If you are building a camping kit on a tight budget, OEX is one of the most wallet-friendly outdoor brands in the UK. The challenge is knowing which of their cheaper bits of gear are still worth buying and which are simply too basic.
Here we focus on low-cost OEX camping essentials for 2026 that offer solid performance for the money. These are not the fanciest items in the range, but they are sensible buys if you want to get out under canvas without overspending.
We have narrowed things down to a handful of affordable accessories and fuel that cover cooking, camp chores and basic campsite set-up. Each has its own strengths and trade-offs, so it is not just about the lowest price tag, but about good value where it really counts.
Our recommendations are based on a close look at real product details, prices and how each OEX item fits into the wider range, rather than simply picking the absolute cheapest thing on the shelf. We look at what you actually get for your money and whether it feels like a sensible investment for regular camping.
We pay particular attention to how practical each item will be on typical UK trips, from damp weekends away to muddy festivals and short wild camps. If a cheaper option looks likely to frustrate you in real use, it does not make the list, even if the price is tempting.
The aim is to help you choose OEX gear that keeps costs down without turning into a false economy. That means favouring items that are straightforward, durable for the price and likely to deliver decent owner satisfaction over multiple trips.
We started by looking at the lower priced end of the OEX camping range, focusing on accessories and essentials that most campers need at some point. From there, we concentrated on the items that offer a clear cost saving while still doing their core job reliably.
Products with obviously flimsy construction, awkward designs or poor feedback were filtered out in favour of straightforward, functional options. Even if customer ratings are limited or not yet available, we scrutinised each item’s role and likely performance based on its design, materials and position in the OEX line-up.
We also aimed to cover different parts of your camp set-up, from cooking fuel and pots to basic tools and tent accessories. That way, you can mix and match cheaper OEX options that fit your style of camping, whether that is car-based family trips, weekends with friends or light, simple overnighters.
The result is a small list of budget-friendly OEX camping products that we think most people can buy with confidence, accepting a few compromises but avoiding any major drawbacks.
The products below sit at the affordable end of the OEX camping range but still make sense for real outdoor use. They cover fuel, cookware and basic campsite tools that underpin a simple but effective camp set-up.
Some are the absolute lowest cost options in their category, while others cost a touch more but deliver extra usability or longevity for only a small jump in price. Together, they let you kit out your camp without blowing the budget.
A large 445g gas canister that keeps running costs sensible for regular OEX stove users, ideal if you want reliable fuel without paying premium prices per gram.
At around £10 for 445g, the OEX Ultra Gas canister offers decent value per gram of fuel, especially if you camp regularly and get through a lot of gas. The larger size means fewer canisters to carry on car-camping trips, which keeps things simpler and cuts down on waste. Being a branded canister from a camping-focused company also gives some peace of mind over compatibility with typical screw-in backpacking stoves. For budget-conscious campers, it is a straightforward way to keep ongoing fuel costs under control without resorting to obscure, untested gas.
The larger 445g size makes this canister bulkier and heavier than smaller options, so it is not ideal for ultralight backpacking where every gram counts. If you only camp occasionally, the lower initial cost of a smaller canister might actually suit you better, even if the price per gram is higher. As with any gas canister, you are also tied to compatible stove types, so it will not suit those using alternative fuel systems.
The OEX Ultra Gas 445g canister is ideal for campers who use gas stoves regularly and want to keep fuel costs sensible over a season. It suits car campers, festival-goers and those running camp kitchens for groups who appreciate a larger canister that does not need constant replacement. It is less suited to ultralight hikers, but perfect for anyone prioritising value and convenience over shaving every gram.
A simple folding steel spade that offers a budget-friendly way to handle campsite digging and tidying jobs without taking up much space in the car or kit bag.
The OEX Steel Folding spade gives you a practical digging tool for around £10, making it one of the most affordable ways to add this capability to your camp set-up. Its folding design keeps the packed size sensible, so it will tuck easily into a boot, van or gear box without being in the way. Steel construction should offer reassuring strength for jobs like levelling ground, moving fire ash or digging out wheels, which is exactly what most campers need. For those who only occasionally need a spade, it is a much more cost-effective buy than specialist, high-priced entrenching tools.
Being made of steel, this folding spade is likely to be heavier than more expensive aluminium or titanium alternatives, so it is better suited to car camping than weight-critical backpacking. The folding mechanism can introduce a weak point compared with a solid, one-piece tool, so it is wise not to abuse it with heavy prying. It is a very functional piece of kit, but you should not expect the refined ergonomics of pricier, specialist shovels.
The OEX Steel Folding spade is best for car campers, van users and festival-goers who want a reliable digging tool on hand without spending much or sacrificing boot space. It is a solid choice for levelling pitch areas, managing fire pits or dealing with muddy ground on UK campsites. Occasional wild campers who do not mind a bit of extra weight may also find it a good-value addition to their gear.
A spare inner for the OEX Bandicoot II that lets you refresh a tired tent or replace damaged fabric far more cheaply than buying a whole new shelter.
The OEX Bandicoot Inner is a smart, money-saving option if you already own an OEX Bandicoot II and the inner has seen better days. At just under £11, it is far cheaper than replacing the whole tent, which makes it very attractive if the flysheet and poles are still sound. Swapping the inner can restore comfort, breathability and bug protection, effectively giving your tent a second life at minimal cost. For budget-minded campers trying to eke out a few more seasons from existing kit, this is a very efficient use of money.
This inner is only useful if you already own, or can source, the compatible OEX Bandicoot II tent, so it is not a general-purpose buy. It also does nothing to address issues with poles or flysheet wear, so if the rest of your tent is tired, replacing just the inner may only be a partial fix. For campers without an existing Bandicoot, your money is better directed towards a complete tent.
The OEX Bandicoot Inner is aimed squarely at existing OEX Bandicoot II owners who want to refresh an ageing tent on a budget. It is a smart option for students, festival regulars and weekend campers trying to extend the life of a much-used shelter without buying a full replacement. If you are happy with how your Bandicoot pitches and performs, this inner helps you keep it going for a few more seasons at minimal cost.
A solid camping hammer with an aluminium handle and peg puller that makes pitching and packing down easier, without the higher price of premium mallets.
This OEX hammer with aluminium handle and integrated peg puller offers a step up in pitching comfort without a big jump in price. At around £12, it is still firmly in the budget bracket but should make driving pegs into hard UK ground much less of a chore than using improvised tools or boots. The built-in peg puller is a neat touch that speeds up pack-down and reduces the risk of bending or damaging pegs when you are in a hurry. For family campers and festival-goers, that added ease can make setting up and striking camp noticeably smoother.
Although the price is modest, this hammer will still add a bit of weight and bulk to your camping kit compared with using a multitool or improvising with available objects. Aluminium-handled mallets at this price point may not feel as bombproof as heavier, all-steel club hammers, so it is sensible not to overdo it on very rocky ground. If you only camp once a year, you may prefer to save the money and manage with what you already have.
The OEX hammer is an excellent pick for family campers and anyone who sets up larger tents with multiple guylines where driving and pulling pegs can be hard work. It suits budget-conscious campers who want to make pitching easier without splashing out on premium tools. If you value quick, fuss-free set-up and pack-down more than saving a few pounds, this is a worthwhile upgrade.
A compact OEX cookset designed to give you the basics for boiling water and simple meals at a very approachable price, ideal for first-time campers and festival-goers.
The OEX Frysta cookset gives you a simple way to start cooking outdoors without having to spend heavily on premium pots and pans. At roughly £12 it is an easy upgrade from trying to use old household cookware, yet is designed with camping in mind so it should work efficiently with typical gas stoves. Its compact design keeps storage straightforward, which is handy for smaller cars or shared kit boxes. For new campers who mainly want to boil water, make pasta or heat up simple meals, it delivers exactly what is needed at a very accessible price.
At this price, you should expect fairly basic materials rather than high-end non-stick coatings or ultralight metals, which may mean a bit more weight and slightly trickier clean-up. It is geared primarily towards simple one-pot meals rather than elaborate camp cooking, so keen outdoor chefs might quickly feel its limits. Over time, heavy-handed use or open-fire cooking could shorten its lifespan compared with more premium sets.
The OEX Frysta cookset is ideal for first-time campers, students and festival-goers who mainly need to boil water and cook simple meals on a tight budget. It is a good match for car camping and short overnighters where compactness and low cost matter more than gourmet cooking features. If you are unsure how often you will actually cook outdoors, this is a low-risk way to find out.
