8 Best USB Coffee Makers: A Cup Of Joe On The Go

A cup of coffee is a pick-me-up most of us need and want the first thing in the morning. However, if you often spend your time running to your job or other obligations you might miss the opportunity to brew coffee at home.

You can either spend money trying to find the best coffee in a nearby coffee shop or invest in a USB coffee maker you can use anytime you want no matter where you are.

If you are set on the latter, read on and find out all about the 8 top-rated models. Our comprehensive buying guide will give you all the information you need to choose the best one.

The Rundown

What Is A USB Coffee Maker?

A USB coffee machine is a small coffee brewer that operates using lower energy and can make a single cup of coffee at a time. It is a great choice for use at home, office, dorm room, or while you are outdoor camping.

How Does It Work?

A USB-powered coffee brewer works by drawing the needed power from a USB charging dock. It either recharges the battery that helps you make your brew or serves for a direct brew. While most models pour hot water over the coffee grinds to brew coffee, you can find some with a pump system that allows you to brew espresso. Both are great options, you can choose based on your brewing preferences.

Parts Of The USB Coffee Brewer

Most models come with inbuilt coffee bean grinders, water heaters, and additional filters. Each part has its function:

• grinder allows you to grind your favorite coffee beans the moment before the brewing process and ensures the freshest results
• water heater gets the brewing water to the needed temperature to ensure that you get a brew with perfect consistency and not a coffee-like watery beverage
• the filter ensures that you get a smooth cup of coffee free of any sediment or grounds

Brewers that don’t feature a grinder or a heating system are suitable for use with pre-ground coffee and require you to heat the water separately.

What Kind Of Power Source Does It Use?

A USB coffee brewing machine can draw power from its battery. However, it does not provide a limitless power source. You can recharge it using a computer, laptop, power bank, or any other USB port including those inside your car.

Is Coffee Brewed Inside A USB Coffee Brewer Any Good?

Simply put, yes, coffee brewed inside a USB brewing machine can be delicious. This is especially true if you choose a model that comes with a coffee grinder. However, keep in mind that your brewing expertise also has an impact on the results you get.

Are They Worth The Investment?

Generally, USB machines for coffee aren’t that expensive. You can find models that cost from 30 up to 200 dollars. If you often spend your time away from home, they are a great investment and you can be sure that you will get your money’s worth.

Benefits & Downsides Of USB Coffee Machines

Coffee makers with a USB charging system offer versatile benefits that make them desirable brewing machines. However, as it is with any appliance and machine, they have their downsides too.

USB Coffee Maker: Benefits

The main benefit is their convenient size thanks to which you can easily carry them anywhere you go. Since you can adapt them to almost any phone charger, you can easily recharge them anywhere you are. Finally, they provide a very simple performance.

USB Coffee Maker: Downsides

The main downside of the USB brewers is that they can brew only one cup of coffee at a time. Also, some models are compatible only with ground coffee, while others are made only for coffee pods.

What You Need To Know To Brew Coffee On The Go?

Although they are an amazing companion for your travels, there are some things you need to think about to choose the best USB powered coffee machine:

• Lightweight design – It is very important that you find a brewer with a lightweight design to ensure that you can easily carry it around. In general, all USB coffee and espresso machines come in a convenient handheld size thanks to which you can easily use it.
• Quality & durability – Stainless steel is the optimal construction material for all appliances and USB charged coffee machines are no exception. It provides them with the needed durability and shock-resistance that portable models need to have.
• Battery life – Battery life lets you know how much the brewer will last without a charging session. For instance, a 1200 mAh battery will last you up to 8 uses but it also needs about 3 hours to recharge. This is not something you need to worry about if you buy a model that needs a direct USB power line.
• Inbuilt-grinder – While this is not the case for all models, most USB brewers come with inbuilt coffee grinders that allow you to make the freshest brew possible. The important thing is that they don’t create heat during the grinding process to ensure that your grounds don’t lose quality.
• Grinding adjustments – Grinders usually offer multiple adjustments to ensure that you can choose desired grind size. You can adjust the settings between a coarse and fine grind in a second.
• Coffee filter – Permanent filter with a fine stainless steel mesh easily collects all leftover coffee grounds and keeps them from getting into your brew.
• Versatile compatibility – Choosing the brewer with versatile compatibility is the best choice if you want to be able to try out different brewing options. A variety of USB coffee machines works well with ground coffee, loose tea leaves, and coffee pods.
• Insulated coffee mug – The last but not the least thing you want your brewer to have is a heat-insulated coffee mug. It preserves the temperature of your brew and allows you to enjoy hot coffee for up to one hour since the brewing process is done.

8 Best USB Coffee Makers

Here we gathered all the important information about the 8 top-rated USB-powered coffee makers. The first one comes equipped with a coffee bean grinder while the fourth one works great with ground coffee and coffee pods. Read on and learn more about their differences.

Soulhand 5 In 1 Coffee Maker

This portable USB coffee maker consists of a drip kettle, an adjustable conical burr coffee bean grinder, a stainless steel filter, and a thermal cup. On one full charge, its 1200 mAh battery allows you to use the grinder about 7 to 8 times.

Once empty, you can recharge its battery using home power, power bank, a USB supply, or a car charger. It will need about 3 hours to fully recharge. Its USB charging port is located atop the machine to ensure that you can easily plug it in.

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Myle Coffee Maker

This is another USB coffee machine with a coffee bean grinder. Its ceramic grinding core ensures that the grinder does not heat up during the process. As a result, the taste of the ground coffee won’t be affected and you will achieve a full-flavored brew.

It is worth mentioning that this entire brewer is made out of food-grade stainless steel material. It comes equipped with an eco-friendly 1600mah battery and does not require a charging cable while it is being used if the battery is charged.

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ChefGiant Coffee Maker

Its user-friendly 3in1 design ensures that you can use this model to grind coffee beans, brew coffee, and sip the freshly made brew while you are on the go. It features a pour-over drip filter with a durable stainless steel mesh that drains out all the residues from your brew.

Apart from the USB charging cable, this brewer also requires one Lithium Polymer battery. Keep in mind that it does not come included in the package so you will need to purchase it separately. Its size ensures that it can fit inside your car’s cup holder so you can take it anywhere you go.

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Cera+ Espresso Coffee Maker

Due to its lightweight but compact design, you can easily carry this USB rechargeable coffee brew maker anywhere you go. It does not come with a grinder but is compatible for use with both fine ground coffee and Nespresso capsules. Its 15 bar extracting pressure will help you make delicious espresso in less than a minute.

Note that it comes with a universal USB charger you can connect to your phone, laptop, or a power bank. Its smart battery indicator is designed to inform you about the battery’s capacity. It needs about 1.5 hours to fully charge once it runs out.

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A Sixx Coffee Machine

This brewer is constructed out of ABS, 304-grade stainless steel material, and food-grade PETG. Its only downside may be that it doesn’t have any silicone-coated parts that allow you to have a  much safer and firm grip on the brewer.

The amazing thing about this USB mini coffee maker is its versatility. It does not come with a grinder but is compatible for use with ground coffee, coffee capsules, and loose tea leaves. You only have one button to operate the machine so you won’t have any trouble extracting a perfect brew.

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EBTOOLS Coffee Machine

As is the case with all listed models, this portable USB coffee brewer is also very easy to use. Simply put the desired capsule into a holder, screw it clockwise into the bottom, add water but be careful not to exceed the limit, connect the power cord, and start the brewing process.

Another amazing feature of this brewer is its automatic shut-off function. It automatically shuts down the machine once the brewing process is done. As a result, you never have to worry that it might use up to much power.

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N/C Coffee Maker

This coffee brewer is made out of stainless steel using one-piece molding. As a result, you can have a firm grip on the brewer and use it whenever you want. Its permanent stainless steel filter keeps all the leftover grounds from your brew.

All parts of this machine, except for the host are easy to detach and clean using lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Make sure that you always dry up all parts of the machine before you assemble them back together.

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VentureBrew Espresso Coffee Maker

This is another USB espresso machine that provides delicious brew in the shortest time possible. It provides a high 20 bar extraction pressure that will capture all the delicious flavors from the grounds or pods you use to brew espresso.

The best thing about this model is that it comes with its heating system. It extracts espresso at a 205-degree Fahrenheit temperature. Once you fill the water reservoir with the required amount of water and turn the machine on to start the process.

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How To Use A USB Coffee Brewer?

Even though they may seem a bit complicated, USB coffee brewing machines are fairly easy to use. What you need to do is add ground coffee/coffee beans/pods to the machine, fill up the water reservoir, and turn the machine on. If it comes with a heating system, you need to add cold water. On the other hand, if it doesn’t, you need to add hot water to extract a flavorful cup of coffee.

Which Coffee Should You Use To Get The Best Results?

This depends solely on the type of machine you buy. For instance, if you choose a coffee machine with a grinder, you shouldn’t use a fine coffee powder to brew coffee as it might clog the filter. It is best to use coffee beans you can grind or coffee grounds. On the other hand, if you opt for a pod brewer make sure that you use only compatible pods, otherwise you might cause the machine to malfunction.

How To Keep Coffee Inside The Brewer Warm?

If you want to ensure that your brew remains at its optimal temperature for a longer time, choose a model that comes equipped with an insulated coffee mug. That way the heat won’t escape out and you will be able to enjoy a hot cup of coffee up to one hour since you made the brew.