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21 May 2024

Camping checklist: Your ultimate camping essentials checklist – with a few added luxuries

Forget collapsing tents and soggy groundsheets – go back to nature in style with the Which? camping checklist

Chris BrookesResearcher & writer

With the summer about to get into its stride, now is the perfect time to enjoy a few nights under the stars with family or friends.

We've put together a checklist for camping that includes all the essentials and – if you're more of a glamper than a camper – a few items that will help add a touch of luxury to your next trip.

Read on to find our camping checklist recommendations or click on the links below if you're searching for something specific.

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What should I pack for camping?

The best tent

The best tents we’ve tested are comfortable, spacious and provide superb weather resistance. They’re also easy to pitch and put away, so you won’t be left in frustration battling with fly sheets in the pouring rain.

You should look for a tent with plenty of indoor space, flexible sleeping compartments, awnings and canopies. A mallet may be useful to help you assemble it, particularly if the ground is hard. Some tents come with a blackout layer to reduce the chances of you being woken at the crack of dawn. Plenty of storage space will also help you keep your tent clutter-free, but it's worth bringing a small brush or a cloth along to keep it clear of dirt and crumbs.

Some people prefer to avoid the intricacies of tent assembly altogether, and our tests have uncovered the best pop-up tents that provide excellent weather protection (perfect if the British summertime doesn’t play ball).

When buying tents, a good rule of thumb is to go for one that's claimed to sleep one more person than you need. If you're a family of four, for example, we'd recommend going for a five-person tent.

You can compare prices on tents we've tested from some of the most popular brands and retailers below or visit our reviews of the best tents and the best pop-up tents:

For an added touch of magic, you could even illuminate your tent with these best outdoor lights – perfect for finding your way back to your pitch on a busy site in the dark.

The best sleeping bags and air beds

It’s not a luxury camping trip if you’re left tossing and turning all night and wake up groggy the next morning.

The best sleeping bags are not only comfortable - they retain heat, are easy to get in and out of and straightforward to pack away.

We looked at all of these factors in our reviews and we also looked at how easy they are to clean - while some were machine washable, others were dry clean only.

If you want to amp up the luxury even further, an air bed could help you nod off.

While it may be possible to access electricity at your campsite, we would suggest looking for options that can be inflated manually. Read our reviews of the best air beds to find those that are suitable for camping.

Below, you can compare prices on a selection of our tested air beds and sleeping bags from some of the most popular brands and retailers:

The best camping chairs

A set of camping chairs is also a good call if you want to unwind at the end of a day in the great outdoors.

Our tests on the best camping chairs look at durability, the ease of folding and unfolding and how long they take to dry out if there's a sudden downpour.

Go for a chair with solid arms if you struggle to get up and down and bear in mind padded chairs, though seemingly more comfortable, can take longer to dry. Make sure they can go under some cover in a heavy downpour.

You can compare prices on some of the most popular chairs we've tested below:

The best camping stoves and cooking equipment

The best camping stoves are lightweight, portable and stable. Our tests also looked at which ones are the easiest to use and the quickest to heat up.

While most stoves took around five minutes to boil 500ml of water, we did find some were easier to use and more portable than others. You can find out which ones by reading our reviews.

Our reviews of the best barbecues list several portable options - both charcoal and electric. We rate how well they cook and how easy they are to transport. Just check your site's rules on barbecuing before you light up.

Or, as another option for cooking meals, our tests found several of the best pressure cookers would work on camping trips. Look for small, stovetop options that are easy to transport.

Don't forget matches or a reliable lighter to help you get your cooking going and fuel - whether gas or charcoal - for cooking with.

Below, you can compare prices on the pieces of kit we've tested from some of the most popular brands:

To make sure you have chilled food and drink ready to go, we've tested the best cooler bags for picnics for insulation, durability and portability.

It's worth packing a reusable water bottle, particularly if you're planning on going on walks and excursions. We've rated 18 of the best reusable water bottles on the market, looking at ease of use and how well they prevent spills and keep drinks cool. And if you have little ones with you, we’ve also tested the best kids’ water bottles.

Don't forget to bring things like travel mugs, cutlery, durable plates and cookware. If you are likely to have bottles or tins with you, don't forget to bring openers. A few bin bags, to help you tidy your pitch, are also a handy addition.

The best outdoor clothing

Drenched feet and sodden socks don't make for happy camping. For day hikes and longer treks, you’ll need a set of the best walking boots. Interestingly, some of the best-known brands we tested scored poorly for water resistance in our survey.

We also carried out surveys of the best waterproof jackets, where our research found a highly-rated jacket brand that costs an average of £200 less than its priciest rival.

And if you're looking for a backpack for your trip, our backpack buying guide includes tips on how to find the right frame to fit you and the most suitable ones for longer camping trips.

The best torches and tech for camping

Finally, you may not want to be without some of your gadgets for your trip.

We've reviewed the best cheap power banks, including some for less than £20, but you will probably need to pay more to keep a range of gadgets going for a whole weekend.

You'll also need a battery-powered or rechargeable torch you can rely on.

We've tested bestsellers from LED Lenser, Maglite, Nebo, Energizer and more, spending nights outside in the dark measuring beams, brightness and battery life. Read our reviews of the best torches to find a Great Value option that cost less than £15.

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