Reviewing all the top coffee machines is a surefire way to become one of those people who turns down instant coffee. That's right, I've become the sort of person who brings their own brewer on vacation, so when I saw that AeroPress had brought out a new and (seemingly) improved version of its Go coffee maker, I jumped at the chance to test it.
At Tom's Guide, we're pro-AeroPress. Many members of the team use theirs either at the office or when working from home to make easy home-brewed pour-over coffee. And with so many recipes to try out, it's the perfect bit of kit to start to get technical with your brew.
But one of the best parts of the AeroPress is its portability. My Fellow Aiden doesn't fit in my carry-on (if it did, I'd take it everywhere), but the humble AeroPress can slot into any rucksack, and you can also buy carry cases and a heap of different accessories from the likes of Amazon.
But the Go Plus finds a way to slot everything you need to make a great brew (you know, aside from hot water and coffee grounds) into one travel mug. And the whole thing slots together, from the AeroPress Clear itself to the little foldable plastic stirrer you use when brewing, meaning you can take your entire setup in even the most packed of bags.
The whole thing is a great idea. So it's a shame that the mug lets it down.
It's packed with space-saving features
I let out a little coo of delight when I found the AeroPress filters tucked neatly into the base of the Go Plus travel mug. How cool is that? It keeps them dry and safe, and you could also store a stainless steel filter in here should you wish.
I was also happy to see that the mug comes with a foldable plastic stirrer. No need to throw in a teaspoon or do some manual swirling as your coffee steeps, just give your grounds a speedy stir and pop on the plunger to let it infuse.
Design-wise, I was an immediate fan of the Go Plus. Below you can see how it looks when it's all slotted together: ideal for throwing in your carry-on or your rucksack pre-hike.
It's got no problem brewing
Brewing is pretty self-explanatory if you've used an AeroPress before. It's the Clear iteration, using BPA-free Tritan. We gave this a respectable four-star review when we tested it. Let's be clear, the AeroPress itself isn't the problem here.
For my first brew, I followed AeroPress' included recipe (I've also messed around with inverted brews and different ratios since) and used a light roasted Kenyan bean. I love using lighter roasts when making drip and pour-over coffee. They're refreshingly juicy and acidic, and ideal for drinking sans-milk, which you might well be if you're taking the AeroPress Go Plus on a trip or a hike.
The brew itself was tasty, with hints of sweet berries. However, when plunged, you'll only get the travel mug to around half-full. Itmakes sense that the mug has to be larger than the AeroPress' capacity to actually fit the AeroPress, it just still felt a bit weird to see it so under-filled when it came to drinking.
Here's a picture of a drink I made with the same beans later that day, decanted into a glass cup.
... but the mug is a mess
I've tested many a travel coffee mug. My current go-to is Fellow's Carter mug, which screws tightly to prevent spills, and has an aesthetically pleasing but no-nonsense matte finish.
Let me tell you, the AeroPress Go Plus' travel mug is a far cry from my usual favorites. It has three main problems.
Firstly, and most importantly, this thing will absolutely drip if you put it in your bag. Don't expect your book, clothes, certainly laptop to be safe if you put your fresh-brewed coffee in the same bag.
Secondly, but relatedly, the closure on the lid is a pain. Not only does it not close tightly, but it sits quite close to your nose as you sip.
I'm unusually flat-faced, but if you don't have a really tiny nose, it will definitely press against the lid as you sip from the Go Plus' mug.
Finally, the mug also lacks quality insulation. I'm used to getting to the office and finding that my home-brewed coffee is still piping hot and ready to drink.
My AeroPress coffee was at a respectable 164°F / 78°C after brewing (and photographing), but I left my first brew with the lid on and closed for an hour, to see how much the temperature dropped. When I next checked, it had dipped to a lukewarm 124°F / 51°C. So if the risk of dripping isn't enough, the risk of being left with a room temp brew should motivate you to chug your coffee sharpish.
What to buy instead
Don't let the Go Plus deter you from AeroPress altogether. You could just buy the Go, which is smaller, more plasticky, and a lot cheaper. But it's still an AeroPress, and at least the cup doesn't pretend to be something you can take on the go.
You could also buy a carry case for your regular AeroPress. There are plenty of options available on the likes of Amazon for $20. You could also slot your grounds and any other accessories into this, and it'll mean you have a place to put your gear while you enjoy your coffee.
Sure, you'll have to bring your own cup (unless you're in a hotel room or office, where you'll likely be able to find one) but at least it won't drip.
Or, check out the Wacaco Nanopresso. Our Reviews Editor Peter actually did take this on vacation, and he loved it. It's super compact, allowing you to make tasty espresso on the go, and it also works with Nespresso pods if you wanted to keep things mess-free.
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