What is a portable camping espresso maker?
At a time when nature holidays are on the rise and people are concerned about the environment, portable espresso makers for camping bring a real plus to campers, hikers and, in general, to anyone who wants to drink quality coffee when and where they want it.
Often with a futuristic design, the camping coffee maker has been designed to proudly accompany you on all your travels or hikes.
Eventually, their dimensions and weights were also revised as to take full advantage of their portable designation.
How to choose your portable espresso maker?
Eventually, if you are new to the concept of a camping coffee makers, you may have problems acquiring a particular model.
Indeed, several criteria must be considered, as they will define the quality of the system itself.
In this context, you will first have to check its type of operation, whether electrical or manual. In the latter case, you will have to use your strength and use hot water directly, while an electric model will do usually all the work for you.
At the same time, make sure that the pressure it exerts is high so as not to impact on coffee quality.
And of course, in its nomadic nature, it is essential that the camping coffee maker of your choice is compact in weight, without neglecting in its solidity.
Minipresso or Handpresso?
The two ranges Minipresso and Handpresso will no longer be unknown to the greatest fans of coffee breaks in outdoor environments. Precisely, these are 2 direct competitors in terms of portable espresso makers design.
Depending on everyone's tastes and experiences, their favorite will be defined, but on our side, we will have a slight penchant for Minipresso. And for good reason, the factory is known to have produced the most compact camping coffee maker in the world at a price that is relatively affordable to everyone.
Even better, Minipresso portable espresso makers are said to be usable with all kinds of ground coffee and even Nespresso capsules to vary the flavors.
And finally, you should know that it will only take 8 bars of pressure for a Minipresso to prepare espresso coffee, whereas Handpresso will require twice as much (16 to 18 bars of pressure).
However, Handpresso products also have their own quality, which is categorized as more upscale.
What is the best espresso maker for camping?
The best portable espresso maker will obviously be the most compact and practical of all the offers on the market.
Its dimensions should be minimal so as not to be a burden to you when you are on the move and it should be easy to use.
Ideally, a good portable espresso maker should also be accompanied by some accessories to make it practical to use: a storage pocket, pod holders or a cup.
Moreover, you will find several models on the market, to compare and find the one that will meet your needs.
In any case, the best portable espresso maker for camping or travel will be defined even more by a good price-quality ratio at the time of purchase.
Comparison of the 5 Best Portable Espresso Makers for Camping
Since the existence of portable camping espresso makers, there is no longer any reason to do without coffee breaks when traveling or on a camping trip.
In short, a practical innovation that shines with simplicity. And yet, it has nothing in common with the espresso machines you are used to in your kitchen.
This is why the choice for a particular model may seem complex to you.
Litchi Coffee Manual Piston Machine
This first portable espresso maker impresses above all by its ergonomics, reflected in its small dimensions of 7.6 x 3.9 x 2.8 inches (19.2 x 6.8 x 9.5 cm).
With a manual mechanism, its manufacturer promises a cup of espresso in just one minute, without making the slightest noise.
Its pressure is estimated at 8 bars and requires no particular effort from the user.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Fast
- Compact design
CONS
- Need for hot water
Wacaco Minipresso GR, Portable Espresso Machine
It is its minimalist and yet futuristic format that has earned it the name of the smallest portable espresso maker for camping of the moment.
Manual, the model will not require electricity and will prepare your cup of espresso in one minute.
The Minipresso GR coffee maker can reach up to 8 bars, and comes with a cup, a double tank and a measuring cup.
For a upgraded version of the Minipresso check out the Wacaco Nanopresso portable espresso maker (easy to clean), you can see details here.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Fast
- Compact design
CONS
- Need for hot water
Handpresso HP Wild Hybrid Espresso Machine
Simple, light and compact, the manual espresso machine Handpresso Pump allows you to drink an Italian espresso wherever you are.
Handpresso Pump silver is the first ever portable espresso machine launched in 2008 and designed in France.
Simple, light and sturdy , Handpresso Pump is the perfect machine for your camping holidays, when you travel, are on a boat or in the office.
PROS
- E.S.E. (Easy Serving Espresso) Nespresso pods or ground coffee
- Lightweight
- 16 bars of pressure
CONS
- Often out of stock
Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
The Wacaco Nanopresso portable coffee machine is the right choice for outdoor use by up to two people.
Light, compact and robust, it will last you for years and its mechanical system seems less fragile than electric technologies.
A special accessory can be attached to the top of the machine to be able to use the Nespresso Original capsules and vary the pleasures by tasting all kinds of coffees of the brand.
PROS
- Compact design
- Great usability
- Operating pressure
- Its manual and autonomous side
- Compatibility with Nespresso capsules (adapter sold separately)
CONS
- Accessories to be purchased separately
STARESSO Portable Espresso Machine
Easy to use, robust and light, this mini manual espresso machine from STARESSO has few weak points.
Like all manual portable coffee makers, it does not heat the water. So you need to make sure you can heat your water beforehand in order to use it.
If that's not a concern for you, this little portable coffee maker will satisfy you, because it's not only practical, it also delivers a very good quality coffee.
PROS
- Compact and light
- Quality and taste of coffee
- Accepts capsules
- Easy to use and maintain
CONS
- Can only be used if you have the possibility to heat water
Nothing better than a warm cup of coffee on a cold morning in the mountains! Just out of curiosity, for a long day of hiking (8+ miles) do you prefer to start the day with a cup of coffee or a shot of espresso?
Hey Chad, good question!
Since I don’t drink coffee anymore (3 years now!) I was asking myself, after I studied all these nice gadgets, maybe it’s time to start again drinking coffee.
But I would definitely have an espresso long (lungo).
Yayyy! Now I’ll be drinking hot coffee at the height of 5000 ft. in Nepal. Thank you brother for this article!
Very interesting! Coffee can now be had from anywhere one is, despite their geographical location on earth.
Camping and coffee lovers here. I was not aware of so many choices for portable coffee makers. Now I can enjoy a shot of espresso in the morning instead of Turkish coffee.
I only mentioned the most popular portable coffee makers and with the best reviews, and of course most adapted to camping and hiking.
As a coffee lover, this is a great option to have coffee anywhere on the go. Thank you for sharing this nice review.
Dang! I need my coffee while camping…or any other day, really! I’ll be sure to try one of these next time I go camping!
I know what you mean!
Wow, It’s really amazing to see these best reviews. It’s hard to choose the best machine. Everyone has a different taste, but you made it easy.
Thank you
I know what you mean 🙂 Thanks
Hey Lara, great post. I had no idea that portable coffee makers that could produce this kind of pressure even existed. Perfect for camping!
Hey Marty, yes isn’t it amazing.
Didn’t even knew that this awesome device exists! I would love to buy one I find it interesting and valuable to use while going out for vacations with family.
Yes James, these portable coffee makers are just incredible. The ultimate cheap luxury item to take with you anywhere.
A detailed guide of portable coffee machine reviews. Thank you for this detailed article. Really very informative.
Wow, It’s really amazing to see these best reviews. It’s hard to choose the best machine. Everyone has a different taste, but you made it easy.
Awesome article – thanks! Really good overview of portable espresso makers. Looking forward to buying in the upcoming holidays.
You’re welcome, Sasha. You’ll be amazed by the quality of some of these espresso makers.
This is really a detailed guide about choosing the portable coffee machine. I really love this reading. Thank you for sharing it.
You’re welcome, I’m glad you liked it.
This is so amazing reading article for me to choose the best portable coffee makers for outing and camping. I really happy to read this. it hard to choose the best coffee for camping but this article helps me a lot to choose. Thank you for sharing this article.
Thank you, I’m glad it helped.
Thanks, Lara Sein for shear this informative article. it’s good advice for me. Recently I went to pick up a portable coffee maker. I am also a coffee lover. So I have benefited greatly from your advice.
You’re welcome, Rose
Nice review -very honest and straight to the point. Thank a lot for the great suggestion please keep sharing
You’re welcome!
Some really need a coffee maker while camping. Thank you much for the post.
You’re very welcome
Thanks, Erina
cool review Lara Sein -very honest and straight to the point. This is so amazing reading article for me. thanks for share.
I’m glad you liked it.
the reviews will help to choose the perfect espresso machine for travelers. they can choose the perfect portable espresso machines during their travelling around the world.
I agree with you. Thanks.
I was looking for the best coffee maker for camping! You explained nicely and I got my one. Thanks a lot, Lara!
Thank you Jane. I’m happy to help.
I was looking for the best coffee maker for camping! You explained nicely and I got my one. Thanks a lot.
You resolve my all points .
Thank you and enjoy your outdoor coffee.
Wow it’s really amazing to see these reviews. It is difficult to choose the best machine. Everyone has different tastes, but you made it easy. Thank you so much for that.
You’re welcome Ryan
Thanks for sharing this article about the portable espresso maker for camping
Sometimes i really need a coffee maker while camping. Thank you much for the post.
You’re welcome!
thanks for sharing this article, it’s very useful and informative, and portable coffee maker really makes your camping easy and fun.
You’re welcome!