Camping sinks have become the trendiest must-have. People are trying to avoid using paper plates (well done) and always need extra storage and containers to feed and water pets. But which ones are sturdy enough to do the job while still being packable?
The best camping sinks are:
- Sea To Summit Collapsible Kitchen Sink – Best Overall
- UST FlexWare Collapsible Sink 2.0 – Best Laundry Basket
- Freegrace Collapsible Water Sink Container – Excellent For Fishing
- Wakeman 10L Orange Collapsible Multiuse Bin-Portable Wash Basin – Best Horse Bucket
- 2.4 Gal(9L) Collapsible Dish Basin With Drain Plug – Best Second Sink
- Seattle Sports Outfitter Class Double Pack Sink – Best For Storage
- SumDirect Portable Collapsible Outdoor Wash Basin – Good For Hauling Water
- Sea To Summit Collapsible Ultralight Kitchen Sink – Best Ultralight
- SereneLife Portable Camping Sink – Best Handwashing Station
Scroll right to view all products >
Best Overall  | Best Laundry Basket  | Excellent For Fishing  | Best Horse Bucket  | Best Second Sink  | Best For Storage  | Good For Hauling Water  | Best Ultralight  | Best Handwashing Station  | |
Wakeman 10L Orange Collapsible Multiuse Bin-Portable Wash Basin | |||||||||
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th |
| Rating /5 | |||||||||
| Value For Money | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 2/5 |
| Liters | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Pack Size | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 | 4/5 | 2.5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| 5/5 | |||||||||
| Review | Sea to Summit Collapsible Kitchen Sink is a packable, do-everything travel bucket. With wide, easy-to-grip carry handles, | UST FlexWare Collapsible Sink 2.0 is a versatile basket. Two of these side by side make an efficient wash system, | Freegrace Collapsible Water Sink Container is a clear washbasin that folds so flat it looks like a compressed tote bag. | Wakeman 10L Orange Collapsible Multiuse Bin-Portable Wash Basin is my friend's favorite feed bucket for her horse. | 2.4 Gal(9L) Collapsible Dish Basin with Drain Plug is perfect for people who already have a sink and want to wash veg or have a second basin. | Seattle Sports Outfitter Class Double Pack Sink is essentially a hanging shoe organizer for a closet turned into a double sink. | SumDirect Portable Collapsible Outdoor Wash Basin is an excellent camping bucket. The straps are big and durable. | Sea to Summit Collapsible Ultralight Kitchen Sink is the ultralight version of their collapsible basin. | SereneLife Portable Camping Sink is excellent for people who want a handwashing station. |
Best Camping Sinks Compared
Let’s face it: the best camping sink depends on your camping style. For example, the best one for an ultralight backpacker might not meet the requirements of a family of five with toddlers. Thus, we’ve rounded up a variety of the best sinks to meet a various camping needs.
Sea to Summit Collapsible Kitchen Sink
Pros
- Carry handles
- Collapsible
- Can hold hot water up to 140 F (60 C)
- Stiffening ring to prevent collapse when full
- Handy zip bag with drainable holds
- Durable
Cons
- No stand or table
- No drain
Sea to Summit Collapsible Kitchen Sink is a packable, do-everything travel bucket. With wide, easy-to-grip carry handles, you can haul water to use it where you need it, be it washing the dishes, the dog, or yourself. Also, thanks to the stiffening ring, it doesn’t collapse when full (huge camping pet peeve).
The sink keeps water where it belongs with its incredibly durable 70D fabric and TUP laminated taped seams. It is tough enough to handle mild soaps and detergents (skip the bleach) and withstands temperatures up to 140 F (60 C). Yet, despite being so well made, it’s incredibly affordable.
It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a bucket/sink combo to take on casual backpacking trips. But even those looking for a more traditional sink will find this useful as a spare bucket for washing babies or a drinking bowl for pets. Choose how much you want to pack, as it comes in three sizes: 5L, 10L, and 20L.
UST FlexWare Collapsible Sink 2.0
Pros
- Affordable
- Packs flat, to only 2 inches high
- Can hold hot water up to 140 F (60 C)
- Excellent shape for a laundry basket
Cons
- The sticker on the bottom is a pain to remove
- Handles are not comfy and seem a bit flimsy
- No stand
UST FlexWare Collapsible Sink 2.0 is a versatile basket. Two of these side by side make an efficient wash system, one to soak and scrub, the other to rinse. The handy size is easy to park on the drainboard in an RV, to provide a second tub. The thermoplastic rubber handles up to 140 F, too.
The durable picnic basket style makes it brilliant for taking to the beach, using as a laundry basket, or transporting wet surfing and swim gear. While not a cooler, you could throw ice and stick drinks in it without fear the melting cubes will get water everywhere.
Unfortunately, the handles are not the most comfortable when lugging a full load of water. Lastly, it does not arrive ready to use. Some genius slapped a big old sticker on the bottom that will flake and cause a mess if you don’t remove it. Getting it off takes fortitude and tenacity.
Freegrace Collapsible Water Sink Container
Pros
- Good handles
- Folds down nice and compact
- Handy mesh pocket
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons
- The square shape sends water sloshing when carrying
- Take care not to tear the material
- Seals are not as robust as some other brands
- No stand
Freegrace Collapsible Water Sink Container is a clear washbasin that folds so flat it looks like a compressed tote bag. If desired, you could stick this thing in a large laptop bag with your device. Popping it open and setting it up is a cinch, with support rods to ensure it holds its shape.
The affordable basin holds plenty of water, nearly 18 liters (4.7 gallons), big enough to let some fish swim inside. You could also throw ice into it to keep drinks chilled. But if you want to use it for washing, it can handle high temperatures, just under boiling. The net bag is useful for holding a sponge and brush.
However, despite the handy, fat handles, the basin does best if water is poured into it from a second bucket rather than lugged. The square shape is awkward when walking, so water easily sloshes out. Also, the material is not the most robust when it is moved around.
Wakeman 10L Orange Collapsible Multiuse Bin-Portable Wash Basin
Pros
- Durable – horse tested
- Inexpensive
- Packs down nicely
- Perfect shape for an ice bucket
- Handles hot water
Cons
- No handles
- No stand
- Doesn’t work for large dishes
Wakeman 10L Orange Collapsible Multiuse Bin-Portable Wash Basin is my friend’s favorite feed bucket for her horse. Says it is the only thing she’s tried the animal hasn’t managed to break. Thus, if you were looking for a camping trough for your pets, this is fabulous.
As a wash basin for dishes, it’s fine, but it can’t handle bigger plates. It’s a nice size for scrubbing underwear and socks. But its shape makes it perfect as an ice bucket for a bottle of wine or two. Ideal for patio entertaining when you’re at the “can’t have anything breakable outside” stage of parenting.
The size makes it possible to strap it to a backpack if you are so inclined. But honestly, this one is so handy you’ll probably find it useful just to have around your house.
2.4 Gal(9L) Collapsible Dish Basin with Drain Plug
Pros
- Drain plug
- Holds plenty of dishes
- Sturdy
Cons
- Doesn’t pack down as well as others
- No stand
2.4 Gal(9L) Collapsible Dish Basin with Drain Plug is perfect for people who already have a sink and want to wash veg or have a second basin. It’s sturdy and has a no-slip. Best of all, it has a drain.
But if you are camping without an RV, it might feel awkward. Sure, it has handles. But they’re best for lifting in and out of a basin, not hauling water. Also, that last .8 inches over the 2-inch packability makes more of a difference than it sounds. It simply doesn’t slip into those handy nooks of extra space.
However, if you are hanging it on the wall or just parking it behind your RV’s sink, it’s great. Also, wonderful to have in the shower stall to soak the clothing you’d rather not have displayed in your sink.
Seattle Sports Outfitter Class Double Pack Sink
Pros
- It’s lightweight for its size
- Excellent towel organizer
- Excellent kitchen organizer
Cons
- No stand
- Awkward
- No plug
- Messy to empty
Seattle Sports Outfitter Class Double Pack Sink is essentially a hanging shoe organizer for a closet turned into a double sink. Thus, this is an excellent buy if you are looking for versatile camping storage for a shower tent or your kitchen area that, in a pinch, can be used to wash dishes.
What our rating system fails to reflect on this product is how awkward the double sink is to use. There is no drain, which many do not have. But it isn’t such a big deal if you use two tubs side by side. With this one, if you have to empty one half, you must unload it all. One word: messy.
The all-in-one double system also raises the chances of it ripping when trying to use it with water. Nor can you haul water in it. Yes, it is lightweight and packs much smaller than a double sink with a stand. But its not an easy system for its advertised use.
Our advice: if you want camping storage that can hold water when in a pinch – fantastic. But if you want a stand-free double sink, buy two containers.
SumDirect Portable Collapsible Outdoor Wash Basin
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent carry handles
- Good for hauling water
- Handles up to 158 F (70 C)
Cons
- Doesn’t have any support to hold the rim shape
- No drain
- No stand
SumDirect Portable Collapsible Outdoor Wash Basin is an excellent camping bucket. The straps are big and durable. Thus, you can easily haul water with this, although only fill it 75% of the way, or you’ll get wet. It can also handle high temps (158 F/70 C).
It is super lightweight, so while it doesn’t fold quite as small as it should for something with so little structural support, it is perfect for taking a motorcycle or equestrian camping. The mouth is wide enough for the horse to drink out of or, if you are sore, stick your feet into for a soak.
What it isn’t brilliant for is washing dishes. The lack of structural support, especially around the rim, makes it a fiddly process. The less-than-ideal might be worth it, though, if you are a backpacker, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or equestrian. For other campers, this is excellent for filling your camping sink.
Sea to Summit Collapsible Ultralight Kitchen Sink
Pros
- Ultralight
- Durable despite the thin material
- Packs small
- Good handles
- Wide mouth so you can get dishes in
Cons
- No stand
- Harder to keep shape than the heavier version
- Pricey
Sea to Summit Collapsible Ultralight Kitchen Sink is the ultralight version of their collapsible basin. The 30D Ultra-Sil Cordura nylon is not as durable as their 70D, but this is a like-for-like comparison. When set against similar models from other brands, this sink is robust, especially in the seams where so many others fail.
It has a reinforced rim and broader base to help it keep its shape and not tip over. However, it has a bit more of a learning curve due to the thinner fabric. The wider style also makes hauling water a little more awkward than your standard bucket shape.
But if you need to pack light and tight, be it backpacking or motorcycle camping, it compacts the most while still providing 10 liters. Finding this type of durability in your ultralight buckets is nearly impossible, hence the slightly higher cost.
SereneLife Portable Camping Sink
Pros
- It looks like a sink
- It acts like a sink
- Supplies as much water as you hook it up to
Cons
- No counter
- Base is small for its height
- Clunky to pack
- Fiddley to put together
SereneLife Portable Camping Sink is excellent for people who want a handwashing station. Thus, if you are having a big cookout with friends, people will love being able to wash rather than use hand sanitizer. Ditto if you are running a campground and want to provide a nice hygiene station.
But this thing is not easy to put together and take back down. Once you achieve assembling glory, you’ll want at least a week until you face the deconstruction battle. In addition, you’re going to need to weigh the base down, as it isn’t big enough to composite for its height.
Lastly, this is not the best sink for doing dishes. You would be better off with a table style where you can pile dishes on the side. Also, the base isn’t sturdy enough to handle lots of weight in the basin. It’s going to wobble as you wash and possibly tip over.
What Makes A Great Camping Sink?
Camping sinks must serve their purpose. It isn’t so much if it has a stand, but if the buyer needs one. Thus, we looked at features relative to the need a sink is trying to fill:
- Value for money
- Weight
- Pack Size
- Durability
Value For Money
Value for money doesn’t mean it is cheap. We compare what you paid with what you are getting. Sometimes it is worth paying slightly more if it means it will last you through the summer and beyond.
Weight
We rated the weight relative to the sink’s purpose. Obviously, a sink with a built-in stand will weigh more than a backpacker’s 10 L ultralight. But even a sink with a built-in stand shouldn’t require the combined muscle of an NFL team to set it up.
Pack Size
Like weight, the pack size is relative to the sink’s purpose. How small can it get relative to its size and weight? So yes, we expect a stink with a stand to take up more space than a collapsible bucket. But, on the other hand, there’s only so much packing space, even when hauling a trailer.
Durability
Camping gear needs to be tough. It doesn’t matter if it can fold up small; it should be durable enough to last the summer and, ideally, many more. After all, we don’t want our campsites to turn into landfills for our old portable sinks.
Conclusion
When it comes to camping sinks, the easiest solutions are to use two independent containers side-by-side. But of course, you must have the packing space to make that feasible.