10 Best Water Containers for Camping in 2022 (Outdoor Guide-Reviewed)

You will mostly come across containers, both solid and collapsible, made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Most polyethylene fittings tend to leak, meaning if you don’t secure them properly, the water could drain out.

Luckily, HDPE is great at resisting heat, making it a good option for camping trips since the container will most likely be outside. It's also a stiff and durable material, so it won't break as easily. You may want a polyethylene container if you plan to leave it outside during your camping trip.

Polypropylene is another type of plastic commonly used for water storage, though it's usually used in bulkier materials. However, it can become damaged from UV exposure and high temperates.

On the other hand,  it has excellent durability since it can resist tons of weight, making it ideal for storing water. It also doesn't react to liquids, so water and rain won't cause it to degrade or weaken. Polypropylene might be the right option if you plan to bring lots of water on your camping trip since it does a great job storing it.

Some spigots have a button on them that you press to let the water flow out of the container. Unfortunately, you need to hold the button down the whole time, making it difficult to get the water out if you need to tilt the container.

However, you have more control over the water since it will immediately stop as soon as you let go of the button. This means you won't leave it slightly on like you might with a lever spigot. You can also control how much water comes out based on how hard you press the button.

Other spigots have you move a lever to release water from the container. You have to be mindful of the lever’s position since water will leak out if you leave it slightly up. This means if someone forgets to put it back down all the way, it could slowly leak without anyone realizing it.

Luckily, you don't have to hold the lever up, making it more convenient. It's also easier to tilt water out of the container since you don't need to hold down a button. 

Collapsible containers can be flattened after you use them. They are more prone to punctures since the layer of plastic isn’t as thick or dense as solid ones. Otherwise, they offer good durability and easy storage since they take up less space when you collapse them.

On the other hand, solid containers will always keep their shape. Since they stay the same size, they are more difficult to carry and store. 

However, they have thicker outer layers, making them much less likely to get cracks or punctures. Thicker containers may also have a layer of foam in the middle, which helps insulate the water to maintain its temperature.

Lots of water containers have handles on the sides or top of them to make carrying easier. The handle is usually part of the container, so it will ruin the entire jug if it breaks off. If this is a concern, check the customer reviews to see how the handle holds up.

However, you will have an easier time carrying a full container if you have a handle, especially if you're transporting it over long distances. You can also use the handle to hold onto the container when you need to tip some water out of it.

Depending on the container you choose, it may have a small or large lid. A small lid is big enough to fill your container with a faucet, while a large lid can fit your hand inside of it.

Small lids are much more difficult to clean since you can't fit your hand in them. Luckily, if you don't screw on the lid correctly, it won't leak as much since the water has less area to escape from. Smaller lids are also easier to replace since you can easily find a size that will fit them.

Large lids tend to have a bigger risk of spilling since they can let out more water if you don't put them on correctly. On the bright side, they are easier to fill up since you have more space to work with when you open them. You can also fit your hand in these containers, making them easier to clean.

You will need to choose between large and small water containers based on the size of your group or how long you plan to camp. Most containers measure themselves in gallons, so a large one will be around seven gallons while a smaller one will be around three gallons.

Large containers will take up more space at the campsite, and they will be harder to transport. On the other hand, they can last you an entire day, making them a solid option for people who want to avoid refilling the container.

You have to refill smaller containers more often, especially if you have a larger group. However, small ones are great for camping since they aren't as bulky, making them easier to move around. They also weigh less and take up less storage space.

Water containers are shaped like cubes or cylinders. Cube-shaped containers tend to take up more space on the table or flat surface unless they are shaped like a tall rectangle. If they have this shape, they will have the same advantages as a cylinder container.

However, cube-shaped containers are less likely to fall over since they aren't as tall. They do a great job of remaining stable due to their shorter design that does a better job of distributing the weight of the water.

Cylinder containers are more likely to fall over since they cover less surface while still holding the same weight, giving them less support. On the bright side, they don't take up as much table space. You will also have an easier time grabbing them without handles since they aren't as wide.