Solar showers allow you to have a warm bath anytime, anywhere, as long as there’s sunlight. They are portable gears that heat water within their tanks using direct sun energy.
A solar shower works by absorbing heat from solar radiation. The system typically includes a shower bag, pipe, and head. The shower bag, which is the most important feature, is insulated to absorb and retain as much heat as possible.
According to Womble Bond Dickinson’s 2022 Energy Transition Outlook Survey Report, the energy industry is embracing the transition to clean energy. It’s true, solar showers have become quite popular among homeowners due to their numerous advantages. They’re biodegradable, portable, user-friendly, and suitable for your skin.
Solar showers save you money since they don’t rely on gas or electricity. They are suitable for the environment and your hygiene as they don’t release harmful carbons when heating water.
According to Wirecutter, a product recommendation service for The New York Times, when buying a solar shower, essential features to consider are material, flow rate, temperature control, capacity, portability, and performance.
We tested 10 outdoor solar showers for this guide to determine the best solar shower. We picked showers offering different features and used them in different locations, assessing their heating rate, capacity, flow rate, longevity, and material. Below are our findings:
Best Overall: STEARNS 4 Gallon Solar Shower
What we liked:
✓ Has a thermometer
✓ Easy to carry and hang
✓ Enough water for multiple showers
✓ Switchable showerhead head
What we didn’t like:
✘ Hard to clean and dry
This solar shower offers the best value, performance, portability, usability, and temperature. It is excellent for emergencies when hot water isn’t available.
The built-in thermometer allows you to read temperatures, and the heat-locking material that warms water even on cool days.
The interchangeable shower head can be regulated even with soapy hands and features a strong handle for hanging and carrying. It is also compact and lightweight, making it portable for long distances.
However, the reservoir mouth is small, making it hard to clean and dry.
Best For Summer: Advanced Elements 5 Gallon Summer Shower
CHECK PRICE ON ADVANCED ELEMENTS
What we liked:
✓ Has a temperature gauge
✓ Easy to store
✓ Comes with a toiletry pouch
✓ Has a regulation switch to save water
What we didn’t like:
✘ Requires a high amount of heat
✘ Heavy to carry 5 gallons
This solar shower heats water fast under the summer sun. In direct sunlight, this 5-gallon solar shower can heat up to 110 degrees in less than 3 hours. It is designed with reflector and insulator panels for maximum heat retention and performance.
To use, fill the shower with water, place it under direct sunlight, and you will have your hot shower in no time. The shower has an easy-to-read temperature gauge to tell when your water is ready.
It also comes with a shower hose and an On/Off shower head to help you save water. Its wide-handle grip allows for comfortable transport, while the Velcro straps help to keep the shower hose in place.
What we loved about this solar shower was its ease of storage. When not in use, roll it up and put it away. The shower also has a pouch where you can store toiletries such as mirrors, travel shampoo, and washcloths.
The shower, however, is heavy to carry when full.
Best for Camping: KIPIDA 5 Gallon Solar Shower
What we liked:
✓ It is environmental-friendly
✓ Comes with useful accessories
✓ Easy to store
✓ Has a temperature indicator
✓ Has a switchable shower
What we didn’t like:
✘ Shower hose is short
This is the best solar shower for outdoorsy individuals. We used it while camping, hiking, swimming, and surfing. Whether at the beach or deep in the wild, you can enjoy a hot shower just by tapping some natural light. The shower carries up to 5 gallons of water, allowing multiple showers daily.
The KIPIDA solar shower is eco-friendly and is made with heat-absorbing, leak-proof materials that are safe for humans and the environment.
In direct sunlight, the shower can heat water to 113°F (45°C) in less than 3 hours and comes with a temperature indicator and an interchangeable shower head that adjusts the water current.
The solar shower is lightweight and foldable, making it easy to carry and store. It also includes accessories such as a pouch, hose, and water tap. However, the shower hose could be longer.
Best Ease of Use: Coghlan’s 5 Gallon Solar Heated Camp Shower
What we liked:
✓ Easy to use and hang
✓ Heats water fast
✓ Enough water for multiple baths
✓ Easy to fold and store
What we didn’t like:
✘ Does not come with a pouch
This Coghlan is a 5-gallon solar shower that can easily hang on tree branches or poles outside.
Its compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around even when filled with water. You can carry it on hiking, hunting, fishing, or swimming adventure. You can hang it in your backyard and enjoy a relaxing warm shower under the sun.
To use, fill it with water and place it on a stable surface with the back side exposed to the sun. The bag heats water for about 3 hours and can reach a temperature of up to 48 degrees.
Our team was impressed by the handle design. It has a solid bar that goes over the hooking area, so it does not tear easily. It also offers enough support to hang the shower bag even when full.
However, the water can get too hot, especially on a sunny day. It’s advisable to test it before use. If it’s too hot, you can leave it to cool down or mix it with cold water to achieve the proper temperature.
Best Quality: WEIYII 5 Gallon Solar Shower
What we liked:
✓ It is durable
✓ Eco-friendly
✓ Carries enough water for multiple bathes
✓ Comes with shower accessories
✓ Easy to fold and store
What we didn’t like:
✘ Water temperature cannot exceed 50 degrees
✘ No temperature indicator
The Weiyii is a 5-gallon shower system suitable for indoor showers and outdoor activities such as camping, swimming, and hiking.
To use, hang the shower on a pole, wall, or tree. The bag is strong enough to handle pressure and carries enough water for multiple showers.
The bag is made of non-toxic PVC materials safe for humans and the environment. Its strong handles and strengthened plastic tubes make the shower solid and durable.
In terms of temperature, the shower can heat water up to 45 degrees in less than 3 hours under direct sunlight. We also loved its flow rate. It provides hot pressurized water for washing off dirt after a long day climbing mountains or playing at the beach.
Our team was impressed by the shower bag. It is ultra-lightweight, making it super easy to carry, fold and store. It has a front pocket design for your shower accessories, a removable hose, and an interchangeable shower head to regulate the water flow.
However, the bag cannot heat water beyond 50 degrees without damaging it.
What to Look for in Solar Showers
The following are features to consider when shopping for a solar shower.
Heating Rate
The heating rate of a solar shower bag will determine how fast your water will be ready.
Capacity
The storage capacity defines how much water the shower can hold at a go.
Weight
Whether on a hike or in the desert, you want a shower that is easy to move around.
Quality
Buy a reusable solar shower that can serve you for a long time.
Accessories
A solar shower that comes with add-ons such as a pouch and thermometer saves you money and space.
FAQ Section
Who are solar showers best suited for?
Solar showers are best for frequent travelers, hikers, swimmers, and mountain climbers. In other words, people who are always on the go. They can also be installed at home to save energy or be used when the electric power is out.
What are the different types of solar showers?
There are 3 main types of solar showers: gravity-fed, pressurized, and water pump solar showers. Gravity-fed solar showers are the most popular. They use the power of gravity to deliver the shower experience. To use, you must fill the shower bag with water and hang it a few feet above your head. Gravity will then drive the water down the shower hose and through the showerhead to you.
Pressurized solar showers use pressure to force water through the hose. Two types of these showers are rooftop pressurized solar showers and pressurized container showers. Unlike the gravity-fed shower bag that requires hanging, a pressurized shower container is placed on the ground before hot water is forced down with pressure. The container is sealed with a pump attachment to fill it with air to create pressure. On the other hand, the rooftop pressurized shower features a water tank mounted on a rooftop to absorb heat from the sun.
Lastly, water pump solar showers combine large water storage containers with water pumps to create showers. The storage container is painted black and placed on the rooftop to absorb solar energy while the pump is dipped into the container to create a shower.
How long does it take for a solar shower to warm water?
How fast a solar shower can heat water depends on its bag capacity, material, and ambient temperature. A shower on a sunny day will heat water faster than on a cold day. A 4-gallon solar shower will heat water faster than a 10-gallon shower.
How do you clean a solar shower?
Cleaning a solar shower is easy. All you need is a mixture of warm water and baking soda. To clean, put two tablespoons of baking soda inside the bag, then add about a quarter of warm water. Let it soak for a few minutes, and rinse thoroughly using clean water. Air-dry the inside of the bag before storing it to remove excess moisture.
The outside of the shower bag can be cleaned by hand or using a washing machine.
How often should I clean a solar shower?
Your solar shower should be cleaned after every use before it is put away. Germs love a humid environment. Cleaning the bag regularly will prevent bacterial growth and mold, which can cause foul odors, illness, and lung irritation. Bacteria can also destroy the inside of your shower bag and block the hose.
What are some of the best solar shower brands?
Following this guide, some of the best brands you can choose from are KIPIDA, Advanced Elements, Coghlan’s, and WEIYII.
