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For this year, we have compared 19 of the bestselling coffee makers in the market so that you won’t have to. These brewers aren’t only for those looking for some camp brew but even for those who just want some great coffee in the comfort of their homes.
Without further ado, here are our reviews!
This wins the top overall camping coffee maker! This champion of a coffee maker is made of plastic and comes in a cone shape. It’s easy to use and serves you some great cups of Joe. It weighs around 2.95 ounces (3.37 ounces with its measuring scoop), so it’s definitely on the lighter side.
Compared to this Hario V60, the Aeropress actually creates better-tasting coffee, but it’s thrice the price, twice the weight, and is less easy to use.
One of the drawbacks of this dripper is that it may take some time before you master the finesse and technique required. It also needs V60-specific filters to function. To help you with the taste, consider using a finely ground and uniform coffee which is best achieved using a burr grinder.
Some more things to consider are your coffee-to-water ratio and the time of your bloom and brew. But, once you get the hang of it, you will surely enjoy your clean and delicious coffee every time!
- Weight: 2.95 oz
- Brew type: Pour over
- Gourmet
- Great design
- Lightweight
- V60-specific paper filter requirement
- Requires mastery of technique
- Odd shape
Melitta 1-Cup Pour-Over
If you’re on a budget, this one will definitely serve you best. The Melitta 1-Cup Pour Over looks like the Hario V60 but is only cheaper. It’s lighter than the Hario, and it has a thoughtful hole that allows you to see what goes on inside to ultimately avoid overflow. Plus, its filters are more accessible.
The downside, however, is that the V60 undoubtedly produces a more delicious cup of coffee than this dripper. But, most people won’t even recognize this since the difference is not that significant. With this one, you basically get what you pay for!
If you want some decent cups, but you’re working on a budget, check this out as soon as possible.
- Weight: 2.01 oz
- Brew type: Pour over
- Lightweight
- Simple to use
- Affordable
- Has a view hole for overflow prevention
- Requires paper filters
- Mastery of technique is required
- Bulky
Primula Coffee Brew Buddy
The Primula Coffee Brew Buddy is especially great for backpackers. It is lightweight, so carrying it won’t be a burden. This guy is compact but durable!
It also does not require any filters, so it’s low maintenance without compromising the coffee quality.
One of the tricky parts of using this coffee maker is that you should have precise timing when removing it from your cup, or else your coffee will be at risk of overstepping. I guess nobody wants so over-extracted and bitter coffee, right?
The Brew Buddy definitely is worth looking into if you’re a backpacker who does not want to shell out lots of money.
- Weight: 1.1 oz
- Brew type: Pour over
- No filter requirement
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Must lift out of the cup to avoid over-steeping
- Delicate filter
Aeropress Coffee Maker
The Aeropress Coffee Maker easily wins and tops the gourmet department. If the taste is your top priority, this is our best offer. With this brewer, you will have some delicious espresso-like shots to create your lovely Cafe Americano.
This is not only great for camping but is even a great addition to your home kitchen. The good thing with this is that it’s so portable without compromising the quality of caffeine it serves. Cleaning it is a breeze: just remove the grinding residue and let the plunger do its thing!
One of the downsides of this coffee maker is that it takes a while before fully mastering its use. You also need to ensure that your cup is wide enough to cover all the coffee that will flow out of the brewer.
- Weight: 7.98 oz
- Brew type: Espresso/ Pour over
- Delicious flavor
- Various brew strength
- Portable
- Multiple compartments
- Special filter requirement
- Brews for one person at a time only
Bialetti Musa
If you can’t take any less than an espresso, then you have to invest in a Bialetti Musa. The company has overhauled its timeless stove-top espresso maker, so it’s made just perfect for the people of today. In a span of a few minutes, you will have your glorious espresso cup.
It’s a definite crowd favorite because it’s easy to operate, and it does not take a whole lot of technique to get the best taste. Additionally, it sits elegantly wherever you go with its stainless steel finish.
But it does not come without some cons. It has been tested that its plastic handle actually comes in a strange shape for travel. Also, although it does have a 4-cup and a 6-cup option, it still may not be enough.
Take note as well that this weighs almost 20 ounces, so it may be quite heavy for backpacking. But for us, the pros definitely still outweigh these drawbacks.
- Weight: 19.19 oz
- Brew type: Espresso
- Fast brewing
- Delicious coffee even for beginners
- Easy to clean
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Stainless steel
- Brews for one person at a time only
- Odd shape
- Heavy
MSR Mugmate Coffee Maker
For all the backpackers out there who need some no-fuss coffee maker, the MSR MugMate may be the perfect one for you. Its lightweight nature and ease of use without compromising the taste make this coffee maker a great companion for your backpacking trip.
To use it, simply add the coffee grounds of your choice along with hot water, allow it to steep for a few minutes, and there you have it! For some quick cleaning, all you have to do is tap into the trash. But you will need some rinse once in a while for obvious reasons.
Another winning feature? It can also function as a loose-leaf tea brewer but make sure you’re ready to clean it properly to avoid any mixing of tastes.
For all the good things this coffee maker can do, it still isn’t the best at producing the most delicious cup of coffee. But its ease of use makes it the best for backpackers who enjoy some decent cup of Joe. It is built rigidly. Thus, it may take some space.
However, some state that it can sit perfectly in cooking pots and mugs. Just like the other variants, the brewer must be lifted out of the cup to avoid overstepping.
- Weight: 0.7 oz
- Brew type: Espresso/ Pour over
- No filter requirement
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Easy to clean
- Easy to achieve a consistent taste
- Durable
- Must lift out of the cup to avoid over-steeping
- Brews for one person at a time only
- Odd shape
Planetary Design French Press
Camping in large groups? Well, say no more because the Planetary Design French Press is here to cater to your needs. Most of the brewers for travel don’t have a large brewing capacity for obvious reasons. But with this coffee maker, you will not have that dilemma.
If you want to serve everyone with one single brew and still get an incredibly delicious cup, this one is an investment you can’t get wrong. It is huge, durable, and insulated. It also comes with a thoughtful “bru-stop” screen that stops the brewing to prevent over-extraction. With this, you also have good size options as it comes in 20-, 32-, and 48-ounce variants.
A disadvantage is obviously its size. It’s large, so bringing it around is a hassle. It actually is the heaviest camping coffee maker we have tried, but it’s the price to pay for a large brewing capacity. Another setback is that it comes with a rather high price tag.
- Weight: 30.8 oz
- Brew type: French Press
- Double filtration for a cleaner taste
- Insulated
- No filter requirement
- Quite heavy
- Odd shape
- Water requirement for cleaning
Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
Have you ever dreamt of having the camping trip of your dreams with a coffee with some delicious crema on top? Well, that doesn’t need to stay as a dream anymore. With Wacaco Nanopresso, this dream is within reach. In fact, this Nanopresso performed outstandingly in all the blind taste tests going neck-to-neck with the AeroPress.
This is great even for beginners because it’s easy to operate. Simply fill the mini-portafilter with fine coffee grounds, tamp down with the scoop, pour in hot water, and pump until you get your beloved espresso shot.
The fact that this coffee maker comes with a lot of tiny parts is a drawback to a lot of users. It can be tedious since these are easy to lose. If you do not have a van or a camper car, access to water may be limited, so that may be a problem.
Plus, the high price tag didn’t help too! But if your priority is some delicious espresso with crema on top, we’d say that this one is an easy go.
- Weight: 12.35 oz with all accessories
- Brew type: Espresso
- Brews the tastiest espresso with some great crema
- Straightforward
- Compact
- Comes with a handful of tiny parts
- Relatively difficult to clean
- Time-consuming
Choosing Your Ideal Coffee Maker
Brewing Variations
Coffee enthusiasts are spoiled for choice with various brewing options: from dark roasts to light ones, espressos to pour-overs, and even plastic to stainless steel coffee makers. The decision you make depends on your personal taste and what you seek in a cup of coffee.
Value: What’s Your Priority?
Purchasing a coffee maker often means weighing numerous factors. Is it the flavor, location of use, price point, weight, or durability that matters most? For instance, we recommend the Hario V60 due to its excellent performance and relatively low cost.
Taste: The Heart of Your Coffee Experience
If taste tops your priority list, AeroPress shines as our champion in the flavor department. Close contenders like Hario V60 and Wacaco Nanopresso aren’t far behind, and other options such as ESPRO Travel Press and Bialetti Musa offer something unique too.
The AeroPress brews a smooth and robust cup, while the Nanopresso is famed for its rich espresso shot. If French press is your preference, ESPRO’s double mesh filter ensures a clean and crisp taste.
For those who enjoy pour-over coffee, the V60 offers vibrant flavors without bitterness. If you’re eco-conscious and prefer less waste, the stainless steel Cafellissimo Paperless Pour Over and the Snow Peak Collapsible Coffee Drip might catch your eye.
Additional Thoughts on Pour-Over Methods
Do note that pour-over coffee requires precision in factors like ground coffee amount, grind size, water temperature, beans quality, and pouring technique. It demands a certain skill to perfect.
Ease of Use: Simplify Your Mornings
When mornings call for a quick coffee fix, simple and easy-to-clean coffee makers are the way to go. While French press brewers are simple, AeroPress and GSI MiniEspresso also offer easy cleanup.
Filterless coffee makers like Cafellissimo may require more cleaning effort. The Brew Buddy and MugMate, however, are the easiest to clean among the filterless options.
And let’s not forget the ultimate ease of instant coffee – just pour and enjoy. Quality choices like First Ascent even provide a taste close to a fresh brew!
Group Cooking: Serving Many
For those who often camp or gather in groups, coffee makers that can brew multiple cups are vital. The Planetary Designs French Press and the GSI Collapsible Java Drip stand out here.
Portability: Coffee on the Go
If being on the move is a part of your lifestyle, instant coffee reigns supreme in portability. Lightweight options like GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip, Brew Buddy, and MugMate offer compactness and durability.
For those looking for more space-saving options, X-brew and GSI Collapsible Java Drip are excellent picks.
Weight: The Lightest Choices
Once again, instant coffee wins in the weight category. If weight is a key consideration, MugMate, Brew Buddy, and the GSI Ultralight are your top options, followed closely by other lightweight brewers.
Final Thoughts
Finding the perfect coffee maker for your lifestyle and preferences is a delightful journey. With endless options tailored to various activities, your ideal coffee companion awaits. Happy shopping, and may your coffee be as rich and rewarding as the experiences it accompanies!