Scepter 5 Gallon Water Container vs Coleman 5 Gallon Water Carrier

The Scepter is the tougher, more portable can: a slim, stackable HDPE military-style container with a DOD label, built to be strapped down and hauled. The Coleman is the easier one to live with at camp: a wide-mouth carrier with a fast-flow spigot and molded handle, so you pour without tipping. Reviewers of both praise the thick walls and leak-free caps; the Coleman's spigot is the convenience most owners cite, and the Scepter's ruggedness is what owners of the military version count on.

• Choose the Scepter if you need a rugged, stackable can for truck beds, trailers, or emergency storage and don't mind tipping it to pour.
• Choose the Coleman if you want a spigot for hands-free dispensing at a campsite or picnic and a handle that makes a full 5 gallons easier to carry.