OutIn Nano 2 Portable Espresso Machine review
By Tom Calder
A hand-sized espresso maker that heats its own water from a battery, so a power cut doesn't stop your morning coffee and there's no gas or flame involved. OutIn's own lab figures give up to nine cups per charge from room-temperature water, each 50 ml heated to 93°C, and it recharges over USB-C from a power bank or a power station. It makes one small cup at a time, so it is a comfort item, not a way to boil water for a household: a camping stove and kettle does that for far less. Ground coffee or Nespresso Original-compatible capsules both work.
- Best for
- A proper espresso in a power cut with no mains, no gas and no flame
- Skip it if
- You need hot water for the whole household
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Researched, not used. We haven't used this product. This review is built from the maker's specifications, owner reports and our own sizing.
What we like
- Heats its own water: no gas and no flame
- Recharges over USB-C from a power bank or power station
- Ground coffee or Nespresso Original-compatible capsules
Worth knowing
- One small cup at a time (85 ml tank)
- Heating and cups-per-charge figures are OutIn's own lab tests
- Ships from OutIn's US, EU or China warehouses; its shipping policy says import duties and taxes may be due on delivery
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Our review
OutIn's second-generation battery espresso machine: a 71mm by 236mm cylinder weighing 740g with a 54Wh battery, a 120W heater and a pump that OutIn rates at up to 21 bar. It takes ground coffee or Nespresso Original Line capsules. The figure that matters is nine, the shots OutIn's lab gets from cold water on one charge. It suits anyone who wants real espresso when the mains are off without lighting anything.
What the numbers mean
54Wh is the energy in the 5,000mAh three-cell battery, about a twentieth of a 1kWh power station. The 120W heater brings room-temperature water to 93°C in as little as 159 seconds by OutIn's lab test, and the whole shot is ready in under three minutes. The stainless steel SUS316L tank takes 50 to 85ml, the basket holds 8g of grounds, and the pump's 21 bar maximum is what produces crema from a small dose. Hold the button two seconds to heat cold water, or double-press when the water is already hot.
In a UK power cut
From cold, OutIn says up to nine shots per charge. With preheated water the heater barely runs and OutIn's FAQ claims over 600 extractions, so a vacuum flask filled from a camping stove turns this into a week of coffee on one battery. Charging is 45W USB-C Power Delivery, full in about 100 minutes against 180 for the original Nano, and OutIn says a five-minute top-up gives enough for up to 30 direct extractions with preheated water. A USB-C PD power bank or a power station recharges it, more slowly if it delivers less than 45W; from the mains, a full charge costs roughly 1.4p at the Ofgem price cap unit rate of 26.32p per kWh for October to December 2026, before losses.
The honest limit is volume. Each shot is one small cup for one person. It will not make tea for four or fill a hot-water bottle; a stove and kettle does that. See power cut preparation for the rest of the kit.
How it compares
The OutIn Mino is the smaller sibling at 67mm by 195mm and 685g, with a 3,000mAh battery OutIn rates at up to six shots from cold and 500 or more with hot water, a 70ml tank, a 12g basket, 22 bar, 30W charging to full in about 90 minutes and an IP67 rating the Nano 2 does not claim. The Mino's FAQ says it also takes Original Line capsules. We list no third self-heating machine, so the other route on the comparison is a camping stove and kettle, which serves a household but needs a flame.
Living with it
OutIn's Nano FAQ, written for the original model, recommends pure water over mineral water to avoid scale, a sponge and detergent for cleaning, no boiling water on the shell, firm pressing of capsules, and a grind starting at 2.1 on its Fino grinder. That page also says the Nano cannot be used while charging; the Nano 2 page does not say either way, so assume not until OutIn updates it. The Basket Plus made for the first Nano does not fit. OutIn states a 12-month limited warranty and a 30-day return window from delivery, with the buyer covering return postage unless the fault is OutIn's. Orders ship from the nearest of OutIn's US, EU or China warehouses with stock, and its policy says any import duty or tax on arrival is the recipient's to pay.
Four colours are offered, and OutIn says 89% of the packaging is recyclable or biodegradable kraft paper.
Safety
OutIn's rule for flying is cabin baggage only and no use on board. There is no open flame and no gas, which is the main reason to prefer it to a stove indoors, but it is still a lithium battery driving a heater: charge it on a hard surface, do not leave it buried in a bag while charging, and read our lithium battery fire safety guide. The 93°C output and the steel tank are hot straight after a shot.
Our verdict
Buy it if a morning espresso is part of staying sane in a blackout or a campsite, you already own a USB-C power bank or station, and you want capsules as an option. Skip it if you need hot drinks for a household rather than a cup for yourself, or if the import-duty uncertainty of a non-UK despatch bothers you. If pocket size and weather sealing matter more than cup count, the Mino is the better fit.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and UK listings; facts checked 21 Oct 2026. Sources: OutIn: Nano 2 portable espresso machine (specifications and FAQ); OutIn: Nano FAQs (water, cleaning, capsules, charging); OutIn: shipping policy; OutIn: refund and returns policy (12-month limited warranty).
Who shouldn't buy this
Don't buy it if you need hot water for the whole household: a camping stove and kettle boils a litre at a time for much less.
Key specs
| Heats its own water (maker) | Yes: 120W heater, room-temperature water hot in as little as 159 seconds (OutIn's lab figure) |
| Cups per charge (maker) | Up to 9, heating 50 ml from 25°C to 93°C each time (OutIn's lab figure; 5,000mAh battery) |
| Charging | 45W USB-C PD, full in about 100 minutes |
| Water per cup | 85 ml tank; ground coffee (8 g basket) or Nespresso Original-compatible capsules |
This is a Researched review: we haven't used this product. We check every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the UK price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who it isn't for. Commissions never change a rating.
If this isn’t the one
Best for A tough, pocket-sized espresso maker for the car, the caravan or a grab bag
Questions
How many espressos does the OutIn Nano 2 make per charge?
OutIn's lab figure is up to nine shots from room-temperature water, each 50ml heated to 93°C. With preheated water from a flask, OutIn's FAQ says over 600 extractions, because the heater barely has to work.
How long does the OutIn Nano 2 take to charge?
About 100 minutes to full on a 45W USB-C Power Delivery charger, by OutIn's figure, down from 180 minutes on the original Nano. OutIn says a five-minute charge is enough for up to 30 shots with preheated water.
Does the OutIn Nano 2 take Nespresso capsules?
Yes. OutIn says it takes Nespresso Original Line-compatible capsules as well as ground coffee in its 8g basket. OutIn names Original Line only; Vertuo and Dolce Gusto capsules are different shapes and are not on its list.
Can the OutIn Nano 2 be used while charging?
OutIn's Nano FAQ, written for the first model, says the Nano cannot be used while charging, and the Nano 2 page does not say otherwise. Charge it first; a five-minute top-up gives up to 30 shots with hot water.
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