WACACO Portable Espresso Maker 20 Bar Touchscreen Review: The Ultimate On-the-Go Barista?

There’s a specific kind of disappointment that only a true coffee lover understands. It’s the feeling you get on the second morning of a camping trip, staring into a mug of gritty instant coffee as the sun rises. It’s the desperation of a long road trip, where the only option is a burnt, bitter brew from a service station. For years, I’ve chased the dream of a perfect espresso far from the comfort of my kitchen counter. I’ve tried manual hand-presses that left my palms sore, and thermos flasks of pre-made coffee that were lukewarm and lifeless by the time I wanted them. The problem has always been the same: portability meant compromise. You could have convenience, or you could have quality, but you couldn’t have both. This enduring challenge is what led us to search for a device that could finally break that cycle, a machine that promised café-quality extraction without being tethered to a wall socket.

What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Espresso Machine

A portable espresso machine is more than just a novelty gadget; it’s a key solution for anyone who refuses to compromise on their coffee quality, regardless of their location. For travellers, outdoor enthusiasts, remote workers, and even those with limited kitchen space, these devices solve the fundamental problem of access to high-quality, freshly brewed espresso. The main benefit is freedom—the freedom to enjoy a rich, aromatic shot with a proper crema on a mountain peak, in a camper van, or at a hotel desk. It bridges the gap between the dedication of a home barista and the demands of a life in motion.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values the ritual and result of a great espresso shot and is willing to engage with the brewing process. They are the adventurers, the road warriors, and the office-based coffee aficionados who find standard pod machines or instant coffee unsatisfying. Conversely, this might not be the right fit for those who drink multiple cups in quick succession for a large group, or for someone who prefers the one-touch simplicity of a large, fully-automatic home machine and rarely needs coffee on the go. For them, a traditional countertop machine might be a more practical investment.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Portability: The very essence of these devices is their portability. You must consider the weight and physical size. Will it fit comfortably in your backpack, carry-on, or glove compartment? The WACACO, for instance, measures 7.4 x 7.4 x 18.1 cm and weighs 0.84 kg, making it comparable in size to a travel flask, which is an excellent benchmark for true portability.
• Brewing Performance & Power Source: Performance hinges on two things: pressure and power. For authentic espresso, you need high pressure; look for machines that can generate at least 15 bars, with 20 bars being exceptional. The power source is the biggest differentiator. Manual devices require your own strength and a separate source of hot water. Battery-powered electric models, like this one, offer the ultimate convenience of heating and extraction in one unit, but you must scrutinize battery life and recharge times.
• Material & Durability: A portable device will inevitably face more wear and tear than a stationary one. Look for robust construction. Stainless steel water chambers are preferable for heat retention and purity of taste. While many components will be made from durable, BPA-free plastic to keep weight down, the overall feel should be solid and well-constructed, not flimsy.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Out in the field, the last thing you want is a complicated brewing process or a nightmarish clean-up. Evaluate the user interface—are there intuitive controls or a steep learning curve? For maintenance, consider how many parts need to be disassembled and washed after each use. A simple rinse is ideal, but more complex machines often require more thorough cleaning to maintain performance.

Keeping these factors in mind, the WACACO Portable Espresso Maker 20 Bar Touchscreen stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the WACACO Portable Espresso Maker 20 Bar Touchscreen is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the WACACO: A Sleek Promise of Portable Power

From the moment we opened the box, the WACACO Portable Espresso Maker 20 Bar Touchscreen conveyed a sense of premium quality. Echoing the sentiment of one user who noted the beautiful packaging, we found the experience to be more akin to unboxing a high-end tech gadget than a coffee maker. The main unit, finished in a striking Dark Burgundy, has a substantial, solid feel. At 840g, it’s not featherlight, but its weight feels reassuringly dense, speaking to the powerful battery and motor housed within its compact frame. It’s about the size of a large portable speaker or a water bottle, fitting snugly in the hand.

Inside, every component was neatly arranged. The kit includes the main body, the portafilter head, an adjustable coffee basket for ground coffee (8g-16g), a separate adapter for Nespresso-compatible capsules, a measuring scoop that doubles as a tamper, a cleaning brush, and a USB-C charging cable. Everything packs neatly into a soft-touch carrying bag, reinforcing its travel-ready design. The bright, clear touchscreen interface immediately sets it apart from the purely mechanical or single-button devices we’ve tested in the past. It promises a level of control and customization that feels truly next-generation for a portable machine.

A Deep Dive into the WACACO’s Real-World Performance

A portable espresso maker can have all the features in the world, but it lives or dies by the quality of the coffee it produces and the practicality of its use in the wild. We took the WACACO Portable Espresso Maker 20 Bar Touchscreen through its paces over several weeks, using it at the office, on day trips, and during a weekend camping excursion to see if it could truly replace the need for a café stop. Our testing focused on its core promises: espresso quality, user experience, battery endurance, and daily usability.

The Heart of the Machine: 20-Bar Pressure and Espresso Quality

The headline feature here is the 20-bar pressure pump, a specification that puts it on par with many high-end home espresso machines. We were initially sceptical that such a small, battery-powered device could deliver on this promise, but our testing proved its capability. Using a fine espresso grind (16g dose) and the 92°C temperature setting, the machine whirred to life, and after a brief pre-infusion, a stream of rich, dark espresso began to flow into the integrated cup. The result was genuinely impressive. The shot was topped with a stable, hazelnut-coloured crema that held for several minutes—the visual hallmark of a proper extraction.

The taste was equally remarkable. The high pressure extracted a depth of flavour and a syrupy body that is simply unattainable with lower-pressure methods like Aeropress or Moka pots. We did a side-by-side comparison with Nespresso capsules, and as one user noted, the ability to control the water temperature (with 88°C, 92°C, and 96°C options) gives it an edge over standard pod machines. The 96°C setting brought out bright, acidic notes from a light roast, while the 88°C setting yielded a smoother, less bitter shot from a dark roast. This level of control is a dream for coffee nerds. While some found the crema slightly less thick than their home machines, we found the overall flavour profile to be superior, balanced, and without any trace of under-extraction. It consistently produced a satisfying, café-quality shot that silenced our initial scepticism.

Touchscreen Tyranny or Intuitive Interface? Mastering the Controls

The WACACO’s touchscreen is its most modern feature, but it’s also the source of the learning curve mentioned in several user reviews. We can confirm that you will need to read the instruction booklet. This is not a device you can intuitively master in thirty seconds. The interface uses a combination of long presses and short taps to navigate menus, select functions (Heat & Extract, Heat Only, Extract Only), choose a drink type (Ristretto, Espresso, Double Espresso, Lungo), and set the temperature. Our first few attempts were fumbling, resulting in accidentally starting a cleaning cycle instead of a brew.

However, after making about three or four coffees, the logic clicked into place. A long press powers it on, another long press enters the settings menu, short taps cycle through options, and a final long press confirms your selection. Once we had the sequence down, it became quick and efficient. The bright display is easy to read in daylight and provides clear feedback on the current settings, water temperature, and battery level. While we understand the initial frustration some users felt, we believe the control it offers is worth the brief learning period. Having the ability to dial in a precise recipe—say, a 96°C Lungo with 12g of coffee—in a device that fits in a cup holder is a technological feat.

The Freedom and Friction of Battery Power

This is the most critical aspect of the WACACO experience. The three 3000mAh batteries provide the incredible freedom to heat water and brew coffee anywhere. On a chilly morning by a lake, we went from cold bottled water to a hot, steaming double espresso in about four minutes. This self-contained capability is, as one reviewer put it, “a genius piece of equipment for awesome coffee on the go.” It completely eliminates the need for a separate stove, kettle, or power source, fundamentally changing what’s possible for portable coffee.

However, this freedom comes at the cost of endurance. The heating process is extremely power-intensive. From a full charge, we consistently managed to make four single espressos using cold water before the battery was depleted. This aligns perfectly with user reports of getting “3 or 4 coffees between charges.” If you need to serve a group, this is a significant limitation. The recharge time is also considerable, at around 2.5 hours with a sufficiently powerful (>10W) USB-C charger. The smartest way to use the WACACO, as another user sagely discovered on a fishing trip, is to use pre-heated water from a thermos or kettle whenever possible. By selecting the “Extract Only” function, the battery is only used for the pump, dramatically extending its life to dozens, if not hundreds, of shots per charge. This hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds: full self-sufficiency when you need it, and incredible efficiency when you have access to hot water.

From Brew to Clean-Up: Living with the WACACO Day-to-Day

The versatility of being able to use your own fresh grounds or the convenience of a capsule makes the WACACO incredibly adaptable. We loved experimenting with the adjustable basket, which securely clicks between an 8g and 16g setting, allowing for single or double shots. The included scoop/tamper works well enough for tamping the grounds evenly before screwing the portafilter head into place. The entire assembly feels secure and well-machined, with no leaks during the high-pressure extraction.

Cleaning, however, is a bit more involved than with a simple home pod machine. As one reviewer mentioned, it can be “a bit of a chore” due to the number of small parts. After each use, you need to disassemble the portafilter head, knock out the coffee puck or capsule, and rinse the basket, the shower screen, and the cup. It’s not difficult, but it requires a water source and a few minutes of your time. We also experienced the minor design flaw that another user highlighted: the metal shower screen sometimes remains stuck in the main unit when you unscrew the head, requiring you to gently pry it out. It’s a small annoyance but a notable oversight in an otherwise well-designed product. For daily use at home, this process might become tedious, but for travel and outdoor use, it’s a small price to pay for the quality it delivers. If you are seeking a portable machine that delivers a great cup of coffee on the go, we believe this device is a leading contender.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user feedback reflects our own findings: the WACACO Portable Espresso Maker 20 Bar Touchscreen is a brilliant but slightly flawed piece of kit. The positive sentiment is strong among those who use it for its intended purpose. One user, who bought it for their camper van, calls it “almost perfect” and “worth every penny” for travellers who appreciate good coffee. Another recounts a five-day fishing trip where they were “extremely happy and satisfied with the espresso and the ease of use,” smartly using preheated water to conserve battery.

However, the negative feedback points to two consistent issues: battery life and quality control. Multiple users express disappointment with getting only 3-4 cups per charge when heating water. More concerning are the reports of manufacturing defects. One user received a “faulty product” that would shut down randomly, deeming it a potential “fire hazard.” Another returned two separate units because the “USB-C connector is so crooked… the rubber lid won’t shut,” rendering its splash-proof rating useless. These accounts suggest that while the design is excellent, the execution on the production line may be inconsistent, which is a significant gamble at this price point.

How Does the WACACO Compare to the Competition?

The WACACO Portable Espresso Maker 20 Bar Touchscreen occupies a unique niche, but it’s helpful to compare it to popular home-based single-serve machines to understand the trade-offs. The alternatives are fundamentally different, prioritizing countertop convenience over true portability.

1. NESCAFÉ DOLCE GUSTO Genio S Touch EDG426.B Coffee Machine

The Genio S Touch is a sleek, mains-powered countertop machine designed for home or office use. Its primary advantage is its simplicity and beverage variety. Using Dolce Gusto pods, it can create everything from espresso and americanos to cappuccinos and hot chocolate with a single touch. It’s built for speed and convenience in a fixed location. Someone would choose the Genio S Touch over the WACACO if they have no need for portability and want a wider range of milky, café-style drinks without any fuss. The WACACO is for the espresso purist on the move; the Genio S is for the family kitchen.

2. BOSCH Tassimo Happy TAS1002N Capsule Machine

The Bosch Tassimo Happy takes automation a step further with its Intellibrew barcode technology. The machine reads the barcode on each T-DISC pod and automatically adjusts the water volume, temperature, and brewing time for a perfect result every time. With over 70 drink varieties available, its versatility is its greatest strength. This is the ideal machine for someone who wants absolute zero effort and maximum variety. It contrasts sharply with the WACACO, which demands user input for temperature and volume and is focused almost exclusively on espresso. The Tassimo is for the set-it-and-forget-it user, while the WACACO is for the hands-on enthusiast.

3. NESCAFÉ DOLCE GUSTO Genio S Plus Capsule Coffee Machine

The Genio S Plus is another excellent home machine, similar to the Touch model but often at a more accessible price point. It features useful functions like an Espresso Boost for a more intense flavour and temperature selection. Like its sibling, it is tethered to a power outlet and designed for countertop life. A user might prefer the Genio S Plus for its balance of features and cost for home use. It offers more control than the Tassimo but is still fundamentally about convenience with pods. The choice is clear: if your coffee ritual happens exclusively in your kitchen, the Genio S is a strong contender. If you demand that same quality on a remote trail, only the WACACO can deliver.

The Final Verdict: Is the WACACO Portable Espresso Maker 20 Bar Touchscreen Your Perfect Travel Companion?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the WACACO Portable Espresso Maker 20 Bar Touchscreen is a truly remarkable and ambitious device. It successfully delivers on its core promise: brewing genuine, high-quality espresso with a rich crema, anywhere you desire. The 20-bar pressure system is not just a marketing claim; it produces a shot that rivals many home machines. Its versatility with both grounds and capsules, combined with granular control over temperature and volume, makes it a powerful tool for any coffee lover who refuses to settle.

However, it is not without its compromises. The battery life is its most significant limitation, making it best suited for solo travellers or couples rather than large groups. The reports of quality control issues are also a valid concern that prospective buyers should be aware of. Despite these drawbacks, for the right person—the dedicated coffee enthusiast, the frequent traveller, the camper, the remote worker—this machine is a game-changer. It represents the pinnacle of portable coffee technology today, offering a level of quality and freedom that was previously unimaginable.

If you’ve decided the WACACO Portable Espresso Maker 20 Bar Touchscreen is the right fit for your adventures, you can check its current price and purchase it here.