This Handheld Rapid Coffee Maker Is ‘Consistently Exceptional’ — And Only $45

All you folks out there looking to save on your coffee-shop expenditures probably already know that the simplest solution is an at-home coffee maker. But that can be easier said than done, as anyone who’s had to shell out for a pricey model, clear off valuable counter space or contend with complicated cleanup can tell you. So we knew we had a gem on our hands when we found a no-electricity, under-$50 rapid brewer that makes what reviewers call “the best tasting cup of coffee in my life” in minutes and is portable enough to stow in your bag and take anywhere.

The OXO Brew rapid brewer is about the size of a large travel mug. It has a built-in stainless steel filter and a rainmaker showerhead that evenly distributes water across all of the coffee grounds for a strong, flavorful cup of joe. Operating it couldn’t be easier: Just add your coffee grounds, tamp them down, screw on your basket of hot or cold water and let it steep.

Once ready, pump the coffee down into the included carafe (which you can flip over and store on the top of the pump as a lid to make the brewer more compact when not in use). Cold brew takes five minutes, and hot coffee takes just two. Once you’re done, you’ll have concentrated coffee that you can add water or milk to and use for a wide range of coffee drinks, like Americanos, cappuccinos and more. All parts of the brewer are dishwasher-safe except for the pump, too, making cleanup incredibly easy.

The speed doesn’t skimp on flavor, either. “The taste of the coffee is consistently exceptional. It achieves that elusive balance of rich extraction without bitterness,” one reviewer wrote. “I believe this is due to its precise temperature control and the rainmaker shower head, which evenly saturates the coffee grounds. Every cup tastes clean, vibrant, and full-bodied, rivaling coffee from much more expensive machines or even my favorite local coffee shop.”

Shoppers across the board appear to be in agreement on this front, calling it a “major upgrade” to their regular morning coffee. One Target reviewer claimed, “I am even tempted to pitch the big machine in favor of this device.”

The cordless portability of the brewer has also gained it some fans: Reviewers mention taking it with them on camping trips and to hotels. (If you’ve ever been grossed out by the potential germiness of a hotel Keurig, you’re not wrong — they can be pretty filthy.)

The OXO brewer is “a real improvement over those hotel coffee makers, when you can’t be sure WHAT’s been run through them or if they’ve ever been fully cleaned!” one reviewer pointed out. “This press is enough of a fixture in my travel kit now that I’ve also invested in a small dual voltage kettle — and now I have GOOD coffee on demand, day or night. Worth the price for a quality coffee maker!”

The brewer has also garnered favorable comparisons to Aeropress, a more well-known portable rapid brewer with a similar mechanism. The OXO brewer and Aeropress cost around the same amount, but reviewers of the OXO version that have tried both say it’s easier to use and, unlike the Aeropress, doesn’t require buying and using filters. One person even said they wanted to buy some OXO brewers for their Aeropress-owning friends as gifts. “I’ve used [an] Aeropress for years, and feel like I am making better coffee with this one,” another wrote of the OXO version.

Simply put, it sounds like you can’t go wrong with this rapid brewer for better, cheaper coffee at home and on the go. Below, find some more promising reviews that drive home just how much of a game-changer this brewer can be for coffee lovers.

“A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning a spill on my kitchen floor and looked up at the spout on my Keurig. I was horrified to find mold all over the the underside of the spout where the steam rises, and even though I regularly clean it, I did not want to subject myself to that. I wanted an alternative that was easy to clean, small enough for my tiny kitchen, and not fussy – no delicate parts or nooks and crannies.

I’m so glad I found this brewer – I was skeptical after trying and failing at the French press. But this is so much easier and cleaner. …

To say I’m obsessed with this brewer is an understatement. … it’s totally silent, it’s lightweight, no plugs/batteries, and it’s SO easy to clean because the water chamber never touches the coffee grounds. I love that I’m not buying plastic pods anymore. The hardest part is remembering to set a timer so I don’t let the brewed coffee sit too long and get bitter. I can’t speak yet to its durability but it does feel very solid and I would be totally comfortable taking this on a trip.” — Leigh (This review has been edited for length. Read the full review.)

“We are big coffee snobs and LOVE this thing! A good mix between an aero press, French press, and shot of espresso. So easy to clean and you can’t mess it up.” — Carolyn George

“This makes delicious coffee concentrate for using with foamed milk to make a latte, or with water to make an americano, that is honestly better than what you can get in coffee shops. I guess you can’t call it espresso but that’s ok because what comes out of this tastes better than espresso.

I have long been an aeropress user, which I like, but I think the Oxo design is that much better to produce a consistently perfect cup every time. I grind my beans fine at Costco (3 out of 10 on their fineness scale) and tamp down tightly, and have minimal drippage before pumping.” — Strick

“This is a shockingly good brewer especially for the price! If you enjoy ultralight roasts, this is the maker for you, as it can make coffee without high pressures used in regular espresso machines….leading to smoother, brighter coffees!” — J Madison Torrence

“Skip the coffee shop and get this! Once again, OXO’s smart engineering and thoughtful design has elevated an old product into something brilliant. This is a French press for the modern day. The coffee produced is fast and fool-proof and somehow better than the best standard French press coffee. The compact design (with everything nestled into its own place) is perfect for a small kitchen, office, or for travel. I did not know I needed a better coffee maker, but I found one anyway!” — HRD

Looking for more great, simple coffee makers? Check out these highly-rated options from a list curated by the HuffPost Shopping team:

Amazon

Mueller Living French press

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars and over 35,000 Amazon ratings

Mueller’s French press is as elegant as it is easy to use and effective at making delicious coffee. It has a four-level filtration system that stops coffee grounds and sediment from contaminating the beverage but lets the coffee oils through. It’s dishwasher-safe and rust-proof and includes a matching travel canister that can hold beans or grounds for two full batches, making it perfect for camping or other travels.

Promising review: “I like that this particular french press is built sturdy and made to last. It’s pretty convenient and once you figure out the water to coffee ratio, the flavor is unmatched. Leakage hasn’t been an issue. The handle never gets hot, and the size is just right for my partner and I. It’s easily portable and simple to clean. It looks nice on my counter, and doesn’t take up a bunch of space… or require a plug in. It works for my lifestyle. Honestly it doesn’t take that much more time to brew a pot -as compared to a standard coffee pot. If you prefer good taste and more control over your brew then the little bit of extra time isn’t going to be a deal breaker. I bought the larger size Considering we are big coffee drinkers. Its Worth the price.” — Milla taylor

$55 at Amazon

$55 at Walmart

Amazon

Aeropress coffee and espresso maker

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars and over 25,000 Amazon ratings

The AeroPress is quickly becoming a popular French press alternative among enthusiasts. It quickly and easily makes tasty, smooth and deliciously full-flavored coffee while eliminating bitterness, acidity and grit. The lightweight, small and durable design makes it incredibly portable, so you can take it on the go no matter where you may be. It comes in two sizes.

Promising review: “This makes an excellent cup of coffee quickly and without a lot of waste (filter paper, pod, etc). It’s easy to adjust the strength to your own taste by varying quantity of beans, grind size, how long it “steeps” etc. I started years ago with an Aeropress for travel and then took if to Scotland for six months in 2021. While I was there I just stopped using the pour over method I was used to in favor of the Aeropress. My original one is still working after more than 10 years although I’ve replaced the plunger seal but I needed a new one s I’d have one for travel and one for at home.” — classicboomer

10 ounces: $35+ at Amazon (regularly $50)

8 ounces: $40 at Target

Amazon

Bialetti Moka Express

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars and over 33,000 Amazon ratings

Made in Italy, the Bialetti Moka Express is the original moka coffee pot for stovetop espresso. It is beautifully crafted with a patented safety valve and easy-to-clean features that make it a wonderful alternative to investing in a massive espresso machine. It’s available in one-, three-, six-, and 12-cup sizes.

Promising review: “I have tried pour-over, standard drip coffee, Starbucks, French press… you name it. But every time I come back to my Moka Pot, I am always like, “Ahhhhhh!! That’s so good!!” It is like night and day better than other methods. I don’t know the mechanics of how the magic happens except that perhaps the steam is just super gentle on the ground beans and knows how to bring out the very best in them. I add a small bit of cream and I am in heaven. It is easy to use and is also a beautiful piece of art in its own right. Highly recommended!” — Jack’s Girl

$30+ at Amazon

$50+ at Sur La Table

The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.

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