Unlike many other portable espresso makers, the Outin Nano not only brews espresso but also heats the water for you, making it a unique all-in-one solution for coffee lovers on the go. Whether you’re camping, traveling, or just want a quick shot of espresso at work, the Outin Nano promises to deliver.
I’ve been testing this device for dozes of shots and I just love it. I’ll walk you through the details and workflows with all the accessories, including the upgrade kit. I’ll also compare it to other popular portable espresso makers like the Wacaco Picopresso and the Staresso, so you can see how it stacks up.
You can also check out my detailed Outin Nano review on YouTube.
Unboxing and First Impression
Unboxing the Outin Nano is a satisfying experience that immediately gives off a high-quality vibe.
Inside the box, I found everything needed to get started: a helpful FAQ, a quick start guide, and a detailed user manual. It’s nice to see all the instructions clearly laid out.
The package includes the brewer itself, a Nespresso capsule holder, a single-shot pressurized basket for ground coffee, a coffee cup that doubles as a lid, a small dosing spoon that also acts as a tamper, and a Type-C cable for recharging.
The packaging is thoughtfully designed and sturdy, setting a great first impression.
Design & Build Quality
The Outin Nano looks sleek and feels premium. The one I have is in Outin Teal, but it comes in several colors to match your style, all with a nice matte finish.
The brewer itself is about the size of a thermos, with a bit of heft to it, which makes it feel solid and durable in your hands. The thick plastic construction adds to the sense of quality and sturdiness.
The water reservoir can hold up to 80 ml, with clear markings for easy measurement.
The flat bottom of the cup keeps the device stable on the table.
Operating the device is simple with just one button. Press it once to check the remaining battery life.
On the back, there’s a charging port protected by a thick rubber lid. The 7500 mAh USB-C rechargeable battery makes charging straightforward, especially if you’re already using other USB-C devices.
The Outin Nano weighs 660 grams, making it slightly lighter than the Staresso Plus but heavier than the Wacaco Picopresso. It’s also the tallest of the three, which makes sense given the built-in battery. Despite this, it’s still quite portable and easy to take on the go.
Heating Performance
One of the most impressive features of the Outin Nano is its built-in heater, which heats water to 96°C. This means you can brew espresso without needing to preheat the water separately—perfect for when you’re on the go.
I tested the heating performance, and it took 4 minutes and 24 seconds to heat the water to 96°C and brew a shot of espresso using a Nespresso capsule. All I had to do was press and hold the button until I heard a beep, and the Outin Nano handled the rest.
While the water heats up, the indicator lights show the progress. The workflow is incredibly straightforward and user-friendly. Just grab some bottled water and a few capsules, and you can enjoy espresso wherever you are.
Brewing Performance – Does it Make Good Coffee?
Brewing with a Capsule
Brewing with the Outin Nano is straightforward and convenient, especially when using Nespresso capsules.
Simply insert the pod into the capsule holder, place it upside down into the portafilter, and securely screw it into the device. Fill the water reservoir to the 50ml line for a standard shot, and if you’re using preheated water, double-press the button to start brewing. If you are using cold water, press and hold the button until you hear a beep.
Note: It uses all the water in the reservoir. You can adjust the water level for a more intense shot or a lungo, and stop the shot manually if needed.
Coffee Quality
The espresso produced from capsules is reliable, with a lighter crema compared to ground coffee. The flavor is consistent with other Nespresso-compatible machines, and the coffee is served at a suitable temperature of 62 to 65 degrees Celsius.
Brewing with Ground Coffee
For those who prefer freshly ground coffee, replace the capsule holder with the ground coffee basket. It is relatively small, holding about 7 grams of coffee only.
Grind the beans to espresso find grinds. It’s not that picky for grind size since it uses a pressurized basket. However, transferring the finely ground coffee into the small basket can be tricky. It’s easy to make a mess on the table without a dosing funnel.
Tamp the coffee down with the bottom of the spoon, secure the lid, and follow the same brewing process as with a capsule.
Coffee Quality
The resulting shot has a noticeably thicker crema and a richer flavor profile compared to the capsule shot. The coffee is smoother, with a balanced body and a decent layer of crema.
Brewing with the Upgrade Kit – Outin Nano Basket Plus
For those seeking a more authentic espresso experience, the Nano Basket Plus is a worthwhile upgrade. Sold separately for $40, this kit includes a well-made tamper, a dosing ring, a larger unpressurized basket that holds 16 to 18 grams of coffee, a WDT tool, and a portafilter.
This setup allows for a more traditional extraction, producing a richer, creamier shot with fuller body and deeper flavors.
Like other non-pressurized baskets, you’ll need to dial in your grinder to find the optimal flow rate for the best shot. If the coffee isn’t flowing or the flow rate is too slow, try a coarser grind. If the flow is too fast, go finer.
Overall, the Nano Basket Plus significantly enhances the Outin Nano’s performance, making it a strong contender for coffee enthusiasts who want a portable espresso maker that can rival traditional machines in quality. And the workflow will be much improved.
Battery Performance
The battery life is practical, offering 3 to 5 cups with cold water or over 200 cups with pre-heated water, making it versatile for different situations. While I haven’t tested brewing 200 cups, I did find that the battery ran out after brewing 4 shots with cold water. Fortunately, it’s easy to recharge using a Type-C port, and it takes about 2 hours to fully charge.
Is It Easy to Cleaning?
Cleaning the Outin Nano is simple and straightforward, which is exactly what you want in a portable espresso maker. After brewing with a capsule, you just need to unscrew the portafilter and dispose of the used capsule.
It’s recommended to add cold water to the water tank and double-tap the button to run a cleaning cycle after each brew. This also releases any remaining pressure inside the machine, making it ready for the next use.
If you used ground coffee, the cleaning process is a bit messier. Simply knock out the used coffee puck, then rinse the basket and lid with water. Wipe down the water outlet, and run another cleaning cycle to ensure everything is clean and ready to go.
The design of the Outin Nano makes cleaning easy, with few nooks or crannies where grounds can get stuck.
Outin Nano vs. Staresso vs. Wacaco Picopresso: A Comparison
In this comparison, I’m focusing on the usability, accessories, price, and coffee quality of the Outin Nano, Staresso, and Wacaco Picopresso.
Usability
The Outin Nano stands out as the only one of the three that can both heat water and brew coffee. Unlike the Staresso and Picopresso, which require preheated water.
The Outin Nano is incredibly easy to use—just press a button, and it starts brewing. There’s no need for manual pumping, which makes it a hand-free option.
Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward for all three, but the Outin Nano takes the lead in ease of use.
Accessories
The Staresso Plus offers a 54mm portafilter, which is a good size for puck preparation, and there are plenty of compatible tampers and dosing rings available. You can also upgrade to a non-pressurized basket.
The Picopresso, meanwhile, comes with all the handy accessories you need, including a dosing ring, tamper, and WDT tool, all of which can be conveniently stored within the brewer itself, eliminating the need for additional purchases.
Coffee Quality
When it comes to coffee quality, all three devices deliver great results.
The Staresso and Picopresso, with their manual operation, offer more control, such as the ability to perform pre-infusion.
Without the Outin Nano’s additional upgrade kit, I’d say the Picopresso and Staresso produce slightly better shots.
However, with the Nano Basket Plus, the Outin Nano can produce shots that are just as good, provided you dial everything in correctly.
Additionally, the Outin Nano is the only one that supports Nespresso capsules, offering an extra level of convenience.
Price
All three devices are priced around $130. The Outin Nano isn’t the cheapest, especially if you add the Nano Basket Plus, but its battery operation and convenience make it a great choice for those who value ease of use.
If you’re into the hands-on experience and enjoy experimenting with your espresso, the Picopresso and Staresso might be more suited to your style.
Final Thoughts
The Outin Nano is a great product that definitely meets my expectations for a portable espresso maker.
It offers a unique blend of convenience and quality, making it a solid option for espresso lovers on the go. It heats and brews espresso, that’s very attractive for outdoor enthusiasts.
