This Handpresso Wild Hybrid Coffee Machine review covers all that you need to know before you purchase this product. The Handpresso is a portable espresso machine that can produce one cup of espresso at a time. It is called a hybrid coffee machine because of the fact that it can use ground coffee as well as E.S.E. pods.
You can take this to work every morning or take it along with you during your travels. In fact, this machine is so light that you can put it in your backpack while you were hiking.
Customers have noted that Handpresso produces coffee that is comparable to the quality of espressos produced by high-end espresso machines.
Handpresso Wild Hybrid vs Nanopresso Coffee Machine
Handpresso Wild Hybrid Coffee Machine Features
Weight:
The Handpresso hybrid coffee machine is one of the most lightweight and compact espresso machines available on the market. It weighs only 11 pounds, thus allowing you to carry it around during your travels.
Dimensions:
The dimensions of the Handpresso are 8.5 x 3 x 4 inches. You can easily fit this into a backpack while hiking, or put it in your briefcase when you go to work in the morning.
16-bar pressure: The 16-bar pressure of this device resembles the pressure level in a bicycle air pump.
Ground coffee or E.S.E. pods:
With the Handpresso Wild hybrid coffee machine, you can use fine ground coffee or E.S.E. pods. Please see below for the definition of E.S.E. pods. One of the best E.S.E. pod-making companies is Illy. You can purchase Illy E.S.E. pods on Amazon. Illy is best known for its dark, rich, yet smooth espresso. By using E.S.E. pods, you can reduce the amount of time it takes to clean the coffee machine since all of the coffee grounds remain inside the pod.
1.5 Oz water reservoir:
The Handpresso comes with a 1.5 ounce water reservoir. This is enough for a regular cup of espresso, but not enough for a full cup of coffee.
2-year warranty:
The Handpresso has a 2-year warranty, so you can rest assured that if this thing breaks down, you can get a replacement.
Durable and lightweight:
The Handpresso was built to be lightweight so you can carry it around in your travels. Yet despite it being very light, it is also so super durable and will last you for years.
Cleaning:
Please don’t use any alcohol or detergent, and don’t use in the dishwasher. Simply rinse it off when you are done. Cleaning is easier after using the E.S.E. pods instead of the ground coffee.
What is an E.S.E. pod?
E.S.E. pod stands for Easy Serving Espresso pod. The pod consists of packed coffee made into a disc that has a paper filter covering. A pod contains 7 grams of coffee, while a double serving pod contains 14 grams of coffee.
The reason for its existence is the fact that espresso normally uses a very fine ground coffee, and it can be messy to clean up. With the E.S.E. pod, you simply put the pod into the espresso machine and let it do its thing. Once the brewing has completed, simply open the espresso machine and remove the pod to discard. It just leaves the espresso machine completely clean with only a slight need to rinse it off.
The benefits of pressure in making an espresso coffee
Most American-style coffees are made using the drip method. With the drip method, the ground beans are put into a filter and hot water is poured over. The water absorbs the flavors and the caffeine as it travels down into the cup. Espresso coffee uses a similar process, but the coffee and espresso comes from a finer, more heavily roasted ground coffee. This ground coffee is darker in color and more flavorful.
However, it is also the pressure used during the espresso brewing process that extracts the most flavor out of the beans. And this is why pressure is so important in espresso. Some espresso nerds are very particular about having their coffees taste rich and dark, while others prefer American style coffee using the drip method, as it has a simpler taste.
- Includes E.S.E. adapter for use with E.S.E. pods
HandPresso Pros
- It’s a way to travel light so you can even take it to work with you on a daily basis. Or, go hiking with it as you store it in your backpack.
- Makes a cup of espresso comparable to high-end espresso machines.
- Easy to pump up to the proper pressure.
HandPresso Cons
- Takes a while to get the hang of making the perfect cup of espresso.
- May get clogged if overusing with ground coffee.
The Verdict
We like the Handpresso because it is ultra-compact and will allow us to go hiking while being able to enjoy a really nice cup of espresso.
The Handpresso reminds us of the Aerobie Aeropress coffee maker, which we have also reviewed on this site.
The Aeropress uses the power of ‘total immersion in order to extract the richest possible flavor from finely ground coffee beans. The Aeropress is a travel coffee maker that produces one cup of coffee at a time. However, apart from being able to produce espresso coffee, it produces lattes, cappuccino, and American-style coffee.
In case you are interested in a coffee maker especially made for hiking, we would also like to mention the Jetboil Flash Java Kit coffee maker.
This one actually has a propane tank that attaches to it. You light up the flame by pressing the ‘on’ button, no need for matches. The Handpresso does not warm up the water itself, so water needs to be boiled before putting it into the device. If you do not have a means of boiling water, this could pose a potential issue while you are in the great outdoors. The Jetboil Flash Java Kit coffee maker solves this problem.
Have a look at our ***coffee maker reviews and see if there is one that meets your needs. All of the coffee makers featured in on the site are very popular and have excellent reviews so there is no going wrong!