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Best Portable Espresso Maker
Reviews of the best portable espresso makers.
Published February 2, 2022
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Erik Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
If you enjoy being out and about and do a lot of backpacking, camping, or hiking, then you might want something that you can use to make espresso when you are on the go. Many of us would be lost without our usual cup of coffee in the morning and while instant coffee packets can be a good option for taking outdoors, they do not always make the cut in terms of taste and quality. The good news is that portable espresso makers can be the ideal option for making coffee when you are outdoors, and they can easily double up as a convenient way to make coffee at home too. Many portable espresso makers are easy to store, carry and use – all you need to do is add coffee grounds and hot water before creating some manual pressure to get a gorgeous shot of espresso wherever you are. If you miss coffee when you are on the go and are thinking about getting a portable espresso maker, keep reading to find the best handheld espresso maker for you.
How Portable Espresso Machines Work
Unlike espresso machines that stay in one place, portable espresso makers tend to be manual, so you have to operate them by hand. The upside to this is that you don’t need to plug in or charge your espresso machine, giving you the option to take it anywhere to make coffee as and when you need it. Because of this, portable espresso machines are a fantastic choice for traveling, camping, hiking, backpacking and other outdoor activities. Many are very lightweight and come in travel sizes so that you can easily store them in your bag without the bulk.
How to Choose the Right Portable Espresso Maker
It’s important to consider all the different features on offer and determine which ones are the most important to you before you choose a portable espresso maker. Consider the size that you need. Most people who want a portable espresso maker are going to use it for travel, so it’s important to make sure that the one that you get is going to easily fit in your bag. It’s also important to think about the weight. The good news is that many portable espresso makers are very lightweight, so you can easily carry it around without getting tired. And finally, think about the capacity that you need. If you’re just making coffee for yourself, a small machine is ideal, but you might want a larger one if you’re going to use it for camping with family or a group of friends.
AeroPress Espresso Maker
The AeroPress is one of the most popular mobile espresso maker options and is something that you may have heard of if you are a coffee enthusiast. It offers a great value way to make great coffee on the go using fast, total immersion brewing to produce a low-acid, rich, cup of coffee without any bitter taste. Another great reason to choose the AeroPress if you want to start making more coffee on the go is that along with being a great portable espresso machine, you can also use it to make regular drip coffee.
Wacaco Minipresso GR
This handheld espresso maker is a great choice for anybody who wants to be able to make a perfect cup of coffee no matter where they are. It is versatile, lightweight, compact, and very easy to use. If you like hiking or camping, you will easily be able to fit this handheld espresso maker in your bag and it won’t weigh you down.
Wacaco Nanopresso
This portable mini espresso maker is an ideal choice for making coffee on the go if you will only have the best quality. Despite being a portable, manual option, it offers a surprising eighteen bars of pressure, and in comparison with other portable espresso machines, it requires fifteen percent less force to pump and extract the perfect espresso shot to drink anywhere. Be sure to prepare your grinds well before you set off as to get the best result, it’s recommended to use fine grinds that have been tamped well. It’s also very easy to clean and maintain since you can take the machine apart and put it back together in some simple steps.
Staresso Portable Espresso Maker
A compact and lightweight option to consider, the Staresso portable espresso machine comes in at just under one pound in weight, making it the perfect choice for hikers and campers who want to avoid weighing their bag down. It offers an impressive fifteen to twenty bars of pressure and produces a high-quality, creamy, and thick espresso. You can also use it to froth milk, which is great if you like lattes or cappuccinos.
Fortune Candy Portable Espresso Maker
If you want a portable espresso maker that does not require a lot of force to generate a decent amount of pressure, this option from Fortune Candy is worth considering. It comes with fifteen bars of pressure so there isn’t much work required on your part to create a delicious 60ml espresso shot with a generous layer of crema. Along with this, it’s great for using outdoors since it is also a portable Nespresso machine that will work with Nespresso pods, for a hassle-free and mess-free option compared to preparing ground coffee or taking a grinder out with you.
VECH Portable Espresso Maker
This mini portable espresso maker is designed with travel in mind. It’s easy to assemble and take apart, making cleaning and maintenance a breeze. You can use it to make hassle-free, easy espresso no matter where you are, and gets great results whether you’re using coarsely or finely ground coffee.
Simpresso Portable Espresso Premium
Another great portable espresso maker that you can take traveling, hiking, and camping with you is this option from Simpresso. It comes with a range of reusable, smart capsules that you can use to make hassle-free coffee and you can also use it with Nespresso pods. The nineteen bars of pressure mean that you do not need to use a huge amount of force to make the perfect espresso when on the go, and the double-insulated wall is a great safety feature helping to make brewing coffee outside more convenient than ever.
Moocoo Manual Espresso Maker
With advanced pumping technology, this portable espresso maker achieves an impressive twenty bars of pressure with half the force compared to other portable espresso machines. It is a two-in-one coffee maker that is compatible with either your favorite ground coffee beans or handy coffee capsules for a mess- and hassle-free option.
Arlime Portable Manual Espresso Maker
If you want to make coffee on the go using a coffee maker that makes it as easy and effortless as possible, this option from Arlime could be an ideal choice for you. With twenty bars of pressure, it comes with a pumping system designed to save labor resulting in silky, rich espresso shots without a huge amount of work. You can also use it to froth milk, so you can enjoy cappuccinos, lattes, and other milk-based espresso drinks on the go just as easily.
Leverpresso Portable Espresso Maker
All it takes is some manual hand pressure and three minutes to make a decent shot of espresso using this portable espresso machine. Since it only has nine bars of pressure, however, it will take more work to get an espresso shot compared to some other options. But when done right, it’s definitely worth putting the work into using this dual level system machine to get a great coffee.
NH Kitchen Mini Espresso Maker
A sleek, all-black and very elegant portable espresso maker, this machine can easily double up as a kitchen gadget and a coffee maker to take on the go. It comes in a protective bag which makes traveling with it easier than ever and includes a handy container that you can use to keep your coffee grounds fresh when on the go.
Fdit Portable Mini Espresso Maker
With the option to use either freshly ground coffee or K-cups, this portable espresso maker from Fdit is an ideal choice for anybody who wants the ability to make a hassle-free, tasty cup of coffee no matter where they are. The detachable body makes it easy to clean even if you are on a camp site, and it has a large 12oz capacity, making it a great choice if you need to make espresso for a group. It’s extremely lightweight, making it a perfect choice for hikers.
DoubleSun Espresso Maker
Despite its small size, this mini portable espresso maker is huge when it comes to performance, allowing you to make coffee shop style drinks no matter where you are. It is very easy to use; just add hot water to coffee grounds and press down to get a perfect shot of espresso. The modern design will look great in your kitchen too, and it comes with a range of great features including a shock-resistant water tank and stainless-steel double-layer filter.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors and wish that you could have your favorite cup of coffee whenever you like, a portable espresso maker can turn this dream into a reality.
About the author
Erik Hedlund
With Era of We and The Coffee Lab, I hope to share knowledge, increase the value of coffee – and secure the future of coffee.
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