Traveling is something most of us love and occasionally, you might find yourself without a Starbucks nearby. A cup of coffee is essential for waking up in the mornings and the best portable coffee maker is a sure way for you to ensure that you have that cup of coffee each morning.
In this Top 3 Portable Coffee Maker Review 2017 edition, we have explored a couple of the best portable coffee makers to help you find the one that will be best suited for your traveling needs. These coffee makers are all chosen for the value they provide and the affordability, but before we simply dive into them, you should know which features are the most important when it comes to selecting a top portable coffee maker:
Benefits of having a coffee maker on the road
A top quality portable coffee maker offers you a few benefits that you might not have in other larger models. These benefits will enable you to enjoy a fresh cup every day and get off to a good start. Nevertheless, they can also be used for your camping purposes and enable you to save a ton of extra cash on those expensive takeaway store coffees. Here are a few of the benefits the top portable coffee maker will offer you:
• Anytime coffee access
• They are small and easy to carry along
• The ability to brew coffee to your liking anywhere
• A cheap way to stay energized throughout the day
These 4 benefits are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to coffee on the go, but they are essential for the avid traveler or camper to ensure that you stay energized during a tough day at the office or in the mornings when camping.
Key Features to consider when looking at portable coffee machine reviews
Now that you understand a couple of the benefits, you will also need to know which features will set these coffee makers apart from one another. Understanding them will ensure that you never buy a bad coffee maker and when looking at coffee brewers or reviews, these are the most important
features to take into account before pressing the ‘purchase’ button:
Does it need power?
Portability generally means that you can use it on the road; however, many of the top portable coffee makers will still need a power source to work. If you are traveling to the office, this will not be a problem, but backpackers might need something that doesn’t need electricity to get them going. You should determine where you will be using the coffee maker and this will tell you exactly which one you need to look into.
The portable coffee maker that does not need power, is a little cheaper to buy, but they may occasionally have a few flaws, while the other will provide you with a better-tasting and hotter cup of coffee every time.
Design
The design is something that often times depends on our tastes, but here, you will also need to look at the size and the style. This coffee maker will mostly be kept in your bag, but the sizing is important to ensure that it does fit in snug. A bigger coffee maker will enable you to brew more coffee at once, but if you are the only user, you might try and reduce the weight and size by looking for something smaller.
Type
Luckily, you will have a wide variety of portable coffee makers to choose from and many of them are quite versatile. If you love brewing espressos, you should invest in a portable espresso maker as this will give you those perfect boots of energy. The travel mugs are much smaller and they do not require electricity. These are generally cheaper and will provide you with an instant cup of coffee.
The all-in-one design is probably the best option and these coffee brewers will offer you the most versatility. They include grinders and allow you to choose the beans that you feel like brewing. Even though they are a little more expensive, they will still allow you to make cappuccinos and lattes if you feel the need to expand your horizons,but if you like brewing you coffee at home before hitting the road we would recommend you try a top espresso coffee maker or a top latte coffee maker
Grinder
The grinder is important for the avid coffee lover and this enables you to make newer coffee blends and beans that are not available in the stores. While the grinder might set you back a couple of dollars, it will improve the versatility. Many people also buy these grinders separately and they can be used on the road or at home.
Brewing time
The brewing time is also indicated on most of these portable coffee makers and when looking at coffee brewer reviews, you will see these figures as well. Portability does not always mean fast, but if you are in a hurry, a quicker coffee maker will certainly be more beneficial to your cause. We suggest looking at the brewing times to see how many cups it can brew in which period.
Easy to clean
It can be quite time-consuming if you need to clean the coffee maker on the road and to ensure that every cup tastes as great as the previous one, it is recommended that you try to keep them clean. The coffee maker should not be flimsy, but you must be able to take it apart and simply wash it down. You will be able to thoroughly clean it once you are back at home or at the office.
Additional Accessories
Having additional accessories like a measuring spoon and something to pour the hot water will definitely make your job a little easier. These extras are ideal for you to get the coffee brewed when in a rush or on the road. We also recommend looking at the pumping mechanism and how hard it will be to generate enough pressure for those foamy cups of coffee.
Warranty
The warranty is especially important when it comes to the electrically powered coffee makers and since you might occasionally find a flaw in the product, the warranty will be there to keep you from having your hard-earned cash wasted. We recommend looking for the warranty as one of the most important parts of the coffee maker and with the warranty; you will have additional peace of mind as well.
Best Portable coffee maker reviews of 2017
Now that you have the basic knowledge of the features and the benefits these coffee makers offer, you might be left wondering which ones are the best to get you started. We have done all the legwork here to ensure that you have 3 top portable coffee makers to get you started on the right track. The features we selected also served as the criterion for us in the judging process when it came to finding these portable coffee brewers:
Product #1: Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker
The Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker is one of the most versatile options on the market today. Not only is it affordable, but you will be able to make those perfect cups of coffee and espressos to wow your friends on the road. It is quite small in terms of the size and can be used virtually anywhere. The coffee maker might not be fancy, but it is definitely practical.
We have looked a little deeper into the construction and the brewing and here are a few of the things about this coffee maker that we like and didn’t like:
What we like:
• Durability:
It is made from 100% plastic and this is what makes it a little more durable when compared to the glass counterparts. The plastic construction also saves you a little bit on the price and should it fall on the road, you can be sure that it will not break or even dent. This coffee brewer is made to last.
• Easy to clean:
We found the coffee brewer extremely easy to clean and you can simply just press out all of the excess coffee beans with your hand after use. Once you get home, a little bit of hot water will be enough to keep the coffee from sticking and enable you to use it once again for your next trip.
• Versatility:
It is quite versatile to use and it enables you to prepare a perfect cup of coffee or the famous espresso to your liking. It offers great versatility on the road and can even be used for your camping trips to keep you up and energized during the day.
• The price:
While many of the average coffee makers will set you back close to a $100, this one is designed to save you some money. You will be able to pick it up for less than a third of the price of the top automatic coffee brewers. This extra cash can be spent on a small and portable grinder that is unfortunately not included to give you even more versatility.
What we didn’t like:
• Takes a little longer to use:
While the claim is that it only takes a minute to brew your fresh cup of coffee, you will need to take into account the brewing time of the water. The coffee maker is a little more hands-on and while you will save a few bucks on the design, it might take a little longer and a little more work to brew that perfect cup.
• Plastic is not the best when used with heat:
The plastic design does offer you a little more durability, but when the boiling water is added, it heats up the plastic quite quickly and this could lead to burns. You might need to consider using a glove or a towel when brewing coffee until you get used to the spots that tend to heat up and to avoid those nasty burns.
Final Verdict of the Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker
The Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker is a reliable and affordable coffee brewer for the avid traveler. It does not require any electrical power, but the water must be boiled separately. If you are an avid camper, this portable coffee brewer will be the best option for you to choose, but in the city, you will need to find hot water.
The brewing experience is also a little more hands-on and you will need to spend some more time when brewing than you might have when in a rush. We would definitely recommend the Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker for the avid camper and outdoor enthusiasts with a little more time on their hands.check price here
Product #2: STARESSO Espresso Coffee Maker
Next, we have the STARESSO Espresso Coffee Maker and this is one of the more advanced portable coffee makers on the market. It is also quite versatile and you will be able to brew all your favorite coffee variations to your liking and in only a couple of minutes. The 15-bars of pressure that can be generated will be perfect for getting that creamy espresso topping.
Here is a little more on the pros and cons that you could expect to find in this coffee brewer if you choose to buy it:
What we like:
• Multifunctional:
This coffee maker is quite versatile and will enable you to brew your favorite cappuccinos and espressos, along with a great cold brew coffee that we have found to be even better than some of those found in the top coffee shops. These can be brewed quite rapidly and you need not wait too long for a cup.
• Easy to use pump:
Since pressure is important for getting that foamy look and taste on your espresso, you will need to build up some pressure. This coffee maker enables you to build up the pressure in no time at all and with the pump at the top, this can be done is a couple of seconds. You can also determine the quality of your coffee by the amount of pressure you add.
• Stylish design:
It is a little bigger than the Aeropress, but still, offers you a great design that can be easily disassembled and stored. The design is also made predominantly from plastic, but the inner glass might be somewhat of a concern if you are not careful and the coffee maker hits the floor at a rapid pace.
• Easy to clean:
This is one of the easier models to clean and you can take it apart in a matter of seconds. The design also allows you to simply rinse it with hot water and once you get home, it can be washed in the dishwasher as well.
What we didn’t like:
• The price:
It is a little more expensive than the Aeropress and this could be a problem. The coffee maker is not much different while the brewing process is a little faster, if you have the time to waste on brewing, you might be better off with the previous coffee maker.
Final verdict on the STARESSO Espresso Coffee Maker
The STARESSO Espresso Coffee Maker is a portable coffee brewer with a stylish and sleek design. It offers you multifunctional use and some additional versatility. While it is quite expensive, this will certainly be the top option if you are in a rush and can be perfect to use on your way to the office. You will also have that creamy texture to your espresso.
We would highly recommend this coffee maker for those who love traveling and need to during their own special blend of coffee. It is perfect for outdoor use as well and you can easily clean it with a little bit of hot water after each use.check price here
Product #3: MiniPresso GR Espresso Maker
Last but certainly not least, we have the MiniPresso GR Espresso Maker. This espresso maker is one of the smaller models and it is easier to carry when you are traveling. It is lightweight, which means that outdoor enthusiasts should be drawn to it and backpackers can enjoy a perfect cup of coffee or espresso without having to carry a ton of additional weight.
We have scoured the web and tested the product to find out what we like about this product in this coffee machine review:
What we like:
• Design:
The design is something that immediately grabs your attention and while it is quite stylish and sleek, it is also quite small and portable to use and carry around on your trips. The plastic cover makes it a little more durable and should it fall to the ground, you will not be left with pieces to pick up.
• Easy to use:
With an enormous pump jumping out from the side, getting enough pressure to push the coffee through the filter is easy. You will be able to do this with just a couple of pumps after adding the hot water and also have that creamy texture in your coffee.
• Easy to clean:
We love the fact that it can be disassembled in just a couple of minutes. The filter might be a little tougher to clean, but once you have the hang of pushing out the excess beans, the rest can simply be washed off with a little bit of hot water. The coffee brewer is also dishwasher compatible.
What we didn’t like:
• Leaking issue:
Occasionally, you will find it leaking some hot water and this could also hurt you if you are not careful. For some reason, this does not always happen and if you overfill the water area, you might experience this. This also has some sort of an effect on the pressure and you might find that it lacks some consistency.
Final verdict on the MiniPresso GR Espresso Maker
This coffee maker is one of the best for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, but it does lack somewhat when it comes to the design. It is easy to store and will not take up much weight, but unfortunately, the leaking is a little bit troublesome.
The MiniPresso GR Espresso Maker is well priced for the value that you will receive and we would highly recommend it to the outdoor enthusiasts. However, we do not recommend making coffee in your car as this could often time lead to spillages.check price here
Which one should you choose if you love them all?
All three of these coffee brewers are top quality and they are much more affordable than your countertop espresso makers. While choosing the number one option is not always easy, these coffee brewer reviews have given us some more insight into these coffee makers and which one is the overall winner.
The price is not the main influencing factor for our judges and we focused mainly on the quality of the coffee and the functionality. After much deliberating, here are the best portable coffee makers in the order we would recommend them:
1. STARESSO Espresso Coffee Maker
2. Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker
3. MiniPresso GR Espresso Maker
The STARESSO Espresso Coffee Maker might be a little more expensive, but it is well designed and easy to use. While the MiniPresso GR Espresso Maker is well designed, it is a little expensive and the leaking factor does play a huge part. If you are a little strained for cash, the Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker is the more affordable option to get you started and enjoying a fresh cup of coffee.
Which one will you choose for your trips and why?
The best portable coffee makers are all quite similar, but small and intricate features are what set them apart from one another. We would like to encourage you to let us know in the comment section which one of these portable coffee brewers you will choose and if you have found any other top coffee machine reviews that you would like us to look into,and if you into traveling may be you should look into the top travel coffee makers review.
We would like to thank you for reading this Top 3 Portable Coffee Maker review 2017 edition and share your final thoughts on these products in the comment section below.