Finding The Best Portable Espresso Machine For Under $75

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Would you call these espresso machines? Would you not? What would you call them?
Spoiler alert, here are my two favorites from today's test:

Aaaaaaand here are some more links if you're interested:

[aliciawu]

'you probably love (espresso) if you clicked on this video.'

me(who can't take caffeine): I guess I do

[DavidDarnes]

If you say “scoop” 3 times into your scales James Hoffmann will appear

[linuxelf]

I've very recently gotten a Wacaco Picopresso, which is the upgrade to the Minipresso that Morgan is using here. It's a MUCH nicer device, and produces quite nice espresso. However, it is $125, so a little outside the range she's using here, but seriously, I highly recommend it.

[dameazize]

Third option: Find a fully boxed espresso machine on the side of the road in a rich suburb. Do some basic refurbishment (e.i. hardcore cleaning). Get free espresso machine.

[CallMeAL]

The cat reflecting off the microwave is the star of this show.

[armanghanaat]

Coming over here after a weird deep dive into coffee, starting from a Tom Scott video featuring James Hoffmann and now landing here and binging your videos Morgan. Love the vibe, super chill. One thing I do kind of miss is video-stamps / seperation into segments. Makes it easier to go back and forth in the video as needed in these comparison videos!
With or without it - you and your coffee rock!

[basithardimasqi]

While it failed to produce any espresso, I think the third one did a good job converting your coffee into tea.

[ChayChaio]

I just bought the Staresso, and there are a few things that need to be said in the manual.
1) You better use the top of the plunging stick to press the coffee.
2) the grinder needs to be a little thicker than the one you use in a conventional espresso machine.
3) You CAN put 50ml of water, but it's better if you use 80ml with these metrics I'm mentioning.
4) (And this goes for all of these machines) You SHOULD pre heat the places where the water goes through, like you pre heat a cup for a regular espresso or americano.
I hope this helps get your rates right. 👍🏼👍🏼

[Jeanelleats]

ahh i definitely wanna grab one of these for when we go camping!!

[ex-nerd]

I've had a minipresso since they first came out (complete with all of the early-adopter issues). It makes decent espresso but has a huge amount of cleanup work (flushing it with water after, etc) ... far too much effort for a solo shot (never could get a decent doppio out of it). I went back to my trusty aeropress and the minipresso has been collecting dust in a drawer for many years. So on that note ... the one other factor that needs to be considered in this review is cleanup -- that was really the deal-killer for me with the minipresso and made me wish I'd gotten the "pod" version (as much as I hate the environmental impact of pods).

[Natdog]

I would really love a budget espresso machine video where you kind of say what you think is the bare minimum to spend on a decent espresso machine. It would be great!

[matte]

If you get the Wacaco Nanopresso, I suggest also getting the barista kit with it. The larger filter basket and water chamber allows you to make a double espresso, and the included tamper is easier to use that the back of the scoop. The Nanopresso takes a few uses to get the hang of so give it some practice. Don’t pump too fast or the pressure can blow the seal out and you’ll end up with grounds in your water. Slow but steady is the key. As for temperature, you control that with the water you put in. If you want it hotter, put in hotter water. I use this extensively when traveling, and while it takes some time, I’ll opt for this using my home roasted beans any day over most US restaurants and chain coffee shops.

[oli]

I’ve owned a couple of the waccaco products, currently using a picopresso. They all benefit from a preheat…. Just fill the tank with hot water while your sorting out the coffee then when ready discard that water and add fresh boiling water, they will preform much better…..great vid

[urmumla]

Heyy I have a bit of suggestions if you’re looking for 2nd episode of this.

The staresso in the video is their 2nd generation staresso, which is an older one.

Staresso 3rd generation can fit more coffee in there, I think water tank is also bigger.

Maybe you can try comparing staresso 3rd gen to 1zpresso y3 (if you can find one there’s also non-pressurised kit) and to wacaco picopresso. I think it will put up a good comparison among these 3!

[monty]

Dunno where the Fellow Prismo fits in the "portable espresso machine" category, but I love it and been living off of it for a while now. Rest in peace our family Jura machine.

[TheErador]

I have the nanopresso, and I think it probably goes for all of them, preheat all the components with hot water whilst you faff with filling the baskets

[NerdyMaiden]

Maybe the real espresso is the friends we made along the way. Thank you for another fun and informative video Morgan!

[rlwalker]

This was really good. Nice price range. At some point you might add a $10-$20 manual coffee grinder to the mix and see how that goes.

[samanthasteyart]

I have the nanopresso and when I preheat the water tank, it’s lovely.

[roxirse]

I got distracted by your cats tail in the microwave reflections for most of the video haha