20 Best 5 Gallon Water Jug For Camping (2023 Update)

I can't believe we ever camped without one of these! This definitely makes life easier especially with kiddos who are thirsty or need to wash their little hands after playing in the dirt. I also love that I can haul it with me to baseball games to refill water bottles for the team! The top is super easy to screw on and screw off. If you're in the market for a cooler look no further this is what you want!Av

This container certainly worked well for our purposes. We used it for a hand washing station while camping. For the most part, it worked perfectly. My younger kids struggled to turned the spigot knob at times. That is my only complaint. Otherwise, it is great. I think it will hold up well for a long time.Cherise

For the price this is tough to beat. We typically take a couple of the arrowhead disposable jugs with us on camping trips, but we have a reverse osmosis water purifier at home so it makes more sense to carry our own water with us. For a 5 gallon jug this is surprisingly easy to carry, and reasonably easy to find space for it inside the vehicle too. If it doesnt last more than a year or two thats ok, it was cheap enough Ill just replace it! Great for a makeshift faucet too.Nathan

This sure came in handy, as I rinsed it out, then filled it chock full, and shortly after had a plumbing issue. BUT i had 5 gallons of fresh water on hand until the plumber arrived – perfect timing! hahaha. This is a great product.Elaine E.

The first time I used this container it developed a crease in the corner and the cheap plastic cracked and leaked within the first 24 hours. I have this container in an earlier model from 2015 and it is going strong after lost of heavy use. The older model has thicker plastic. I can feel the obvious difference in thickness.Maximus67

2/5 stars because: Does it hold water? Yes Does the spigot work? Yes But this thing is utterly impractical to use. It cannot be placed flat and stable on a surface because it flops around and rolls away. The only way we have been able to use it is to strap it into a rigid frame like in the photo, effectively making it only useful as a hard-body water container, in which case we would have been better to buy the hard one in the first place.JF__

Light, collapsible and strong with no plastic taste. -1 star since it droops when not full and becomes difficult to balance on a bench or table without flopping over. Also hard to get the water out when it's quite low.Kkgg

Works well, but it does flop around and frequently flops off the surface if is placed on. Fortunately it is durable and has never split open or leaked even after multiple falls off picnic tables and bear lockers. It would be very helpful if there was a portable base of some sort that it could fit into to hold it and keep it from slipping off a surface. Even after years of use, there is a little bit of plastic flavor sometimes in the water if this container has been in the sun with the water inside.Suzanne

2/5 stars because: Does it hold water? Yes Does the spigot work? Yes But this thing is utterly impractical to use. It cannot be placed flat and stable on a surface because it flops around and rolls away. The only way we have been able to use it is to strap it into a rigid frame like in the photo, effectively making it only useful as a hard-body water container, in which case we would have been better to buy the hard one in the first place.JF__

Very low quality collapsible water carrier. I bought this carrier to replace an older, more robust collapsible water carrier that was packed away in long term storage. I found the Reliance Fold-A-Carrier II to be cheaply made. My specific complaints are: the carrier is made of a thin plastic that makes it impossible to hold its shape when filling or carrying the carrier, the carrying handle is molded into the carrier (with the same thin plastic) and is not ridged (makes it a bit painful to carry when the carrier is more than half full), and the spigot is cheap and can easily be knocked between the open and closed positions. It's only marginally better than carrying a shopping bag full of water.Glenn S

The flimsy soft construction makes it difficult to tighten the cap. It leaks a little. The spigot is way too tight and won't open. Basically works as a storage container and you can pour into other container. There are better designs out there.Elvis

Best water storage bang for the buck. Built sturdy. Already used two of these while my well pump was replaced and to have fresh clean water in the several days it took for well water to clear. Water stored for the week had no flavor or odor from plastic, unlike cheaper containers used in the past.Kris

The Water-Pak is the actual item. The photo shows the Aqua-Pak (ironically, Walmart's Aqua-Pak item shows the Water-Pak photo. Water-Pak stacks and is convenient for storage. I bought 8 of these. Love them.MarkInKona

The container is of a good quality and the size is great but the handle sucks, keeps flopping around. I have a different model with the handle molded in and I like it much better. Would not buy againCoyoteCaper

We use these every day to take water to the horses. The size and shape makes them ideal for the job. That's why they got 2 stars. But despite the so called life time warranty, they start leaking after less than a month's use. The company does not respond to emails. I guess they would be OK for an occasional camping trip, but do not expect them to last.Patricia

I own a few of these and it's a crapshoot to find one that the spigot points in the proper direction. In my experience you cannot over tighten the spigots or they will snap off AND if you loosen them to point the spigot down they leak! It's a simple fix Reliance! Retool the factory machines so that the spigots always point down when they're tightened. You need to physically test each one in the store to find one where the spigot points in the right direction.Outdoors expert

Good container overall. Not particularly thick plastic but it's done good so far. 2 cons I found are the spigot is very tight and difficult to open with one hand and also it doesn't fully empty all the water out without tipping it up on an angle. Otherwise it's a good value and gets the job done.Tyler

This water container is sturdy and fairly easy to carry around. It pours well and has a secure screw cap. I did find its shape rather tippy when placed on a picnic table. I also feel the container should include a see-through section to allow the user to verify the water level when filling and emptying.Lise

Its a great way to transport water or store water. The tough and the slim design makes it a lot easier to carry. Its hard to believe that it can holds 20 litres. They also take up a lot less room than the 18L water cooler jugs.Jay H

We had a large, round, blue Reliance water container that we took camping year after year. After decades of use, it sprang a leak, so we tried to replace it. There were none like it available so we bought this 23 L model. It’s good points are that it holds less water than the original, so it is easier to carry. And it is rectangular in shape, so it stores more efficiently. However, you have to tip it over to pour the water from the spout. We wish it had a spigot down below to dispense the water from.Janet

We have a permanent camping spot in southern Ohio, and it was such a pain to take down gallons and gallons of our reverse osmosis water from him each weekend. So, she I was offered to try these jugs, I was THRILLED! I can pop one of these in the sink and walk away while it fills with fresh reverse osmosis water from out separate tap. We take them to camp, pop on into our XL cooler packed with ice and other drinks, we put one under the camper for emergencies and use one for cooking! I absolutely love them! With the thick plastic, I know the sun won’t penetrate the bottles. The water never tastes like plastic or anything either! Such an amazing product! Perfect for those die hard campers!!!Kmroch21

Made in Canada has to be a positive for a start. Amazingly strong, excellent screw cap but fiddly with the funnel part inside. Great concept though. The slight down side is the diameter of the cap, a couple of extra millimeters would mean a battery pump could drop inside. All in all a great product and I am nitpicking. I'd buy another tomorrow, or when this one wears our which will be a long time in the future.Simon B

Scepter is known as a leader in this market And they certainly haven't backed down with this product. I love the quality of the BPA free plastics that are used in this product because you know they are going to last for many many years. We have 3 of them that we use for back up water in our rv and tent camping. Some other things I really like about this jug is that the opening for the container is really big and allows you to put your whole hand in for cleaning purposes spell that makes it super easy to feel water cwater containers of smaller sizes Some other things I really like about this jug is that the opening for the container is really big and allows you to put your whole hand in for cleaning purposes. There's also a smaller spouse that makes it super easy to fill water containers of smaller sizes.Water Tank 2

We have a permanent camping spot in southern Ohio, and it was such a pain to take down gallons and gallons of our reverse osmosis water from him each weekend. So, she I was offered to try these jugs, I was THRILLED! I can pop one of these in the sink and walk away while it fills with fresh reverse osmosis water from out separate tap. We take them to camp, pop on into our XL cooler packed with ice and other drinks, we put one under the camper for emergencies and use one for cooking! I absolutely love them! With the thick plastic, I know the sun won’t penetrate the bottles. The water never tastes like plastic or anything either! Such an amazing product! Perfect for those die hard campers!!!Kmroch21

This is an amazing product. I have well water and when we lose power we have no water. I love that I can safely store water in this without having harmful chemicals in our water the next time we drink it. It’s thin so it’s easy to store in a pantry or basement shelf. The opening at the top is nice and large for easy filling. The handle feels sturdy and we weren’t concerned carrying it when it was full. We even talked about getting another one for our camper so we always have water no matter what the power situation is. Thank you for our piece of mind.Christy

It was important to us to be able to carry high quality drinking water on our car camping trip and this was the best option. We took 2 of them strapped to the roof of our Jeep, which we were constantly putting up and taking down, and we love how sturdy they are. One night got below freezing and we woke up to non-frozen water in the morning. and the water didn't get excessively hot on warm days (mid 80s – we'll see how it holds up in the true Texas summer!). I also love that these don't leach chemicals into the water like cheaper versions. I would highly recommend and look forward to trying the spout attachment, although, we managed to fill up our water bottles fine without it as long as we leveraged it on a table or bench.AHS718

People will open lid to take a piece of ice etc this contaminates the whole cooler. Need to be able to easily lock off the cap once filled with Ice and water.. especially in a public arena..Tennismanager

I really like the Coleman 5 gallon water chiller. It’s dual purpose for me. I like using it for adventures and camping trips in the mountains. It’s great to use to transport water. It’s a great size. We use it for hand washing, drinking, and for using to extinguish a campfire. It’s pretty solid, super light when empty, feels like it’s good quality that will last for years to come. It is also great to store water in just in case of an emergency I have five gallons ready to go.Deliteful

I’m a prepper. This is kind of an absolutely necessity for someone who frequently stocks up on all the things. I keep this in my garage shelf full of water and have used it quite a bit. It holds enough water for 2 people for like 2 days and is awesome. Great for travel and for preparing for future weather challenges.Melissa6372

We brought this filled with electrolyte water to a day at the field. My whole family was able to stay hydrated with nice cold water. We had so many complements and it kept the water cooler than other jugs we have used in the last. It was easy to carry and didn’t spill. I would definitely recommend to othersAlmal

Great water bottle. I have several of these and needed another. 3 gal is a good size for me, I can lift easily and get it in crock. It arrived later than expected but it's the times, everything is coming slower.CAROLE

I wanted a water bottle with a handle, sturdy construction, and made in the U.S. This one is perfect for my countertop dispenser. Thick walled construction and BPA free. Great quality and price.jhof7379

Excellent purchase for camping trip! One large bag of ice kept room temperature water cold for 2 days. Easy rollers even on dirt/grass. Looking at it, it does look like it would hold 5 gallons but it does and ice.Mommabear05

This cooler is great! The handle and wheels make moving the cooler and easy task. The water stays cold even in this Arizona heat. Two bags of ice and two gallons of water stay cool all week.Joshua

My husband loves this coolers is great cooler with ice to use for outside even if you are a worker it can be tied on the truck the ice will still be cubed and drink still coldcelia.g

imcredible cooler! Plenty of room for bottles of water, sodas, drinks, whatever you need to keep cool. Easy to hamdle, clean transport. An inexpensive option for your next team event or outong!sandra.m

Best feature is the Spigot. Most have a rubber dome over the mouth of the spigot that you depress to release beverage. these crack over time. This one has a hard plastic button that stands up to the rigors of the catering business. The only suggestion I would make is to design an upscale version that visually would be more appealing on a buffet line at events such as weddings & cocktail parties. All black in color, a less noticeable Logo and of course, no cup dispenser on the side.prissypollyscatering

This ships in a box with the lid on and a sealed wrap over the lid. There was no plastic smell at all in the bottle. The interior was completely clean. The handle is very convenient and is positioned such that the bottle is balanced when carrying it.AncientGeek

We have a permanent camping spot in southern Ohio, and it was such a pain to take down gallons and gallons of our reverse osmosis water from him each weekend. So, she I was offered to try these jugs, I was THRILLED! I can pop one of these in the sink and walk away while it fills with fresh reverse osmosis water from out separate tap. We take them to camp, pop on into our XL cooler packed with ice and other drinks, we put one under the camper for emergencies and use one for cooking! I absolutely love them! With the thick plastic, I know the sun won’t penetrate the bottles. The water never tastes like plastic or anything either! Such an amazing product! Perfect for those die hard campers!!!Kmroch21

This 5 gallon water container is perfect for camping. We sometimes camp where water that is safe for drinking is not readily available. This water container comes in very handy for those situations. The container itself is extremely well made and sturdy. I like that there is two choices for an opening. A bigger size to put the water in the container and a smaller size opening to pour the water you need out. When I did first get the container it did have a strong plastic scent. I just had to rinse it out a few times and it was good to go. Overall this is a great water container to have on hand if you camp or want to have just in case of an emergency where safe drinking water may not be readily available.Ranman

Scepter is known as a leader in this market And they certainly haven't backed down with this product. I love the quality of the BPA free plastics that are used in this product because you know they are going to last for many many years. We have 3 of them that we use for back up water in our rv and tent camping. Some other things I really like about this jug is that the opening for the container is really big and allows you to put your whole hand in for cleaning purposes spell that makes it super easy to feel water cwater containers of smaller sizes Some other things I really like about this jug is that the opening for the container is really big and allows you to put your whole hand in for cleaning purposes. There's also a smaller spouse that makes it super easy to fill water containers of smaller sizes.Water Tank 2

Been looking for a quick reference for survival fishing and hunting. This has all the ideas I would need with limited supplies and skills to hopeful eat if needed. Super cool. Buying more for Christmas gifts!JB

I was given one of these water containers as a gift and I like it . I camp a lot in the late fall , winter and early spring . Where we camp has no services of any kind , it's strictly primitive . I use mostly 5 gallon food grade buckets for drinking water stowage and regular 5 gal buckets for cleaning and showering . I place this on the table , now I don't have to worry about all of those plastic bottles making garbage and I can fill my canteens / water bottles for the daily hunt . It folds up and stows easily taking up less space than a 5 gal bucket . Yes we drive in set up camp and bring everything including a camp shower / privy loo and we haul everything out including trash , no garbage services too . It would be good for hiking if you were setting up a camp but if you think you are going hiking with this container full just remember it will weigh in at about 42 pounds . It is a great product for emergency water too . It can be used with CHLOR FLOC for purifying large amounts of water , but you'll need another 5 gal container for the treated water . CHLOR FLOC , as sold here at Camping Survival , will treat 8 gallons of water . The CHLOR FLOC in individual packets each will treat one quart / one liter of water . The CHLOR FLOC set comes with 30 individual packets and a very nice pocket fitting zippered pouch in woodland camo pattern . So to treat 5 gallons of water you'll need to use 20 packets , 4 per gallon . If i were going to the woods for an extended stay , yes I would bring this water container ( 2 of them ) and the CHLOR FLOC ( several sets ) . But i wouldn't carry it full , LOL , , . KEEP OUR ENVIROMENT CLEAN , ANOTHER PLANET IS HARD TO FIND . Remember safety starts before the hike .MaDeuce D.

Thankful for the Black Friday sale, I took advantage of purchasing many small "survival" items on sale…. small, useful items that could be easily overlooked for a survival pack. After receiving the items, they were soon packed into a tote labeled "Survival".Gregory L.

So happy to see this available. I use this with one of the recommended countertop hot/cold water dispensers and it works perfectly. It fits well, fills the dispenser quickly, and most of all I don't have to fuss with buying bulky water bottles any more.amnaturelle

So convenient and easy to use. Just pour in water from your tap. Comes out tasting great. Using with my water cooler that I've had for years. Also makes great tasting coffee and I use the water in my ice maker. No more lifting heavy bottles or running to the store for water. Money saving!Louise

I drink more water knowing contaminants have been removed. When you go back and have a drink of city water, it about makes me gag. I am very particular about the taste of my coffee and the Zero Water scores high marks for the improvement made in that regard. Sometimes though it seems the filters flow way too slowly, even when just replaced. I do wish they would design an easier to use valve. Something that could lock in the open position, especially when you need to fill a pan with water would sure be nice to keep a hand from cramping while holding it open for so long.Coast Guard 73

We live in a rural town and have a rather large family as I am a foster parent so I have several kids in the home. I LOVE these bottle for several reasons. They are easy to manage and pretty sturdy, I was a bit nervous about the handles maybe coming off if carried by the handle when they are full but this hasn't happened yet. Most of the time when the boys are carrying in the bottles they carry it somewhat upright and put one hand on the neck of the bottle and the other on the handle so maybe that's why they've not broke off yet, because all the weight isn't JUST on the handle alone? Who knows but so far no issues. If your house is anything like mine (kids and dogs running around) I suggest purchasing a package (or five lol) of replacement lids. This is another reason I love these bottles you can purchase replacement lids in a 2-pk for somewhere around $1-$1.50 I forget the exact in store price. My empty bottles seem to take a beating and get knocked all around and the lids do break easily. In our family we go through one 5 gallon jug of water daily and since town is a good 40 minute round trip drive I don't like running in JUST FOR WATER so I have on hand right now a total of 12 of these and I'm going to site to store 3 more right now since the last three trips to town the store has been out. My adult daughter is EXTREMELY picky about water tastes and plastic smells and she says these bottles do not change the taste of the water, there is no icky smell or anything like that. I've had my oldest bottle for over 3 years and no cracks or leaks yet and once I forgot them in the back of the truck empty and the heat warped the bottom of the bottle so now 2 of them wobble a little but still no leaks or cracks. They are very much worth the price and with the state our country is in everyone should have some extra water put away and this is a affordable way to do it!Elizabeth

So, I was ordered by my doctor to drink more water. The water from my tap was awful, so I tried to add lemon juice (from the lemon juice bottles from the drink mixes) and 1/2 tsp of artificial sweetener (1/2 tsp is 1 tsp sugar, I believe). It was okay at first, but I got sick of sweetened lemon water — also I think the amount of "natural" sweetener was not what my doctor really wanted. So, I ordered two of these 5 gal water bottles and a ceramic base/dispenser. I fill up with the primo water within Walmart. I can handle the primo water from my Lake Mead, North Las Vegas Walmart. It loses one star because one of the water bottles warped on its own; not both which I would have expected since they were treated the same. However, Walmart has great replacement and return policies and took it back for a charge back because I had the receipt.Jason

In my process of prepping for the coronavirus outbreak I wanted to be sure I had some potable water ready just in case. I could have gone to Lowe's/Home Depot and bought some 5 Gal waters, but I don't need the water. I have a decent 5 stage filter system already, so I just need decent containers. These were inexpensive, 5 gallons, BPA free for longer storage without the plastic taste, and even came with a handle molded in to the body which seems to be a decent construction and shouldn't easily break. Came with caps that screw on. Two units cost just a little more than what one filled unit would have. All I need to do is rinse with a little bleach or high strength vinegar to clean out and then add fresh water for my backup. With some luck these will never get used. But it's nice to know for a very small investment I have at least a couple weeks of water on hand which is safe and clean and from a known source (my own filtered tap).WhateverMan