If you’re a coffee lover, like me, and often travel, you might have already thought about how to enjoy your favorite coffee on the go. The perfect solution could be a travel coffee maker. In this article, Travel Coffee Maker: the Ultimate Guide, we’ll look at everything a travel coffee maker entails and how to choose the right model for you. I’ve also put together 15 tips for the best travel coffee makers on the market.
Types of Travel Coffee Makers
There are several types of travel coffee makers.
Manual Travel Coffee Maker
A manual coffee maker is ideal for those who like to get a workout in before their dose of caffeine.😄 These coffee makers usually require repeated manual pressing, which can take a while, and if you’re making coffee for a whole group, it can be more demanding. However, they don’t require charging. We recommend the proven Wacaco manual coffee makers.
TIP: Read the review of the Wacaco Nanopresso travel coffee maker.
Automatic Travel Coffee Maker
An automatic travel coffee maker is very convenient and easy to use. Just fill the reservoir with water and coffee and press a button. This type of coffee maker is ideal for those who prefer quick and hassle-free coffee preparation. However, charging needs to be considered. The Outin Nano coffee maker is excellent and tested by us.
You might be interested in: A review of the Outin Nano coffee maker and its accessories.
Travel Capsule Coffee Maker
A capsule coffee maker is very popular for its simplicity and cleanliness. They use pre-filled coffee capsules (such as Nespresso or Dolce Gusto capsules), which eliminates the need for grinding and measuring coffee. You can try, for example, Handpresso coffee makers or a Wacaco adapter for coffee makers.
Travel Coffee Maker for Ground Coffee
A ground coffee maker is a great choice for those who like to prepare coffee from pre-ground coffee. These coffee makers are often lightweight and easily portable, which is ideal for travel. Moreover, ground coffee is more compact than carrying beans with you.
Travel Coffee Maker for Whole Bean Coffee
A whole bean coffee maker is usually equipped with a built-in grinder, which allows for grinding fresh coffee beans right before preparation. This type of coffee maker is ideal for those who want to enjoy the freshest possible coffee. However, it is somewhat larger, heavier, and more expensive. An alternative could be a separately purchased travel Wacaco coffee grinder.
Travel French Press
French press is a well-established classic among coffee lovers. The travel version is compact and easy to use. You can prepare coffee directly in the French press, which also serves as a cup. Check out the ESPRO Travel Press.
How to Choose a Travel Coffee Maker
Choosing the right travel coffee maker depends on several factors, but mainly on your preferences. Consider the following:
Size and Weight
If you travel frequently, it’s important to choose a coffee maker that is lightweight and easily portable. Compact models usually fit into any luggage without taking up too much space.
Preparation Method
Consider which coffee preparation method you prefer. If you like speed and simplicity, an automatic coffee maker will be better for you. If you don’t mind a workout with manual coffee preparation, then a manual coffee maker or French press will be the ideal choice.
Also, consider whether you prefer whole bean, ground, or capsule coffee. When choosing a travel coffee maker, you must not forget that you will also be carrying coffee (whole bean or already ground) or capsules with you.
Power Source
Check what power source the coffee maker requires. Some models run on batteries, others need an electrical outlet, hot water, or a gas stove.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Easy and regular maintenance is essential for the coffee maker’s longevity. Choose a model that is easy to clean and maintain. Some coffee makers have removable parts that can even be washed in a dishwasher. Cheaper coffee makers, on the other hand, are almost impossible to clean.
Price
The price of travel coffee makers varies depending on features and brand. Determine your budget and look for a model that offers the best value for money.
Pros and Cons of Travel Coffee Makers
Like any convenience, a travel coffee maker has both its pros and cons:
Benefits
- Convenience: You can enjoy fresh coffee anywhere, anytime, whether you’re at a cabin, in a hotel, in a car, or camping.
- Flexibility: Some models are designed to be usable even in various and often challenging conditions (for example, without electricity or hot water).
- Quality: Even on the go, you can prepare high-quality and delicious coffee. You don’t have to suffer through the sludge from a hotel vending machine.
Cons
- Price: Quality travel coffee makers can be a more expensive investment.
- Maintenance: Some models require frequent cleaning and maintenance.
- Size: Even though travel coffee makers are compact, they can take up a certain amount of space in your luggage. And if you’re traveling with just a backpack, for example, that can be a problem (but I’d rather wear the same clothes 3 times than deny myself caffeine.😄)
15 Tips for the Best Travel Coffee Makers (+ Their Accessories)
I’ve put together 15 tips for the best travel coffee makers and 4 tips for practical accessories that might come in handy for your coffee maker.
1) Wacaco Nanopresso Grey Patrol Espresso Maker
The Nanopresso Wacaco Patrol in black is a portable coffee maker for preparing espresso from ground coffee, which will please even the most demanding coffee lovers. Thanks to its compact, lightweight, and versatile design with intuitive and simple controls, you can enjoy ground coffee truly anywhere.
The coffee maker doesn’t need any electricity source; just fill it with hot water, add coffee, use the piston to pressurize, and make a perfect espresso with creamy foam. The package includes a cup, a coffee scoop, and a cleaning brush.
You can also get this model in other colors, for example in red.
2) Wacaco Picopresso Espresso Maker
Picopresso, as the name suggests, is the smallest of Wacaco’s travel coffee makers, fitting perfectly in your hand. With this coffee maker, you can prepare a delicious espresso using only hot water, ground coffee, and your own strength — no electricity needed.
3) Wacaco Pipamoka Espresso Maker
The Wacaco Pipamoka is a portable filtered coffee maker that combines an espresso maker, a thermos, and a coffee mug, so you can truly use it anytime, anywhere.
The device works based on a vacuum inside the container, created by screwing the rotating system. With this travel coffee maker, you can prepare espresso, café latte, flat white, or for example, cold brew. Coffee preparation takes approximately 2 minutes, and the coffee stays hot in the thermal container for 3 to 4 hours.
4) Wacaco Cuppamoka Drip Coffee Maker
Cuppamoka is a compact and lightweight travel drip coffee maker for ground coffee that saves space in your luggage and can be used truly anywhere. This coffee maker is easy to use and achieves a great taste of filtered coffee. The preparation process takes about 3 minutes, and the coffee stays hot for longer thanks to the stainless steel double-walled container.
5) Wacaco Minipresso NS Travel Espresso Maker
The Minipresso travel espresso maker is a great portable coffee maker for preparing espresso from Nespresso capsules. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to operate. The Minipresso Wacaco doesn’t need any electricity source – just fill it with hot water, insert a capsule, use the piston to pressurize, and enjoy a perfect espresso with creamy foam.
The package also includes an espresso cup, so you can prepare your favorite drink anywhere – at home, in the office, or on the go.
6) Wacaco Nanopresso Dark Souls Espresso Maker
The Nanopresso Wacaco Dark Souls will delight all fans of the action video game Dark Souls. It’s compact, lightweight, and designed for preparing beverages from ground coffee. For coffee preparation, you can use any ground coffee beans and thus try new flavors. The device allows for coffee preparation with a dose weight of 8g and an average pressure of 18 bar.
7) ESPRO Ultra Light
French press Espro Inc. with a volume of 480 ml allows you to prepare your favorite beverage at the perfect temperature, which it maintains for up to 4 hours thanks to its double walls. Additionally, it is dishwasher safe, so you don’t have to bother with hand washing. It is made of stainless steel and plastic, ensuring its lightness and durability. It is ideal for preparing filtered coffee and various types of teas.
8) Handpresso Auto Capsule
Another tip for a travel coffee maker, this time for the car, is the luxurious Handpresso Auto Capsule from the French brand Handpresso. You can conveniently prepare a high-quality espresso directly in your car in just two and a half minutes. This coffee maker is compatible with Nespresso capsules and easily connects to a 12 or 24-volt cigarette lighter. Furthermore, the coffee maker takes care of heating the water itself, and its maintenance is very simple.
9) Handpresso E-presso Plus
Another ideal solution for travel is the Handpresso E-presso Plus travel coffee maker. Thanks to its compact dimensions of 9.5 × 9.5 × 31.5 cm and a weight of just 0.78 kg, you can easily take it anywhere. The coffee maker develops a pressure of up to 19 bar, and its reservoir holds 0.11 L of water. It is made of durable plastic, and its elegant black design will stylishly complement your travel gear. It is suitable for preparing coffee from Nespresso capsules or ground coffee, and thanks to its built-in Li-ion battery with USB-C charging capability, it is an ideal travel companion.
10) Staresso Classic
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy espresso on the go, the Staresso Classic travel coffee maker is an ideal choice. With a pressure of up to 20 bar and a water reservoir capacity of 50–80 ml, it allows you to prepare coffee with a weight of 5–10g from Nespresso capsules.
11) ESPRO Travel Press
The Espro Travel Press French press, made of polished stainless steel, allows you to prepare excellent tea or coffee without sediment thanks to its double silicone seal and patented micro-filter. The stainless steel double-walled container keeps the beverage warm for up to 4 hours without you burning yourself on its surface, allowing for safe drinking directly from the French press.
12) Staresso Mirage SP-300
The Staresso Mirage SP-300 manual coffee maker is an ideal companion for travel, work, or even home use, where it will prepare a cup of delicious coffee with full flavor and rich crema in just 30 seconds. This innovative, foldable coffee maker allows you to prepare two cups simultaneously thanks to its two nozzles and is designed to easily fit into any backpack. With a reservoir volume of 180 ml and a container for 18-22g of ground coffee, it is ideal for preparing espresso, doppio, or lungo with a pressure of 15-20 bar.
13) ASOBU Cold Brew
The Asobu Cold Brew travel coffee maker allows for alternative coffee preparation without using paper filters and keeps the beverage hot for up to 12 hours thanks to its 100% functional seal. With a volume of 1 liter and dimensions of 12 × 12 × 31 cm, it is compact enough for easy portability, while its weight is 0.83 kg.
14) Handpresso Wild Hybrid Silver
With the Handpresso Wild Hybrid Silver manual coffee maker, you can prepare coffee anywhere, easily and quickly. This travel coffee maker, also known as Handpresso Pump, allows for espresso preparation from both ground coffee and ESE pods. Thanks to its compact dimensions and a weight of just 480g, it takes up almost no space. With a maximum pressure of 16 bar, which you achieve by pumping, and by adding hot water at 90 °C, you can easily enjoy your favorite coffee even without electricity.
15) VacOne
The VacOne manual coffee maker utilizes patented VacTec vacuum extraction technology. This compact coffee maker, weighing just 280g, will prepare up to 350 ml of delicious hot or cold coffee for you in just a few minutes. The coffee maker is easily portable, and thanks to USB charging, it can prepare over 150 cups of coffee on a single charge. VacOne does not heat water, so you only need hot or cold water and quality ground coffee for preparation.
16) Wacaco Nanopresso Grey Patrol Espresso Maker + NS Adapter
If you’re looking for an alternative for making coffee from capsules, then I recommend getting the already mentioned Nanopresso Wacaco Patrol with the adapter for Nespresso capsules.
Simply insert Nespresso capsules into the adapter, attach it to the Nanopresso coffee maker, fill with hot water, use the piston to pressurize, and make a perfect cup of coffee.
17) Wacaco Nanopresso Dolce Gusto Kit
If you don’t mind a cappuccino or latte, then I recommend getting the Dolce Gusto Kit for your classic Nanopresso travel coffee maker.
The expansion kit for Nanopresso devices allows the use of Dolce Gusto capsules for preparing espresso and other beverages, such as latte, cappuccino, or macchiato. The Dolce Gusto capsule holder simply mounts onto the Nanopresso device, and delicious coffee drips into the prepared cup.
The kit is designed for original Dolce Gusto capsules and other compatible capsules; however, some non-original capsules may not be fully functional with this kit.
18) Wacaco Nanopresso Barista Kit
For your Nanopresso coffee maker, you can also get the Barista Kit, which consists of a 140 ml water reservoir and an additional 16g coffee filter basket. This allows you to brew more espresso from ground coffee, perhaps for the whole family.😉
19) Wacaco Exagrind Coffee Grinder
The Wacaco Exagrind grinder is an ideal choice for all coffee lovers looking for a compact manual grinder. With a height of just 14.3 cm and a capacity of 20 grams of coffee, it offers preparation for up to a double espresso. It is equipped with unique milled stainless steel burrs for smooth movement and even grinding, while the grind adjustment with a 33-micron step allows for easy customization for various preparation methods. Furthermore, it is compatible with Wacaco coffee makers, making it a great choice for travel.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the best type of travel coffee maker for frequent travel?
For frequent travel, a lightweight and compact coffee maker is ideal, such as the Wacaco Nanopresso espresso maker or Wacaco Minipresso NS. These models are easily portable and require minimal maintenance.
Can I use a travel coffee maker for camping?
Yes, many travel coffee makers are designed to work with various power sources, including gas stoves. Similarly, there are also manual coffee makers that only require hot water.
How often should I clean a travel coffee maker?
Cleaning the coffee maker depends on its type and frequency of use. Generally, it is recommended to clean the coffee maker after each use to prevent the accumulation of coffee residue and the development of unpleasant odors.
How long does it take to prepare coffee with a travel coffee maker?
The coffee preparation time varies depending on the type of coffee maker. Manual coffee makers usually require a few minutes of manual effort, while automatic coffee makers can prepare coffee in a few seconds to minutes.
Can I use my travel coffee maker in other countries?
If your travel coffee maker uses electricity, make sure it is compatible with the electrical outlets and voltage in the country you are traveling to.
Can I take a travel coffee maker on a plane?
Yes, you can take a travel coffee maker on a plane as part of your carry-on luggage. Make sure the coffee maker is empty and clean to avoid issues with security checks. Some airlines may have specific rules, so it’s a good idea to check with them beforehand.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
