Wacaco

Wacaco – when espresso fits in your hand luggage

The idea originated in 2013 during a business trip. Hugo Cailleton, an industrial designer with a master's degree and years of experience in home espresso machine manufacturing, returned from a hotel frustrated with the espresso there. Shortly thereafter, he founded Wacaco in Hong Kong with co-founder Jessie Wang. Over ten prototypes later, the Minipresso was launched in 2014 – the world's first piston-driven handheld espresso machine.

This evolved into its own product family within ten years: Nanopresso (2017), Pipamoka (2019), Cuppamoka (2020), Picopresso (2021), Minipresso NS2 (2022), and since 2025, the Pixapresso, the first electric model. Each generation has won a design award. By 2019, Wacaco had produced over one million devices.

Which Wacaco model for which use case

When a Wacaco is right for you

Camping, mountain tours, hotel rooms, office meetings in the park, RVs, boats, coffee deserts on business trips – wherever a normal espresso machine doesn't go, a Wacaco goes. No power needed, 350 to 700 grams, compact. The Picopresso additionally needs hot water from any source. How you use it – that's up to you.

What goes with it

For a suitable hand grinder (especially for the Picopresso): 1Zpresso J-Max, Kinu M47, Comandante with espresso click. For a mid-range hand grinder: Timemore Chestnut C3 Pro. For a precise travel kettle: Brewista. For an espresso scale: Acaia Lunar or a compact travel scale. For tamping suitable for the Picopresso (52 mm): compact tamper from the Tamper Collection. For alternative home hand-lever setups: Flair Espresso, Aram, Superkop. For beans from our own roastery: CCC-Own Roasts – our Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight are travel-friendly and fit the Wacaco workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need electricity for a Wacaco?

For the models we carry, no. Picopresso, Nanopresso, Minipresso NS/NS2, and Minipresso GR are purely manual – you only need hot water. (The Pixapresso, Wacaco's first electric model since 2025, is not currently part of our range – ask us about availability.)

What is the difference between Picopresso and Nanopresso?

The Picopresso is the Pro version: 52mm bottomless portafilter, 18g filter basket, no pre-infusion mechanism – you work like with a desktop machine and need your own grinder, your own tamp. The Nanopresso is simpler and faster to use, with its own pumping system and integrated portafilter solution. Beginners and campers get along well with the Nanopresso, home baristas use the Picopresso.

What grind size for Picopresso?

Espresso-fine, similar to a regular portafilter machine. Slightly finer than for the Nanopresso. With Kinu M47, Comandante (espresso click) or 1Zpresso J-Max you can reliably achieve the grind size.

Can I use Nespresso capsules?

Yes, with Minipresso NS and NS2, as well as with the optional NS adapter for the Nanopresso. Compatible with Nespresso Original capsules and most third-party capsules.

How much pressure does a Wacaco generate?

The Nanopresso reaches up to 18 bar thanks to its patented pumping system. This is more than most home espresso machines, which typically operate at 9 bar. The Picopresso is in the same pressure range.

How do you clean a Wacaco?

Rinse after each shot, knock out the portafilter, disassemble and rinse components thoroughly every few weeks. Wacaco deliberately designed the maintenance concept to take only a few seconds – that's part of the design.