We Finally Found A Portable Coffee Maker That Actually Works

Where Are All the Portable Coffee Makers?

If you’ve spent any time hunting for portable coffee makers, you’ve probably noticed the options are pretty limited. I ran into this while researching the best 12 volt coffee makers for RV and camping use (click to go to review).

The problem comes down to power. Heating water demands a lot of electricity, and most 12 volt outlets just can’t deliver enough to brew coffee quickly. Nobody wants to wait 30 minutes for their morning cup on the road, which is why these products never really caught on.

But while searching for portable coffee makers that actually work, I came across the OutIn Nano portable espresso machine. Unlike other battery powered coffee machines that require you to bring hot water, the OutIn Nano handles everything, heating included. And it does it all in just 3-4 minutes, which is honestly wild for a battery powered coffee maker.

I was skeptical, so I reached out to the company and they sent me a unit to test. Full disclosure on that, but my take here is straightforward, it either makes hot coffee or it doesn’t.

Here’s my honest review of one of the few truly portable electric coffee makers available today.

Check out the end of this post for my 2 year update!

OutIn Nano Portable Espresso Machine Overview

Before I get into my experience with the OutIn coffee maker, I’m going to go over its key features. If you just want to know how it works, you can skip this part and go right to the review.

OutIn Nano Portable Espresso Machine

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Main Features

• Fast Heating
• Battery Powered (7,500 mAh)
• 3 Hour Charge Time
• 92°C/198°F Water Temperature
• 20 Bars of Pressure for Crema
• USB-C Charging Cable
• Capsule or Ground Coffee
• Lightweight
• Compact
• Makes 2-3 80 ml or 4-5 50 ml Cups Per Charge
• Hot Water Compatible
• IPX4 Waterproof
• Cup Included

Feature Highlights

Battery Powered

This is a true portable electric coffee maker, you can brew a cup of coffee literally anywhere.

The built-in 7,500 mAh battery lets the OutIn Nano output around 240 ml of hot water. Since the water reservoir only holds 80 ml, you’ll need to brew a few times to reach that amount.

That small reservoir is actually what makes a battery-powered coffee maker this size possible. More water would require way more power and time. The tradeoff is you get a quick shot of hot espresso while on the go.

Capsule or Grounds

My favorite thing about the OutIn portable espresso machine, besides the battery, is the option to use capsules or ground coffee.

A lot of capsule coffee makers include a hybrid capsule for grounds, but the Nano uses an actual espresso-style coffee basket that produces better, more authentic espresso.

You can even upgrade to the OutIn Portable Espresso Machine Basket (click to view on Amazon) for improved results. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like a solid step up from the standard basket.

Hot Water Compatible

Another feature worth highlighting in this OutIn Nano review is the heating bypass.

If you already have access to hot water like from a kettle, camp stove, or campfire, you can use it to brew espresso through a capsule or grounds. Just fill the reservoir with hot water and double-click the brew button to start the flow.

This is also a handy way to clean the portable coffee maker before and after brewing. Run water through the system to keep everything working properly.

Easy Clean

As I mentioned, the hot water bypass doubles as a cleaning feature. Instead of holding the button for 2 seconds to start heating, just double-click to run water through directly. It’s a fast, low-power way to rinse things out.

Replacement Parts

Something I really appreciate about companies like OutIn is the availability of replacement parts. They sell extra filter baskets and cups on their website, and their customer service has been great in my experience.

What’s in the Box?

There are two purchasing options for the OutIn Espresso Maker. First there’s the standard package, which includes:

• OutIn Espresso Maker
• Coffee Capsule Brew Nozzle
• Coffee Grounds Brew Nozzle
• USB-C Charging Cable
• User Manual

The second option is the OutIn Espresso Gift Set (click to view on outin.com), which includes everything the standard package includes, plus the storage case.

So far I’ve really enjoyed having the storage case. It makes keeping track of the second brew nozzle easy. There’s also a spot for keeping coffee capsules. Everything I need to make coffee, besides water, is in the case. I’ve been keeping it in the car for emergency coffee making.

It doesn’t take up a lot of space, and it’s protected enough that I’m not worried about it in the trunk or a backpack.

My OutIn Nano Review

So, does it actually work?

Yes! I’m happy to report that this little battery-powered espresso maker does, in fact, work. I was skeptical at first, something like this seemed too good to be true. But so far the Nano has performed really well. Most importantly, it makes hot espresso.

Coffee Temperature

I measured the temperature coming directly out of the nozzle. The hottest reading I got was 182°F (83°C). OutIn advertises brewing temperatures up to 198°F (92°C), and since the coffee exits the nozzle hot, it’s definitely possible the inside reaches those temps.

By the time everything finished brewing, the espresso in the mug sat around 158°F (70°C). Most people prefer drinking coffee under 150°F (66°C), so what you end up with might still be too hot, which is exactly what you want.

Battery Life

So far, the OutIn has brewed 80 ml of hot espresso three times on a single charge. Water temperature plays a big role here. In cold conditions with cold water, you’ll probably only get two cups. But that’s expected with any portable heating device.

Brew Time

What sets this portable coffee maker apart is its relatively fast brew time. Standard 12-volt coffee makers are notorious for taking forever. Some need 30 minutes to brew a single cup because batteries can only supply so much power.

Generating heat electrically is demanding, which is why heated 12 volts and battery-powered products are hard to find, and reviews are negative. People expect portable heated products to work like wall-outlet appliances, but they’re running at a lower voltage with limited power.

That’s why I doubted the OutIn could actually brew hot espresso in just a few minutes.

Using water from my bottle, I got a full 80 ml cup in 5-7 minutes each time, almost twice the advertised 200 seconds (3 minutes 20 seconds). But OutIn’s tests used water around 77°F (25°C), while mine was closer to 62°F (17°C). Given that, the time isn’t bad at all.

Compared to other battery-powered coffee makers, the OutIn is still impressively fast. And since it brews quickly, the coffee won’t cool off before you can enjoy it.

Quality & Portability

The build quality feels solid. The parts seem durable and made of quality ABS plastic.

Size-wise, it’s almost identical to my 500 ml thermos and doesn’t weigh much more. Actually, the OutIn Nano is lighter than my thermos when it’s full. Since espresso requires less water than regular coffee, the weight ends up being about the same in practice.

I got the traveler’s gift set, which includes a storage case. You can also buy the protective case separately if you decide you want it later. For me, it’s a must-have, it has room for the grounds basket and four capsules.

I plan on keeping this portable coffee maker in my car so I can have coffee whenever I want. The case keeps everything organized and protected.

Coffee Brew Quality

So how does it taste? I don’t own a Nespresso machine, but I’ve used them before. The OutIn brews espresso capsules just as well as a regular capsule machine. It takes longer, but it’s worth the wait.

The grounds option works great too and tastes fantastic, way better than stale thermos coffee.

I’m usually a drip coffee person, but on the go, a quick espresso shot beats carrying a full cup around. At home it’s different, but while hiking, traveling, or camping, a shot of espresso can actually be more practical than a full mug.

The crema is real. The OutIn brews espresso properly, so you get that nice foam on top, an important part of any espresso experience. Even if you only use it for espresso, it’s a fantastic and versatile portable coffee maker.

Mess

How hard is the OutIn Nano to clean?

Good news: it’s easy, especially with espresso capsules. After brewing, let it sit a few minutes so the inner parts can cool. Then just remove the brew nozzle, take out the pod or dump the grounds. I give everything a quick rinse with water, put the nozzle back on, and add fresh water to the reservoir. Double-click the power button to engage the brew motor while bypassing the heater. This runs clean water through the system.

It’s also how you can brew espresso if you already have hot water.

Wash the mug when you get home, but for the rest of your trip, the OutIn is clean and ready for the next brew.

Like & Dislike

What I Like

• Super packable and portable.
• Makes fantastic hot espresso.
• Easy to clean, very little mess with capsules.
• Can make espresso with hot water as well.
• USB-C Charger
• Grounds or Capsules
• Quality Parts
• Waterproof for easy washing & using outside.

What I Don’t Like

• Requires a powerful charger, at least 10 watts. Limits car charging.
• Slow charge time.
• Not budget friendly (worth it if you love coffee though).

How I Use The OutIn Nano Battery Powered Espresso Maker

So far, I’ve used the OutIn on road trips, hikes, camping trips, and even quick errands around town. It’s easy to bring anywhere, and it’s worked great every single time.

I usually brew the full 80 ml each time, which gives me at least two hot espresso shots per charge. I’ve got a third, but I typically start recharging after two.

I carry a small battery bank for my phone that has a USB-C outlet outputting 18 watts, perfect for the OutIn Nano. It can fully charge it over two times and fits right in the case alongside the coffee maker. If I position the ports just right, I can even close the case while the battery bank charges the portable coffee maker.

Keeping the OutIn topped off is the key to never going without coffee when you want it.

2 Year Update!

I’ve had my OutIn portable espresso maker for close to two years at this point. I use it a few times a week when I’m out on midday hikes. Honestly, I half-expected it to start showing its age after brewing well over a hundred shots, but the thing just keeps chugging along.

What I really love about the OutIn compared to other portable espresso makers I’ve tried, is I can actually make coffee while I’m walking. I’ll pause just long enough to pour in some water, then keep moving while it heats up. It’ll even brew mid-stride.

Battery-powered espresso makers with built-in heating aren’t budget friendly, there’s no getting around that. But with the OutIn, you’re paying for something that actually delivers and holds up over time.