Presto MyJo: A Portable Single-Serve Coffee Maker Worth Considering

The Presto MyJo is a portable, non-electric single-serve coffee maker that works with K-Cup pods, soft coffee pods, and your own ground coffee. If you're looking for a way to make coffee while camping, traveling, or during a power outage, the MyJo is one of the simplest options out there. You just add hot water, press down, and you've got a cup of coffee in about 60 seconds.

I picked up a MyJo a few years back for backpacking trips and have put it through plenty of use since then. It's not going to replace your home brewing setup, but for specific situations, it fills a real gap. Here's what I've learned from using it regularly, along with some tips for getting the best cup out of this little device.

How the Presto MyJo Works

The design is about as simple as it gets. The MyJo is a manual, gravity-fed brewer with no moving parts, no batteries, and no electricity required. Here's the basic process:

Boil water separately (kettle, camp stove, microwave, whatever you have)
Place the MyJo on top of your mug
Insert a K-Cup pod, soft pod, or the reusable mesh filter with your own grounds
Pour hot water into the reservoir (it holds about 8 ounces)
Place the plunger on top and press down slowly

The water pushes through the coffee grounds and drips directly into your mug. The whole process takes about 60-90 seconds depending on how fast you press.

What Sets It Apart From Other Portable Brewers

Unlike the AeroPress, which uses air pressure to force water through grounds, the MyJo relies on simple mechanical pressure from the plunger. This means less extraction pressure and a lighter body in the cup. It's more similar to a pour-over in character, though not as clean since the flow rate isn't as controlled.

The K-Cup compatibility is the real differentiator. If you're already buying K-Cups for a Keurig at home, you can use those same pods on the road. No measuring, no cleanup, no coffee grounds to deal with.

Coffee Quality: Setting Realistic Expectations

Let me be honest here. The MyJo makes decent coffee, not great coffee. On a scale where specialty pour-over is a 9 and gas station coffee is a 3, I'd put the MyJo at about a 5-6.

With K-Cups, the coffee tastes exactly like what you'd get from a Keurig. That's not a compliment or an insult; it is what it is. The extraction is adequate, and you get a consistent result every time.

With the reusable filter and your own grounds, the quality improves significantly. I grind my coffee fresh right before brewing, and the difference is noticeable. A medium grind works best. Too fine and the water won't push through easily. Too coarse and you get weak, under-extracted coffee.

Water temperature matters a lot. The MyJo doesn't heat water, so you're responsible for getting the temperature right. I aim for 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. If you pour boiling water straight off the stove, wait about 30 seconds to let it cool slightly. Water that's too hot will over-extract and taste bitter.

My biggest gripe with the coffee quality is the lack of immersion time. Because the water passes through the grounds relatively quickly, you don't get the full extraction you'd get from a French press or even a slow pour-over. The result is a thinner body and less complexity in the cup.

Best Use Cases for the MyJo

The MyJo isn't trying to be your daily driver. It shines in specific situations.

Camping and Backpacking

At just 7.6 ounces, the MyJo is light enough for a backpack without being a burden. I pair it with a small hand grinder and a Jetboil stove. The whole coffee kit weighs under a pound. For mornings at the campsite when you just want something hot and caffeinated, it delivers. If you're interested in grinders that travel well, our best coffee grinder roundup covers several portable options.

Hotel Rooms

Hotel room coffee is famously terrible. The MyJo lets you use your own K-Cups or ground coffee with the hot water from the in-room kettle. It's a significant upgrade over those little packets of instant coffee.

Emergency Preparedness

During power outages, most coffee makers are useless. The MyJo just needs hot water from any source, even a gas stove or campfire. I keep one in my emergency supply kit for exactly this reason.

Office Use Without a Machine

If your office doesn't have a coffee maker, or the communal one is disgusting, the MyJo sits in a desk drawer and makes zero noise. No electricity, no mess, no judgmental looks from coworkers.

Durability and Build Quality

The MyJo is made primarily from BPA-free plastic. It feels sturdy enough for regular use, but I wouldn't call it rugged. After two years of camping trips, mine has some scuff marks and minor discoloration from coffee oils, but no cracks or functional issues.

The plunger seal is the part most likely to wear out over time. When it starts to lose its seal, the press becomes less effective and water may leak around the sides instead of pushing through the grounds. Presto sells replacement parts, which is a nice touch for a sub-$20 product.

Cleaning is simple. Pop out the pod or filter, rinse everything under water, and let it air dry. There are no internal tubes or hidden chambers where mold can grow, which is a common problem with electric single-serve machines.

I've also run it through the dishwasher (top rack) a few times with no damage, though Presto technically recommends hand washing.

MyJo vs. Other Portable Coffee Makers

MyJo vs. AeroPress

The AeroPress makes better coffee, full stop. It uses more pressure, allows for longer steep times, and gives you much more control over the brewing process. But the AeroPress doesn't accept K-Cups, requires paper or metal filters, and has a slightly more involved cleanup process. If coffee quality is your priority, go with the AeroPress. If convenience and K-Cup compatibility matter more, the MyJo wins.

MyJo vs. Pour-Over Dripper

A collapsible pour-over cone (like a silicone dripper) is lighter, cheaper, and makes better coffee than the MyJo. You do need paper filters and ground coffee, so there's no K-Cup shortcut. For serious coffee lovers who travel light, the pour-over dripper is usually the better choice.

MyJo vs. Wacaco Nanopresso

The Nanopresso makes espresso-style coffee using manual pressure, which the MyJo can't do. It's also more expensive and requires finer grounds. If you want espresso on the go, the Nanopresso is worth the premium. For regular brewed coffee, the MyJo is simpler and cheaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Presto MyJo make espresso?

No. The MyJo doesn't generate enough pressure to make true espresso. It produces brewed coffee similar in strength to what you'd get from a drip machine or Keurig. If you need portable espresso, look at manual espresso makers like the Wacaco Nanopresso or Flair.

How many cups can you make with one fill?

One. The MyJo's reservoir holds about 8 ounces of water, which produces one standard cup of coffee. For a second cup, you need to refill with hot water and use a fresh pod or grounds. It's designed for single servings.

Does the MyJo work with reusable K-Cups?

Yes. Third-party reusable K-Cups fit the MyJo just like disposable ones. This is actually my preferred way to use it because you get better coffee from fresh grounds and produce less waste. Just make sure the reusable K-Cup doesn't have a tall lid that interferes with the plunger.

How fine should I grind coffee for the MyJo?

A medium grind, similar to what you'd use for drip coffee, works best. If you go too fine, the water won't push through and you'll struggle with the plunger. Too coarse and the water runs through too fast, producing weak coffee. If you're grinding your own beans, check our top coffee grinder guide for grinders that offer consistent medium grinds.

Final Thoughts

The Presto MyJo is a $15 tool that does exactly one thing: make a quick cup of coffee without electricity. It won't impress coffee snobs, and the brewing quality has a clear ceiling. But for campers, travelers, office workers, and anyone who wants a dead-simple backup coffee maker, it earns its spot. Buy it for what it is, not for what you wish it could be, and you'll be satisfied.