For a lot of us, camping comes with a coffee craving. An espresso at sunrise or next to the campfire is one of the small pleasures of a trip. For a long time, getting a real espresso away from a café meant bulky gear and a lot of steps.
The WACACO Minipresso NS2 is a small manual machine that makes espresso from NS capsules. I’ve been using it on my latest trips, and I’m impressed by how much it manages in such a small package.
What’s in the box
A compact, hand-operated espresso maker for NS Original capsules and compatibles. It builds up to 18 bar of pressure for a shot with crema, and its shell is made with wheat-based polymers.
What we like
- Compact (12.9 cm long)
- Very light for backpacking (290 g)
- Consistent, rich 18 bar pressure
- Integrated water tank for less fuss
- Eco-friendly biomass materials
What we don’t
- Need separate hot water source
- 80 ml capacity is a small shot
- Non-original capsules can be tricky
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | WACACO |
| Capacity | 80 ml of water |
| Material | PA66Biomass PPStainless SteelSilicone |
| Colour options | Coal BlackStone Beige |
| Weight | 290 g |
| Size | 12.9 × 6 × 7 cm |
| Pressure | Up to 18 bar |
| Compatibility | Nespresso Original capsules |
| Operation | Manually OperatedNo battery/electricity |
First look
The first thing I noticed when the box arrived is how small the Minipresso NS2 is. I’ve held portable coffee makers before, but this one fits in the palm of my hand. Ours is the Stone Beige, which looks good; it also comes in Coal Black. It feels solid for its size, yet at 290 grams it adds almost nothing to my backpack.
The shape is smooth and rounded, a nice change from the bulkier gear I usually carry. The parts fit together cleverly: the water tank is now built in, and the small espresso cup doubles as a protective cover for the whole unit.
Materials & Build QualityMaterials & Build Quality
WACACO has made the Minipresso NS2 tough enough for travel while using more sustainable materials. The outer shell is made with polymers that include wheat-based material. Even so, the body is solid and rigid, and it handles the knocks of travel.
The pump, which has to create all that pressure, feels strong. Nothing is flimsy and nothing creaks; everything fits together tightly. I don’t think twice about throwing it into my hiking pack.
Ergonomics & WeightErgonomics & Weight
The NS2 works entirely by hand, so how it feels to hold matters. It has a rounded-square shape that gives a secure grip while I pump, even with cold or slightly wet hands. Pumping is smooth thanks to the new, larger piston. A steady rhythm builds the pressure without much force.
It’s simple: pump a few times to build pressure, then keep pumping gently to extract the espresso. At 290 grams and only 12.9 cm long, I often forget it’s in my pack until I want a coffee.
Performance & FeaturesPerformance & Features
The real test is the shot, and the Minipresso NS2 makes a good one. It reaches up to 18 bar, which is in line with many home machines, and that pressure is what gives a proper espresso with a thick layer of golden crema. You drop an NS capsule into the head, add hot water to the tank and start pumping. It’s simple and quick.
The built-in drip tray is new on this model and catches the last drips, which keeps things clean when you brew in a tent or the car. The machine doesn’t heat the water. I bring hot water in a thermos or boil it on a small camp stove. The shots are consistent and taste rich, and they’ve changed my mornings outdoors for the better.
Which Wacaco?
We’ve also reviewed the Wacaco Minipresso GR, the version for ground coffee. It’s a little bigger and heavier, and you have to knock out the grounds and rinse it after each shot, but it takes any coffee you like and costs less. The NS2 is the quicker, cleaner option if you’re happy with capsules.
This one Minipresso NS2 | Ground coffee Minipresso GR | |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | NS capsules | Ground |
| Water tank | 80 ml | 70 ml |
| Size | 12.9 × 6 × 7 cm | 17.5 × 7 × 6 cm |
| Weight | 290 g | 379 g |
| Price paid | $90 | $70 |
| Our score | 9.3 | 8.9 |
Conclusion: WACACO Minipresso NS2 Portable Espresso MakerConclusion
The WACACO Minipresso NS2 makes a real espresso from NS capsules in a 290 g machine that fits in your palm. It’s easy to use, solidly built and gives a consistent shot with crema. You need your own hot water, each shot is a small 80 ml and non-original capsules can be tricky. If you love espresso and want it on the trail without fuss, it’s one of the best choices around.
The hand-powered Minipresso NS2 weighs only 290 grams and fits in a pack easily.
It reaches 18 bar with a smooth pumping action and makes a consistent espresso with good crema. The built-in water tank and drip tray keep brewing and cleaning up simple.
- Hikers
- Campers
- Coffee lovers
Yes. 18 bar of pressure in a 290 g unit makes proper capsule espresso for the price. You need a separate source of hot water and it makes a small 80 ml shot.
