There’s a very simple argument for having a car camping setup separate from your usual backpacking kit: Comfort.
REI has a full selection of gear that provides cushier sleeping arrangements and home-like accessories such as cookware and camp games to let you relax outdoors. As you’ll see, REI Co-op also makes gear that ranks highly (or atop) several of our Best Of roundups.
Read on for some of our favorite car camping options on the market.
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Camp Lodging
Backpacking tents and sleeping bags make design choices that prioritize packability and a lighter weight. Car camping tents don’t skimp on zippers, roominess, or comfort. That often translates to lower-than-expected prices, too.
Having a separate car-camping kit for the essentials may seem like excess, but it means you’re less likely to wear out your more technical and pricier backpacking gear.
REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent: $489
The larger six-person version topped our list of the Best Camping Tents, but this four-person version is a good option for smaller groups. It’s unabashedly a frontcountry tent with a floor area of 59 square feet and steep walls that create 63 inches of headroom at peak height.
This two-door freestanding tent is easy to set up, has two generous vestibules, and performs well in all kinds of weather.
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REI Co-op Westward Dreamer Self-Inflating Bed: $199
Our pick for the best budget camping mattress, the REI Co-op Westward Dream Self-Inflating Bed, is plush, with 4 inches of sculpted foam that provides both cushion and warmth. Its 6.7 R-value is just shy of the average (7) we commonly see in camping mattresses, and is insulating enough for nearly year-round use. ‘
The dual inflation and deflation valves are simple, but the included pump sack will inflate the bed in roughly 3.5 fills. We also like the duffel-style carry bag, and that it comes with a repair kit.
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Hest Foamy Sleeping Pad (Regular): $329
The HEST Foamy sleeping pad is made with two layers of enhanced memory foam, with a softer top layer that contours to the body. Open-cell foam insulation helps this pad achieve its 8.8 R-value, which is warm enough for year-round use. Waterproof fabric on the bottom of the mattress helps keep moisture out of the foam.
This pad is pretty hassle-free. There’s no pump needed; you just unroll the pad and let it rebound into its plush shape. The pad rolls up and has a compression harness and straps to make it easy to cinch down. We also like the machine-washable cover and stash pocket at the head of the mattress to keep items like glasses and a smartphone within reach.
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REI Co-op Campwell Cot: $120
REI Co-op’s Campwell collection is full of smart, budget-friendly gear. The Campwell Cot is no exception, and it made our list of the Best Camping Cots because of its bang-for-the-buck performance.
The cot sets up in less than two minutes and offers 18 inches of ground clearance, which feels more like the bed at home. Our reviewers found it hit the mark for summer sleeping, though they recommend using a minimal pad with it in colder months. It packs up impressively sleek into its carrying case with a shoulder strap, as you’d find with a camping chair.
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REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 & Double Sleeping Bag: $146-269
The REI-Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 is a cozy and capable sleeping bag that performs in most camping conditions at an incredible price. That’s why it’s our favorite overall camping bag.
Mummy bags have their place, but their close fit is more for insulation in cold temperatures. Come summer car camping season, embrace a roomier rectangular construction that lets you roll over more easily. You can still find classic-style bags with temperature ratings down to 20 degrees, and this one unzips to give your torso plenty of airflow and freedom to move on warm nights.
The Siesta is available as a single or a double bag and is a true car-camping bag, so it’s not the most compact. Our testers appreciated the hooded design and especially the mini side zipper that lets you fold down the top section of the bag for a “bed-like” feel.
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Camp Kitchen
When car camping, there’s no need to eat from the same cup you drink from. And you can bring seating that’s more comfortable than the nearest log. Car camping also means it’s easy to drink cold beverages and eat fresh food. So embrace that you’re outside but not “roughing it” and consider the utility of a well-stocked camp kitchen and a proper table setting.
Coleman Snap ‘N Go 35-Quart Collapsible Hard Cooler: $200
Not everyone has the space for a huge rotomolded cooler, especially at home when it’s not in use. That’s where the collapsible design of this Coleman cooler comes in.
In a matter of seconds, the 35-quart cooler can be expanded and ready to carry up to 64 cans (without ice). The body and lid are fully insulated, enabling it to keep ice cold for 2 days. A removable liner keeps it watertight and makes it easy to clean.
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Oyster Tempo Cooler Bundle: $495
For longer trips and campouts, consider the Oyster Tempo Cooler Bundle. It’s a more premium option that gets a ton of love from GearJunkie editors who have used it on all kinds of trips and appreciate its no-ice performance.
The lightweight cooler (12 pounds, 4.8 ounces) performs with bulkier competitors thanks to its aluminum build, and ThinWall patented DLTA vacuum-insulated design. With the two included ice packs, the cooler keeps deep-cold temperatures (three times that of competitors) and has a capacity of 36 cans. This bundle includes a cooler, two ice packs, and a flexible carry strap.
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Gerber ComplEAT XL Tableware Set: $70
Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you can’t set the table. This 12-piece tableware set from Gerber nests together perfectly for compact storage and transport to your next camping trip or next family picnic.
The ComplEAT XL Tableware set includes four plates, four bowls, a 5-quart mixing bowl, a 10-cup mixing bowl, a colander, and a snap-on lid. Each bowl has volumetric markings and oversized edges for a one-handed grip. The set nests together for compact storage. The recycled polypropylene material is easy to clean at camp and is dishwasher-safe once home.
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Coghlan’s Cast-Iron Double Broiler: $37
With a slotted design that lets grease drain and an open-hinged design for easy cleaning, the Coghlan’s Cast-Iron Double Broiler has a hinged design and slotted sides that drain cooking juices from hot dogs and veggies. The whole assembly is easy to clean and adds a fun dynamic to grilling over a fire.
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Campsites often serve as a basecamp after full days on trails or the lake, and that’s why you’ll want to make the most of the space with comfort-minded furniture, utilitarian tables, and some games. Weight savings isn’t paramount for car camping, but you can still expect well-designed gear with thought-out features.
Zempire Kitpac Pro Standard Camping Table: $140
A lot of campsites have picnic tables, but we still find it’s great to have a more portable option that can transition from service as a food prep table by the grill to an extra surface for card games afterward.
The Zempire Kitpac Pro Standard Camping Table is lightweight, compact, and easy to set up to just the right height with legs that adjust from 15.7 inches to 25.6 inches. It has a natural bamboo tabletop that’s hygienic and heat-resistant, and an aluminum frame with stainless steel joints.
This camp table is also versatile, with drop-down panels and under-table brace supports that slide over to support them. Its four-panel folding design makes it easy to pack into a carry bag.
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NEMO Stargaze Evo-X Folding Reclining Camp Chair: $180
A more relaxed take on the camp chair, this is our favorite for reclining and looking for constellations. The new auto-deploying frame makes setup easier than previous models and has a sturdier frame to support the whole “hammock-like experience.”
You can read more in our review, which noted, “The Stargaze EVO-X is not so much a camping chair, but rather a wilderness throne.”
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Outside Inside Backpack Cornhole Game: $40
This cornhole setup includes two game boards, eight bean bags, and a carry bag. It’s a compact, travel-sized version of the game that works on a tabletop or the ground for playing at camp or at home.
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Goal Zero Yeti 500 Power Station: $500
Bring power to the campsite with the portable and outdoor-ready Yeti 500 Power Station. It has 500W AC power output with 1,000W surge capability, which can run heavy-draw gear like air pumps, portable fridges, and pellet grills. Of course, it’ll charge a few smartphones and headlamps at the same time.
The Yeti 500 can charge from 0% to 100% in 85 minutes from a wall outlet. It can also charge from a car’s 12V adapter or via a compatible solar panel (sold separately). Upgraded battery tech boosts this power station’s lifespan to more than 4,000 cycles, which amounts to about 10 years of daily use.
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Nomadix Easy Chair: $80
Nomadix is leaning into the beach vibes this summer with several new releases, but we really like the simplicity of this backpack-carry chair. The chair itself has tough webbing made from recycled materials and sturdy bamboo armrests.
For hands-free transport, the chair buckles closed to stay folded while you carry it on your shoulders with the built-in straps.
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Nebula Capsule 3 Google TV Projector: $400
We get it, it’s the great outdoors, but it’s a way to enjoy a family movie before tucking the little ones away. This Google-compatible mini projector has enough juice to screen a 2.5-hour movie or play 8 hours of music in speaker mode.
The projector has a 1,080p resolution with 200 lumens of brightness for a sharp image. An adaptive technology will screen fit and autofocus for a quick setup. It even uses Dolby Digital audio. Away from camping, it makes for a fun backyard movie night or a way to watch the big game outside.
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REI Co-op sponsored this post. Find more car camping gear online.
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