Best Solar Showers

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With a solar shower, you can keep yourself clean and refreshed using heated water regardless of where you are.

Read on for our expert reviews of the best solar showers available. Check the latest prices to ensure you get a great deal!

Our Top Picks

7 Best Solar Showers

1. Advanced Elements 2.5 Gallon Summer Shower / Solar Shower

The Advanced Elements 2.5 Gallon Summer Shower is an all-encompassing solution with a rugged build, top-of-the-line features, and an aesthetic build.

It has been crafted with a lot of care, which shows through the finer details and consistent performance. This is a perfect solution for those wanting a top-tier summer shower with modern needs in mind.

Features

2.5 Gallon Capacity

It starts with the 2.5-gallon capacity. This is perfect for outdoor situations, whether it is time to go camping or hiking. Fill up the summer shower and know it is going to work like a charm once set up. This is one of the more efficient options available right now due to its capacity.

Four-Layer Construction

It offers a comprehensive four-layer build that ensures the water remains inside and the packaging doesn’t tear as soon as it is stored away.

Large Filling Valve

The filling valve is perfect for constant use and doesn’t break down with a bit of stress. This makes it ideal for those who are regularly heading outdoors and will need a competent summer shower for their showering needs.

Easy to Store

Storing this solution is a breeze, and that is perfect for those who are always on the go. This takes a few seconds to put away when it is empty. As a result, it can last for a long time and remain usable for years.

2. Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower

If you love outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, you may know that one of the biggest challenges that arise when taking part in these excursions is bathing.

After a hot day filled with exciting but sweaty adventures, you will want a hot shower to clean yourself and rejuvenate your body. But, where do you get a hot shower in the wild? Have you ever heard of the Coleman 5- Gallon Solar Shower?

The Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower is a sturdy and portable kit that stores and heats water that you can use for bathing after a sweaty day outdoors. This kit incorporates a unique handle and showerhead design that allows you to stay fresh and clean practically anywhere.

Features

Sturdy Design

In the rough world, it is very easy for the fabric to get torn. This solar shower kit is made of tough and durable fabric that cannot get easily torn by branches and undergrowth commonly found outdoors.

Solar Heating Capability

This solar shower kit usually relies on solar energy to heat the water contained within. To get warm bathing water, all you need to do is fill the kit and then leave it in the sun.

The best part is that the kit is designed so that your water will still get heated even when it is partially sunny.

Ease of Use

The Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower comes with a handle that you can hang anywhere and a shower head with an on/off valve to control how much water you will use when bathing.

Huge Water Capacity

This kit has a 5-gallon capacity. This means that you and several people can use the same kit or take multiple showers before refilling the kit.
Pros

3. Green Elephant 2-in-1 Portable Solar Shower & Dry Bag

The weather outdoors can change really fast. One minute the sun can be shining overhead, and the next minute, it can be raining torrents.

The Green Elephant 2-in-1 Portable Solar Shower & Dry Bag has been designed to address two of the main problems faced by people who enjoy spending time outdoors. The lack of warm water for showering and a safe, dry place to store important belongs when it is raining.

This one-of-a-kind solar shower bag utilizes solar power to heat the 5-gallon of water that it can hold. It is made of TPU – a strong material that can withstand abrasions and punctures by thorns, twigs and other sharp items.

On using all the water in the kit, you can then leave it out to dry and use it as a waterproof pouch to store your valuables. If you love camping, the Green Elephant 2-in-1 Portable Solar Shower & Dry Bag is a must-have!

Features

Extremely Durable

This solar shower kit is made using TPU. Unlike other materials used in the manufacture of shower bags like PVC, TPU is hardy and resistant to most types of damage that are likely to occur in the wild such as punctures and abrasions.

Versatile

You can use this kit to store warm water for showering and drinking, and in a matter of minutes, you can use it as a waterproof bag to keep your most precious belongings from damage by water if it is raining.

Portable & Easy to Use

The Green Elephant 2-in-1 Portable Solar Shower & Dry Bag has a sturdy base meaning that you can place it almost anywhere when you are outdoors. It also has a strong handle that you can hang anywhere if you wish to use the water.

When the kit is empty, it can easily be rolled, folded and packed together with your other camping gear.

4. Outdoor Hygiene 5 Gallon Solar Shower Camp Shower

Many people looking to participate in outdoor activities such as a few days on the beach or hiking often have a hard time finding a multi-functional solar shower bag.

A multi-function bag is great since it reduces the amount of luggage that you have to lug around while at the same time fulfilling crucial needs such as the provision of hot water and storage space.

If you want a high-quality, durable and multi-function shower bag, you should acquire the Outdoor Hygiene 5 Gallon Solar Shower Camp Bag.

With this bag, you can get a steady supply of 20 liters of warm water that you can use for bathing, drinking or even washing fruits or utensils when outdoors.

Features

Made of TPU

TPU is a strong material that does not chip or crack even when exposed to the most demanding environments. TPU is also eco-friendly, and it does not release toxic chemicals even when it starts aging.

If you acquire this solar shower bag, you do not have to worry about perforations when hiking through trails with thorny plants.

Use It to Store Drinking Water

The Outdoor Hygiene 5 Gallon Solar Shower Camp Bag is made from non-toxic material, and it does not release any irritating odors. This means that you can use the warm water in the bag to shower, drink and even wash your food.

Easy to Use & Maintain

This bag comes with an advanced shower head that gives you more control of the water flowing out of the nozzle. Additionally, it has a wide intake for filing water that makes cleaning and drying of the interior easy.

5. TripleTree Camping Solar Shower Bag

The TripleTree Camping Solar Shower Bag is one of the most advanced portable solar shower kits available in the market. With this bag, you can address the problem of hot water for taking a bath when enjoying yourself in the world and conveniently carry all your bathroom items in the extra pockets incorporated in the kit.

This solar shower bag has a 20-liter capacity – which is a lot of water for one bath. It also comes with a temperature indicator that allows you to gauge the water temperature before taking a shower.

The best part is that if you place the bag in an area receiving direct sunlight, the water temperature can rise to around 47 degrees Celsius in as little as 3 hours!

Features

Temperature Indicator

With this kit, you can monitor the temperature of your bathing water. This means that you can plan to take a shower when the water temperature is just right. No more scalding or guessing if your bathing water is warm enough.

Quality Design

This bag comes fitted with additional pockets that you can use to store showering accessories such as soap when going outdoors. The TripleTree Camping Solar Shower Bag also has an advanced shower head that can be easily adjusted, giving you more control over your warm water.

Different Uses

The best thing about this shower bag is that you can use it for a variety of purposes. Apart from using it when camping outdoors, you can also store water to wash your car or even your pets.

6. WEIYII Solar Shower Bag

The WEIYII Solar Shower Bag is an all-around option for those who are always outdoors and want to have enough capacity to carry usable water around. This is easy to set up, offers an excellent fill valve, and works well in a wide array of situations for contemporary users.

Features

Removable Hose

It comes with a removable hose allowing for more flexibility and control. This can help when filling the shower bag and/or using it for a shower. It is a neat feature that makes it easier to regulate water flow once the shower bag is ready to go. Whether it is slow or fast, the hose will work as intended.

Made of PVC

The PVC material is not only easy on the eyes but also long-lasting. This is essential for promoting a solution that ages well and isn’t going to create temperature-related issues for those who want to take showers with cool water.

5-Gallon Capacity

It offers a 5-gallon capacity and is easy to fill when preparing the shower bag. This ensures users feel in control of how the shower bag works and its value to their setup.

Foldable Design

It is a foldable shower bag making it easier to store when on the go. This is good for anyone traveling all the time and still wants the shower bag by their side.

7. RISEPRO 10 Gallons/40L Solar Shower Bag

The RISEPRO 10-Gallon Shower Bag is a unique option with a long list of perks when it comes to modern-age shower bags. It has a robust design, remains easy to fill, and is the perfect option for those who are always on the move.

Features

10-Gallon Capacity

This is a “jumbo” shower bag, and that’s what it is marketed as. The 10-gallon capacity makes it an excellent option for those who will not have the opportunity to refill the shower bag later on.

On/Off Switch

It comes equipped with an easy-to-use on/off switch. This makes it simpler for those who will want to use the solar shower bag based on their situation at that moment. Just flick on the switch, and the bag will start doing its thing.

Heat Absorbent Design

Due to the black PVC material wrapped around the shower bag, it can handle a good amount of heat without breaking a sweat. This is ideal for those going to be traveling in warm conditions, whether hiking or camping. Just having the solar shower bag fully protected goes a long way.

Built-In Temperature Indicator

It comes with a complete temperature indicator to ensure users are aware of the underlying temperature. This is ideal for anyone who wants to keep tabs on the water and whether it is being kept at a reasonable temperature for a shower later on. This can make the experience of using the shower bag much better.

Solar Shower Buying Guide

Are you planning on taking a camping trip, heading out to the beach, taking a swim at the lake, or a hiking trip? A solar shower offers the perfect solution when it comes to your showering needs while away from home.

Solar showers serve the same purpose as your regular shower, only that they are more portable and utilize the sun’s energy to heat water.

With this piece of solar gear, you can keep yourself clean and refreshed using heated water regardless of where you are. The accumulated dirt, sand, sweat, and salt from the above activities can leave you feeling dirty and uncomfortable. And with the lack of proper public showers as well as the many issues associated with them, taking a warm relaxing shower using your solar shower can sure come in handy.

The solar shower is also an ideal choice for homeowners who love spending time working in their garden or enjoying a swim at their backyard swimming pool.

If you have pets but don’t want to constantly deal with the hassle of cleaning and washing your pets indoors, a solar shower can provide the perfect solution.

Key Takeaways

• A solar shower is a portable, environmentally friendly outdoor shower that uses solar energy to heat water.
• Solar showers come in different types, including gravity-fed, pressurized, and battery/pump-powered, each with advantages and limitations.
• When buying a solar shower, consider factors like water capacity, durability, portability, design, built-in thermometer, temperature indicators, and warranty to choose the right one for your needs.

What is a Solar Shower?

A solar shower is a portable piece of solar equipment that allows you to take warm showers using solar-heated water in the outdoors.

How Does a Solar Shower Work?

As you might have guessed, the solar shower works by utilizing energy from the sun to heat up water for use.

The solar shower consists of three main components; a bag, a hose, and a showerhead.

The bag is perhaps the most crucial component of the solar shower since it is responsible for heating the water. For this purpose, it is usually insulated and covered with a heat-absorbent material. They have a dark color which further helps to absorb heat.

The bag can hold anywhere from 2 to 10 gallons of water, depending on its size and capacity.

What Are the Different Types of Solar Showers?

Gravity-fed Solar Shower

This type of solar shower relies on gravity for water flow. As a result, it only creates a low amount of pressure and should be placed on a high point to optimize the pressure.

Pressurized Solar Shower

In this type of shower, the shower bag is pressurized using a special device. Then the pressure forces the water out.

Battery-powered or Pump-powered Solar Shower

As the name suggests, this type of solar shower relies on a battery and/or pump to create water pressure.

How Do You Use a Solar Shower?

While each type of solar will have its own specific set of instructions on how to use it, using a solar shower generally involves the following key steps:

First, you need to fill the bag with water. However, to avoid the risk of water overflowing or the bag breaking open, ensure that you leave some reasonable room while filling the bag.

Next, place the bag in direct sunlight to ensure maximum heating. It is not recommended to leave the bag on the ground as the soil can absorb heat from the bag.

On a bright sunny day, the water can be heated up to 120-133 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, it would be best if you didn’t leave it in the sun for too long.

To ensure your safety, it is recommended to go with a solar shower with an in-built temperature gauge. According to the American Burn Association, when the skin of an adult human is exposed to water at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, it is enough to cause scalding in five minutes. So, it would help if you were cautious.

Once your water has been heated up, it is time to use it. If you are using a gravity solar shower, you will need to place it on a high point above your head and ensure that the hose is as straight as possible for maximum pressure.

If you are using a pressurized solar shower, you won’t have to worry about positioning it. Use the provided device to force air into the bag to pressurize the water.

Lastly, you need to connect the pump for pump solar showers and turn on the valves to let the water flow.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Solar Shower?

As with any other product, it is important to understand the pros and cons of a solar shower to determine whether it is the right product for you. And as you will see, the solar shower has many advantages that should be seriously considered.

Advantages

Eco-friendly

Solar is one of the most environmentally friendly sources of energy. With a solar shower, you don’t need gas or electricity to take a shower, both of which put extra pressure on the planet’s already diminishing energy resources. You don’t have to worry about solar energy running out.

Secondly, energy is the cleanest source of energy – no emissions or harmful health impacts.

Economical

Simply the fact that a solar shower works by using solar energy means it has zero impact on your utility power usage. It can even help to reduce your electricity bills since you get to rely less on traditional power to heat your water.

Easy to Install and Use

As discussed earlier, solar showers have a simple design consisting of three main components; a bag, a hose, and a showerhead. Setting up a solar shower is a quick and easy process. Some models don’t even require any installation.

Rinse off with Ease

With a solar shower, you can easily rinse off dirt and grime from your body after various outdoor activities. If you love working in your garden, a solar shower allows you to take a refreshing shower afterwards. It also offers you a convenient way of washing up before and after swimming.

And as mentioned earlier, a solar shower offers a great way to clean up your pets.

Portable

For those who love engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, going out to the beach, etc., solar showers are highly portable and very easy to move around.

Most solar showers are small, compact, and lightweight, which makes them much easier to carry.

Disadvantages

Reliant on the Sun

Solar showers solely rely on solar energy to heat water. This means that you can’t use the solar shower on completely cloudy, rainy, or snowy days and during the night hours. There needs to be some bit of direct sunlight for the water to heat.

Takes a Long Time to Heat Up

An ample amount of sunlight is required to heat the water. Due to this, you can end up waiting for an extended period for the water to heat.

Features to Look for in Solar Showers

Water Capacity

The water storage capacity of the solar shower should be one of the most important factors you consider when buying one. It is recommended to go for those with large water capacities, especially if you take longer showers or are traveling with a party.

However, it would be best to keep in mind that this will be much difficult to carry and transport, especially when full.

For instance, a 5-gallon solar shower lasts for about seven and a half minutes, which is enough to take a proper quick shower while in the wild. So depending on your showering needs, you will need to choose the suitable capacity for you.

Seal-tight Water Bag

It is wise to choose a solar shower that comes with a seal-tight water bag. This is particularly important if you will frequently be traveling with your solar shower. The seal-tight water will help prevent any water leakages.

Durability

Go for a solar shower whose components are made of durable and long-lasting materials. This is particularly important if you will be using it regularly in the outdoors, camping, hiking, biking, etc.

In the woods, the solar shower will be exposed to many adverse conditions, thus you need to ensure that the solar shower can handle such environments.

Avoid going for the cheapest brands you find. Do your research and consider more established brands.

For instance, consider going for a solar shower made with high-quality PVC material as it is known for its durability.

The showerhead is typically made out of plastic. Ensure to go for one that is made out of high-quality ABS material.

Portability

An excellent solar shower should be portable and easy to move around. This is particularly important considering you will be using it often for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and biking.

For this purpose, consider going for a small, compact, lightweight, and easy-to-use solar shower.

Design

Solar showers typically come in a wide range of designs. The type of design you choose will have a significant impact on your outdoor experience.

For example, a solar shower with a big-sized showerhead will produce a high water flow rate, while a showerhead with a small-sized showerhead will have a low rate of water flow.

The point here is to go for functionality. It should be simple to fill with water, easy to install, and easy to use.

Thermometer

As discussed earlier, it is important to choose a solar shower with an in-built thermometer. This provides you with precise temperature readings, and you don’t have to check the temperature of the water using conventional means. This allows you to avoid overheating your water to a point where it can burn or scald your skin, especially hot days.

Temperature Indicators

Same as the in-built thermometer, an built-in temperature indicator helps you know if the water is hot enough to take your preferred shower. It can also come as an additional accessory with the purchase. This will significantly help make your life easier as you won’t have to keep touching the water to find out if it is hot enough.

Warranty

An excellent solar shower will come with a warranty – a 1-year service warranty at minimum. This will help ensure that you get the necessary assistance in case of any issue with the shower.

Our Expertise in Solar Showers

At Solar Showers Network USA, we’re not just installers; we’re enthusiasts, researchers, and users of solar showers. Over the years, we’ve been at the forefront of solar shower technology, understanding the nuances and intricacies of various solar-powered shower systems. Our team has hands-on experience with a wide range of solar showers, and we’ve witnessed the evolution of these products from their inception to the advanced versions available today.

Why Trust Our Reviews?

• Hands-On Testing: Before writing any review, our team spends weeks testing solar shower products. For this article, we installed and used each of these solar showers in various settings – from camping trips to outdoor events, ensuring we understand their performance in real-world scenarios.
• Continuous Learning: We regularly attend solar technology conferences, workshops, and seminars. This continuous learning ensures we’re always updated with the latest solar shower tech, allowing us to evaluate products against the most recent standards.
• Feedback Loop: Over the years, we’ve built a community of solar shower enthusiasts. We often reach out to them for feedback on products, ensuring our reviews aren’t just based on our perspective but are a reflection of the broader community’s experiences.
• Transparency: Whenever we receive products for review from manufacturers, we ensure full transparency with our readers. For this article, some products were purchased by our team, while manufacturers sent others. However, our reviews remain unbiased, focusing solely on the product’s performance.
• Decades of Experience: Collectively, our team has over two decades of experience in the solar shower industry. From understanding the technical aspects of solar heating to the design and functionality of solar showers, our expertise spans wide and deep.

In this article, we’ve combined our personal experiences, technical knowledge, and feedback from our community to provide you with comprehensive reviews of the best solar showers for 2024. We believe that our expertise, combined with our commitment to transparency and continuous learning, makes us a reliable source for solar product reviews.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, everything you need to know about buying solar showers. If you are a fan of the outdoors, you will benefit greatly from investing in your own solar shower.

Maintaining hygiene while in the wild is very important. A solar shower allows you to enjoy a warm shower far from the comfort of your home.

Besides enhancing your outdoor experience, the solar shower has many other benefits and uses.

Hopefully, this article will come in handy when buying your new solar shower. You will need to consider all the factors and aspects of solar showers discussed above to choose the best one for you.