For many of us, coffee is not just a luxury, it is a necessity. This should not be an issue if we make our coffee at home or have access to great coffee around us, such as cafes. But what if you are traveling or are in places without electricity?
What about a battery operated coffee maker? They are small, portable, and make great coffee on the go. However, it can be hard to choose one since there are so many of them these days. What is the best battery powered coffee maker?
We spent some time researching the market for the best options, and we present our list of the best battery operated coffee makers for you to make your final selection based on several criteria so that you can make coffee anywhere.
In a Hurry? These Are Our Top Picks
Why We Like This:
It is small, light, and rechargeable. It also heats water and you can use Nespresso pods to replace your ground coffee.
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Why We Like This:
Its larger size allows more features of a typical coffee maker, such as water boiling, more brewing cycles, and easier cleaning.
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Why We Like This:
This small, ultra-portable espresso maker works with K-cups. It is also easy to take apart, clean, and reassemble for reuse.
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How Did We Review These Coffee Makers?
When selecting battery powered coffee makers, we took into account factors such as portability, coffee styles, water heating, power usage, and price.
These are the factors you need to balance when choosing which cordless coffee maker suits you to make the best coffee without having to plug in.
Power Usage
When it comes to battery-powered coffee makers, one of the key things we looked at is power usage. Specifically, how much power each coffee maker uses when brewing your coffee.
The key is to look for machines that can make a lot of coffee for you before requiring a recharge. The longer, the better. In this case, larger battery life really helps.
We also considered that not all would want battery anxiety, so we included coffee makers that do not use batteries. These are completely manually operated, sparing you from the problem of recharging.
Portability
You may be looking for a battery-powered coffee maker because you want a cordless solution. This should also mean you are looking for something you can easily bring around and use when there are no plug points.
As a result, when we recommend the list of coffee makers here, we consider that and try to look for coffee makers you can take around easily. Some are as small as the size of your hand.
For the largest coffee maker in this list, we at least try to ensure it is a full-spec solution. It should be able to do all you need to make it worthy of being carried around.
Coffee Styles
Not everyone drinks coffee the same. Some may prefer the strongest punch of espresso, while others prefer the milder, soothing sip of warm Americano. This calls for flexible coffee makers to make as many types of coffee as possible.
We try to look for coffee makers that can at least allow you to make espresso or Americano-style coffee.
Water Heating
Some really small coffee makers out there do not require electricity or are battery-powered. However, many do not have features to heat water. This may be because heating water can be power-consuming, which may drain out batteries faster.
As a result, we included several coffee makers with water heaters to allow you to brew coffee immediately without having to first heat water.
Price
Finally, not everyone has the same budget in mind when shopping for a battery-powered coffee maker. Some want nothing but the best, while some want the bare basics.
As a result, we try to recommend different coffee makers within different price ranges. Hopefully, you will find one that suits you.
Full Comparison of The Best Battery Powered Coffee Maker
- Battery operated
- Heats water
- Easy to clean
- Compatible with Nespresso pods
- Not great to make large batches
- Battery operated
- Tough construction
- Boils water
- Easy to clean
- Bulkier and heavier
- Requires special battery pack
- Does not make espresso
- Small & light - highly portable
- Does not need electricity to operate
- Easy to clean
- Comes with a cup
- Does not heat water
- Not great to make large batches
- The gasket rubber may get sticky
- Battery operated
- Operates with AA batteries as well.
- Heats water
- Easy to clean
- Compatible with K Cup pods
- Not great to make large batches
- Does not heat water
- Small & light - highly portable
- Can make coffee from grounds and Nepresso pods
- Does not need electricity to operate
- Easy to clean
- Does not heat water
- Not great to make large batches
Now you know all the pros and cons of each of our picks, let’s dive deeper into more specifics for each machine so you can get the full picture before deciding which one is best for you.
CERA+ Portable Mini Espresso Machine
The CERA+ portable mini espresso machine comes small, about the size of your average tumbler. However, you can see it as a full-packaged espresso maker. It is also portable and cordless.
The CERA+ runs in two ways: plug the machine into an external electric source or use its 7,500 mAh battery.
The battery itself is capable of heating water, something, not every portable coffee maker can do. The battery allows you to make 3-4 cups of coffee before requiring a recharge.
You can make coffee using either coffee grounds or an NS pod from Nespresso. Since it makes espresso, you can easily dilute it with water to make an Americano for example.
Why We Like This: You get all the portability you need in an espresso maker. It is small, light, and rechargeable. It also heats water; you can use Nespresso pods to replace your ground coffee.
The machine is also easy to clean and comes with boil protection that turns off the machine if there is no water inside the chamber. This protects you from accidentally turning it on in your bag.
If we are to nitpick about the CERA+, it will be that it does not work with K-cups. This means this espresso maker may not work for you if you are a Keurig fan. The machine also brews one cup at a time, meaning it will be difficult for you to make large batches of coffee.
The CERA+ portable espresso maker comes in two colors, white and black. It also comes with a coffee scoop and a zip bag.
Makita DCM501Z Cordless Coffee Maker
When the word Makita is mentioned, most think of drills, saws, and other power tools. When Makita released a coffee-making machine, this really caught our attention.
To us, it was a very good try by Makita. This made us include this machine in the list. On the look, the machine screams nothing but toughness and performance. It has the size of a power toolbox.
It is a little heavy but still cartable by many. The machine also has a handle you can fold up if you need to carry it around. You can easily see that this machine is designed to be placed in a workshop or construction site.
It makes coffee cordlessly, relying on its battery pack. If you have two or more battery packs, you can replace and change them when it runs out.
Why We Like This: It is Makita, one of the best power tools brands making a coffee machine. The machine makes great coffee and can perform similarly to a typical coffee maker. Its larger size allows more features, such as water boiling, more brewing cycles, and easier cleaning.
You do not need to wait for it to charge for using it, just like a Makita drill. It is compatible with many of Makita’s existing battery packs.
The machine also comes with water heating capability, freeing you from finding your source of hot water.
The machine operates by pulling 5-ounce cups of coffee, which means it does not make espresso-style coffee. What you get is an Americano style coffee.
This may be an issue with some since you cannot turn Americano coffee into espresso. With espresso makers, you can add water to turn it into Americano.
The machine also does not work with K-cups, or NS pods, which may be a turn-off to some.
- Battery operated
- Tough construction
- Boils water
- Easy to clean
- Bulkier and heavier
- Requires special battery pack
- Does not make espresso
- Does not work with K-cups or NS pods
Aeropress Go Portable Coffee Maker
When the Aeropress first came out in 2005, it took the coffee world by storm. For the first time, you can finally make a hot cup of coffee with a simple, easy-to-carry tool. Millions were sold worldwide.
Aeropress later took the same formula and made Aeropress Go. It is an even smaller, more portable coffee maker with similar performance to the Aeropress.
It is small and light, about the size of your regular Starbucks cup. The weight is similar to an empty water tumbler, which can be easily carried around. Similar to the original Aeropress, it does not require electricity.
To operate the Aeropress, start by unscrewing the top lid and using it as the coffee cup. Then fill the coffee into the main tube before adding hot water. Wait for the coffee to brew for a bit, then push down the coffee through the filter like a syringe, using the plunger.
Why We Like This: This small, ultra-portable espresso maker works with K-cups. Aside from its internal battery, you can also power it using 2 AAA dry cell batteries, sparing you from charge anxiety issues. It is also easy to take apart, clean, and reassemble for reuse.
Aeropress Go is also easy to take off to clean. Since it has no electrical parts, you can wash it using a dishwasher.
If we are to nitpick about the Aeropress Go, it is that it does not heat water. It also is not suitable for making large batches of coffee since it only brews a cup at a time.
Similar to many Aeropresses, the rubber gasket at the bottom of the plunger may get sticky over time. Aeropress has indicated it is not an issue, although some may find it gross.
- Small & light - highly portable
- Does not need electricity to operate
- Easy to clean
- Comes with a cup
- Does not heat water
- Not great to make large batches
- The rubber gasket may get sticky
Nicoh One-Touch Travel Coffee Maker
If you are a K-cup fan, we added this coffee maker to the list just for you. It is the only portable, battery-powered coffee maker on the list to be compatible with K-cups.
It is small and portable, with a size similar to your typical coffee cups from Starbucks. This means it is light, portable, and can easily be carried around. You can use it to make coffee from grounds or K-cups.
The Nicoh coffee maker can be powered in many ways, depending on your needs. It comes with its own USB rechargeable battery. You can also power it by connecting power cables to it from any USB-powered source or your car.
Why We Like This: This small, ultra-portable espresso maker works with K-cups. Aside from its internal battery, you can also power it using 2 AAA dry cell batteries, sparing you from charge anxiety issues. It is also easy to take apart, clean, and reassemble for reuse.
You can also use 2x AAA dry cell batteries to operate this machine in emergencies. This means you can bring a couple of them and spare yourself the charge anxiety issues.
You basically make coffee using a simple 3-step process. After adding the coffee grounds, pour in hot water. Close the lid, and turn on the machine. With a single touch, the machine operates and brews a beautiful cup of espresso.
Once you are done, the Nicoh coffee maker can be easily taken apart and cleaned for reuse.
The main issue we have with the Nicoh coffee maker is that it does not heat water, meaning you will have to have hot water nearby to use it. You may be able to make a cold brew out of the coffee, but chances are it would not taste too good.\
- Battery operated
- Operates with batteries as well.
- Heats water
- Easy to clean
- Compatible with K Cup pods
- Not great to make large batches
- Does not heat water
Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Machine + NS Adapter
Wacaco is the maker of a series of portable coffee maker machines, and the Nanopresso is part of that lineup. Compared to its most popular offering, the Minipresso, the Nanopresso is smaller than Minipresso. Yet it has better water capacity and higher extraction pressure.
The Nanopresso operates without the help of any batteries or external power sources. You manually operate it. After adding in hot water and coffee, you release the piston and then pump away to generate the pressure to make espresso.
This spares you from charge anxiety, making you wonder if your espresso maker has enough charge to continue working. The Nanopresso also comes with an NS adapter. This means you can use Nanopresso to make coffee using Nespresso pods.
Why We Like This: This is a small, ultra-portable espresso maker. It is also manually operated, sparing you from charge anxiety. It is also easy to clean and, with the right adapter, usable with NS pods.
The Nanopresso also makes espresso coffee, which means you can easily dilute it if you prefer an Americano style coffee.
Since the entire machine does not have a battery or electrical parts, you can easily take it apart and clean it. However, Wacaco does not encourage you to wash it using a dishwasher.
However, Nanopresso may also come with its own set of issues. Since it is manually operated, it requires you to pump the pistons. This means it does not have a one-touch operation, you really need to work it.
A lack of batteries also means it cannot heat up water. This means you need to find hot water somehow, which may not always be possible. It also does not make large batches of coffee, brewing a cup at a time. This can be time-consuming, not to mention tiring on your hands too.
- Small & light - highly portable
- Can make coffee from grounds and Nepresso pods
- Does not need electricity to operate
- Easy to clean
- Does not heat water
- Not great to make large batches
- Manual operation
What To Look For When Selecting Battery Coffee Maker?
When shopping for a battery coffee maker, try to look at these aspects to ensure you make the best purchase for your needs. In many cases, you may have to balance between the following:
- Brewing Time
- Cleaning & Maintenance
- Servings Per Brew
- Battery Power
- Portability
- Water Heating Capabilities
We understand that you may have your own preference when shopping for a battery-powered coffee maker. As a result, we created this list to help you make smaller decisions that will eventually show you which coffee maker suits you best.
Brewing Time
Brewing time is the time needed to operate the coffee maker and produce coffee for you to sip. Some coffee makers can operate fast, while some slower.
Machines with slower brewing time may usually have the ability to heat up water, which is the reason it takes more time.
Although it may not apply to every situation, you may assume slower coffee makers can make better-tasting coffee.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Suppose you are the type that hates the cleaning and maintenance needed to maintain your coffee maker. In this case, consider picking simpler coffee makers that can be easily taken apart and washed.
For example, the Aeropress Go can be easily taken apart, as it does not have too many parts. It also does not contain electrical parts, meaning you can clean it using a dishwasher.
Servings Per Pull
If you want to regularly serve large batches of coffee with the machine, you may want to take note of this aspect. Many portable, battery-operated coffee makers sacrifice this aspect to make their machines smaller.
As a result, you will notice most portable coffee makers only make a single serving of coffee per brew. You can always operate the coffee makers multiple times to make multiple cups, but it will take time.
If you want to make larger batches of coffee yet keep the machine portable, consider the Makita DCM501Z. This machine is designed to be portable yet capable of making coffee for several people faster.
Battery Power
One of the biggest issues with rechargeable batteries is the issue of charge anxiety. You may constantly worry if your coffee maker still has enough charges to pull another cup of coffee for you.
With battery power, you can decide between getting the largest rechargeable battery possible or getting coffee makers with replaceable battery packs. Replaceable battery packs help avoid downtime. You must charge and wait for the coffee maker to have enough power to brew coffee.
You can also go manual and remove the problem completely. A manual coffee maker may require you to become the battery. Still, you completely spare yourself from the problem of batteries. The Wacaco Nanopresso or the Aeropress Go is a great place to start.
Portability
Not all portable coffee makers are made equal. Some are smaller than others. However, when they are ultra-portable, sacrifices are made on other aspects, such as brewing speed or water heating capability.
As a result, decide how portable you want your battery-powered coffee maker to be first. Then you explore the possible options on other aspects and functionality.
Comes With Water Heating Capabilities
Finally, the key issue with these portable coffee makers is water heating capabilities. Since heating water takes up a lot of power, many battery-powered coffee makers skip this functionality.
Instead, they offer you more brewing cycles between recharges. If this matters to you, ensure you check for this function before buying. The CERA+ Espresso Maker may be a good option here.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the best portable travel coffee maker for you is a matter of weighing your needs and preferences against the different features available.
We have provided some of the best options for portable coffee makers on the market and taken into consideration factors such as portability, coffee styles, water heating, power usage, and price.
Alex is a self confessed coffee addict – but he takes his love of caffeine seriously in a completely responsible way. He loves trying new coffees and testing the latest machines and is not usually fan of one button pod machines. Alex is happiest when he is tinkering with settings and milk temperatures to create the perfect cup. When not obsessing over coffee, Alex is a keen musician and plays weddings and other social events (usually fuelled by… yes, you guessed it… coffee).