Portable coffee maker quick picks
Since in-room coffee bars at hotels and Airbnbs still leave much to be desired, it’s worth packing a portable coffee maker on your next trip. That way you won’t have to settle for Nespresso coffee … or worse.
“As a fellow coffee fiend, I know the struggle of bad hotel coffee all too well,” says Nadine Gehrmann, coffee blogger and owner of a fair-trade coffee shop in Germany. “My top tip is to get yourself a portable coffee maker and to prioritize easy cleaning because nobody wants to deal with dirty equipment on the go.”
The following coffee makers — most of which we’ve tested ourselves — lead the pack when it comes to convenience, quality and durability. They’re easy to pack in a carry-on bag and just require access to hot water, ground coffee and sometimes a filter, which means you’ll never be without your decent morning joe.
Best portable coffee makers
The AeroPress Original Coffee Maker is going to be your best bet if you want something lightweight, reliable and easy to use while on the go. “I highly recommend the AeroPress due to its compact size and easy cleanup,” Gehrmann says. “It not only produces a delicious cup of coffee that can rival any coffee shop, but when combined with a handheld grinder, you can have freshly ground coffee wherever you are.” In our testing, we loved that it was easy to use and clean.
If you're willing to spend a little more for portability, the newer AeroPress Go is another great option. Designed with portability in mind, it's slightly smaller and comes with a cup that doubles as a carrying kit. There's also the company's most recent release, the Go Plus, which combines an insulated tumbler and AeroPress into one package.
There's a reason the Moka pot has been around for nearly 100 years. It's durable, easy to use and makes great espresso-style coffee. Standing just 5 inches tall, the smallest Moka pot is also great for travel. Just keep in mind that it only makes around 2 ounces of strong coffee per brew, however.
After one of our editors discovered VSSL's all-in-one pour-over set, she stopped going to her coffee shop for weeks. The coffee was that good. The pour-over coffee maker is also good for travel, with a 10-ounce insulted mug, lid and reusable filter included in the modular brewing system. Pair it with the VSSL Java G25 grinder and you've got everything you need for top-quality coffee on the go.
What if you took Hario's wildly popular V60 and made it extra-portable? That's exactly what the Japanese company did with the Zebrang, a collapsible silicone dripper that you can store flat or rolled up. Weighing just under 100 grams, it's one of the best pour-over devices for travelers who pack light.
If you're looking for a rich espresso, look no further than our pick for the best portable espresso maker, the Staresso Pro. In our testing, this device gave us the best results of any of the portable options we tried out. It's small in stature, as it comes in three parts and requires some assembly, perfect for sticking in your carry-on bag or backpack for any trip. Note that it takes some time to generate the pressure needed, but you'll be rewarded with a quality espresso at the end, and what's better than that?
You could bring your Chemex Pour-Over on the road, but it'll be too delicate to throw into your backpack or carry-on. The Oxo Brew Pour-Over Coffee Maker, however, is a pretty good runner-up — in fact, we dubbed it the best pour-over coffee maker for beginners. The plastic pour-over coffee maker is perfect for beginners or those who are short on time while on the road. Just pop it over a coffee mug or to-go traveler, add your ground coffee, fill the water tank to your desired amount and watch as your cup is brewed to perfection.
The Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker is one of the best options for those who prefer rugged outdoor adventures over comfortable hotel vacations. The portable coffee maker is no bigger than a standard flashlight and is pretty much just as durable. It doesn’t require any batteries and is completely manually powered — the pumping system pulls full shots of hot espresso just with the help of your hands. It's also very easy to clean.
This portable espresso maker is another stand-out option for those who opt for more adventure-focused travel and might not have the best setup to brew coffee in a kitchen or coffee bar area. The Staresso Classic Portable Espresso Machine (as opposed to the Staresso Pro, listed above) is particularly convenient and versatile thanks to its dual-purpose brewing method. The interior brewing system is compatible with both Nespresso pods and ground coffee. The adjustable pressure also means you can choose between concentrated shots of espresso and lighter Americano-style drinks.
The Kuissential SlickDrip Collapsible Silicone Coffee Dripper might be the best option for coffee lovers who value the art of packing extremely light. The collapsible silicone coffee maker functions pretty similarly to a Chemex Pour-Over — all you have to do is add coffee, hot water and a filter, and position the device on top of a standard-size mug. The durable silicone material and folding design mean this can be thrown into the smallest side pocket of any bag without worrying about it breaking or taking up too much space.
The Bodum Travel Press was made for travelers short on time. It’s a classic French press built right into a to-go travel mug, which means you can take the time to properly brew your coffee even if you’re rushing out your hotel room door. The vacuum-sealed, double-wall construction keeps hot beverages temperate for several hours at a time and the entire single-serve traveler is dishwasher-friendly for easy maintenance.
The Outin Mini is up there with the top choices for portable coffee makers. It's on the pricey side, but if you’re a serious coffee fiend, it’s worth the price. This option heats water in less than 4 minutes and provides easy and hands-free extraction. It’s also compatible with both ground coffee and coffee capsules like Nespresso pods and Illy, which provides added convenience. We also love the stylish look of this portable espresso machine, which comes in five color options.
In addition to the Nanopresso, Wacaco also offers a portable espresso maker in its range, dubbed the Picopresso. This is the more expensive of the Wacaco options out there, and as such, in our testing, we found that you can expect a quality espresso shot. However, we found that the Staresso Pro's design is generally better. This option is operated manually, so there's no electricity or batteries required, and it's super compact. It incudes a travel case, too.
Best portable coffee maker accessories
At the end of the day, if you’re lucky enough to have a portable coffee maker, you’ll probably want to skip the dusty paper cup at the hotel and brew your morning coffee right into your travel mug. The Yeti Rambler Travel Mug earns our seal of approval for its dual-slider leakproof lid (a major bonus while traveling) and impressive hot and cold temperature retention. This travel mug comes in a spectrum of fun colors, from hot pink to orange.
I can't compete with a commercial steam wand, but this handheld milk frother is beloved by the Underscored team for its easy-to-use design and low price. Bring it along with a portable espresso maker and a grinder, and you'll be able to make coffee shop-quality cappuccinos in your hotel room.
You can't make great coffee on the go without a competent grinder. We found the Java G25 delivers a consistent grind without taking up a lot of space. Everything about this hand grinder — from its magnetic knob to its retractable crank arm — is designed to be portable.
You won't find a better grinder for the price than the Timemore C3, which bested models that were five times as expensive. Though it doesn't have as many portable features as the Java G25, it's still reasonably compact and lightweight.
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