When you’re tired out from a long day of hiking or camping in the summer, hydration is key to making sure that you can recover and have enough energy for the next day of fun adventures.

The best water container in this product round-up is the Scepter 05935 Military Water Container, as it holds a respectable 5 gallons of water in an easily transportable, lightweight, free-standing, and durable body style without any BPA in its construction. This is an easy-to-use, reliable, rugged water container that will be sure to keep the thirst away.

For an even more portable option, consider the HydraPak Seeker. This is a flexible, thermal polyurethane 2-4 liter hydration sleeve that fits inside a backpack, perfect for short hiking days. It can easily be refilled with one of the larger containers, such as the RedCamp, as well.

If you’re searching for the best water container for camping, learn about these and more with our full product round-up below.

Product Reviews

Scepter 05935 Military Water Container – 5 Gallon (20 Liter): Best Overall

No products found.

The Scepter 05935 Military Water Container is our choice for the winner of the product round-up, thanks to its large capacity for plenty of hydration, easy transportability, and rugged body style that will hold up to your adventures. It is also safe to drink from, as it sports a BPA-free construction.

Scepter designs a series of portable water containers built for the military and outdoor adventurers alike, so their products are constructed with durability in mind.

This particular model holds 5 gallons (20 liters), which is a good amount for refilling smaller water bottles throughout the day. Remember that this model does not have a spigot at the bottom for refilling small cups, unlike some others in this product round-up.

This container sports a handle along the top, making it easy to carry by your side. Its thin body style fits inside your car easily as well.

The Scepter can also stand up on its own, which is convenient for making sure it doesn’t spillover. The lid is a twist-on type and stays secure as long as it doesn’t tip over; however, be careful not to lay the container on its side if the lid isn’t tightened all the way, as this can easily cause leakage.

Constructed of a lightweight, BPA-free plastic, the Scepter is certainly not too heavy. It is available only in a sand color, which is slightly less exciting than it could be; however, when choosing a water container, color probably shouldn’t be the top priority.

The Scepter is priced at $44.99, which is a little pricey for a water container. However, keep in mind that this is built for durability and reliability, so you will be less likely to have to replace it.

Aquatank II Water Storage Bladder: Most Premium Option

No products found.

The Aquatank II is the most premium pick in this product round-up, as it is built to be the ultimate option in portability. This little water tank is built with an inner lining of flexible, 100% food grade thermal polyurethane, while it sports an outer shell made of nylon that stays wrinkle- and crack-free.

Because of its easy portability, the Aquatank is built specifically for camping, cabins, or RV’s. It has a bendable, stretchy, foldable (and rollable) body style that is easy to transport and store away when not in use.

The Aquatank is available in various sizes, from 15 to 300 gallons, so it’s appropriate for nearly any of your hydration needs. Refilling the Aquatank may be cumbersome in some situations, however, because it requires a standard garden hose thread connection.

While the nylon outer shell is quite durable in most scenarios, be sure to keep sharp objects away from the Aquatank, as there is a danger of accidentally puncturing it and causing water to spill out.

Lastly, the Aquatank costs from $109.99 for the 15-gallon version up to $299.99 for the 300 gallon version.

WaterStorageCube Collapsible Water Container: Best Budget Option

No products found.

The best budget pick, the WaterStorageCube, is an excellent choice for those not looking to spend big bucks while still getting an easy-to-use, trusty water container perfect for picnics, camping, or for keeping water in a safe place for emergencies.

The WaterStorageCube costs only $12.45 for a 5.3-gallon container. Conveniently, it also folds up into a compact square for easy transportability.

The WaterStorageCube has a transparent body style constructed of a non-toxic, BPA-free LDPE plastic that promises to be odor-free. It features a handle across the top for easy carrying. There is a lid across the top as well for refilling the container itself, while the spigot at the bottom is easy to open so that water flows freely out to fill a cup.

To use the container, simply set it up on a table and hold a cup under the spigot while water flows out. Because of this design, the WaterStorageCube is also perfect for using it as a hand-washing station. The fixture can also easily refill dog bowls or other containers.

HydraPak Seeker Collapsible Water Storage Hydration Reservoir: Most Portable Option

No products found.

The HydraPak Seeker is the most portable option, as it has the lowest capacity in the smallest body style that flattens and folds up easily for simple storage. This is a durable choice from a reliable brand.

The HydraPak is available in 2, 3, or 4-liter capacities and two colors (mammoth grey or malibu blue). Constructed of flexible TPU, the HydraPak is BPA-free and has a lifetime warranty.

This model features a secure, screw-on cap that is easy to refill. There is a measuring gauge along the side for keeping track of your water intake, which is always important when exercising. You can insert a water filter so that you can fill the reservoir with water from a river or stream, perfect for camping.

Not only is it easy to flatten and fold away for storage, but it is also easy to carry with the four lash points that allow you to connect the hydration pack to a backpack. Similar to the Aquatank, be careful around sharp objects to avoid puncturing the HydraPak.

Lastly, the HydraPak costs only $25.50.

Igloo 5 Gallon Portable Sports Cooler Water Dispenser, Bright Orange: Most Durable

No products found.

As the most durable option in this product round-up, the Igloo portable sports water dispenser is a heavy-duty container that is sure to hold up to years of use. The Igloo also boasts plenty of convenient features, such as side handles, a securely fitted lid, and an easy-to-use spigot.

The Igloo’s style is one that you often see at sports events, as it has an angled spigot at the bottom and holds enough water to keep a team hydrated.

The Igloo features reinforced handles that make it rather easy to carry, even though it is more cumbersome than the other products in this round-up because it doesn’t fold into a more compact size. Thankfully, the handles are secure and comfortable.

The lid is pressure-fitted on top to prevent mold or dirt from getting in. It is durable enough that you can even sit on top of the lid without breaking the container. With the lid removed, you can easily fill it with ice, which Igloo promises to keep frozen for up to three days.

Its bright orange cooler features UV inhibitors and infrared technology to keep the color from fading. Lastly, the Igloo costs only $29.95.

RedCamp Portable Water Container with Spigot for Camping: Another Inexpensive Option

No products found.

The RedCamp Portable Water Container with Spigot for Camping is another inexpensive option, with a price of $9.99 to $35.99 depending on which version you select. This is an easy-to-carry, lightweight, versatile water container perfect for camping, picnicking, or even emergencies.

The RedCamp features a wide mouth that is easy to fill and clean. It comes in a variety of sizes: 10, 10.5, 15, 18.5, and 20-liter options, so you can select the version that fits your needs the most. Made with a food-grade HDPE plastic, it promises to be BPA-free without any unpleasant taste or odor.

With a spigot at the bottom, the RedCamp is best used on a table or in your refrigerator on one of the top shelves. The spigot has a faucet design with silicon rings for sealing against leakage.

Lastly, the RedCamp features a handle for easy portability.

Freegrace Premium Collapsible Folding Water Container: Best Bucket Style

The Freegrace Premium Collapsible Bucket is a unique option that holds up to 10, 16, or 23 liters of water and is available in seven different colors. This stylish container features a bucket style with a lid and grab handle that simply collapses down into a small circle for easy storage.

Because this is a bucket style, the Freegrace is a fantastic option if you need a container for your dogs while camping or if you’re looking for somewhere to wash your hands. It is even useful as a bucket for washing the car.

However, the Freegrace is not the best choice if you’re looking for something to easily pour into another container or fill up a cup of water from a spigot, as it lacks this feature.

The Freegrace can securely stand up on its own and is constructed of 500 denier tarpaulin with sealed seams for durability. It promises to be BPA-free.

Also, the Freegrace features a mesh pocket inside for holding any extra items.

Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Water Container for Camping

Materials

Thermal Polyurethane

Hydration sleeves like the Aquatank and HydraPak are made with a thermal polyurethane (TPU) type sleeve for added flexibility and strength. These sleeves are easy to fold into a compact size and store away. The TPU material is tear-resistant and durable but may unfortunately be puncturable if in contact with a sharp object.

Plastic

Many water containers are made out of plastic, as this is a lightweight, inexpensive material. If you are purchasing a container made of plastic, however, be sure to find one that is BPA-free. BPA, or bisphenol-A, is an industrial chemical that can be toxic to the body’s hormones and cause health issues. Thankfully, all of the water containers we reviewed here are free of BPA.

Capacity

When purchasing a water container, the capacity is one of the most important elements to consider.

If you’re looking for a simple water container for a short day of easy hiking, a smaller hydration sleeve like the HydraPak may be your best choice. These are available in small capacities down to just two liters, which is a good amount for one person on most easy day hikes. This will be a lightweight, easily portable option but would need to be refilled if used for more than a hike.

However, if you want to bring enough water to hydrate your whole family, a much larger container is a better option. For example, a container with a capacity of 10 liters should be enough for a day of camping with a family of five. This will obviously be much heavier, so this type of container is best used on a table at the campsite itself.

More: YETI Rambler 20 OZ Review: The Complete Review

Spigots and Gaskets

The spigot, or plug, on the water container should be secure and easy to use. This is where you will refill smaller water containers. The gasket is a rubber or silicon ring that seals the junction and prevents leakage of water.

When you receive the container, make sure to test it out and ensure that you can easily use the spigot and that no leakage is occurring.

Type of Container

If you’re looking for a large container to be used by multiple people at the campsite, you may want to buy a free-standing container that won’t topple over or spill easily. Most of these will be designed with the spigot near the bottom of the container, making them most easily set up on a table to refill smaller cups of water.

For a shorter, easier hike, you may want to find a container that’s more portable and lightweight. These containers will often be made of a soft and flexible TPU as discussed above. These will not stand up freely on their own but make up for that with easy transportability and compactness.

The other main style of water container is a bucket, such as the Freegrace. These are easy to use and fill. However, when filled with water, they are not as portable and may spill easily without a lid securely in place. As there is no spigot, these are not ideal for refilling other cups, unless you are okay with dumping the cup into the bucket every time.

More: Alternative Coolers to Yeti Coolers: The Best Cooler Like Yeti (ALL The Best)

Durability

The most durable water containers are made out of a tough plastic with thicker walls, such as the Igloo model. These will resist breakage and last for many years. TPU, while it is flexible enough to withstand some stretching, maybe puncturable. As discussed, be sure to store these away from knives or sharp camping gear.

Cleaning the Water Container

A final note about the size of the container is how easy it is to clean. Containers with larger lid openings or wider mouths are easier to clean with a rag or brush. This is especially true with the bucket style, as you can easily scrub it with a sponge using your hands thanks to its wide-open top.

Containers with wider openings will also dry out faster after you’ve cleaned them. The faster drying time will help prevent mold from growing inside the container.

However, you can also clean a narrow-mouthed water container using only household chemicals mixed with water, as we’ll discuss below in detail.

FAQ

How Much Water to Bring on a Camping Trip

When camping, a general rule of thumb is to bring at least two gallons of water per person per day. So if you’re camping with a family of six people, you would need 12 gallons of water per day. Also, consider how and where you will refill your container.

It’s important to plan for the climate and the events you have planned. If you’re camping in hotter temperatures or know that you have a ton of difficult hikes ahead, you may want to consider bringing even more water than suggested, just in case.

Also, consider if you need to bring extra water for pets, for washing hands, brushing teeth, or for preparing meals.

If you need to bring a lot of water, the best course of action may be to bring a large container holding several gallons (such as the Aquatank or RedCamp above) as well as a series of smaller water bottles for individual use. Then, you and your fellow campers can refill these water bottles directly from the larger container.

More: RTIC 45 Cooler Review: All You Need To Know

How to Sanitize a Camping Water Container

A simple way to sanitize a water container is to use household chemicals. You can create a solution, or mixture, of these chemicals with water. You can also add rice, which will act as a scrubbing agent to help remove any particulates from inside.

To do this, first put rice inside the container, add in some dishwashing soap, and add tap water. Shake the water jug for 30 seconds so that the rice and soap comes into contact with the entire interior surface, and then dump it out and rinse it.

Then, add in 1 tablespoon of bleach with a gallon of water. Shake up this mixture for 30 seconds. Leave this to sit overnight so that the bleach can disinfect the interior of the container. In the morning, pour the solution out, and rinse it several times until the bleach smell is completely gone.

Here is a demonstration of this process:

More: bkr Water Bottle Review: Is It Good Bottle To Have?

If you don’t want to use bleach, another option is 3% hydrogen peroxide diluted in water. Mix 100 mL of hydrogen peroxide with 300 mL of water, pour it into the container, and shake it around for 30 seconds. Dump it out, rinse it with tap water, and let it dry. Here’s another helpful video:

How Can You Remove the Hard Water Stains from the Water Container?

To remove hard water stains (calcium) from the water container, pour white vinegar or apple cider vinegar into the container and let it sit for a couple of hours. The vinegar is acidic and will loosen off the calcium. Then, pour the vinegar out and rinse it with water.

Can I Only use the Camping Water Container for Cold Water?

Some containers are suitable for warm water as well as cold. For instance, the HydraPak can hold frozen water as well as water up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius).

However, make sure to avoid putting boiling water in containers made out of plastic, as that will degrade the material and cause it to break down. For boiling water, you should look for a container made out of stainless steel or other metal construction.

More: The Best Wheeled Coolers [Review and Buying Guide]

Conclusion

To make sure you stay hydrated through all your camping days and nights, a water container is an essential item to bring. The winner of this product round-up, the Scepter 05935 Military Water Container, is lightweight and easy to carry, holds 5 gallons of water, and is built to last.

Suppose you’re looking for a smaller container perfect for a short hiking trip. In that case, the HydraPak Seeker is a great option, as it comes in 2, 3, and 4 liter variants and is flexible and compact enough to attach to your backpack easily. On the flip side, for a large family, the Aquatank II and the RedCamp hold large amounts of water, perfect for refilling multiple cups throughout the day.

We hope that this buying guide has helped you to make an informed decision for all your hydration needs.