If you love coffee and travel often, you may have trouble finding a good place to get your caffeine fix. There are many portable coffee makers on the market, but it can be difficult to find one that makes a true espresso.
Shopping online can feel like a high-pressure situation because it’s not always clear which models are great and which ones will break down soon after you buy them.
We strive to provide shoppers with confidence by displaying reviews of the best portable espresso machines currently on the market.
Best portable espresso makers
1. Flair Manual-Press Portable Espresso Maker
The Flair Espresso Maker is the best portable espresso maker because it is a manual press, meaning that you provide all the power needed to turn hot water and ground coffee into the perfect shot of espresso.
The brewing head on this espresso maker is detachable, making it easy to use and to clean. The majority of the parts on this portable espresso maker are made from either stainless steel or aluminum. This is a great combination of materials because it makes the espresso maker lightweight and durable. It is also easy to transport.
The machine also comes with a carrying case to keep it safe while traveling.
The only downside to this model is that it is not the quickest model to use. If you are willing to take the time to learn it, then this is the best portable espresso maker.
2. Wacaco Minipresso Espresso Maker
The Wacaco Minipresso MPGR100 is the best travel espresso maker for anyone who needs a easy-to-use companion.
This model is ideal if you are going camping or find yourself in a situation where the nearest coffee shop is far away. It is very compact and light, making it easy to carry with you.
The coffee maker is small and lightweight, making it easy to take with you on trips. It’s also easy to use – just add coffee grounds and hot water, and pump a few times.
The machine is easy to use, so it is one of the quicker models on the market and will get you from start to finish in a very short amount of time.
This model is also easy to clean up after use since it disassembles into multiple pieces, all of which are safe to clean. The only real gripe we have with this model is that it seems designed to drive you toward upgrades.
This model is not the best option because it can only make one shot of espresso at a time. If you want to make more espresso, you would need to upgrade the water tank.
3. Litchi Handheld Portable Espresso Maker
The Litchi Portable Hand Held Espresso Maker is a great value for the price.
This product is a great deal because it is cheaper than the first two models on the list, but it also includes an extra filter basket.
The Panasonic comes with a carrying case, which is not as protective as the cases that come with other models, but it gives you a way to keep all the parts together while you travel.
Before you buy the product, there are a few things you should know that may be seen as negative. The product is oddly shaped, making it difficult to travel with. Even though it is not easy to damage, you should be careful of where you leave it inside a bag or backpack.
To get the best results from this coffee maker, you should compact the ground coffee, which can be difficult to do when you’re traveling. If it weren’t for these problems, this coffee maker would be higher on our list. Even with these flaws, it is still the best value for the money.
4. Handpresso Wild Hybrid Portable Espresso Maker
The Handpresso Wild Hybrid allows you to avoid using loose espresso grounds, which can be a lifesaver if you’re far from home and cleaning up a spill would be a logistical disaster.
This model of espresso machine gives you the option to use either loose espresso grounds or E.S.E pods. These pods are similar to K-cups but are specifically designed for making espresso. This is convenient for when you’re traveling and don’t want to worry about grinding or spilling espresso.
This machine produces enough pressure to make a great cup of espresso every time.
The model is available in both black and silver colors. You can choose between a more elegant or a more scratch-resistant design. The model is a bit pricey, and while it’s not outrageous, it does not compare well with other models on our list in terms of price.
The E.S.E pods can be difficult to locate if you’re not shopping online, which can be annoying. However, the quality does not warrant the cost, even though this is a decent portable espresso machine overall.
5. Homgeek Mini And Portable Espresso Makers
The Homgeek Mini Espresso Maker is a decent choice for someone looking for a portable espresso maker. But it’s not the best choice because it’s inexpensive and replaceable.
The espresso maker is cheap and simple to use.
This machine has potential to make good espresso, but it is oddly shaped which can make packing it problematic. Additionally, it doesn’t have as long of a lifespan as other models and often starts to develop leaks after a few months of use.
When it comes to spending money on models, it is usually wiser to spend a bit more to get a model with better features and a longer lifespan.
6. Conqueco Portable Espresso Maker
The Conqueco coffee machine is one of the heaviest machines on our list, but it is also self-heating. This means that you do not need to invest in an additional water-heating device, saving both weight and space in your pack.
A self-heating coffee maker is more suitable if you’re not setting up camp for the night. It’s also great for road trips.
The built-in coffee maker will do the extraction for you, so there is no need to pump. The machine will brew directly into the attached cup in 8-10 minutes when using cold water, or around 5 seconds if you have hot water available. If you use cold water, you will be able to get 3-4 cups out of a charge. If you use hot water, you will be able to get more cups out of a charge.
The manufacturer says that the top pressure is 15 bars, which is more than enough for espresso. However, you will be limited to the quality of coffee you can get from Nespresso capsules since there is no option for ground coffee.
The heater and pump are powered by a built-in lithium battery which can be recharged with a wall charger or car charger (both included). You can use the Conqueco plugged into the car charger to save battery, but not when plugged into the wall.
7. KFLOW Portable Espresso Maker
The K-FLOW is unique because it is compatible with Dolce Gusto capsules in addition to ground coffee and original Nespresso capsules.
There are separate models, but you can buy adapters from the company to have multiple options with the same machine.
The KFLOW is the perfect travel companion, with a clever and compact design. The BPA-free plastic coffee maker folds down to a tiny 6.3 inches long and comes with two travel cups and a stand for a sturdy base while pumping.
The ground coffee model can hold up to 12g of coffee in the filter basket. If you like double shots, this isn’t the best option for you. All models have a 110 ml water tank, which is the size of a Nespresso lungo.
8. Wacaco Pipamoka
Wacaco’s 2019 release of the Pipamoka coffee maker is an all-in-one, hand-operated coffee brewing machine that produces up to 236 ml of coffee. To use, simply twist the ring for vacuum-pressured coffee extraction and enjoy.
Pipamoka is a thermal cup that can keep your coffee hot for hours, making it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, long walks, or traveling. Additionally, its reusable stainless steel microfilter makes it friendly to the environment, which is always a big plus.
This product also comes with a carrying bag, funnel, scoop, brush, warranty card, and instruction book.
Always have a source of hot water when using the hot plate, and it will be ready to use.
9. Staresso SP-200
If you enjoy a foamy cup of coffee in the morning, the Staresso Portable Espresso Machine is the only portable option that brews espresso and foams milk. The machine comes with a cup, so you won’t need to bring one if you’re traveling light.
Once you’re done, it’s easy to clean up by rinsing with warm water. If you’re making milk-based drinks, though, you’ll need to put in a bit more effort to clean, using a mixture of water and alcohol.
The Staresso’s Pumping action has been noted by some people to be more difficult than other pump-style machines like the Wacaco Nanopresso and Minipresso. If you have limited hand strength or dexterity, you may want to consider not getting this particular model.
Some people are concerned that the pump will become less reliable over time because it seems to require more effort to operate, but the manufacturer offers a 2-year warranty.
How important is portability (and weight) for you
When deciding whether or not to bring a coffee brewer on your trip, weight may be the deciding factor if you’re highly mobile (i.e. a ‘digital nomad’). Nobody in their right mind would bring a traditional home espresso maker with them, but the portable options do vary greatly in weight too.
The espresso machines below vary in weight, but they are all portable because they come with carrying cases, are durable, and compact.
There is a wide range of backpacks available, some of which are light enough to be carried on a multi-day hike, and others that are better suited for activities that don’t require as much weight, like canoe camping or travelling by airplane with checked luggage.
Ultra Light (<340 grams)
If you want to backpack or hike and have a shot of espresso every morning in a new location, then ultra light is the right choice (unless you really love espresso and want to carry a lot of weight). Most backpackers can tolerate instant coffee, but we’re here to talk about espresso so let’s assume that’s not good enough.
If you’re going on a multi-day trek, you’ll want a portable espresso maker that’s relatively light, around 220-340 grams (8-12 ounces). If you’re carrying other gear, ask someone else to carry the espresso maker and make them a shot each morning as a thank-you.
Light (340-500 grams)
This espresso maker is perfect for takingwith you on short trips. It’s lightweight so you can easily carry it in a bag without it being too heavy.
Portable (>500 grams)
The reason why portable vacuum cleaners that weigh more than half a kilogram are still popular is because they tend to be easier to use, more compact, and more durable. These units are usually used by people who are traveling in a car or camper, or going to a vacation house. If you want a high-quality portable vacuum cleaner and don’t mind if it’s a little heavier, then this is the weight class for you.