Journal / Comparison · 7 min read ·
OutIn Nano 2 vs Wacaco Picopresso
Self-heating convenience against hand-pumped control. Two of the best portable espresso makers, compared on heat, shot quality, workflow and weight.
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Both machines make real, pressurized espresso in something the size of a water bottle. They just disagree about who does the work. The Nano 2 automates heat and pressure; the Picopresso hands both to you. Which one is better depends far more on how you travel than on the spec sheet.
How we compared
We lined up manufacturer specifications and independent reviews, then compared the two on what decides a portable espresso maker in practice: water heating, shot quality, workflow, weight and power. Neither brand paid to be here. If you buy through our Amazon links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Side by side
| OutIn Nano 2 | Wacaco Picopresso | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Battery, 5000 mAh (54 Wh), USB-C | None: hand pump |
| Heats water | Yes, to ~93 °C (~160 s for 50 ml) | No: needs water just off the boil |
| Max pressure | 21 bar | 18 bar |
| Basket / dose | 8 g, pressurized | 52 mm basket, up to 18 g |
| Capsules | Nespresso Original (adapter included) | No |
| Water tank | 50–85 ml | 80 ml |
| Weight | 740 g | 350 g |
| Grinder needed | No: pre-ground works well | Yes: fine, consistent espresso grind |
| Learning curve | Minimal | Steep at first |
| Where to buy | OutIn Nano 2 on Amazon | Wacaco Picopresso on Amazon |
Manufacturer figures and independent reviews.
1. OutIn Nano 2 (Best for convenience)
The Nano 2 removes the hardest part of making espresso away from home: hot water. Pour in 50–85 ml of water, even cold, and it heats it to about 93 °C, then pumps up to 21 bar with one button. It takes ground coffee or Nespresso Original capsules, and its 54 Wh battery gives up to 9 shots from room-temperature water. Read our full Nano 2 breakdown for every spec.
- Power
- 5000 mAh battery, 45 W USB-C PD
- Heats water
- Yes, ~160 s for 50 ml
- Pressure
- Up to 21 bar
- Weight
- 740 g
Why we like it
- No stove, kettle or thermos needed
- One-button shot, very little technique
- Works with ground coffee and Nespresso Original capsules
- Consistent results with pre-ground coffee
Keep in mind
- More than twice the weight of the Picopresso
- About 160 s of heating per shot from cold water
- Stock 8 g pressurized basket limits fine-tuning
- Needs charging (USB-C)
2. Wacaco Picopresso (Best for control)
The Picopresso is built for people who already know their way around an espresso machine. A standard 52 mm basket takes up to 18 g of coffee, a naked portafilter shows you the extraction, and a hand pump rated to 18 bar pulls a genuine double shot. It never needs charging. The price is workflow: no heater, water just off the boil every time, and a fine, consistent grind from a good burr grinder.
- Power
- Hand pump, no battery
- Heats water
- No: bring boiling water
- Pressure
- Up to 18 bar
- Weight
- 350 g
Why we like it
- Full 18 g double shot
- Café-level control over dose, grind and tamp
- Light, compact and solidly built
- Nothing to charge
Keep in mind
- Steep learning curve: expect a few practice shots
- Needs hot water and a capable grinder
- Messier to use and clean at camp
- No capsule option
Water heating: the biggest difference
This is the decision. The Nano 2 heats room-temperature water to about 93 °C by itself, so a bottle of water and some coffee is the entire kit. The Picopresso has no heater: you need water just off the boil every time, and reviewers recommend preheating the machine with hot water first. On a car-camping trip with a stove already running, that is no hardship. On a day hike, in a hotel room or at a desk without a kettle, it decides the matter for you.
Shot quality and control
The Picopresso is the enthusiast’s tool. Its 18 g basket lets you dial in dose, grind and tamp much like a home machine. The catch is that it rewards skill: reviewers needed a few attempts, a good burr grinder and an espresso roast to get it right.
The Nano 2 reaches higher peak pressure (up to 21 bar) and brews at a steady ~93 °C, but its stock 8 g pressurized basket is built for consistency rather than tuning. That basket is what makes pre-ground coffee and capsules taste good with no fuss, and it also leaves less room to experiment.
Workflow on the trail
OutIn Nano 2
- Add ground coffee to the basket, or a capsule to the adapter.
- Pour in 50–85 ml of water.
- Press the button: it heats, builds pressure and pulls the shot.
Wacaco Picopresso
- Boil water and preheat the machine.
- Grind finely, dose up to 18 g, distribute and tamp.
- Fill the tank with hot water, then pump: a few strokes to pre-infuse, then steady pumping through the shot.
The Picopresso gives you more to do and more to clean. The Nano 2 gives you more time to look at the view.
Size, weight and power
At 350 g the Picopresso weighs less than half of the 740 g Nano 2, and it never needs charging. The Nano 2’s extra weight is mostly battery and heater, which is exactly what replaces your stove. Its battery charges over 45 W USB-C PD in about 100 minutes and gives up to 9 shots from room-temperature water, or far more when you start with hot water.
The verdict: who should buy which
- Buy the OutIn Nano 2 for road trips, flights, office desks and beach days, if you drink Nespresso capsules, or if you simply want a good shot without a routine.
- Buy the Wacaco Picopresso if you are an experienced home barista, an ultralight packer who already carries a stove, or someone who enjoys the ritual of dialing in.
- Still deciding between more options? See our guide to the best portable espresso makers.
FAQ
Which makes better espresso, the Nano 2 or the Picopresso?
In skilled hands the Picopresso can pull a richer, more customizable double shot thanks to its 18 g basket. The Nano 2 makes consistently good shots with almost no technique, especially with pre-ground coffee or capsules.
Can the Picopresso use Nespresso capsules?
No. It is designed for ground coffee only. The OutIn Nano 2 takes Nespresso Original capsules with the included adapter.
Which is better for backpacking?
If you already carry a stove and count grams, the 350 g Picopresso. If you would rather not boil water at all, the Nano 2 replaces the stove for your coffee.
Do I need a grinder?
For the Picopresso, yes: it needs a fine, consistent espresso grind, ideally from a good burr grinder. The Nano 2’s pressurized basket works well with pre-ground coffee or capsules.
OutIn Nano 2: Self-heating, battery-powered, and small enough for a jacket pocket. Check price on Amazon