Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker vs Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

8.8/10 Great

4.5★ (3,800 owners)

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

Full Review

Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker

8.8/10 Great

4.4★ (12,400 owners)

18 bar manual pressure, 80ml, 45g weight, no batteries. True espresso without electricity.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker	Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
247Verdict Score	8.8/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (3,800)	4.4★ (12,400)
Verdict	Great	Great

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker: Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee. Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker: 18 bar manual pressure, 80ml, 45g weight, no batteries. True espresso without electricity. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Stainless mesh filter eliminates paper filter cost and waste forever
Immersion brewing extracts coffee oils for fuller, richer body than paper-filtered methods
Ceramic vessel is dishwasher safe and aesthetically distinctive on any kitchen surface
George Sowden's award-winning Italian design heritage applied to coffee brewing
Under £60 for a 8-cup coffee maker that never needs consumable filter papers

More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage
Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results
Ceramic can crack under thermal shock — avoid pouring boiling water directly on cold ceramics

Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker

18 bar extraction pressure — higher than many electric espresso machines
45g weight fits in a jacket pocket — genuinely the most portable espresso solution available
No electricity required — works anywhere with hot water
Produces genuine espresso crema comparable to electric alternatives
Under £50 — the most affordable genuine espresso maker that doesn't require power

Manual pumping action requires 10-15 pumps per shot — physical effort involved
80ml water capacity limits to one espresso per fill without refilling
Learning curve for optimal tamping pressure to achieve consistent extraction

FAQ

Which is better, Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup or Wacaco Nanopresso?

Is the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup worth the extra cost?

The Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup best suited to?

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

Who is the Wacaco Nanopresso best suited to?

18 bar manual pressure, 80ml, 45g weight, no batteries. True espresso without electricity.

What are the main downsides of each?

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker: More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage; Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results. Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker: Manual pumping action requires 10-15 pumps per shot — physical effort involved; 80ml water capacity limits to one espresso per fill without refilling.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker sits at 4.5★ from 3,800 verified Amazon owners, and Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker at 4.4★ from 12,400.

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