Are you looking for an exceptionally compact coffee maker? Want something extremely portable? Are you looking for a unit that will let you enjoy a cup of coffee while you are traveling or camping without any hassles? Well, what you are looking for is the 12 volts version of the coffee maker.
However, with all the options in the market, it would be quite challenging for you to choose the best 12v coffee maker. But as you have stumbled upon this article, you will not have to worry about a thing.
We are going to make things easier for you. Alongside that, we are also going to provide you a short but effective buying guide to ensure that you can make an efficient overall decision.
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Esimen Hard Travel Case for AICOK WEOOLA Portable Coffee Maker CISNO Automated Portable Espresso Machine Carry Bag Protective Storage Box (Black+Gray) Makita DCM501Z 18V LXT® / 12V max CXT® Lithium-Ion Cordless Coffee Maker, Tool Only
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Top Choice
Preview
Title
Esimen Hard Travel Case for AICOK WEOOLA Portable Coffee Maker CISNO Automated Portable Espresso Machine Carry Bag Protective Storage Box (Black+Gray)
More Information
Best Value
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Makita DCM501Z 18V LXT® / 12V max CXT® Lithium-Ion Cordless Coffee Maker, Tool Only
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Best 12 Volt Coffee Maker Reviews
As we mentioned, there is an overabundance of options in the market. To make things a tad easier for you, we went through the most popular ones and made a list by picking the ones that can offer excellent overall performance. Take a look at the list that we huddled for you:
1. CISNO Automated Portable Espresso Machine
Are you tired of having americano in the morning? Want to enjoy a shot of espresso instead? Well, CISNO has got you covered in that regard.
The manufacturer implemented a unique high-pressure pump in this 12 volt coffee maker. This 15 bar pump will allow you to enjoy a cup of espresso that will have the same flavor and the same thick crema that commercial machines produce but in a small and compact form factor.
Talking about the form factor, it is about 3.2 inches in height, and it about 2.2 pounds in weight. This overall body design makes it exceptionally portable. You will be able to carry it with you in your backpack and get your shot of caffeine at any given time and at any given place.
The battery that it comes along is 28.86 WH, and it will be able to brew three cups of espresso with just a single charge. Each of the shots is about 1.35 oz. You will not have to wait that long to charge it because it takes about 2.5 hours to get to the brink from zero.
It comes with a container that can house 50 milliliters of water. You will also be able to use it to boil water. The temperature that the water can reach inside the container is 194 degrees Fahrenheit. As it comes with a built-in cup on the bottom, you will also not have to worry about not having a cup to have your shot of espresso.
The unit is quite straightforward to use too. It comes with a single button that can be used for different functionalities. With that, you can start boiling the water, check the battery level, directly pour the water, and turn the unit off.
Pros
- Provides the same flavor and crema as commercial machines
- Comes with a built-in cup
- Can be used to boil water
- Able to make three shots of espresso with a single charge
- It takes about 2.5 hours to charge
Cons
- Can not be operated while being plugged in
- Not directly compatible with all types of pods
2. Makita DCM501Z 18V LXT/ 12V max CXTLithium-Ion
You might not always have access to a power source while you are traveling or camping. Well, in that case, you should opt for a 12 volt coffee maker that has a lithium-ion battery like this one from Makita.
To begin with, it comes in a compact body. The unit is only 8-9/16 inches tall, and the overall weight is just 3.09 pounds. That means you will have no trouble at all carrying this with you for camping and picnics.
The cup clearance is 3-1/2 inches, which can accommodate 5 ounces cup with any issues at all. It also comes with a handle on the top that will allow you to carry it from one place to another easily.
By pairing this up with a 5.0Ah LXT battery, you will be able to brew 5 ounces of coffee in just about five minutes. Alongside that, a full charge of the battery will get you about 15 ounces of coffee, which is about three cups. You will be able to enjoy warm energy-filled drinks throughout the day.
The battery slot is located on the side of the device, which will make it easier for you to install batteries on it.
As it comes with a permanent drip filter, you will not require any sort of paper filter to brew your drinks. The drip filter will allow you to make your drink using grounds. Also, it will let you use single-serve packs if you prefer.
It comes with some safety features as well. The boil dry mechanism will shut the unit off if there is not an adequate amount of water inside. This protection will extend the overall lifespan of the device. You can expect it to last for a long amount of time.
Pros
- Cordless, lithium-ion powered
- Compact and relatively lightweight
- Can brew 5 ounces of drink in five minutes
- Features safety mechanism
- Easy to carry and highly portable
Cons
- Package does not include a battery
- Container spills water with a slight tilt
3. Aicok Electric Portable Espresso Machine
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We have already included a portable espresso maker in our 12 volt coffee maker reviews. Well, Aicok takes it up to a notch by implementing a relatively powerful pump in this unit.
Unlike most of the similar units, this one comes with a pump that can reach up to 18 bars of pressure. This pressure pump will allow you to get a generous amount of crema in your espresso. You will be able to enjoy a barista-quality drink at any given time.
The unit comes with a built-in battery, like the other espresso machines that are out there. However, you will be able to charge it up in two ways. You can charge it up with a regular wall adapter, or you can use the car adapter to charge it while you are traveling to your office. It will take about 4.5 hours to charge the battery fully.
After charging the battery fully, you will be able to get three cups of flavor-packed espresso out of it. Each of the shots will be around 45 milliliters. It can also be used to boiling water. You can get about 100 cups of boiled water with a single charge.
As it comes with a built-in cup on the bottom, you will not have to carry a separate glass to drink the espresso. It will allow you to brew and enjoy your drink at any place. If the water is already boiled, it can make espresso in just 30 seconds.
The unit is quite easy to operate too. It sports a single button on the body that will allow you to switch between different functions. You can use that to check the battery level, brew coffee, boil water, and turn the device off. The capsules that the unit will take directly is L’OR capsules or Nespresso capsules.
Pros
- Highly portable and easy to carry
- Comes with a built-in cup
- Easy to use
- Can brew three cups of espresso with a single charge
- Two different chargers included
Cons
- A bit hard to make it work with some non-proprietary capsules
- The charging time is relatively long
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4. Spardar 12V Car Kettle Boiler Electric Travel Portable Kettle
In the case of 12 volt coffee maker, one of the important factors is to keep the drink warm for an extended amount of time. And, Spardar factored that in and brought out this unit in the market that can meet that criteria.
To begin with, it comes with an 18/304 stainless steel body. The high-quality steel is on both the interior and the exterior, which will make sure that the drinks stay warm for a long amount of time. Also, as the interior is food-grade and free from BPA, you will not have to worry about your health too.
Other than that, the overall footprint of the unit is quite compact. You can pack it inside a backpack easily. It is 1.36 pounds in weight, and you will be able to carry it around without any hassles. To make that more convenient, it comes with a lid that has holes for a finger to go inside.
It comes with a digital display on the body that will show you the temperature of the drink inside. With that, you will be able to get your coffee at the temperature that you prefer. It can make water boil in under 16 minutes.
Besides that, the overall capacity of the container is 350 milliliters. That capacity is more than enough to enjoy warm americanos. You can have about 2.5 cups of it, to be exact.
Alongside that, it comes with a detachable car charger that will allow you to charge it up while you are traveling to your work. And, as the body is resistant to scratches, you will not have to worry about it catching visual imperfections on the body as well.
Pros
- Comes with a digital temperature display
- Can keep the drink inside warm for an extended amount of time
- Features a compact and lightweight body
- Easy to carry
- Has an overall capacity of 350 milliliters
Cons
- Control buttons are a bit finicky
- Temperature control tend to malfunction frequently
5. Yosoo USB Coffee Capsule Machine
When it comes to portable 12v coffee maker, there are hardly a few in the market that can be compared with what Yosoo is offering with this one.
Let us talk about the design first. As the label suggests, it comes in a capsule shape. This design of the container does not only makes it highly portable but also allows it to get cramped in tight spaces. You will easily be able to carry it in your backpack.
The weight of the unit is 0.77 kilograms, which is about 1.69 pounds. That means it is exceptionally lightweight too. The overall capacity of the container is 550 milliliters, which is more than enough for carrying a cup of coffee.
Talking about a cup, you are not going to need one. The unique bottle type of lid on the top will allow you to drink directly from the container. It comes with a stainless steel body, which is not only durable but also will be able to keep your drink warm for an extended amount of time.
The cap that it comes along will be able to accommodate pods and refillable capsules. As it comes packed with a proprietary 3D cycle extraction process, you can expect a bold and robust flavor from any of them. The one-button operation makes using it simple.
It will take about one minute to get your warm drink ready. That means you are not going to have to wait that long to enjoy a strong coffee in the morning. The USB port is also placed at a convenient place for a smooth operation. As the head is flat, you will be able to make it stand on tables while you connect it with a power source.
Pros
- Features a compact and lightweight body
- Can keep the drink warm for an extended amount of time
- Easy to use and easy to carry
- Total capacity is 550 milliliters
- Compatible with capsules and pods
Cons
- Threads on the cap are not that smooth
- Comes with a relatively thin silicone mat
Things to Check Before Getting One
Going through all the 12 volt coffee maker reviews will not be enough. You will also have to keep some points in mind if you want to make an efficient overall decision. The factors that we think are important are:
Portability
The one thing that makes a 12v coffee maker stand out the most from the regular ones is portability. They are compact and lightweight, which makes it easy to carry around with you. For that reason, you will have to factor in the portability before making a purchase.
In that case, what you have to factor in first is the weight of the unit. Generally, the devices do not exceed the 4 pounds mark. However, there might be some that are heftier than that. We would recommend you to not to opt for those.
Other than that, you should also consider the dimensions of the unit. Most of the coffee maker will have a bottle shape that will make it easier for you to carry it inside a bag. Besides that, some will also come with a box shape. For those, what you have to make sure is if they are compact or not.
Build Quality
After you have factored in the portability of the unit, you will have to consider the overall build quality of the device. As you are mostly going to carry it around, we would recommend you shoot for the ones that have been well built. You will be able to carry them around in your backpack without having to worry about a thing.
Heat Retention
Considering the fact that you are going to mostly carry these devices around and sip it while being on the move, you should also factor in heat retention. Apart from the espresso makers, we would suggest you opt for the ones that are of stainless steel. Those can keep your drink warm for an extended amount of time.
Battery Capacity
Most of the units will come with a built-in battery. For those, you will have to consider the overall battery capacity. If you shoot for the ones that come with a below-average battery, you will hardly get 2 cups of coffee from them. Keeping that in mind, you should opt for the ones that come with a capable battery.
Container Capacity
For the regular coffee makers, you should also factor in the overall capacity of the container. If you plan to have one drink for the day, anything that has about 200 to 250 milliliters of capacity should be fine.
But if you plan to go for two or more than that, you should look for something that has a bit larger container. In that case, we would suggest you opt for the ones that have 450 milliliters container.
Filtration Mechanism
If you plan on using ground coffee, then you will not have to worry about the filtration that much. But if you are planning to use pods and capsules, you are going to have to factor in the filtration mechanism.
In that case, the ones that we would recommend are the ones that come with built-in permanent filtration. With those, you will not have to buy and use one-time-use paper filters.
Brewing Time and Quality
The time required to brew a cup of coffee might not be that much important factor for you. But, for those that are always in a rush in the morning could use a fast brewing coffee maker. In that case, we would recommend you go for the ones that can make the interior temperature rise at a rapid pace.
While looking for a fast coffee make, do not skimp on the quality. Because enjoying a cup of coffee is not about just getting the caffeine fix, is it? That is why you should also consider if the quality of the brewing is up to par or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you plug in a 12 volt coffee make in a 110 volt plug?
It is not recommended. The volt ratings are there for a reason. If you do plug it on a higher or lower voltage outlet, your machine might stop working or might not work optimally.
- Can I use different capsules and pods for my coffee maker?
Some might not have the support for the non-proprietary pods. But you will be able to get them working by somehow creating a proper seal inside the device.
- How many cups of coffee can an average 12 volts coffee maker can make?
The number of cups will entirely depend on the size of the container. However, the devices can brew at least two cups of coffee.
- Can I use my coffee maker to boil water?
Most of the coffee maker can boil water directly. But you should check whether the device that you have is capable of that or not.
- How can I make the brewing process faster?
To make the brewing process a bit faster, you can boil the water by yourself and insert boiled water inside the device instead of regular temperature water.
Final Words
Getting one the best 12V coffee maker will not only allow you to enjoy a cup of coffee at any given time and any location but also will not make any compromises in the overall quality of the drink.
And we hope that we were able to make choosing one easier for you. With that, we would like to conclude here by wishing you good luck.