AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press Review
Quick Overview:
The AeroPress Go makes great coffee and is fairly easy to use. If you like a great cup of coffee when camping or traveling then this is for you. French Press and Pour Over are still a lot to deal with on the trail, but the AeroPress is as easy as it is going to get for those that demand good coffee in the backcountry.
Our Recommendation
Cons:
- Rubber Travel Lid Doesn’t always Fit Right
- Limited Capacity (this is a personal maker)
Everything That Is Included In The Box
First Release Of AeroPress in 2005
When the original AeroPress came out in 2005, it was a big deal. Offering the ability to brew low-acidity espresso style coffee at home with remarkable consistency, the AeroPress gained a cult-like following almost immediately.
When I first heard that AeroPress was releasing a new version of their classic press a couple years ago, I knew I just had to try it out. As it turns out, the AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press is an improvement on what was already a pretty great coffee maker.
The AeroPress Go is essentially a scaled-down version of the original, designed to fit inside a carrying case that doubles as a mug. It’s much better for travel, and as someone who frequently goes on extended camping trips, bicycle excursions and backcountry treks, the idea of an easily-portable coffee press is endlessly appealing.
First Impressions of the AeroPress Go
The differences between the original AeroPress and the Aeropress Go are immediately apparent as soon as you take it out of the box. The whole kit comes tucked inside its carrying case/mug, with a rubbery silicone lid that keeps it all secure.
Upon closer inspection, there are a few things that have been changed from the original. The AeroPress Go is a bit smaller—about an inch shorter vertically—and has been rounded off around the base. It makes 8 oz. of coffee compared to the original AeroPress’ 10 oz. capacity.
AeroPress chamber and plunger – These are the basic, functional components of the Aeropress, along with the filter cap that screws onto the bottom of the chamber. Other than being scaled-down and slightly rounded at the edges, they’re basically the same as the original AeroPress (which is not a bad thing).
Mug with lid – The mug that comes with the AeroPress Go doubles as a carrying case. It’s a convenient addition. I know that a lot of campers and backpackers already have a camp mug that they really like, but even so, this one is nice because it’s sized just right for the base of the press, and is also fairly well-insulated. The lid, in addition to keeping the whole package closed, could double as a makeshift coaster.
Coffee scoop – The scoop that comes with the AeroPress Go is handy for getting the proportions of coffee grounds and water just right. Definitely a good addition to the setup.
Stirring stick – The AeroPress Go comes with a folding stirrer that looks a little like a hockey stick. Personally, I carry a titanium spork when I’m backpacking, so I don’t use the stirring stick much. But it stows away inside the AeroPress nicely, so why not?
Aeropress filters and filter case – A box of 350 filters comes with the AeroPress Go. There’s also a slim plastic carrying case that will hold up to 20 filters—enough for most camping trips, at any rate. Personally, I don’t have much confidence in the case’s ability to keep the filters dry in rainy conditions, but at least it keeps them organized.
It’s also possible to get a reusable metal filter for your AeroPress Go. Personally, I like the paper filters because they eliminate sediment from my coffee cup, and a whole pack of 350 replacement filters only costs about $5.
Using the AeroPress Go
There are a couple of different methods for making coffee with an AeroPress, and I’m not going to go into exacting detail for each one. Ultimately, the AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press works in exactly the same way the classic AeroPress did. If you know how to use the old one, you’ll get the hang of the new one immediately.
In case you’ve never used an AeroPress before, it’s essentially a plunger-like apparatus that combines elements of a French press and a pour over system. The most simple way to use it is to put a filter and coffee grounds into one cylinder (the chamber) and use the other cylinder (the plunger) to press hot water through the grounds and into your mug.
As to the quality of the coffee itself, I was always impressed by the results of the classic AeroPress. As far as I can tell, the AeroPress Go produces an identical brew.
As long as you’re starting out with fresh, high-quality beans, the resulting coffee will be rich, flavorful, well-balanced and lower in acidity compared to drip coffee. It’s a lot of fun to experiment with different styles and amounts of coffee grounds, but once you’ve dialed it in, the AeroPress Go makes it easy to get a consistent cup of coffee every time.
Step 1: Push the plunger out of the chamber where it’s stored.
Step 2: Put a filter in the filter cap and twist the filter cap onto the chamber.
Step 3: Stand the chamber on the mug.
Step 4: Put one rounded scoop of grounds, and fill the press up to the (1) mark to make a small cup of espresso-style coffee.
Step 6: Stir for about 10 seconds and ENJOY!
Is It Better Than the Original AeroPress?
The choice between an original AeroPress and an AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press isn’t so much about which one is better or worse.
It’s more a question of what best meets your needs.
If you already own an AeroPress, and use it to make your daily coffee, then you probably won’t find that the AeroPress Go is a superior option for day-to-day household use.
Where the AeroPress Go really shines is in its portability. It’s compact and easy to toss in your backpack when you’re ready to hit the trail. The AeroPress Go is lightweight—just 11.5 oz, including the case and accompanying parts—and the chamber and plunger are made out of a copolyester plastic that’s pretty much indestructible.
Anyone who often makes coffee outdoors will find it a perfect centerpiece to their minimalist backcountry brewing setup.
Are there downsides to the AeroPress Go?
Its reduced capacity is one potential drawback, especially if you’re in a situation where you want to make coffee for more than one person.
I could also quibble about the design of the plastic cup, which is not very aesthetically pleasing, and I find it a little awkward in my hand. Ultimately, I prefer my own camp mug. But the fact that the cup doubles as a carrying case for the AeroPress Go is a clever bit of engineering, so I can’t fault it too much.
At the end of the day, the AeroPress Go is very convenient for travel, and much like its predecessor, it makes excellent coffee very quickly, and with minimal mess or fuss. It’s become one of my favorite travel coffee devices, whether I’m heading off into the woods or staying at a hotel or Airbnb.
The AeroPress Go is also quite affordable, which is always appreciated. It’s about the same price as the original AeroPress, so whichever one you decide to try, you won’t have to invest all that much.
Alan Dale is an experienced backpacker and adventure sports athlete who pays the bills by writing. Married with a small brood, Alan often has his kids in tow on many of his adventures. You can visit Alan here: https://siralandale.com/
