Buying guide
First-Timer Essentials
Updated How we research
The starter kit for your first trip. The page is split into five sections (A comfortable mattress; An easy camp stove; A reliable cooler; Lanterns for the campsite; A first-aid kit), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 18 picks. Our scores range from 7.2 to 8.6 out of 10, across $, $$, $$$, See on Amazon price bands.
- Best overall:Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Explorer First Aid Kit. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Gas One GS-3000 Portable Butane Stove 9000 BTU. Value score of 10/10, overall 8.2/10.
- Solid build:YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Hard Cooler. Build and materials score of 10/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Goal Zero Torch 500 Multi-Purpose Rechargeable Light. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.1/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
A comfortable mattress
- Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Pro3 Truck Bed Mattress Full Long BedOur score8.2/10
- Umbrauto Built-in Pump Air Mattress for 5.5-5.8ft Short Truck Bed, Inflatable Full-Size Pickup Airbed for Ford F150, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan Outdoor CampingOur score7.8/10
- Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Truck Bed Mattress Full Short BedOur score7.7/10
- Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Original Truck Bed Air MattressOur score7.3/10
An easy camp stove
- Coleman Cascade Classic 3-Burner Propane StoveOur score8.4/10
- Gas One GS-3000 Portable Butane Stove 9000 BTUOur score8.2/10
- MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Ultralight Backpacking StoveOur score7.9/10
- Coleman Classic 1-Burner Butane Camping StoveOur score7.2/10
A reliable cooler
- YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Hard CoolerOur score8.4/10
- YETI Tundra 45 Hard CoolerOur score8.4/10
- Coleman Xtreme Series Portable Cooler 70 QuartOur score7.8/10
- YETI Roadie 24 Hard CoolerOur score7.6/10
Lanterns for the campsite
- Goal Zero Torch 500 Multi-Purpose Rechargeable LightOur score8.1/10
- BioLite AlpenGlow 250 Rechargeable Camping LanternOur score7.8/10
- Lepro LED Camping Lanterns, 4 Pack, Collapsible, IPX4 Water ResistantOur score7.6/10
- Etekcity LED Camping Lanterns, Battery Included, 4 PackOur score7.2/10
A first-aid kit
All 18 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1The Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Explorer First Aid Kit is a comprehensive kit for groups on longer camping trips.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Organized compartments make supplies easy to find quickly
- + Mountain Series is designed for remote outdoor use
- + Covers wound care, blisters and common camp injuries
- - Larger kit takes more space than compact first aid kits
- - Higher price than basic car first aid kits
#2Coleman's Cascade Classic 3-Burner Propane Stove gives families and groups three burners for cooking full meals at camp.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 3-burner layout cooks eggs, bacon and coffee at the same time
- + Runs on common propane canisters or an adapter hose for bulk tanks
- + Wind blocking panels help keep flames steady at open campsites
- - Wide stove body needs a large table or camp kitchen stand
- - Bulkier and pricier than two-burner models for small groups
#3YETI Roadie 48 is a wheeled hard cooler that keeps ice for days, suiting car campers who haul food from car to camp.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 10/10 · Value 6/10
- + Wheels and handle make a heavy loaded cooler easy to move
- + YETI rotomolded style build is extremely tough and well insulated
- + Upright shape fits tall bottles and fits well in SUV cargo areas
- - Very expensive compared with standard wheeled coolers
- - Heavy even when empty, so lifting it into a truck takes effort
#4YETI Tundra 45 is a premium rotomolded hard cooler with long ice retention, a classic pick for serious car campers.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 10/10 · Value 6/10
- + Thick insulation keeps ice for multiple days in warm weather
- + Rugged build can double as a camp seat or step
- + Bear-resistant style latches and strong hinges suit backcountry use
- - Premium price is several times higher than basic coolers
- - Heavy and thick-walled, so interior space is smaller than outside size suggests
#5Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Pro3 air mattress sized for full-size long-bed pickups, a roomy truck bed sleep setup.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Long-bed sizing uses the full length of a full-size pickup for taller sleepers
- + Pro3 is the upgraded AirBedz line, aimed at frequent truck bed campers
- + Contoured to work around wheel wells so the mattress sits flat in the bed
- - Only fits full-size long beds, so it is wrong for short beds and mid-size trucks
- - A large air mattress takes up real storage space when packed down
#6Gas One GS-3000 is a portable butane stove rated at 9000 BTU, a very affordable single-burner stove for car camping meals.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 10/10
- + 9000 BTU output boils water and cooks meals quickly
- + Very low price makes it an easy backup or first stove
- + Carry case keeps the stove clean in transport
- - Butane canisters struggle in near-freezing temperatures
- - Single burner means cooking courses one after another
#7The Goal Zero Torch 500 multi-purpose rechargeable light works as flashlight, floodlight and lantern for versatile campsite lighting.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Flashlight, floodlight and lantern modes in one device
- + Built-in solar panel and USB charging options
- + Can power small devices in emergencies, adding value beyond lighting
- - Heavier than dedicated compact lanterns because of its multi-mode design
- - Higher price than single-purpose LED lights
#8Adventure Medical Kits Adventure First Aid Medical Kit 2.0 is a compact kit for couples or small groups on weekend camping trips.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Compact size fits in a glovebox or day pack
- + Covers common minor injuries like cuts and blisters
- + Affordable price from a trusted outdoor medical brand
- - Limited supplies for larger groups or longer trips
- - May need extra personal medications added
#9MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is an ultralight backpacking stove with a pressure regulator for steady flames in cold or low-fuel conditions.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Pressure regulator keeps output steady as the canister empties
- + Push-start igniter lights without matches or a lighter
- + Ultralight size fits in a mug or small cook pot
- - Small pot supports are unstable for large car camping pans
- - Canister-top design is more exposed to wind than enclosed systems
#10Umbrauto's air mattress is cut for 5.5 to 5.8 ft full-size truck beds and has a detachable cordless rechargeable pump that inflates or deflates it in under 3 minutes.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Shaped for 5.5 to 5.8 ft beds on the F-150, Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Ram 1500, Tundra and Titan
- + Built-in rechargeable pump works at the push of a button with no car outlet or external power needed
- + Internal straps hold the top and bottom layers flat, with a flocked top and a grid fabric base for the truck bed
- - Does not fit mid-size trucks such as the Tacoma or Ranger, and longer beds need a different size
- - Air-only PVC construction with no insulation value listed, so plan on a blanket underneath on cold nights
#11The Coleman Xtreme Series 70 quart portable cooler is a big, budget hard cooler for families and groups on weekend trips.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 10/10
- + 70 quart capacity holds food and drinks for a big group
- + Xtreme insulation keeps ice longer than basic picnic coolers
- + Very low price for a cooler this size, so it works as a spare drinks cooler
- - Lighter plastic build is less durable than rotomolded coolers
- - Large footprint takes up a lot of trunk space when full
#12BioLite AlpenGlow 250 is a rechargeable camping lantern with warm and color light modes for creating a cozy campsite glow.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Warm white and color modes set a relaxed campsite mood
- + Rechargeable battery avoids buying disposable cells
- + Can charge a phone in a pinch via USB when other power runs out
- - Lower output than big lumen lanterns for task lighting
- - Premium price compared with basic LED lanterns
#13The AirBedz truck bed mattress cut for full-size short-bed pickups, turning the bed into a flat two-person sleep area.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Short-bed shape matches the most common full-size pickup configuration
- + Wheel well cutouts let the mattress spread wide instead of sagging at the sides
- + Pittman has made truck bed air mattresses for years, so the pattern is refined
- - Check whether a pump is included, or budget for a separate inflator
- - Air mattresses lose warmth to a cold metal bed without insulation underneath
#14The YETI Roadie 24 is a compact hard cooler for couples and day trips, keeping drinks and lunch cold in tight spaces.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 6/10
- + Compact size fits on a back seat or behind the driver
- + Tall interior fits wine bottles and taller drinks upright
- + YETI insulation keeps ice through a long hot day
- - Small capacity is not enough for multi-day food storage
- - High price for a small cooler compared with soft options
#15Lepro's 4-pack of collapsible LED lanterns gives 190 lumens of 360 degree light each, with IPX4 splash resistance and pull-up operation. Each runs on 3 AA batteries, not included.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Four lanterns in one pack cover the tent, the camp table, the car and a spare
- + Pull up to switch on and expand, push down to dim or switch off, with no buttons to find in the dark
- + IPX4 rating means splashes and light rain from any direction will not stop it working
- - Needs 3 AA batteries per lantern, 12 for the full pack, and none are included
- - 190 lumens is fine for a tent or table but modest next to the rechargeable lanterns in this guide
#16The original Pittman AirBedz truck bed air mattress, a long-running basic option for sleeping in a pickup bed.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Original model has a long track record with truck bed campers
- + Simpler design keeps it one of the easier AirBedz options to set up
- + Shaped to fit around wheel wells so the bed floor is used efficiently
- - Confirm the bed length variant matches your truck before ordering
- - Older design lacks the upgraded fabric and features of the Pro line
#17The Coleman Classic 1-Burner Butane Camping Stove is a compact tabletop burner for simple meals and boiling water at camp.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Tabletop butane design is stable for pots and frying pans
- + Compact case stores easily in a camp kitchen bin
- + Push-button ignition style use is simple for beginners
- - Single burner slows cooking when making multi-part meals
- - Butane performs poorly in cold weather compared with propane
#18Etekcity's 4-pack of collapsible lanterns uses 30 LEDs for up to 154 lumens of 360 degree light, runs up to 50 hours on 3 AA batteries, and ships with batteries included.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Batteries are included, so all four lanterns work straight out of the box
- + Brightness is set by how far you extend the lantern, and collapsing it switches the light off
- + ABS body is listed as water resistant, with a small storage compartment in the top for keys or spare batteries
- - 154 lumens is a modest output, enough for a tent or table but dim for lighting a whole campsite
- - Runs on disposable AA batteries with no USB charging, so pack spares for longer trips
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Car Camp Picks curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.