Are you the kind of coffee lover who travels a lot? You probably landed on this page trying to find the best travel coffee maker so that you won’t miss another great coffee on your next trip.
Whether your travel is work-related, a long awaited vacation, camping, or even a long drive, I can help you find a travel coffee kit that best suits your needs!
What is even better than that? You are not limited to a coffee pod, as many portable or travel coffee makers come with an adapter for ground coffee. So you can have even better-tasting coffee, no matter where you are.
But how can you get fresh ground coffee off grid or without electricity? Complement your travel coffee maker with one of our Best Manual Coffee Grinders to form a perfect duo!
Alright, you’re probably eager to get to know your options, right? So, let’s get straight to what you’re searching for.
Below you will find our list of the best coffee makers that could be your next travel buddy, as well as a buyer’s guide to help you make sound decision.
Table of Contents
The 9 Best Travel Coffee Makers
Wacaco Minipresso GR
- Water capacity: 2.35 FL oz
- Ground coffee capacity: 0.28 oz
- Pump pressure: 8 bars
- Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.4 x 6.9 inches
- Weight: 0.8 lb
The Wacaco Minipresso GR is highly portable, and this bullet-shaped coffee maker can make impressive espresso. It is easy to use, and it’s manually pumped, so you don’t need electricity or batteries to operate it.
The water capacity is quite small, but if you want a bigger one, you can buy a larger Minipresso tank with about 120 ml of water. This current size is perfect for one!
The default water tank is perfect if you only want an espresso. But if you want longer coffee, like drip coffee, then you might wish to consider a larger Minipresso tank.
The coffee ground capacity of 8 grams is just enough for a standard single espresso shot. The 8 bars of pressure seems short of the standard 9 bars for optimal espresso extraction, but it can still make great coffee in a powerful instant coffee bullet!
Regarding the size, the Wacaco Minipresso GR is small enough to fit into your jacket pocket. This is good to know for any backpackers or other campers looking for a reliable camping coffee maker.
Pros:
- It’s compact and lightweight enough to fit into a jacket pocket
- Sleek design
- No electricity or batteries needed
- It adapts a larger Minipresso tank that can be bought separately
- It makes delicious espresso and longer coffee drinks
- It’s easy to operate
Cons:
- The nozzle end would be better if you can disassemble it for thorough cleaning
The Wacaco Minipresso GR is great for its small size and the notion that it is featherweight. It can be a great espresso maker for camping or the outdoors where you need to carry the lightest possible pack.
ESPRO Ultralight Stainless Steel Insulated Travel Coffee French Press
- 12 FL oz coffee making capacity
- 16 FL oz liquid carrying capacity when used as a travel mug
- Patented double microfilter
- Insulated, double-walled, vacuum-sealed stainless steel
- Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.9 x 9.2 inches
- Weight: 0.6 lb
The ESPRO Ultralight Travel Coffee French Press is probably the lightest portable coffee maker in the world. It only weighs 0.6 lb, but it can make a 12 FL oz coffee or contain 16 FL oz of water if used as a travel mug.
It has a patented double microfilter that guarantees your coffee will be free of grit and sludge. This amazing feature ensures that you get no bitter taste from your coffee extract, like you might find from a Moka pot.
This travel coffee French press is made of durable stainless steel, insulated, double-walled, and vacuum-sealed. Its construction guarantees that your drinks will stay hot or cold for hours.
And, since it’s made from durable materials, this ESPRO coffee maker is built to last. You could say that it can be your travel French press coffee maker buddy forever!
The ESPRO Ultralight travel coffee press is a bit tall but slim enough to fit comfortably inside travel bags. But if you need extra space, you can always clip it on a bag strap and carry it hanging on your backpack.
Best of all, it’s available in six different colors that can match your personality or preference. You can get this little guy in blue, brushed stainless steel, chalk white, green, gun metal gray, and matte meteor black.
Pros:
- The patented double microfilter prevents bitterness
- It’s compact and ultralight
- Its stainless steel construction is durable and can last a lifetime
- It’s well insulated, so it keeps your drink hot or cold
- Great aesthetics
- It is available in six different colors
- It’s BPA, BPS, and Phthalate free
Cons:
- The vacuum created during the press can make the filter a bit stuck
If you love the outdoors and French press coffee, the ESPRO ultralight is a great tool to bring with you. It not only keep your coffee warm, but it also helps maintain cold drinks for hours.
STARESSO Portable Espresso Machine
- 2.7 FL oz water tank capacity
- 0.3 oz maximum ground coffee capacity
- 15 to 20 bars of pressure
- Stainless steel pressure pump and coffee chamber
- Compatible with Nespresso pods
- Dimensions: 2.75 x 2.75 x 9.64 inches
- Weight: 0.88 oz
The STARESSO Portable Espresso machine is a 2016 Reddot Award Winner. It’s highly versatile, as it can accommodate original Nespresso pods and ground coffee.
It extracts coffee with its powerful 15 to 20 bars of pressure. This feature ensures that you get a rich espresso with full-bodied crema all the time, as well as other forms of fresh coffee that you might get from a drip coffee maker.
From a creamy espresso shot, you can expand it to other delicious coffee drinks. You can make a cafe Americano, cappuccino, pour over coffee, cold brew coffee, and other iced coffee drinks.
This portable espresso maker is made of stainless steel, so you’d expect it to last a lifetime. The device is lightweight and slim, so it can easily fit in a briefcase or backpack.
Pros:
- Slim and lightweight
- High pump pressure extracts flavorful espresso with a rich crema
- Make other coffee blends from the full-bodied espresso
- Versatile
- Unique design
- Durable and BPA-free materials
- It does not need electricity or batteries to operate
Cons:
- Messy cleanup
The STARESSO portable espresso maker is a versatile device. It is great not only for the great outdoors or travel but for home and office use as well.
AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press
- 15 FL oz mug capacity
- 8 FL oz brewing chamber capacity
- Package comes with: plunger, chamber, filter cup, filter holder, scoop, stirrer, mug, lid, and 350 extra filters
- AeroPress Dimensions: 4.6 x 4.6 x 3.6 inches
- Mug with lid Dimensions: 5.3 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches
- Weight: 0.72 lb
The AeroPress Go is a newer version of the original AeroPress coffee maker. It is optimized for traveling, camping, or even just for office use.
It is designed so that all accessories fit inside the coffee mug. This feature makes the AeroPress Go a more travel-friendly coffee press than its original version.
Much like Coffee Gator branded items, AeroPress is a brand that makes many a coffee drinker take notice. This is a coffee brewer that can turn heads!
It is also lightweight, so you don’t feel like you’re carrying it inside your bag. This is one compact coffee pot!
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight
- Durable
- Makes tastier coffee
- Ingenious design
- Easy to use and clean
Cons:
- It might be too small for most heavy coffee drinkers
The AeroPress Go is an amazing innovation of the original AeroPress. Now, you don’t have to bring a separate cup during your travels, and you neatly pack all of its accessories inside its mug!
Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over
- BPA-free polyester mesh filter
- BPA-free polypropylene rim
- Dimensions: 4.2 x 4.2 x 1.6 inches
- Weight: 1.6 oz
The Primula Brew Buddy is a straightforward pour over coffee maker. It’s made of BPA-free materials, so it’s safe for your health.
It fits on most standard cups and travel mugs as well. It’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
It’s so small that it fits in your jean pocket. Perfect for those of you looking for a no-fuss pour over coffee brew!
Pros:
- Ultralightweight and portable
- Simple to use and easy to clean
- Durable materials
Cons:
- Limited to making pour-over coffee
The Primula portable pour over coffee maker is perfect for travelers or even office workers that can’t get enough pour over coffee. It’s simple and fast, and all you need is ground coffee, a cup, and hot water.
This may not be exactly what you’re looking for, especially if you’re hoping for a cold cup of coffee. Check out some of our best cold brew coffee maker options instead!
GSI Outdoors – 30 Fl Oz JavaPress
- 30 FL oz capacity
- Insulated, double-walled lid
- Water-resistant cloth sleeve
- Shatter-resistant and BPA-free plastic materials
- Silicone-ringed plunger
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.2 x 7.7 inches
- Weight: 10.2 oz
The 30 FL oz JavaPress from GSI Outdoors is a fairly large capacity drip kettle. It contains almost 1L of liquid, so imagine how much coffee it can brew compared to other portable coffee press options!
The lid is well-insulated since it’s double-walled. This is a nice feature for retaining coffee heat, which is essential during cold winter camping trips. It can keep your coffee warm just as well as any battery operated coffee maker can!
The water-resistant cloth sleeve protects your hands from the hot coffee. The entire shatter-resistant chamber is made of BPA-free plastic materials, so it’s safe for your health.
The plunger is equipped with a silicone ring, ensuring that coffee grounds stay at the bottom of the JavaPress. It’s also lightweight and can be carried easily by hooking it onto any backpack attachments.
You can also get it in two colors: blue and graphite.
Pros:
- It has a larger capacity than most portable coffee makers
- The sleeve keeps your hands from burns
- Durable materials
- Easy to clean and use
- Attaches easily to backpacks
- Microwavable (without sleeves)
Cons:
- The square-shaped spout makes it difficult to pour out contents without it dripping down the sides
This GSI Outdoors JavaPress is a sturdy coffee maker for the outdoors. With its large capacity, it is perfect for a group of coffee loving campers!
AICOK Portable Espresso Machine
- 15 bars pressure pump
- One-touch operation
- Rechargeable
- Car-charging
- Heats up to 93C (199.4F)
- Self-cleaning function
- 50 ml tank capacity
- Compatible with Nespresso Original and L’OR capsules
- Dimensions: 4.71 x 2.5 x 1.94 inches
- Weight: 3.08 lbs
The AICOK portable espresso machine is a rechargeable coffee machine. It needs electricity to work, but it is powered by a rechargeable battery.
This 12 volt coffee maker comes also with a wall charger. Hence it is a perfect solution for a car coffee maker or even a boat coffee maker. Anywhere you have 12 V outlet, you can have great coffee.
It works with Nespresso Original and L’OR capsules, so you’ll have a wide variety of coffee options in this travel coffee kit.
The device creates a powerful 15-bar pump pressure. It also has a built-in heater that can heat up to 93C.
The 50 ml tank capacity is just right for making espresso. And you only need to clean the cups because the device is equipped with a self-cleaning function!
Pros:
- Compact
- High-pressure pump
- Easy to operate and clean
- Versatile
- Wall outlet and car charging
- Works on both tap and hot water
- The round silicone cup keeps your hands from getting burned
Cons:
- Water heating can take a while
The AICOK portable espresso machine is quite a versatile coffee maker. It easily fits into your bag and in your car’s cup holder. It is similar to a Keurig in that it only works with pods, not fresh coffee beans.
Presto MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker
- Microwavable water chamber
- Silicone pump
- Works with K-cup pods and refillable ground coffee capsule
- 10 FL oz capacity
- Dimensions: 4.13 x 4.13 x 9 inches
- Weight: 14 oz
The Presto MyJo single cup coffee maker is straightforward to use. It works with K-cup pods and ground coffee using the refillable capsule. If you’re used to a fresh coffee grind, this could be the compact travel buddy for you!
The 10 FL oz capacity is just enough for personal use. It is essentially a single serve coffee maker. It’s lightweight and compact, so it’s highly portable.
The water chamber is also microwavable. Just remove the capsule holder at the bottom before you heat the water in a microwave.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to use and clean
- Works without electricity
- Can use hot water or use directly in a microwave
- Versatile for using ground coffee and K-cup pods
Cons:
- Only made for one
If you love K-cup pods and ground coffee brewing, then the MyJo could be your ideal travel coffee maker. The best thing about it is that you don’t need electricity to extract coffee from the capsules.
Handpresso Hybrid Auto Set
- Compatible with Senseo easy serve pods
- 2 bars pump pressure
- 12V cigarette-lighter plug charging
- 110 ml water chamber capacity
- 4-minute heating time
- Dimensions: 8.27 x 3.74 x 10.24 inches
- Weight: 3.08 lbs
The Handpresso hybrid auto set is a handy coffee maker operated using your car’s cigarette lighter plug. It heats 110 ml of water in just 4 minutes.
It can also brew using ground coffee with the included adaptor. This ensures that you get fresh coffee, every single time.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to use and clean
- Quick heating time
- Compatibility with e.s.e. pods and ground coffee
Cons:
- A bit heavy and bulky for most backpackers
The Handpresso Hybrid auto set is a great device, especially if you’re making long distance travels. It works with your car’s cigarette-lighter plug, but it can also be used with a power adaptor that you can buy separately.
But if this feels limiting to your options, there is also an outdoor set! Check out the Handpresso Outdoor Espresso Set for even more freedom.
Smallest Espresso Maker: Wacaco Minipresso GR
- Fits in a jacket pocket
- Easy to use
- Check it out here
Best for French Press: ESPRO Ultralight Stainless Steel Insulated Travel Maker
- Designed specifically for French press
- Lightweight and compact
- Check it out here
Most Stylish: STARESSO Portable Espresso Machine
- Easy to use
- Makes flavorful espresso
- Check it out here
Best Kit: AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press
- Well known brand
- Makes great coffee
- Check it out here
Best for Pour Over: Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over
- Small and easy to use
- Makes tasty pour over brews
- Check it out here
Best for Groups: GSI Outdoors – 30 Fl Oz JavaPress
- Large capacity
- Keeps coffee warm
- Check it out here
Best Capsule Maker: AICOK Portable Espresso Machine
- Compatible with some capsules
- Great tasting coffee
- Check it out here
Best for One: Presto MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker
- Compact and lightweight
- Cute and stylish
- Check it out here
Best for Road Trips: Handpresso Hybrid Auto Set
- Sleek and cool design
- Comes with carrying case
- Check it out here
Buyers Guide For Travel Coffee Makers
Are you still having a difficult time deciding which travel coffee maker to pick? Here’s a short guide that could help you out before you make your final decision.
What is your Coffee Preference?
Do you love espresso? How about a simple French press coffee?
Or maybe you love the flavors from coffee pods and other pre-made options? Whatever your coffee preference, there’s a right travel coffee maker for you.
From our review, you can quickly narrow down your choice based on your coffee preference. These tiny coffee brewers aren’t the most versatile, but they are perfect for travel. You may not be able to enjoy a variety of brew styles, but you will get coffee on the go!
Manually or Electrically Operated?
Manually operated portable coffee makers are great for the outdoors, where there could be no source of electricity available. But the trade-off is a bit of convenience, as some travel coffee makers require some elbow grease or extra time to make your coffee.
On the other hand, electrically operated coffee makers could be a disadvantage for backcountry trekking, as there may be no source of electricity available. So you might choose to pick something that works with your car’s cigarette lighter plug if you plan on driving on your travels instead of hiking.
It all depends on where your travels take you!
Portability
Although travel coffee makers are built for portability, they still differ in sizes and designs. Smaller coffee makers can easily fit into backpacks, but may produce less amounts of coffee.
On the other hand, the larger-sized ones make more coffee. If your thing is backcountry trekking, you might find something that can be easily attached to backpack straps.
But if you’re just traveling to the office, or having a hotel vacation, any portable coffee maker would do. When you’re on long drive trips, then a 12v car coffee maker would be the best choice!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best travel coffee maker?
The best travel coffee maker will depend on your coffee preference and the travel you frequently make. It also depends on your access to electricity.
If you have access to hot water, then go with any manual option, like the Wacaco Minipresso GR or AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press.
If you plan on hiking outdoors then the GSI Outdoors – 30 Fl Oz JavaPress will do great, or go for a fully charged electrical AICOK Portable Espresso Machine.
But if you travel by car, boat, RV, or anything else that has 12 V outlet, then the AICOK Portable Espresso Machine or Handpresso Hybrid Auto Set will provide convenience and comfort.
How do you get good coffee when traveling?
The secret to getting good coffee when traveling is bringing a portable coffee maker that suits your coffee preference. Using coffee capsules are great, but having freshly ground coffee could be better.
I encourage you to always go for freshly ground coffee, even if you grind a decent amount of it right before you travel. You can also carry a manual coffee grinder with you so that you can grind your beans for each individual cup you make!
But if traveling with a hand grinder is an inconvenience, just make sure you keep your ground coffee in an airtight container. Also, you’ll need a source of heat for boiling water, but I believe in you and your desires for a great cup of coffee!
Happy Brewing!