What’s the Best Travel Coffee Maker? Here’s Our Top 10 Picks

Simon Calvin
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Traveling is awesome. Getting to see new places, try exciting new food, meet people, and do things you never thought possible is some of the most exciting adventures you can experience in life. But coffee plays an important role in this. It helps more than you think.

Coffee helps our mind and bodies focus, stay awake, and keep our travel adventures going. Without coffee, the world is much chillier and less fun. (Even if you prefer tea, the extra boost that good coffee gives you cant be beat).

That’s why we decided to write this travel coffee maker guide, to find the best coffee maker for travel that will keep you going wherever your destination is. Whether your trip is a quick weekend away or an around the world tour, we want you to have the best coffee possible every day of your travels.

NameCategoryProduct
AeroPress Coffee and Espresso MakerBest OverallAeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour OverBudget PickPrimula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over
Handpresso HPWILDHYBRID Coffee MachineUpgrade PickHandpresso HPWILDHYBRID Coffee Machine

1. AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

Our rating: 9 / 10

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

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Pros:

  • Fast
  • Portable
  • ​ Doesn’t need electricity to work
  • Made with high-quality, durable materials
  • Built to last
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Small
  • Only intended for individual usage
  • Chuck can pop off when filling with hot water
  • Doesn’t make enough coffee at one time

You’ve probably seen the AeroPress at your local coffee shop. Now, you can have it in your own kitchen. This clever coffee maker combines elegance with simplicity. All it takes to make a delicious cup is hot water and your choice of coffee grounds.

The AeroPress is the coffee maker of choice for coffee snobs around the world. It’s been featured in publications around the globe, including Martha Stewart’s Living Update, and Bon Appetit. It’s also the coffee maker of choice for some of the best coffee shops in the world, including Third Rail Coffee in New York City. It’s compact and portable, so there’s no reason not to take it with you on your next trip. Or on the daily commute.

2. Pour Over Coffee Maker

Our rating: 9 / 10

Pour Over Coffee Maker

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Pros:

  • * No spilling

We love this coffee maker that lets you control brewing from start to finish. This Pour Over Coffee Maker is an excellent choice for anyone who has a busy life and wants coffee in an easy-to-use machine.

3. Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over

Our rating: 8 / 10

Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over

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Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Beaker size could cover single-cup use (BPA free)

Cons:

  • Fixed grinder
  • Grind for bag cafetiere mode is a little small for us
  • Some reported leaks

In our opinion, the Primula Brew Buddy beats any of the others because of its lightweight design and durability.

Of all the travel coffee makers, the Primula Brew Buddy wins handsdown, in our opinion.

It is truly designed for travelling and yet it can be used at home as well.

4. Bodum Travel Press

Our rating: 8 / 10

Bodum Travel Press

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Pros:

  • The brewing process is very fast
  • The coffeepress can be cleaned very easily
  • It’s light weight and compact
  • The press has a snap-in design
  • The coffeepress has a build in lid, a press and lid with the serving
  • It’s dishwasher safe
  • Comes with a 2 year warranty
  • BPA free
  • It conserves the flavors of your coffee

Cons:

  • Coffeepress may easily slip out of the hand
  • You have to be careful not to burn yourself when pouring coffee because the heating plate gets very hot

Pour Over Coffee Makers are simple but effective At it’s most basic, you pour hot water around the coffee grounds, letting the coffee brew naturally. Then you pour out the resulting liquid coffee, leaving the grounds behind.

5. Presto 02835 MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker

Our rating: 8 / 10

Presto 02835 MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker

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Pros:

  • Good price
  • Great design
  • Compact and lightweight

Cons:

  • You have to be careful to keep your fingers clear of the brewing process
  • Does not heat the cup

The Presto MyJo single cup coffee maker is not your average coffee maker. Although it looks like a coffee maker with many of the same parts, the end result is not coffee, but rather a very strong coffee concentrate for you to use in your favorite mug, or for you to pour over ice, or for you to put in your portable travel mug.

Stainless steel and black plastic, the Presto MyJo is easy to take apart and clean.

The process is simple. Place your coffee in the top chamber, add water, and place the top cover on the coffee maker. You then place the bottom part (which has the plastic filter attached) over the top part of the coffee maker. You then begin the brewing process.

6. Wacaco Minipresso GR

Our rating: 8 / 10

Wacaco Minipresso GR

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Pros:

  • Portable
  • Good price
  • Compact
  • Can take grounds

Cons:

  • Doesn’t come with a cup, you’ll have to find your own
  • Can get a little messy, depending on your coffee prep

Travel.

We’re pretty excited about this pocket-sized espresso maker because it doubles as a kettle. The Minipresso is ideal for both camping trips and business travels. Just boil some water over the stove or using a portable camp stove and you can make a fresh, hot cup of java wherever you are. The ergonomic handheld design is easy to use, even for those people with small hands.

It has a nice compact design that folds up easily and can be taken anywhere. The Minipresso is compatible with various coffee varieties, and generates enough pressure to make a highly-enjoyable cup of coffee. It’s really easy to operate and doesn’t take long to heat up, making it ideal for both camping and to use in different offices. The stem for the grounds is a little short, so finding the right size filter to use may take some fiddling around.

7. Zyliss HotMug Travel French Press

Our rating: 7 / 10

Zyliss HotMug Travel French Press

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Pros:

  • Strong, enduring material
  • Slim design
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Double-walled insulation works to keep drinks hot

Cons:

  • Limited to making only one mug
  • Some users found the lid to be somewhat hard to remove

The Zyliss HotMug Travel French Press is a single-serving coffee maker that is touted as “the perfect coffee travel mug.” It is made from strong, reinforced polycarbonate material which will last through many coffee-drinking occasions.

This travel mug holds 12 oz. of coffee or tea and is termed “double-walled” which means that it is designed to keep your drinks hot for longer. It’s simple to use! You just add the coffee grounds, hot water, and then place the lid on.

Then, you give the French press a few quick shakes and allow it to steep for a bit. After that, you simply press down the plunger. This allows the coffee to steep more. You can then remove the plunger and pour your coffee. Some users report that it may take more than one press through to get your coffee the way you like it.

8. Handpresso HPWILDHYBRID Coffee Machine

Our rating: 7 / 10

Handpresso HPWILDHYBRID Coffee Machine

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Pros:

  • Small and compact design
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use
  • Portable
  • Comes with a washable coffee filter
  • Has a built-in cup stand
  • Uses N-butane gas cartridges

Cons:

  • No permanent filter
  • Relatively slow
  • Some may find it pricey

Have you ever wanted to have a freshly brewed cup of coffee while you are on the road? Well, with the Handpresso Portable Coffee Maker you can enjoy a comforting cup of coffee waiting for your flight to take off.

Both practical and useful, this coffee machine is a great alternative to the bigger ones. It is easy to use, compact and lightweight so you can take it with you for your travels. And because it uses N-Butane cartridges you are assured you will have fresh brewed coffee whenever you want.

The filter in this coffee machine is washable, so you will never have to buy any disposable paper filters. And as an added bonus, the machine also comes with a cup stand!

9. GSI Outdoors Java Drip Collapsible Pourover Coffee Maker

Our rating: 6 / 10

GSI Outdoors Java Drip Collapsible Pourover Coffee Maker

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Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight
  • Durable materials
  • Collapsible to fit in your backpack

Cons:

  • The coffee isn’t the hottest, so it is best if you can brew this using a filter and heat it up yourself
  • You have to put your own pot and paper filters beside your stove

This thing is small, it’s the tiniest drip coffee maker. This makes it one of the best outdoor coffee makers as it is super easy to carry while hiking, mountaineering, camping or any other outdoor activities.

This little thing can make up to 12 oz of coffee, not really, but it is good enough to fulfill your coffee needs for a while, as you can brew your coffee while sitting sipping on your hot, warm or cold beverage.

It comes with a beaker, a filter and a filter housing, 3 liter boiling bag, a carabiner and a clip. Everything you need in order to enjoy a good cup of coffee while outdoors.

10. Melitta Single Cup Pour Over Coffee Brewer

Our rating: 6 / 10

Melitta Single Cup Pour Over Coffee Brewer

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Pros:

  • Takes up very little space
  • Perfect for use at home or on the go
  • Comes with a travel mug
  • Easy to use; does not take a long time to brew
  • Brews a delicious cup of coffee

This coffee maker features a two-part brewer that can be broken down into three parts for really easy and convenient storage. In the coffee maker, grounds can be placed, and they will sit evenly in the cone-shaped plunger. That cone can be adjusted so that the volume of water that is used will make the perfect cup. The coffee maker is designed to be leak proof, and it is dishwasher safe for a quick cleanup session.

The coffee maker is designed well, with a handle that operates the body quite easily. Its size and weight make it easy to transport and take care of. Its size makes it easy to store and use as a regular coffee maker in your home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best travel coffee maker?

Before we answer this question, let’s clear up a few things about what this category is. It is not our top 10 favorite coffee makers. Instead, it’s our top 10 favorite travel coffee machines. This means that all of these are specifically designed for portability, are lightweight, and simple to use.

What is the best 4 cup coffee maker on the market?

Here’s our list of the best 4 cup coffee makers available on the market today. You can check them out by clicking on the links below.

What is the best 2 cup coffee maker?

We swear, our lives wouldn't be complete without our coffee maker. Sometimes, just sometimes, we'd like to travel with our coffee maker, but alas, no. Our picks are based on various reviews.

Now that we have listed out our choices, make your decision and be able to enjoy fresh coffee, wherever you might be.

  • All coffee makers are scored in a scale of 10 points.
  • Below are the factors we considered when ranking the coffee makers:
  • Portability *Price *Ease of Use

Scores were calculated from a scale of 1 to 10 using the following formula: 5 points off for every negative point awarded. So, in order to rank at the top, our top pick had to earn a score of 55 or higher. All scores were calculated and sorted using the formula, and all scores above 40 were considered high picks.

What is the best small coffee maker?

With coffee-loving friends, making coffee for everyone is a weekly task. For those of you with multi-coffee-loving families, you understand the importance of being able to produce multiple cups of coffee at once. A single-serve coffee maker is the best option for these types of situations. They are quick and easy to use and they make great coffee. Don’t be discouraged by the name … single-serve doesn’t mean you can only brew a single cup! These machines are great for making a few cups of coffee for a small group of friends or even a few mugs of coffee for you and the kids. When you are dealing with multiple coffee lovers, you need a good, solid machine that can keep up. You can’t disappoint everyone with different flavors.

So what is the best small coffee maker for you?

Conclusion

The best travel coffee maker means different things to different people – based on the you need to brew fresh coffee while away from home, we look at the best solution in each category. We start off by looking at the best coffee maker for a home coffee maker for someone who is traveling, the best coffee maker for single serve coffee, the best compact coffee maker for travel and the best travel french press coffee maker.

Our Recommendation

NameCategoryProduct
AeroPress Coffee and Espresso MakerBest OverallAeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
Primula Brew Buddy Portable Pour OverBudget PickPrimula Brew Buddy Portable Pour Over
Handpresso HPWILDHYBRID Coffee MachineUpgrade PickHandpresso HPWILDHYBRID Coffee Machine