If you’re headed to the great outdoors and don’t have the space or time to take and put up a tent, camping in your car can prove an alternative solution.
A night spent in the confines between your four wheels has added benefits aside from casting aside fiddly tent poles and pegs. It can offer more protection against the elements than canvas and you can park right beside the trail or national park you’re planning to explore. If your route is circular, it also means you can maximise the time spent adventuring knowing your camp is ready and waiting when you get back.
Car camping doesn’t have to mean sleeping squeezed in the back or sitting upright in the driver’s seat, wheel wedged between your knees. With the right kit, tech and accessories, it can be a comfortable enough experience. And if not wholly comfortable, then at least extremely convenient.
And if sleeping in the car itself doesn’t appeal, there are nifty solutions that are car adjacent that can give you space while keeping you within arm’s reach of your wheels.
Foldaway car tents can be secured to the roof and will unfurl into a decent tent once you’re at your destination (choose a battery-operated design for supreme convenience). The bonus here is that many come with integrated mattresses which means one less thing to pack, but they also cost in the high triple figures, so may not be viable if you’re only planning to car camp every so often.
For those looking to turn their motor into a (temporary) home comfortable for a night or two when you want to hit the trails early or late, we’ve rounded up everything you need for car camping below.
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Thule Approach M
Best: overall
Many soft-shell car tents are house-shaped, but Thule’s Approach uses four struts to elongate and maximise space, making it more of an elongated box. It makes all the difference from the inside out and even with two adults and a child aboard it doesn’t feel cramped – if it’s just two of you then there’s plenty of room to swing a hiking boot and the big windows and skylights add to the feeling of spaciousness.
Pitching was super quick and effortless and the tent fabric was tough enough to put up with a bad forecast. It was also breathable and all the windows allow good air circulation to keep you nice and cool in the heat.
We really liked the bracket mounting system for the Approach, which made short work of the installation and for a three-person tent. Thule have kept the weight down to 58kg making it easy for two people to get it up on the roof of the tallest car.
This may have one of the highest price points in our line-up but the Approach is such a versatile, comfortable tent that you’ll always try and find an excuse to use it. If you’re an avid camper, it should save you money on accommodation in the long run.
Buy now £2400.00, eBay
The North Face Blue Kazoo Eco Sleeping Bag
One of the reasons that The North Face is such a revered outdoor brand is its attention to detail; take this sleeping bag, for instance. It comes in a regular size, sure, but also a longer length to accommodate for tall campers. They even offer left-hand side zips to make things easier for the lefties amongst us.
Made from recycled fabric to curb textile waste, it’s also water repellent - handy if condensation tries to drip on you from your tent’s ceiling in the morning. The curved two-way zip, which skims the ankle from the shoulders, makes it a top choice for anyone who gets overheated feet. With the Eco Trail 2C, just unzip the lower portion and pop them out.
The knee area has been made wider to allow for more movement and there’s a drawstring in the hood to help you retain your body heat. An internal pocket is perfect for storing valuables you want to keep close to hand, and you can prevent the dreaded roll-off from your sleeping mat with the help of the tie-down loops.
We don’t say this often about sleeping bags, but The North Face’s design is a real thing of beauty.
Buy now £315.00, The North Face
Pod “The Beast” Sleeping Pod
One can’t help but harbour high expectations when a sleeping bag is named "The Beast", and we’re happy to report this electric blue option does not disappoint. It’s one size, but that shouldn’t be an issue for most: it measures 230 x 115cm when rolled out with a generous 60cm in the foot area, helpful for victims of restless trotter syndrome.
Designed for three seasons of use, everything from the double layer of synthetic filling to the cosy tartan lining conspires to ensure you have your most comfortable night outdoors ever.
Buy now £45.00, Millets
YETI Roadie 24 Cooler
If you could grade coolers on a scale of celebrity hard men, this Yeti design would surely be Ray Mears-standard; able to hold its own against harsh environments and the most blazing of summer days.
The robust tank offers a host of features designed to keep foodstuffs cool. Not only that, but it’s 10 per cent lighter than its predecessor and can fit easily in car footwells, allowing you to pack properly for a camping trip away. Bottles can be stored upright thanks to the taller dimensions too.
It’s heavy duty so not one for short park stays - but it will perform brilliantly on long trips or if you’re catering for a large crowd. Add a seat cushion for a makeshift chair when you need one. Plenty of colours are available.
Buy now £224.99, Amazon
HI-GEAR 28-Litre 12V 240V Electric Cooler
If you’re unwilling to put your faith in insulation and cold packs alone, meet this electric cooler which can be powered with 240V mains and 12V in-car plug cables. It’s the perfect thing to take on long car trips or caravan holidays, with a 28-litre capacity and a power control dial that lets you flip between hot and cold functions.
Buy now £88.40, Amazon
Energizer PowerStation 153.6Wh Portable Power Bank
- Wattage:150W
- Fuel type: electric
- Weight: 1.48kg
Depending on what you’re powering up, one charge of Energizer’s PowerStation can last for months, making it a great thing to have for standby power. Its huge battery - 48000mAh - supports charging multiple devices at once, from phones of every description through USB ports to laptops, electric grills and tech that needs AC and DC charging.
Once depleted, the PowerStation takes six hours to fully recharge, so one to stick into a plug point the night before a big trip in the great outdoors. It also features an ultra-bright LED flashlight that can be dimmed to various degrees of brightness and also flash SOS in an emergency. All told, an excellent portable generator at a great price.
Sold with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £170.00, Currys
Outsunny 48000mAh Portable Power Station
- Wattage: 150W
- Fuel type: electric
- Weight: 1.6kg
One for casual campers who want to enjoy nature with all their creature comforts, Outsunny’s portable power station is one step up from a portable battery pack. It has a massive 48000mAh battery, which should be enough to keep your essential devices running - think phones, laptop, electric air pump, smartwatches, drones - while also doubling as an emergency jump start for a dead car battery with the EC5 output.
Sporting a circular design, the top includes an LED light which radiates light in three modes as well as an SOS option in case of emergencies. It’s fairly light at well under 2kg and comes with a handle for easy carrying.
Its biggest selling point? The price. Currently less than the usual RRP of £65, it’s an excellent option for those who only occasionally require power, so while it’s not one for motorhomes and vanlifers, for campers and festival goers - it’s pretty sweet.
Buy now £76.99, Debenhams
ReadyBed Double Inflatable Camping Air Bed and Sleeping Bag
We’re up for anything that makes our lives easier, and this airbed with an integrated sleeping bag has won us over for streamlining the camping experience. The top-rated design offers plenty of room with double bed-size proportions and can inflate in 60 seconds with the help of a pump (not included).
As well as an attached XL sleeping bag, pillows are included too! Less things to pack means less chance of forgetting something crucial. Comes with a carry bag and repair kit.
It’s a superb option if you’re car camping can fold down the rear seats flat into a spacious boot.
Buy now £80.00, Argos
BioLite Campstove Wood Burning Electricity Generating & USB Charging Camp Stove
Simply calling this BioLite kit a ‘stove’ feels like a gross underestimation - in truth, it can do so much more. It burns wood, wood scraps and pellets without generating any smoke, so no more shuffling around trying to avoid the plumes. Burning also generates electricity, which you can use to power your devices via the USB port.
There’s a medley of accessories too, including a portable grill (with space for four burgers) which comes with a rubber lid for clean and easy transportation, a KettlePot which can boil a litre of water in less than five minutes and in which the stove can neatly fit (saving packing space) and CoffeePress attachments so you won’t have to go without your morning brew.
Midnight feasts are covered too - there’s a FlexLight with ChromaReal LED technology included to illuminate the cooktop, letting you cook even when night falls.
Grill, boil, cook and charge all in one. You’ll wonder how you ever camped without it.
Buy now £225.00, Amazon
Whizzer Discreet & Compact Travel Urinal for Adults
This portable urinal is a lifesaver on long car journeys when services are too far and there’s nowhere to pull over. It can be used by adults and kids, with the 500ml design tucking easily into most day bags. It’s leak-proof and splash-proof with four detachable parts to make it easy for anyone to go.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
SHEWEE Extreme Female Urinal
Invented in 1999, the She Wee has been used everywhere from the festival field to women serving in the armed forces. It can be used while standing upright and without removing any clothing or underwear, making it perfect for use in awkward conditions when you need to go in a hurry. Made from durable polypropylene, it weighs 100g and comes with its own case and an extension pipe for when you’re wearing bulky clothes.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon
Aeropress Go Portable Travel Coffee
Need a cuppa to feel civilised in the morning? We hear you. Leave your fancy cafetiéres at home and pack AeroPress's travel coffee press instead. The device creates the perfect brew with minimal mess and time with enough to make up to three cups in one go. All accessories - scoop, stirrer, 350 microfilter papers, filter - fit neatly inside for seamless packing.
Buy now £40.00, Amazon
Amacool Portable Camping Fan with LED Lantern
Outdoor living is usually a mix of freezing at night and feeling swelteringly hot the second the sun rises.
Luckily you can laugh in the face of heatwaves with this small portable USB fan from Amacool. It may look small but it's got real power behind it with three speed levels to choose from. It can be suspended from the tent ceiling with the integrated hook or set up on its stand to keep air circulating.
The bonus? It comes with an LED light. Just take our money.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Proviz LED360 Antares Headlamp 500 Lumens
Best for: a good all-rounder
- Lumens: 500
- Maximum range: 100 metres
- Maximum burn time: 73 hours
With two colour lighting options, an adjustable angle, a powerful beam, and the ability to alter the fit for ultimate comfort, Proviz’s headlamp boasts a great range of features considering its £29.99 price point. Completely waterproof, you’ll be ready for anything your route throws in your way.
Buy now £29.99, Proviz
Odoga 300W Car Power Inverter
A great gadget to keep in your car even when you're not off on a camping trip, this inverter will keep your phone, tablet, GPS and laptop charged up using your car's outlets. There are various ports including a three-pin mains plug which means you can use three appliances simultaneously.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Hasika Camping Tent 2 Person
When the space inside a car just isn't enough, use this shelter to magic up some more. The waterproof piece hangs around an open car boot and will need pegging out to create a shade that's roomy enough to sit, cook and stretch upright in. It doesn't weigh much either, coming in just shy of one kilo and packing down into a compact size, able to stash in the boot when you don't need it.
Buy now £86.99, Amazon
Voilamart Car Ceiling Cargo Net Pocket
Forget grappling for pockets when you're trying to sleep. Camping essentials can be stowed across the top of the car with this mesh hammock, creating more storage space above your head. The buckles clip onto the window handles and can be adjusted to tighten, keeping your loot nice and safe.
Buy now £16.99, Amazon
BEEWAY Car Windshield Cover
The trouble with car camping is all the windows. Keep the light (and heat) blocked out until you're ready to rise with this windshield cover. The thick design can be used throughout the seasons and comes in two sizes to fit all sizes.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
Snuuzu Tesla Model Y - Custom Car Mattress
Available for pre-order, Tesla owners who love their car so much they want to sleep in it can now get a custom-made mattress to slip over the folded back seats and into the trunk. The Snuuzu creates a perfectly flat yet comfortable surface to sprawl on and catch 40 winks whether you're by the beach, going on an early-morning hike or napping before joining a festival queue.
As for set-up, it's as quick as lightning, inflating and packing down in minutes.
Buy now £754.00, Snuuzu
