Best Travel Coffee Equipment for Taking Your Brewing Set Up On the Go in 2024

As an avid backpacker and traveler, I know that starting the day without a delicious cup of coffee on the go can be tough. That’s why over the years, I’ve tested countless portable coffee gadgets to find the perfect lightweight, durable setup to find the best travel coffee equipment for brewing café-quality coffee anywhere your travels take you.

In this guide, I’ll review the components that make up my ideal travel coffee kit.

Why You Need Travel Coffee Gear

Being able to make incredible coffee on the go has many benefits. For one, it allows you to stick to your usual morning routine even when you’re exploring new places. The familiar ritual of hand-grinding beans and brewing a fresh cup can provide comfort when you’re far from home.

Plus, coffee breaks are one of the best parts of travel. Finding a scenic viewpoint, brewing a cup, and taking in the sights is an experience no café can replicate. With the right gear, you can do this anywhere, without relying on shops or inferior instant coffee.

A good travel coffee setup needs to be lightweight, compact, durable, and easy to use on the go. It should allow you to precisely control variables like grind size, water temperature, and brew time to get the same quality you’d expect from your home equipment.

Here are the key components you’ll need:

• A manual grinder for fresh, consistent grounds
• A precise scale for timing brews and measuring beans
• A portable manual brewer to make the coffee
• An insulated mug (optional)

Keep reading…I have personal recommendations for each of these products that I use just about every time I travel.

Best Travel Coffee Grinder: 1Zpresso JX

For manual grinding on the road, I prefer the 1Zpresso JX grinder. This sturdy stainless steel grinder weighs just 1.15 lbs but delivers commercial-grade performance.

The JX has a slim, portable design that easily fits into a backpack or travel bag. Its 48mm steel burrs can grind extremely fine for espresso or coarse for French press. The adjustment mechanism gives precise control over grind size, which is essential for pour over brewing.

In fact, this grinder is precise enough to use daily at home, too, so if you’re looking for something to grind both when you’re traveling and after you return, this is a solid choice.

Despite its small size, the JX has an ample 35g bean capacity. The handle folds away neatly, so the whole package takes up minimal space. It’s pricier than some options but worth it for the quality.

Best Travel Coffee Scale: Hario V60 Drip Scale

For weighing coffee and timing brews, I like the Hario V60 coffee scale. It’s designed specifically for pour over brewing, with a handy built-in timer and slim profile.

This petite scale is lightweight at just 5.1 oz. It runs on two included AAA batteries, so no charging is required. The max capacity is 2kg, plenty for brewing several cups.

The easy-to-read LCD has two displays: one for a timer and one for the weight. You can switch between grams and ounces, too, so you can use it for other things you might need to weigh out on the go. The auto-timer starts as soon as you place the vessel on the scale, which is perfect for timing pour overs.

While pricier than generic jewelry scales, the V60 scale is worth it for the integrated timer. Overall, it provides the perfect weighing and timing functions for travel pour over brewing.

Best Portable Coffee Maker: Aeropress

When it comes to a lightweight, durable coffee maker for travel, I think the AeroPress is unbeatable. This simple cylinder uses air pressure to quickly brew smooth, full-bodied coffee.

The plastic Aeropress weighs just 8 oz and measures 4 inches wide x 5 inches tall. It’s nearly indestructible and cleans easily with just water and a paper filter. The plunger mechanism is smooth and presses grounds into a neat puck for no-mess disposal—perfect for anyone on a trail that’s packing out what they bring in.

Despite its small size, the AeroPress can brew large, café-style portions up to 16 oz. You have complete control over variables like brew time, temperature, and grind size. It makes anything from a bold, intense shot to a light single origin.

While the AeroPress itself is brilliantly simple, the technique allows for a lot of complexity. It’s fun to experiment with timing, agitation, water temperature, etc. to hone your method. And it hardly takes up any space in a bag.

This is a go-to coffee brewer in the world of backpacking, and once you use it and see how convenient it is and how good the coffee that comes out is, you’ll quickly see why.

I should note that the Aeropress, in my opinion, makes the best coffee possible given its size and weight, but if you’re looking for more convenience and an easier cleaning process, I’d recommend something like the WACACO Minipresso.

Best Insulated Travel Mug: Hydro Flask 12 oz Coffee Flask

While an insulated mug is optional, I find it makes the travel coffee experience complete. My top pick is the 12 oz Hydro Flask coffee flask.

This petite Hydro Flask fits easily in bags and cup holders but still holds 12 oz, a standard coffee cup size. It has a lid with a sipping opening and a flip closure to prevent spills. And unlike other flasks and reusable bottles, this one ACTUALLY doesn’t spill, even when it’s hostling around in a backpack.

The TempShield insulation keeps coffee piping hot for hours, and an outer silicone grip helps protect hands from heat, which is just a really nice touch. The slim shape takes up minimal pack space compared to wide-mouth bottles, like a Nalgene, which also won’t keep your coffee hot for very long.

For hot coffee, the stainless steel interior prevents any plastic taste you’d get with some super lightweight travel mugs. It comes in a range of durable powder-coated colors too.

While pricier than basic tumblers, the Hydro Flask is worth it for the superior insulation. Plus, the 12 oz capacity is just right for a freshly brewed cup.

Wrapping Up: The Best Coffee Equipment for Travel

With these four items—a grinder, scale, brewer, and mug—you’ll be equipped to brew delicious coffee anywhere your travels take you. And I’ve tested each of these items just about anywhere you could want to go: hotel rooms, the tops of mountains, and on backpacking trails. So, I trust they’ll treat you well. Happy brewing!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the benefit of using a manual grinder instead of pre-ground coffee when traveling?

Using a manual grinder allows you to grind beans fresh right before brewing. Pre-ground coffee quickly goes stale and loses flavor, so the taste will never be as good as coffee made with freshly ground beans. A manual grinder also lets you precisely dial in the size for optimal extraction. Freshly ground coffee makes a world of difference in taste compared to pre-ground.

Why is the AeroPress better than other portable brewers like the French press?

The AeroPress is more durable, lighter, and easier to clean than a French press. Its mechanism is lightweight and nearly indestructible, while French presses can include delicate glass or heavy stainless steel. The AeroPress’s compact shape and light weight make it easier to pack. It cleans up with just a rinse, while French presses require scrubbing out grounds. The AeroPress is also more versatile, making espresso-style shots or pour over-like cups rather than a single style.

Can’t I just get good coffee from cafes instead of brewing myself?

While cafes can be convenient when traveling in other cities, brewing yourself allows you to control the process fully and get the exact flavor profile you want. You can use your favorite beans and precisely dial in factors like grind size and brew time. Brewing yourself also saves money compared to buying coffee every day. Good travel brew gear allows you to be self-sufficient. Plus, you won’t find cafés on a backpacking trail!