Choosing accessories for your caravan can make it feel more like home, but it can be tricky to know what will really be useful. Whether you’re in the market for cosy furnishings or a new cutlery set, it’s all about adding to your experience on tour. But how do you find the best caravan accessory when there are so many options on the market?
When you’re packing your caravan, space is finite, after all. Well, our expert judges for the Practical Caravan Awards 2024 are here to help. We’ve done the hard work for you, picking out the caravan accessories that we think will make a real difference to your touring experience.
This year, our winning entry and our pick for the best caravan accessory on the market is the Campacool TM Mattress Topper – we really like how it makes touring in warmer conditions a more pleasant experience, helping you keep at a comfortable temperature. As well as that, we’re also sharing our other favourite options, including a lightweight camping chair and a highly practical, portable stovetop oven.
You can also take a look at our caravan essentials guide, where we share the products you won’t want to tour without.
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The best caravan accessory is:
Campacool TM Mattress Topper
Reason to buy:
- Makes summer touring much more comfortable and enjoyable
Reason to avoid:
- Might not be necessary if you have air con
This superb mattress topper is made from a phase-changing material that promotes cooling by taking heat from the body and expediting evaporation.
With a profile of just 2.5cm, it rolls easily for storage during the day, or can be left on your mattress as a lightweight but supportive addition. The design combines Swiss Bio-Oil cooling technology and specialised fabric with mesh layers made in the UK, giving a lightweight but robust structure. Available in King, Double and Single options, it comes with a removable cover, and both topper and cover are washable at up to 40°C.
When we tested this product on a two-night stay, it kept our tester cool and comfortable during warm weather in a van with no air conditioning. It’s a great addition to your summer touring gear, and works well on close nights even in colder weather.
Our shortlisted best caravan accessories are:
Carote Pan Set
Reason to buy:
- Comprehensive, stylish and space-saving
Reason to avoid:
- There are lighter alternatives to the 4.45kg set
We always look for specific features when we’re kitting out a caravan kitchen with new accessories. For instance, with caravan crockery, we want it to be virtually unbreakable and low in weight. When it comes to cookware, we often gravitate towards multifunctional products that save space, something that this set is perfect for, as you don’t have to compromise on appearance or practicality or give up a huge amount of cupboard space.
Although it’s offered in 5, 8 or 11-piece sets, we prefer the 8-piece, since it has everything you need. The 2 saucepans (18cm and 20cm), sauté pan (26cm) and frying pan (26cm) are all made from SGS-certified non-stick granite and feature magnetised metal bases which provide a large heating area and are suitable for most hobs, including gas, electric and induction.
The set also comes with 3 sizes of silicone lid (18, 20 and 26cm) and one removable handle that is compatible with all the pans. The material used makes the pots sturdy and easy to clean, while reducing smoke so they’re great for cooking in a caravan.
Helinox Chair One
Reason to buy:
- Very compact and lightweight
Reason to avoid:
- Some people might find it too low to the ground
A good camping chair is essential to an enjoyable touring experience. That’s why we sifted through our favourites and decided on this model from Helinox – we think it’s the perfect choice for sitting back and relaxing in when you’re staying at the best caravan park.
Without compromising on strength, this chair weighs just 960g and folds up into the carry bag included, measuring 14 inches. The ergonomic design consists of an aluminium frame which holds an internal bungee cord for self-assembly along with breathable mesh panels, all bearing up to 145 kg.
Made from 600D polyester, the chair’s seat is incredibly durable and designed for maximum comfort. Despite the small pack size which makes it great for taking on days out, the chair is super supportive and holds its position well. Although some may not like being close to the ground, the benefits include increased stability, portability and practicality, especially when you’re picnicking!
iBeani Quishion
Reason to buy:
- Lightweight and useful without taking up a lot of space
Reason to avoid:
- Not waterproof so might not be suitable if you plan on lots of outdoor use
We love opportunities to add some luxury caravan accessories to our home away from home, and if they have more than one use that’s a bonus! The aptly named Quishion is perfect for this, a tasteful 45cm x 45cm cushion that can be transformed from cushion to quilt and back in seconds, secured by a subtle but strong zip. Made from super-soft polyester, the lightweight 2-in-1 furnishing is great as a throw cushion or support while driving, while the 190cm x 140cm quilt is perfect for chilly nights or eating al fresco.
The cosy accessory takes up no space at all, is fully machine washable and adheres to fire safety regulations for furnishings. It’s a great gift for any caravanner in your life, or one for yourself to add some functional comfort to your caravan.
Omnia Stovetop Oven
Reason to buy:
- Useful, portable product for anyone with a small or no oven
Reason to avoid:
- Can’t be used on induction hobs
Last year’s winner of the best caravan accessory category is still impressing our judges enough to make it onto the shortlist again.
The Omnia is a highly useful product to have, particularly as some caravans will only provide you with a small oven – or in some cases, no oven at all. However, the simple-to-operate Omnia will ensure you will not have to go without any culinary feasts when you’re on tour.
For added ease, the small, lightweight product doesn’t require any installation, working on all heat sources, with the exception of an induction hob.
Something else we like about it is the wide range of accessories you can buy to go with it. This ranges from a non-stick Omnia pan to a foil baking dish – you can even get a muffin ring, if you fancy a spot of baking!
Seashell Robe 3.0
Reason to buy:
- Great for swimmers, paddle boarders and surfers
Reason to avoid:
- The relatively lightweight design might not be suitable if you’re looking for a more hardy winter coat
If you don’t mind braving wintery weather in search of adventure on tour, then you might be in need of a good coat to cover all bases. That’s where Seashell’s Robe 3.0 comes in. Designed as a dry robe, the comfortably oversized overcoat is made from a 100% waterproof and windproof outer layer with a cosy sherpa-fleece lining. The YKK zip is designed with two-way openings that can be reached from inside or outside the jacket, making it great for changing out of wet clothes after a swim, surf or paddle board.
Made with a fleece-lined hood, two internal zip pockets and adjustable velcro cuffs, we love that the Robe 3.0 makes a perfect overcoat for wet and windy weather on dog walks, beach strolls or days out exploring. It’s also machine washable, offered in 3 colours – Ocean, Sand and Black – and sizes XS-XL.
If you’re looking for more touring essentials, be sure to check out our guide to the best caravan sat navs – you can also take a look at our best caravan vacuum cleaner guide if you’re looking for a product to help keep your tourer’s interior in tip-top condition.
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