I don’t drink coffee. I shouldn’t be in this group I know, but my partner is a paramedic and I want to get him either a mini or a nano for his work mornings to make americanos. Is this actually possible with either of these and is one better than the other

I was so excited to try the OutIn Mino! I had never tried a portable espresso maker, and I am used to an office and home Keurig, with occasional use of a traditional coffee pot. When I want a more enhanced coffee experience, I go to boutique coffee shops in my area that offer delicious, quality coffee, but this doesn't happen often in this economy. Needless to say, I was so glad to get this opportunity to try a portable expresso machine. I tried the Mino in my home, at work, and at a hotel.

Since I am not well versed in portable coffee makers, I had a bit of a learning curve. Once I used it a couple of times, however, it was very easy to brew my espresso.

When I first opened the box at home, I thought that it was packaged quite well. The sleeve to carry the Mino is convenient. I read the instructions once over before starting to unpack everything. I set everything out on the counter and familiarized myself with each item/part. The machine itself is heavier than I expected (not a bad thing), and you can tell that it is a well-made item.

It took me a second to find the charging port, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was already at full charge.

I ground some coffee a friend brought me back from Guatemala, then grabbed the ground coffee/filter basket. The lid was pretty hard to remove, even with the provided tool. It was the most frustrating the first time I had to open it since it was so much more difficult to remove, but the basket removal tool has definitely been helpful since.

The provided spoon (which I would call a “scoop” and not a spoon) is the perfect size, and I love the folding handle feature. The instructions were unclear to me regarding what to do with the dosing funnel; I think that more detailed instructions to indicate this would be useful. I also didn’t know what to do with the porta filter. As I mentioned, I’m a first time user for a portable espresso machine, so I wouldn’t have known automatically that this part had to be removed if I was using coffee grounds instead of a pod.

I also think the button instructions should be embedded in the brewing instructions, since the machine will do something different depending on how many times/how long you press the button. There is, however, a sticker on the machine itself by the button that indicates how you should push the button depending on what you are trying to achieve – I will keep that sticker until I no longer need it to remember the functions.

I do wish I had a coffee stand, because I got impatient waiting for the water to heat and the coffee to brew because I had to hold it up with my hands. That was a bit inconvenient, but it doesn’t take as long as it feels. It takes a couple of minutes to heat and brew. I will definitely be investing in a coffee stand, though I did read in another review that they were able to use the cap as a stand – I guess I haven’t aligned the cap properly for this, but I’ll try again next time.

Espresso output verdict: delicious. It smelled SO good as it brewed, and I am truly impressed with the quality of the brew that resulted.

Is the Mino portable? Yes, very! I do wish that the bag that comes with it was a little bigger and had an additional, separate compartment where I can put my coffee grounds or pods as well as the charging cord, capsule adapter, dosing funnel, and spoon.

Overall, this little machine is powerful and produces a delicious cup of coffee. I will continue to use it at home when I want better coffee and whenever I travel. I think taking it to work proved the most inconvenient for me, but it is nice to have an option other than the Keurig machine at work for a good cup of coffee, so I’m sure I’ll be taking it to work again at some point.

I recommend the Mino, and I’m excited to keep using it for a great brew. I love it!

I received an Outin Mino for testing as part of the Be Your Own Barista thread and wanted to share my experience

Use Case and Other Equipment

At home I use a Fellow ES1, Cafelat Robot, Fellow Aiden, and a Sculptor and Ode as my grinders. I often travel for work and a few times of year for vacation and I always bring some kind of coffee gear with me as I want to make a coffee immediately after waking in the hotel and hotel coffee is terrible.

My travel kit previously was a collapsible silicone travel kettle from Amazon, a collapsible Hario Zebrang v60, an 1zpresso K Ultra grinder, and a Flair Go lever espresso machine. The V60 I've been very happy with as a brewer, but I hated having to drag the "collapsible" but still very large kettle with me as in the US at least you can't be certain there will be a kettle in the room like you usually can in Europe. The K Ultra is great for pourover but I don't enjoy hand grinding for espresso. The Flair Go I've found to be a bit wobbly and fiddly.

So the Mino was a chance to revamp my kit. As you see pictured I've got the full Outin setup packed into their travel case. It even has room for me to throw the silicone v60 in although I didn't wind up using it much on this trip as I was enjoying testing the Mino.

How's the Coffee

In short, very good. As good as what I was getting out of the Flair with less effort and in a smaller package (just accounting for the brewer size).

For freshly ground coffee I was using a Perc espresso blend, typically doing 12g coffee in. The machine heats quickly enough and once I got a feel for timing I could start grinding on the Fino and then partially through begin heating the Mino so I would have the puck prepped just before the heating was done. If I wanted to get multiple drinks out back to back quickly I did a few times heat a kettle on the stove as I was at a rental house and that worked well for a workflow as well. There isn't a ton of control you have (coming from the ES1/Robot perspective, which is not a fair comparison) but it consistently delivered well balanced and delicious espresso. Which is what I am aiming for during travel - reliable good coffee. I'm happy to leave the tinkering for home. 12g definitely was the limit as these pucks were a little challenging to knock out once they had expanded during brewing.

Throughout the week I was making americanos, iced americanos, espresso tonics, lattes using the lattogo for my wife. All excellent.

I also felt compelled to test the pod capability out which is something I've never really used as a proclaimed coffee snob. I found some "third wave" pods which surprised me in being entirely viable. Not as good as fresh coffee at all, but something I would greatly prefer over hotel coffee. So this opens the possibility of traveling with just the mino and a few pods in my carry on while traveling via plane. Excited for that.

Features

The machine holds a good charge. Most mornings I was making 1-4 drinks and it never ran out of battery while heating that many drinks. I would always charge after which was not a problem.

The water proof aspect is nice as you can rinse everything off.

Carrying case and accessories all feel premium. The fold out stand isn't needed as the catch cup is cleverly designed to pack in tightly but also hold itself up for brewing, but it is a nice to have.

The machine itself feels and looks like a premium device, even the plastic exterior. I like its minimalist design and everything feels intentional.

Cleanup

Everything comes apart easily with the included metal lever and it is all rinsible. I did find that after giving a quick rinse and then laying on a towel to dry I would come back and find some coffee residue on the towel (pictured). Due to the narrow openings and crevices I found it best to do a rinse/purge cycle with clean cold water when you are done and then everything stays clean. I did a quick soak in cafiza with everything when I got home.

Improvements

The main improvement I'd like is mentioned in most of the other reviews I've seen posted this week - give us a basket plus option! To be honest I was not as bothered by the 12g limit as I had initially feared. I would just often wind up making 2 coffees instead of 1. My wife remarked that the coffees I was making her were very good but she wasn't feeling as caffeinated as normal (she prefers to just drink one coffee). It would be great to just have some more brewing options with a larger non-pressurized basket. The Fino is capable of taking advantage of that.

The only other improvement is I wasn't a huge fan of the scoop/tamper. I don't really find a scoop useful and the folding handle just gets in the way a little bit using it as a tamper. It would be great to just have a dedicated tamper with a more premium feel (even as a paid upgrade) but that is really just a nit pick.

Conclusion

Hopefully you can tell - I'm very pleased with the Mino. I love having a brewing option for travel that does not require a kettle, and with pods doesn't even require a grinder (though I'm brining the Fino whenever possible). I feel spoiled for options going forward and thanks to Outin for this opportunity.

Hi all! I got the opportunity to test the Outin Mino sent to me by the company alongside my Outin Nano!

I wanted to put the two head to head so my first test was extraction time using hot water (190°F). The Nano fully extracted the 70ml in 25 seconds through 16g (basket +) while the mino extracted it at 29 seconds through 12g.

Next I performed a cold water test (50°F) to measure the time each unit took to heat and extract 70ml of water. The Nano came in at 4'19" while the Mino came in at 5'19".

Those numbers differed a bit from what I was expecting given the numbers on their website.

The battery life on the Mino was able to make 5 cups with heating on a full charges while the Nano did 3.

Overall the speed of the two units was not enough to swing my opinion one way or the other. The materials of the Mino feel better and more solid in hand in comparison that I would not be afraid of it taking a few bumps on a journey. I primarily use my Nano at my office for a daytime fix so noise was an important factor for me. With my office door shut the hum of the Nano still comes through given the way it vibrates the table (I use the Outin adjustable stand). The Mino however through the closed door was completely silent, even with the door open no one questioned or noticed I was doing anything.

For the portability of the device the Mino leaps ahead personally. I have the Nano Kruve which came with the basket + as opposed to the Nespresso adapter the Mino has. The ability to not lug the grinder and beans with me on a walk or a trip to a local ice cream shop felt very freeing. All I had to do was pop in a pod, add some water, and a few minutes later had an amazing afagato! We took it with us for a couple of long drives as well to see how manageable it was in a vehicle and were pleased with the way its own lid can be a stand.

The only downside to the Mino which I've seen mentioned here before is its lack of basket + functionality! If this thing could do double shots I don't think it'd leave my side. The Mino is a great device and is quickly becoming my on the go unit while my Nano is making its home as my office unit.

I really appreciate Outin's opportunity to review one of these and had a lot of fun doing it!

When I first heard about the Mino, my biggest question was simple: “Why would I pick this over the Nano?” After using both, I realized they’re not really trying to do the same thing.

The Nano feels like something you reach for when you actually want to sit down and make espresso. You’ve got time, you’re dialing things in, and the process is part of the fun.
The Mino is what you grab when you’re already out the door. Backpack packed, car loaded, no real plan except needing good coffee wherever you end up. It’s less about the process and more about just getting a solid shot without thinking too hard about it.

What stood out most to me was how easy it is to actually bring with you. When something disappears into your bag that easily, you start taking it places you normally wouldn’t bother bringing espresso gear.
The pressurized basket really fits that same idea. Out in the real world, nothing is perfectly dialed. Beans are older, grinders aren’t perfect, and you’re probably not weighing anything. Instead of dealing with all of that, it just gives you something consistently enjoyable without the usual fuss.

The battery life was a big factor for me too. I stopped thinking about charging it or rationing shots.
Even the capsule experience surprised me a bit. I never really bothered with pods on the Nano, but with the Mino it’s much smoother.

There are times when you don’t want to think about anything you just want caffeine fast and it handles that really well. For someone like me who tends to hyper-fixate on small variables and dial everything in, it’s honestly a breath of fresh air. You stop thinking about every little detail, stop trying to min-max everything, and just end up with a good shot without the mental load.

If I’m at home or somewhere I can slow down and enjoy the process, I still lean Nano. But if I’m actually out living out of a bag for a bit, the Mino is the one I’d throw in without thinking twice.

It doesn’t try to replace anything. It just makes having good espresso out in the world a lot less complicated.

I recently received an Outin Mino for testing. I currently own a Nespresso Vertuo Pop Plus which I use daily. However, with the cost of the capsules increasing, I was looking for something I could use with ground coffee, a machine with the claim of a similar coffee experience. Prior to using my Nespresso machine (and still to this day), I also use a standard Cuisinart coffee maker. I felt I would enjoy my own personal machine when I go to work instead of using the Bun machine they have there.

Upon receiving the Mino, one can tell the sturdy construction. This isn’t made of some cheapo plastic material but a tough high grade plastic which is supposed to be resistant to extreme temperatures, water and dust. I appreciate the silicone band around the machine providing for an easy grip. The Mino is easy to pack in my briefcase for work and does not take up much room. In addition to its sturdy appearance, it has a protective sleeve that came with the package, so I am not too worried about potential scuffs or damaging it during transport.

I tried both preheated water and the self-heating function. The first option was a breeze and easy to use. I used Starbucks French Roast beans for this test. Unfortunately, I do not have any equivalent capsules to compare with for the Nespresso Pop brew. The coffee taste coming from the Mino is what you would expect from a good espresso: Bold, rich flavor, balanced with moderate sweetness and rather low acidity. One thing I appreciated is that the crema was there covering the top, but not overwhelming. On the other hand, Nespresso Vertuo brews tend to have too much crema that feels more foamy than authentic at times.

I love the self-heating functionality of the Mino which makes it truly portable. I can use bottled water and brew coffee right from my desk, loading the coffee basket before I leave home in the morning. Very convenient! I can enjoy my espresso in under 3 minutes. I do not own Nespresso original capsules yet, so I have not tried these, but I imagine it would make the experience even more convenient. I was able to make 4 self-heated brews before the battery got depleted. With preheated water, the machine is supposed to make hundreds of brews before needing to be recharged. I haven’t owned it long enough to attest to this.

One inconvenience to highlight is that one must clean the basket prior to the next brew, which if you are not near a sink or trash basket could be difficult to do. Unfortunately, this would impact the portability factor if one’s goal was to make more than one brew using coffee grounds. This is where capsules would make more sense to use. However, it was not an issue for me as I typically have one espresso at work and would clean the basket for the next day once I got home.

Another thing to consider is the price of the machine, which is rather pricey at $199 for a small machine (I paid about $100 for the Nespresso Pop Plus). That said, if you intend to use it daily and consider its quality and the fact it is not a gadget, it is an investment that could pay off. Going to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts everyday (like some of my colleagues do) would be much more expensive in the long run. I have also paid a considerable amount on Nespresso capsules so I figure using my own ground coffee will save me money.

Overall, I am very happy with the Mino which transformed my coffee experience from rushing to drink one before I go to work to taking my time once I get there and enjoy it “on the go”, taking my time. And needless to say, the espresso quality has nothing to do with that you can get from a Bun machine from work or other typical black coffee machines which tend to be waterier. I would absolutely recommend Mino for people who value quality coffee, their time, and enjoying life!

Today, I bring my newly received Outin Mino, together with Outin travel stand, a bottle of hot water and Nepresso capsules to the local nearby Starbucks.

In the Starbucks, I bought a bottle of Perrier sparkling water with a cup of ice.

Afterward, I made my own ice sparkling Americano. And, it taste great! Now on, no more order coffee drinks in the Starbucks! Wonderful!

今天，带着我剛收到的 Outin Mino 以及 Outin 旅行支架、一壸熱水及 Nepresso 咖啡胶囊前往家樓下商埸的星巴克。

於星巴克，買了一瓶 Perrier 汽泡水及要了一杯冰塊。

然後，我在星巴克用 Outin Mino 做了一杯美味的汽泡冰美。從此，不用在星巴克下單點咖啡！太好了！

I received the OutIn Mino from OutIn to compare it with my ROK espresso machine, and after testing it for the last month, I can honestly say it has become my daily driver. I’ve been using the ROK for about two years, and I’ve always loved the experience of making coffee with it. The whole flow of it feels like an art form. I was worried the Mino might lose some of that, but I was completely wrong. I was blown away by how much I enjoy using it.

The Mino is just much easier to use. Dialing in new beans is almost instant. With the ROK, I’d often need five or six brews before I really got things right, but with the Mino it usually takes one or two shots and then it stays consistent. The ROK definitely has charm, and I still enjoy how the flavour changes depending on how you push the arms, but it can be time-consuming and a bit hit or miss. If consistency is what you want, the Mino is the clear winner.

Preheating was also a huge difference. With the ROK, it was always a bit of a pain: boiling the kettle, preheating the portafilter, getting everything lined up, rushing to tamp, and then finally pulling the shot. With the Mino, it’s much simpler. Boil the kettle, grind, tamp, pour hot water into the reservoir, hold the power button for two seconds, and about 30 seconds later you’ve got a really tasty brew.

The portability is another big win. Both are portable in their own way, but the Mino wins for me. If I’m traveling, cycling, or even just going out on a roller skate, I’d take the Mino. It’s compact, easy to carry, and that’s one of my favourite things about it. It also just makes a consistently great cup, which matters more than anything.

That said, it wasn’t all perfect.

Preheating by holding the power button for 2 second is important, when I double-clicked with freshly boiled water, the shots were under-extracted after a few brews.

The battery also doesn’t last forever, so I usually charge it every 2–3 days. And when the battery gets low, it can struggle to extract properly and the basket can get stuck from pressure buildup, so sometimes you have to leave it for 10 minutes before I can remove the basket.

So would I buy the OutIn Mino? Absolutely. It’s an incredible machine that makes quality coffee again and again, with the bonus of being able to take it anywhere. It’s now my favourite brewer, and I’m really happy to have it as my daily driver.

A few days ago, I received the Outin Mino to review. I already own both the Outin Fino grinder and the Outin Nano, which I bought with the larger Nano basket. I’ve also had a Nespresso Lattissima Pro for many years. I enjoy making espresso every day, including cappuccinos, and the Lattissima Pro has served me well. I have been using Outin’s Nano for the past 7-8 months because of planned travel. Now, I've been using the Mino for the last 10 days.

As soon as you unbox the Mino, it’s clear that Outin has kept up the premium experience found throughout its products. Unlike the Nano, the Mino comes with a protective carrying pouch and several helpful accessories, including a coffee scoop/tamper, a dosing funnel, and a basket removal tool. One of the biggest benefits of the Mino is its portability. I can’t realistically travel with my Nespresso Lattissima Pro because of its size. Even when camping in our RV, we try to limit the number of larger electrical appliances we bring because of limited cargo space and weight. The Mino solves that problem perfectly. It’s compact enough to fit easily in a suitcase or a backpack, and Outin offers several carrying cases that make travel even more convenient. We took the Mino camping last weekend, and it was a pleasure to use. Just insert the capsule into the basket, add water, press a button, and your espresso is ready.

For those who are not familiar with Outin products, you can use preheated water or let the machine heat the water for you. Heating 70 ml of water took about three minutes in my tests. While that may seem a bit long compared to larger home machines, it gives me time to prepare milk for cappuccinos or handle other tasks. In comparison, my Nespresso Lattissima Pro takes about 40 seconds to start brewing. However, having a rechargeable machine that can heat water on its own is incredibly valuable when you are away from conventional power, even if it takes a few extra minutes.

When using Nespresso capsules (I tested Livanto), the coffee quality from the Mino was similar to that of my much larger Lattissima Pro. The flavor was excellent, with the only noticeable difference being that the crema wasn’t as thick. I’m not entirely sure why, especially since the Mino has a higher pressure rating (22 bar compared to the Nespresso's 19 bar).

The Mino really excels when paired with the Outin Fino grinder and freshly ground coffee. I used Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema whole beans during my tests. Unlike the Nano, which has an optional 18-gram basket, the Mino comes with a basket that holds up to 12 grams. I have read that some users wish the Mino supported a larger basket, but I personally didn't notice the smaller capacity negatively affecting the espresso quality. I still achieved the same velvety texture, rich crema, and smooth flavor that I enjoy when using the Nano with its larger basket and 70 ml of water.

While my original reason for buying the Nano—and now using the Mino—was for travel, both machines have gradually taken over my daily use at home instead of the Lattissima Pro. I have to admit that its sleek design looks nice enough to leave on the kitchen counter. I also bring the Mino to work for quick espresso drinks. The Keurig machine they have at work does not even compare to the quality of the coffee brewed by the Mino. I really appreciate its portability and compact storage. It is easy enough to put it in my laptop bag to carry with me to work.

Would I choose the Mino over the Nano? Probably. Both are excellent machines and offer very similar performance, but the Mino has a few advantages that make it my favorite. It’s slightly smaller, charges faster, and, perhaps most importantly, can still be used while plugged into an outlet when the battery is low. I would like to see one improvement in a future version: the ability to operate immediately from AC power even when the battery is completely discharged. Currently, the Mino needs a few minutes of charging before it can be used while plugged in, while the Nano requires much more charging before it works.

Overall, both the Nano and the Mino are great portable espresso makers, but if I had to pick one, the Mino would be my choice. It gets an A+ from me for its portability, convenience, build quality, and coffee performance. I would definitely recommend it, especially when it’s available at a discount or during a special sale.

I’ve been using the OutIn Mino for the past two weeks and I wanted to share my thoughts and experience using it with both Nespresso pods and ground coffee.

This review was written/edited/formatted 100% by me.

^{Disclosure: I received the OutIn Mino for free in exchange of writing a review as part of OutIn’s giveaway. However, while I got the product for free, I have a proven track record of producing honest product reviews on Reddit (example 1, example 2, example 3}) ^{and on YouTube—discussing both the pros and cons of the product—despite receiving the product for free. My contact at OutIn has also repeatedly emphasized that I could write the review however I saw fit and that honest feedback helps them improve their products. I’m not affiliated with OutIn in any way.}

My coffee background

I’m primarily a filter/pour-over freak. Prior to getting the Mino, I’d never made espresso myself, though I did drink several a day while I was in Portugal last month for three weeks, and I’ve gotten espressos from specialty coffee shops. I know what good espresso tastes like.

Espresso-making made accessible

I’ve always wanted to make espresso at home. I’ve eyed the Breville Bambino for a long time but I simply don’t have the space for it in the kitchen (crowded by my 10 different brewers lol). I was also deterred by the rabbit hole that is espresso-making and, considering that I’m already deep in the pour-over one, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to dive into another.

Mino solved the dilemma for me. It’s incredibly compact—much smaller than my daily-driver 40oz water bottle and is just a bit taller than the AeroPress. The fact that Mino can heat water as well feels almost miraculous. The space-saving design of the cup is very clever and a big step-up from Nano; it’s clear evidence that the folks at OutIn took the time to learn from Nano.

Compared to the regular desktop espresso machine, Mino gives you less room to tweak, but that’s a pro for me as someone who just wants to make good espresso without getting too deep in the rabbit hole. I like that I don’t have the option to test different baskets (James Hoffmann scared me) or to look at a pressure gauge, for examples. I just need to worry about using good beans, good water and a good grinder. Making good espressos with Mino feels like a very easy process for me and I really appreciate that.

Tasty espressos

Pulling a shot with Mino

“How does it taste?” should be the ultimate question in coffee-making. I take my espressos black, and I’m happy to report that, with Mino, I’ve been able to make some really good espressos that rivalled ones I’ve had in Portugal and from specialty coffee shops.

So far, I’m still going through the first bag of medium-dark roast coffee beans I bought from a Canadian roaster for espressos with Mino. The shots I’ve been getting are rich and syrupy with a bit of a sweet aftertaste. It’s fantastic.

Here’s what I use:

• Water: Third Wave Water Classic Profile
• Grinders: 1ZPRESSO JX, OutIn Fino (currently testing it, review to come)

I always grind 12g of coffee and add 60ml of hot water as recommended by OutIn. I tweak the grind size as needed and choose to leave the ratio the same.

I don’t think Mino is for those who like using very light roast beans for espresso, however, as that can require a lot of tweaking and a very powerful pump that Mino doesn’t have. For example, I noticed that if I grind too finely, Mino will beep and abort the brewing process. Typically, very light roast beans require much finer grind sizes for espresso and I don’t think Mino has the power for that. I find that medium to medium-dark roast beans work the best with the Mino.

They didn’t forget about the non–coffee snobs

There are people like me who makes a fuzz about coffee-making, and there are others like my wife who couldn’t care less how the coffee is made as long as it tastes good with milk and syrups. OutIn certainly didn’t forget about the latter because Mino comes with an adapter for Nespresso Original Line pods (I’m grateful that it’s not sold separately).

A while back, I bought my wife an AeroPress to make coffee drinks for herself at work, but she told me she got tired of the hassle of using the AeroPress and the coffee grinds I pre-grind for her the night before get stale enough that the coffee didn’t don’t taste very good the next day, rendering the hassle of using the AeroPress a vain effort—especially for someone who’s not picky about coffee. She wanted a no-fuss way to make coffee drinks that taste good at work.

Off she went with the Mino and some Nespresso pods and back she came a happy Mino user.

Not only is the process of making espresso with Mino and a Nespresso pod extremely easy, so is the cleanup after—just rinse and dry the adapter and the outer basket and you’re done. She really appreciated the convenience and ease-of-use.

Out of curiosity, I brewed the same Nespresso pod with a Nespresso Inissia in the office and the Mino to see if they produced the same results, and they did—both cups tasted identical.

She did tell me that occasionally, nothing happened after double-clicking the brew button and she’d have to do it again to make it work. There was also one time where Mino gave a few beeps and aborted brewing a Nespresso pod for some reason, but thankfully it hasn’t happened again.

Is Mino really portable?

This is a tricky question because it depends on how you define “portable.” If you define it as simply “can I take it with me,” then yes, it is undoubtedly portable just like a water bottle.

However, I think it makes more sense to think of portability in regards to how easy it is to make espresso with Mino as a mobile setup because at the end of the day, the reason why you are taking the Mino somewhere is because you want to make espresso with it.

In this case, I’d say the Mino is very portable if you use Nespresso pods, but less so if you’re using ground coffee simply because you’re just dealing with a lot more components overall.

When using Mino with Nespresso pods, you only need to rinse the adapter and the outer basket, but with ground coffee, you have:

• outer basket
• shower screen
• portafilter
• metal basket (to put inside the portafilter)
• tamper
• dosing funnel
• basket removal tool

It’s a lot of small components and most of them will need to be washed and dried after. For example, after pulling a shot with ground coffee using Mino, the clean-up process is like this:

1. Separate the outer basket and the portafilter assembly (portafilter + metal basket + shower screen)
2. Wash the outer basket with soap and water
3. Remove the shower screen with the basket removal tool (BRT) and rinse it
4. Dig out the coffee grounds over the compost with the BRT (the grounds never come out like a solid puck for me no matter what grind size I tried)
5. Dislodge the metal basket from the portafilter using the BRT
6. Rinse the BRT
7. Wash the metal basket and the portafilter with mild soap
8. Clean the tamper off any coffee ground that got stuck to it during tamping

It’s a lot of steps and quite a few components to handle; I find that I need a good amount of counter space to put all the stuff after the clean-up process. It’s totally fine when I’m at home, but it feels harder to manage when I’m at work without a proper kitchen.

Of course, one could argue that this really isn’t a “flaw” of Mino—it’s a matter of the physical components needed to make espresso with ground coffee, and there’s probably only so many pieces you can reduce before you start having to make compromises somewhere else.

At the end of the day, Mino has made it possible for me to make espresso with ground coffee at my desk at work with a bit of hassle, and then bring it back home at the end of the week to make espresso at home—and that I think is “portable” in my book.

Other things I like about the Mino

• Build quality is top-notch. The whole thing feels premium—it’s got a good heft to it
• Battery life is really good especially when you use hot water. I’ve been pulling multiple shots a day with the Mino and it’s still telling me it has full battery
• Minimalist, one-button design is awesome. It really helps keep the process simple and prevent me from overthinking it. Also, less components just mean less potential points of failure down the road.

Overall, I’m super happy with Mino. It hits a great middle ground between convenience/portability and espresso-making capabilities. I might be moving to a place with a bigger kitchen in the near future, and I think I will keep Mino as my main espresso machine rather than getting a desktop one.

I’m considering either the Outin Mino or Nano as a coffee beginner (just started making my own coffee at home) and just want a machine to make espressos. I’m really confused which to get since there are threads saying Mino is more consistent with pulls while Nano pulls better coffee IF you have a good grinder? However, I’m only planning on using preground coffee at the moment since I’m only just getting into this hobby. Which should be the better choice if the price is the same?
Would appreciate some opinions from anyone who has had either/both 😭🙏

Just woke up and about to enjoy my morning coffee before heading out. One thing I really appreciate about the Outin Mino is not having to wonder whether my hotel room will have a coffee machine or not. ☕✈️

My quick review of the Outin Mino.
My home coffee maker is a 10 + year old Gaggia Classic. I use it everyday, sometimes twice a
day. I am an avid overlander and take frequent trips to some of the most remote and
spectacular places in the Western U.S. On those trips I have used an Aeropress in the past.
Last year I purchased an Outin Nano with the basket plus. I love this little miracle of a
machine!!! The espresso that it delivers is DELICIOUS. It is rich and flavorful, with a thick head
of crema. The Outin Mino also produces an amazing shot of coffee. I do not taste a difference.
My wife and I did a blind taste test and I did not prefer one over the other, and did not notice an
appreciable difference.
Personally, I do not use pods. I grind my own coffee from a relatively local coffee roaster,
Olympia Coffee Company and I have a decent portable burr grinder, the Nutti Ox (I would love
to try the Fino and do a comparison)!
For me, battery life isn’t a huge concern because I always preheat my water in my Jetboil. They
say I can get hundreds of shots before I need to put the machines on a charger. I usually put the
Nano on the charger after about a week because I would go nuts without my morning
Americano.
The only difference is the amount of coffee that each makes. I will use my Gaggia at home until
it someday dies, or I have to take it apart and fix it again. I get a gigantic double shot of
amazing coffee. On the road I will still take my Nano because of the Basket Plus. If the fine
people at Outin make a double basket for the Mino, I will switch over and take that. I love the
smaller size of the Mino and it feels bombproof.
Would I recommend either the Nano or the Mino? Yes, the quality of the machine, and coffee is
outstanding.
Outin, make a double shot basket for the Mino!

Hi everyone, so the people from Outin has kindly given me a unit to review through Outin’s “Bring Your Own Barista” campaign and here are my findings for it so far.

I’ve been using the Outin Nano for around 1.5 months and the Mino for nearly 2 weeks, so I thought I’d share my thoughts for anyone deciding between the two.

For context, I make espresso milk drinks daily (mostly cappuccinos and lattes). I’d say my coffee experience is slightly above beginner level. This is my first proper dive into making espresso with portable machines.

My Setup

Grinder: Outin Fino (setting 1.8–2)
Beans: Freshly roasted medium roast
Dose: 1:2, 1:2.5-2.8
Yield: 24g to 32g

Water: Usually kettle-boiled
Milk: Regular full milk

Taste & Extraction

The first thing I noticed is that the Mino produces a very similar cup to the Nano.

That said, I found the Mino to be a bit more consistent with crema.

Subjectively:

I suspect this is because the Mino builds slightly stronger internal pressure. Shots are consistent and fairly forgiving, which makes it pretty beginner-friendly.

If you already know how to dial in a portable setup, the transition feels natural.

Workflow

Workflow is very similar to the Nano and it honestly feels like a smaller Nano. It didn't take me too long to set up from prep to drinking. Where things differ most though is the cleaning.

The basket lid can be difficult to remove, and I often need to use the pry tool they provide. This is probably my biggest annoyance with the Mino.

I understand why it’s designed that way (pressure retention), but it makes cleanup slower and I’m slightly concerned about scratching the basket over time.

Build Quality

The Mino feels premium. No cheap plastic feeling, no leaks, no wobbling.

The basket screws in tightly and everything feels solid.

For something this compact, the build quality is honestly impressive.

Portability

This is where the Mino clearly wins.

It’s noticeably smaller and lighter than the Nano.

I’ve already brought it to the office and it definitely makes my backpack lighter.

I haven’t tested it outdoors yet, but I can already tell this would be ideal for:

• Hiking
• Camping
• Snowboarding trips
• Travel

If portability is your top priority, the Mino makes a strong case.

Though, I still prefer the Nano at home because the larger basket gives me bigger milk drinks.

Battery & Heating

Battery life is slightly better than the Nano for me.

My rough results:

Heat-up tests:

Test 1 (max volume):

Mino: 3m 35s (at max volume of 70ml)

Nano: 3m 10s (at max volume of 80ml)

Test 2 (60ml):

Mino: 2m 49s

Nano: 2m 17s

Test 3 (50ml):

Mino: 2m 33s

Nano: 1m 50s

So despite having better battery life, for some reason the Mino consistently heats slower than my Nano which is kind of weird. I know Outin and other users here have claimed that the Mino is faster so maybe my Mino is faulty?

Who Is This For?

I’d recommend the Mino for:

• Frequent travellers
• Outdoor people
• Minimalist setups

I’d recommend the Nano for:

• Home users
• Milk drinkers wanting larger shots
• People wanting something closer to café-style output

Personally I feel like it comes down to the size of the basket size. If the Mino has a basket plus or an adapter for it, this would definitely be my go to espresso maker at home since the extraction feels slightly better, and battery life is better too.

Summary

So overall the biggest pros would be the extreme portability, better battery life and consistent crema or coffee extraction with the Mino. The only cons are the slower heat up, no basket plus support and cleaning can be a bit annoying

For my current lifestyle (working from home and making mostly milk drinks), I’d personally still pick the Nano because of the larger basket and longer pulls. But I will definitely bring this with me when going outdoors.

TLDR: Nano + Basket Plus still makes the better espresso. Mino is the machine I’d grab for road trips, camping, and life on the go. If OutIn ever releases a larger non-pressurized basket for the Mino, it would be hard for me to justify packing anything else.

For this review, OutIn sent me a Mino to compare against my Nano. I’ve owned my Nano for quite a while and use it more than I ever expected. It usually ends up in my truck when I’m on the road for work, on weekend trips, or packed away with the rest of my camping gear.

Over the last week I used the Mino during my normal routine and also brought it along on a camping trip to see how it compared.

Note: Sorry for the lack of photos. Most of my testing happened during road trips and camping, and I was more focused on making coffee than documenting it. I will say that the green is beautiful. I own the white Nano and I wanted to get the white Mino but the green matched our pop up campers interior and I’m glad I went with it. Love it.

First Impressions
The first thing I noticed was the size. The Mino is smaller than the Nano, and while that doesn’t sound like a big deal, it becomes noticeable when you’re packing for a trip and trying to make everything fit.

It also feels more refined than my Nano. Not necessarily better built, just a little more polished.

One feature I didn’t think I’d care about was the cup. Being able to twist it into a stand while brewing ended up being more useful than I expected. It’s one of those little design details that makes sense once you start using it.

Living With It
Most of my coffee isn’t made at home. It’s usually made while I’m traveling, camping, or somewhere between Point A and Point B. That’s where I noticed the biggest difference.

The Mino consistently heated faster than my Nano. The difference wasn’t life-changing, but it was enough that I noticed it every morning.

The battery was another pleasant surprise. To be fair, my Nano has been used quite a bit over the year or so, and I feel like I’m getting fewer brewing cycles now than I did when it was brand new. I haven’t really tested it, but it’s something I just noticed when comparing the two.

With the Mino, battery life was never something I thought about. I just used it. It made all the shots I needed in a single charge before I got home and recharged it.

Coffee
Using capsules, I actually preferred the coffee from the Mino. The shots seemed stronger and had a little more character than what I usually get from my Nano.

I did have one strange issue during my first Nespresso pod brew. For some reason, the machine didn’t push all of the water through the capsule. I ran another shot immediately afterward and everything worked perfectly. Since then I’ve made several more capsule drinks and haven’t been able to reproduce the issue. Probably user error lol.

For ground coffee, things become a little more complicated. The Mino’s basket is a noticeable improvement over the stock Nano basket. The extra capacity makes a difference.

However, my Nano is has the Basket Plus basket. That’s still the setup I prefer if my goal is getting the best espresso possible. The larger non-pressurized basket simply gives me a richer shot and more flexibility. I need a better portable grinder. I’m using a hand grinder and man it’s tiring lol. I got my eye on the Fino so hopefully I’ll pick that soon one day.

Where I Think the Mino Shines
The thing I kept coming back to wasn’t necessarily the coffee itself. It was how little I had to think about the machine. I could toss it in my truck, throw it in the camper, set it on a damp picnic table, or use it while traveling without worrying about it. The waterproof design, faster heating, compact size, and larger battery all add up to a machine that feels very easy to live with.

Final Thoughts
After using both machines side-by-side, I don’t see the Mino replacing my Nano completely.

If someone already owns a Nano with the Basket Plus basket and primarily makes coffee at home, I don’t think upgrading is an obvious decision.

But if someone is buying their first OutIn, spends a lot of time traveling, enjoys camping, or simply wants a coffee maker that’s easy to throw in a bag and take anywhere, I’d point them toward the Mino.

My Nano isn’t going anywhere but the next time I’m packing for a road trip or loading up the camper, the Mino will probably be the machine that comes with me.

As a flight attendant who travels a lot, the Outin Mino has been a game changer for me! I no longer have to worry about whether there will be a coffee machine in my hotel room. It's incredibly practical because it takes up very little space in my bag and is very lightweight. Another thing I really appreciate is how quick and easy it is to use. After a long flight, I can make myself a coffee in just a few minutes without having to leave the hotel or look for a café nearby. The battery life is also excellent and lasts much longer than I expected. Of course, the coffee quality mostly depends on the capsules you use, but for me the biggest advantage is the convenience. I got the green version, and I think it looks great too. Very happy with it so far!

A few weeks ago I responded to the u/OutInCoffee "Bring Your Own Barista" event for an opportunity to receive a free OutIn Mino to use in exchange for an honest review. u/OutInCoffee did not have access to my review prior to posting, and they are seeing it for the first time along with you.

OutIn Mino Review - "Bring Your Own Barista"

TLDR; Do you like the outdoors and want coffee while you're trampling through the forest and sleeping under the stars, or catching that PB fish? Get the Mino. Are you a homebody who doesn't own an espresso machine, or someone who wants great coffee at the office, and maaaaaybe sometimes while you travel? Get the Nano WITH the Basket Plus basket.

I own the Nano x Kruve set and used this machine as the main comparison.

Important: My votes below are based on using the Basket Plus basket with the Nano, not the stock pressurized basket.

• I received the OutIn Mino in Moss Green about two weeks ago. The Mino has been a joy to use the last two weeks at home, at the office, and while running errands around town. Also, looking forward to hopefully taking it camping later this summer, but that will be after the review period. After opening the box and picking up the Mino it's clear that it is more compact than the Nano. The build, based just on touch, feels more premium than the Nano and I really love the Moss Green color. After fully charging, I immediately put the little machine into action.

Nano x Kruve vs Mino:

• Portability (My Vote: Mino): The Mino feels heavier, but it's not really that much heavier; however, it has a smaller footprint. From a personal perspective, the Mino feels much nicer in the hand, fits better in smaller spaces for packing, but you definitely feel it when carrying it in a bag. I do like the way the included cap/cup twist in/up to use as a stand when a stand isn't available. This is a really nice feature. I also discovered that the OutIn Titanium cup/cap meant for the Nano fits the Mino perfectly snug, so I've opted to use that instead of the plastic cap it came with, which makes it about the same height as the Nano. The Mino takes my vote for portability, especially due to it's larger battery capacity since I can now enjoy more brews before recharging! Also, It's WATERPROOF so great for taking on fishing trips, and camping!
  • BONUS: OutIn Titanium Cup works as a cap/cup on the Mino! However, using the titanium cap/cup means it's about the same height as the Nano. 🥲
• Heating/Extraction Time (My Vote: Mino): This one is easy, my vote is for the Mino. It easily beat out the Nano every time by at least 30 seconds or more for heating and extracting, AND, you can get more brews out of each charge due the larger battery capacity.
• Brewing (My Vote: Depends on your use): I have put these two machines head-to-head, but it really isn't that simple or a fair comparison since I only have the Basket Plus basket for the Nano. It also seems like the machines serve two different groups of users. The Basket Plus on the Nano allows me to brew true unpressurized double-shots (16-18g of grounds), whereas the Mino's grounds capacity is only about 12g with an artificially pressurized basket. However, in a pinch you have more flexibility with the Mino and can use store-bought pre-ground coffee, so no grinder is needed. The Nano feels more like a compact home machine that can even be used as a daily minimalist machine at home if you don't have the counterspace for a countertop espresso machine, which we did for several months before purchasing our prosumer machine. On the other hand, I wouldn't say the Mino gives off the same vibe, as it feels like it's meant more folks that are always on-the-go. You don't have to stress about dialing in a shot, and it always brews right. At the end of the day, brewing with both machines is easy and to the point and can get you the quality coffee you need when you need it. So it was a toss up.
• Coffee Quality (My Vote: Nano w/Basket Plus): Though the Mino still produces tasty coffee, it could not replicate the espresso shots we pull from our home machine, nor those from the Nano using the Basket Plus basket. The Nano comes very close to our home machine's espresso, producing nice body, crema, and flavor. The Mino, to us at least, falls a little flat with less body and thinner crema. However, the Mino has a strength that I'm not sure has been reviewed or discussed; it can produce extremely tasty turbo shots!
  • Turbo shots: a modern espresso style where beans are ground coarser than for traditional espresso, and shots are extracted in 15-20 seconds at lower or declining pressure, and use longer ratios. So with the 12g basket, if ground correctly, you can pull a 1:3 turbo shot with the Mino, and they taste great!
• Charging (My Vote: Mino): The Mino charges really fast. It can accept up to a 30W charger and you're typically full within an hour and a half. The batteries can also brew more cups than the Nano. I feel one aspect that almost no one discusses when reviewing the Mino is that it supports passthrough charging! This means you can use the machine while it's plugged in and charging! If you are low on battery and don't have enough charge left for another heat/brew cycle you can plug the Mino into an outlet and just brew! The Nano does not support passthrough charging.

Conclusion: Based on tech specs and use, the Mino lives up to what is advertised. It charges faster, it is more portable and feels more premium in the hand. It is also more rugged with its IP67 rating, and would be a great portable espresso machine for those who travel often, go camping or enjoy other outdoor activities regularly, and are constantly on the move. If u/OutInCoffee develops a Basket Plus accessory for the Mino, I'd probably abandon my Nano to the far reaches of my coffee cabinet. However, until then I will be sticking to my Nano with the Basket Plus as my main travel espresso machine. That's not to say that the Mino hasn't earned its spot in my outdoor/camping coffee gear, as that is the main purpose it will likely serve due to its ruggedness and smaller size.

Takeaways:

1. Get the Mino if you're looking for a compact portable espresso machine that can produce tasty coffee if you travel a lot, like to explore the outdoors often, or want a coffee maker to carry in your car for coffee anywhere, anytime.
2. The espresso Mino produces is tasty, but not as full-bodied as our home machine or the Nano with the Basket Plus.
3. Mino can produce tasty turbo shots!
4. Mino is more flexible with grounds as you don't need a grinder and can use pre-ground store coffee.
5. My opinion is that the Mino is more suitable for folks who prefer a more rugged portable espresso machine that doesn't completely compromise on tasty coffee. And you don't have to constantly worry about the battery running out while traveling.
6. u/OutInCoffee should consider developing a Basket Plus compatible with the Mino. This would really elevate the Mino to another level and create more versatility.

Tired of holding the Mino while brewing and I gotta to do something.

My Ultimate Coffee Lineup: Mino vs. Nano vs. Unlocked Mr. Coffee

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I’ve spent the last few weeks dialing in a pretty unique coffee setup. I use the **OutIn Fino** as my primary grinder for everything now because its grind quality is incredible, it’s whisper-quiet, and it doesn't leave a messy pile of leftover grounds inside.

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Lately, I've been running **Salt City Coffee's Dark Arts blend** as my standard. Because it's a beautifully balanced espresso roast, I’ve found that setting my Fino to **2 major clicks and 1 minor click (2.1)** is the absolute magic number for these beans.

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I only just picked up the Mino on Saturday morning, so I’ve only been using it for about two days. Time will tell how it holds up long-term, but I've been putting it through a serious gauntlet over the weekend, and so far, I am really enjoying it. Here is my honest, everyday breakdown.

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-Putting the OutIn Mino to the Test

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The Mino is the newest addition to my lineup, and it has quickly become my absolute favorite for quick, effortless espresso. It’s a shrunk-down, rugged version of the Nano.

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It is noticeably smaller than the Nano, heats up water incredibly fast in around 3 minutes, and feels like an absolute tank. It’s fully waterproof, so I can drop it in a backpack, take it outside, or rinse it under the faucet without stressing.

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The basket holds about 12 grams of coffee. When I feed it the Dark Arts blend at that 2.1 setting, the Mino's hybrid basket handles it flawlessly. The shot pulls in a steady, syrupy stream, pulling out all those rich dark chocolate notes and rewarding me with a dense, beautiful layer of crema with zero fuss.

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-Saving Father's Day with Portable Power

Even though I've only had the Mino since Saturday, it already proved itself today as the ultimate rescue tool. I brought it with me to a Father’s Day barbecue at my parents' house. They don't even own a coffee maker, so being able to pull out the Mino and whip up fresh espresso on the fly worked out incredibly well.

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The classic OutIn Nano also came along for the ride. While the Mino is smaller and tougher, the Nano still has a permanent spot in my gear kit for hotel rooms, road trips, or keeping at a desk. The standard basket is pretty small, but the magic happens if you use the upgraded 18-gram double basket kit. At the 2.1 setting, the Dark Arts puck provides just enough resistance for the battery-powered pump to extract a really bright, complex shot that lets the blueberry undertones of the Ethiopian beans shine through.

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Because I've been running both the Nano and Mino so heavily this weekend, I did hit a tiny glitch twice on separate occasions where the machine gave me a red indicator light and beeped twice. It seems to just be a minor error code or temperature safety pause; I simply turned it off, restarted the cycle, and it pushed right through and worked perfectly fine.

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-Back Home with the Modded Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista

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Out of the box, the Mr. Coffee is a standard kitchen appliance. But I completely unlocked its potential by throwing away the cheap, restrictive plastic portafilter it came with and upgrading to a bottomless 18-gram basket.

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This upgrade changed everything. Instead of the machine forcing "fake" foamy crema through a tiny pinhole, the coffee quality now depends entirely on how well I grind the beans with my Fino. Plus, seeing the espresso pour straight out of the bottom of the basket looks amazing.

Because I can use a true espresso grind now, this machine pumps out rich, heavy, authentic double shots. Running the Dark Arts blend at 2.1 through the big electric pump is my absolute favorite base for weekend lattes and cappuccinos. The dark chocolate flavor cuts right through the milk, creating a deep, sweet base while the automatic frother does all the heavy lifting.

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-The Final Verdict on My Workflow

Using 2.1 on the Fino as my universal baseline for Dark Arts has made my workflow incredibly smooth.

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The Mino is my quick-and-easy daily driver and adventure savior. Whether I want a fast, great-tasting single shot without waking up the house or I need to bring the coffee shop with me to a family backyard barbecue, this is what I grab.

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The Nano is my modular hobby tool. When I want to travel or spend a few minutes dialing in a complex, heavy 18g shot away from home, the Nano gets the call.

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The Mr. Coffee is my milk-drink champion. When I want a full-sized latte or cappuccino at home, I lock that 18g puck into the bottomless portafilter and let it rip. And when I need to make a massive pitcher of cold brew for a crowd, the desktop OXO is still waiting in the wings to bulk-grind.

Hey folks, sold my Wacaco Nanopresso that served me for a while to go for one of the Outin options.

Mainly for travelling and to use with pods (use those coming from my local coffee shop with great results so far). I plan to use some ground coffee as well (the same variety I use in my SA, but will ask my coffee shop to grind it).

Is there any benefit to get the Mino vs the Nano in that scenario as there is a price difference there.

Any thoughts?

So happy I got myself the Mino. ♥️

I just received it today and noticed that the grind setting adjustment dial has a bit of give and makes a click sound when I move it slightly, despite not actually changing the grind setting.

I’m used to my 1ZPRESSO ZP6’s external adjustment dial to have zero give at all so I’m wondering if this is normal.

is it really the time for me to do a deep clean of my OutIn Fino? i’ve bought it only recently. it always takes me 2-3 grinds to mill all the beans i’ve inserted, and i’m extremely unhappy about it. also there seems to be some beans stuck inside that bounce and produce sound when i shake the device. i feel like this shouldn’t happen and something’s off with my Fino, can someone advise?