The Outin Nano Portable Espresso Machine: Is it worth it?

Intro:

Hey there, guys and gals! This is Chris with Ignited by Nature, and welcome back! Today, I’m looking at the Outin Nano Portable Espresso Machine. For those who love their coffee as much as they love the great outdoors, this portable espresso machine promises to deliver rich, crema-topped espresso anywhere you go. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out.

Key Features

The Outin Nano is a compact, battery-powered espresso maker designed for outdoor adventures, road trips, or anywhere you want espresso without a full coffee setup. Let’s look at some key features:

•    First of its Compact and Lightweight: It weighs approximately 1 lb 5 oz with the grounds/capsule holder and fits easily into a backpack. With water and coffee grounds, it weighs a total of 1 lb 8 oz, and without water, it’s 1 lb 6 oz.

•    It’s Battery-Powered: It comes with a 7500 mAh battery that is fully rechargeable via USB-C. It makes up to four 50 ml shots or three 70 ml shots on a full charge. I tested it with room-temperature water; if you want to conserve battery life, I recommend boiling the water first. Outin says with hot water, you can brew up to 200 times on a single charge.

•    The machine has a 20-Bar Pressure Pump: The built-in pump produces 20 bars of pressure, delivering true espresso.

•    The Water Capacity: The machine holds 80 ml of water, enough to brew a double shot of espresso.

•    It’s also Versatile: It’s compatible with both ground coffee and Nespresso pods (it takes the smaller pods, not the newer larger ones).

•    Next, I want to talk about how this brew. It heats water and brews espresso in as little as 2 minutes 45 seconds with a full charge. On average, it takes 2 minutes 29 seconds. However, on the fourth and final brew, it took about 3 minutes 22 seconds. I noticed that as the battery drains, brewing time increases.

•    Simple Operation: It has a one-button operation for easy use.

Build and Design Quality:

The Outin Nano is designed with portability in mind. It’s small enough to fit in a backpack or cup holder, making it easy to carry on hikes, camping trips, or even road trips. The build quality feels sturdy, and the materials seem durable enough for outdoor use. One of its key features is the rechargeable battery, so you don’t need an external power source—just charge it up, and you’re ready to go.

The design is sleek and modern, built with durable plastic that feels solid in hand. It’s about the size of a 32 oz Nalgene bottle, so while it’s portable, it’s not exactly "nano" in size. If you’re willing to pack the extra weight (around 1.5 pounds), it’s a good option for making a decent cup of coffee in the backcountry.

Performance:

Let’s talk about performance. The 20-bar pressure pump extracts coffee oils and crema, giving you a true espresso experience. After testing, I found the flavor to be smooth and decently rich, especially compared to instant coffee and other backcountry options. I also noticed that after drinking it, I had to poop immediately, which I take as a good indication of a strong brew!

The fact that it heats water and brews coffee on the go is a huge plus, especially when you’re out in the field. However, if you’re hiking, I suggest boiling your water with a camp stove before use to conserve battery life.

Here’s a summary of my performance tests:

•    As far as Brewing Time goes: It takes about 5 minutes to heat cold water, and room-temperature water takes just under 3 minutes, with the fastest time being 2 minutes 45 seconds. Preheating the water and double tapping the button allows instant brewing.

•    Brewing Quality: It produces a surprisingly good espresso shot for its size. The crema is decent, and the flavor is rich, especially with fresh grounds. While it’s not on par with a professional espresso machine, it’s a solid upgrade from instant coffee. I’d even say it’s better than Starbucks, which isn’t saying much, but I’ll say it anyway!

•    Versatility: I love the flexibility of using both ground coffee and pods. I prefer Nespresso pods for their convenience in the field.

As far as Ease of Use goes:

To use the machine, simply add water—cold, lukewarm, or boiling. Then, add coffee grounds to the holder or use a Nespresso pod. Place the larger end of the holder upwards, screw on the cap, and press and hold the button for 2 seconds to heat the coffee. Double-tap the button if the water is already hot for instant brewing.

Ok so now let’s go over everyone’s favorite thing, Pros and Cons

As far as Pros go:

•    The Outin is Portable: Weighing just under 1.5 pounds, it’s compact, though not the lightest. For coffee lovers, it’s worth considering.

•    It’s Battery-Powered: No need for an external power source, and it can brew and heat up to 4 shots per charge via USB-C.

•    This thing is also Easy to Use: It has simple, one-button operation.

•    For a battery operated device it has a pretty quick brew Time: The machine heats and brews in 30 to 45 seconds with hot water, or as quickly as 2 minutes 45 seconds with room-temperature water.

•    The Espresso Quality is Impressive for a portable device, with decent crema and rich flavor. It’s far better than hotel or backcountry coffee.

Moving on to the Cons now:

•    We will first take a look at Cost: At $149.99, it’s pricey but may be worth it if you love espresso.

•    The Battery Life is not great if you want to heat your water. 4 shots per charge is decent but may not be enough for longer trips without recharging. However, boiling the water first extends battery life, potentially lasting for up to 200 brews.

•    This machine has a Small Water Tank: The 80 ml capacity means you are making frequent refills if you are making coffee for more than one person.

•    Another con would be the Weight: At 1 lb 5 oz, it’s not ultralight. For ultralight backpackers, the extra weight might not be worth it for a cup of coffee.

•    For some the Temperature of the water might not be hot enough: The machine brews at up to 130°F, but preheating the water gives better results. If you’re in a hurry, boiling water first saves time and battery life.

So Who is this for?

If you can’t go without a quality espresso even while your miles from civilization, this portable espresso machine might be for you. It’s great for campers, hikers, and road trippers who want to elevate their outdoor coffee game. However, if you’re aiming for an ultralight pack, this might feel like unnecessary weight. Personally, I wouldn’t take this on a hunting trip due to the extra gear that I already carry, but I would bring it along on a backpacking or scouting trip. My wife definitely loves this machine, and she is going to make me take it with us on our feature outdoor adventures.

Conclusion:

To wrap this up, the Outin Nano Portable Espresso Machine is a fantastic gadget for coffee lovers who enjoy the outdoors. It’s easy to use, delivers surprisingly good espresso, and doesn’t require much setup or space. While the weight and battery life might be concerning for some, especially on longer trips, the convenience of brewing a fresh shot of espresso in the wild is hard to beat.

Closing:
Thanks for reading, and remember to stay connected to the wild! If you found this information helpful, subscribe to my mailing list for more outdoor gear reviews and adventures. You can also follow me on any of the woke media outlets—I mean, social media platforms—if you haven’t already ;). Leave a comment below to share your thoughts or let me know what gear you’re using for your coffee on the go. Once again, I’m Chris with Ignited by Nature. Until next time, guys and gals!