Best RV Coffee Makers for Travel Adventures in 2024
For us, RVing and coffee go hand in hand. But, as you probably know, there is not much counter space when it comes to RV kitchens.
So we did some research to figure out what the best RV coffee maker was, and you know what we found out? There are several options.
It depends on what kind of coffee you like, the amount of space you have, if you do a lot of off the grid camping and more to decide what the best option is for you.
Over the years we’ve toured a lot of different set ups for people who are RVing full-time, part-time or taking a weekend RV trip.
We’ve seen an entire counter in a large 5th wheel dedicated to a fancy espresso machine and a compact campervan that only has room for a small French press.
So we’ve rounded up a list of options we’ve seen so you can have a fresh brewed cup of coffee on your travels.
Great Coffee Makers for an RV Lifestyle
Our Top Picks for RV Coffee Makers
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Simple easy to use drip coffee machine with on/off indicator light
- Lift out filter basket makes cleaning easy
- Auto-Pause Grab-a-Cup Feature temporarily stops brewing so you can pour your first cup without making a mess
- 11.76″ D x 12.3″ W x 13.8″ H
- 3.6 pounds
- 900 watts
Auto Pause and Glass Carafe, 12 Cup capacity
Lavazza Expert All-In-One Brewer
- The Lavazza Expert is a great little machine for an RVer because of its compact size and multiple brewing options. Note, however, that it is a single serve brewing machine so decide if that will work for you and your family.
- Built-in milk frother
- 7.87″ D x 18.9″ W x 13.78″ H
- 9.9 lbs
- 1,250 watts
This single serve all-in-one machine makes espresso and coffee and has a built-in milk frother.
Stainless Steel Insulated French Press
- A 3-layered stainless steel filter traps coffee grounds to deliver a refined, full-bodied flavor
- Multiple screen system can be disassembled for thorough cleaning (note that this, of course, is more time consuming than cleaning a traditional drip coffee filter or the coffee cone)
- Dishwasher safe
- Multiple sizes available, from 12oz to 50oz
- 6.1″ D x 6.7″ W x 9.8″ H
Pour Over Coffee Cone
- Unlike paper filters, the micro mesh funnel strainer ensures the best tasting coffee. It properly filters grinded coffee beans to allow nutrients and flavored oils to pass through to your coffee mug.
- The base of this stainless steel coffee cone fits on top of most mugs and thermoses, which makes it a perfect pour over drip coffee method.
- This cone dripper is great for RVing because it can be easily stored in a drawer rather than take up valuable counter space
- On a personal note, I use the coffee cone at home, too. I like the simplicity of adding ground coffee and pouring hot water over the top. Done. Plus, it’s easy to clean.
Fits directly over mug.
Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
- This portable espresso maker is a great product to pack along while RVing, camping, or traveling, because it does not need batteries or electricity. However, you do need boiling water.
- A great option for early morning hikers and tent camping.
- A manual pumping action creates the pressure needed to brew espresso
- Compact and lightweight with filters that can be separated for thorough cleaning
- Makes up to 50 ml of espresso
- 2.8″ D x 2.44″ W x 6.14″ H
- 0.75 pounds
Manually operated, small espresso maker is perfect for hikers and camping enthusiasts.
Which Coffee Maker is Best for You
Let’s dive a little deeper into each of these coffee maker options to help you decide which one is the best fit for your RV travels.
You Like Waking Up to the Aroma of Coffee
For 17 months, the smell of coffee was our alarm clock. I did not get out of bed until I:
a) heard the beeping from our coffee maker letting me know it was done brewing and
b) smelled the aromas that delicious dark liquid gives off.
So for us, a regular good ‘ol basic coffee maker with a programmable timer worked perfectly.
There are a ton of programmable coffee maker options. We chose a very simple model and it did the trick. We happily woke up to a freshly brewed cup every morning.
If you go this route, don’t forget the coffee filters, or to reduce waste purchase a permanent filter. Remember to select the correct cup size filter based on the coffee maker you choose.
If you are regularly camping off the grid and electricity is not available, then drip coffee makers wouldn’t make much sense. Keep reading for some options that are perfect for off-grid RVing.
You Prefer Espresso
When we were RVing with friends, one of their kiddos made me an espresso. Man was it good!
We were sitting in beautiful Nova Scotia, Canada with good friends, sipping an espresso. Life was good and the amazing trip made our list of favorite RVing spots!
But then I wanted an espresso machine. 🙂 Finding a compact espresso maker for an RV kitchen can be tricky, but I found one!
The Nespresso Vertuo Espresso Maker by De’Longhi is not only compact, but also makes one heck of a good espresso! It’s a great choice for RV owners with minimal counter space.
The Nespresso Essenza heats up quickly and has an automatic shut off function. It delivers an incredible, fresh ground and robust flavor. This model is compatible with Nespresso Vertuo capsules. Vertuo is the newer version of Nespresso pods and they’re available in a wide variety of roasts and flavors.
Compatible with Nespresso Vertuo (not Original) capsules. 14 ounce Liter capacity. Measures 5.5"D x 16.8"W x 12.4"H.
For Purist Coffee Drinkers
I don’t know if purist is the right word to use, but when I make myself a cup of pour-over coffee it feels like I’m making a cup of coffee as they did back then. Back when? I’m not really sure.
I bought a pour-over filter when we didn’t have RV hookups, which meant no electricity to run the coffee maker. All I need to do is boil water on the stove or over the campfire. Voila! A cup of coffee. This is the best way to make coffee in an RV when you have no electricity.
Also, it was small enough to store in the cabinet when not in use. So if the lack of space is a consideration for you, this might the best coffee maker option for you.
If you want to step it up a notch when it comes to pour over, you could always get a Chemex Pour-Over. I’ve heard great things about that little coffee maker. But, it didn’t make our top list because it’s glass and oftentimes RVs and glass items do not go so well together.
You Enjoy Sipping Coffee by the Campfire
Every time we use our french press, I have a strong desire to change into a flannel shirt, light up a campfire, and ask my husband to grow a beard. My kids call flannels and beards and french presses hipster. I call them cool.
We’ve been using a french press for years and it makes any amazingly good cup of coffee. You do need extra time and a little patience. So it’s probably not the best way to make coffee if you like to hit the trail before sunrise. But for me, using a French press is a very satisfying way to brew coffee.
We typically bring a French press with us when we rent a camper van for easy weekend adventures.
If you’re not familiar with a french press, the cliff notes version of how it works is you scoop your grounds in, pour hot water over the grounds, wait for 3 to 5 minutes, and then (slowly) push down the plunger thingy (not the right term). That pushes the grounds to the bottom of the container and allows you to pour a delicious, full-bodied and refined cup of hot coffee.
There are many options and styles available. You can choose between stainless steel or glass. I’ve had both. Two of the glass versions broke so I now prefer stainless steel, which also keeps your drink hot for much longer.
I don’t purchase the glass for RVing or camping. I learned my lesson that glass versions may not be sturdy enough to handle boiling water. Also, they’re too fragile for my aggressive cleaning habits. I don’t want to have to worry about that during my RV travels.
You are an Early Morning Hiker
My boys and husband love to get up very early and go hiking. I enjoy it once I’m on the trail but getting from my warm bed to that trail in the early morning hours takes, well, coffee.
We’ve never personally used the Wacaco Nanopresso, but I’ve seen rave reviews in various hiking and camping groups. Just as coffee tastes better when you’re camping…it also tastes better on the trail.
This is also a really good option if you are tight on space and camp off the grid without access to electricity.
The Nanopresso wouldn’t work well for our coffee-loving family of five, but I think it’d be perfect for a solo traveler or a couple on the go.
Manually operated, small espresso maker is perfect for hikers and camping enthusiasts.
All five of these options are a great choice for RVs and tiny home spaces. Now all you have to do is choose the one that best fits your adventurous lifestyle.
What’s your favorite way to fix your cup o’ joe?
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Julie specializes in helping you whip up delicious meals in your tiny RV kitchen, as well as RV organization tips and helping fellow RVers make their RV feel like home. Her favorite RVing spot is in Banff National Park in Canada where yes, the water really is that blue and the people really are that nice.
