13 Pro-Approved Tools for Brewing Perfect Coffee Anywhere

When we travel, we have to give up certain creature comforts, the things that make life at home so relaxing and enjoyable. But whether you’re camping, going on a road trip, staying at a hotel, or visiting a cabin off the grid, one thing that you don’t have to say goodbye to is making delicious fresh coffee. 

Sure, there might not be a barista in the woods ready to make you a foamy latte, but if it’s a hot, robust cup of fresh-ground and -brewed coffee you love, I’m here to tell you that you can absolutely whip up something powerful wherever you are — if you have the right camping gear. Take it from me, a former barista: If you put together a kit of coffee accessories like pour-over coffee makers, French presses, portable coffee grinders, travel mugs, and more, you’ll never have to go a day without a satisfying caffeine fix. Shop my favorite coffee tools for your next adventure below.

Best Coffee Gear for Summer Travel

• AeroPress Original Coffee Press, $35, originally $40
• Yeti Pour-Over Coffee Maker, $30
• Stanley All-in-One French Press Coffee Maker, $26
• Bialetti Moka Express, 6-Cup, $41, originally $60
• Primula Classic Stovetop Espresso and Coffee Maker, $16, originally $20
• Wacaco Minipresso GR2 Espresso Machine, $60
• JavaPresse Manual Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder, $28
• Wacaco Exagrind Manual Coffee Grinder, $120
• Fellow Carter 16-Ounce Move Travel Mug, $35
• Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Stackable Lowball 2.0, $25
• Stanley Stay-Hot Camp Mug, $23
• Planetary Design Airscape Stainless Steel Coffee Canister, $36
• Redcamp Small Outdoor Camping Kettle, $15

AeroPress Original Coffee Press

Many baristas out there would argue that the AeroPress is the best way to make coffee because it gives you an incredible amount of control and allows you to produce an extremely clean, flavorful cup with minimal labor. You can find AeroPress in some of the best cafes in the world, and at just $35, it’s something you can easily take with you anywhere. There’s even a travel version with a cup and helpful tools. It’s the No. 1 bestselling coffee press on Amazon, so look no further if you want something pro-approved, approachable, and really fun to use. Over 5,000 shoppers have picked one up in the past month.

Yeti Pour-Over Coffee Maker

Pour-over is another popular form of making high-quality coffee. Yeti’s extremely tough new option is made of double-wall insulated stainless steel, so you won’t have to worry about carrying ceramic or plastic around on your next adventure. It’s compatible with any V60 filter. Try this out for a no-mess, easy cup of delicious coffee. 

Stanley All-in-One French Press Coffee Maker

It’s hard to envision an outdoor experience without at least something from Stanley, and if you’re a fan of French press coffee, this no-frills stainless steel press will keep your coffee hot for hours. One shopper said it performs “flawlessly” on their RV road trips, brewing coffee that was so good they’ve considered switching to it at home.

Bialetti Moka Express, 6-Cup

The Bialetti espresso maker is a legendary and popular option far and wide. You fill it with water and espresso, put it over a heat source, and wait for it to start bubbling. It’s fast and easy and makes very rich, delicious coffee anywhere. If you want something that truly feels old-school and you like your coffee pretty strong, this is definitely worth checking out. 

Primula Classic Stovetop Espresso and Coffee Maker

I haven’t personally used this espresso maker, but I know coffee aficionados who consider it a nice (and less expensive) choice if you don’t want to go with the Moka Express. Primula’s espresso maker is the No. 1 bestseller in stovetop espresso, so they’re clearly doing something right. Shoppers call it “a real game-changer” for camping trips.

Wacaco Minipresso GR2 Espresso Machine

This portable espresso machine from Wacaco is pretty genius. It’s a fully adjustable manual press that makes a flavorful cup to your preferred strength, and it’s more or less the size of a can of soda. It’s extremely handy to pack up — the coffee spoon, brush, and cup are all contained within. This is the kind of thing that would be equally useful at a campsite, in a hotel room, or stashed in your desk drawer at the office for when you need an afternoon pick-me-up.

JavaPresse Manual Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder

Being away from home doesn’t mean you have to settle for stale, pre-ground beans. This popular manual coffee grinder has been a top choice for many years. It’s a burr grinder, meaning you’re getting even and consistent grinds (because it crushes rather than cuts with a blade), and it has 18 settings, making it ultra-precise. Some customers even report finding it superior to electric grinders, with one calling the JavaPresse’s high-quality burr grinder “the unseen star of the show, like an engine in a Porsche.” They called it “a wonderful compact tool to have in your coffee kit if you don’t need large batches and want to sample whole-bean coffee.”

Wacaco Exagrind Manual Coffee Grinder

Another very solid portable grinder, the Wacaco Exagrind lets you grind up to 20 grams of coffee, which means that if you’re making it at a 1:15 bean-to-water ratio, you can make an impressive 300 grams of coffee (this is my method when I do pour-over at home). Being able to do this while traveling is very exciting, so if you take your coffee seriously, the Exagrind is worth the investment.

Fellow Carter 16-Ounce Move Travel Mug

I absolutely love Fellow’s portable, vacuum-sealed mugs. If you want to keep a good amount of coffee hot for up to 12 hours, this is an excellent way to do it. The ceramic-coated interior lets the flavor of the coffee shine without imparting any metallic flavors. Plus, it’s leakproof and even has a slash guard so you can safely sip while driving, flying, hiking, or chilling without worrying about getting a faceful of hot coffee. 

Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Stackable Lowball 2.0

This is my go-to for any one-cup drink, whether coffee, cocktails, or wine. It keeps drinks hot or cold for many hours, and has a super easy magnetic opening, so you can open and close it with one finger — huge when driving or trying to balance on a rocky trail. Whether I’m going on a road trip or to a cabin in Michigan, I never leave town without it. Another bonus? It’s dishwasher-safe.

Stanley Stay-Hot Camp Mug

I’m a Yeti lifer, but I know plenty of Stanley supporters who love this mug. I see it all the time. “I really wanted to keep my tea and coffee hot when I travel, and this is the one I was looking for,” one shopper said. “It has the perfect size, it does not spill, and the color is beautiful.” If you’re team Stanley, what more could you ask for? 

Planetary Design Airscape Stainless Steel Coffee Canister

Great coffee is only as tasty as the beans you use, and you’ll want to ensure you’re bringing the good stuff along for the ride. This is the airtight canister that many baristas use, since it has a plunger lid that removes oxygen, minimizing the decay of your beans. Pack up your favorite beans in this, and you’ll have a maximally fresh cup whenever you like. 

Redcamp Small Outdoor Camping Kettle

What’s the one thing you need for coffee besides delicious beans? Hot water. If you don’t have a kettle and there are no machines where you’re staying, grab this $15 camping kettle to ensure you’ll have all the tools you need for a perfect cup.