The Hunt for the Perfect Portable Van Life Shower: 3 Options Reviewed!

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In today's video, we've put three affordable portable shower options to the test to find the best bang for your buck. Can these USB and 12V portable showers handle the demands of van life? Stay tuned as we explore these 3 options and discover which portable shower offers the best value.
AMAZON LINKS:
➡️12V Outdoor Shower
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➡️KEDSUM Portable Shower
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➡️Ivation Portable Camping Shower
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➡️G4Free Shower Tent
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➡️Wolfwise Shower Tent
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➡️Anngrowy Shower Tent
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Thanks for watching!

[@uriahhudson7117]

I'm a truck driver and I use a pump sprayer and a fold up bath tub I got off Amazon! I literally take baths in my truck sleeper!

[@davidfuller764]

Amazon fold up bathtub sounds interesting. Thank you.

[@purpletam5900]

What fold up bath do you use? I've been looking at them for a long time. Some apparently have problems. I'd like to get one big enough to get into.

[@uriahhudson7117]

@@purpletam5900 W WEYLAN TEC Large Foldable Bath Tub

[@OverlandOne]

I have been on the road for 7 months now in my camper van and I still swear by Bobs idea of a garden sprayer painted flat black so it heats in the sun to about 100 degrees in a few hours. The pressure spray does a great job of cleaning and, since I use Dr Bronners biodegradable soap, there are no issues about using it in the woods. Hard to improve upon perfection...just my opinion.

[@yogibeer9319]

I use a pump garden sprayer. I take the long wand off and use the trigger part. It hardly uses any water and you get clean. You can get two or three showers out of a couple gallons of water. It’ll only run you about $10 or $15 bucks for sprayer too

[@jazziered142]

This is my plan.

[@chuck1011212]

I was in the Philippines last month and experienced my first 'bucket shower' which is typical daily life for most locals there. Parts: 5 gallon Bucket and a plastic dipper that is about the size of a 2 cup measuring cup. Dip the plastic dipper into the 5 gallon bucket a few times to get wet. Wash with soap and then dip into the bucket a few times to rinse. Zero moving parts to break and works perfect every time. -Now, even there where the weather is hot, the water is cold. The locals do not warm the water, but I could not take it, so my solution was to heat a kettle full of water in order to have a luke warm bucket shower once the boiling kettle water was dumped into the 5 gallon bucket water. The locals see this as a waste of resources to warm the water of course.

[@Mhel2023]

when I spend the weekend at my friend's farm (I'm retired in the Phils) I use the bucket and tabo scoop. The water is cold lol but I'm clean afterwards.... and when they wash by the well or in a public area, they'll just wear shorts, or biking shorts and sport bra

[@kimprocarione5473]

I liked the least expensive one, for a change! 😅 One less cord and battery to keep track of! I loved that you can adjust it and the length and spray pattern and the tilt of the head. It would have been perfect for my Dodge Caravan with the plug at the back! Awesome! Thank you so much, Bob!

[@scottwright388]

I agree, and it looked like it had the best water pressure.

[@101perspective]

I just use one of those 56 oz garden sprayers. Cost me like $9 I think to buy. I just give it a few hand pumps and it is good to go. You can even lock it into the "on" position and place it on something like the top of your van so you don't have to be holding it. I don't have a shower space so usually I just put on some swimming trunks and then use the sprayer outside the van at some secluded spot.

[@SheDreamsOfFreedom5]

Hi Bob. I just started watching this video. My mother taught me to take sponge baths in between showers and I still do that to this day. I often use cold water, no matter what season it is. I'm used to it. If none of those items are available and you absolutely must bathe in hot water, I'd say just heat some water over a campfire and wash with that. Now I'll finish watching the video.😊

[@authordebradickinson]

Reminds me of the video Bob and I did back in the day when we compared pumps while bathing my dog Bentley, who has since passed. Great update and good information. Thx Bob et al.

[@kristenvincent3622]

It’s nice to have a real shower every week or two… especially if you have long hair. I just used a shower bag and kettle heating the water for four years, but these would be a huge improvement ! Biggest advantage I see is not having to hoist the bag up high enough to get my hair wet using gravity.

[@jamesconnell323]

I wet myself, drop the shower head in the bucket ( to keep the flow going without wasting water ) and then I get it out and rinse off. 100 degree water in the winter months. Showering inside my warm Cargo Camper in winter months.

[@morphergaming0531]

Your comment was the solution to several issues I was thinking through. Thx❤

[@littlebitofhope1489]

The comment above you said they bought a shower head that turns of for 13 USD.

[@antoniobaez6282]

How are you heating your water?

[@jamesconnell323]

@@antoniobaez6282 Yeah, I have a concrete mixing tub I stand in and when finished I slide it down my ramp door to empty into a container or when using bio soaps, on the ground when in the middle of no where.

[@jamesconnell323]

@@jeffj-ChallengeFlagBlunder Yes, I warm it up and have a meat thermometer to check the water temp to get it just right. In the summer it can be just air temp and in the winter, 100 degrees or so. What ever temp you want.

[@wesmuise4506]

With the 12 volt shower your time should be 1 minute 37 seconds because you slowed and shut the water off for 20 seconds on your clock, so time wise it is comparable and like you said being able to shut the water off mean a five minute shower is possible😎

[@ChrisW228]

I purchased screw-on shower heads that are sized for bottles. I can screw it on a water bottle, two liter bottle, etc., and when I turn it over and squeeze - shower.

[@Gardner_for_Eden]

I recently started using a 40 gallon tote as a bath tub. Total game changer. Amazing. Uses up to 5 gallons of water. 2 gallons go on the stove and the rest gets heated from the stove water in the tub. Can be done indoors with very little mess.

[@mikam8801]

Interesting!

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

What's a tote?

[@alaimie]

@@g-r-a-e-m-e-a huge storage bin like a 40 gallon Rubbermaid bin, black with a yellow lid

[@richardleach1706]

The ability to it off to save water is key for me.

[@astrocalm812]

I have had the ivation and the 12 volt. The ivation battery stopped functioning at a critical time! I like the 12 volt’s controllability and I take a small Bluetti or such to use the 12 volt anywhere at camp if not near my van. If we can heat water for coffee or cocoa, we are very close to a warm shower! I have noticed that if campers cannot have a shower, they will head home much more quickly, especially if they have been in hot conditions. Showers help you say out, happily, longer.

[@cartgamerytcarter5729]

I live in a family house for free but I gotta do the repairs 😃and 😢. I used that orange shower thingy for four months while I solved a plumbing disaster. Worked just fine.

[@wrylife57]

I just bought one to use in my house as I am living in my own plumbing disaster at this moment.

[@SheDreamsOfFreedom5]

I think I would save the shower nozzle thingy for the hair. But I'd do the sponge bath first.

[@tennesseeterri]

Bob, thank you for doing this comparison.

[@catpatrick3838]

Replace the shower head with one you can turn off. With the press of a button you spray water on you and press the button to stop the water while you soap up. They are pretty universal as far as attaching to the hose. I got one on Amazon for $13 USD (Genmaigou is the brand - not sponsored) and attached it to the hose that came with my USB rechargeable pump (the one I bought has two external batteries that stay out of the water so backup if one bites the dust). I don't turn off the pump, just press the button on the shower head. Takes less than 1/2 gallon to shower, a gallon to 1 1/2 gallons if washing my hair too (I have long hair). 😊

[@usaman7358]

Do those kitchen type spay nozzles that automatically go off when you take your THUMB off the trigger work on these type showers??? Those 2 showers here shown that you cannot shut off with one hand, right there at the head, seems like a huge fail if one cannot easily and effortlessly just lift ones thumb and have the water shut off.

[@stuartstuart866]

I have used a pressurized container, battery operated and gravity fed showers. I much prefer gravity. Gravity never runs out of power or suffers mechanical failure. I use thicker silicone tubing to prevent kinking and a plastic shower head. A cement mixing tub from Lowe’s or Home Depot can be used to catch the water.

[@user-mi1it2ii6d]

I've used a plastic cup (any fast-food) for years.❤

[@livinMicro]

couldn't help but notice the stream/spray of the 12v on was better when lifted up a distance above the bucket. So it had better flow at water column hieght as compared to the others. You can see this by noting the amount and force it sprayed onto your ambulence as compared to the others... Cheapest for the win!!!

[@offairhead]

12:13 thanks for testing these out so we know what to expect.

[@soggynomadpress]

I use a 1 gal clear water jug (2 if hair needs washed) that I set out in the sun for the day to get warm and then pour over me. It is very simple, but this is tempting for the spray v pouring. I like the 12v for the ability to adjust spray. Thanks for the info!

[@littlebitofhope1489]

Paint the outside of the jug black, and it gets warmer even faster.

[@tennesseeterri]

I would like the $20 shower simply because there is no battery to charge up. Eventually the battery will wear out and have to be replaced. I also like the idea that the $20 shower has an adjustable water flow. Could you do a comparison on the garden sprayer pump bottles in comparison with other ways to shower?

[@RLeeVanCamps]

Great information as usual. For shower head that does not turn off just put it back in the water bucket till you need it again. Just recirculating the water and no waste 😊

[@wrylife57]

Another great product comparison video. I just ordered the 12v unit on Amazon (about $25 with tax) as it will fit my needs perfectly. It's the first 12v I've seen, and I wouldn't know about it without this video. You are doing a great service for the community--thank you Bob and crew!

[@coalregionrider6525]

Check out the Big Kahuna showers. They are 12 volt and come in different sizes.

[@mark_osborne]

Great job- thanks Bob ~!

[@cotter9751]

I hadn't thought of a shower for my van excursions. But maybe it would be pleasant to let some water warm in the sun, and be able to rinse off after a hot sweaty hike. Thanks for the comparisons!

[@FlipMacz]

Cool ... Cup works tho. The hard part is finding water.

[@karinhart489]

I’ve had the Kedsum for several years, use it in a 2.5 gallon square collapsible dishpan (square instead of rectangle so it is deeper for holding the pump & being able to use more of the water in pan). I have a 1 litter 12v kettle that I use to heat up water, which I mix in dishpan to get a 1:2 ratio of hot to cold water to make it at my preferred temperature. Pro tip: if you are heating water while doing other chores, put the liter of hot water in a wide mouth thermos to keep it warm until you want to shower. Safe travels.

[@njanderson4342]

Thanks Bob

[@CoViN88]

Thanks for continuing to make these videos, Bob. They are extremely helpful to me as I build my van.

[@erinmuetz8771]

Thank you!

[@nabobgreen2070]

I am currently building a shower out of a black 13 gal oil drain that should also collect rainwater when intended oil drain is open.

[@todyoung3474]

As anybody showering regularly outdoors knows, shower frequency, length and effectiveness depend on your water supply. The more pressure your device generates, the more enjoyable your showers will be, the cleaner you'll get, and the faster you'll run out of water. My current 12V model uses water slightly faster than these. Five gallons in three minutes. Great shower but tough on the water budget. If getting more water means breaking camp, I sometimes reach for the garden sprayer instead, because I know I can at least do spot cleaning with less than a gallon.

[@thevideostump46239]

I had the Kedsum for a few years now, works great for camping and in emergencies "like if your pipes freeze"😮😒 because someone didn't let a tiny stream run overnite in the bathroom..🤫. My wife and I can take showers on one charge and 7 gals. of water! I'm 5'11 and a fat guy, so it does just fine. Oh yeah, for camping I use the Lightspeed Pop-up Shower Shelter (4'wx7'h)...

[@davec9244]

thank you going 12 volt.no battery, cheap and easy stay safe ALL.

[@calci2679]

I need this video. Thank you!

[@cliffordmeberg1443]

The 12 volt one is definitely the best option for pressure and control.

[@supafly136]

Kickass my friend!

[@user-mz6sh2xr7f]

Thanks for comparing. The video easier to see once you were wearing the blue shirt when the camera was closer. (Blue is a good color for you to wear.)

[@scarletesquivel9321]

I just need learn more 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@wrylife57]

That's why we're all here! You are in the right place. 😁

[@robertcs68]

I have one with a squeeze handle shower head on it and I really like that so I can save water while scrubbing. Bought it on Amazon don't know the brand name tho.

[@susiejohnson1583]

I have the 12v .. I love it but it only last about 3yrs before I have to replace it .. the 12v connection will usually break..(if you're handy you can fix it which I did a couple of times) I just replaced it because it was easier and $20 for the shower for 3 yrs is worth it 🤣🤣 (I always worried about the other ones because it has a rechargeable battery and they were out quicker) I too put the showerhead in my bucket while I soap up to save and circulate the water(sometimes I get the water too hot🙃)

[@msnubootysux]

So excited to get my water system

[@erichmacho5741]

I've had the 12 V shower and it didn't last very long at all. I believe the seals on the pump are poor and let water into the motor. Of course this then causes the motor to fail in short order. So, I would advise to steer clear of that one. I made my own after that with a small quality Whale pump and it's been great.

[@GrantSR]

I'm going to go with the device that DOESN'T use it's own, proprietary battery every time.

[@brianleonard6885]

Great stuff right here!

[@jamesconnell323]

I’ve used one like the orange shower unit, and I love it. Especially in the summer. I do use 5 gallons of water. Camping Wadeo is the name on it, USB charged.

[@sandyschneider6792]

Thx! I need something to rinse my dog off! She is a roller 🫣

[@amyschaefer1140]

Great review. Thank you Bob!

[@RJMSINCR]

The problem with these items, like so many, is the question of useful life. What is needed is for someone to test items, esp. ones that use low voltage electricity (i.e. USB 5volts) to determine how long they will last. I have had to discard too many over the years when they no longer worked.

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

1 gallon weedsprayer

[@PonziZombieKiller]

Thanks Bob ✌️

[@grannypeacock1218]

I have to the first one and love it

[@pattikelly8921]

I use the Reliant Pump Shower. Besr shower I've ever had, and I've tried a few. No power source needed. You pump a few times and the water goes. Heats water solar because it cones with a neoprene cover. It made of tough material. I use it ti shower and to do dishes. Plus a lot of times when I leave the field my windows are dusty. Use it to spray my windows real quick. Not very expensive item either.

[@angelmission]

Wouldn't it be nice if the 12 volt also heated the water as it came through the hose?

[@Khorne-bd4tc]

For those that are living van life do to no home/are not going traveling. I recommend getting the cheap $10 membership at a planet fitness. I don’t use the gym as often but it’s access to a hot shower and water for drinking.

[@usaman7358]

Planet fitness lets men shower in the ladies room now. Many unhappy folks with planet fitness now and are cancelling their memberships. Also, prices have risen due to them losing customers over being so woke.

[@HR-zp6nv]

Thanks! Keep the great info coming. We appreciate it!

[@pappydaddy7447]

Bob, let us be the judge whether or not a washcloth, basin and wet wipes are good enough to clean you !

[@donnajohnson9324]

I have one of those shows, but now I have a kickass portable shower and it's way better it fits into a Jerry can it work for me ❤ now I am looking into a 12v car pump show so if I am nia a freshwater creek I can fill up my 750 lt water tank ❤ from Australia 🇦🇺

[@elsathal7359]

Thanks again Bob❣️🚿😊

[@forestanderson3267]

You can cut the 12 volt plug off the yellow shower and put 12 volt clips I did that and it works in more situations

[@wrylife57]

More info please ... I have never heard of "12v clips."

[@forestanderson3267]

@@wrylife57 look on batter charger ends

[@forestanderson3267]

They sell them at auto parts stores

[@nancysweigart4123]

Good video

[@offroadrover]

We have the Ivation shower in Australia but under a different name. It has 2 shower heads. The larger one that you had plus a narrower one which gives a bit more pressure.

[@TheJoedonbakerfan]

Lived in a tent for a year, and didn’t shower when I was in the field. Just make sure to take off as much clothing as you can and let your body dry itself.

[@mcooper5929]

They need a on/off switch for the water as to save on water& bought one a while ago and the hose would kink. But, hopefully they fixed that.

[@honoluluhelpers]

#Grateful 🙏 love you guys, thank you, #mahalo

[@bebopandbecca3096]

Coincidentally, my Ivation arrived in the mail today!

[@angiekrajewski6419]

I really don’t know if you made a video about security for women and men now days while living in a van.. I have heard some people being breaded in while in their van!! And so on.. what would be your advice l’iWeb that living in a tiny home could have the same problem. Thks

[@craftymulligar]

Best one i would get is a mix of an modify system where ill take parts here and there to build my own. I would rather have something a little stationary instead of floppy.

[@ginamplm]

Doesn’t slower mean a longer shower?

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

Exactly, speed isn't necessarily an advantage.

[@sassyclass2555]

Are the shower heads changeable? Like to put a better one in it...

[@kriskeilman2087]

I have the shower with the cigarette lighter plug. I really like it. It has decent pressure for a 20 dollar camping shower. The only problem is they do not last long. I always keep a spare.

[@wrylife57]

Can you share what part of this does not last long?

[@petes9878]

Great info. Especially on the price end. What kind of heat source for the water is recommended? I've purchased one of those Joolca Showers before. They make a big fuss about their 'endless' showers, that is if you care to carry a 20lb propane bottle with you and have your car near to reach the cigarette lighter for pump operation. They have one other option: When you slide the water supply shut while showering the propane heat to the water goes off so the thin tubes through which the water flows don't get burn up. In my case, when I turned the water on again (and the heater should engage again) the heat failed to re-engage, leaving you with a cold shower. At $400 plus I thought it was a painful waste of money.

[@cpoul]

Any one know what the brand is for the blue shirt that Bob is wearing?

[@SoupHack]

Ура!

[@kenhurley4441]

With you blue water jug and sitting it in the sun, how hot will the water get? At 5'5" and everything else short, the shortest hose would work for me? 😛

[@DesertDog8989]

buy Ivation (orange one), not one from a camping store. camping store Cabellas lasted four times (horrible)

[@AnnAnderson-pe2un]

So my guess would be commonplace that you woupdate. Either heatedair temperature water coming out through the pump. But then another base news stand in to capture the water. As you soak up because I can't recycle. You'd be using dirty water or soapy water, so you have to have 2 water sources. Again one for the shower head or I guess. If you use doctor bonners you can let the water go out on the ground? But if you're in your shower tent then there would be a plastic bottom? I just bought a small motor home class b, but until I get it changed, it's got a stupid little tub that I can't step Uber and why they did that I don't know, even got a built-in seat. That's one foot off the ground, who would sit on that? And then you got your nose pressed up against the shower wall underneath the shower head even if I didn't have a bad knee. The only design flaw in the whole camper. So I thought well during the summer I could take an outside shower. But if I have to lug out water Put up a tent and then get rid of the soapy water. That seems like too much work

[@jongraeber8245]

I see the tents still up. Is it possible, and do people do the winter there in a tent? Maybe tent during the day sleep in the car?

[@melissasmess2773]

Tent has a stove in it 🔥

[@dje-slick6890]

Make sure you heat up the water...hummm...

[@agr8h2o]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@timgillman]

Of course the cheapest is to get a plastic drink bottle and put a slot or holes in the top and put hot water in it. Cost: free!

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

Having a battery built in would be a selling point for me. And relying on a cigarette lighter socket really restricts things.

[@wrylife57]

I bought the 12v and plan to use it with my Oups portable power bank.

[@outlawbadge1]

Showers are nice but not necessary if you have wipes, bowl of water, exttt!

[@jazziered142]

I wonder what the longevity of them are?

[@melissasmess2773]

Probably 6-9 years on the battery operated units. Rather have USB or 12 volt, no proprietary plugs.

[@melissasmess2773]

Probably 6-9 years on the battery operated units. Rather have USB or 12 volt, no proprietary plugs.

[@angiekrajewski6419]

Hahaha…the dream would be to have some kind of swimming pool .. don’t ask me questions .. would be the experts to think of a solution.. wouldn’t you guys feel cool??

[@EarthLovingFrequency]

I wish you had shown the force of the spray for each longer so they could be compared. The most frustrating thing for me in the shower is not enough force/flow. I can hear that the different ones sound different but some of them you jumped off them so fast I couldn't really get a sense of how they compare in terms of force and volume of rinse action. Frustrating!

[@realmicrobet]

The cheaper one is probably cheaper because it doesn't have a battery.

[@user-yw5bx6qf7g]

Baby wipes, unscented. My body odor is very faint. Must be my diet.

[@jasonchesnet3922]

Have one these and never use it🤦🏼‍♂️

[@melissasmess2773]

That’s the best one to own 😂

[@JustMe-pu3xm]

Wet wipes 😳.. man please.. soap and water needs to go over your entire body .. but each to his own..

[@warren6899]

From South Africa got the 12v one, works well. I reticulated back into the bucket when shaping down, keeps water hot. 4L boiling. 6l cold gives a great temp. The issue is you loose the last bit of water due to the level dropping below the intake. Use a taper bucket to minimize water waste

[@wrylife57]

Curious ... where do you find a tapered bucket?

[@RLeeVanCamps]

Great information as usual. For shower head that does not shut off just put it back in the water bucket B until you need it again. Recirculating the water with no waste 😊