The RV life packs the wonderful experience of being able to wake up in scenic areas, to the sun rise and morning scent of nature. It can only get better with a cup of nice hot coffee in hand. In this round-up article, we’ve curated a list of the best coffee makers for RV to help you choose the correct one for yours.
For each coffee maker listed, we share the pros and cons keeping in mind the space constraints of a RV, need for power points and functionality. Do also read to the end of the article for the segment on some pointers to consider when picking the coffee maker for your RV.
1. Hamilton Beach Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
This quick-brew single serve coffee maker from Hamilton Beach might be your new favorite for ground coffee. It’s made from stainless steel, so you won’t have to worry about shattering it like those other fragile french presses.
>> Also read: Hamilton Beach Flexbrew Single Serve Review
While it won’t work with cups, if you prefer grinding your own beans or have a favorite packaged blend, you can get the perfect cup in just 90 seconds.
The only drawback to this model is that it only makes single servings. If you travel with your family (as most RV owners do), then you’ll need a big one to serve everybody. Or you can just fill up this little guy a couple more times.
- Stainless steel construction
- Quick brewing
- Won’t start until water is in the reservoir
- Limited to one serving each time
- Ground coffee only (no cups)
2. Black & Decker Brew & Go Coffee Maker
If you want an instant coffee maker that brews a good-sized cup, then the Black & Decker Brew & Go serves that purpose. While it’s listed as a single serving coffee maker, the cup that it brews into is 15 oz and can easily be split into two mugs or sipped solo for that extra tick of energy while you’re on the road.
It’s also exceptionally sleek. Black & Decker came up with this slender design for small apartments and dorm rooms, but they recognise that your RV’s counter space is also prime real estate.
The best part is the reusable filter. A quick rinse and it’s good to go. You won’t need to invest in disposable filters (yet another item you have to store).
- Big mug
- Automatic
- Reusable Filter
- Single serving
- Some customers complained of a “plastic taste”
3. Aeropress Coffee Maker
This portable take on the Aeropress might be the answer to your RV coffee needs. The process is simple (refer to video below), and the tube fits directly into most coffee mugs.
All you have to do is insert the grinds, add hot water, press, and you’ll have fresh coffee brewed straight into your favorite cup. The Aeropress works on a European espresso-style basis, so if you want a bigger coffee, you’ll have to add water after brewing.
>> Also read: The Aeropress review
Some people don’t like this type of coffee because it has less flavour than a traditional filter brew.
- Brews directly into the mug
- Very small and transportable
- Uses microfilter (no grinds in the coffee)
- Only four parts
- Only espresso-style brewing
- Filters have to be replaced after every use
4. Nespresso Vertuo with Aeroccino Milk Frother
Nespresso has become one of the leading brands on the market because they provide coffee drinkers with a delicious product that is fast and easy to make. The Vertuo model is all the greatness of Nespresso in a compact package.
One fill of the machine will create five beverages, and it brews directly into your cup, so you won’t have to worry about a large pitcher taking up extra space. The coffee maker also has a dial with five different brewing options (alto, coffee, gran lungo, double espresso, and espresso), making the perfect cup of coffee for your preference.
The Aeroccino milk frother addition for making cappuccinos and macchiatos is really just a bonus to an already excellent product.
- Quick and easy
- Free coffee cartridges
- Different brew types
- Includes Milk Frother
- Only brews Nespresso cartridges
- It doesn’t taste like regular filtered coffee
5. Secura French Press Coffee Maker
You might be looking for a french press that you could take with you anywhere. The Secura is one of the most transportable French presses on the market. First of all, it’s all stainless steel, top quality, 18/10.
>> Also read: Bodum Chambord French Press Review
Next, it’s insulated, so the inside gets hot while the exterior remains at room temperature. Finally, it’s got a steel handle that’s durable and perfect for transporting across the campsite.
Beyond being extremely portable, the Secura also has a big serving size (one liter or 34 ounces) and a rotatable seal that keeps your coffee hot for longer.
- French press style coffee
- Very portable
- Strong material
- Keeps coffee hot
- Large serving size
- 2 Extra Screens
- Heavy
6. Krups Simply Brew Drip Coffee Maker
If you want a classic American-style drip coffee, you can’t go wrong with the Krups Simply Brew Coffee Maker. You’ll feel the bags under your eyes disappear as you pack your freshly ground beans into the filter, close the lid, and watch that oily goodness drip down into your mug.
>> Also read: Best Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker
The Simply Brew heats your water fast, delivering you piping hot drip coffee from the very first brew. If you’re looking for an extra large coffee while you’re traveling down the interstate, the machine brews up to 5 cups of coffee at one time.
- Brews authentic drip coffee
- Heats water quickly
- Has large serving size
- Only makes drip coffee
- Manual process takes longer
- Takes up a lot of space
7. AdirChef Personal Coffee Maker Grab N’ Go
This coffee maker has “Grab N’ Go” in the title for a reason. The AdirChef Grab N’ Go is only less than half a foot wide and less than twenty centimeters tall. The brewing mug fits directly inside the machine, with no jutting out handle or lid.
>> Related: Ninja Coffee Bar Review
It has a reusable filter to limit waste. The device also has a light to tell you when your travel mug is full, hot, and ready to go. The travel mug included with the machine is stainless steel and retains the heat for hours.
- Takes up little space
- Reusable filter
- Included travel mug
- Small brewing size (430 ml)
- Single serving
8. Keurig K-Mini
Another cartridge-based coffee maker, the Keurig K-Mini, has all the convenience of this brewing design in a transportable package. The design is effortless to use. All you have to do is lift the compartment above the nozzle, place a cartridge, and press start.
Also read: Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Review
With the cartridges, mess is no longer a problem when brewing coffee. Grinds stay in the plastic and not all over the machine or your countertop. The removable drip tray is travel mug friendly as it allows you to fit larger containers under the brewer.
- Small and portable
- Easy to clean
- Quick and uncomplicated
- Only brews cartridges
What to Know About Coffee Makers for Your RV
Here are some frequently asked questions and useful tips to help guide you in choosing the right coffee maker.
>> Related: Best Organic Coffee
How to Choose the Right Coffee Maker for Traveling
Picking a coffee maker for your RV can be tough. Here’s what to consider:
- Available RV real estate
- Power requirements
- Coffee brewing style
The first thing you will need to determine is how much space you have. If your RV doesn’t have a lot of countertop real estate, then the smallest model, or even a portable one you can fit in a drawer, is probably your best bet.
>> Also read: Best Low Acid Coffee (Beans & Powder)
The other factor you’ll have to consider is electricity. Does your RV have a good battery? If not, then maybe a simple press model is best so that you don’t drain extra power.
Finally, it’s just about taste, what type of coffee you like. If you want espresso, then choose a machine that can make it.
What Are the Advantages of Having a Coffee Maker in your RV?
The most significant advantages are money and convenience. If you’ve traveled cross country or long distances in an RV before, you know stops need to be infrequent and spread out.
>> Also read: Best Freeze Dried Coffee
If you need to stop for a cup of coffee every morning, not only will it take longer to get wherever you’re going, but it’ll also put a dent in your travel budget. Having a brewer on board saves you the hassle and can leave stops for the things you enjoy doing.
Conclusion
Above you’ll find a list of great portable coffee makers on the market. Whether you’re more of a cartridge coffee connoisseur with the Nespresso or you like to get back to your rustic Italian roots with a manual espresso from the Krups’ Calvi, you should be able to find the correct product for you.
Use the guidelines listed in the information section, determine how much space you have if you want an electric machine, and what your favorite style of coffee is, and you’ll be happy with whatever you buy. More importantly, enjoy your travels, have fun, and enjoy a piping-hot cup of campsite joe in comfort.