​Wacaco Minipresso GR Portable Coffee Maker Review

​The Minipresso GR is the mid-range espresso maker produced by Wacaco. 

A relatively new company on the block, Wacaco focuses purely on the research, development, and manufacture of portable espresso machines. Their goal is to design a travel brewer that produces an espresso that's just as good as those made by traditional espresso makers, and they achieved that with the Minipresso.

The capsule-like, durable outer shell contains everything you need to make a delicious cup of espresso. Its sleek design won't make it look like you're performing some kind strange science experiment.

And because it's small and lightweight, it's perfect for hiking, camping, hunting, or using at the office.

​Who Is This Product For?

​Anyone who has a tiny home, a small kitchen, or a busy office will enjoy the convenience and small size of the Wacaco Minipresso.

Campers, hikers, and hunters will find discover it's easy to pack and sturdy enough to survive rugged trips.

It's simple enough for espresso-making beginners, but it still produces a high-quality drink that will satisfy the taste buds of more refined coffee drinkers.

​What's Included?

​The Wacaco Minipresso GR Espresso Maker comes with the machine, a cup that fits into the bottom of the device, and an integrated scoop for measuring coffee.

Wacaco also sells a separate Minipresso kit and carrying case as add-ons.

​Overview of Features

​The Wacaco Minipresso Espresso Machine comes in at just under 7" in height and under 3" in circumference, so it fits into most automotive cup holders. And with a weight of 0.8 lbs, you can easily slip it into your suitcase or backpack without it becoming difficult to carry.

To make the espresso, the Minipresso uses eight bars of force. It's less than the typical 15 bars, but so long as the grounds aren't tamped down, you'll be able to make each drink with ease.

​The Minipresso works with any coffee product, you can empty pods, grind your favorite beans, or use a pre-ground coffee to make the perfect cup of joe.

The Minipresso GR produces almost a full double shot of espresso each time (up to 1.7 oz). You'll love having more of your favorite morning drink or adding extra water for an Americano or full-bodied coffee.

You'll want to play with the water temperature, coffee, and grind size, but the Wacaco Minipresso GR will produce a good head of crema with relative ease.

When you're finished making your drink, the Minipresso GR rinses clean. Just dump out the grounds and run clear water through the system to flush everything out. Then, snap everything back together and put it away until next time.

​How to Use

​To make the perfect cup of espresso with Wacaco's portable espresso machine, start by running hot water through it to warm everything up.

Then, use the scoop to measure the coffee, fill the basket, and lightly level off the grounds.

Add hot water to the tank, unlock the piston with a twist, and pump to get a steaming cup of hot espresso.

​Alternative

​The Barsetto Portable Espresso Maker is quite similar to the Minipresso GR with a few key differences.

​First, it looks almost identical to the Minipresso, but it has a transparent bottom cup that clips into the base. The Barsetto version also uses 15 bars pressure to make espresso instead of Minipresso's eight.

The Barsetto makes a smaller shot than the Wacaco Minipresso. However, the cup has room for four ounces, so there's available space if you want to turn your espresso into an Americano.

Lastly, the Barsetto is more expensive than the Wacaco GR, but you might like the ability to use K-Cups or refillable K-Cup filters instead of Wacaco's reusable filter basket.

​Conclusion

​Espresso lovers looking to save space and money will enjoy the Wacaco Minipresso GR.

The machine costs less than similar models, but it also produces an espresso that's better than many of its competitors.

You will also enjoy the ability to use a refillable basket instead of paying for expensive coffee pods can save you a lot of money if you indulge often.

​AdirChef Grab N' Go Personal Coffee Maker Review

​The entry-level AdirChef Grab N' Go Personal Coffee Maker is a simple and straightforward product for making single cups of coffee in a hurry.

It's available in seven trendy colors. And with its compact size and three-minute perk time, this electric, automatic model is a cheap and cheerful way to get your morning caffeine fix.

The travel mug that comes with the AdirChef single-serve coffee machine makes it easy to save money and reduce waste. It's tapered, so it fits most cup holders and is easy to take with you.

When you want to bring the whole machine with you, AdirChef sells a padded travel pouch separately. So, yes, this is a portable coffee maker you can travel with!

​Who Is This Product For?

​When you have a busy schedule, the AdirChef Grab N' Go Personal Coffee Maker may meet your needs.

Add the cream and sugar to the bottom of the travel mug and start the machine. When it's finished, you can rinse it quick, grab your coffee, and go.

The single-cup AdirChef coffee machine is also ideal for individuals who want a coffee pot but lack space.

You can make a cup of coffee, rinse it clean, and hide the entire system in a drawer, purse, or cupboard to get it out of the way.

It's excellent for a cubicle, dorm, van life, or camping trailer.

​What's Included?

​When you purchase the personal AdirChef coffeemaker, you get the machine, a reusable filter, and a holding basket.

It also comes with a plastic travel mug and cover that matches the coffee pot.

Everything is dishwasher safe, but you may want to wash the cup and lid by hand to prevent warping or damage to the plastic.

​Overview of Features

​When you first open the box, you'll notice the AdirChef Grab N' Go Personal Coffee Maker consists of lightweight plastic. Since this compact design is only slightly larger than a standard thermal mug, you can put it almost anywhere. ​

The machine's automatic shutoff feature turns the coffeemaker off as soon as it finishes. This feature saves power, but it also means that the coffee pot has no burners in the bottom. You'll never have to spend the day wondering if you remembered to turn the pot off again.

To make the coffee, the AdirChef Grab N' Go uses a reusable mesh filter instead of traditional paper filters. And while it does tend to let a bit of grit through to the bottom of the cup, not having to buy paper filters saves money and reduces waste. It's also quick and easy to clean.

The 15 oz thermal mug that comes with this personal coffee machine has stainless-steel on the outside, but plastic in the inside. It doesn't keep coffee hot as long as higher-quality mugs. However, the rubber grip on the outside is comfortable to hold, and the whole unit comes clean easily.

​How to Use

​To use the AdirChef Grab N' Go Personal Coffee Maker, fill the thermal mug with water to the desired level and add coffee grounds to the mesh filter basket.

Then, pour the water into the back of the machine, add cream or sugar to your cup, and set it into the brewer.

Press the button, and when the water stops, rinse out the basket to get it ready for the next use.

​Alternative

​MiXPRESSO makes a personal coffeemaker similar to the AdirChef model.

It perks into the 14 oz travel mug using ground coffee in a reusable filter. It automatically turns itself off and is dishwasher-safe just like the AdirChef personal brewer.

The travel cup it perks into is almost the same as the AdirChef without the fun colors. The mug is one ounce smaller, but that isn't a lot when you think about it.

The MiXPRESSO model costs a few dollars more and doesn't have an optional travel bag you can purchase, but you might find the extra few dollars are worth it for the warranty.

​Conclusion

​For a cheap coffee pot that makes delicious coffee one cup at a time, the AdirChef Grab N' Go Personal Coffee Maker can get the job done. 

It has no timer or fancy features, and likely wouldn't stand up to heavy, daily use, but it's good enough for occasional use or a daily cup of coffee.

​The AdirChef perks fast and cleans quickly, and when you're busy, that's what you want.

​K​OHIPRESS Portable French Press Coffee Maker Review

​Who Is This Product For?

​The KOHIPRESS Portable French Press Coffee Maker is for anyone who wants to be able to have a cup of coffee on-the-go when you don't have time to stop at a drive-thru.

The device can be useful for backpackers and other long term travelers that can't be guaranteed about the availability of coffee at their destination.

The quality of the coffee is superior compared to other similar products, and the grounds are trapped in the bottom, so there's no flow-through of old coffee grounds.

Traveling salespeople, commuters, and people who have to stay in hotels for their work would love this product.

Additionally, it would be a great item to have handy in a business meeting with small groups at work.

Campers will enjoy this also because they get to have their morning coffee as usual even when they are out in the wilderness!

​What's Included?

​The KOHIPRESS comes with the stainless steel thermos, insulated double wall vacuum inner containers and the reusable filter made from Micron stainless steel mesh.

The unit comes with a leak-proof lid and everything you need to brew a quick but delicious cup of coffee.

​Overview of Features

​This unique all-in-one coffee thermos and brewer gives you a way to make a fresh cup of coffee anytime you want it.

The insulated travel mug and brewing machine comes with a portable leak-proof lid and a micron stainless steel mesh filter that can be reused. There's no need to buy filters with this convenient solution for coffee on-the-go.

There is a patented self-locking system that allows the brewed coffee to stay safe from the used coffee grounds. There's no flow back from the bottom part of the chamber that could contaminate your fresh coffee.

Most people find it easy to clean and choose to dump the remaining grounds in the trash when they're done. It is designed to offer easy clean-up, and it keeps the grounds in one place.

Some people have noticed that it has an inner plastic plunger that keeps the grounds at the bottom of the container -- no need to worry, though. The plunger is BPA free and is considered 100% safe for food contact.

​How to Use

​To use the KOHIPRESS portable French Press coffee maker, just release the latch at the top of the container and remove the inner chamber.

Place the black coaster on the table where your coffee mug will be. Use about two rounded teaspoons of coffee grounds and place them in the inner chamber. Next, pour boiling water into the inner chamber up to about an inch from the top (do not overfill).

Then, secure the top unit and open the mouth of the lid enough to release some of the pressure from the inner chamber and gently press down (thus, the name of the unit), until it is on the bottom of the inner chamber.

Remember that the filter is located on the bottom of the inner chamber so your coffee grounds will be filtered as you press down on the inner chamber to the bottom and the grounds will be trapped in the bottom.

Violà! You will have nothing but fresh, brewed coffee.

​Alternative

​There are several alternatives to the KOHIPRESS French Press portable coffee maker.

One of the best alternatives available right now is the Amovee French Press Travel Coffee Press Mug. 

It is less expensive than the K​OHIPRESS French Press covered in this review. But the outside unit is made of plastic, rather than stainless steel. Some customers who purchased this stated that they wished they had bought the metal version.

​Conclusion

​While there are plenty of alternatives out there to choose from, we conclude that a French Press is not just a French Press. In other words, they are not all created equal.

The KOHIPRESS original French press coffee maker and thermos is a great solution for the person who wants to have the rich, bold taste of freshly-brewed coffee without having to use a full-scale coffee brewing system.

Whether you're going camping, on a business trip, or hosting a meeting, this unit produces consistently good coffee that's easy to brew, drink, and clean up. Just pop the filter out and rinse it off and it's ready for the next use.

This is an excellent deal for the money and seems to stand as a high-end solution for mobile coffee brewing for busy people!

​CISNO Automated Portable Espresso Machine Review

​This automated portable espresso maker is an elite model made by CISNO, which specializes in feature-rich, "smart home" kitchen appliances.

Rather than creating a ton of products, however, CISNO only produces three items. This portable model is the only espresso machine the company makes. Instead of using flashy advertising, the company lets its products speak for themselves. 

The futuristic, luxurious design gives the espresso machine a streamlined appearance. But it's the adaptability of this product and its single-button operation that make it a popular choice for espresso enthusiasts.

​Who Is This Product For?

​The CISNO designed its portable espresso machine for coffee lovers who won't compromise when it comes to the quality of their espresso even when they're on the go.

It runs off a battery, but it also runs and charges using either an AC or 12V car adapter, which are both included with the machine. This flexibility means people who spend a lot of time in a vehicle or take a lot of weekend camping trips will like it, too.

​What's Included?

​Each machine arrives with a battery pack, 12V car charger, instruction booklet, and an AC adaptor.

Additional batteries and chargers for the espresso machine are available for purchase separately.

​Overview of Features

​The CISNO Automated Portable Espresso Maker gets five stars for ease of use. It works with hot or cold water and runs on battery, AC, or 12V power. And the design only has one button, so you don't have to play with it to figure out how to run it.

Because it was explicitly designed to produce a perfect espresso each time, it tends to outshine other machines in its class. Users give the CISNO machine high praise for the crema and authentic taste of its 1.35 oz shots. These shots are also hotter than those produced by manual systems.

While CISNO portable espresso maker comes in at just over two pounds and ten inches in height, it fits most automotive cup holders.

The capsule design could be easily mistaken for a modern thermos if it wasn't for the multi-function button on its face.

There are no parts to get lost, nothing to break off, or flimsy hinges to wear out.

The most significant feature of an automatic portable espresso maker is its battery.

The CISNO machine runs off a lithium battery that takes about 2.5 hours to charge from empty. Once it's fully-charged, it will make three espressos if you use warm water or more than 80 espressos if you use boiling water.

​How to Use

​To make a perfect cup of espresso with the CISNO portable machine, unscrew the cup and insert a Nespresso pod.

Then, flip it over, unscrew the top, fill it with boiling or warm water, and press the button on the face to select the right mode.

It perks the espresso straight into the cup.

​Alternative

​The Revelux Electric Portable Espresso Coffee Maker is comparable to the CISNO machine. 

It makes a 1.85 ounce shot and works with Nespresso-compatible capsules as well as refillable pods. Due to the added size, it does take an extra minute to brew the espresso.

The Revelex model costs a little less than the CISNO brand as well, but it doesn't have an AC adapter or battery, so you'll need to stick close to your vehicle to use it.

While being limited to 12V power can be problematic, others still prefer this model for its larger size and the ability to save money using refillable capsules.

​Conclusion

​The CISNO Automated Portable Espresso Machine produces an espresso almost equivalent to standard machines.

It also out-performs many similar models, but that level of quality doesn't come cheap.

For many espresso enthusiasts, however, the ability to enjoy a quality espresso whenever they want is well worth the cost.

​CHULUX Single-Serve Coffee Maker Review

​CHULUX is a small home appliance factory with an Amazon storefront that has received 99 percent positive reviews in the past 12 months.

CHULUX manufactures a small line of products, including a smoothie blender, ice cream maker, milk frother, and several coffee makers.

One of these is the Single-Serve Coffee Maker, made of stainless steel and BPA-free plastic. This compact, portable coffee maker is available in black, blue, lime green, orange, and red.

​Who is This Product For?

​Just because you already have a coffee maker doesn't mean you don't need a single-serve version as well - which is faster, more convenient, and less messy than making a big pot.

Use it for your afternoon fix, or take it to work and keep it at your desk.

It's perfect for the dorm, senior living home, camper, hotel room, or company break room. The CHULUX Single-Serve brews coffee right into your cup, so there's no pot or burner to clean, making it easy and convenient to use.

​What's Included

​The CHULUX Single-Serve Coffee Maker accommodates most single-serving pods, and it comes with a reusable filter that you can use with your own coffee or tea.

A removable drip tray fits taller cups and makes cleanup easy.

The coffee cup and pods aren't included, but it comes with a user manual.

​Overview of Features

​The CHULUX Single-Serve Coffee Maker features a 12-ounce reservoir and a removable drip tray.

You can brew smaller cups by filling the reservoir to the appropriate line. The machine's cool-touch exterior prevents scalding and offers peace of mind for elderly users or households with children.

The machine takes up very little counter space, and it's easy to store in a cupboard or on a shelf when it's not being used. The size also makes it highly portable, or even great for use in your RV or ​van life​.​​​

Made from food-grade material, the CHULUX personal coffee maker brews a tasty cup with one push of a button. Your coffee is ready in just three minutes, and then the machine automatically shuts off to save energy and reduce the risk of fires.

This portable coffee maker is easy to clean and plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet.

​How to Use

​Before you brew your first cup, run 12 ounces of water through the coffee machine. Then, fill up the reservoir with the amount of cold, clean water that corresponds to your cup's capacity.

Turn the knob on top to open the filter compartment, and insert your pod. When you're brewing your own coffee, spoon it into the washable filter and place it in the compartment.

Close the lid, and turn the knob to lock. Place your cup on top of the drip tray. If your cup is tall, remove the drip tray to accommodate your coffee mug.

Press the brew button on the side of the machine, and wait. In three minutes, when the flashing light goes out, you'll have a piping hot cup of coffee.

​Alternative

​The CHULUX is a well-rated, single-serving coffee brewer, but it's not the only one of its kind.

Another such machine is the Keurig K-Classic single-serve coffee maker​, which is more expensive but also programmable.

It uses multiple K-Cup pod sizes and features a 48-ounce reservoir so that you can get six cups without having to refill it. The brew time is less than a minute, and it features an automatic shut-off after two hours.

​Conclusion

​Enjoy a fresh cup of coffee where you want it, when you want it with a single-serving, personal coffee maker.

The CHULUX Single-Serve Coffee Maker is fast and portable, and it can save you time and money by brewing only what you'll drink--no more, and no less.