The 7 BEST Campervan Coffee Makers – Ultimate 2023 RV Guide

Welcome to our ultimate guide to the best campervan coffee makers you can find! Whether you’re looking for a single cup at a time or want to wake up to a fresh pot of coffee, this expert blog post will help you find a great coffee maker for your van.

Of all of the campervan accessories you need to fill your van, a coffee maker must make it to the top of the list! Treat yourself to a freshly brewed cup of coffee each morning by investing in a coffee maker for your campervan.

With the best RV coffee maker, you can enjoy deliciously aromatic coffee from the comfort of your van without ever stepping foot outside. Not to mention, brewing your own coffee tastes so much better than the barely-drinkable watered-down gas station coffee, right?

Although you might have a coffee maker in your home, shopping for an RV coffee maker is a little more complicated. If you’re planning on making coffee on the go, there are different features you’ll need to take into account, like size, power, and durability.

In this article, we’ll cover the specific things you should look for in an RV coffee maker and how the brewing method will vary depending on which type of machine you buy.

We’ll also share our favorite brands and models, so you’ll have a better idea of exactly which type of RV coffee make you’ll want to purchase.

PRODUCT

WHAT WE LIKE

THINGS TO CONSIDER

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AEROPRESS COFFEE AND ESPRESSO MAKER

EDITOR'S CHOICE

  • Portable, compact, and light

  • Affordable price point

  • Makes up to three cups

  • Easy to use and clean

  • American coffee or espresso

  • Requires disposable paper filters

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NINJA CE251 PROGRAMMABLE COFFEE BREWER

  • Can brew between 1 and 12 cups at a time

  • Ability to stay hot for four hours

  • 24-hour programmable option

  • Aesthetic stainless steel design

  • Large and heavy

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KEURIG K-MINI PLUS MAKER SINGLE SERVE COFFEE BREWER

  • Easy to use

  • No measuring thanks to k-cup coffee pods

  • Adjustable brew strength

  • Removable drip tray

  • Small and compact

  • Only can make one cup at a time

  • Can be noisy when brewing

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FARBERWARE 50124 CLASSIC YOSEMITE STAINLESS STEEL COFFEE PERCOLATOR

  • No electricity needed (just stovetop)

  • Affordable price point

  • Ability to brew up to 8 or 12 cups

  • Stays warm for hours

  • Dishwasher safe

  • No way to adjust strength or flavor

  • 12-minute longer than average run time

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COLEMAN CAMPING COFFEE MAKER

  • Up to 10 cups at a time

  • Easy to use with a camping stove

  • Nifty Pause N Serve feature

  • Expensive price point

  • Doesn't keep coffee warm for long periods

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BLACK+DECKER SCM2000BD SPACEMAKER UNDER THE CABINET COFFEE MAKER

  • Frees up counter space in small vans

  • Brews up to 8 cups

  • Automatic shutoff

  • Sneak a cup feature

  • Flimsy water reservoir

  • Requires installation and mounting

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BODUM 1928-16 CHAMBORD COFFEE MAKER

  • Brews up to 8 cups

  • No electricity needed

  • Dishwasher safe

  • Durable materials

  • Affordable price point

  • Small and compact

  • No adjustable settings

The Best Campervan Coffee Makers

As coffee fanatics, we took this list of best coffee makers very seriously. After researching the price, ease of use, durability, and size of numerous models, we came up with an exhaustive list of the best coffee maker machines for campervans and RVs.

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

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This is by far the best way to brew a coffee when living in a van, or even if you’re living at home and don’t want to buy an expensive coffee maker. In fact they even have Aeropress World Championships, that’s how good they are.

The AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker is the modern-day version of the common French press. It uses a rapid, immersion brewing process to produce a smooth, full-bodied cup of coffee without the bitterness or acidity that traditional French presses can have.

And, it has the capability to produce espresso so that you can whip up lattes or cappuccinos from the comfort of your campervan.

Ideal for small campervans or RVs, the AeroPress is small and compact and can be easily stored in a draw or bag when not in use.

And since it doesn’t require any electricity or power, it’s also an eco-friendly coffee maker that can be used hiking or camping. To clean, just rinse the press under water for a few seconds.

For the price, it’s a great option to make coffee while traveling. However, it does use specific filters that need to be replaced every so often, so that’s an additional cost you’ll need to take into account, unless you buy a metal filter to go with it, which we recommend.

PROSCONS
* Portable, compact, and light
* Affordable price point
* Makes up to three cups
* Easy to use and clean
* American coffee or espresso
* Requires disposable paper filters

Ninja CE251 Programmable Coffee Brewer

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Ninja is known for producing high-quality coffee makers, and the CE251 Programmable Brewer is no exception. This drip coffee maker has a 60-ounce removable water tank, so you can easily brew enough for everyone in your RV (although there is the option just to brew one or two cups at a time).

It also has an advanced broiling system and warming plate, so the glass carafe stays hot for over four hours after brewing.

When it comes to flavor, you can also choose between classic strength or rich brew. Classic strength is a lighter flavor that’s popular with drip coffee lovers, while the rich brew is stronger and more aromatic.

We love the 24-hour programmable option, which allows you to program the brewing processes up to a day in advance. That way, you can wake up to the mouthwatering smell of coffee without ever stepping foot into the kitchen.

The only downside is that the Ninja CE251 is large. It’s not the type of machine that you can just whip at the spur of the moment, so it will probably need to sit on your countertop even if it’s not being used.

PROSCONS
* Can brew between 1 and 12 cups at a time
* Ability to stay hot for four hours
* 24-hour programmable option
* Aesthetic stainless steel design
* Large and heavy

Keurig K-Mini Plus Maker Single Serve Coffee Brewer

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As one of the most user-friendly options we’ve seen, the Keurig K-Mini Plus Maker is a tough contender for the best coffee maker for RV owners. All you have to do is fill the water tank, drop in your favorite single serve k-cup coffee pod, and press the ‘on’ button on top.

You can also adjust the strength of your brew by clicking the strong button.

At just 12-inches high and 4.5-inches wide, it’s a small single-serve coffee maker that can be stored in even the smallest of spaces when not in use.

There’s also a small compartment in the back that holds up to 9 coffee pods at a time.

And it’s compatible with a k-cup reusable coffee filter, which you can fill up with your own coffee grounds if you prefer.

While it’s an ideal machine for single travelers, it’s not the most practical for large families or multiple travelers. The water reservoir only holds enough boiling water for one cup, so it needs to be refilled after each brew.

PROSCONS
* Easy to use
* No measuring thanks to k-cup coffee pods
* Adjustable brew strength
* Removable drip tray
* Small and compact
* Only can make one cup at a time
* Can be noisy when brewing

Farberware 50124 Classic Yosemite Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator

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The classic stainless steel design of this beautiful percolator is more than just a sight for sore eyes. It also our choice for one of the best RV coffee maker machines because it delivers high-quality coffee with every brew.

It comes in two sizes, 8 cup or 12 cup, and can be easily heated up on the stovetop.

The seal-tight lid guarantee that your coffee stays hot, even long after it has been removed from the stop. That way, you won’t have to keep going back to reheat the percolator when it’s time for another cup.

Unlike other coffee makers on this list, this stainless steel percolator doesn’t come with fancy features or multiple settings. But for a quick caffeine fix, you don’t have to rely on expensive high-tech RV coffee makers.

You can still enjoy the wonderful taste of freshly brewed coffee with this affordable and easy-to-use Farberware percolator.

PROSCONS
* No electricity needed (just stovetop)
* Affordable price point
* Ability to brew up to 8 or 12 cups
* Stays warm for hours
* Dishwasher safe
* No way to adjust strength or flavor
* 12-minute longer than average run time

Coleman Camping Coffee Maker

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If you only have a portable camping stove, you can still have a travel mug full of coffee with the Coleman Camping Coffee Maker.

Coleman is one of the most reputable camping brands in the industry, and this durable coffee maker is a durable product that will survive even the most rugged of camping trips.

Coleman also designed this coffee pot with impatient drinkers in mind – the Pause N Serve mechanism allows you to pour yourself a cup while it’s still in the brewing process.

It can also produce up to 10 cups of coffee with just one brewing cycle and has a removable filter basket that can be easily cleaned once you’re done.

Although the Coleman Camping Coffee Maker is a great addition to your outdoor kitchen equipment, it doesn’t have one minor flaw.

The glass carafe doesn’t keep the coffee hot for as long as you might want, which can be a problem if you’re camping outdoors for the night. However, the coffee tastes so good that you’ll probably want to brew multiple pots anyway!

PROSCONS
* Up to 10 cups at a time
* Easy to use with a camping stove
* Nifty Pause N Serve feature
* Expensive price point
* Doesn’t keep coffee warm for long periods

BLACK+DECKER SCM2000BD SpaceMaker Under The Cabinet Coffee Maker

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Out of all the coffee machines we’ve seen for small RVs and vans, the Black + Decker SpaceMaker Under The Cabinet Coffee Maker is the most practical. This eight-cup coffee machine is mounted right underneath your cabinet, so it doesn’t require any counter space whatsoever.

Besides excelling at the basic process of making a good cup of coffee, this Black + Decker coffee maker also has few other noteworthy features.

The double-lined thermal carafe keeps coffee warm for hours, while the “sneak-a-cup” feature allows you to pour yourself a cup midway, so you don’t have to wait for the entire brewing process to finish.

There’s also a freshness indicator, auto-off function, and a 24-hour programmable digital LED screen.

The removable water reservoir is easy to fill and clean, although it’s not as durable as other machine boiling water tanks. You’ll just need to make sure you are extra careful when removing it from the machine.

PROSCONS
* Frees up counter space in small vans
* Brews up to 8 cups
* Automatic shutoff
* Sneak a cup feature
* Flimsy water reservoir
* Requires installation and mounting

Bodum 1928-16 Chambord Coffee Maker

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Love the fresh, aromatic flavors from a pour-over coffee machine or French press? Well, the Bodum 1928-16 Chambord Coffee Maker is one of the best camping coffee press makers out there.

The stainless steel design can hold up to 8 cups, and the heat-resistant borosilicate glass guarantees that you’re coffee will stay hot until it’s finished. All the materials are dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to clean and maintain while you’re on the road.

Because the Bodum French Press doesn’t require electricity or power, it is ideal for campers or travelers who are always on the go.

And it has a patented safety lid that prevents leaks and spills if tipped over (which is super handy if you’re waiting for it to brew while someone is driving).

We also love the reusable filter, which is also an eco-friendly alternative to the disposable paper filters that come with most other coffee pot designs.

This classic, stainless steel French press is a timeless RV coffee maker that can be used indoors, outdoors, or at home, making it one of the best coffee makers all around.

PROSCONS
* Brews up to 8 cups
* No electricity needed
* Dishwasher safe
* Durable materials
* Affordable price point
* Small and compact
* No adjustable settings

Choosing the Best Campervan Coffee Maker

Now let’s dive deep into our expert guide on how to choose a coffee maker for your RV, campervan or motorhome.

Types of Coffee Makers

As you have seen above, there are all types of brewing methods for coffee. Here are the most common ones you need to choose between.

Single-serve

A single-serve coffee machine is the best product if you’ve never owned an espresso or coffee maker before. They are fairly straightforward to use and don’t require you to measure coffee grounds or have complex barista knowledge. With just one push of a button, you’ll have one freshly brewed cup of coffee in a matter of seconds.

Most single-serve machines use ground coffee pods, while others can make coffee using a reuseable pot that you fill with your own coffee grounds.

The biggest downside to single-serve machines is the price. Because they are so convenient and user-friendly, they are often more expensive compared to other RV coffee maker types.

Multi-serve

If you’re not alone when you travel, then a multi-cup coffee maker is a no brainer. These machines allow you to choose the amount of coffee you want to make, from a single-cup for one person all the way to an entire carafe for the whole family.

Drip coffee pots, percolators, or large French press devices are just a few examples of popular multi-serve machines.

Generally speaking, multi-serve machines take more skill and effort than single-serve machines since you’ll require to measure the desired amount of ground coffee. However, it’s an efficient model that saves time, so you won’t spend all morning brewing individual cups for each of your friends.

Percolator

Before there was the drip machine, there was the percolator. This time-tested device produces blazingly hot coffee with a strong aroma in just a matter of minutes. Traditional percolators are heated up over the stovetop, while more modern versions are electric.

Although they are relatively foolproof, stovetop percolators can burn your coffee if left on too long, so it’s important to monitor it while it’s heating up. But it’s a cost-affordable option and one of the easiest to use RV coffee makers out there.

Pour-over

A cool alternative to the typical electric 12v coffee maker is a pour-over device. The most popular type of pour-over coffee maker is the French press.

Another common pour-over machine is the funnel. The funnel is placed on top of your coffee mug with a coffee filter, and hot water is poured over the coffee grounds in batches. Depending on the amount of ground coffee you use, a pour-over system can brew a single cup or multiple cups of coffee.

Pour-over coffee creates a gentle yet full-bodied flavor, which many coffee enthusiasts admire. However, the entire process to brew coffee can be very time consuming, as you’ll have to be delicate while measuring the grounds and pouring the water. It also takes practice and time to make sure your coffee is the perfect flavor and consistency.

Drip

When you picture an RV coffee maker, chances are, you picture a drip machine. Drip coffee makers are easy to use, making them a popular choice for restaurants, homes, and campervans.

The coffee grounds are added to a filter inside the machine, while water is loaded into the attached water tank. The hot water then filters through the grounds and drips into a glass container. Drip coffee makers can produce multiple cups of coffee at a time, so it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re traveling with your family.

Under-the-cabinet

Ideal for small RVs or campervans, an under-the-cabinet coffee maker is a space-saving alternative to many bulky machines on this list. As the name implies, it’s mounted under your cabinet, freeing up your counter space while also allowing you to have access to freshly brewed coffee every morning.

Although practical, under-the-cabinet coffee makers aren’t as popular as other types, so there are a limited number of products available on the market.

French press campervan coffee maker
A french press is a common campervan coffee maker for its simplicity.

Factors to Consider

Power source

Not all RV coffee makers require electricity, although the ones that do can have a significant power draw against your battery. If you’re living off the grid, it’s important to find one that doesn’t require a large amount of energy to operate.

If power is a major concern, then you might be better off purchasing a stovetop percolator or French press coffee maker instead.

Cleaning

The more you use your coffee machine, the more often you’ll have to clean it. An easy-to-clean coffee machine is an important factor to take into consideration, especially if you’re brewing coffee every day while you’re on the road.

Some machines can be simply wiped with soap and hot water, while others need to be cleaned with a solution of water and vinegar. Drip coffee pots also have to be washed after each use, although some of them can be washed in the dishwasher (if you’re lucky to have one in your van).

Space required

As most van lifers know, space can be very limited inside your vehicle, which means you should consider the coffee machine’s size before purchasing. While many electric machines can be stored when they’re not in use, they still take up valuable counter space or cabinet space in your van.

A pour-over machine is the most space-saving option, as it’s small, compact, and portable. Single-serve machines can also be small, although their water tanks usually take up a lot of space too.

campervan coffee maker

Ease of use

Unless you’ve been trained as a barista, it can be overwhelming to know how to brew the perfect cup of coffee. While some coffee addicts swear by manual espresso machines, most RV and van owners prefer something that’s simpler and easier to use.

Many single-serve, multi-serve, or percolator machines can brew coffee with just a press of a button, which is great for travelers who don’t want to spend all morning in the kitchen. And they turn off once they’re done, so they don’t have to be constantly monitored.

Other machines, like pour-overs, require a more hands-on approach. There isn’t one type that is better than the other, but it’s something to keep in mind before buying an RV coffee maker.

Budget

The price range of coffee makers varies wildly depending on the model, brand, and added features. French press coffee or camping espresso maker styles don’t require electricity, so they tend to be cheaper than a lot of other high-tech models. You can easily find a durable non-electric multi-cup coffee maker for $15 to $35.

A mid-range drip coffee pot or percolator can cost anywhere from $40 to $70, with high-end models hovering around $100 a machine. Many of these 8, 10, 0r 12 cup coffee machines can make coffee for many people at a time, which is great for multiple travelers.

A single-serve coffee maker can be the most expensive type of coffee maker for RV owners. Generally speaking, you can spend upwards of $100 to $150 for these types of machines.

Quality

Just like the quality of your coffee beans, the quality of your coffee maker also makes a huge difference. Why invest in a good roast if the machine isn’t able to produce a great cup of coffee?

While higher-quality products are more expensive, they do tend to be more efficient and easier to use. They also should last longer than cheaper models, which inevitably will save you money in the long run.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase a product we recommend using the links in this article, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We promise to use this pocket money to buy lots of coffee and fuel for the campervan to keep us enjoying #VanLife for just a little longer. We appreciate your support, and only recommend products we know and trust. Thank you friends!

About the Author - Alesha and Jarryd - Van Life Theory

Hi! We're Alesha and Jarryd, the founders of Van Life Theory! We're currently travelling around Australia in our 2008 Mercedes Sprinter campervan and sharing our best experiences, stories, reviews and adventures as we go along. Make sure you follow along on our Instagram and YouTube!

2 thoughts on “The 7 BEST Campervan Coffee Makers – Ultimate 2023 RV Guide”

  1. Hi. I appreciate the review of coffee makers. You mention that power source should be considered but you didn’t mention the wattage requirements of all of your recommendations. Do you have these and can you recommend a coffee maker (and size) that uses <850W? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi Stephen, we have an Aeropress. This one does not need any electricity. We have always travelled with one and love it. When we got the campervan, we just bought this into our van. The other suggestions are from our writers and friends (most are in the USA).
      As the for the watts, not too sure about this one.

      What I have found on the internet is
      When making coffee the coffee machine will use around 300 to 600 watts for 2 cups of coffee and 1000 to 1500 watts for 8-10 cups of coffee. We estimate that an average coffee maker will use 800 watts to produce 4 cups of coffee in 10 minutes. This is for a brewer.

      Maybe check out the ones for the stove or a hand held one, like the Aeropress.

      Reply

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