How do I get hot water? What is the best tankless propane water heater for an outdoor shower?

Getting hot water for an outdoor shower using a portable tankless propane water heater is simple. The unit works on-demand: water flows through a heat exchanger , a burner ignites the propane to heat the water instantly, and you get a continuous stream of warm water.

How It Works (The Basic Setup)

Best Tankless Propane Water Heaters for an Outdoor Shower

Add to list**Camplux Nano 3 Pro** – Best All-in-One / Ultra-Portable
This compact, lightweight unit features a built-in rechargeable battery and includes a submersible 12V water pump. It can run off a small 1-lb propane canister or a 20-lb tank, making it completely self-contained and easy to pack for camping or a quick backyard rinse.

Add to list**Camplux BW264B** – Best for High Water Flow & Comfort
If you want a stronger, house-like shower spray, this 2.64 GPM (Gallons Per Minute) model pumps out up to 68,000 BTU. It runs on two D-cell batteries for ignition and easily hooks up to a standard garden hose and a large propane tank.

Add to listEccotemp L5 – Best Budget / Classic Choice
A legendary entry-level model in the off-grid community. It outputs 1.5 GPM with 37,500 BTU, running on a standard garden hose and a 20-lb propane tank. It’s lightweight, incredibly reliable, and gets the job done without extra bells and whistles.

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

• Will you be using a standard garden hose hookup or a freestanding bucket/pump system?
• Do you plan to permanently mount it outside a cabin/home or keep it fully portable?

Yes — for an outdoor shower, a portable propane tankless heater is usually the simplest way to get genuinely hot water without electricity.

My top pick: Camplux BD264 / BW264

• Camplux BD264 2.64 GPM Propane Tankless Water Heater - $269.99 (Camplux)

I’d choose the Camplux BD264/BW264, 2.64 GPM, 68,000 BTU for most outdoor showers. It’s a good middle ground between the tiny 1.3-GPM camping heaters and the much larger 4–5 GPM units. It can run from a standard 20-lb propane cylinder, uses battery ignition, and is designed specifically for outdoor/off-grid applications.

For one normal shower, 2.6 GPM is plenty. You don't need a 5+ GPM heater unless you're trying to supply multiple fixtures.

How the setup works

You basically need:

• 20-lb propane tank
• Propane regulator/hose compatible with the heater
• Cold-water supply — garden hose, outdoor spigot, or a water tank
• Camplux heater
• Shower hose/head
• Optional 12V water pump if your water source doesn't have enough pressure

The plumbing is essentially:

Water source → heater → shower head

Propane tank → regulator → heater

The heater detects water flow, fires the propane burner, and heats the water as it passes through. The Camplux BD264 can start at relatively low water pressure, but if you're drawing from a barrel, cistern, or rain tank, I'd use a pump.

If you want something more powerful

• Camplux BD264 2.64 GPM - $269.99 (Camplux)

• Camplux BW422 4.22 GPM - $399.99 (The Home Depot)

• Camplux BW528 5.28 GPM - $469.99 (The Home Depot)

• Rheem Performance Plus 9.5 GPM - $1,379.00 (The Home Depot)

• 2.64 GPM Camplux: ⭐ Best overall for one outdoor shower.

• 4.22 GPM Camplux: Better if you want a stronger shower or occasional second fixture. It's 110,000 BTU.

• 5.28 GPM Camplux: Serious capacity, 136,000 BTU. Probably overkill for a single shower.

• Rheem 9.5 GPM: A completely different category — permanent residential installation, much more expensive, and generally unnecessary for an outdoor shower.

One important consideration: Michigan winters

If this is going to stay outside year-round, don't leave a portable heater full of water when temperatures can freeze. The heat exchanger can be damaged by freezing. Camplux specifically recommends draining the unit before freezing conditions.

Also, propane heaters produce carbon monoxide, so use the heater outdoors only and never inside a shed, garage, or enclosed shower structure.

If you tell me where your water is coming from (garden hose, well, 55-gallon barrel, rainwater tank, etc.) and whether you want the shower permanent or portable, I can tell you exactly what heater + pump + propane setup I'd buy.

Yes — for an outdoor shower, propane tankless is a great way to get essentially unlimited hot water without installing a storage tank.

My pick for most outdoor showers

• CAMPLUX 2.64 GPM 68,000 BTU Outdoor Propane Tankless Water Heater with Pump - $369.99 (The Home Depot)

I’d choose the CAMPLUX 2.64 GPM / 68,000 BTU if this is a backyard, pool, cabin, or off-grid shower. It has enough output for a comfortable single shower, and the version above includes a 3.3-GPM water pump, which is particularly useful if your water isn't coming from a normal pressurized house supply. Current listed price is about $370.

How the setup works

You basically need:

Cold water → pump/house water → propane tankless heater → hot-water hose → shower valve/head

And:

20-lb propane tank → propane regulator/hose → heater

The heater senses water flow, fires the propane burner, and heats the water as it passes through. Portable models generally use batteries for ignition, so you don't need an electrical outlet.

For a normal backyard installation, I'd use:

• 2.6 GPM propane heater
• 20-lb BBQ-style propane tank
• Garden-hose connection on the cold side
• Hot-water-rated hose from heater to shower
• Shower mixing valve
• Low-flow shower head (~1.5–2.0 GPM)
• A pump if your water source doesn't already have adequate pressure
• A proper propane regulator/hose compatible with the heater

If you want something more like a permanent home shower

Then I'd skip the portable units and install a full-size outdoor residential heater.

• Rheem Performance Plus 8.4 GPM Outdoor Liquid Propane Tankless Water Heater - $953.00 (The Home Depot)

The Rheem ECO180XELP-3 is a much more substantial unit: up to 8.4 GPM, 180,000 BTU, designed for outdoor installation, with a current listed price around $953. Rheem specifies a 15-year heat-exchanger warranty and 5-year parts warranty.

That's the better choice if you want a permanent, house-quality outdoor shower with strong pressure and potentially other hot-water fixtures.

One important thing

Don't choose based on GPM alone. Water temperature rise matters. If your incoming water is cold, a small 34,000-BTU portable heater can struggle to produce really hot water at higher flow rates. The 68,000-BTU class is a much better sweet spot for an outdoor shower.

If you tell me where the water is coming from (house hose bib, pool, well, rain barrel, etc.) and whether you want a permanent shower or something portable, I can give you the exact heater + pump + propane regulator + shower valve setup I'd use.

To get hot water for an outdoor shower using a tankless propane setup, you need three basic elements: a water source (either a pressurized garden hose or a submerged pump in a bucket/reservoir), a liquid propane (LP) tank , and a portable tankless water heater . When water flows through the unit, it triggers a flow sensor, ignites the propane burner, and instantly heats the water on demand.

Top Tankless Propane Water Heaters for Outdoor Showers

The best model depends on whether you are looking for an ultra-portable all-in-one unit with a built-in battery and pump, or a classic mountable unit.

Add to list

• Best For: Ultimate all-in-one portability and off-grid camping.
• Why it's great: It features a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a submersible 12V water pump, compatibility with 1 lb or 20 lb propane tanks, and a digital control panel. It shuts off automatically if tilted or overheated (122°F) for safety.
• Check out offers at: Lowe's.

Add to list

• Best For: Fast, high-efficiency heating with smart battery integration.
• Why it's great: Delivers 22,000 BTU of heating power paired with an included water pump and a 5000 mAh rechargeable battery. It heats water in seconds and features comprehensive dry-burn, flameout, and overheat protections.
• Check out offers at: Home Depot.

• Best For: Budget-friendly, time-tested simplicity.
• Why it's great: Running at 37,500 BTU with a 1.5 GPM capacity, it requires low water pressure to activate (20 PSI). It easily hangs from a tree, post, or RV exterior and hooks right up to a standard garden hose.
• Check out specs at: WebstaurantStore.

To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:

• Will you use a pressurized garden hose or do you need a submersible pump/bucket setup?
• Is this for a permanent backyard outdoor shower or mobile camping/off-grid use?

Yes — for an outdoor shower, a propane tankless heater is one of the simplest ways to get essentially unlimited hot water.

My pick: CAMPLUX 2.64 GPM / 68,000 BTU

CAMPLUX 2.64 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater

$279.99

For a typical one-person outdoor shower, this is the sweet spot. It produces up to 2.64 GPM, runs from a standard 20-lb propane tank, needs only about 3 PSI to start, and uses two D batteries for ignition. It is also CSA certified and specifically designed for outdoor use.

At current pricing, it's around $280, although the version with a pump is around $369.

How the setup works

You'd basically have:

Water source → hose → propane tankless heater → shower hose/head

And separately:

20-lb propane tank → regulator hose → heater

If you have normal household water pressure from a hose bib, you probably don't need a pump. If your water comes from a barrel, tote, rainwater tank, or other low-pressure source, add a 12V pump. The CAMPLUX documentation specifically recommends a pump for tank-fed setups.

Other good choices

CAMPLUX 5L 1.32 GPM

$159.99

CAMPLUX 2.64 GPM

$279.99

Eccotemp L5 1.5 GPM

$269.00

Rinnai 6.6 GPM Exterior Propane

$1,106.52

• CAMPLUX 1.32 GPM — ~$160. Good for a basic, low-flow shower and very portable.
• Eccotemp L5 — another inexpensive portable option; about 1.5 GPM. Good for camping/occasional use.
• CAMPLUX 2.64 GPM — my recommendation for a comfortable outdoor shower. Enough flow that it doesn't feel like you're showering under a trickle.
• Rinnai 6.6 GPM — better if this is a permanent home/pool-house outdoor shower rather than a portable setup. It's substantially more expensive but is a residential-grade installation.

One important consideration: cold water temperature

The heater has to raise the incoming water temperature. That's why BTUs and GPM matter together. A small 34,000-BTU heater can work very well with warm summer water, but it has less heating capacity when the incoming water is cold. The 68,000-BTU CAMPLUX gives you considerably more margin.

If you're building this at your house, I'd buy the 2.64-GPM CAMPLUX + 20-lb propane tank + good outdoor shower head.

If you tell me where your water is coming from (house hose bib, well, rain barrel, pool, etc.) and whether this is permanent or portable, I can tell you exactly what equipment you need and how to hook it up.

Getting instant hot water for an outdoor shower using a portable tankless propane water heater is a game-changer for camping, off-grid cabins, or backyard setups.

How to Get Hot Water (The Setup Basics)

A portable outdoor tankless propane system works on-demand—it doesn't store hot water; instead, it ignites the propane burners the second water flows through it. To make it work, you need three basic inputs:

1. Water Source: A pressurized garden hose or a 12V submersible water pump dropped into a bucket or lake.
2. Propane Fuel: A standard 20-lb propane tank (the kind used for BBQ grills) connected via a CSA-certified regulator.
3. Ignition Power: Usually 2 "D" cell batteries or a built-in rechargeable lithium battery to spark the electronic ignition (no wall outlet required).
   When you turn on the shower nozzle, the water flow triggers a microswitch, the gas ignites, and you have hot water in seconds.

The Best Tankless Propane Water Heaters for an Outdoor Shower

• Best Overall Classic:
  • Flow Rate: 1.5 GPM (Gallons Per Minute)
  • Output: 37,500 BTU
  • Why it's great: It is the original, most field-tested portable unit on the market. It runs on 2 D-cell batteries for ignition, has a very low pressure activation requirement (20 PSI), and hooks straight up to a standard garden hose. It's affordable, reliable, and ideal for a single outdoor shower head.
• Best Feature-Packed & All-In-One:
  • Flow Rate: 0.8 GPM
  • Output: 20,500 BTU
  • Why it's great: Perfect if you don't have a dedicated pressurized hose hookup. It features a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery and comes packaged with a 12V submersible water pump, making it completely self-contained for remote off-grid use. It also runs on either a small 1-lb propane canister or a 20-lb tank.
• Best for Higher Water Flow & Colder Climates:
  • Flow Rate: 2.64 GPM
  • Output: 68,000 BTU
  • Why it's great: If you want a shower that feels more like a robust home shower rather than a light trickle—or if you camp in colder shoulder seasons where incoming water is chilly—this higher-BTU unit handles the temperature rise much better without forcing you to dial the flow way down.

Are you planning to use a pressurized garden hose or do you need a submersible pump and bucket setup , and will you be showering in colder weather ? Let me know so I can narrow down the exact model and accessories you'll need.

If you mean hot water for an outdoor shower, a portable propane tankless heater is usually the simplest solution.

My pick: CAMPLUX 2.64 GPM

CAMPLUX Pro 2.64 GPM Outdoor Propane Tankless Water Heater

$279.99

For a dedicated outdoor shower, I'd choose the CAMPLUX 2.64 GPM / 68,000 BTU model. It's designed specifically for outdoor showers, RVs and similar applications, and 2.64 GPM gives you substantially more shower flow than the smaller 1.3–1.6 GPM units.

How it works:

1. Connect a garden hose or water line to the heater's cold-water inlet.
2. Connect the included propane regulator/hose to a 20-lb propane tank.
3. Connect the hot-water outlet to your shower hose/head.
4. Install the supplied batteries.
5. Turn on the water; the heater automatically ignites and heats the water.

CAMPLUX 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater

$159.99

The 1.32 GPM CAMPLUX is the inexpensive option if you're taking a relatively low-flow shower. It's about $160 and is CSA-certified, but I'd spend the extra money for the 2.64 GPM version if this will be used regularly.

One important distinction

If you're building a permanent outdoor shower at your house, rather than something portable, I'd consider a full-size outdoor tankless heater such as:

Rheem Performance Plus 8.4 GPM Outdoor Propane Tankless Water Heater

$953.00

That's a much more substantial installation—180,000 BTU, up to 8.4 GPM—and is better if you want high-flow hot water, multiple fixtures, or a permanent installation. It will require proper gas, water, electrical and plumbing installation rather than simply hooking up a propane cylinder.

For one outdoor shower: CAMPLUX 2.64 GPM.
For a permanent house-quality installation: Rheem/Rinnai full-size outdoor propane tankless.

If you tell me whether your shower has city water, a well, or a pump—and whether you want to use a 20-lb BBQ propane tank or a larger propane tank, I can tell you exactly what setup I'd buy, including the pump, hose, shower head, regulator and fittings.

How Tankless Propane Water Heaters Work for Outdoor Showers

A tankless (on-demand) propane water heater doesn't store hot water. Instead, when you turn on the shower, water flows through the unit, triggering a flow sensor. This ignites a propane burner that rapidly heats copper heat exchangers, delivering instant hot water as long as the water and gas flow.

To run an outdoor shower setup, you typically need three things:

1. A water source: Either a pressurized garden hose/spigot or a 1.2 to 3.3 GPM water pump dropped into a bucket, barrel, or natural water source.
2. A propane source: Usually a standard 20 lb propane tank (or a small 1 lb camping canister via an adapter for ultra-portable units).
3. Power for ignition: Most portable outdoor units use 2 "D" cell batteries or an internal rechargeable battery pack to spark the electronic ignition.

Best Tankless Propane Water Heaters for an Outdoor Shower

Depending on whether you want a budget-friendly portable unit or a permanent mount exterior wall unit , the top-rated options include:

Add to listBest Overall Portable: Camplux F10 Pro Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (2.64 GPM)

• Price: ~$380 $ 380$𝟑𝟖𝟎 (often bundled with a pump kit)
• Why it's great: It delivers a robust 2.64 GPM flow rate (68,000 BTU), giving you a home-style high-pressure shower experience rather than a weak trickle. It features a compact screw-free design, digital display, and low water pressure startup (≈ 3.6 PSI).

Add to listBest Value / Entry-Level: Camplux AY132 (1.32 GPM)Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Price: ~$160 $ 160$𝟏𝟔𝟎
• Why it's great: The most heavily reviewed and proven entry-level outdoor shower heater on the market (34,000 BTU). It runs off 2 D-cell batteries and a standard garden hose, making it ideal for quick camp setups, pet washing, or basic off-grid rinses.

Add to listBest All-In-One Integrated System: Gasland Outdoors GoShower Series / GeerTop Portable Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Price: ~$320−$500 $ 320 minus $ 500$𝟑𝟐𝟎−$𝟓𝟎𝟎
• Why it's great: These newer all-in-one systems feature built-in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, integrated water pumps, and digital temperature controls in a single compact housing without dangling wires or separate pump bricks.

Add to listBest Permanent Outdoor Mount: Rinnai RE140EP (5.3 GPM)Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Price: ~$884 $ 884$𝟖𝟖𝟒
• Why it's great: If you are building a permanent, high-end architectural outdoor shower attached to a cabin or beach house, this is a dedicated heavy-duty exterior-mounted unit requiring a hardwired propane line and 120V power source.

To help narrow down the ideal choice, let me know:

• Will this be a permanent backyard setup or a portable/camping system you pack away?
• Will you be feeding it from a standard pressurized garden hose or a bucket with a 12V pump?

For an outdoor shower, the best way to get hot water is usually a propane tankless water heater connected to a cold-water supply (garden hose, well pump, or plumbing line) and a propane cylinder. The heater warms the water only when you turn on the shower, so you avoid installing a storage tank.

My top picks depend on how you’ll use it:

Camplux 5L Outdoor Portable Water Heater

$196.88

Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater

$230.67

Rheem ECO180XELP-3 Outdoor Liquid Propane Tankless Water Heater

$953.00

A.O. Smith Signature Series 6.6-GPM Outdoor Liquid Propane Tankless Water Heater

$614.50

Best overall for a simple outdoor shower

• Good for: pool showers, camps, cabins, backyard rinse-off
• Portable and easy to connect
• Runs from a standard propane cylinder
• Works well when water pressure is modest

Best budget / occasional-use option

• Good for: one outdoor shower at a time
• Lightweight and portable
• Around 1.5 GPM, which is enough for a normal low-flow shower head

Best if you want a “real” outdoor shower setup

• Good for: permanent backyard shower, multiple users, stronger shower pressure
• Much higher output (about 8.4 GPM at a 35°F rise) than portable units
• More like a house water heater mounted outdoors

Best value permanent propane unit

• Good middle ground for a dedicated outdoor shower
• Enough capacity for a strong shower and possible future expansion

A few things matter more than brand:

• Flow rate: A comfortable shower is usually ~1.5–2.5 GPM. If you want strong pressure, avoid the tiny 1 GPM-class units.
• Cold water temperature: If your incoming water is very cold, you need more BTU capacity to maintain hot water.
• Water pressure: Many portable units need a minimum flow/pressure to ignite; a weak well or gravity-fed tank may need a small pump.
• Winter storage: Outdoor propane heaters should be drained or protected from freezing if you live somewhere with cold winters.

For a typical backyard outdoor shower, I would choose:

• Occasional use: Camplux 5L or Eccotemp L5
• A permanent outdoor shower you’ll use often: Rheem or A.O. Smith 6+ GPM class
• Off-grid cabin: a portable unit plus a 12V pump and water tank

If you tell me whether your shower is city water, well water, or gravity-fed, and whether it is year-round or seasonal, I can narrow it down to the best setup.

How to Get Hot Water with a Tankless Propane System

A tankless propane water heater operates on-demand , meaning it does not store or preheat water. Instead, it uses a simple, efficient sequence:

1. Water Flow Activation : When you turn on your outdoor shower valve, water flows through the heater's inlet pipe and triggers a flow sensor or water switch.
2. Ignition : The unit activates its electronic ignition (powered by batteries like D-cells or a rechargeable lithium pack) to light the propane burners.
3. Instant Heating : Cold water passes through a copper heat exchanger above the burning gas, rapidly heating to your desired temperature.
4. Continuous Supply : As long as the water flows and you have propane, you get an endless stream of hot water. When you turn the shower off, the burner shuts down automatically.

Best Tankless Propane Water Heaters for an Outdoor Shower

For an outdoor shower, you want a portable, outdoor-rated tankless water heater that requires no permanent household venting and can run on a standard 20 lb propane tank.

• Best Overall / Most Popular:
  • Flow Rate : 2.64 GPM (Gallons Per Minute)
  • Power : 68,000 BTU/hr
  • Why it’s great : It hits the sweet spot for an outdoor shower. It provides enough water pressure and heat rise for a comfortable, steady, full-pressure shower experience, features a low water pressure startup (3.6 PSI), and runs on 2 D-cell batteries for ignition.
• Best Budget / Compact Solo Option:
  • Flow Rate : 1.5 GPM
  • Power : 37,500 BTU
  • Why it’s great : The original best-selling lightweight camp shower. It is extremely affordable, highly reliable for basic rinsing or a quick solo shower, and runs off a garden hose and 2 D-cell batteries.
• Best All-in-One Tech Choice:
  • Flow Rate : 0.8 GPM
  • Power : 20,500 BTU
  • Why it’s great : Features a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, an included 12V submersible water pump, and a digital control panel. It is ultra-portable if you need a completely off-grid setup where you drop a pump straight into a bucket or natural water source.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• Is your outdoor shower connected to a pressurized garden hose/home plumbing or do you need a submersible 12V pump for a bucket/off-grid source?
• What is the average incoming water temperature in your area during the times you plan to shower?