This is a battle of two portable hot water systems, the Smarttek Black and the Joolca HOTTAP V2. These are the sort of showers you take camping if you can’t do without a few creature comforts (or just don’t want to go full-on feral in the outdoors)!
If you’re reading this, it’s more than likely because you’re comparing two or more portable hot water units. Hopefully, this article will help you with your choice.
Joolca makes one of the leading hot water systems for the outdoor market. Image: Joolca
This article is not intended to be biased; we don’t have anything negative to say about either product. Rather, we’ve simply set out to research and highlight the differences between these two leading portable hot water systems, as well as other options on the market from Companion.
Let’s start with the more prominent question on our minds…
The Smarttek and Joolca are the sort of showers you take camping if you can’t do without a few creature comforts! Image: Joolca
How does the Smarttek Black and Joolca HOTTAP V2 Hot Water Systems compare?
Let’s look at some of the details.
The Smarttek Black allows you to enjoy hot water in any climate outdoors.
Raising Water Above Ambient
The Smarttek Black unit claims to bring the temperature to 42°C above ambient on low water flow and maximum heat settings in winter mode. They also have a Lite unit with a smaller heat exchanger, and a burner that can achieve almost 35°C above ambient.
Joolca, claim their HOTTAP V2 to have a maximum of 35°C rise above ambient when set on low flow and high gas, and it heats to this temperature pretty fast.
Verdict: Given both units cut out at 50 degrees (more on that below), and an ideal shower is around 35-40 degrees, both units are going to provide an adequately warm shower.
Maximum Water Temperature
There’s not much to compare here. Australian standards require these portable units to cut out at 55°C but there is a variance of around 10% for this. Smarttek has indicated 52°C to be their max temperature, and Joolca state that 50°C is their maximum. That said, we have seen Joolca units surpass this.
Verdict: Both units deliver the same maximum temperatures.
Both units have a similar maximum temperature. Image: Joolca
Which Units are Lighter?
This might not be a deal-breaker, but Joolca comes out in front at 4.2 kg. Even Smarttek’s Lite unit at 4.5 kg weighs in heavier than Joolca’s units, whilst the Smarttek Black version comes in at 5.5 kg.
Verdict: Joolca wins this one.
Flow Rate Range
The upper echelon of 6 litres per minute is the same for both brands, and is dependent of the flow rate of the water pumped into the unit. At the lower end, Joolca can be wound down to 2.5 litres per minute whilst Smarttek claim to go down a little further to 2 litres per minute.
Verdict: Smarttek have a wider range at the lower end, but we are starting to split hairs.
The Smarttek Lite is a more compact option for warmer climates. Image: Smarttek
Wind Performance
In comparison to the original version of Joolca’s Hottap, Smarttek used to perform better in windy conditions. They claim that their units are made with interlocking parts, having them rain, dust, shock, and wind-resistant. Compared to the Joolca HOTTAP, the Smarttek external casings appeared to have less or smaller vents. This, in theory, creates better resistance to the burner being extinguished by wind.
However, Joolca are a pretty smart and innovative bunch and their HOTTAP V2 is a pretty sleek unit and boasts far better wind resistance than the original, sporting separate dials for both water and flame control and enhanced capabilities when paired with the separately available, newly developed accessories. This now has both the Smarttek and Joolca HOTTAP V2 relatively equivalent to one another, in regards to how well they perform in windy conditions.
Let’s face it: no one likes their shower disrupted!
Verdict: We haven’t field tested them side by side, but from what we do know, both units perform similarly.
The Joolca HOTTAP V2 offers a 5m UV-resistant shower hose. Image: Joolca
Hoses & Accessories
Joolca provides colour coded braided UV-resistant hoses with their HOTTAP; essentially like a high-quality garden hose, and they offer a range of plumbing solutions as additional accessories. Furthermore, their Nomad kit literally comes with the kitchen sink along with a multitude of hoses, a shower rose and a tap faucet and a 12V pump so you can customise your hot water needs straight out of the box.
Smarttek, on the other hand, only offers a single 2-metre hose – but it’s a kink-free, stainless steel type that doesn’t heat up or soften when in use. If you do require a longer shower hose they offer longer hoses and adapters to enhance your setup, but the accessories are nowhere near as sleek as Joolca’s offering.
Verdict: Joolca’s range of accessories takes the cake.
Runtime
With an energy-saving ‘Summer Mode’ setting in their units, Smarttek provides users with 50 hours of hot showers from a 9 kg gas bottle on the lowest heat setting, and about 16 hours on maximum heat (i.e. ‘Winter Mode’).
In comparison, Joolca claim of about 15 hours from a 9 kg bottle on the maximum heat setting and 45 hours on low.
Verdict: Despite Smarttek claiming to have a longer runtime, given the variances in gas efficiency we put both units neck and neck.
Smarttek provides a kink-free stainless steel hose. Image: Smarttek
Included Pumps
Smarttek include either a 4.3lmp or a 6lpm pump with all of their units, while you’ll have to spend a little more on HOTTAP V2 Outing Kit to score a pump with your Joolca. The Joolca HOTTAP V2 Essentials Kit, on the contrary, relies solely on a pressurised water source, but you can buy the Offgrid Plumbing Kit separately.
Joolca’s pump, as with all of their accessories, is a far more polished product being finished off with a durable ABS plastic shell, easy to connect garden hose fittings, neat 6mm and cigarette plug DC connections, and includes a filter, weight, and basket to keep the end of the hose submerged and out of the mud whilst in a lake or stream.
Verdict: Both pumps do the job, but Joolca’s is plug-and-play fittings and weighted filter win this round.
Input Water Pressure
This is different for both brands. I thought I’d add this one in to clear up the confusion.
Smarttek claim 25-750kPa input water pressure on their units, but have only stated this upper limit to match the mains water pressure in Australia (500 kPa). However, the units have actually been cleared up to 1500 kPa.
Joolca, on the other hand, claims an input water pressure range of 70-900kPa, but I can’t confirm if they are cleared for higher than that. So, compared to Smarttek, you’ll need a higher input pressure to get the Joolca unit started, but if you are operating the unit at 25kpa you won’t have any pressure at the shower head, so it’s a bit of a moot point.
In the borderline-impossible instance that your shower is connected to a fire truck, or other ludicrously high-pressure water supply, an overflow valve kicks in on the Smarttek units to prevent damage. I’m all but certain that the Joolca units feature the same type of valve, but we are being a bit silly here.
Verdict: Even-steven on this one, the upper and lower limits don’t really matter.
The HOTTAP V2 Outing Kit includes a 12V pumping kit for drawing water from any source. Image: Joolca.
Technical Support
Both Smarttek and Joolca sweeten the deal with their product support.
From 9:00am until 5:00pm, five days a week, you can call the Smarttek helpline on 1300 119 906. There, you can speak to a technician who, 90% of the time, will be able to get your shower up and running again.
We always found Joolca to offer excellent product support, their website is also loaded with help articles and FAQ’s. They offer a text line for support (0488 845 868).
Verdict: Both brands offer excellent after sales support.
Testing Cycles
The Joolca units may be tested a few more times than Smarttek test theirs. Whilst Smarttek say their units have been tested in excess of 12,000 cycles, Joolca pips them at the post by claiming 15,000. Either way, both units have been tested to the equivalent of over 30 years of daily showers!
Verdict: Joolca win, but you’ll have to do an awful lot of showering to test the limits here.
Warranties
Last of all, Smarttek back their Black unit with a three-year warranty, whilst Joolca offer two. That said, Smarttek’s Lite unit only comes with a 1-year warranty.
Verdict: Both brands offer a quality product, we don’t recommend making a warranty period the deciding factor for you here.
Joolca tests their units 15000 cycles. Image: Joolca
So… which portable shower is best?
Well, by buying either, you’re guaranteed access to their respective helplines whenever needed. Overall, both units achieve what most campers are looking for: a reliably hot shower, and the versatility of using water from both mains water supply as well as the option to pump water from rivers, lakes, or just out of a bucket. Joolca’s product is far more polished and has a myriad of optional accessories.
Verdict: Both units provide a reliable hot shower, but Joolca’s well considered accessories and kits makes it a standout when it comes to versatility and ease of use.
Both units provide a reliably hot shower and the option to pump water from rivers, lakes, or just out of a bucket! Image: Joolca
What about the Companion AquaHeat?
Now that we’ve pulled the fine details apart for the high-end units, you may be wondering how they compare with others on the market – like the Companion AquaHeat Lithium Gas Shower.
In a nutshell, this unit offer better all-in-one portability, with an integrated rechargeable Lithium battery and the option to operate on disposable propane cartridge as well as ULPG bottles. This makes them easier to move around the campsite.
…But the buck stops there!
Despite being more portable these units offer lower flow rates and shorter run times. For a basic, less-bougie, pared-back shower without all the bells, whistles, and embellishments – Companion also offer the Rechargeable Camp Shower, the 12V Shower, and the 12V High Volume Camp Shower.
The Companion AquaHeat is another portable shower option. Image: Companion.
I hope this was helpful. We’d love to hear your thoughts on what you think the best portable shower unit is.
Trekker, surfer, climber, mountain biker, runner, camper. Participator in most things… master of none.
I have an old caravan without a bathroom or hot water. Without going to the expense of installing a hot water heater, can I simply connect a tap over my sink to the Black Smarttek sitting just outside my caravan and get hot water?
I guess you could, I’m not sure how the cut on/off feature would work though, in theory is should just cut on and off whenever water flow starts/stops. Have a look a the Joolca system, they have taps specifically for their system. (https://www.snowys.com.au/hottap-v2-nomad-kit). ~ Ben
Why is it that when Joolca has the advantage, the subheading for that topic states the products are “different”..? This feels like advertorial masking as editorial in favor of Smarttek.
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Hi, I’m looking at running a system in my backyard for a bathtub. Do you think any would be suitable?
Thank you
I guess you could, Kylie, but it would take a while to fill the tub up I reckon. Also keep in mind that these are not designed to be permanently mounted, they are primarily a portable unit, and while they are weather resistant it’s not ideal to leave them permanently setup in the weather. This doesn’t mean you can’t just get it out whenever you are using it and put it away once you’re done though.
JOOLCA do not buy !!! I purchased the Nomad set up But water did not get very hot Joolca did replace that unit but replacement is no better Max temp it gets is only 36 degrees They tried to tell me to recycle water through machine it did get hotter BUT not handy when showering.
That’s no good, Tim, whilst we don’t sell the brand our view is that their products are still of excellent quality. I’d suggest going back directly to Joolca with issues as they are the best equipped to troubleshoot.
Sorry we couldn’t be of any assistance.
Joolca is very poor design if you leave it out side over night & it rains , it it shorts out the ignition system & you aren’t covered by warranty & have to buy a new one..
Sorry to hear about your experience, Andy. Hopefully, you’ve been able to leave this feedback with Joolca and they take it on board. Cheers
This was helpful. I came her looking to see if I would have better luck with a Smarktek. I’ve had two Joolcas, both very dysfunctional. One got lost by Aus post whilst being sent back for repairs and I got $50 from AUs post reimbursement 7 months later. I had another brand next, name escapes me, but really bad. Next, I decided to spend more money and bought a Country Comfort by recommendation – major internal leak on arrival but the helpful guy sent me a new washer and talked me through repair. 2 years on, little use and it’s failed. A seeming new owner refuses any diagnostic tips and wants it sent for a $70 service. What is it with these units that they are so unreliable? I found a forum last night with awful feedback about Smarttek’s customer service. If I buy from you, do you yourself handle problems or the Smarttek company?
I’m just waiting to hear back from our Warranty Team on this, Jennifer. Sounds like you’ve had a rough run with your hot water units – sorry to hear!
Quick question… If you attach the shower unit to a water outlet on a camper trailer, do you need to use the pump?
Thanks
G’day Jane, yes you do. The water feeding into the Smarttek needs to be under pressure anywhere from 25kPa up to 750kPa – either directly from a mains water supply which is pressured at 750kPa or the pump which you can adjust. This YouTube video might help. Cheers
Just a heads up to anyone buying the smarttek black and upgrading to the 6L/min pump. I bought the smarttek black with the optional 6L/min optional pump .Although when I went to use it, the pump still kept cutting out everytime I cranked the flow rate up to Max. I rang the surpport line, which was excellent I must say. And they told me that I needed to pull the back off the unit so I could adjust the flow rate within the unit manually, as all the units are only set up to run the standard 4.3L/min pump and a further adjustment was needed to run the optional pump. Is this the go with all the units or did I just get a dud one.
G’day Gregg, no mate, not a dud 😉 Assuming you bought the Black Smart Hot Water System with the included 4.3Lpm pump and decided to switch out/upgrade to the 6Lpm pump? The unit would have come pre-set for the included pump so yep, the adjustment was needed to accommodate your upgrade. Great to hear Smarttek helped you out with it. Cheers mate!
How much water do you need mate. Are you a serious of grid camper. Go out in the desert and do some really off roading. Carrying your water for a minimum of two weeks. Even with my limited supply I can stretch it to 3 weeks if have to. Time to get back to reality.
Looks like the smarttek is the way to go just went prospecting for 2 months with my 3rd replacement joolca system that didn’t work, so have had 3 joolca systems and never got a hot shower from 1 of them, wouldn’t recommend to my worst enemy.
Oh jeez what a bad run mate, sorry to hear! We think the SmartTek units are great.
I have joolca system and quite happy with performance, just wondering can I somehow get more water pressure from my unit or do l need to buy bigger system?
Depends on your setup, pump and flow rate, Johnny. We no longer stock Joolca but I believe the current model has a flow rate of between 2.5L-6L per minute and a max. water pressure of 900kPa. I’d have a chat with Joolca mate before you go buying a bigger system. Cheers
Nice review. What’s the key advantage of the more premium models like Smartek over the cheaper models like Gasmate or lookalikes that can be had for under $200?
There are a collection of small things Billy Tea, but the key difference lies with the inner components of the units and the outer material. Smarttek units are stainless steel with high-grade stainless steel screws and a double powder coated rear housing. The pump on these units has a metal shell with corrosion-resistant ABS plastic. Hope that helps! Cheers mate
Do you need a pump for the Joolca if you are running off say a 55 litre water bladder?
G’day Gemma, yes if you plan to run the Joolca using a water source that is not pressurised you will need the pump. We no longer stock Joolca so I’m not up to date with their current models but the Hottap Outing (which is now superseded) included a little 12-volt pump that pushes the water through and would enable you to pull water from your 55-litre bladder. If your Joolca came with a pump, you’ll need it. This YouTube video might help. Cheers
I have a Joolca hotwater system which I purchased from Snowys before you stopped selling them. I can honestly say I think it is to Snowys benefit that you no longer carry them as a stock item.
I needed to purchase some replacement parts for my Joolca, was sent the invoice and paid it, (in saying that they will not supply the part without upfront payment) It took over 3 months to receive my part. It is difficult to get assistance and as a company they have a manner of blaming any delays on the customer.
While out of necessity now, I will continue to use my Joolca ( I have a semi permanent set up for bathing my dogs, I am considering a second hotwater system for camping and am very impressed with what i have read about the smartek.
I can not in comfortably recommend the Joolca, I found their after sales service the worst I have ever dealt with. No well managed company should make their customers pay up front and wait over three months for the item to be delivered, keeping in mind I was unable to use my Joolca in all that time as it was the battery box I was replacing, the original one rusted out. It was not until I put bad reviews on facebook that they eventually pulled finger
Really sorry to hear of your experience, Paula. I’m glad you got a resolution in the end albeit not without a lot of frustration and effort on your part! We’ve received great feedback from our customers on the Smarttek and our Customer Support team are very happy to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to shoot them an email service@snowys.com.au, or give them a buzz on 1300 914 007. Cheers
Hi, I need some advice. I’m not sure which one to purchase Joocla or smarttek black. I’m looking for easy to install and portable.
We’d like you to buy a Smarttek shower from us, Eva, as we don’t sell Joolca. That being said I can’t pitch one unit over the other as they are both high-quality portable showers that perform very similarly. Joolca has a lot of extra accessories available nowadays which can make the setup more intricate, the Smarttek shower head on the other hand has multiple settings. It’s probably down to personal preference or a gut feeling I reckon, but if you’re just after a hot shower then either unit will do the job.
Maybe your choice will come down to the colour?
~ Ben
no xan i brought it at bunnings i am still trying to sotr it out this has been going on since april TO LONG TO LONG not good service
Really sorry to hear that mate! Hopefully, they come through with their customer service and get it sorted for you soon.
i have a joocla & smarttek 6 both are about the same performance the joocla only lasted about 10 months but was replaced no prob smarttek is about 6 yeasr old and just had it repaired smarttek gets hotter ,both can hang smarttek can be mounted on the brackets no probs with hight of shower head in the longrun not much difference you get a hot shower in the end but if pushed to pick smarttek
Great to have your feedback, Peter! Cheers mate
i just set up my joocla after replacement and noticed a few things it has a few dents 1 or 2 scratches bent handel and rattled opened it up and tightened them up i was told a new unit had been sent sadley it is not
Oh no Peter, really sorry to hear this! Did you organise your replacement through us or through Joolca? If it was through us, check out our Warranty page for more info (link below), or please don’t hesitate to give our Customer Support a buzz on 1300 914 007 and we’ll get it sorted out. Cheers
https://www.snowys.com.au/warranty
i have been able to get water hotter by fitting a flow control valve below the shower head
Hey Ben,
Overall a pretty fair review. However, I think it’s worth clarifying for your readers the conditions attached to the Smarttek warranty. 1) It’s not including return shipping from the repair centre. 2) After year one it becomes a ‘parts only’ warranty (ie they won’t do the repair) 3) You only get 3 months (all up) on all fittings and accessories, including the 12V pump!
Joolca = 2 Years, including everything (shipping both ways, parts & labour, on all components).
Regards, Mac
Fair call Mac, there are a few provisions surrounding the Smarttek warranty.
In general, we have found Smarttek to be efficient with their warranty process though, and I’m pretty sure that it is within consumer law for a customer to be able to claim costs associated with the return of an item for genuine warranty claims.
I’m sure you guys also an efficient warranty service, maybe with some simpler conditions.
For those interested, the warranty information for both products can be found here:
Smarttek – https://www.smarttek.com.au/support-resources/warranty-information/
Joolca – https://www.joolca.com.au/pages/warranty
Hi Ben, are you able to provide dimensions and mounting options ( photos?) for the smart trek black, lite and Joolca hot tap please. In one of the photos it looks like the Joolca is mounted on the rear tyre. I read something about a towbar fitting as well. Loved the review/comparison. Thank you.
Hi Alan, I’m glad you found our review useful.
Unfortunately, we don’t sell the Joolca units anymore so I can’t offer much more information there sorry, but I can provide more on the Smarttek units. Check out the videos on this web page for mounting details – https://www.snowys.com.au/black-smart-hot-water-system-43lmin-pump. The only difference between this one and the Lite version is the height with the Black unit being 44cm and the Lite only 30cm, but the mounting brackets in both cases exist on the top and bottom edges of the unit.
As for a towbar mount, this isn’t something Smarttek currently have and I can’t see anything on Joolca’s site either. They both have a drawbar mount though which allows attachment to the drawbar of a trailer, you could probably fashion a way to attach it to a towbar too.
Regarding the rear tyre mounting, we did that for the Joolca video and just used some straps through the brackets to hang it off the rear tyre, it wasn’t permanently mounted.
I hope that helps.
A deal breaker with the smarttek is not being able to put the rose high enough in there shower tent like Joolca. There seems to be no reliable way to raise it over your head for a real shower. But I don’t like the joolca unit as 4L/min is too much for when water is scarce. 2l/min is a great feature on the smarttek.
Can the smarttek unit be used with Joolca tent and joolca’s red hose?
Another issue with the smarttek is 10M distance might not be enough for alot of creek pumping. Really 20M is the bare minimum.
I’m not familiar with the current Joolca tent sorry, Jman, but I can’t see why you would have any trouble using the Smarttek unit inside, I assume it just has a different mounting point. As for the Joolca red hose – both units use standard garden tap fittings on the actual units, but we can’t confirm whether the showerhead of the Smarttek unit would be directly compatible with the Joolca hose, and using a different showerhead may affect the performance of the unit.
Regarding the distance to which the unit can pump water from a water source, this all comes down to the size of the pump. Whilst the 4.3lpm pump can only handle 10 metres over a 3-metre rise, the 6lpm pump (included with this kit – https://www.snowys.com.au/black-smart-hot-water-system-6lmin-pump) is capable of pumping up to 40 metres over a 10-metre rise. You would need to add extra hose length to the kit to do this but it certainly exceeds your 20-metre minimum.
I hope this helps.
Hi there I have had a joolca & im not a fan of them at all
We had a issue, you would get one shower & the it would cut out 1/2 way through the 2nd shower
It was cutting out at 43deg
We tried everything, cleaning filters, different water sources did what they said to test, I even checked the regulator pressure.
It got sent back, they said nothing was wrong & they said that if it’s windy it will blow the flame out, if it’s raining don’t get it wet
Mmm I was confused I thought that it was a Hot Water Unit, it should be able to work in those conditions?
Noisy pump & gets so hot the sticker melted
In winter we had to run water from a container through the unit & into the container to hav a 43deg shower
So I would not recommend a joolca at all!
I have recently bought a Smarttek Black it is awesome it heats up instantly & it is really hot & it works in the wind & the rain, the small pump it comes with works brilliant with it, plenty enough pressure smooth & quite
Highly recommend the Smarttek
Thanks for your feedback, Brad. From our point of view, both units are excellent, but it’s good to hear about users personal experience with either unit.
Hi Joolca
Has all the fancy media hype, but in reality , I suggest don’t.
I had 1st unit which was ok , but upgraded to new model , anyway quality wise it is really crap cost more but not very good at all , not very hot.
Try smarttek , Joolca is terrible
Fantastic review. Love it when wholesalers don’t rubbish other brands purely because they don’t stock their products. Honest review
A+ Snowys.
Thanks for the kudos, Bradley.
How does smarttek achieve a max flow rate of 6l/m from their 4.6l/m pump? Also it’s misleading to include min run time from a 9kg gas bottle without stating that the max run time for the Smarttek is achieved at min flow rate. This min flow rate would be pretty useless at 2l/m. What would you achieve with this. It certainly be too slow for a shower. Either unit would achieve about the same if minimum temp and flow rates are used.
Hi Shane, the unit is capable of up to 6 litres per minute, but the flow rate is dependant on the pump you use with the unit. Smarttek includes a 4.3 litre per minute pump with their current kit and have a 6 litre per minute pump as an optional accessory. Any pump that has a higher flow rate than this is not going to increase the output from either unit.
I do mention in the article that the 50 hours is on the lowest heat setting for the Smarttek unit. Joolca doesn’t have any detail around their maximum runtime on low settings. Smarttek has a summer/winter setting which turns off gas injectors which reduces the heating capability making it ideal for long runtimes in warm weather. I don’t think that turning the flow rate down reduces gas consumption, but if you have the gas wound down for efficiency you may want the flow rate turned down to get the maximum heat at the lowest gas setting. A slow flow rate may be all you need for washing dishes and the likes.
You’re right in that both units are about the same on maximum heat, which I also mention. Smarttek being 16 hours and Joolca being 15, but in reality once variations are taken into account they are pretty much the same, and at the end of the day either unit is going to deliver a reliably hot shower.