The Best Small Coffee Maker
You can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee without the need for a big machine by using the most compact coffee maker. These compact machines are available in a variety of sizes and styles to suit your requirements.
A coffee urn is ideal for restaurants or cafes, but it's not convenient for those who just want to brew one cup for themselves. A single-serve coffee brewer is quick, simple and ideal for a single person.
1. Nespresso VertuoPlus
If you're living in a tiny space and are looking to invest in an appliance that can provide a genuine cafe experience, this is the one for you. It's user-friendly, reliable, and makes delicious coffee every time. There are a few quirks but they're not major and you can live with them.
The main feature is VertuoPlus's Centrifusion brewing system. The machine reads the barcodes on every Nespresso pod to determine the type of beverage it's producing and adjusts the speed of extraction and temperature accordingly. This ensures consistency across a variety of types of coffee and cups from lungo to espresso and everything in between.
It also comes with a reusable capsule container that is great for reducing waste and helps to keep the track of your inventory. Additionally, when the container is empty, it's ejected and placed in an additional container to be disposed of.
This is a small appliance that is built to last, with sturdy plastic throughout and stainless steel accents. Its compact design allows it to be easily placed on a counter and has an elongated profile so you still have room for your cup. It's 12.8 inches tall and 12.7 inches deep so if you're limited on counter space, think about something smaller such as the Essenza Mini instead.
The only drawback is that you're bound to the Nespresso pod system, which doesn't encourage recycling (and will cost you a lot more than generic pods). If you're ready and able to commit to the brand then this is your best option. It can be paired with a Nespresso aeroccino fother to make creamy cappuccinos and lattes.
2. Coffee Gator
The Coffee Gator pour-over French press is a manual brewer for coffee designed to give you complete control over the final product. Its carafe is constructed of BPA-free, heat-resistant glass. Additionally, it comes with an stainless steel filter that promotes reuse. This can save you money on paper filters and reduce your carbon footprint.
The filter is reusable and will aid in preserving the natural flavors and oils in your coffee to give it a more smoky taste. This is a great option for those who are just beginning their journey or want to use a less expensive machine. It's not ideal for those who want to make more than two cups at the same time.
The double-walled coffee maker keeps your brew warmer for longer than models with a single-wall. It also has a cool-touch handle, which makes it easy to hold and keeps your hands from burning. The design is insulated, making it a great option for camping trips and other adventures where you'll require keeping your coffee hot.
When we tested this model it produced a clean cup with no sediment. It was comparable to other metal insulated French presses, including the Secura and Poliviar. However, it was not as clean as the top French presses for camping that use a ceramic filter.
Another good characteristic of this coffee maker is that it comes with an integrated measuring spoon and funnel made of silicone that makes it easier to add your ground coffee. This will save you some time during the morning rush. The manufacturer also offers one-year returns and replacements should you not be satisfied with the purchase.
3. OXO Good Grips
OXO Good Grips is a high-end line of cooks tools and kitchen equipment that are ergonomically designed with the user's comfort in mind. Their grips are strong, soft and won't slide during use. Coffeee are shaped oval rather than round, which helps to fit in the hand's palm and keep them secure under pressure.
They are dishwasher safe, BPA free and stack easily. The lids are also easy to open and close even when your hands are wet. Some of the containers are airtight and can be used to store pantry staples like pasta, flour and sugar or dry snacks like pretzels and chips.
Sam Farber, the nephew of Simon Farber, who founded the Farberware company in 1900, launched OXO Good Grips in 1990. His first product called a peeler had a wide, oval handle that was easy for anyone to hold and control regardless of the size or strength of their hands.
He has introduced a nonstick cookware set made from dishwasher-safe hard-anodized aluminium for superior heat conductivity. Its PFOA free, three-layer coating is sturdy and easy to clean. The pans also have a flat bottom, which makes them ideal for stovetop or oven cooking.
OXO also offers a non-slip, soft-handled can opener that has large, comfortable handles. The knob is oversized to ease the stress on fingers. The company's Universal Design philosophy makes them suitable for those suffering from arthritis and other ailments that impact their grip strength.
You can purchase OXO Good Grips tools by themselves or in sets to meet your specific requirements. The six-piece Prep & Serve Set, for instance, is easily moved from stove to table and includes the spatulas, slotted spoons and spoons that every cook needs. For a more sophisticated collection include tools that are specific to your needs like an asparagus peeler corn peeler and different citrus zesters.
4. Essenza Mini
It's the tiniest and tiniest Nespresso machine which is a pod-based machine that makes Espresso and Lungo recipes at the touch of the button. It's not as sophisticated as some of the more expensive models, however its simplicity makes it an excellent option for many households.
The Essenza Mini is available in a muted gray, white, and black finish that blends in with the majority of kitchen decors. It's also extremely light at just 5 pounds, so it's easy to move around. It's also among the fastest machines we've tested in terms of heating and begin working in a time of around 28 seconds between pressing the on button and having the cup ready to pour.
The Essenza Mini is extremely simple to use since it only has two buttons that can be programmed. One for Espresso and the other one for Lungo. It's the only one of our top picks with an energy saving mode that shuts off automatically after 9 minutes of inactivity and it comes with a reversible, 20.3-ounce water tank.
The Essenza Mini is different from other Nespresso machines in that it produces a thicker and more robust crema and has a layer of microbubbles, as opposed to the Vertuo's thinner, bubbles that are aerated. (The latter is often mistaken for froth). The only drawback is that there's no secondary drip tray, so you'll need to place your mug directly on the counter. This can be problematic for tall mugs.
Another thing to be aware of is that the Mini does not come with a reusable capsule container or an application, so you'll have to stock up on preprogrammed Nespresso capsules or purchase an additional milk frother. Fortunately, both alternatives are fairly inexpensive and easily available on the internet.
5. OXO Good Grips Mini
The OXO Good Grip Mini is an assortment of kitchen tools perfect for gift wrapping and stockings. It's also great for traveling. The set includes four smaller beakers with colorful and easy-to-read measurement markings. Also included is the mini angled cup that is perfect for measuring liquids. All of them can be stacked together to form a compact storage device. They are also dishwasher-safe.
The Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup's patented angle makes it easier to read the measurement markings, without tilting or strain like traditional cups. This eliminates spills. The Tritan plastic is BPA free and has standard and metric measurement markings including a 1/4 cup and 6ml.
This is a great gift for recent graduates, mixologists, and bakers. It will fit in your kitchen as well as yours. The non-slip handle is comfortable and the balancing loop make it an essential piece of equipment in any kitchen and the sturdy double rod made of stainless steel can withstand daily use.
The compact OXO GoodGrip Mini Grate and Slicing Set features a medium and coarse grater surface for preparing crudite plates, salads, or homemade potato chips. The set is perfect for kitchen drawers as well as counter tops for cafes as it includes a non-slip base, as well as the lid that is locked. The transparent SAN plastic bin allows you to see the contents and the white lid complements the decor of your bakery or kitchen.