The Best Portable Coffee Maker for Any Type of Brew

Whether you want to sip a hot cuppa Joe in the great outdoors or you’re on the quest for something to perk up your morning commute, investing in the best portable coffee maker is a game-changer, especially if you don’t want to have to resort to instant coffee.

From coffee makers you can share with family and friends to a single cup heater, there’s no denying that a portable coffee maker is a travel essential for anyone who doesn’t want to miss a coffee fix when need be.

Without further ado, let’s delve into the best portable coffee maker options that are bundled up into a travel-friendly package, so you can have good coffee while on the go.

1. Zyliss Travel French Press

If you’re looking to revel in a hot cup of coffee on the go, then the Zyliss Travel French Press wraps up your search. You can satisfy your cravings with one press of a button. Once you pour coffee grounds, add hot water, and press the mesh filter, you’re good to go. There’s no hassle of removing the grounds. Instead, simply pop the lid off and on. The Zyliss Travel French Press mug has dual-wall insulation that keeps your beverage piping hot for hours on end.

Delivering unmatched efficiency in separating the grounds from your coffee, you’re assured of a delicious, smooth drink with this travel coffee maker. In addition, the portable coffee maker is dishwasher-friendly and BPA-free, so the cleaning process for this travel mug is a breeze. Designed with versatility in mind, you can also brew hot tea and chocolate in addition to delicious coffee.

Pros:

• Sturdy and comfortable handle for pouring and portability
• Suitable for brewing hot chocolate, tea, and coffee
• Double-wall insulation to keep your beverage hot
• BPA-free and dishwasher-safe
• Pocket-friendly

Cons:

• Only holds 12 ounces of a beverage

2. Presto 02835

If you’re on the quest for the best portable coffee maker that was designed with versatility in mind, then the Presto 02835 is a great option to consider. It brews various volumes of six, eight, and ten ounces of ground tea, coffee, or cocoa.

Once you add water to the reservoir of this single-serve coffee maker, you’re good to go. Alternatively, you can put water and heat it via a microwave. After the water is hot enough, attach it to the K-cup in the base, put your coffee mug, and pump. That’s how simple it is to revel in your preferred hot beverage on the move.

Pros:

• The reservoir is microwave-friendly for heating the water
• Compatible with refillable pods and K-cups for freshly ground coffee or tea
• Doesn’t require a power source to function
• Brews different volumes
• Perfect for versatile use
• Ideal for outdoor adventures such as camping and hiking

Cons:

• Might not sit well on narrow-mouth cups
• Requires course grounds as fine ground beans can clog the unit

3. Bodum Travel Press

With the Bodum Travel Press, you can brew tea or coffee while you’re on the move. It’s made of stainless steel, double-walled insulation, and vacuum-sealed to ensure your beverage stays cold or hot for hours on end. In addition to a reliable plunger and non-spill lid, this French Press portable coffee maker delivers a non-slip grip, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping while brewing.

However, if it does, it won’t break. Like most French coffee press devices, simply add up to 4 tablespoons of coarsely ground coffee to the chamber, pour hot water, use the plunger to stir properly, seal the lid, pull the plunger up, and you’re good to go. After 5 to 10 minutes, you can push the plunger down and revel in brewed coffee.

Pros:

• Easy to clean as it’s dishwasher-safe
• Can hold up to 15 ounces
• Keeps beverages hot for hours
• Provides a non-slip grip

Cons:

• Adding milk after pressing the plunger is nearly impossible

4. Coffee Gator Paperless Pour-Over

Designed with durability in mind, the Gator Paperless Pour-Over portable coffee maker is constructed from 100% BPA-free material and comes with a stainless steel mesh filter. While extracting the burst of flavor and natural oil to your cup, the filter gets the job done at keeping the grounds.

For excellent-tasting coffee that will truly awaken your taste buds, prepare an ounce of your preferred grounds and 12 ounces of water. Add coffee to the filter and slowly pour the water until it’s done. Then, take out the filter and empty the fresh coffee into your cup.

Pros:

• Great value for money
• Keeps your brew free of sediments
• Efficient stainless steel mesh filter
• Comes with a cup measurement guide
• Made of 100% BPA-free material

Cons:

• It doesn’t keep your beverage warm or hot after brewing
• Cleaning the mesh filter can be an uphill battle

5. Aero Press Coffee and Espresso Maker

If you need a portable espresso machine when you’re on the move, then the Aero Press Coffee and Espresso Maker is perfect for bringing along with you. This portable espresso maker makes use of gentle pressure coupled with total immersion to deliver a rich burst of flavor. With its micro-filter, you can delight in a grit-free beverage in a couple of minutes.

With the Aero Press Coffee and Portable Espresso Maker, you can enjoy American-style cappuccinos and lattes. Although the process is relatively slow and utilizes low temperature to lower the acidity in your coffee, it makes up to 4 cups of espresso coffee per coffee brewing cycle.

Pros:

• Easy to disassemble
• Non-breakable
• Effortless to clean
• No plastic comes into contact with the coffee
• Brews up to 4 cups per cycle

Cons:

• Takes longer to brew compared to other models

6. KOHIPRESS French Press

Doubling as a portable coffee maker and excellent travel coffee mug, the KOHIPRESS French Press coffee brewer is a worthwhile investment. It uses the BPA-free plunger and entire immersion method, allowing you to effortlessly make smooth, rich coffee. In addition, the reusable fine-micron stainless steel mesh filter entirely locks the grounds away from your coffee.

The KOHIPRESS French Press has a leak-proof lid included that allows you to store the coffee for long. Furthermore, cleaning it is a walk in the park courtesy of the self-lock technique that keeps your coffee separate from the grounds.

After three to five minutes, the coffee brewing process is done, and you can enjoy your beverage. The dual-wall vacuum chamber accommodates 12 ounces of fresh coffee, and after every brewing cycle, you can effortlessly rinse the plunger and chamber.

Pros:

• Durable build
• Perfect for hunting and camping as it keeps the brew hot for hours
• The mesh filter guarantees sediment-free coffee
• Self-lock mechanism
• Leak-proof lid included

Cons:

• Small mouth opening

7. Wacaco Minipresso GR

If you’re on the quest for the most lightweight and versatile on-the-go coffee maker, then your search ends here with the Wacaco Minipresso GR. Despite its compact size and lightweight nature, this unit is one of the most powerful coffee machines. It has a semi-automatic plunger that makes extraction easier to achieve bold coffee.

For convenience, the Wacaco Minipresso GR doesn’t require N20 cartridges or a power source to be fully functional. It’s hand-operated, giving you full control of the coffee processing and making your favorite coffee drink. With an 8g capacity and 70ml water capacity, you can whip up an espresso, lungo, or ristretto to satisfy your cravings.

Pros:

• Makes consistent and delicious ristretto, lungo, or espresso
• Its compact design makes it perfect for travel
• No electricity or N20 cartridges required
• Lightweight
• Chic design

Cons:

• The unit is difficult to clean
• Brewed beverages cool quickly

8. Solocano Bean to Cup Coffee Maker

The Solocano Bean to Cup Coffeemaker (also called the Solocano Voyager Two) is a handy 6-in-1 pour-over coffee maker that allows us to make coffee anywhere and at any time.

Here are the six features in one…

1. Drip
2. Grinder (manual and electric)
3. Tumbler
4. Motor
5. Kettle
6. Container

We have previously reviewed this innovative coffee maker in our previous post ‘Innovative Portable Coffee Grinder and Coffee Maker‘. Please see this post for more details.

Essentially, this handy portable coffee maker with the following Pros and Cons

Pros

• Inbuilt ceramic grinder
• Thermal Insulation
• Stainless steel coffee mug
• Paperless filter
• USB charging

Cons

• You need preheated water in the thermos flask. The solocano cannot heat water.

The company also has a version called the Voyager One which does not have a manual grinder.

9. Thermos Flask

This is the simplest of all the options given previously.

You simply brew your favorite coffee at home and pour it into a good-quality thermos flask.

There are virtually hundreds of different thermos flasks available to you but the following are two great thermos flasks that keep your favorite coffee warm for up to 24 hours.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Easy to prepare
• Rugged and solid
• Can be used as a hot water store for other portable coffee makers

Cons

• Coffee may deteriorate whilst in the thermos
• Cannot make coffee from freshly ground coffee beans unless it is coupled with a portable coffee maker

The old thermos flask is unbeatable for its cost and portability. If you want freshly ground coffee then use it in association with a portable coffee maker.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Portable Coffee Maker

It’s no secret that selecting a portable coffee machine is a critical decision. After all, you’re relying on a lightweight and compact device for your daily dose of freshly brewed coffee. With that being said, here are a few pointers on how to choose a reliable coffee machine.

Filter

Coffee makers come with different types of filters. For instance, paper filters are the go-to in most French presses. Therefore, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the impact of each filter on your coffee to avoid unwarranted surprises down the road.

Weight

It’s a no-brainer that a heavyweight product is cumbersome to carry around. Therefore, when browsing through the wealth of options, consider the weight of a coffee maker. Nonetheless, not all lightweight makers are more ideal so consider the specs of each.

Portability

One of the most crucial features of a portable coffee maker is that it must be easy to transport. Given that some types of coffee makers are bulkier and larger than others keep an eye out for one that best suits your needs. Regardless of the type of coffee maker you gravitate towards, it must be easy to carry without occupying too much space.

Otherwise, that beats the purpose of portability. As a tip, keep your eyes peeled for products that are made of silicone and other lightweight materials. Furthermore, consider those that are complete without the need for other fancy accessories that take up extra weight and space.

Durability

Traveling can take a toll on your possessions. You also need to ensure you purchase devices and appliances that will go the distance. For example, steer clear of fragile coffee makers made of glass and other breakable materials and opt for aluminum, stainless steel, silicone, or plastic for guaranteed durability of your portable coffee machine.

Brewing Time

A portable coffee machine is pointless if you have to wait for half your journey for it to brew your favorite coffee. Select appliances that take anywhere between a few seconds and 10 minutes to brew to enjoy the speedy beverage on the move.

Ease of Cleaning

Let’s face it. Dirty coffee doesn’t rank as a great quality beverage. Consider where you’re headed and how easy it is to clean the coffee maker. If you’re staying at an Airbnb or a hotel, you can enjoy the luxury of hot water or perhaps a dishwasher. However, if you’re out in the wild, you should opt for a device that’s a breeze to clean with few components.

Volume

Whether you’re making a cuppa Joe for a few people, the size of your coffee maker may determine how grumpy your fellow travelers will be in the morning. Although you can be in charge of the brew, it’s worth noting that the larger the device’s capacity, the bulkier it’ll be.

Power

Almost all devices or appliances you carry with you will require recharging or some form of power to function. Your portable coffee maker is no exception. However, you need to confirm how it needs to be powered before you bring it along. One that doesn’t run solely on elbow grease will likely operate on batteries or a power source. Check the product specs before a hasty purchase to ensure that the charging tallies with your destination.

The Bottom Line

If you can’t get through the day without your coffee mix in the morning, then a portable brewer might be your new best friend.  Whether you opt for a sophisticated espresso maker or a generic pour-over, the ideal beverage is yours for the making on the go.

FAQ

Let’s explore the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about portable coffee makers.

Can you take a coffee maker in your carry-on?

You can pack espresso and coffee makers in your carry-on. However, ensure they don’t contain any liquid.

Does a portable coffee maker require electricity to function?

There’s a boatload of portable coffee makers that don’t need a power source or batteries to function. For instance, the Wacaco Minipresso solely functions on elbow grease. However, there are also battery-powered coffee maker options if you won’t have access to electricity.

Are there portable coffee makers that run on batteries?

While you can find a portable battery-operated coffee maker, most have a built-in rechargeable battery. Other coffee makers are solely hand-operated.

How do you make coffee when you’re on the move?

From a device you can share with friends to a single cup heater, a portable coffee maker is a worthwhile investment for your travels and is a great way to accomplish brewing coffee on the go. It varies from an espresso machine to a French press and is typically a breeze to use by adding whole beans or ground coffee.

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