Wacaco Pixapresso

We are very familiar with the Wacaco brand and their manual espresso makers, so we were really surprised to see the arrival of their first electric portable espresso maker. Don’t let the term electric put you off, we are not talking about being tethered to the mains, as it comes with a rechargeable battery pack. At 7.4D x 7.4W x 18.1H cm it is small enough to slip into a backpack or keep in a work drawer but still manages to deliver a rich and satisfying shot that feels close to what you would expect from a traditional machine at home. The build quality is solid with a smooth compact shape that feels comfortable in the hand and sturdy enough for travel.

The battery pack tackles the challenge their classic machines faced, which would mean you need to carry hot with you to make the espresso. Whereas this model can heat water on its own! There is no need to carry a separate kettle because the Pixapresso includes an internal heater with a choice of preset temperatures. This makes it ideal for places where you would not normally be able to make good coffee such as on a train journey or during a long walk in the countryside. It uses a powerful internal pump that creates enough pressure (290 PSI/ 20 Bars) for genuine espresso with a noticeable crema on top.

The Pixapresso also gives you choice when it comes to how you make your drink. You can use freshly ground coffee if you want full control over flavour or you can use compatible capsules if you are in a hurry. It can produce different styles including ristretto, espresso, double espresso or a longer lungo drink and there is a pre infusion setting which allows the coffee to bloom before extraction for improved taste. It comes with a basket size of 8g-16g and the water tank holds up to 120ml.

Battery life is reasonable although not endless. You can make five espresso shots from cold water before it needs to be charged again and using preheated water will help the battery last longer. It takes 180 seconds to get the water to the correct temperature.

It is so easy to use with an intuitive touch screen control, cleaning is simple and most parts are easy to rinse and ready to go again.
Overall the Wacaco Pixapresso is a great addition to the portable espresso making family and very practical solution for coffee lovers. The down sides are the battery life is limited, and a full recharge takes 2.5hrs long. Without a manual option on this unit you can’t travel too far until needs a power top up. The coffee as always has an excellent flavour with a beautiful crema on top. The Pixapresso offers good flexibility and impressive convenience, we love that we can final ditch the thermos and heat the water when needed. RRP £147.90

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