Mark MorphewBattery-powered coffee brewing, is probably not something you often hear. But, for hikers and those exploring the great outdoors, a cordless battery-operated coffee maker is a piece of kit that can be extremely hard to find in retail stores.
It’s not something big brand manufacturers typically focus their efforts on due to the small niche market and low demand.
Sure, you can consistently brew exceptional tasting coffee using an AeroPress or Moka pot, but both require that you boil the water first, and in the wilderness, that means making a fire.
Our Top Pick: Best Value
The best battery operated coffee maker does it all for you. It heats the water and brews the coffee, all with a quick press of a button – and no external heat source is required. This type of device is a godsend for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
So, if you’re on the hunt for this type of coffee maker, here’s Bean Ground’s summary of the top coffee makers that all run on batteries.
How We Ranked Each Battery Powered Coffee Maker
Trust us, it wasn’t easy trying to find these portable battery coffee brewers, and it was even harder to assess their performance to determine if they were worthy. However, we did it, and this is how we evaluated each one.
One of the most specific criteria we considered was the type of battery used in the coffee maker and how long they remained charged.
Does it have a built-in Lithium battery, or does it require separate batteries?
Specifics like this can make or break your buying decision.
Next was portability. After all, these devices are meant to be used when you’re away from electricity and power sockets, so they need to be small enough to fit in a bag or even your pocket. Also, some factors that fell under this critique were whether the brewer was easy to grip or hold and was it lightweight.
And lastly, how good does the brewed coffee taste? We already knew the coffee wasn’t going to be on par with regular coffee makers, but it’s still something we took into consideration.
5 Best Battery Operated Coffee Makers
If you have ever looked for a battery powered coffee brewer, you know how scarce they can be, and to be honest, for this roundup guide, we really struggled to find any that were truly exceptional and ticked all of the boxes.
However, we managed to pick out five of the best, and those made it to our list of recommendations after passing our strict ranking criteria.
Makita DCM501Z Lithium Battery Coffee Maker
For anyone looking for a complete battery-powered coffee maker, it doesn’t get much better than the Makita DCM501Z. It might look like it belongs at a building site, but don’t let its looks fool you.
This no-nonsense machine can brew large amounts of coffee consistently, all powered by batteries – it is a durable unit you can depend on.
This coffee machine has been designed to use interchangeable 18v lithium-ion slide-style batteries, which also fit inside Makita’s range of cordless power tools.
If you already own Makita’s cordless power tools, such as a power drill, the chances are you already have a compatible battery. If you don’t, the bad news is, that you will have an additional expense because the Makita DCM501Z doesn’t come with an included battery.
Many of the battery-operated coffee makers on the market don’t actually heat the water themselves. This is often hidden inside the small print, and the batteries in these units only power the brewing cycle.
However, this isn’t the case with the Makita DCM501Z, which can boil water and brew 15 ounces of coffee, all in under a couple of minutes.
We agree that the Makita DCM501Z can brew a good-tasting cup of coffee. However, it does fail to deliver piping hot coffee, and from our tests, we noticed that the finished brew temperatures were coming out at around 176 F° or 80 C°.
This is still pretty impressive for a battery-powered coffee maker, but something you should keep in mind.
Out of the five listed coffee makers, the Makita DCM501Z is definitely one of our favorites: it’s very durable, reliable, and built to last.
What We Love
- Heats water internally and brews coffee.
- Uses a permanent reusable drip filter.
- Powered by a large, long-lasting lithium-ion battery.
- Durable and compact design perfect for camping on tailgating.
Take Note
- Battery not included. If you don’t already own Makita cordless power tools buying a battery could be an extra expense.
Soulhand Portable Electric Espresso Maker
Right off the bat, I have to say this was one of our favorites – this compact device really is a powerhouse.
Not only is it compact and portable (roughly the same size as a water bottle), but you can use both coffee pods and regular ground coffee.
Inside the Soulhand electric espresso maker, you will find a large 2600mAh Lithium battery. Once completely charged, which takes about two hours, the device can make up to one hundred cups of espresso in under 30 seconds per cup, all with a push of a button.
But something we find a bit more impressive is that the Soulhand portable espresso maker does all of this with 18-bars of pressure. This is the optimum pressure to produce a textbook espresso with a rich and foamy crema.
Trust us, it’s definitely worth checking out this pocket-sized battery-operated coffee maker; it is impressive.
What We Love
- Lightweight, compact and stylish.
- Simply functionality and intuitive use.
- 18 bars of pressure perfect for espresso.
- It takes a coffee pod and loose ground coffee.
Take Note
- Small coffee brewing capacity.
- Requires thorough cleaning after each use.
Gourmia GCM3250 Digital Touch Battery Operated Coffee Maker
Another coffee machine that made the list is the Gourmia GCM3250. It’s one of the best battery powered coffee makers that gives you the whole manual pour-over experience. The only thing that holds it back is that you need to pre-boil your water; the machine cannot boil hot water.
The battery aspect of the Gourmia GCM3250 is utilized for the other functions, including a built-in coffee scale and the automatic brewing mode that takes the hassle out of nailing those perfect pour-over coffee ratios.
With the ratios taken care of, it makes this coffee brewer very easy to use for beginners who aren’t confident enough to tinker with the aspects of brewing coffee themselves.
With a push of a button, the guesswork is taken out of each brew, and you can rest assured that your coffee will taste awesome each time.
It might not be the best option for slipping inside of your backpack when you go on a hike. But, the sleek, compact design makes it the perfect travel buddy when you hit the road in your RV or on a long road trip.
The Gourmia GCM3250 is an excellent option for when you go camping when you have hot water readily available and want to enjoy a great tasting cup of coffee.
Even those who hate hotel coffee and prefer to brew their own coffee will benefit from this hassle-free pour-over brewer; it’s definitely one of the better cordless coffee maker options when you’re away from home.
What We Love
- Built-in battery powered coffee scale allows for extreme brewing precision.
- Slim, compact design makes it a great travel coffee maker for hotel stays, and camping.
- Ribbed filter walls allow for enhanced flavor extraction.
Take Note
- Does not boil water. So having access to boiling water is a must.
- The Battery is only utilized for the various functions built in the coffee machine.
CONQUECO Portable Cordless Battery Coffee Maker
The CONQUECO battery operated coffee maker is ultra-portable and small enough to easily fit inside your backpack and take with you for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, or even cycling.
It comes with a reliable built-in Lithium-ion battery that is rechargeable either with a wall adapter or a 12v car charger. The car charger makes the CONQUECO even more portable by turning it into a 12v coffee maker, allowing you to power, charge, or recharge when you’re away from home.
Unlike some of the others on our list, the CONQUECO can boil the water and brew simultaneously, all within five to ten minutes. If you add cold weather to the device, it will take longer to bring to a boil, and subsequently, it will drain more power from the battery. If you have access to hot water, adding that will increase the battery life.
The espresso shot comes with a lovely rich crema due to the impressive 15 bars of pressure created inside the device. Anytime you’re unsure how much battery power you have remaining, a quick glance at the LED display gives you a clear indication of how much brew time you have remaining.
Unlike the Soulhand portable espresso maker listed above, which can brew either pods or ground coffee, the CONQUECO gives you the option of only using Nespresso pods. The idea is the keep things as simple as possible for the brewing process, and coffee pods do just that.
This isn’t really a deal-breaker by any means, and for some of you, having the extra hassle of grinding coffee might not sound very appealing, and throwing some coffee pods into your luggage might be a better and far easier option when you’re on the road.
What We Love
- Has an auto-clean function.
- Comes with two chargers; for indoor and outdoor use.
- Uses Nespresso capsule coffee pods.
- Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Take Note
- Limited brewing capacity (best suited for one person)
- You can’t brew using coffee grounds.
Cilio Battery Operated Hands Free Pour-Over Coffee Station
The Cilio battery operated coffee station is a great piece of quality German engineering, perfect for taking with you on the road. While it may not be best suited for a solo hiking expedition due to its size, it surely would be the workhorse on any camping trip.
Like any other automatic drip coffee maker, the Cilio features a double-walled glass carafe, which does an excellent job of keeping brewed coffee hot for extended periods.
From when the water and ground coffee are added, the Cilio’s brewing cycle takes roughly four minutes. It produces a rich flavorful coffee that will be a welcomed sight for anyone away from home.
A downside with the Cilio battery operated coffee pot is the requirement of boiling water beforehand and then adding the water to the tank.
The Cilio does not have the function of boiling water itself, just like the above listed Gourmia. If you’re camping or even staying in a hotel, this shouldn’t be a problem, and once the boiling water is added to the unit, the Cilio takes care of the rest of the coffee brewing process.
Cleaning is also effortless, and all of the integral parts can be disassembled and broken down into separate pieces. Warm soapy water and a quick wipe, and the Cilio is ready to brew a new batch of coffee.
Batteries are included with the Cilio, but it’s worth mentioning that they are just regular alkaline batteries and will need to be replaced once they drain. You can expect to brew roughly 120 cups of coffee with each set of batteries; just make sure to take some additional batteries just in case.
What We Love
- Comes with everything needed to brew coffee on the road.
- This compact cordless coffee maker brews great tasting coffee on par with regular auto-drip coffee makers.
- Cleaning is effortless, and all parts can be removed easily.
Take Note
- Pre-boiled water is needed to use the machine – it doesn’t have a boil function.
Features To Consider With A Coffee Maker That Runs On Batteries
Each of the above listed coffee makers is a worthy partner for anyone’s outdoor adventures. But before you decide, take a minute to think about a few other essential factors that can have a significant impact on your choice.
Battery Capacity
By far, the most significant factor to consider is the type of battery the coffee maker has installed. We’ve tried both types, Lithium and regular Alkaline batteries, during our tests, and by far, the Lithium batteries are going to be the better choice. With a single charge, the Lithium battery can brew up to 100 cups of coffee or more.
Brew Size (How Many Cups)
Due to their small compact size, almost all battery operated coffee makers will only be able to serve one or sometimes two cups at a time. Because of the small battery powered components, it’s just not possible to brew large batches.
Plus, more brewed coffee means a bigger, less portable coffee maker, which then defeats the idea of making coffee outdoors. All of the coffee maker battery operated options on our list fall under the compact size, meaning they can be easily packed inside of your luggage and can brew enough coffee for up to two people.
Coffee Brewing Time
Small battery powered coffee brewers such as these should ideally make coffee reasonably quickly. If you want to enjoy the experience of making fresh coffee and have a little more time, making a campfire and brewing some coffee using a Moka pot would be a far better option.
But for something like a battery powered device, we think that it should be a fast experience; pull the portable coffee maker from your bag and push a button with little to no effort. It shouldn’t slow you down, and the best battery operated coffee maker will make a great tasting cup of coffee within a minute or two.
Ease Of Cleaning
One of the many benefits of a coffee maker that runs on batteries is having the ability to brew coffee almost anywhere, but that also means that you’re going to be out in the wilderness. You will not have the privilege of having fresh running water, soap, and cleaning utensils.
Depending on where you will be using the device the most take into consideration just how easy it will be to clean. Usually, fewer moving parts also equates to easier cleaning and more streamlined maintenance.
It’s just one thing you should keep in mind before you make your final decision.
Alternative Options To Battery Powered Coffee Makers
We agree that the battery powered coffee maker provides a lot of convenience for anyone on the move and stuck in the middle of nowhere, but they might not be the best option for every situation.
If you’re primarily searching for a coffee maker that will be used at a campsite and you will be brewing coffee for more than one or two people but rather half a dozen, you might be frustrated with the above recommendations.
We suggest you give one of these a try.
Coleman QuikPot Propane Coffee Maker
If you’re not stuck on the idea of only using batteries, we suggest looking at a portable propane coffee maker such as this compact device from Coleman.
It offers the convenience of a battery powered coffee maker without the limitations of a charged battery and small batches of coffee. With the Coleman QuikPot, you can serve up to 10 cups of coffee with a push of a button and all powered with propane.
Moka Pot
Nothing beats the simplicity of the Moka Pot, paired with its ability to brew intense, rich flavorful coffee, making it a firm favorite with coffee enthusiasts and travelers alike. It’s perfect for camping.
The only downside is that you will definitely need an external heat source of some kind, whether that’s a fire or stovetop.
AeroPress
The AeroPress isn’t one of the best options for brewing large batches of coffee, but we can’t agree with its portability and the ability to make a great tasting cup of coffee on the go.
This manual coffee maker ticks almost all of the same battery-powered coffee maker boxes but without the inconvenience of having to recharge batteries. You just need to be able to boil water, and then the entire brewing process with the AeroPress can be carried out with good old muscle power.
Heads up: you should give the AeroPress inverted method a try!
Conclusion
Hopefully, if you’ve gotten this far, you have a better idea of the type of battery powered coffee maker you need for your extended trips away from home.
If you’re traveling solo, we strongly suggest the Soulhand Electric Portable Espresso Maker. It’s compact, it can take both ground coffee and pods, and it just works!
The crema it produces is to die for and will be a welcomed sight when you’re stuck out in the wilderness.
If you’re traveling in a group or as a family, you really can’t beat the Makita DCM501Z. It’s a powerhouse that will effortlessly brew enough coffee for a small army. Sure it does require the additional investment of the Makita power bank battery, but once you have that, you’re all set.
It’s compact enough to hide away in a campervan or RV and durable enough to pull out and carry around with you at a campsite.
FAQs
? Does The Makita Coffee Maker Make Tea?
The Makita DCM501Z can brew using regular ground coffee or coffee bags. However, you can add tea bags instead of the recommended coffee bags, and the Makita coffee maker will brew strong tea without any issues.
? Do Battery Powered Coffee Makers Exist?
They sure do, and as we’ve highlighted in our list of recommendations, they are scarce, but they do exist. Just make sure you read the small print because not all battery powered coffee makers will be able to boil the water, and you would have to heat the water before adding it to the unit.
? How Do You Make Coffee Without Electricity?
You have a few options. You can use a gas burner to heat the water in a regular stovetop kettle, grind your coffee using a manual coffee grinder, and finally brew your coffee using a manual method such as the Hario V60, AeroPress, or even the French Press.
Alternatively, you could use a Moka Pot directly on your stovetop. If you don’t have access to gas, you could always invest in a good quality battery powered coffee maker.
When he's not fiddling around with a new coffee gadget, you'll find him busy doing DIY projects around the home and taking his German Shepherd for a walk, who funnily enough is called Kona!
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Since the creation of the Bean Ground coffee blog in 2014, Mark and a small circle of coffee hobbyists have rigorously tested, reviewed, and researched coffee gear. In most cases, they have purchased the items themselves with the sole intention of rating and evaluating.
In that time, they have built up a list of quality points to look for and what makes specific equipment better than others. They cut through the noise and marketing hype that often surrounds products to give you their unbiased opinions so you can make clear decisions on your next purchase.
