Best Portable Coffee Makers for 2021: Brew Barista-Level Coffee Anywhere

I’m the kind of person who can’t start my day without a kick of caffeine. That dependency goes double when I’m waking up away from my own bed (be it a hotel or tent).  Oftentimes, coffee on the road is dubious (looking at you, gas station drip) or non-existent (in the backcountry or at my non-coffee drinking extended family’s house). For me, starting my day with a cup of coffee puts me on the right track. That’s what launched my obsession with finding the best portable coffee maker I could always travel with.

It’s been a personal mission of mine to find products that allow me to make my own coffee anywhere—to my own exacting standards. Whether you hope to make a modest cup of joe or are striving for barista level brews, here are some of the best products I’ve found for making coffee while away from home. 

Best Portable Coffee Maker Overall

Brew 12 Ounces at a Time in This Indestructible, Insulated Press

Near-indestructible, this French press makes for a safer press for travel than the typical glass variety—it’s something you could toss in your bag and not worry about it getting damaged as you adventure. It’s also double-insulated, so your coffee will stay hot for hours and you can drink directly from the stainless steel carafe like a travel mug. Unlike other French presses, this compact one has a filtering system that keeps coffee from getting gritty or bitter once separated (so your first sip will be just as good as your last, no matter how long you nurse it). The mug itself holds 16 ounces of coffee and you can brew up to 12 ounces at a time. 

Best Portable Coffee Grinder

This Hand Grinder from VSSL has 50—Count Them—50 Settings

For some, pre-ground coffee just won’t do. That’s fair; like most things, fresh is better. And beyond the taste and aroma that comes from grinding your own coffee, the process also allows you to control the size of the grounds. Different particle sizes matter depending on your brewing set-up—a medium grind is good for pour-over or drip, whereas a superfine grind would be best for Turkish coffee. This portable hand grinder allows you to control your grind anywhere. It features stainless steel burr blades and an astounding 50 distinct settings for striking that optimum grind. There’s a “clip and flip handle” with a 200 pound rated carabiner that can become an extendable grind arm. And at 6×2 inches and just 0.8 pounds, it won’t take up much space or weight in your pack. 

Best Compact Portable Coffee Maker

The Collapsible SlickDrip Folds Flat When You’re Not Brewing

If space and weight are your top priority, this collapsible drip coffee maker is a solid bet. It weighs just 4.8 ounces, so it’s perfect for those who are ultra-lite backpackers or flying on an airline with super restrictive baggage policies. Because it’s made of silicone, it’s easy to clean and won’t pass on off-flavors in the same way that materials like plastic sometimes can. That said, it is a pour-over design, so you need to be careful to add the hot water slowly. Otherwise you run the risk of it overflowing and getting grounds in your cup. But considering how little this gadget costs and how convenient it can be to travel with, a little extra work seems acceptable. 

Best Easy-to-Use Portable Coffee Maker

Counter Culture Coffee Looks Like a Teabag and Brews Like One Too

You’d be forgiven if you saw one of these single-serve bags in your cup and thought it was tea. And in fact, it looks and operates exactly like a tea bag would. It might be the easiest way to get your caffeine fix while away from home: All you have to do is to place the satchel in a mug, pour hot water over it and wait a few minutes for it to steep. Don’t mistake it for instant coffee, though—the coffee is of substantially higher quality. And because they’re individual bags, they’re easy to stash in small pockets, so it might be worth keeping some rations on hand for inevitable caffeine-related emergencies. Bonus: They’re 100 percent biodegradable and the packing is made with renewable and compostable materials. 

Best Portable Coffee Maker for the Car

The Nanopresso Fits in Your Car’s Cup Holder

On long stretches of highway, coffee drinkers are often hard pressed to find a decent cuppa. Usually you’re limited to truck stop or diner drip. This clever little coffee maker, however, fits perfectly in your cup holder. Ideal for a long road trip, this coffee maker crafts creamy, decadent coffee with no battery or electricity needed. And because it uses pre-measured pods, it’s easy to clean up — no messy grounds to wash out enroute.

Best Portable Affordable Espresso Maker

The MyJo Brews and Pumps Java Directly Into Your Travel Mug

Even if you are somewhere that coffee is readily available, it’s a treat that can quickly add up and eat into your travel budget. That’s where the Presto MyJo comes in. Not only is it affordable, but it’ll help keep you out of line at expensive coffee shops, saving money along the way. To use, insert the coffee packet, add hot water to the reservoir, attach to the top of your regular or travel mug, and pump. Voila: 10 ounces of coffee.

Best Multipurpose Portable Coffee Maker

Whip Up Coffee or Espresso in Just One Minute with the Aeropress

Like a coffee press, the AeroPress uses a quick, total immersion brewing process to make tasty and robust coffee but with much lower acidity. Unlike a French press, it can either make the standard java (up to three cups) or espresso to be used in lattes, cappuccinos, and more. The main piece is 4x4x9.5 inches, so it’s easily packable, but for added ease, a funnel, scoop, stirrer, a filter holder and 350 microfilters are also included.