If you’re always on the go, a portable coffee maker is a great way to save money and make excellent coffee when you’re away from your home setup. If you’re an outdoors type of guy or often find yourself on the road for business, investing in a portable coffee maker is a great idea. You’ll save money in the long run and always have a great cup of coffee with you wherever you go.
We get it. Coffee lovers are very particular about their java, and traveling can make it difficult to get your caffeine fix without spending a ton of money or compromising on quality. In this article, we review the best portable coffee makers and espresso makers and give you all the information you’ll need to find the perfect one for you.
Table of Contents
10 Best Portable Coffee Maker Options
1. AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
- UNIQUELY DELICIOUS: No more average joe from fancy, expensive machines. By combining the best of several brew methods into one patented device, you get smooth, rich, grit-free coffee with a delicious,...
- PATENTED 3-IN-1 BREW TECHNOLOGY: The only press that combines agitation and pressure with micro-filtration so you can use finer ground coffee. Hot water is pushed through the grinds, quickly aerating...
- BETTER THAN FRENCH PRESS: No more bitterness or grit. The patented 3 in 1 brew technology of the AeroPress Original Coffee maker eliminates bitterness and acidity and creates a smooth, rich, full...
- TRAVEL READY: Compact, durable, shatterproof and lightweight. Pack it in your bag and take it on the road. No more mediocre (at best) hotel or office coffee.
Our favorite portable coffee maker is the Aeropress. It’s compact, lightweight, and made of durable plastic that easily holds up to the wear and tear of travel. There are no moving parts on the Aeropress, so you won’t have to worry about damage and can throw it in your bag without a second thought.
The best part about the Aeropress is the coffee you can make with it. Aeropress coffee has a distinct taste somewhere between ordinary coffee and espresso. Aeropress coffee is so good that we regularly use it at home even when we don’t need a small, portable coffee maker.
Unfortunately, capacity and size are inversely related, so you trade the ability to make large batches for portability with the Aeropress. Still, as a travel coffee maker, this isn’t too much of a problem. Another drawback to the Aeropress is you need to bring a separate coffee mug with you to use it. This makes it slightly less convenient, but isn’t a huge deal.
The bottom line is the Aeropress is perfect for making coffee on the go. If you travel for work or spend a lot of time camping, you’ll love how easy it is to make delicious coffee with the Aeropress anywhere you go.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Durable
Cons
- Only makes one cup at a time
- Requires a separate mug
2. Hario Coffee Dripper
- Classic Plastic Dripper: Specially designed to produce an evenly brewed cup of coffee. Minimalist, trendy style look to suit any kitchen design or décor
- Pour Over Excellence: Specialty cone shape and spiral ridges allow for deeper layering of coffee grounds, producing a deep, rich umami flavor
- Pour Control: The V60 features a single large hole, improving pour flow and providing users the ultimate freedom-- Pour water quickly for a light flavor or slower for a rich, deep taste. Better...
- Japanese Design: The iconic V60 pour over dripper is trusted by professionals and coffee lovers alike. Perfect for home, café or in the office. Made in Japan
- Product Details: W137×D116×H102mm; Size 02 brews 1-4 cups
Coming in at number two, we have the plastic Hario V60 pour-over cone. The V60 is a classic no-frills coffee maker requiring paper filters and a steady hand to make some of the best coffee we’ve ever had. It has even fewer pieces than the Aeropress and is made of a similar hard plastic that we’re pretty sure wouldn’t break if we ran it over with our car. You can buy a V60 in ceramic, glass, or copper, but plastic is the best travel option.
We recommend the 02 size rather than the smaller 01 size option. Even though the 01 is more compact than the 02, it doesn’t save enough space to make up for its smaller brewing capacity. The 02 is still very portable and gives you the flexibility to make a range of batch sizes.
The V60 is not as simple to use as the Aeropress, and it doesn’t come with filters. However, it is much cheaper – even after factoring in the cost of filters – and just as portable. Making coffee with the V60 has a pretty steep learning curve that might turn some people off, but once you master the technique, you get rewarded with consistently delicious and vibrant coffee.
Pros
- Great price
- Made from hard, durable plastic
- Small form factor
- Makes up to two large cups
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Uses paper filters
3. Kalita Stainless Steel Wave Coffee Dripper
- KALITA is Japanese famous coffee brand
- Used by top specialty cafes around the world and in professional coffee-making competitions
The Kalita Wave 155 is a one-cup brewer that is small enough to pack almost anywhere. Kalita also makes a Wave 185, which makes two large cups, but it is significantly larger than the 155 and slightly cumbersome to travel with.
We like the stainless steel option best if you’re going to use it on the road, but it isn’t as durable as our top two picks. Stainless steel is relatively easy to bend out of shape and, although we haven’t experienced any issues so far, we recommend you take some care packing the Kalita Wave.
Overall, the Kalita Wave is a great travel brewer but just isn’t good enough to crack the top two spots on our list. It’s a bit on the expensive side for what you get and isn’t as durable as the Aeropress or plastic V60. Still, it makes unique coffee that you might prefer other options.
Pros
- Makes unique tasting coffee
- Easy to use
- Small
- Stainless steel is easy to clean
Cons
- Not as durable as other options
- Slightly expensive
4. Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
- No battery/electricity need/Manual operation only! Nanopresso is one of the best and most versatile espresso machines. Built around a newly patented pumping system, the Nanopresso is capable of...
- Achieving the perfect espresso shot is far from easy. The Nanopresso works best with finely ground coffee that is tamped hard. Thanks to its innovative construction and easy operation, Nanopresso will...
- It is delightfully easy to operate and simple to use. The Nanopresso requires 15% less force to pump compared to previous models (1st generation Minipresso). When necessary, every components of the...
The Wacaco Nanopresso is an impressive attempt to give espresso aficionados a way to make genuine espresso – crema and all – anywhere. A hand pump generates 18 bars of pressure to force water through your coffee, which is more than the nine bars required to make crema and for a drink to be officially considered espresso
Before we talk about some minor nitpicks, we should say that we think the Nanopresso is the best portable espresso maker, full stop. As long as you don’t expect the same quality as you’d get from a regular espresso machine, we think you’ll be pleased.
Now for the negatives. It isn’t actually that easy to use, even though it’s as simple as a portable espresso maker can get. The pump mechanism is ingenious, but the small size makes it somewhat difficult to press. It only takes about eight pumps to start, but it’s still a bit of a pain.
It’s also quite expensive. If you’re an espresso drinker, you’re probably used to expensive gear, but you should seriously consider how often you’ll use the Nanopresso before you buy. If you’re an avid camper or hiker, or someone who travels for business regularly you will get the most out of it. Everyone else is probably better off with a different portable coffee maker that is more cost-effective.
Pros
- Authentic espresso in a portable package
- Compact design
- Very light
Cons
- Very expensive
- Single-shot capacity
- Slightly difficult to use
5. Wolecok Collapsible Pour Over Coffee Dripper
- PREMIUM FOOD GRADE SILICONE MATERIAL:100% food grade silicone,BPA FREE, non-toxic, odourless and non-hazardous, easy to clean ,Washable safe.
- USAGE: It needs to be used with filter paper, the #2 filter fit is good. Heat resistant (from -40 to 446 °F).
- EASY TO OPERATE: you can make delicious coffee without expensive and bulky machines, and get a cup of coffee in 2 minutes.
- PORTABLE: The unique foldable design saves a lot of space, of space and makes storage a breeze. Perfect for your mountain climbing, camping and office.
Wolecok’s collapsible pour-over dripper is a seriously cool, extremely portable coffee maker. It has a similar design to the Hario V60 but is made of silicone and collapses down to a flat disk to save a ton of space. If you’re a backpacker looking to optimize your packing, this is the best option for you.
Using the Wolecok dripper is almost the same as using the Kalita Wave or Hario V60, but with one major difference. The soft silicone creates a seal on your mug and causes the coffee to drain very slowly through the dripper, resulting in an over-extracted cup. This is a design flaw that would render the Wolecok unusable for us if there wasn’t an easy fix. You need to break the seal by repeatedly lifting your mug during the brewing process or by puncturing the dripper base to allow air to flow freely.
Once you fix the sealing problem, the Wolecok makes great coffee and is more than worth the low price. If you don’t want to lug any extra weight around with you while you’re out, go for the Wolecok. It’s one of the best coffee products out there for travelers.
Pros
- Convenient collapsible design
- Easy to clean
- Great price
Cons
- Fatal (but fixable) design flaw
6. Presto MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker
- The convenience of a single cup coffee maker without the high cost!
- Compact design lets you take it anywhere - home, work, school, travel or camping
- Heat water, Fill reservoir with hot water from tea kettle or place filled reservoir in microwave and heat
- Assemble, place K-Cup pack in base, attach the water reservoir and pump; brew and enjoy!
The Presto MyJo single cup coffee maker is the first portable coffee maker on this list that uses K-cups. It’s almost as easy to use as the electric k-cup brewers but does take a few extra steps since it doesn’t run on electricity.
You have to heat the water separately and press it through the k cup by hand, but that is expected in a travel coffee maker. It’s not difficult to do, and your experience is virtually identical to using a countertop k cup brewer.
If you use a k cup brewer at home, you’ll probably like the Presto MyJo single cup coffee maker. Our only complaint is that you are restricted to using premade k cups unless you have a reusable pod filter. If you are happy with the coffee selection provided by k cups, you won’t have any issues.
One small issue we ran into was some leaking during the press. We’re not sure if it’s a problem in general, but it’s something to be aware of. Make sure you check the seal and screw the pieces together properly before you use it to make coffee.
Pros
- Easy to use k cup design
- Affordable
- Made from highly durable plastic
Cons
- Restricted to k cup coffee only (without purchasing a reusable filter)
- Occasional leaking
7. Wacaco Minipresso GR Portable Espresso Machine
- Manual operation only! No battery/electricity need. Compact, lightweight and versatile, you may use any variety of coffee bean/roast, which will give you more flexibility in trying new flavors.
- NEED TO ADD THE BOILING WATER It can not heat up water. Minipresso GR is your best choice to enjoy up to 50 ml of authentic espresso at home, in the office and on the go.
- SIMPLE TO OPERATE Add ground coffee to the filter basket with the help of the integrated scoop. Apply slight pressure to level the grind. Add hot water into the water tank. Finally unlock from its...
- COMPACT & FEATHERWEIGHT Whether you're going away for a few hours or a few weeks, space and weight are major factors when selecting your travel equipment. Minipresso has beendesianed to be the...
Wacaco makes two portable espresso machines, the previously discussed Nanopresso, and the similar Minipresso GR. The Minipresso has several key differences that bump it down a few places on our list.
First, let’s talk about the positives. The Minipresso is cheaper than the Nanopresso while still being lightweight and easily packable. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, the Minipresso is just as good for camping trips as the Nanopresso.
Unfortunately, the lower price tag on the Minipresso comes with some reduced functionality. It has the same hand pump design as the Nanopresso but only reaches a maximum pressure of 8 bars, which isn’t quite high enough to make genuine espresso. It isn’t a huge deal, but we found the Minipresso struggled to produce any crema and our shots were more like super concentrated coffee than espresso.
Another drawback of the Minipresso GR is that it can only use ground coffee, while the Nanopresso has adapters that make it compatible with Nespresso capsules. This isn’t a huge problem if you don’t use Nespresso capsules but is something to consider if you’re a Nespresso fan.
Pros
- Cheaper than the Nanopresso
- Great for camping and hiking
- Small, lightweight design
Cons
- It makes good coffee but technically not espresso
- Hand pump is slightly difficult to operate
- Uses ground coffee only
8. Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of...
- COFFEE ON THE GO - Anytime, anywhere. Easy and convenient personal brewing system designed for the active coffee lover. The portable, slim line design allows you to brew anywhere you go in as little...
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN - Patented brewing technology for a smooth and rich coffee experience. This reusable extra-fine mesh filter ensures no grounds end up in your cup. Fits most coffee cups or mugs...
- EASY TO USE - All you need is coffee, a cup or mug and hot water for your perfect single cup of coffee. Simply place the Brew Buddy over your cup, add your own coffee or tea blend, pour hot water and...
- EASY TO CLEAN - Dishwasher safe. Simply dispose of used coffee grinds and rinse or place inside a dishwasher.
The Primula brew buddy is a unique take on pour-over coffee that is super easy to use and very easy to carry. It’s the most portable coffee maker on this list and is the lightest, most compact option if you value weight and size above everything else.
We found the brew buddy easy to use thanks to its simple design. It is a fine mesh bag attached to a ring that sits on top of your mug. Think of it as a reusable tea bag for coffee.
There are some issues with the brew buddy that keep it from being higher up on our list. The first issue is cleaning. If you have access to a dishwasher, you can pop it in the top rack and be done, but the point of a travel coffee maker is you probably don’t have access to a dishwasher when you’re using it.
The fine mesh is great for filtering coffee but a pain to clean by hand. Coffee grounds get stuck in the mesh easily, and we’ve burned our fingers trying to knock the grounds out more than a few times. This is a bigger problem for us and is why we usually opt for a different brewer.
Pros
- As portable as it gets
- Lightweight
- Small
- Very affordable
Cons
- Hard to clean
- Difficult to make good coffee
9. Bodum Travel French Press Coffee Maker
- 0.35 l
- Brew and drink or use in the place of a traditional French Press
- Silicone and mesh filter reduces sediment
The Bodum travel press is a portable French press coffee maker that lets you get the bold coffee you love while you’re on the road. It has an ingenious design that is half French press and half travel mug, but, unfortunately, there is a flaw.
While combining a mug with a French press is convenient, we recommend you decant your coffee into a separate travel mug after you press it unless you plan on drinking it immediately. Otherwise, your coffee will get continuously more bitter over time and quickly become undrinkable.
If you tend to drink your coffee right away, the Bodum travel press is extremely easy to use and a great option for making on the go coffee. It’s not the best option for people looking to travel light since it is significantly heavier than the other coffee makers on this list.
It’s also great for cold brew. Extraction happens much more slowly in cold brew, so you can press your coffee and comfortably drink it for several hours without winding up with a bitter cup of coffee.
A few nice features make this more travel friendly than an ordinary French press, like the rubber grip and plastic walls. Overall, we recommend the Bodum travel press to people that love French press coffee and don’t mind carrying a little extra weight with them.
Pros
- Convenient for fast coffee drinkers
- The rubber grip is easy to hold
- Plastic walls are durable
- Great for cold brew coffee
Cons
- A bit on the expensive side
- Coffee gets bitter without an extra travel mug
- Heavier than most travel coffee makers
10. AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press
- An Amazing Cup, Now On The Go: Take the AeroPress Go with you and enjoy a truly delicious coffee wherever you go. The AeroPress Go is slightly smaller than the AeroPress Original, but can still...
- All About Taste & Practicality: The AeroPress Go travel coffee maker brews smooth, delicious coffee without bitterness or grit, unlike other methods like french press. There's no experience necessary...
- Be Your Own Barista: The AeroPress Go is a new way of brewing coffee that delivers a delicious result in just under a minute. You can choose to brew hot or espresso-style coffee, or use cold water to...
- How to Use: Just add coffee and water, stir, and press! Easily makes 8oz (237ml) of regular coffee or 1 to 3 espresso-style shots for use in lattes, cappuccinos, and other espresso-based drinks per...
Rounding out the top ten, we have the Aeropress Go portable travel coffee press. The Aeropress Go shares many of the same benefits with the original Aeropress at the top of our list, so why is this version so much lower?
Our biggest complaint is that the Aeropress Go is not easy to use due to a few seemingly insignificant design changes. It is slightly smaller than the original Aeropress, which has a disproportionately large effect on how easy it is to use.
When you brew coffee with the Aeropress Go, you have to be very careful during the press or risk tipping the cup and spilling boiling water and coffee everywhere. It’s not impossible to use it without knocking it over, but even one in twenty is too high of a frequency for us.
The Aeropress Go’s primary advantage is the built-in mug that attaches to the bottom of the coffee press. It’s extremely convenient not to have to bring a separate mug with you. The smaller size and detachable cup are nice features in a travel coffee maker, but in practice, how hard it is to press safely and effectively is a severe drawback.
Pros
- The attached cup is very convenient
- Makes the same great coffee as the original
- Small and lightweight
Cons
- Much harder to press than the original which can lead to spills
- Somewhat expensive
What Is a Portable Coffee Maker?
Simply put, a portable coffee maker is any device or tool that makes coffee without needing to be plugged into a wall. There are many different types of portable coffee makers with varying degrees of complexity and features.
Why Buy a Portable Coffee Maker?
There are many possible answers to this question, but the most common ones are convenience, money, and quality.
Convenience
If you’re living out of a tent or hotel, access to good coffee is not a give. Many hotels offer lackluster, burnt-tasting coffee, and we haven’t run into many great cafés in the middle of the woods. Traveling with a portable coffee setup guarantees you’ll be able to have your cup of joe no matter where you are.
Money
Buying coffee out is much more expensive than making it yourself at home. It’s easier than ever to order coffee on your phone and pick it up on your way out, but that convenience is a double-edged sword. The easier it is to order, the more likely you are to buy it, and the faster your expenses will rise. Buying a travel coffee maker is a one-time cost that will pay for itself after a few uses.
Quality
We’ve grown accustomed to a certain quality of coffee over the years, and we’re very particular about our coffee. Portable coffee makers let us get the high-quality, delicious coffee we love while we’re out living life.
Considerations for Buying a Portable Coffee Maker
Where and how often you will use it are the most important factors to consider when shopping for a portable coffee maker. Campers and backpackers will want to look for smaller, lighter coffee makers, while business travelers can get away with bulkier options.
It’s also important to think about what kind of coffee you enjoy. How you usually brew coffee can inform your decision. People prefer different brew styles and what one person likes, another might find undrinkable.
Pour-over coffee is an easy way to make coffee on the go that only requires a cone and a filter to get the same experience you would at home. French press is another popular type of coffee that lends itself nicely to traveling and has a bolder flavor profile and more robust mouthfeel. Make sure you buy a travel coffee maker that fits your taste; otherwise, you’ll wind up disappointed. French press lovers are probably willing to deal with the increased weight and size of a French press to get the type coffee they crave.
Features to Look for in a Portable Coffee Maker
Durability
The most important feature is durability. Glass should be avoided at all costs. Nothing derails a vacation faster than a backpack full of broken glass.
Size
Size is also important for travelers that fly to their destination. Cutting weight and number of bags can save you a lot of money if you’re traveling by plane.
Weight
Weight is often important but won’t be the most important feature unless you’re camping or backpacking. Carrying around extra ounces will add up over the miles, so prioritize weight if you plan to make coffee in the great outdoors.
How to Make the Most of Your Travel Coffee Maker
There are few things worse than thinking you’re about to make a delicious cup of coffee in your portable coffee maker only to find you’ve forgotten a key piece of equipment. It’s worth making a list of the bare essential items you need and checking them off as you pack your bag.
Another helpful tip to help you get the most out of your portable coffee maker is to do as much of the work as you can before you hit the road. Weighing coffee beans can be especially annoying if you’re traveling light or don’t want to fumble around with a scale during a busy morning. We like to weigh our beans before we leave and pack them in individual serving sizes. It makes the brewing process much more streamlined and means you can leave the scale at home.
Portable Coffee Maker FAQ
What Is the Best Portable Coffee Maker?
The best overall portable coffee maker is the Aeropress. It’s one of the best coffee makers on the market in general, but really shines on the road thanks to its durability, light weight, and simplicity.
What Is the Best Travel Coffee Maker?
Again, the Aeropress is king when it comes to the travel coffee makers. The Aeropress Go is almost as good and would be better if it weren’t so prone to tipping.
Is There Such a Thing as a Battery Operated Coffee Maker?
Yes! We didn’t include any on this list because they’re usually expensive and don’t have great battery life. Boiling water is very energy-intensive and will sap your battery life in no time.
How Do You Make Coffee on the Go?
If you purchase a pour-over coffee maker, French press, or Aeropress, making coffee on the go is nearly identical to making coffee at home. How you boil water is the primary difference and will change depending on where you are. In a hotel, you can use a microwave if you have one in your room, or there is usually hot water in the lobby. Out in nature, you’ll have to boil water the old-fashioned way with a campfire or the not-so-old-fashioned way with a propane stove.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed these reviews of portable coffee makers! You now have the ability to decide which coffee maker is right for you and ensure you can take your coffee habit with you when you travel.
The best overall portable coffee maker is the Aeropress, but any of the coffee makers on this list are good choices. Hario’s V60 is also one of our favorite portable coffee makers and perfectly suitable as an everyday brewer as well. If espresso is more your speed, the Wacaco Minipresso GR or Nanopresso will serve you well while you don’t have access to a fancy espresso machine.