There are few things I love more than a good cup of coffee, and there are few things more disappointing than being somewhere without a decent way to make one.
That is exactly why portable coffee makers have become so interesting to me.
I love drinking coffee at home, but I also love a good adventure.
Whether I’m sitting on the porch, traveling, camping, staying in a hotel, or simply spending a morning somewhere without access to my espresso machine, having a way to make a real espresso drink can be a game changer.
And honestly, life is all about the little things.
So when I got the chance to try the little Citaly GO-1 Portable Espresso Machine from Wirsh, I was pretty excited.
This little machine is designed to let you make espresso without being tied to a traditional espresso machine or an electrical outlet. It can use either coffee grounds or coffee capsules, has a built-in rechargeable battery, and can even heat the water itself.
But does this portable espresso machine actually make good espresso?
And more importantly, is it worth the price?
After spending time using the Citaly GO-1, here is my honest review…
A quick disclaimer before we get started
The Citaly GO-1 was provided to me by Wirsh for review. That means I did not purchase the machine myself, but this review reflects my genuine experience with the product. Wirsh did not determine what I would say in this review, and I am sharing both the things I really love about the machine and the things I think you should know before buying it.
The Coffee Collect is reader supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this little coffee dream of mine <3
Now, let’s get into the coffee…
What is the Citaly GO-1?
The Citaly GO-1 is a portable, battery-powered espresso machine designed for making espresso when you don’t have access to a traditional espresso machine.
Unlike some portable espresso makers that require you to heat water separately, the GO-1 has a built-in heating system. That means you can add cold water, turn on the machine, and let it heat the water before brewing.
The machine can heat cold water and brew espresso in approximately 3–4 minutes. If you already have hot water, brewing is significantly faster.
It also gives you two different ways to make your coffee:
- Ground coffee
- Nespresso Original Line-compatible capsules
And it also gives you two different brewing modes:
- Espresso Extraction
- Cold Brew Extraction
That flexibility is one of the things I think makes this machine particularly appealing for travel.
You can bring your favorite beans and grind them fresh using a portable grinder, or you can throw a few capsules into your bag when you want something extremely simple.
My first impression
The first thing I noticed about the Citaly GO-1 is just how compact it is.
It has a tall, narrow design rather than looking like a miniature traditional espresso machine. Wirsh lists the dimensions at approximately 69mm × 224.5mm and the weight at about 760 grams. (Imagine one of those thermal water bottles designed to fit in all cupholders/backpack side pockets)
The entire point is portability.
I can see this being particularly useful for someone who travels frequently, goes camping or RVing, spends time at a lake or cabin, or simply wants to have espresso available somewhere that doesn’t have a coffee setup, such as an office.
For me, one of the biggest appeals was being able to take my espresso routine with me when I go camping. I also really enjoy going out and watching sunrises with a coffee in hand, and this allows me to make coffee during the sunrise which is super-duper cool.
All in all, this machine simply gives you lots of freedom.
How does the Citaly GO-1 work?
The basic process is surprisingly simple.
You add your coffee grounds or capsule, add your water, turn the machine on by clicking one button, and let it do its thing.
The machine has a built-in rechargeable battery, so you aren’t required to plug it into an outlet while brewing.
Cold water vs. hot water
If you’re using cold water, the machine heats the water before extraction.
If you’re using hot water, you can skip that heating process and get your espresso much more quickly.
That distinction is important.
If you’re traveling somewhere where you don’t have access to hot water, the self-heating feature is a huge part of what makes the Citaly GO-1 useful.
But if you’re at home or somewhere with a kettle, coffee maker, microwave, etc., using hot water is much faster.
So I wouldn’t necessarily think of the self-heating feature as the fastest possible way to make espresso.
I’d think of it as the feature that gives you freedom from needing another appliance.
And that is a pretty big deal when you’re traveling.
Cold Brew Mode
The Citaly GO-1 has a cold brew mode that can be activated with cold water (below 50°C) by double-pressing the button.
Cold brew extraction takes longer than espresso extraction, but the result is a nice, smooth, and less bitter coffee.
Speaking from experience, it tastes amazing when brewed over ice on a hot summer day.
How does the coffee taste?
This is probably the most important question.
Because honestly, I don’t care how portable an espresso machine is if the coffee tastes terrible.
The Citaly GO-1 produces a legitimate espresso-style extraction with a layer of crema, and I was pleasantly surprised by the overall result.
I made an instagram reel using the Citaly GO-1 and even some of my followers commented on how surprised they were by how impressive the extraction was.
That said, I think it’s important to have realistic expectations.
This is a portable espresso machine, not a full-size espresso machine with a commercial grinder, 58mm portafilter, adjustable pressure, temperature controls, and a steam wand.
If you are someone who loves dialing in espresso shots and adjusting every variable of the extraction, this isn’t going to give you the same experience as your countertop setup.
But if your goal is:
“I want a good espresso shot when I’m away from home.”
That’s where this machine makes a lot more sense.
And for that purpose, I think it does an impressive job.
Ground coffee vs. capsules
One of my favorite things about the Citaly GO-1 is that you aren’t locked into one brewing method.
The machine can use Nespresso Original Line-compatible capsules as well as ground coffee. Wirsh specifically notes that it is not compatible with Nespresso Vertuo or Dolce Gusto capsules, so keep that in mind.
Using coffee grounds
If you’re like me, the ground coffee option is probably going to be your favorite.
You can use freshly ground coffee from your favorite roaster and have much more control over what you’re drinking.
The machine includes a reusable stainless-steel filter basket designed specifically for ground coffee.
The obvious downside is that grounds require a little more work.
You need to have coffee available, grind it ahead of time or bring a portable grinder, dose it into the basket, and clean the basket afterward.
But personally, I think that’s worth it if you’re trying to get the best cup possible.
Using capsules
Capsules are where the convenience factor really shines.
If you’re going on a trip and don’t want to bring a grinder or worry about measuring coffee, you can simply pack a handful of capsules.
Pop one in, brew, and you’re done.
For travel, I think this is probably the easiest way to use the machine.
And because the machine accepts Nespresso Original Line-compatible capsules, you have plenty of options when it comes to coffee. Shop Nespresso Original Line capsules HERE
Check out the → Geimori T38 Portable Coffee Grinder ←
What I love about the Citaly GO-1
1. It is genuinely portable
This might sound obvious, but portability is the entire reason you would buy this machine—and I think the Citaly does a good job of delivering on that promise.
It is small enough to put in a backpack, suitcase, or travel bag without taking up a ridiculous amount of space.
It also doesn’t require you to find an outlet just to make your coffee.
That is a huge advantage over traditional espresso machines.
2. The built-in heating is incredibly convenient
This is probably my favorite feature.
You don’t necessarily need to carry around a kettle or find somewhere to heat water.
You can add cold water and let the machine do the heating for you.
It takes approximately 3–4 minutes to heat cold water to brewing temperature.
That isn’t instantaneous, but considering that you’re heating the water and brewing the espresso from a battery-powered portable machine, I think it’s pretty impressive.
3. You have the choice between grounds and capsules
I really appreciate having both options.
There are mornings when I want to use my own coffee, and there are situations where I want the absolute easiest option possible.
The Citaly gives you both.
4. The stainless-steel cup is a nice touch
The machine uses a double-walled SUS316 stainless-steel cup rather than relying entirely on plastic for the coffee receptacle.
It feels much nicer than some of the flimsy plastic cups I’ve seen included with portable coffee makers.
5. It’s fun!
This might sound like a silly thing to include in a product review, but it matters.
There is something genuinely fun about making an espresso with a machine this small.
It turns “I’m going to make coffee” into a little experience.
And if you’re a coffee person, you probably understand exactly what I mean.
No product is completely perfect
Now for the part I think is especially important in a product review.
No product is perfect, and I don’t want this review to pretend that it is.
1. It isn’t going to replace your home espresso machine
This is the biggest thing I would want a potential buyer to understand.
If you’re looking for a machine to replace your traditional espresso setup, this isn’t it.
You don’t get the same level of control over extraction that you get with a full-size espresso machine.
There is no steam wand, no large portafilter, no built-in grinder, and no ability to fine-tune your espresso in the same way you can with a traditional setup.
The Citaly GO-1 is best viewed as a travel companion, not a replacement for your home espresso machine.
2. The water capacity is on the smaller side
The maximum water capacity is around 50mL.
That makes sense for a portable espresso machine, but it does mean you have the maximum capacity to make a little less than two full espresso shots at a time rather than a large cup of coffee.
If you’re hoping to press one button and have a 12-ounce iced latte ready to drink, you’re going to have to do a little more work.
Personally, I think this is a reasonable trade-off for the size of the machine—but it’s something you should know before purchasing.
3. There is still some cleanup involved
Portable doesn’t mean maintenance-free.
The parts are detachable and rinseable, which makes cleaning relatively straightforward.
But if you’re using ground coffee, you still have a coffee basket to empty and rinse.
That’s not a dealbreaker for me, but if your ideal travel coffee routine is “make coffee and don’t clean anything,” capsules will definitely be the easier option.
4. Battery Life Requires Attentiveness and Planning
Like any portable device, you’ll also need to pay attention to the battery level and remember to charge it before heading out.
How many shots can it make?
This is one area where I would pay attention to how you’re using the machine.
Wirsh states that the machine can make approximately 3–4 cups when using the full heating cycle with cold water, while hot-water brewing allows for significantly more shots because the battery isn’t being used to heat the water.
For me, this reinforces what I think is the ideal use case:
One or two people who want espresso while traveling.
If you’re trying to make espresso for an entire group of people every morning using cold water, you’re probably going to find yourself reaching the battery limitations pretty quickly.
Who should buy the Citaly GO-1?
The Citaly GO-1 would be ideal for someone who:
- Loves espresso but travels frequently
- Wants espresso without an outlet
- Wants flexibility
- Has limited space
And it would be great in environments like:
- Dorm rooms
- Road trips
- Camping
- RVs
- Hotels
- Offices
- Travel
- Cabins
- Lake weekends
- Early-morning outdoor adventures
Who probably shouldn’t buy it?
I wouldn’t recommend the Citaly GO-1 if:
- You want a full home espresso setup.
- You want complete control over your extraction.
- You regularly make coffee for a large group.
- You only drink drip coffee or large cups of coffee.
My overall verdict
After using the Citaly GO-1, I think the most important thing to understand is that its biggest strength isn’t that it is the best espresso machine ever made.
Its biggest strength is that it lets you have espresso almost anywhere.
And that is a pretty cool thing.
I would never choose this over my full-size espresso machine when I’m at home and have access to my entire coffee setup.
But that’s not the point.
If I’m traveling, camping, staying somewhere without an espresso machine, or sitting outside and want to make a real espresso drink without going back inside, suddenly this little machine becomes incredibly appealing.
The Citaly GO-1 takes something that normally requires a countertop, an electrical outlet, a grinder, and a fairly involved setup and shrinks it down into something you can throw in a bag.
For the coffee lover who refuses to settle for bad travel coffee, the Citaly GO-1 is definitely worth considering.
Because sometimes the best part of making coffee isn’t even the coffee.
It’s where you get to drink it.
Want to try the Citaly GO-1?
You can learn more about the Citaly GO-1 and check the current price directly from Wirsh by clicking the button below ↓
Don’t forget to use my exclusive code COFFEECOLLECT30 for 15% off on up to two products!
