The best camping gear of 2026, according to Consumer Reports

Bad camping gear leaves you cold, hungry, or scrambling. Consumer Reports staff judged products on reliability and packability to find the best

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Camping trips can go sideways fast when you show up without the right equipment. A reliable light source, clean water, functional cooking gear, and a comfortable place to sleep are not luxuries. They are the difference between an enjoyable trip and a miserable one. Choosing the wrong products means arriving at a campsite underprepared, which is a harder problem to solve once you're there.

Consumer Reports asked editors and researchers who camp regularly — from car camping in state parks to multi-day backcountry trips — to share the gear they rely on most, covering safety, cooking, and sleep and comfort.

BioLite Luci Original Clear 2.0 Inflatable Solar Lantern

Priced at $29.95, this solar lantern is one of the most portable lighting options Consumer Reports recommends for a campsite. CR editors note that the lantern is inflatable, so it collapses flat for packing and expands when needed. CR found that it produces a soft, dispersed glow with no harsh beam, which makes it well suited for use inside a tent without blinding anyone in the dark. Its solar charging means no batteries to pack or replace.

LuminAid Solar Lanterns

At $25.87, the LuminAid PackLite Nova is the most affordable solar lantern Consumer Reports recommends for camp lighting. CR editors group it with the BioLite Luci as a strong solar lantern option, noting that both inflate for use and collapse flat for packing. CR recommends keeping a dedicated headlamp for hands-free tasks while using the LuminAid for ambient campsite or tent lighting. CR editors point to the solar charging as a practical advantage on........

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