Coffee is more than just a drink. It's a ritual, a daily ritual for many people. It's a comforting and energizing start to the day that many of us can't imagine living without.
Many coffee aficionados rely on their morning cup of coffee as a companion on their journey to work. And if like many coffee lovers, you are always on the go, then a 12-volt coffee maker would be a great investment.
These portable coffee makers are designed to brew coffee while you're on the move, whether on a road trip, camping, or just enjoying the great outdoors. They are powered by a car cigarette lighter or a 12V power source, making it easy to brew a fresh cup of coffee wherever you are
The following guide presents the reviews of the best 12V portable coffee makers shortlisted based on portability, ease-of-operations, and affordability.
Our Selection Process
A 12-volt coffee maker is a multi-purpose appliance that allows you to brew a fresh cup, while the built-in travel mugs will enable you to drink coffee on the go.
However, selecting the best 12-volt coffee maker is daunting for espresso lovers. Don’t worry; we have shortlisted all-rounder coffee makers to fulfill your daily coffee demand.
Next, the best 12-volt coffee makers shortlisted here come with intuitive controls and pre-programmed settings to make coffee on the go.
The total number of cups depends on the model and wattage of the 12V coffee makers. For instance, a higher-wattage coffee maker makes more cups of coffee than lower wattage.
12-volt coffee makers with 700 watts of power can easily make two 12-ounce cups of coffee or espresso at one time.
Battery life is important, especially if you are an adventurer, hiker, or camper. Also, if budget isn’t an issue, you can consider additional features, such as timers, automatic shutoffs, and pre-programmed settings.
Whether you want a small and lightweight coffee maker or an extra-large coffee machine that makes multiple cups at once, the following guide covers everything.
Makita DCM501Z Cordless Coffee Maker
Why You Should Buy It
If you want to brew a piping hot five ounces cup of coffee in five minutes, the Makita DCM501Z Cordless Coffee Maker won’t disappoint you. It’s an all-rounder coffee maker with a permanent filter allowing you to brew fresh coffee every morning.
The coffee maker comes with a coffee cup, a removable water tank, and a measuring spoon. You don’t have to insert a paper filter; instead, you can place the ground beans on the permanent drip filter to enjoy authentic coffee flavor every morning.
It’s a compact coffee maker with 8 9/16 inches height and 3 ⅓ inches cup clearance. You can use the handy carrying handle to transport the coffee maker from one place to another.
The boil-dry protection prevents any safety hazards as it automatically shuts off the coffee maker when there isn’t any water left in the reservoir.
Lastly, the coffee maker comes with a limited warranty of three years to ensure safe and long-term investment.
What to Look Out For
As the name suggests, the Makita DCM501Z Cordless Coffee Maker doesn’t include an electricity cable; instead, an 18V LXT battery powers it. A single 5Ah LXT battery can successfully brew up to three-five ounces of coffee, which is excellent.
On the other hand, the coffee maker doesn’t include a battery, meaning you have to buy it on your own.
HIBREW 3-in-1 Portable Espresso Maker
Why You Should Buy It
We have great news if you want a multi-purpose coffee maker offering a non-battery design. The HIBREW 3-in-1 Portable Espresso Maker is a versatile coffee maker which works well with capsules, coffee pods, and ground coffee, offering you a wide variety of coffee drinks.
The portable espresso maker features a single-click operation with a USB cable. All you need to do is add hot water and long-press the power switch for two to three seconds. It’s an ultra-fact coffee maker that brews coffee within 60 seconds.
Conversely, if you use the car charger or AC adapter, the coffee maker takes around five to eight minutes to finish brewing.
The coffee maker uses a high-pressure pump to extract coffee from the powder and coffee capsule successfully.
Finally, you can add clean water to run the coffee machine without any capsules to clean it. On the other hand, you can disassemble the car coffee maker and rinse it with water to ensure cleanliness and hygiene.
What to Look Out For
If you are into outdoor sports and activities, you can take this portable espresso maker to stay active all day long without depriving yourself of the daily dose of coffee.
The HIBREW 3-in-1 Portable Espresso Maker is a lightweight and portable coffee maker weighing only 1.32 pounds with total dimensions of 2.7 L x 2.7 W x 9.4 H inches.
Spardar 12V Car Kettle
Why You Should Buy It
The Spardar 12V Car Kettle offers the best of both worlds - portability and convenience. Offering a total capacity of 348 milliliters, the espresso maker features a stainless steel construction to ensure robustness. It’s an innovative coffee maker that comes with a detachable charging base.
One of the most significant advantages of buying this portable coffee maker is the universal 12V DC inlet compatible with 12V DC cigarette lighter power outlets. This way, you can keep your water and coffee hot in the car while traveling to the office every morning.
Another plus of buying this 12-volt coffee maker is the useful LCD which indicates temperature and other safety messages.
For instance, if you see an E2 message on the screen, the input voltage is relatively high, and you should lower the voltage to 80W on the bottom. On the other hand, the E1 message shows you need to change the voltage to 120W.
What to Look Out For
The Spardar 12V Car Kettle is a versatile coffee maker with anti-spill and leakage protection. The coffee maker covers everything, whether you want to keep the coffee hot or boil the water.
The portable coffee maker takes around 16 minutes to boil the water, which is higher than the coffee maker discussed previously. Nonetheless, you can enjoy a hot coffee as you enter your office.
RoadPro RPSC785 12-Volt Coffee Maker
Why You Should Buy It
The RoadPro RPSC785 12-Volt Coffee Maker is the best affordable option for coffee lovers on the go. With its speedy brew cycle, it only takes 20 minutes to make a whole pot of coffee using fresh coffee grounds. The 20-ounce glass carafe is dishwasher safe, making cleaning up after your coffee break a breeze.
Additionally, the coffee maker includes a reusable filter, reducing waste and saving money. The 7-foot 12-volt fused power cord provides convenience, while the stop-drip interrupt feature prevents spills, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy a fresh cup of coffee while traveling or in a car.
Overall, the RoadPro RPSC785 is a versatile, easy-to-use, affordable coffee maker that can satisfy anyone's coffee needs.
What to Look Out For
The RoadPro RPSC785 is an excellent coffee maker that you can get if you are tight on budget. However, if you are looking for a quick cup of coffee,, it might not be an ideal choice, as it takes 20 minutes to brew.
Best 12V Coffee Maker FAQs
A hot cup of coffee is a great way to start your morning or refresh yourself while you are traveling.
However, not all coffee makers are portable and can serve you coffee on the go. That's where 12 v coffee makers come to your rescue. We reviewed some of the best options in this article, which we hope you liked.
Below, we have discussed some frequently asked questions that will answer your queries, if any.
Can I Use Ground Coffee in a 12V Coffee Maker?
Yes, you can. However, it entirely depends on the model of the 12-volt coffee maker you use. Most 12-volt coffee makers brew espresso and other specialty drinks using ground coffee.
Based on the design features and wattage, certain coffee makers can also brew drip-style coffee. Finally, some 12-volt coffee makers include integrated milk frothers to make creamy and rich cappuccinos and lattes.
Are 12V Coffee Makers Just as Good as Regular Coffee Makers?
Of course. People find it hard to believe that a hand-held coffee machine can brew your coffee like traditional coffee makers with frothing, infusion, and dripping.
Courtesy of the technology, the 12V coffee makers come integrated with filters to pass the water through the ground coffee to extract the taste and authentic coffee aroma.
The 12-volt coffee makers may not offer you numerous barista-style results and coffee drink options. However, they offer portability allowing you to enjoy coffee anywhere, anytime, without any complicated setup and customization.
How Long Does It Take to Brew a Cup of Coffee With a 12V Coffee Maker?
The modern 12V coffee makers can quickly brew coffee within one to three minutes.
On the other hand, the total time also depends on the cup capacity of the coffee maker. For instance, a six-ounce cup takes one minute to brew, while a whole carafe takes 15 minutes to complete the brewing process.
The best 12V coffee maker shortlisted is this guide takes five to eight minutes to brew, while one of the coffee makers takes 20 minutes. Finally, one coffee maker takes two minutes to brew the coffee; you will need to pour hot water into the coffee mug.
Final Thoughts On Best 12V Coffee Maker
Whether you are a frequent traveler or have limited space in the kitchen, a 12-volt coffee maker is a perfect choice.
You don’t have to worry about cleanliness and hygiene, as most 12-volt coffee makers have removable parts that you can wash in soapy water. You won't be disappointed with whichever 12V coffee maker you select from the above list.
