I admit, when I first saw this gadget on Temu, a portable mini espresso machine, I thought it was one of those slightly plasticky camping gadgets, good for just a whim, especially when compared to similar products that sell for at least €80 and up. Then I made a couple of cups of coffee and realized...well, find out in this review.
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Portable Electric Wireless Espresso Machine for Car and Home Camping Coffee Maker 3-in-1 Capsule Powder Travel Coffee Maker
Unboxing and first impressions
The packaging isn't particularly graphically refined, but it does contain the key specifications and a stylized image of the product detailing all the components. Inside, you'll find everything you need to make a good espresso, whether made with ground coffee or Nespresso or DolceGusto-compatible capsules. It also includes a multilingual instruction manual, including Italian, a Type-C charging cable, a plastic measuring spoon for ground coffee, and, of course, a 120 ml coffee collection cup when inserted into its housing.
The device appears solid, with an aesthetic reminiscent of a water bottle, similar to the AirUp. Most of the components are made from sturdy plastic, but also feature food-grade stainless steel inserts. All parts, except the main body, which features the USB Type-C charging port and the coffee dispensing button, are washable. Starting from the top of the product, there's a lid that conceals the 60 ml water tank, ideal for a large espresso, but you can, of course, add less water. Once the lid is closed, the water stays inside, not spilling out or wetting the appliance. As mentioned, the body features the extraction button and the charging port. Finally, the lower part houses the capsule system, which is actually made up of three elements, which can be used in combination when using ground coffee or Nespresso capsules, or just the final element, which is where DolceGusto capsules are inserted. At the bottom, there's a container that can be used as a cup.
Espresso from Bars Everywhere
I tested Temu's portable espresso machine with both ground coffee and Nespresso and DolceGusto capsules. It's very simple to use: click the button to check the battery charge level, and double-click to extract the blend by heating the water, which takes about 5 minutes. You can also extract cold blends, or if you add hot water, extract the coffee blend directly by simply holding the button down for a few seconds.
Naturally, if you use capsules, the entire process will require less maintenance and therefore less cleaning, as you will have no waste to manage. I also remind you that, considering that you can use this product in the middle of nowhere, for example on a boat in the middle of the sea, any waste such as used capsules, or the plastic that protects them, must not be dispersed in the environment.
Coffee extraction with capsules is a textbook experience, especially if you're looking for premium blends and grinds—in other words, don't use discount pods. It certainly doesn't have the same coffee experience as a coffee shop, but the resulting beverage has a good amount of crema, not thick or golden, but the aroma is full-bodied, with no off-flavors or a burnt, or worse, plastic-like, sensation. I emphasize this precisely because of the product's affordability and provenance.
Autonomy and battery
I repeat, you can drink good coffee in the most remote corners of the planet; all you need is a little water, a pod or ground coffee, and nothing else. In fact, unlike similar products, you don't need a power source to make hot coffee. Sure, you won't make enough coffee for the entire impoverished jungle population, but with a full battery, you'll get five cups of coffee by heating the water, and up to 5 cups if you have access to hot water. The experience is incredibly positive, because we can take Temu's espresso machine literally anywhere: in a backpack, in a suitcase, to work, in the car, on a motorcycle, in a camper, on a boat, or wherever we like.
Heating 60 ml of water from scratch to the ideal extraction temperature (around 90°C) in about 5 minutes is an energy-intensive task. However, if you think that 60 ml is definitely too much for a single coffee, where a classic espresso from a bar typically boasts a blend quantity that varies from 25 to 35 ml, you can think that with a single pod you can get two cups of coffee at once, as long as you like a lighter coffee.
The downside? You can't use it while it's charging: if the battery is dead, you're out of power. It charges via USB-C and also supports charging from a car's cigarette lighter socket (12V and 24V), making it ideal for travel, campers, boats, etc., with a full charge in about 2 hours.
Portable Electric Wireless Espresso Machine for Car and Home Camping Coffee Maker 3-in-1 Capsule Powder Travel Coffee Maker
Price and conclusions
Temu's product is a portable coffee maker, a device you can take with you on your next excursion, whether on your motorcycle, at the beach, or abroad, saving you a considerable amount of money on a coffee. And what about the pleasure of drinking coffee in the jungle, the desert, or elsewhere without spending a cent (or more) in the absence of a coffee shop? Besides being particularly affordable, this portable coffee maker is a great gift idea for anyone. You can get it for less than 30 euros, and at this price you shouldn't miss it, considering that similar products with identical performance can cost as much as 120-150 euros.
