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Who says that you should spoil your exciting adventures on the road by surrendering to instant coffee? With the best coffee makers for RV, you can replicate your usual morning routine no matter where your wanderlust takes you!
Compact and portable, these coffee makers are a real upgrade that doesn’t involve a large investment.
Don’t forget to read our buying guide and reviews of the best coffee makers for RV in order to find the perfect one for you.
Ready? Let’s go!
AT A GLANCE: OUR TOP PICKS
Hamilton Beach - Best Pick
- Eco-friendlier alternative to single-use pods
- Scoop turns into a filter
- Strength control
Coffee Makers for RV Buying Guide: Finding the Perfect Travel Companion
Because there are so many coffee makers for RV on the market, let’s try and narrow down your search.
What type of coffee maker for RV is right for you?
In general, these are fairly portable coffee makers that, unlike the bulkiest drippers or espresso machines, can easily fit in your RV without taking it over.
As for types, that can usually mean:
Automatic drippers: mainly single-serve options, these practical models are ideal if you want a quick coffee without putting any effort into the process;
Manual pour-overs: if, to you, the brewing process is a ritual to be cherished even on holiday, then you should probably consider manual options;
Immersion brewing methods: including French presses and the AeroPress, these can be a handy compromise between the first two. You’re still involved with the process but, unlike with manual drippers, not for the entirety of it. You can do your part and then let the coffee steep while you get the rest of your breakfast ready.
Type of filters: paper, reusable, or K-Cups?
Different types of coffee makers can also have different types of filters, which all come with their pros and cons:
We believe that reusable filters can be the most practical option when you’re on the go because they mean that you don’t have to worry about bringing or restocking more single-use items. Whether that’s the filter of a French press or a dripper, reusable models also allow more oils to filter through, giving you a bolder brew;
Paper filters might be worth packing if you prefer smoother pour-over style coffee or if you’d rather chuck your used grounds in the bin more quickly without worrying about washing everything;
K-Cups are another popular single-use option for one-cup machines: while they undoubtedly take up more space than coffee grounds, they can often be kept inside pod coffee makers with a K-Cup storage section.
Ease of use
We also recommend being realistic as to what you expect from your coffee maker for RV. Basically, are you a morning person or not, when you’re on holiday?
For example, while you might enjoy experimenting with pour-overs at home, that doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll be happy to do so on the go.
On the contrary, if you’d rather continue the same routine, then go for it.
Just think about it first to avoid disappointment!
Space
In general, the best coffee makers for RV are much more compact than other models, but we still recommend measuring how much space you’ve got available.
You should also decide where you’re going to brew your coffee:
- If it’s on the actual motorhome, then any of the models that we’ve included in our best coffee makers for RV reviews will do, including those that need to be plugged in;
- If you also want to have the luxury of brewing fresh coffee during hikes and spontaneous adventures, then stick to the most lightweight models that don’t require electricity.
Best Coffee Makers for RV of 2021 [Top 6 Reviews]
To give you an idea of the wide range of coffee makers for RV that you can choose from, here’s a little overview:
Best Pick | Best Pick | Hamilton Beach |
| View on Amazon |
Also Great  | Also Great | Keurig K-Mini Plus |
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Best Pour Over  | Best Pour Over | Hario V60 |
| View on Amazon |
French Press  | French Press | Bodum COLUMBIA |
| View on Amazon |
Most Portable  | Most Portable | AeroPress |
| View on Amazon |
Best for Espresso  | Best for Espresso | Wacaco Nanopresso |
| View on Amazon |
1. Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Maker - Top Pick
- Type: single-serve drip
- Brew sizes: up to 14 oz
- Dimensions: 8.35 x 6.7 x 8.67 inches
Best for: eco-conscious coffee lovers who value practicality
Hamilton Beach has found a greener and cheaper alternative to K-Cups: their scoop-filter. You scoop up the grounds, place it into the brew basket, and press a button.
Thanks to the adjustable cup rest, you can even take some piping hot coffee with you after leaving your motorhome by brewing it directly into a travel mug.
You don’t even have to worry about time: this Hamilton Beach coffee maker brews a regular 8 oz cup in less than 90 seconds!
Depending on your preference and what grounds you’re using, you can also choose between regular and bold when it comes to flavor.
Finally, for some extra peace of mind, this coffee maker for RV has an automatic shutoff.
Discover more about it in our Hamilton Beach Single Serve review.
Bottom line: A practical, portable and quick single-serve coffee maker without single-use plastic pods.
2. Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker - Also Great
- Type: single-serve drip
- Brew sizes: 6-12 oz
- Dimensions: 11.3 x 4.5 x 12.1 inches
Best for: a quick coffee pod experience
Less than 5 inches wide, this Keurig coffee maker for RV is as small as it can get for an automatic dripper!
But its focus on portability goes beyond its size: the Keurig K-Mini Plus comes with both cord- and pod-storage, allowing you to bring up to 9 of the best K-Cups with you.
PRO TIP: Grab yourself Keurig’s reusable K-Cup filter to make the most of coffee grounds. As well as resulting in a fresher brew and being kinder towards the planet, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
One of the best Keurig coffee makers, this machine is extremely fast, comes with a strong brew feature, and lets you brew into a travel mug.
While practicality should (and does) definitely come first in this case, a stylish touch is always welcome: not only does the Keurig K-Mini Plus feature an elegant chrome accent on its drip-tray, but it’s available in different colors.
Bottom line: The most compact single-serve dripper we’ve tried.
3. Hario V60 - Best Pour-Over
- Type: manual pour-over
- Brew sizes: up to 4 cups
- Dimensions: 4.70 x 5.50 x 4.00 inches
Best for: coffee nomads who’re up for a challenge
The Hario V60 is perhaps the coffee maker that best represents the concept of manual drippers:
“Manually brewing allows a barista to make small changes that optimize extraction for the coffee at hand.” Fresh Cup Magazine (1)
It comes with a steeper learning curve and has more room for errors, but, if that excites you rather than put you off, it’s guaranteed to be the right pour-over for you… even on the go!
While the white ceramic model is the most iconic, the Hario V60 is available in lots of different finishes and materials.
This dripper is designed and manufactured in Japan, consisting of an apparently simple design that is in fact full of attention to detail.
From the spiral ribs to its large single hole and signature paper filters, it’s a necessity for traveling baristas at heart who want to have full control over their coffee (learn how to brew with the HarioV60!).
Bottom line: Lightweight and portable, this is the best pour-over for a superior brew on the go.
4. Bodum COLUMBIA French Press - Best French Press
- Type: French press
- Brew sizes: up to 51 oz
- Dimensions: 8.58 x 8.35 x 6.38 inches
Best for: large households with a soft spot for traditions
The timeless French press is perhaps the best coffee maker for RV if you want to bring an element of familiarity on holiday with you, as well as one of the best French presses overall.
While this Bodum French press comes in two smaller sizes too, this 51 oz model is perfect for larger households or groups of friends.
It features a double-walled stainless steel construction that keeps your coffee hot for up to two hours and is also more durable and portable than more fragile glass models.
As for quality, you can rely on its 3-part stainless steel plunger with a mesh filter. Discover more in our Columbia French Press review.
Bottom line: A durable French press to use both at home and on your RV.
5. AeroPress - Most Portable
- Type: portable coffee maker
- Brew sizes: 1-3 cups
- Dimensions: 5.12 x 5.12 x 11.02 inches
Best for: a cup of drip during hikes, too
No article on the best coffee makers for RV would be complete without the travel coffee maker par excellence (2).
“The AeroPress is a darling among coffee enthusiasts everywhere, and for good reason.” Sprudge
As well as its portability and the fact that it comes in a practical tote bag, another benefit of the AeroPress is how it combines different brewing techniques: press-style immersion, pour-over, and pressure brewing.
This, thanks to its proprietary paper filters and one-minute brew time, results in a bold but smooth brew without any hints of bitterness.
Curious? Check out our AeroPress brewing guide!
Bottom line: Whether you want to use it to brew coffee before leaving your motorhome or chuck it in your backpack, you can’t go wrong with the AeroPress.
6. Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker - Best for Espresso
- Type: portable coffee maker
- Brew sizes: 2.7 oz
- Dimensions: 3.35 x 3.35 x 7.48 inches
Best for: espresso shots on the go
If you love the sound of the AeroPress but you prefer espresso, the Nanopresso has you covered.
Just because espresso machines aren’t the most portable coffee makers it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy stronger shots while on holiday. In fact, this portable model fits in your pocket and requires no batteries!
Thanks to its patented pumping system, the Nanopresso can reach up to 18 bars of pressure, which is double the minimum required to brew proper espresso (3).
You just need to add grounds to the filter basket, tamp them, add hot water to the tank, assemble the Nanopresso, flip it, and… pump out the coffee!
Bottom line: The best coffee maker for RV to enjoy an actual espresso.
FAQs
1. How do you make coffee in an RV?
There are several ways to make coffee in an RV: you can either plug in a small automatic dripper or heat up some water and use it for other brewing methods, like the French press, manual pour-overs, or portable models such as the AeroPress and Nanopresso.
2. What is the best coffee maker for an RV?
The best coffee maker for an RV is the Hamilton Beach or, if you prefer K-Cups, the Keurig K-Mini Plus.
3. What is the best small coffee maker?
The best small coffee maker is the AeroPress: you can easily use it as a coffee maker for RV or even throw it in your backpack to brew on the go since it doesn’t require electricity. You can also check out the best camping coffee makers.
References
1. Helfrich, B. (2017, August 22). Pour-Over Brewing. Retrieved from https://www.freshcup.com/pour-over-brewing/
2. (n.d.). (2020, April 14). How To Brew With An AeroPress Coffee Maker. Retrieved from https://sprudge.com/how-to-brew-with-an-aeropress-coffee-maker-106140.html
3. Kilbride, D. (2017, June 8). How Does Pressure Affect Espresso Quality?. Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2017/06/how-does-pressure-affect-espresso-quality/
