Finding a good cup of coffee can be a struggle when traveling. if you need your coffee just the way you like it, why not make it yourself? there are plenty of convenient ways to make your morning coffee on the go.
With so many options, choosing the best travel coffee maker can seem difficult. bear with me and I’m sure you’ll find the perfect one!
Reading: Best travel k-cup coffee maker
the importance of choosing the right travel coffee maker
You only want the best when choosing a coffee maker for your home. And the same rule applies to your road trip coffee maker. To make sure you’re buying a coffee maker that meets your needs, ask yourself a few questions first. be honest.
what kind of coffee do I prefer?
If you could only choose one type of coffee for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
your coffee preference is the starting point of your search for the perfect portable coffee maker.
How much space do I have?
Lack of space is a common reality among travelers, especially frequent flyers. even the most hardcore coffee lovers would prioritize a change of clothes over kalita-style accessories.
weight is also something to consider. If you’re looking for something to take on flights or camping trips, you want to make sure it’s light enough to carry.
power or impotence?
Are you an urban traveler or will you be making coffee in a camp under the open sky? Some coffee makers, like these drip coffee makers, require electricity; others not. Are you going to take a camper van? If that’s the case, here are some good RV coffee makers to choose from.
what else will I need?
How many accessories are required to produce a satisfying cup of coffee with your brewing method? coffee filters, coffee beans, grinders, measuring cups and the like add to the weight and cost. want something simpler or does everything have to be just like home? the coffee maker will be just one part of your travel coffee kit.
what you need to make coffee on the go
Given the wide variety of portable coffee makers on the market, you may also need some other coffee-making equipment. Whichever coffee maker you choose, you’ll need at least three very basic things. let’s consider them:
a way to grind coffee beans
Many coffee drinkers prefer to grind their coffee beans just before brewing, and that can be done on the go, too. no, you don’t need to bring an electric grinder, a manual grinder works best for portability. With a lightweight hand grinder like the Hario Mini Grinder, you don’t have to settle for stale grind just because you’re on the go.
of course, pre-ground beans can also be a practical option. however, it is important to ensure that you store your grounds correctly.
boiled water
While most travel coffee makers don’t require electricity, you do need a way to boil water. For urban commuters, the lightweight travel kettles on Amazon are a practical option. On more outdoor adventures, you can boil water on an open fire as long as you have a container.
a travel mug
once you’ve made your coffee, you need a way to keep it nice and hot! A good travel mug is an essential part of any traveler’s coffee kit. there’s a lot to choose from, but these are current favourites.
be sure to check out our awesome video on how to make coffee on the go:
the 6 best travel coffee makers of 2022
Now that you’ve narrowed down your preferences, it should be easy enough to find a portable coffee maker that you’re happy with. To make the choice even easier, I have compiled a list of the best options on the market.
See also: 100 Mẫu Tạp Dề Quán Cafe Trà Sữa Đẹp Chuyên Nghiệp Nhất
Since its inception in 2005, AeroPress has become one of the most popular breweries around. What is especially good: It is very suitable for use both at home and when traveling. It’s also an amazing single-serve coffee maker (more of those here).
the aeropress is versatile. It’s fast, taking about a minute to prepare (1). You can also use the reverse aeropress method, which is a bit slower but produces a better cup, according to many connoisseurs. Although it is easy to change the strength of your aeropress brew to suit your preferences, it is particularly suitable for brewing a strong espresso-like coffee. you can even make cold beer with it.
the aeropress also stands out for its portability, since it weighs very little and cleans quickly. Often sold together with a tote bag on Amazon, so it’s instantly ready to travel the world with you.
read our review of the aeropress coffee maker here.
what else you’ll need: aeropress microfilters (but you can get these at most coffee shops).
14 years after the creation of the aeropress, the company launched a new model specifically for frequent travelers. the aeropress go maintains all the convenience of its big brother but packs it inside a 15 oz travel mug with a silicone lid. it is very similar to the aeropress and just as versatile, with the main difference being that you no longer need to carry a separate cup.
the aeropress go brews 8 oz of coffee in one minute (two ounces less than the classic model) wherever you are. Its microfilters are compatible with the previous model and, thanks to the practical filter holder, you can store 20 inside the travel mug.
Like its predecessor, the aeropress go is compact, lightweight and durable, easily fitting into any bag without risk of breaking under your gear. It’s ideal for any frequent traveler looking for an all-in-one solution instead of a separate coffee maker and mug.
what else you’ll need: aeropress microfilters
the presto myjo is basically the little sister to the larger keurig coffee makers. The coffee maker is made for people who use single-cup machines like the Keurig, but it’s more portable and affordable. You can also use the included myjo cup, a reusable k-cup that you can fill with your favorite ground coffee (2).
what else you’ll need: these pods, but you can also use regular ground coffee
The bodum travel press is basically a portable french press. it is constructed of double-wall insulated stainless steel, scoring high in both durability and heat retention.
You can use the bodum travel press to both brew and store your coffee. First, simply prepare the coffee as you would with a regular French press coffee maker (3). After you push the plunger down, screw on the lid and voila! however, the lid has a small leak, so please do not keep it in your bag with other things.
The bodum travel press is a great choice for coffee maker lovers. and you can make cold coffee in it. the only downsides are that ground coffee is hard to avoid and can turn bitter if not drunk soon after brewing.
primula is another easy way to make coffee on the go. simply fill the mesh basket with your favorite coffee, add hot water, and wait a few minutes.
with cowslip, you basically make coffee like you make tea with a tea bag. It produces a consistent cup of coffee, not the most amazing in flavor, but much better than instant.
See also: Readers pick their 7 favorite coffee shops in Lancaster County
while you may not get as much out of your beans as you would with an aeropress or kalita wave, it doesn’t get any easier than this.
The GSI Outdoor Collapsible Java Dripper is matched only by the Primula in terms of lightweight. Weighing less than 5 ounces, the GSI Java Drip is a good choice for backpackers or air travelers with limited space. made of silicone, it is also very affordable.
It’s easy to make with the gsi java dripper: fill the filter with coffee, place it over a coffee mug, and pour hot water over it. it’s like an ultralight, outdoor version of the v60.
The downside is that it doesn’t produce the deepest flavor. It’s a cheap and cheerful option, but it loses out to the main competitors. better than instant coffee though!
The Kalita Wave is an extremely popular pour-over coffee maker. with the kalita, you don’t need electricity, but you do need plenty of equipment: filters and a kettle at the very least. for the price of dragging this piece of equipment, you can make delicious coffee wherever you are (4).
if you have the space for it, why not take the best with you when you travel?
It’s a super forgiving pour-over coffee maker for brewing, so there’s no need to pull your hair up in a bun or wear trendy rimless glasses while brewing. it will pick it up after one or two tries.
learn more about this dropper here.
what else you’ll need: filters (standard filters work fine) and a kettle (you don’t need a gooseneck kettle for the wave).
Makita is better known for making power tools than for brewing coffee, and this coffee maker looks as much like a power tool as it does a coffee maker. The Makita Cordless Coffee Maker is built to withstand the rigors of a dirty job site, with the same durable plastic housing used in the brand’s power drills and saws.
This is not a travel coffee pot you’d want to throw in your backpack for a camping trip. at over three pounds, not counting battery weight, it’s by far the largest and heaviest reviewed here.
The Makita cordless coffee maker is the only automatic coffee maker on this list, thanks to its battery. It runs on a Makita 18V or 12V battery, the same ones your cordless power tools use. batteries are sold separately and are almost half the cost of the machine itself, so we think this coffeemaker is a better fit for those in a workplace where batteries are already readily available.
The makita coffee maker has a permanent metal filter that you can add pre-ground coffee to, or you can brew it with k-cups. Keep in mind that a fully charged 18v battery can only make three 5oz servings in a row before needing a recharge (even less so with the 12v battery option). so again, a place where batteries are plentiful makes this coffee maker more practical. read our full makita cordless coffee maker review if you want to learn more.
the verdict: what is the best travel coffee maker?
Best Overall: The aeropress scores highly for its versatility: you can use it to make a strong, espresso-like coffee and a smoother cup.
Clearly designed with portability in mind, it is convenient to carry, use and clean. it’s also an affordable and durable option.
Best for Drip Coffee: For Drip Coffee, the Ola Kalita wins simply because of the excellent quality of coffee it can produce. however, it’s obviously not the most portable option. If you’re traveling light, the AeroPress is still the best option.
See also: Why is chemex the best way to make coffee
