Wacaco Minipresso Review 2023

This is the review of a tiny and portable yet strong espresso maker that is the talk of the town – the Wacaco Minipresso!

Since you know I am a coffee enthusiast and experimenting with coffee machines and pods is my part-time hobby, I decided to lay my hands on the unique Wacaco portable espresso maker and curate an in-depth review for my readers. I spent a week brewing espresso with the Wacaco Minipresso and tested its features, coffee quality, and functionality.

So, is the Wacaco Minipresso worth buying? Let’s find out!

Features of Wacaco Minipresso

• Dimensions: 6.89 x 2.75 x 2.36 inches
• Weight: 0.8 Pounds
• Water Tank Capacity: 2.35 oz
• Pressure: 8 Bars
• Portafilter Capacity: 0.28 oz
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Color: Black

Wacaco Minipresso Overview

Are you someone who likes their espresso on the go? If yes, then the Wacaco Minipresso is your dream come true! It is a portable espresso maker with a small 2.35 oz water tank that you can take anywhere; hikes, school, office, wherever you want!

I could hold the whole espresso maker conveniently in my hands. It is well-built, well-designed, and super easy to use. You only need a simple process and a few pumps to enjoy your delicious cup of espresso!

Moreover, the Wacaco Minipresso comes in two variants; NS and GR. There are no particular differences between both models. The NS variant uses Nespresso OriginalLine or compatible capsules to brew espresso, while GR uses ground coffee.

I tried the NS one since it was more convenient for me. However, depending on your taste preference and convenience level, you can opt for whatever model.

I found the Wacaco Minipresso excellent in terms of functionality and affordability, and the coffee quality was amazing too!

Things to Consider Before Buying Wacaco Minipresso

Now that we have taken a brief tour of the Wacaco Minipresso Espresso Maker, it is time to go through some technical details. You need to consider a lot of factors to determine if Minipresso is the right option for you or not!

So, are you curious to learn about those essential considerations? As always, I have done the hard work for you. Read on!

Design

As obvious, the Wacaco Minipresso has a very compact design that can literally fit into a small backpack or be carried like a water bottle in your hands. Moreover, the appearance is very minimalist yet aesthetically pleasing and classy. Not to forget, I fell in love with the eye-catching ABS plastic black exterior.

The water tank is located at the bottom of the unit. At the top, there is a sprout and capsule container, along with a removable cup to drink the espresso. All in all, I found the Minipresso an excellent option for traveling and work; and honestly, I was surprised how they managed to fit it all in a tiny cylinder.

I give 10 on 10 to Minipresso in the design section!

Usability

The Wacaco minipresso is a very easy-to-use and functional espresso maker. You will be able to ace the whole brewing process by just reading the user manual once.

If you are using the NS variant, all you have to do is insert a coffee capsule in the compartment, heat up the water, and give a few strokes to the piston. Then take the mini cup and pump the machine a few times to pour the coffee out. The whole process hardly took me 3 minutes once I got a hand on it.

If you are using the GR variant, just add some coffee grounds to the filter basket, place it on the top of the machine, pour hot water into the cup, and stroke the piston a few times. After you are done, start pumping the machine and pour the coffee into the cup.

In my opinion, the NS version is more efficient in terms of usability and convenience.

Brewing

Considering the affordability and compact size, you need to keep in mind that you will not get any customizable brewing features with the Wacaco Minipresso. The only option you get is choosing between using ground coffee or capsules.

However, it still brews a perfect 50 ml shot of espresso by using 8 bar pressure. This pressure is quite good, considering the size of the whole unit. To get the best brewing results, I would recommend pre-heating the espresso maker by pumping some boiling water through it.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Since the Wacaco Minipresso is a portable espresso maker, you won’t have to spend much time and energy on cleaning and maintenance. However, you will have to wash the machine with your hands because it is not dishwasher-safe.

Wash all the parts with warm water, then wipe them with a damp cloth and leave them open in the air for 15 minutes. The whole cleaning and washing process took me 2 minutes.

Pods Compatibility

As briefly mentioned above, the Minipresso NS version is compatible with all Nespresso OriginalLine capsules. Additionally, you can also use Nespresso-compatible pods from brands like Peet’s Coffee, Lavazza, and Starbucks.

You can use any ground coffee of your choice for the GR version!

Espresso Quality

Now coming to the main point; does Wacaco Minipresso produces good coffee? Well, the answer is YES! It brewed a full-bodied, delicious, and high-quality espresso with a pleasant aroma. The espresso was also topped with a thick crema layer.

Honestly, the quality won’t be as great as what you get from a Nespresso machine, but again, you are getting what you are paying for!

Price

The Wacaco Minipresso is priced at around $49, which is a great deal, in my opinion! It is impossible to find good-quality espresso makers in this range. Moreover, I found the espresso maker excellently priced, considering the great functionality and convenience it offers!

Wacaco Minipresso vs. AeroPress Coffee Maker

The AeroPress is another portable coffee maker priced around $30. It is almost identical to the Wacaco Minipresso in terms of shape and design; however, there is a huge difference in functionality and coffee quality.

With AeroPress, you will have to work hard to brew the coffee, and the taste won’t be authentic, either. While on the other hand, Minipresso is super convenient and produces great-quality espresso.

Wacaco Nanopresso vs Minipresso

Wacaco Nanopresso is an advanced version of Minipresso by the brand. It has the same size and appearance but is more comfortable and convenient to use. Moreover, Nanopresso offers an 18-bar pump pressure brewing mechanism, close to the Nespresso machines!

Also, the model can hold up to 2.7 oz water in the tank and is slightly more expensive than the Wacaco Minipresso.

The Bottom Line

The Wacaco Minipresso is a great option for people who are looking for a portable yet good-quality espresso maker with excellent espresso-brewing capabilities. The affordable price of this espresso maker is like the cherry on top!

However, I will not recommend this or any other portable espresso maker for home use.

Alternatives of Wacaco Minipresso

Though I loved the Wacaco Minipresso, here are a few alternatives that I find equally good:

Handpresso

Handpresso is a portable espresso maker featuring a built-in self-heating element that brews great quality espresso, that too at an affordable price.

Flair Espresso Maker

The Flair Espresso Maker is a portable machine that offers plenty of customizable and precise features. However, keep in mind that it is not as small as the Wacaco Minipesso; you won’t be able to fit it inside your backpack.