WACACO Minipresso NS2 Review: Nespresso Pods Anywhere

Our WACACO Minipresso NS2 review comes down to one point: this is the least-effort way to make espresso away from home, as long as you already like Nespresso Original pods. You put a pod in the bottom, pour boiling water in the top and pump until nothing more comes out. Across eight video reviews, nobody argued that it makes better coffee than a capsule machine at home, and the one head-to-head ranking among them put it fifth of six portable brewers. The reviewers liked it anyway, because it is small, simple and quick to clean. What most single reviews skip is what owners report in the comments. The capsule head can stick shut after a shot, and a minority of units stop piercing pods. Both are covered below, along with how the NS2 differs from the original Minipresso NS.

What Reviewers Agree On

Aspect	What reviewers found	Sources
Size and weight	Clearly smaller and lighter than earlier Wacaco pod options. ADV4ME weighed it at 293 g, against 398 g for a Nanopresso with the NS adapter	5 of 8
Ease of use	Pod in, water in, pump. No dosing, tamping or dial-in	5 of 8
Cup quality	Decent crema and a drinkable shot, but it tastes like capsule coffee	6 of 8
Hot water	It does not heat anything. You need a kettle, stove or hotel coffee maker	5 of 8
Pods only	Ground coffee means buying a different model (GR2, Nanopresso or Picopresso)	5 of 8
Pumping effort	Split: Erin Lawrence and DM Finds found it easy; ADV4ME and Mr.Coffee Reviews said it takes sustained force	4 of 8 (split)
Cleanup	Pop out the pod, rinse the head, empty the tank	4 of 8

The spec sheet is short. WACACO lists an 18-bar maximum pressure (its claim, the same figure it gives the Nanopresso), an 80 ml tank, a 60 x 70 x 129 mm body and 290 g. The box includes the cup, a drip tray, a cleaning brush and a carrying pouch. WACACO says the parts aren't dishwasher safe and that some non-Nespresso pods "might not work well". Its Amazon listing also says pods with paper filter membranes are not compatible.

Check the Minipresso NS2's price on Amazon

Minipresso NS vs NS2: What Changed

The original Minipresso NS is still on sale, and several popular reviews cover that model rather than the NS2, so it helps to know which one you're watching. The original is the longer tube. Its water tank screws onto one end, the cap becomes the cup, and Coffee Brewster weighed it at a little under half a kilo. The Nomad Barista set the original NS, a Nanopresso with NS adapter and the NS2 side by side. He showed that on the older designs the tank is a separate part outside the pump. On the NS2 the water sits directly above the pump, as on the Picopresso, and that is most of why it's so much shorter.

What reviewers noticed in use:

• Filling is different. You pour hot water into the top of the body instead of filling a separate tank and screwing it back on. Two owners said this made filling safer, and one had scalded himself on the older model.
• The piston feels better. Erin Lawrence found the action smoother and the lid seal tighter than on her old Nanopresso. ADV4ME said the plunger sits better in the hand.
• Shots taste about the same. ADV4ME pulled shots back to back on the NS2 and his Nanopresso with adapter and couldn't pick a winner.
• Less flexibility. The Nanopresso can switch back to ground coffee. The NS2 can't, and Erin Lawrence found no double-shot tank for it.

If you already own a Nanopresso with the NS adapter, ADV4ME's advice is to keep it. If you're starting from nothing and only want pods, buy the NS2.

How to Get a Better Shot From the NS2

The basic sequence is the same in every video. Unscrew the bottom head, push the pod in narrow end first, screw the head back on, fill the top with just-boiled water, close the lid, twist the piston free and pump. DM Finds and ADV4ME saw coffee after six to eight pumps, once the pod pierced with an audible pop. Erin Lawrence counted 20 to 30 presses for a full shot. The shot is done when the piston stops pushing back.

Tips from reviewers and owners:

1. Preheat if you can spare the water. One owner found the coffee lukewarm. Coffee Brewster preheated the original NS with boiling water and poured it out. ADV4ME does the same with his Nanopresso by running hot water through it without a pod. The same trick should help on the NS2.
2. Use less water for a stronger cup. Alternative Brewing, a retailer that sells the NS2, measured roughly 65 to 75 g of coffee from a full 80 ml tank, which is closer to a lungo. A long-term owner who left a well-liked comment fills only a few millimetres above the printed logo inside the tank.
3. Seat the pod before tightening. ADV4ME pushes the pod into the head first so the bottom threads go on straight.
4. Stop at one pod. Several owners asked about running a second tank through the same pod. One who tried it said the result was more like a diluted Americano than a double shot.
5. Try different pods if pumping feels stiff. One owner found compostable pods pumped more easily than some aluminium ones. That's a single report, so treat it as something to try.

What Else You Need to Buy

The NS2 is cheap to own because it needs very little else, but check that you have these before you pack it:

• Nespresso Original pods. Nespresso's own pods are the safe choice, and an owner on Alternative Brewing's video reported that L'OR and Lavazza pods worked well. Our guide to Nespresso-compatible pods covers the brands worth trying. Vertuo pods won't fit, as our Vertuo vs Original guide explains.
• A way to boil water. Erin Lawrence used hotel coffee makers, kettles and a camp stove. A small backpacking stove covers hiking and moto trips.
• A case, if it travels in a bag. WACACO sells a travel case kit for the NS2. In The Nomad Barista's video it held a capsule box for fresh and used pods, plus a mat. The used-pod box matters on a trail with no bin.
• No grinder, scale or kettle with a gooseneck. That's the point of this model. If you want ground coffee, look at the Minipresso GR2 instead.

Reusable capsules are an open question. Owners asked about them in at least five comments and none of the reviewers tested one. WACACO rules out pods with paper filters. Treat refillable steel pods as untested on this machine.

See Nespresso Original pod variety packs

Owner-Reported Problems

The reviews are almost all positive. The comments under them are not, and the same complaints come up across different videos:

• The head sticks after brewing. About nine comments across three videos say the capsule head was very hard to unscrew after a shot. One owner needed a jar opener. Others said it loosened if they waited for it to cool.
• No piercing, or no pressure. About ten owners reported clear water instead of coffee, a pod that never pierced, or a pump that stopped building pressure. One unit failed within its first few uses and another after about two years. Some of these could be pod or assembly problems, but there are too many to ignore. WACACO's warranty is one year, so test the NS2 as soon as it arrives.
• Drips and leaks. A few owners saw clear water dribbling past the pod while pumping, or coffee spraying when they opened the head. Keep a cloth under it on a table.
• Lukewarm coffee. Two owners said the shot wasn't hot. Preheating helps.

None of the reviewers had these failures on camera, and most of them used the NS2 for a short time. That's why the owner comments get their own section here.

How It Compares

The NS2 is the capsule-only member of WACACO's range. In our best portable espresso maker roundup it's the easy-mode option, not the best cup.

• vs Nanopresso with NS adapter: the Nanopresso is bigger and heavier with the adapter, but it also takes ground coffee. Choose it if you want both. ADV4ME found the NS2 cost less than the Nanopresso plus adapter on WACACO's site.
• vs Minipresso GR2: same body, but for ground coffee. Mr.Coffee Reviews found it needed less force to pump than the NS2, though its shot reminded him more of moka pot coffee.
• vs Picopresso: the Picopresso makes far better espresso but needs a good grinder, a scale and practice. Cafelista ranked it joint first, and the NS2 fifth.
• vs a home pod machine: for a fixed kitchen spot, an electric machine like the Essenza Mini heats its own water and needs no pumping.

Compare the Nanopresso on Amazon

As a Gift

The NS2 is an easy gift for the right person, and it costs well under $100. It suits:

• Nespresso Original owners who travel for work, camp, hike or ride motorbikes. A commenter on ADV4ME's video was choosing one as a camping gift.
• Vanlifers and campers with a stove but no power to spare.
• Students or office workers who want pod espresso at a desk with a hot-water tap.

Don't give it to:

• Specialty-coffee people who grind their own beans. They'll want a Picopresso.
• Anyone who drinks Vertuo pods or mostly drinks big mugs of coffee.
• Someone who would struggle with a stiff pump or a tight screw cap. Two owners said their partners found a Minipresso hard to pump or open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Minipresso NS2 work with any Nespresso pod?

It takes Nespresso Original pods and most compatibles. WACACO warns that some non-Nespresso pods may not work well and that pods with paper filter membranes don't work at all. Vertuo pods won't fit.

Can you make a double shot with the Minipresso NS2?

Not properly. There is no double-shot tank. Running a second tank through the same pod gives a longer, weaker drink. For a real double, use two pods.

Do you need to preheat the Minipresso NS2?

It isn't required, but it helps if your coffee comes out lukewarm. Fill it with boiling water, pour that out, then brew.

Is the Minipresso NS2 allowed in carry-on luggage?

None of the reviewers covered airport security, and that depends on your airport and airline. It has no battery or blade. Erin Lawrence packed hers for business travel but didn't mention security checks.

Why won't my Minipresso NS2 open after brewing?

Owners report pressure and heat holding the head tight. Most say it loosens after cooling for a few minutes. If it keeps happening, or the pod stops piercing, contact WACACO under the one-year warranty.

Is the Minipresso NS2 better than the original Minipresso NS?

Reviewers prefer it for size, weight, filling and pump feel. The cup tastes much the same, because the pod sets the flavor.

WACACO Minipresso NS2 Review Verdict

Buy the Minipresso NS2 if you already like Nespresso Original pods and want espresso on trips with almost no kit. It's the smallest and simplest pod option reviewers covered, and it needs nothing but hot water. Don't buy it for ground coffee, double shots or a better cup than your pod machine at home. Test it as soon as it arrives, because the stuck-head and no-pierce reports are common enough to check for within the return window. Our editorial score is 4.0 out of 5.

See the Minipresso NS2 on Amazon

How We Reviewed

Netspresso did not test the Minipresso NS2 in-house. We watched eight video reviews and read every comment under them. Seven cover the NS2 and one covers the original Minipresso NS for comparison. We pulled out what each reviewer measured, praised and complained about, and counted recurring owner complaints. We gave less weight to The Nomad Barista, who uses a WACACO affiliate link and appears in WACACO's own NS2 promo, and to Alternative Brewing, a retailer that sells the NS2. We left out WACACO's own channel. We checked specs against WACACO's product page and Amazon listing. If only one source made a claim, the review names that source.

Sources

• Erin Lawrence: Wacaco Minipresso NS2 - Full hands-on Review
• The Nomad Barista: Minipresso NS2 – The ULTIMATE Coffee Travel Kit for Capsules
• ADV4ME: Wacaco Nanopresso vs Minipresso NS2
• Mr.Coffee Reviews: WACACO MINIPRESSO NS2 vs GR2
• Alternative Brewing: How to Use the Wacaco Minipresso NS2: A Portable Nespresso Brewer
• Cafelista: six-brewer portable espresso maker comparison
• DM Finds: Minipresso NS2 Review - The Ultimate Portable Nespresso Pod Machine
• Coffee Brewster: Wacaco Minipresso NS Review: Portable Nespresso Machine
• WACACO: Minipresso NS2 product page