The Best Small Coffee Maker
With the best small coffee makers you can enjoy great coffee without the need for a huge machine. These compact machines come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit your preferences.
A coffee urn is ideal for restaurants or cafes, but it's not convenient for those who need to make one cup for themselves. A single-serve brewer can be fast, easy, and perfect for a single user.
1. Nespresso VertuoPlus
If you're in a tight space and are looking to invest in an appliance that can provide a genuine cafe experience, this is the one for you. It is easy to use, reliable and makes amazing coffee every time. There are some flaws however, they're minor enough that you can accept them as part of your daily routine.
The main feature is VertuoPlus's Centrifusion brewing system. The machine makes use of the barcodes that are on each Nespresso capsule to determine what kind of beverage is being brewed and then adjusts the extraction speed and temperature. This ensures consistency across many types of coffee and cups from lungo to espresso and everything in between.
It also comes with a reusable capsule container that is great to reduce waste and making it easier to keep your inventory in order. Furthermore, when the capsule is empty, it's automatically taken out and placed in a separate container for disposal.
This small appliance is made to last. It is made of a durable plastic body and stainless steel accents. Its compact size means that it fits easily on a countertop and has an elongated profile to make space for your beverage. It's 12.8 inches tall and 12.7 inches deep If you're tight on counter space, think about smaller options like the Essenza Mini instead.
The only drawback is that you're bound to the Nespresso pod system, which doesn't exactly encourage recycling (and can cost much more than generic pods). If you're willing to be a Nespresso customer, then this is your best option. You can pair it up with a Nespresso Aeroccino Frother to make creamy cappuccinos or lattes.
2. Coffee Gator
The Coffee Gator pour over French press is a manual brewer that's designed to give you total control over how your coffee will be brewed. The carafe, which is made of heat-resistant glass and free from BPA is equipped with a stainless-steel filter that is designed to ensure reusability. This can save you money on a disposable paper filter and help reduce your carbon footprint.
best ground coffee for espresso machine aids in preserving your coffee's natural flavors and oils to give it more flavor. This coffee maker is a low-cost alternative that is ideal for novices or those who prefer a less costly machine. It's not the best option for those who want to make more than two cups at once.
The double-walled coffee maker keeps your brew warm for longer than models with a single-wall. The handle is cool-touch, which makes it easy to grip and preventing your hands from getting burned. The design is insulated, making it a great choice for camping trips and other occasions where you'll need to keep your coffee hot.
This model made cups that were clean and had minimal dirt when we tested it. It was similar to other insulated French presses made of steel such as the Secura or Poliviar. However, it was still not as clean as other French presses for camping that use ceramic filters.
Another good characteristic of this coffee maker is that it has a built-in measuring spoon and funnel made of silicone to make it easier to add your ground coffee. This can save you some time during the morning rush. The manufacturer also offers an 1 year return or replacement policy in the event that you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
3. OXO Good Grip
OXO Good Grips is a high-end line of cooks tools and kitchen equipment that are ergonomically designed with ease of use in mind. The grips are durable, soft and won't slide when in use. Their handles are shaped oval rather than round, which helps them fit the hand's palm and keep them secure under pressure.
They are dishwasher safe, BPA free and stack easily. The lids are also simple to open and close even if your hands are wet. Some of their containers are airtight which is ideal for storing dry snacks (such as chips and pretzels) or pantry staples like pasta, flour, sugar, oats and beans.
Sam Farber, the nephew of Simon Farber, who founded the Farberware company in 1900, launched OXO Good Grips in 1990. His first product was a peeler with a wide oval handle that anyone could grasp and control, regardless of size or strength.
Later, he introduced an all-purpose cookware set that is nonstick that's made of dishwasher-safe and hard-anodized aluminum to ensure superior heat conduction. The 3-layer coating, which is PFOA-free lets food out easily and is durable enough for everyday use. The pans also have a flat bottom, which makes them ideal for stovetop or oven cooking.
Other OXO products include an easy-handled can opener that has large, comfortable handles that aren't slippery even when wet, and come with an oversized knob that relieves stress on your fingers. They are also suitable for people with arthritis or other conditions that affect their grip strength, due to the company's Universal Design philosophy.
You can buy OXO Good Grips products on their own or in sets that fit your requirements. The six-piece Prep & Serve Set, for instance, can be easily transferred from stove to table and includes the spatulas, slotted spoons and spoons that every home cook needs. To get a more comprehensive set add specialty tools such as an asparagus peeler corn peeler, and various citrus zesters.
4. Essenza Mini
This is the smallest and most compact Nespresso machine, a pod-based system that can make Espresso and Lungo recipes at the touch of a button. It's not as advanced as some of the more expensive machines however its simplicity makes it a good choice for many homes.
The Essenza Mini comes in a matte gray black, white, or matte gray to complement the majority of kitchen decor. It is also lightweight and weighs just 5 pounds. It's also among the fastest machines we've tested to warm up and get going in a time of about 28 seconds between pushing the button to turn on and having a cup ready to pour.
The Essenza Mini is very easy to use since it has only two buttons that can be programmed, one for Espresso and the other for Lungo. It's the only model in our top five that has an energy-saving mode that turns off automatically after 9 minutes. It also has a removable 20.3-ounce water reservoir.
The Essenza Mini is different from other Nespresso machines in that it produces a thicker crema and has a layer of microbubbles as opposed to the Vertuo's thin, bubbles that are aerated. (The latter is often mistaken as froth). The only downside is that it doesn't come with a secondary drip tray so you'll need to put your cup directly on the counter, which is problematic for tall mugs.
Another aspect to take into account is that the Mini doesn't include a reusable capsule container or app, which means you'll have to stock up on preprogrammed Nespresso capsules or buy an additional milk frother. Both options are easily accessible and reasonably priced online.
5. OXO Good Grip Mini
The OXO Good Grips Mini is a collection of kitchen tools that are perfect for gifts, stockings and travel. The set comes with four smaller beakers with attractive and easy-to-read measurement marks. The set also comes with an angled mini cup for liquid measuring. They all nest together for compact storage and are dishwasher safe.
The Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring cup's patent-pending angle allows you to read the measurement markings, without tilting or strain like traditional cups. This helps prevent spills. The clear Tritan plastic is BPA-free and comes with measurements in metric and standard sizes such as a 1/4 cup 6ml, 4 Tbsp and a 1/4 cup.
It's a great gift for recent grads, mixologist friends, and avid bakers, and can easily fit into your kitchen, as well as theirs. The non-slip, comfortable handle and balancing loop make it a reliable choice in any kitchen. The sturdy stainless steel double rod construction is built to withstand the rigors of daily use.
The compact OXO Good Grips Mini Grate & Slice Set has a medium grater as well as coarse grater surfaces to prepare salads, crudite platters or homemade potato chips. A non-slip base as well as lid that locks shut make this set an ideal option for kitchen drawers and counters for cafes. The transparent SAN plastic bin allows you to view the contents, and the white lid complements the kitchen or bakery decor.