I ventured into the woods for an unexpectedly amazing espresso experience.

With summer back in full swing, I’m reminded of my outdoor limits: I can handle a heavy backpack, pesky bugs, muddy trails, and even bland dehydrated meals, but I absolutely won’t give up my morning coffee. Over the years, I’ve experimented with every coffee gadget imaginable while camping. From simple drip systems for ultralight backpacking to an AeroPress when I’m not counting every gram, French presses for bike trips, and small coffee makers for van adventures, I’ve tried it all. Yet, I always find myself gravitating back to handheld espresso makers for their taste, convenience, and undeniable gadget appeal. These compact machines deliver a decent espresso shot when there’s no barista in sight.

There are two main routes to take. The most affordable and user-friendly options revolve around Nespresso coffee capsules — just add cold water, press a button, and enjoy your brew. On the pricier side, you’ll find models that use ground coffee, catering to those who debate the merits of blade versus burr grinders. For the best of both worlds, hybrid machines that accommodate both coffee grounds and capsules are available. Regardless of the brand, many of these machines seem to come from the same factories in China. While Cera+ and OutIn are well-known names, you can also find plenty of budget-friendly options with quirky names on various online marketplaces.

I recently put the Ikape Kapo K2 Pro (58mm) portable espresso machine from Cera+ to the test. Priced at $239 but available for around $200, it exclusively uses ground coffee and offers precise control over temperature, flow speed, and extraction time. With a robust 20-bar pump and a 13,500mAh battery that charges via USB-C, it can manage about five 18-to-20-gram extractions with cold water. Preheating the water or using less will yield even more. Each extraction takes roughly three minutes, depending on how much water you use in the 80ml (2.7oz) reservoir.

In a blind taste test against a friend’s high-end La Marzocco espresso machine, the Ikape held its own surprisingly well. While neither of us could detect a significant difference, the owner of the fancy machine noted a more sour and less full-bodied flavor from the Ikape. Considering the price difference — $199 versus $5,000 — even he had to concede that the Italian machine didn’t produce an espresso that was 25 times better!

However, when I tested the Ikape with store-bought coffee grounds, the results were underwhelming, resembling what you’d get from a Nespresso capsule. To truly maximize the Ikape’s potential, you’ll need to bring along a grinder, which somewhat compromises its portability.

If you’re like me and enjoy coffee without being overly particular, the cleanup and complexity of the Ikape might not be worth it while traveling. It’s perfect for those who relish the anticipation of a great espresso brewed in unexpected places. When faced with the choice of coffee or no coffee, it’s hard to beat the “good enough” brew from those budget-friendly handheld espresso makers that use Nespresso-compatible capsules, especially when you can find generic machines for around $50. Plus, if you opt for official capsules, Nespresso makes it easy to collect and recycle those tiny aluminum pods.

Thoreau once urged us to “simplify, simplify.” What better way to embrace that philosophy than by dropping a coffee pod into a battery-powered thermos and letting modern technology do the work? You can still explore the great outdoors and savor every moment this summer; just make sure you’re well-caffeinated while doing it.