The Wacaco Picopresso is a small, portable espresso maker.
It’s the follow-up to the relatively successful (but in my opinion, lackluster) Nanopresso, and it has many of the same features but with some interesting upgrades.
It’s also smaller than its predecessor, so it’s still excellent for travel.
But the real question is, how is the coffee? Read on for my full review.
✅ Pros:
- Produces authentic espresso. Yes, actual barista-quality shots with crema!
- Offers good value for money, making it a cost-effective choice.
- Compact design with a small footprint, ideal for limited spaces and travel.
❌ Cons:
- Requires steady hands and espresso knowledge to optimize use.
- Can become uncomfortably hot to hold during operation.
- Somewhat pricey, considering it is a more of travel gadget, rather than a “daily driver”
What Is The Wacaco Picopresso?
The Wacaco Picopresso is a tiny, manual espresso maker from the Hong Kong-based company Wacaco.
Wacaco’s previous version, the Nanopresso, used a small pressurized basket that could only fit about 8-12 grams inside.
In my opinion, it wasn’t worth it to go through all the trouble of preparing a shot only to get a tiny underextracted cup of coffee.
But with the new Picopresso, the basket can take around 18 grams of coffee.
This means that you can pull a potent 50 ml double espresso that is well-extracted.
If you want to know more about the design of this device, then check out my video review below.
As far as portability goes, it’s straightforward to carry around. It fits into most suitcases easily, and it’s light enough to throw in any backpack or purse. It weighs less than 350 g/0.77 lbs.
A bit of weight is added when you factor in the tamper, however.
The standout feature is that it has an actual espresso basket inside, which can be used “bottomless,” meaning that your shots will look like they came out of a proper espresso machine in a hipster coffee shop.
Wacaco Picopresso Accessories
Another significant upgrade with the Picopresso is all the cool accessories you get as part of the package.
You have:
- a sturdy travel pouch
- A palm tamper that is way better than the tampers that usually accompany cheap machines
- A funnel for the basket (avoid the mess on your kitchen counter)
- A tiny WDT tool
- An optional splash guard that can be clicked outside the basket.
Overall, no corners have been cut with all these accessories. It feels like quality all the way through.
Espresso quality
The shots from the Picopresso taste (I must say) surprisingly great. They’re remarkably smooth and rich with a good amount of texture.
Before trying this espresso maker, I had yet to try outstanding shots from devices using this type of pump. But somehow, Wacaco can pull it off this time around.
The shots are not quite as good as the best espresso I’ve had at cafes (obviously), but they’re up there when you compare to home espresso makers under $500.
I think they compare favorably to one of my previous favorites, the Cafflano Kompresso.
It’s also easy to be consistent with the Picopresso. It’s a bit more forgiving when it comes to grind size and the pressure you need to exert due to its pump design. On a good day, I will even say that the shots can be compared to the Flair Classic.
I’m impressed that the Wacaco Picopresso can produce such high-quality espresso even though it’s so tiny and innocent looking.
It goes without saying that this is an entirely different league than AeroPress Espresso.
Who is it for?
The Picopresso is aimed at espresso purists looking for a portable espresso maker.
You need a solid grinder and some extraction knowledge to get the best out of this device.
However, if you have a small kitchen or want to dip your toes into the espresso world, it could also be worth considering.
Overall, the Flair Neo Flex is the better choice as a daily driver due to its more stationary design. In 2024 the Neo Flex will also come with a pressure gauge as standard and still be more affordable than the Picopresso.
However, if you want some added travel flexibility, the Picopresso is the better choice.
Update 2024: New accessories
Picopresso recently announced a range of new cool accessories for the Picopresso. Here’s a short explanation.
New Stand
The Picopresso stand is a useful accessory for those who want a more even extraction process. Instead of holding the device in the hand, now you have a sturdy base. It includes an adjustable mirror, allowing you to monitor your bottomless filter espresso extractions without having to bend down. The stand is also collapsible, so it fits into Wacaco’s travel friendly ethos.
Picopresso Sleeve
When really preheating the Picopresso throroughly, the device can become rather hot to the touch. To address this, Wacaco has released a faux leather sleeve that can be easily attached and removed from the Picopresso. The sleeve provide insulation, making it more comfortable to hold the device. The sleeves actually looks rather nice and gives the brewer a more sophisticated look.
Pressure Gauge
And finally, the pressure gauge is an accessory that all the real espresso geeks have been waiting for. In the realm of manual espresso makers, pressure profiling is one of the most useful and entertaining things you can get into. With the pressure gauge, you can adjust your pumping technique to maintain a consistent pressure range during the majority of the extraction or hit a certain pressure.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I am incredibly pleased with the Wacaco Picopresso.
Wacaco has done a great job updating a slightly mediocre product into a first-class gadget.
It’s one of the few affordable espresso makers that makes me feel like I’m drinking a legit shot.
I love the fact that it’s portable and compact. It’s ideal for traveling and pretty easy to use anywhere with a manual grinder.
The price tag might be a bit too much for some. However, I think it’s justified for a product with this level of finesse.
➡️ Check the current price
