When you make a purchase using links on our site, The Week may earn a commission. All reviews are written independently by our editorial team.
You have all the camping essentials like a tent, sleeping bag, cooler and cookstove ready to go, but remember to bring a few non-necessities as well. Extra comforts like solar-powered string lights to brighten the campsite and a coffee press for a morning jolt are small, easy to pack and will enhance your experience. Because who said roughing it has to be rough?
AeroPress coffee maker
Make a cup of coffee in a minute or less with the AeroPress (Image credit: AeroPress)
You want a cup of coffee to start the day, whether you are at home or camping in the middle of nowhere. This is where the portable AeroPress comes into play. Compact and lightweight, it brews a smooth mug of coffee in about one minute and cleans up easily, allowing you to play barista anywhere — and everywhere.
$31.95, Amazon
Basecamp Cards
This family-friendly game can last for hours (Image credit: Basecamp Cards)
Basecamp Cards help the conversation flow around the campfire or on the trail. The set contains 54 cards, each one with a question meant to spark discussion — you might just learn something new about your friends and family. Appropriate for all ages (no wild cards here!), this is a fun way to pass a few hours. Bonus: With every deck sold, Basecamp Cards plants a tree.
$18.95, Amazon
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 binoculars
See the stars with these binoculars (Image credit: Celestron)
Leave the telescope at home. You can stargaze with the higher magnification Celestron SkyMaster binoculars, which are “nice and bright, perfect for getting good views of the moon,” Wired said, and also work for “larger clusters and nebulae.” These things are hefty (think about getting a tripod to go with them), but they can also be used for birdwatching, wildlife spotting and looking for Bigfoot (you never know!).
$94.95, Amazon
Cliq portable camping chair
This chair can fold down to the size of a plastic bottle (Image credit: Cliq)
Space is at a premium when packing for a camping trip, but that is not a concern when it comes to the Cliq camping chair. It weighs 3.9 pounds and folds to the size of a small plastic water bottle, so you can stuff it into any bag or tote. The chair “doesn’t sacrifice comfort, either,” Food & Wine said, and is “designed in such a way as to provide support right where you need it — up to 300 pounds, according to the manufacturer.”
$109.99, Amazon
MPOWERD Luci solar string lights
A string of lights illuminates your camp (Image credit: MPOWERD)
Give your campsite pizazz — and welcome visibility — with these rechargeable string lights. The 44-foot-long cord stretches a good distance across an encampment and can be detached from the power hub that doubles as a phone charger. The lights are water-resistant and shatterproof and emit a warm, cozy glow.
$60.50, Amazon
Therm-a-Rest Z seat cushion
These insulated seat cushions provide comfort on most surfaces (Image credit: Therm-a-Rest)
What hard ground? This insulated camping seat is made of closed cell foam, so when you plop down on it, all you feel is comfort. Weighing only two ounces, this is a “game-changer,” Outdoor Life said, folding “like an accordion” and opening to 13 x 16 inches. It is not going to weigh you down and can be placed on nearly any terrain or surface. Use it if you need a break on a hiking trail or are sitting down to eat at a picnic table.
$30, Amazon
Venty portable fan
A portable fan is a summer must-have (Image credit: Venty)
During sweltering summer nights, this rechargeable, battery-operated fan helps you stay cool — and sleep better — in your tent. It can extend up to three feet and comes with a remote, so you can control the fan’s speed and oscillation and turn the LED lights around the base on and off. Each charge lasts for 48 hours, making it convenient to beat the heat during the day, too, without having to worry about the fan running out of juice.
$79.99, Amazon