a bag that you’ll use primarily for car camping—it’s warm, comfortable, moisture resistant, easy to clean, and easy to stuff away.

A versatile bag
REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag
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The Best Sleeping Bag

The reasonably priced, recycled poly-fill Siesta 20 is great if you need a bag that you’ll use primarily for car camping—it’s warm, comfortable, moisture resistant, easy to clean, and easy to stuff away.

For couples

This cozy double sleeping bag—which has a sleeping-pad sleeve for extra comfort—might help convince a less outdoorsy partner to try camping a little more often. Pair it with a double-wide sleeping pad.

For couples
Big Agnes Dream Island
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The Best Sleeping Bag

This cozy double sleeping bag—which has a sleeping-pad sleeve for extra comfort—might help convince a less outdoorsy partner to try camping a little more often. Pair it with a double-wide sleeping pad.

For colder nights

The Montbell is made with well-lofted down insulation, packs down smaller than our other picks, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

For colder nights
Montbell Down Hugger 650 #1
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The Best Sleeping Bag

The Montbell is made with well-lofted down insulation, packs down smaller than our other picks, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Sleeping pad

4 picks, $49–$350

A sleeping bag is only as comfortable as the cushion beneath it. These pads (plus one air mattress) will take some of the strain out of a night on the ground.

The best sleeping pad

The 3-inch-thick, notably warm Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap is as comfortable as any pad we tested. And it’s easier to inflate, deflate, roll, and store than any other car-camping pad.

The best sleeping pad
Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap Sleeping Pad

The 3-inch-thick, notably warm Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap is as comfortable as any pad we tested. And it’s easier to inflate, deflate, roll, and store than any other car-camping pad.

For double sleeping bags

This sleeping pad isn’t small, and it isn’t light. But it’s the most comfortable pad in the game. If you’re driving up to your campsite, the MegaMat Duo is wilderness luxury.

For double sleeping bags
Exped MegaMat Duo 10 M

This sleeping pad isn’t small, and it isn’t light. But it’s the most comfortable pad in the game. If you’re driving up to your campsite, the MegaMat Duo is wilderness luxury.

Best air mattress

I slept on this mattress for nine months in a tent, and it was great. The vinyl is very durable, though you do still need to be careful around sharp edges and gravel. However, it does not include a built-in air pump.

Best air mattress
Coleman SupportRest Double High Airbed - Queen

I slept on this mattress for nine months in a tent, and it was great. The vinyl is very durable, though you do still need to be careful around sharp edges and gravel. However, it does not include a built-in air pump.

A lightweight air pump

Instead of blowing up a sleeping pad with a pump bag or your own breath, consider using an air pump like the Exped Widget, which is lightweight and powerful.

A lightweight air pump
Exped Widget Pump

Instead of blowing up a sleeping pad with a pump bag or your own breath, consider using an air pump like the Exped Widget, which is lightweight and powerful.

Tents

4 picks, $225–$549

For some people, car camping actually means sleeping in your car, but most folks define it as driving to a campsite and setting up a tent there to sleep in—usually one that’s heavier than a backpacking tent but also roomier and sturdier.

The best car-camping tent for two

Easy to set up and pack away, the Mineral King 3 is a lightweight, two-door tent with a generous footprint and a sturdy dome shape. It’s the perfect choice for three-season multipurpose camping.

The best car-camping tent for two
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent
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The Best Camping Tents

Easy to set up and pack away, the Mineral King 3 is a lightweight, two-door tent with a generous footprint and a sturdy dome shape. It’s the perfect choice for three-season multipurpose camping.

The best family car-camping tent

Spacious and easy to pitch, this dome tent also has other features most families need: two large doors, roomy vestibules, and an affordable price. The tradeoffs: bulky fiberglass poles and flimsy stakes.

The best family car-camping tent
Kelty Wireless 6 Tent
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The Best Camping Tents

Spacious and easy to pitch, this dome tent also has other features most families need: two large doors, roomy vestibules, and an affordable price. The tradeoffs: bulky fiberglass poles and flimsy stakes.

A pricier but hardier tent for couples

A full rain cover, a spacious vestibule, and a reinforced pole structure make this the best choice for all-weather campers. It's also available in family sizes.

A pricier but hardier tent for couples
REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent
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The Best Camping Tents

A full rain cover, a spacious vestibule, and a reinforced pole structure make this the best choice for all-weather campers. It's also available in family sizes.

A pricier but hardier tent for families

A full rain cover, two vestibules, and an extra-sturdy pole structure make this the best choice for families who want to get outside in any weather. It's the most expensive of our picks, though.

A pricier but hardier tent for families
REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent
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The Best Camping Tents

A full rain cover, two vestibules, and an extra-sturdy pole structure make this the best choice for families who want to get outside in any weather. It's the most expensive of our picks, though.

Camp stove and fuel

3 picks, $10–$91

Waking up in nature and getting to make your own hot breakfast is one of life’s great pleasures. Many campsites have open fire restrictions—with a stove, you’ll be able to make a meal almost anywhere.

The best camp stove

This is a straightforward and rugged stove that cooks quickly and evenly. It’s a 50-year-old classic for a reason.

The best camp stove
Coleman Classic Propane Camping Stove
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The Best Camping Stove

This is a straightforward and rugged stove that cooks quickly and evenly. It’s a 50-year-old classic for a reason.

Single-use propane tank

Most people will end up with a few of these disposable tanks that, when empty, are considered hazardous waste in most parts of the country. They work well, but disposing of them requires a trip to a hazardous-waste facility.

Single-use propane tank
Coleman Propane Fuel, 16oz, 2-pack
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The Best Camping Stove

Most people will end up with a few of these disposable tanks that, when empty, are considered hazardous waste in most parts of the country. They work well, but disposing of them requires a trip to a hazardous-waste facility.

A reusable option

Not only is a 5-pound tank refillable, but it’s also cheaper over time to refill a reservoir with gas than to constantly buy new disposable bottles.

A reusable option
Manchester Tank & Equip Propane Tank
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The Best Camping Stove

Not only is a 5-pound tank refillable, but it’s also cheaper over time to refill a reservoir with gas than to constantly buy new disposable bottles.

Coffee and coffee makers

3 picks, $40–$60

Nothing beats a hot cup of coffee after a long car journey or a night in a tent.

The best French press

This insulated metal canister is the simplest way to brew a large batch of fresh coffee.

The best French press
BruTrek BaseCamp French Press (48 ounces)

This insulated metal canister is the simplest way to brew a large batch of fresh coffee.

A portable hybrid brewer

The lightweight, compact AeroPress is the simplest way to make an excellent-tasting single cup of coffee, no electricity needed.

A portable hybrid brewer
AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

The lightweight, compact AeroPress is the simplest way to make an excellent-tasting single cup of coffee, no electricity needed.

Instant coffee

Good coffee in convenient, single-serving packets. It’s great for anyone who wants a quick cup without dealing with the bulk, weight, or cleaning that other coffee setups require.

Instant coffee
Canyon Instant Coffee

Good coffee in convenient, single-serving packets. It’s great for anyone who wants a quick cup without dealing with the bulk, weight, or cleaning that other coffee setups require.

Cooler

3 picks, $80–$630

Keeping food safely chilled for a few nights is easy to manage with a good cooler in your trunk.

Best for most adventures

Better insulated and less expensive than the competition, it keeps ice frozen for a week, and its well-designed drain port makes the cooler easy to clean.

Best for most adventures
Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme 5 Marine Hard Ice Chest Cooler
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The Best Coolers

Better insulated and less expensive than the competition, it keeps ice frozen for a week, and its well-designed drain port makes the cooler easy to clean.

For hot days or long trips

This roto-molded cooler costs much less than the popular Yeti Tundra 65 but performs just as well, keeping our ice frozen for 10 days. It is not, however, certified as bear resistant by the International Grizzly Bear Committee.

For hot days or long trips
RTIC 65 QT Hard Cooler
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The Best Coolers

This roto-molded cooler costs much less than the popular Yeti Tundra 65 but performs just as well, keeping our ice frozen for 10 days. It is not, however, certified as bear resistant by the International Grizzly Bear Committee.

Best with wheels (and for bear country)

The handle and wheels on the Tundra are the best we’ve come across. It feels like you can roll this cooler across anything without the handle straining, bending, or the wheels breaking. And the Tundra does carry an IGBC certification.

Best with wheels (and for bear country)
Yeti Tundra Haul Hard Cooler

The handle and wheels on the Tundra are the best we’ve come across. It feels like you can roll this cooler across anything without the handle straining, bending, or the wheels breaking. And the Tundra does carry an IGBC certification.

Headlamp

2 picks, $30–$50

Although you can turn on your car headlights for extra light, it’s often easiest to have a personal headlamp that you can bring along as you move around in the dark.

The best headlamp

This easy-to-use, bright-enough option offers long-lasting battery life and reliable performance, year after year.

The best headlamp
Black Diamond Spot 400
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The Best Headlamp

This easy-to-use, bright-enough option offers long-lasting battery life and reliable performance, year after year.

Best for kids

Rainbow lights make this kids headlamp fun to play with during camping trips or backyard adventures.

Best for kids
Black Diamond Wiz Headlamp
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The Best Headlamp

Rainbow lights make this kids headlamp fun to play with during camping trips or backyard adventures.

Emergency supplies

3 picks, $40–$59

Preparing for any potential emergency on the road or one that might arise while you're camping requires consulting a full Wirecutter guide, but these three items—water, emergency lights, and a jump-start kit—are a good place to start.

Best water storage

Enough water for two people for two days, with a spill-proof screw-on vent cap.

Best water storage
Reliance 4-Gallon Aqua-Tainer

Enough water for two people for two days, with a spill-proof screw-on vent cap.

Aid for most situations

This compact yet well-stocked kit has the best layout of any we tested, so you can easily access the supplies you need.

Aid for most situations
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker Kit

This compact yet well-stocked kit has the best layout of any we tested, so you can easily access the supplies you need.

Portable jump starter

This jump starter has the right safety features and contains enough juice in a small package to start most cars and SUVs.

Portable jump starter
Weego Jump Starter 44s

This jump starter has the right safety features and contains enough juice in a small package to start most cars and SUVs.

Nice-to-haves

Canopy tent and shelter

2 picks, $299–$314

This kind of tent isn’t meant for overnight shelter, but any of these will shield you during the day from bugs, sun, and even rain while still letting in the breeze.

The best canopy tent for camping and picnics

Our favorite canopy tent is a simply designed, comfortable shelter that offers protection from bugs, sun, and rain.

The best canopy tent for camping and picnics
REI Co-op Screen House Shelter

Our favorite canopy tent is a simply designed, comfortable shelter that offers protection from bugs, sun, and rain.

Heavier duty canopy tent for harsher weather

The Quick-Set Escape is a tougher, heavier shelter, and it sets up in a snap. It's big and bulky, though, and can feel gloomy inside if the weather's bad.

Heavier duty canopy tent for harsher weather
Clam Quick-Set Escape

The Quick-Set Escape is a tougher, heavier shelter, and it sets up in a snap. It's big and bulky, though, and can feel gloomy inside if the weather's bad.

Camp blanket

2 picks, $93–$250

When you’re reading a book outside and the sun passes behind the clouds, you can burrito yourself in something that will neither detract from the experience nor get damaged: a stain-resistant, ripstop nylon puffy blanket.

Best all-around blanket

This blanket offers the greatest warmth and durability for the lowest relative weight, price, and size.

Best all-around blanket
Rumpl Down Puffy
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The Best Puffy Blanket

This blanket offers the greatest warmth and durability for the lowest relative weight, price, and size.

A puffy, synthetic option

This is a slightly heavier and stiffer blanket, but it’s available for less money and with more style options.

A puffy, synthetic option
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket
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The Best Puffy Blanket

This is a slightly heavier and stiffer blanket, but it’s available for less money and with more style options.

Portable camp chair

3 picks, $35–$110

Not every campsite or viewpoint offers a place to sit and rest. A portable camp chair lets you pull up a seat at any moment.

The best chair for camping

This is the Ford F-150 of camping chairs: big, tough, and widely beloved. It even comes with an insulated pouch that’ll keep four cans of whatever cool.

The best chair for camping
Coleman Quad Portable Camp Chair

This is the Ford F-150 of camping chairs: big, tough, and widely beloved. It even comes with an insulated pouch that’ll keep four cans of whatever cool.

A chair with its own shade

The Renetto’s big, heavy canopy provides ample sun protection at a campsite or cookout and doubles as a backpack-strap-equipped carrying case.

A chair with its own shade
Renetto Original Canopy Chair

The Renetto’s big, heavy canopy provides ample sun protection at a campsite or cookout and doubles as a backpack-strap-equipped carrying case.

An ultralight option

Handy if your car is short of cargo space, this featherlight, compressible chair fits in a backpack, so you can even bring it on hikes.

An ultralight option
Helinox Chair One

Handy if your car is short of cargo space, this featherlight, compressible chair fits in a backpack, so you can even bring it on hikes.

Power sources

3 picks, $20–$70

Inverters and car chargers can juice up your devices while your car is running, and our portable battery pick can give your devices a boost at night or anytime you don’t want to start your car.

Best power inverter

The Bestek is fine for running small motors or air pumps, but more-sensitive gadgets may not function correctly while using this DC-to-AC converter.

Best power inverter
Bestek 300W Power Inverter

The Bestek is fine for running small motors or air pumps, but more-sensitive gadgets may not function correctly while using this DC-to-AC converter.

Dual USB car charger

This model can charge phones, tablets, and computers from its USB-C port, plus it has a second port for charging USB-A devices. It adheres to USB-C fast-charging standards and includes a quality cable.

Dual USB car charger
Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger

This model can charge phones, tablets, and computers from its USB-C port, plus it has a second port for charging USB-A devices. It adheres to USB-C fast-charging standards and includes a quality cable.

Standalone power bank

This power bank is small and light, and its rounded edges make it easy to slip into a pocket. It comes in only one color, but it has two built-in cables and enough capacity to charge most smartphones up to three times.

Standalone power bank
Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K

This power bank is small and light, and its rounded edges make it easy to slip into a pocket. It comes in only one color, but it has two built-in cables and enough capacity to charge most smartphones up to three times.

Solar shower

2 picks, $48–$130

Not all campgrounds have showers—or showers you want to use. A solar shower lets you enjoy a reasonably hot shower even when you’re far from a tap.

Best portable shower

You get a shower that’s more warm than hot, but it has decent water pressure and a functional showerhead.

Best portable shower
Advanced Elements 5-Gallon PVC Free Solar Shower

You get a shower that’s more warm than hot, but it has decent water pressure and a functional showerhead.

A shower you don’t have to hang up

This shower has a built-in foot pump for adding pressure, so you don’t need to hang it to use it. It rolls up to the size of a can of Folgers coffee for easy portability.

A shower you don’t have to hang up
Nemo Helio Pressure Shower

This shower has a built-in foot pump for adding pressure, so you don’t need to hang it to use it. It rolls up to the size of a can of Folgers coffee for easy portability.

Sleeping bag liner

1 pick, $95–$130

A sleeping bag liner is like a set of sheets for your sleeping bag and makes cleaning the sleeping bag itself easier. A liner is also great to have if you end up in a strange motel with suspect bedding during your trip.

Keep your bag cleaner

The Sea to Summit silk liner wicks moisture, doesn’t retain smells, packs down to the size of an apple, and even weighs less than one. It makes scratchy motel and hostel linens a lot more bearable.

Keep your bag cleaner
Sea to Summit Premium Silk Travel Liner

The Sea to Summit silk liner wicks moisture, doesn’t retain smells, packs down to the size of an apple, and even weighs less than one. It makes scratchy motel and hostel linens a lot more bearable.

Things to skip

Rooftop tent

Rooftop tent

The convenience of a car-mounted home may seem appealing, but rooftop tents are expensive and have serious drawbacks. These shelters are closer to an RV than a tent, and any large piece of equipment that’s safe to attach to cars comes at a high cost.

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