Best Shower Tent & Top Privacy Tent of 2023

One of the challenges of camping is bringing the luxuries of home living out into the wilderness. Fortunately, camping gear today is much more refined than in years past, so it’s easier than ever to stay comfortable outdoors. For example, the best shower tent allows you and your family to keep clean while maintaining privacy.

Usually, a camp shower is an individual bladder, but these tents act as a shower cubicle of sorts. So, you can get clean without worrying about prying eyes. Best of all, some of these tents are highly portable, so you can bring them wherever you go. So, let’s dive in and see what options are available.

If you’re in a rush, the best overall tent is the Core instant shower tent which comes with an additional changing room. For those on a small budget, this tent by Gigatent provides good value for money.

The best shower tents are:

1. Core Instant Shower Tent with Privacy Room – Best Overall Shower Tent
2. NEMO Heliopolis Privacy Shelter – Best Luxury Shower Tent
3. Gigatent Pop-Up Privacy Shower Tent – Best Budget Shower Tent
4. Ozark Trail 2-Room Instant Shower Tent
5. KingCamp Oversize Shower Tent
6. Wolfwise A10 Pop-Up Privacy Tent
7. Wolfwise A20 Pop-Up Privacy Tent
8. Kelty Blockhouse Privacy Shelter

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Best Shower Tents Compared

The primary purpose of buying a shower tent is so that you can stay clean while camping without the risk of anyone seeing you. To that end, this instant tent from Core is the best portable shower tent because it comes with a separate (yet attached) changing room. With other shower tents, you have to put a towel on and go back to your regular tent to change. Now, you can do both in one spot for maximum privacy and efficiency.

This tent also comes with various amenities, such as:

• An integrated towel hanger so that it’s always within reach
• Water-resistant pockets so you can store toiletries in the shower room
• A camping shower so that you don’t have to buy one separately
• Mesh openings at the bottom to allow water to drain

Overall, we like this shower tent because it’s spacious, accommodating, and sets up in minutes. Whether you’re camping by yourself or with your family, everyone will appreciate this product.

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Technically, a shower tent is something of a luxury because you don’t necessarily need one to enjoy the great outdoors. So, if you want to lean into the luxury aspect and buy a high-end tent, the NEMO Heliopolis Privacy Shelter has you covered. This is one of the most durable and resilient shower tents around, but it costs more than twice as much as the next camping shower tent, so keep that in mind.

NEMO also makes high-quality camping showers that deliver relatively robust water pressure and heat. So, if you want the ultimate outdoor shower experience, you can buy both pieces. The other benefit of NEMO’s shower is that it comes with a spray nozzle head for easier washing.

As far as unique features, this tent comes with a hanging lantern, a waterproof paper dispenser, and mildew-resistant flooring. It also comes with an interior zipper-lock so that no one can get in while you’re getting clean.

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When comparing different shower tents, you can either buy something that offers features and amenities or a model that’s quick and painless to set up and tear down. This tent from Gigatent is the latter, thanks to its pop-up design and lightweight material. It’s super easy to bring this tent wherever you go, including camping or day trips to the beach. Just toss the tent onto the ground, and it will set itself up.

One downside of this tent’s speed is the lack of a floor. So, if you’re showering on dirt or sand, your feet will get pretty dirty and muddy. Also, the lightweight fabric does blow over easily in high winds, although it comes with sandbags to help alleviate that problem. Overall, if you’re looking for a quick, portable, and cost-effective option, Gigatent is the best buy. It’s not as valuable as the Core Instant Tent, but it works well for many situations.

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Here we have another two-room shower tent like our Core Instant model. However, user reviews say this tent is not quite as sturdy, particularly when holding up the five-gallon camping shower. Some users have reported the hook breaking when the bag is full. Other than that, this camping shower tent offers plenty of space and privacy inside.

As with the Core tent, you get a built-in towel rack to make drying off even easier and more efficient. Best of all, since you have the changing room, you don’t need to go outside until you’re fully dressed again.

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One of the problems with privacy tents is that they can feel a bit cramped. If you or someone in your group is on the bigger size, you’ll appreciate the dimensions of this camping shower tent. At just over seven feet tall and five feet wide, you have more than enough room to stretch and spread out while showering. Although this tent isn’t quite as helpful as the two-room Core product, it’s still pretty good.

One unique aspect of this privacy tent is the removable floor. This feature allows you to use the tent as a portable restroom or shower, depending on your needs. Also, it’s faster to set up if you don’t need the floor. Otherwise, this tent comes with pockets for your gear and an inside rope to hang your towel.

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Wolfwise has two pop-up privacy tents that work well for most situations, whether you’re camping or heading to the beach for a day. The A10 is the basic model, so it doesn’t have as many add-ons and extra features. However, compared to the Gigatent, it’s a bit more accommodating.

First, this pop-up tent is over six feet tall, so it’s not too cramped for most users. It also comes with a clothesline and a side pocket, although both are outside. So, when drying yourself off, you have to reach out through the top window to get your towel and clothes.

This tent also doesn’t have a floor, which can be a positive and a negative. On the one hand, you can deploy the tent anywhere. But, on the other hand, you might have to worry about dirty or muddy feet after taking a shower.

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If you like the idea of a pop-up tent, but you want something better than the A10 model, we recommend the A20. This model is a bit more expensive than you might expect, but it does have some unique upgrades.

First, the A20 comes with a removable floor mat so that you can use it on all surfaces. Second, it comes with a removable rain fly so that you can stay dry if the weather gets sour. That said, the rain fly doesn’t hold up well in intense rainstorms. Finally, the material is more sun and water-resistant so that the tent will last longer overall.

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Our final shower tent can work well for taller people since it’s the tallest model on this list. However, while this tent does offer privacy and can accommodate a shower bag, it might be a bit too pricey for what you get.

We like the steel poles because they can hold up longer, especially to the wind. The tent also comes with a removable rain fly so that you can stay dry in wet weather. Finally, this model has two ceiling pockets so that you can store your clothes and gear away from the water to keep dry. Otherwise, the tent is pretty heavy and can be tricky to set up, especially when compared to our number one pick from Core.

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Our Rating Criteria

Setup

We value tents that are simple to setup and don’t require a camper to have a master’s degree in engineering to get up and running.

We want setup to be fast, but without having to compromise on the basics. For example, pop-up tents are great for a fast setup, but most of those camping shower tents don’t have a floor, which can be an issue in some locations (i.e. turning campsite dirt into mud).

Instead, we like tents that are fast to assemble but still have all the features and amenities that campers will want and need. That being said, your set up time will increase if your shelter has a separate rainfly, a complex frame, lots of poles, a separate shower mat, or a change room.

Portability

When packing for your next outdoor adventure, you don’t want to get bogged down in nature by bringing a camping shower and accompanying shower tent.

So, lightweight models with carrying cases can make it easier to stay clean. Again, pop up tents offer the best solution, but pop up tents can sometimes lack amenities and sometimes skimp on high quality materials. Fortunately, most of these tents have a carrying case with a handle to make them more portable for camping trips.

Ventilation

Although a camping shower doesn’t generate as much steam as a regular model with plumbing, you still need some excellent ventilation while cleaning yourself.

The best tents have mesh vents at the top and the bottom. Some tents also come with windows in the shower and/or change rooms. Windows and roof vents allow cool air to enter the shower area of the tent, increase bathroom ventilation and prevent condensation. However, if your shower tent is going to have a window on it, clearly you’ll want these to be angled or at a height so that you’re not putting on a show to the whole campsite!

If the privacy tent comes with a separate rainfly, you’ll also want to make sure the fly comes with vents.

The tent vents should be covered by mesh. This is so air can come into the shelter, but bugs stay out!

A good shelter will also having drainage openings along the floor. Drainage will enable water to drain out while showering.

Space

The best shower privacy shelter can accommodate anyone of any size. As a rule, pop-up tents are pretty small, so they can feel cramped for large campers.

We like models that come with lots of shower space and a changing room so that you don’t have to do everything in one spot. There should be a door between the shower and the change room so that the change room isn’t too steamy when you’re getting dressed.

We also like shower tents that have storage space for towels, shampoo, conditioner and other showering gear.

Ease of Use

When talking about ease of use, we’re referring to the various amenities you might find within your shower or privacy tent. Some examples can include:

• Opening for an external shower head
• Dry storage compartments
• Hanging rack or rope for towels
• Hooks for an internal shower bag
• A shower caddy to keep soap, shampoo and conditioner
• Lantern hook
• Locking zippers
• Removable mat in the showering area
• A door between the showering area and the change room

So, the tents that have more amenities will rank higher than those that are basically just four walls and a roof.

We really like tents that come with change rooms. Windows or no windows, often when you finish showering you’ll find the inside of the tent very steamy and the mat covered in water.

Being able to step off the wet mat, through a zippered door, and into a separate change room can make a world of difference. Not only can you fully dry yourself, including your feet, but there is also plenty of space. For example, space for campers to keep towels and clothes.

Camping Shower Quality

Not all shower tents come with a shower bag. As a rule, privacy tent designs never include one because they’re exclusive to showering (for example, you can use a privacy tent to change at the beach).

Typically, the shower bags included are not as great as those you can buy separately. However, they’ll work well for casual use. If you’re out in the woods a lot, you might need to purchase a higher-quality camping shower.

Value for Money

When buying a shower tent, you have to weigh the pros and cons of bringing one along on your next camping trip.

On the one hand, it’s much easier to stay clean, which is vital for longer trips (i.e., a week or more). On the other hand, some models can cost as much as a regular tent, and you don’t have the luxury of sleeping in them.

It’s too much to expect most shower tents to be made of expensive but light ripstop nylon, or strong aluminum poles. Your survival doesn’t depend on a shower tent, after all. Most of these tents are made of polyester and fiberglass poles. These materials might be cheaper, but the best tents on this list have good enough build quality for the poles, frame and fabric to last quite some time.

We like tents that offer lots of amenities for their price. Alternatively, we appreciate affordable tents that can work well for most camping and outdoor situations.

But different people will prefer a different design – would you rather a light privacy shelter, or a privacy shelter with a change room, or even a shelter that comes with a room for a toilet?

What if the Tent Doesn’t Come With a Camping Shower?

There are a couple of ways to use a shower tent without a camping shower included. First, you can buy a camping shower and run the hose through the opening at the top of the tent. Second, you can use the tent with an exterior RV or campsite shower.

In either case, you can utilize the top opening to run a showerhead or hose. If you buy a hanging bag, keep in mind that popup tents are usually not strong enough to hold that much weight. Instead, you have to mount the bag on a tree branch or something similar.

Privacy Tents for showering by Features

Best 2 Room Shower Tent

A changing room is something of a game-changer. A change room allows you to keep your clothes and other gear dry while you’re getting clean, and a door between the areas to avoid steaming up the whole tent. Best of all, tents with two rooms often have locking zippers for one or both of the rooms so that you get extra privacy.

The best two room shower tent is the Core Instant Camping Utility Tent, but the Ozark Trail model is a close second.

Best Pop Up Shower Tent

If you’re talking about value, the Gigatent Pop-Up model is the best deal. However, when it comes to durability and longevity, we prefer the A20 model from Wolfwise, thanks to its removable plastic flooring. Either way, you’ll have more limited space than a full-size shower tent.

Best Portable Shower Tent With a Floor

Pretty much all the non-pop-up tent models have floors, so you have plenty of options. Even the A20 tent from Wolfwise comes with a removable bottom, so you don’t have to worry about getting your feet dirty. But, for our money, we like the Core Instant Tent the best.

Easiest to Use Shower Head

The primary challenge of a camping shower is getting the right amount of water without wasting any. Since you have a limited reservoir, you need to be efficient with your usage. The Core Instant Camping Tent comes with an excellent shower head that shuts off and on quickly. Just push the head up when you don’t want water and pull it down when you do.

Best Camping Shower Tent for Privacy

Once again, we have to go with the Core Instant Tent because of its changing room. However, the KingCamp Shower Tent is a close second because it has more than enough space inside to change without going to a separate section. Otherwise, privacy tents make it hard to do both since your stuff can get wet easily while you’re showering.

The other reason we like the Core tent is that it has a shiny silver interior liner that makes it virtually impossible to see anything.

Best Shower Tent by Situation

Top Shower Tents for Tall Campers

Since you have to shower standing up, you need to ensure that your tent accommodates your height. Here’s a breakdown of the height dimensions of each tent from tallest to smallest:

Shower Tent	Height
Kelty Blockhouse Privacy Tent	86″ (7.1 feet)
KingCamp Shower Tent	85″ (7.08 feet)
Core Instant Tent	84″ (7 feet)
Ozark Trail Shower Tent	84″ (7 feet)
NEMO Heliopolis Tower Tent	84″ (7 feet)
Wolfwise A10 Pop-Up Tent	74.8″ (6.2 feet)
Wolfwise A20 Tent	74.8″ (6.2 feet)
Gigatent Pop-Up Tent	69″ (5.75 feet)

Most Durable Shower Tent in Wind

Since these tents are taller and thinner than a regular tent, you have to worry about the wind knocking them over. The elements to pay attention to include:

• Guy Lines – Tents with actual lines work better than those that just stakes at the corners.
• Frame Material – Aluminum and steel poles are stronger than fiberglass.
• Weight – Lighter tents are easier to carry but also easier to blow over.

We like the NEMO Heliopolis and the Kelty Blockhouse because they both use aluminum frames and guy lines. The runners-up would be the Core Instant Tent or the Ozark Trail Shower Tent.

Easiest Shower Tent to Set Up

Pop-up tents will be the fastest to set up since you just have to toss them onto the ground, and they do the rest. We like the Wolfwise A20 as the best pop-up tent overall, but the Gigatent is faster to set up overall since it doesn’t have a floor.

Most Portable Shower Tent

Portability refers to the size and weight of the tent when it’s packed up. For those reasons, we think the Gigatent is the most portable model at 3.3 pounds. Next would be either Wolfwise tent since they weigh just over four pounds, and you can wear them like a backpack with built-in straps.

FAQs About Shower Tents

Conclusion

So after all that, which tent comes top of the reviews? We like using the Core instant shower tent for camping showers, particularly since it comes with both a showering area and a change room. This gives you space for hanging your towels up on the towel rack.

Happy camping and enjoy the showers!