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+I take my espresso seriously. I put myself through college making espresso for others and I even married my favorite barista. It's been a while now since either my wife or I had access to the kind of expensive Italian-made espresso machines you find in nice coffee shops, but thanks to the world of portable espresso makers I've figure out how to make the perfect espresso no matter where I go.
+
+WIRED has looked at some very nice [counter top espresso machines](https://www.wired.com/story/best-latte-and-cappuccino-machines/), but with the summer travel season well under way we wanted to share some ways to make great espresso on the road. 
+
+Making a barista-worthy espresso is challenging. Doing it without electricity or a giant machine is even more daunting. Coffee fanatics will object that these devices use pressurized portafilters to achieve their crema which is cheating, but real espresso machines don't fit in your carry-on so some compromise is necessary here.
+
+I will confess that I usually am one of those fanatics. To my surprise though, I found that, with a little work, these portable espresso makers can turn out an espresso worthy of the name.
+
+*(Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.)*
+
+
+### 1. Best Overall
+
+
+[#image: /photos/5d12de63841dfc0008f1db84]||||||
+
+
+**[Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker ($78.90)](https://www.amazon.com/Nanopresso-Portable-Espresso-Protective-Minipresso/dp/B0752XV66X/){: rel=nofollow}**
+
+The Nanopresso strikes the best balance between ease of use, portability and taste. It will extract a nice espresso from almost any beans. There's very little bitterness and it reliably produces a nice looking crema. The compact all-in-one design means you can shove it in the smallest of bags and have excellent espresso anywhere you go.
+
+A couple notes to getting the best extraction: don’t grind your coffee too fine—think table salt rather than powder—and preheat the machine. To preheat just pump hot water through with nothing in the basket and then make your actual shot. Espresso fanatics argue that you should pump no more than once per second, but I could not tell any difference. I should note that it takes a fair amount of pressure to pump the water through. If you have Arthritis, RSI or other source of joint pain in your hands, the Nanopresso is probably not the best choice.
+
+I should also note that if you want "true" espresso you can remove a ball bearing from Nanopresso to disable the pressurized portafilter and make it act more like a true espresso machine. I did not test this method, but if you're a purist it might be worth investigating.
+
+The Nanopresso has an expansion pack called the [Barista Kit](https://www.amazon.com/Nanopresso-Accessory-Portable-Espresso-Machine，Double/dp/B078GM6FFH/){: rel=nofollow} with a larger water tank and grounds basket for making a double espresso. I found the results with the Barista Kit mirrored the single, though it's more forgiving of poor grinds. If you don't fill the larger reservoir all the way, you can extract a bit stronger espresso with the double. The downside to the Barista Kit is that the device becomes considerably larger. 
+
+There's also an [adapter available](https://www.amazon.com/Nanopresso-NS-Accessories-Compatible-Traveling/dp/B076DGY1NS/){: rel=nofollow} to use Nespresso capsules, if you must go there.
+
+**[Buy the Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker for $78.90 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Nanopresso-Portable-Espresso-Protective-Minipresso/dp/B0752XV66X/){: rel=nofollow}**
+
+## 2. Very Close Runner Up
+
+
+[#image: /photos/5d12de9281b06b0008d0cb2f]||||||
+
+
+**[Handpresso Wild Hybrid ($90)](https://www.amazon.com/Handpresso-HPWILDHYBRID-Coffee-Machine/dp/B007KG5IYK/){: rel=nofollow}**
+
+While I give the edge to the Nanopresso because it's slightly lighter and easier to clean up, the Handpresso Wild Hybrid makes an equally good shot of espresso, possibly even better depending on your tastes.
+
+The Handpresso Wild Hybrid was my introduction to hand pump espresso. Several years ago, when my family and I [moved into an RV](https://live.luxagraf.net/jrnl/2017/04/april-fools) and away from conveniences like a neighborhood coffee shop or even a large kitchen counter, I invested in a Handpresso, hoping for good espresso on the road. I was not disappointed. The Handpresso served me well, being used daily for two years before it eventually stopped pressurizing.
+
+It's a bit more work than the Nanopresso, but to my tastes produces a marginally better espresso, deeper and richer, though also less volume (the water reservoir is 1.5 fluid ounces versus the 2.7 fluid ounce reservoir of the Nanopresso). Where the Nanopresso builds pressure through continual pumping, with the Handpresso you build up pressure and then release a valve to force the water through the grounds. The Handpresso pumps up like a bike pump, which is easier than the finger method of the Nanopresso. 
+
+To get the best extraction the Handpresso you're going to need to experiment with the grind. My favorite results came from a very fine grind, but without tamping it down too much. If you prefer, the Handpresso also works with paper filtered Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pods.
+
+**[Buy the Handpresso Wild Hybrid for $90 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Handpresso-HPWILDHYBRID-Coffee-Machine/dp/B007KG5IYK/){: rel=nofollow}**
+
+## 3. Best for Large Luggage
+
+
+[#image: /photos/5d12debfe847350008eb230f]||||||
+
+
+**[Uniterra Nomad ($300)](https://www.amazon.com/UniTerra-Nomad-Espresso-Machine/dp/B01G40YGSG/){: rel=nofollow}**
+
+The least portable and most expensive of the bunch, the Uniterra Nomad puts that size and money to good use looking like a little piece of metal art sitting on your desk. It also manages to crank out an excellent espresso. I would call its extraction the creamiest of the bunch.
+
+The Nomad grew out of a Kickstarter campaign and is made mostly of solid metal, which gives it a sturdy feeling some of our other options lack. It's also the only one to include a proper, heavy, high-quality tamper to evenly press down your coffee.
+
+The company touts a bit of engineering in the Nomad called the True Crema Valve, which can help compensate for poor quality coffee or a bad grind. I tested this by using some pre-ground coffee from a large chain that shall remain nameless. The results tasted like they always do, burnt and bitter, but there was a touch of crema on top which eased the harshness. It's no substitute for good quality beans and a proper grind, but sometimes those things aren't available when you're traveling and the True Crema Valve can make otherwise subpar coffee seem a little smoother.
+
+**[Buy the Uniterra Nomad for $300 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/UniTerra-Nomad-Espresso-Machine/dp/B01G40YGSG/){: rel=nofollow}**
+
+## 5. Best hiking/backpacking
+
+
+[#image: /photos/5d12deff744d670009494568]||||||
+
+
+**[Cafflano Kompresso ($105)](https://www.amazon.com/Cafflano-Kompresso-Carry-Coffee-Maker/dp/B076CXFJP9/){: rel=nofollow}**
+
+The Cafflano Kompresso is the lightest and simplest to clean of all the portable espresso machines tested here, making it an ideal choice for your next backpacking trip. 
+
+The Kompresso relies on a hydraulic compressor to force the water through and make your extraction. The results can be both the best and the worst cup of espresso in this bunch. To make sure you get the best results every time you're going to have to experiment. The Kompresso is the least forgiving of the devices I tested. You need fresh, high quality beans and you need to spend some time getting the grind right. Grind too coarse and you'll end up with a watery mess not worthy of the name espresso. Grind too fine and you'll have to use your whole body weight to force the extraction. When you find the sweet spot you can get a good 3/8 inch of crema and a deliciously smooth shot.
+
+I'm struggling through the heat of Texas summer right now and frankly after 8 AM I don't want anything hot. I tried all these devices with cold water, but only the Kompresso made a good cold shot. The secret, which I found on the company's [Instagram account](https://www.instagram.com/cafflano.official/p/BbAZYX2lCac/){: rel=nofollow}, is to tamp extra hard and pre-soak for one minute. The results are amazing (again, assuming you have high quality beans and a good grind).
+
+**[Buy the Cafflano Kompresso for $105 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Cafflano-Kompresso-Carry-Coffee-Maker/dp/B076CXFJP9/){: rel=nofollow}**
+
+## 4. Best for Car Camping
+
+
+[#image: /photos/5d12df25acabd90008f0f413]||||||
+
+
+**[Handpresso 12V Auto Hybrid ($160)](https://www.amazon.com/Handpresso-127015-12V-Auto-Hybrid/dp/B00WZAAR92){: rel=nofollow}**
+
+Technically I'm cheating with the Handpresso Auto Hybrid since it requires 12V power. For that reason it's not the best all-around travel option. But if your travels are generally by vehicle and you have access to a 12V socket (AKA, a cigarette lighter socket) the Handpresso Auto makes a quick espresso. The Auto Hybrid's extraction is very close to that of the Wild Hybrid.
+
+Like its hand-pumped sibling, the Auto Hybrid can use either ESE pods or ground coffee. You put in your grind, tamp it down and add an ounce of water. It takes about two minutes for the water to heat. You can watch the progress on then tiny display screen. When it's ready it will beep three times. Turn it upside down and press the brew button to start the extraction (as a safety feature the brew button won't do anything until you turn it over).
+
+There's one quirk to the auto-detection systems in the Auto Hybird: most bottled water won't work. The mineral content is too low. This may also apply to water from some filtration systems, though I did not have any problem using it with water that had been through a simple charcoal filter system.
+
+**[Buy the Handpresso 12V Auto Hybrid for $160 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Handpresso-127015-12V-Auto-Hybrid/dp/B00WZAAR92){: rel=nofollow}**
+
+### Notes on espresso, or why we didn't review the Aeropress
+
+The term espresso can be confusing, just what is it that makes something an espresso? 
+
+To qualify as espresso the coffee must meet three requirements. First it must be brewed under pressure instead of infused. Second, it should have a very high brew ratio, usually two parts water to one part coffee, whereas brewed coffee is more like fifteen to one. And finally, the beans used in espresso are typically a darker roast, though I've noticed lighter roasts being used more and more. In general espresso tends to be darker, heavier and richer than infusion brewed coffee.  
+
+For the purposes of this review I limited the options to pressurized brewers, which is why there's no Aeropress or moka pot, neither of which make espresso (a moka pot is pressurized, but not enough to qualify as espresso).
+
+If you haven’t made espresso before, I recommend you start with some high quality beans. You can make great coffee with cheap equipment provided you start with high-quality beans. To get high quality beans I'd try your local coffee roaster since they will likely have the freshest beans you can get. 
+
+If you don't have a coffee roaster nearby you can order beans online or try one of the pre-ground espresso blends at your local grocery store. I've tried most popular espresso blends like Lavazza and Café Bustelo. I find Cafe Bustelo has a smoother flavor than the others, but it's still more bitter than what you'll get from freshly roasted whole beans freshly ground.
+
+For testing purposes I used beans from Jittery Joe's roasting company in Athens GA, specifically the [Wake-n-Bake](https://jitteryjoes.com/collections/blends/products/terrapin-wake-n-bake?variant=41287296589) blend (disclosure, I worked for Jittery Joe's for many years). I also used an espresso blend from [Fahrenheit Coffee Roaster](https://www.yelp.com/biz/fahrenheit-coffee-roaster-mancos) in Mancos Colorado. The latter are the best beans I've purchased in the United States in two years of traveling.
+
+Once you have good, freshly roasted beans you need to grind them. You'll want a burr grinder, which actually grinds your beans evenly rather than chopping them like a blade grinder. I use a well-loved [Hario Mini](https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill-Mini-Slim/dp/B001804CLY/){: rel=nofollow} I've had for years, but if I were buying a new one I'd get a stainless steel grinder like this [Mueller Manual Coffee Grinder](https://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Ultra-Grind-Strongest-Heaviest-Stainless/dp/B076BZYSGF/r){: rel=nofollow}.
+
+The final step is to pick one of these devices and start experimenting. When you're first learning make sure you weigh out your beans and water using a good scale like this [Eravsow Digital Scale](https://www.amazon.com/ERAVSOW-Digital-Stainless-precision-Batteries/dp/B075YBD4YQ){: rel=nofollow}, and take notes. It may sound like extreme nerdery, and it is, but after experimenting for a few days you'll likely find something you love and you'll know how to pull your perfect shot every time for espresso bliss no matter where you are.