Looking for a portable coffee maker? You’ve definitely come to the right place! In this detailed review, I’ll show you the ten best travel coffee makers money can buy.
Some are pretty basic single-cup coffee makers, while others are manual brewers that require no electricity to work. So, whether you’re looking to brew coffee in the mountains, or something that you can use in hotels and apartments, we got several options for you.
At A Glance: Best Travel Coffee Makers
Read on to find that perfect travel coffee maker for you!
![]() | Best Electric Travel Coffee Maker
| SEE ON AMAZON → |
![]() | Most Durable Travel Coffee Maker
| SEE ON AMAZON → |
![]() | Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker
| SEE ON AMAZON → |
![]() | Most Versatile Off-The-Grid Coffee Maker
| SEE ON AMAZON → |
![]() | Best Budget Off-The-Grid Coffee Maker
| SEE ON AMAZON → |
![]() |
| SEE ON AMAZON → |
![]() |
| SEE ON AMAZON → |
![]() |
| SEE ON AMAZON → |
![]() |
| SEE ON AMAZON → |
![]() |
| SEE ON AMAZON → |
If you like hi-tech gadgets you’re going to love the Casara travels coffee maker.
It has a programmable timer and an LCD display, so it’s already my favorite portable coffee maker out of the bunch. But that’s just because you can literally program it so that you have a cup of boiling hot coffee waiting for you as soon as you open your eyes in the morning.
However, keep in mind that this doesn’t have a heating mechanism, and once it brews a cup of coffee, it can’t keep it warm. You should always set the timer accordingly so that your coffee doesn’t get cold before you’ve even woken up.
The coffee maker comes with a 14 oz stainless steel travel mug that fits most cars, and that is entirely BPA-free and even dishwasher safe. The mug features double-wall stainless steel insulation, ensuring your coffee will stay hot for hours.
And the capacity of the water tank is 14 oz max, so you can fill that travel mug to the brim – great if you’re used to drinking massive cups of coffee. Plus, you can always just pour less water in the tank, when you’re feeling like drinking a smaller cup.
Another cool thing about the Casara brewer is that it can be used with both coffee pods and ground coffee. Also, it comes with a reusable filter and I really like that – it’s more environmentally friendly and it’s better for your wallet.
The Casara coffee maker is pretty lightweight, but it is definitely not the lightest out of the bunch.
That’s because parts of it are made from stainless steel – a material that’s quite heavy, but incredibly durable. And the entire coffee maker weighs less than 2 lbs, so it’s still lighter than your laptop.
The Hamilton Single Serve coffee maker is a really good option if you want something that’s about as good as a full-sized coffee maker.
With a max capacity of 14 ounces and different settings for different coffee blends, this tiny appliance makes an excellent companion to the caffeine-addicted traveler.
There are two settings to choose from – the regular setting is best for mainstream coffee brands, while the bold setting enhances the flavor of fine grinds, stronger coffee, and even decafs.
Additionally, you can adjust the height of the tray to fit different cup sizes, which is pretty convenient. The coffee brewer even fits large travel mugs, so it’s a really good option if you prefer drinking large cups of coffee.
And each scoop filter has two measuring lines, so you will always know the exact serving amounts, allowing you to get excellent tasting coffee every time.
It is a bit heavy at more than 5 lbs, but that’s a sacrifice you will have to make if you want a portable machine that is as good as a proper coffee maker. And the reason why it’s so heavy is because it is made from stainless steel – a remarkably tough and durable material that can survive almost anything.
Also, keep in mind that this coffee maker requires electricity to work, so it’s not a good option for off-the-grid use.
So it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth the compromise – the weight is definitely an inconvenience, but at the same time, no other travel coffee maker can compare to the quality and durability of this one.
If you enjoy iced and cold brew coffee, this is one of the best things you can get. The Asobu portable coffee maker is a rare appliance that is designed to make cold brew coffee.
And it works really well – this is one of the very few gadgets that create delicious cold brew coffee and not diluted, brownish water.
The reason why this is the best cold brew coffee maker on the market is that you do not have to refrigerate it all. And it comes with an insulated 40 oz travel mug, which is capable of keeping your coffee cold for hours, even in really hot weather.
And yes, I do actually mean a 40 oz mug – you can make coffee for three or four people with these gadgets, so I think it’s not such a big deal that it takes a while for it to brew the coffee.
In fact, it takes about 12 hours for this gadget to brew a batch of iced coffee, so it’s not exactly a convenient appliance.
Especially if you want to brew coffee quickly and efficiently – it’s best to turn this on in the evening and let it brew overnight for delicious cold coffee in the morning.
Also, you can use the Asobu portable coffee maker to brew iced tea, which is one of my favorite features.
If you’ve ever tried to make iced tea from scratch, you know how annoying it is to wait for the batch to cool off, so that you can put it in the fridge and wait another three hours for it to actually taste good. Well, with the Asobu all you need to do is press the button and go to sleep.
Another great thing about this coffee maker is that it is super easy to clean, and requires absolutely no electricity to work. You can use it anywhere in the world, and you’ll get delicious cold brew coffee every time.
The Wacaco Nanopresso is a travel friendly espresso maker that requires absolutely no electricity to work.
It is a tiny item that fits into your hand, which is exactly why this is a great travel option. And since it doesn’t use batteries or electricity, it’s a great coffee maker for various outdoor adventures.
That also means that you have to make the coffee manually, by pumping the piston. It takes about 20-30 pumps to make espresso, so be prepared to put in the work if you want an off-the-grid travel coffee maker.
This coffee maker is only about 6” long and weighs just 0.74 lbs. I love that it’s so small because it means you literally throw it in any bag and you won’t even feel it inside – that’s the definition of a portable coffee maker for me!
The Nanopresso features a built-in espresso cup and a travel pouch, and there are a load of other accessories that you can buy for it.
You could get a Barista kit, which includes a much bigger water tank so you can make other types of coffee as well. Or you could get the NS adapter, which makes this tiny coffee maker compatible with capsules as well.
One downside of the Nanopresso is that it doesn’t come with an insulated mug. And, since you need boiling water in order to make an espresso with this coffee maker, you will need to buy a travel mug so that you have something you can carry the hot water in.
You can buy Wacaco’s insulated flask – it retails for about $25, and you can attach it directly to the tiny espresso maker as the water tank.
The Presto MyJo coffee maker is one of the best budget options you can get your hands on.
It retails for about $20, making it one of the cheapest portable coffee makers featured in this review. And it’s functional off the grid, so it’s another option you can use on hiking and camping trips.
This coffee maker works with both K-Cup pods and ground coffee, so it’s pretty versatile. It is also really easy to use – you need to pump it in order to make the coffee, but it only takes about a minute of pumping to make an 8-ounce coffee.
However, I would suggest you use your own measuring cups since the measurements on the water tank are not entirely correct.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you need boiling water for the coffee, but you won’t get an insulated mug or anything with the coffee maker. The water tank is supposedly microwave friendly, but it has a silicone nozzle in the middle that melted in the microwave for some people.
So, just to be on the safe side, I would advise you to just pour boiling water into the tank, and not microwave it.
Additionally, since the MyJo is perfectly compatible with Keurig’s K-Cups, you can also use it to make tea. And you get a refillable MyJo cup with the coffee maker, but unfortunately, it is not an insulated one.
This does mean that you will need a thermos or something to carry the hot water in if you actually want to be able to use this outside.
One other thing worth noting is that the Presto coffee maker is entirely made from plastic, which is why it is so lightweight. But that also means it’s not super durable, so just be careful what you are carrying it in.
The Chulux coffee maker is a great single-cup option. It has a water tank with a total capacity of 12 oz, so it’s great for someone who drinks medium-sized coffees. And it can make a 12oz coffee in about 2 minutes, so it’s a pretty fast coffee maker as well.
This features a removable tray that lets you adjust the height so you can use it with mugs of different sizes.
But that’s if you want to switch from a medium to a large mug – if you were hoping to be able to use this for espresso, I’ll have to disappoint you. The minimum amount of water the coffee maker required is 5 oz, which is way too much for an espresso.
This coffee maker needs to be plugged into an outlet for it to work, so it’s not a good option if you were hoping to get something that can work without electricity.
But it is a great option if you want an appliance you can take with you on trips around the world – this weighs a mere 2.2 lbs, and it will easily fit into any carry-on luggage you have.
One important thing to note is that the Chulux coffee maker requires a filter in order to work, and you don’t get one when you buy the appliance. That is if you want to use your own ground coffee instead of capsules. You can get the brand’s reusable coffee filter – a pack of four will set you back some $10, which is pretty great.
That actually brings me to another advantage of the Chulux travel coffee maker, and that’s the price point – it retails for about $40, so it is very affordable. And that’s why it’s one of our favorites overall – it checks all the boxes a truly portable coffee maker should.
The AdirChef Grab N’ Go coffee maker is another great portable option, especially if you want an all-in-one sort of deal.
It comes with a 15 oz travel mug, a permanent filter, and a holding basket. All you need is coffee and you’re good to go!
This travel coffee maker is made from plastic, which is both good and bad. It’s good because the coffee maker is really lightweight thanks to the plastic material, so it’s not going to be inconvenient to travel with it.
But it’s bad because plastic is nowhere near as durable as stainless steel, and you will need to be careful so it doesn’t break.
The travel mug is made from stainless steel on the outside and plastic on the inside. The combination of the two materials ensures excellent insulation, but I’m honestly not a big fan of plastic mugs. Stainless steel is a lot more durable, it has better insulating properties and it’s just safer health-wise.
One thing you should know about this portable coffee maker is that it doesn’t have a pause button. This means that making two cups of coffee is a recipe for some really dirty kitchen counters.
Additionally, you should be careful with how much water you put in the coffee maker, especially if you want to use it with a different mug.
It has a total capacity of 15 oz, and remembers you can’t pause it or turn it off. Once you press that button, this will brew coffee until it’s out of water – if you fill the tank to capacity but use a smaller mug, you will just make a huge mess.
If you want a travel coffee maker that works without electricity, the Trimm Portable espresso machine is a great option.
This is actually a bundle, which includes a tiny coffee maker and an insulated thermos that will keep your coffee hot.
The upside is that you can use this anywhere in the world, as long as you have access to hot water. And since you’re getting double wall stainless steel thermos with the tiny machine, it won’t be an issue to ensure you have access to hot water.
This coffee maker is really easy to use, but it does require some effort on your part. First, you put the ground coffee in the top part, then you add hot water to the tank, and then you turn the tiny machine upside down and pump until no more coffee comes out.
It takes just a couple of minutes to make espresso, as long as you don’t stop pumping.
It is a very manual appliance, but that’s what you’re going to get if you want a coffee maker that uses no electricity whatsoever.
Additionally, you can also use this to make tea – the thermos comes with a removable strainer that you can use with tea leaves and even tea bags. The strainer also allows you to make infused water – just put some finely chopped fruit in it, and you’ll have delicious and refreshing water for your hikes.
Last but not least, it’s important to note that the Trimm Portable espresso machine comes with its own carry pouch, for ultimate portability. This is a tiny appliance that fits into your hand, so there’s really no question about it being a travel-friendly coffee maker.
Keurig is a pretty popular brand when it comes to the coffee makers. They offer dozens of different appliances in their range, including some really good portable coffee makers like the K-Mini.
But, they’re not exactly an affordable brand – some of their more elaborate brewers are quite pricey, which is why I’m sticking with this basic model.
And it’s a really good travel coffee maker. It’s small, lightweight, and it can fit travel mugs up to 7” once you remove the drip tray. It has a total tank capacity of 12 oz, while the minimum amount of water it needs to work is 6 oz.
The coffee maker works with both capsules and ground coffee, which is pretty convenient. However, you won’t get a filter with the appliance, so you’ll need to buy that separately if you actually want to brew your own ground coffee.
In addition to that, it’s important to note that this coffee maker shuts down automatically 90 seconds after your last brew. And you should know that it’s not super fast – it does take a couple of minutes for this to brew coffee, but at least it tastes absolutely delicious!
Also, the coffee maker has built-in cord storage, and it comes with a 26” cord. This is awesome for travel because it makes the appliance much more portable. And it’s just great for tiny kitchens and messy counters – once you’ve unplugged the coffee maker, the cord automatically goes back inside.
But that’s about it in terms of features – if you wanted a bit more options on your coffee maker, I suggest you check out the K-Mini Plus. It’s a bit pricier, but only because it has a lot more features than the basic version.
Black+Decker is high quality brand that makes all sorts of home appliances and tools. They make everything from electric drills to microwaves, and their products are always top quality.
That’s why I had to feature the Black+Decker travel coffee maker – it’s small, lightweight and capable of brewing delicious 16 oz coffees.
This coffee maker can be used with both coffee pods and ground coffee. It comes with a reusable filter that you need for grounds, so you won’t have to spend money on paper filters. On top of that, both the mesh filter and the brew basket are removable and dishwasher safe.
Also, you will get a 16 oz travel mug with this appliance. It is an insulated mug, so it will keep your coffee hot for hours. And it’s a pretty bulky mug, but it can fit inside the coffee maker without any issues, which is really great. It means that you can use it with travel mugs that are up to 7.25” tall, including even 20oz mugs.
Additionally, the travel mug that comes with the gadget is entirely dishwasher safe, so it’s really easy to clean. But you should know that it doesn’t have the best insulation, at least on the outside. It gets really hot once the coffee is poured into it, and it should be left to cool off for a couple of minutes after brewing.
This travel coffee maker is very easy to use – once you’ve added the coffee and water, you just press the button. And you can’t miss it, since there’s only one button that you can press. This also means you don’t have many options when it comes to adjusting the flavor or strength of the brew.
The right coffee maker for you depends on the type and amount of coffee you are used to drinking. I’ve included a few different types of coffee makers, from basic options to those that can only make espressos.
So, what sounds like a better option for you? Are you fine with just being able to drink espresso shots, or do you also want the ability to make the occasional tea?
Depending on what you’ve answered, you should look for a portable coffee maker that fulfills all your needs.
In addition to that, it is also important to look at the basic capacity of the coffee makers. Especially if you’re anything like me and you are used to drinking massive cups of coffee at least twice a day.
In that case, don’t go for an espresso maker or a tiny coffee maker that only allows for 8-ounce cups – look for an appliance that has a higher capacity, and that can make big enough coffees for you.
Are you looking for a coffee maker that you can bring on camping trips and long hiking expeditions, or something you can use in hotel rooms and AirBnB stays?
If it’s the former, you need a coffee maker that works without any electricity. I included several such appliances, and they all have one thing in common – you need to manually pump them if you want to make coffee.
This can get a bit tiring, especially after 20-30 pumps. But it’s the only way they work, so it’s a sacrifice you will have to make if you want fresh, hot coffee in the middle of nowhere.
One thing to note about these coffee makers is that they are used with boiling water, so you need to have an insulated mug or thermos – something you can carry the hot water in.
Some of the portable coffee makers will actually come with an insulated travel mug; if you don’t already have a thermos or something similar, it’s best you get a bundle that has everything you need.
And if you want an electric coffee maker in a travel-friendly size, you’re looking for a single-cup appliance. Pay attention to what the coffee makers are made from – plastic is more portable, but steel is a lot more durable. On top of that, if you already have a travel mug, make sure that it can fit in the coffee maker you have your eye on.
Not all of the appliances featured here can fit 7” mugs – look for one that has a removable drip tray if you have a large travel mug.
The good news is that most of these travel coffee makers are under $50, so they are pretty affordable. I did include a couple of pricier options – the most expensive coffee makers featured here are very high quality, extremely durable, and usually have some extra features that the basic ones lack.
Also, if you end up getting a coffee maker from some of the more popular brands, you’ll see that you can also get all sorts of accessories for it.
Those will make your coffee maker a bit more versatile, especially if we’re talking about the manual ones. With accessories like bigger water tanks and pod adapters, an espresso maker can be transformed into a proper latte maker!
Can’t choose just one travel coffee maker? It’s okay – go with one of our top three choices and you’ll have delicious coffee in no time!
The Casara Coffee Maker is my favorite electric option for travel. It is small, lightweight, durable enough that it can handle frequent travels, and affordable enough that you won’t be too hurt if you manage to destroy it.
This coffee maker is unique because it features an LCD display as well as a programmable timer, which lets you delay the brewing time up to 24 hours. Meaning that you can literally set this up so that you wake up to the smell of fresh hot coffee!
In case you want a coffee maker that you can use in the wild, I recommend the Wacaco Nanopresso. I love it because it is incredibly versatile – you’re ready to make delicious espresso out of the box, as long as you have a couple of scoops of ground coffee to put in the brewer.
It is easy to use, incredibly lightweight and portable, and very durable. Plus, there are so many different accessories you could buy for it, which will transform this tiny appliance from an espresso maker into a pocket barista that can make whatever you want!
If you want the option of brewing cold coffee, go with the Asobu Travel Coffee Maker.
It is one of a very few such gadgets, and actually, the only one that doesn’t need to be refrigerated – the insulated travel mug this brews into can keep your coffee cold for hours, if not days.
It does take a long time to brew a batch of iced coffee (some 12 hours), but you get a 40-ounce batch that’s enough for three-four people, or just for you to drink through the day.
Head over to Amazon to see the prices of all these awesome travel coffee makers. And be sure to check our related posts, for ideas on other portable gadgets you need in your life!
RELATED POSTS: