The Best Small Coffee Maker
You can enjoy delicious coffee without a large machine using the top small coffee maker. These compact machines are offered in a range of sizes and styles.
A coffee urn is ideal for restaurants and cafes, but not for people who would like to make the coffee for themselves. A single-serve coffee brewer is simple, quick and is ideal for one person.
1. Nespresso VertuoPlus
This is the device for you if you're in a tight space and would like to invest in a device that will give you an authentic experience in a cafe. It's simple to use and reliable, and produces great-tasting coffee every time. There are some quirks however, they're small enough that you will accept them as part of your daily routine.
Centrifusion is the VertuoPlus brewing system that differentiates it from other systems. The machine utilizes the barcodes that are on each Nespresso capsule to determine the kind of beverage is being brewed and then adjusts extraction speed and temperature. This ensures consistency between different types of coffee and cups, ranging from lungo to espresso.
It also comes with a capsule that can be reused which is useful to reduce waste and making it easier to keep track of your inventory. Plus, when you're done, the container is ejected automatically and placed in the bin to be disposed of in a separate container.
This small appliance is built to last. It features a durable plastic body and stainless steel accents. Its compact size means that it fits easily on a countertop, and it has a low profile to make space for your beverage. If you don't have a lot of space on your countertop and you want to make it a smaller size, the Essenza Mini is a good option. It measures 12.8 inches high and 12.7 inches wide.
The only downside is that you're committed to the Nespresso pod system, which doesn't exactly encourage recycling (and will cost you a lot more than generic pods). However, if you're willing buy in to the brand and get the best system to dispose of your old capsules it's the top choice on our list. You can pair it with a Nespresso Aeroccino Frother to make creamy cappuccinos and lattes.
2. Coffee Gator
The Coffee Gator pour-over French press is a manual coffee maker designed to give you complete control over the final product. The carafe, which is made of heat-resistant glass that's free of BPA, comes with a stainless steel filter to promote reusability. This will save you money on a disposable paper filter and help reduce your carbon footprint.
The filter that is reusable also helps preserve the flavors and oils to give it an enhanced flavor. This is a great option for those who are just beginning their journey or prefer a cheaper machine. It's not the ideal choice for those who want to make more than 2 cups at once.
The double-walled coffee maker keeps your brew warmer longer than models with one wall. It also comes with a cool-touch handle, which makes it easy to hold and stops your hands from burning. The insulated design is ideal for camping or other adventures that require you to keep your coffee warm.
The model produced a cup that was clean and had minimal contamination when we tested it. It was similar to other well-insulated French presses made from metal like the Secura or Poliviar. However, it was not as clean as the top French presses for camping that utilize ceramic filters.
Another nice characteristic of this coffee maker is that it comes with a built-in measuring spoon as well as a funnel made of silicone to make it easier to add your ground coffee. This can save you a bit of time during the morning rush. The manufacturer also provides one-year returns and replacements in case you're not satisfied with your purchase.
3. OXO Good Grips
OXO Good Grips is a high-end line of cooks tools and kitchen tools that are designed ergonomically with ease of use in mind. Their grips are comfortable, durable and won't slide when in use. Their handles are shaped to be oval rather than round, which helps them fit the palm of your hand and stay secure when held under pressure.
They are dishwasher safe, BPA free and stack easily. The lids are also easy to open and shut even when 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 that had an oval handle that anyone could hold and control no matter their size or strength.
Later, he released an all-purpose cookware set that is nonstick that is dishwasher safe and hard-anodized aluminum for superior heat transfer. Its PFOA free, 3-layer coating is robust and easy to clean. best commercial coffee machine have a flat bottom, which makes them ideal for stovetop and oven cooking.
OXO also offers a soft-handled, non-slip opener that has large, comfortable handles. The knob is oversized to ease the stress on fingers. They are also suitable for people with arthritis or other conditions that affect their grip strength, thanks to the company's Universal Design philosophy.
You can buy OXO Good Grips products by themselves or in sets that fit your needs. The six-piece Prep & Serve Set, for instance, is easily transferred from stove to table and includes spatulas, slotted spoons and spoons that every home cook needs. To get a more comprehensive set include tools that are specific to your needs like an asparagus peeler, corn peeler and different citrus zesters.
4. Essenza Mini
This is the smallest and tiniest Nespresso machine, a pod-based system that brews Espresso and Lungo recipes at the touch of a button. It's not as sophisticated as some of the more expensive models, but its simplicity makes it a good option for many households.
The Essenza Mini comes in a matte gray or black finish to complement the majority of kitchen designs. It's also super lightweight at just 5 pounds, which means it's easy to move around. It's also among the fastest machines we've tested in terms of heating and start working, with a total time of just 28 seconds between pressing the button to turn on and having the coffee ready to pour.
Unlike some other models, the Essenza Mini only has two buttons that can be programmed for Espresso and Lungo, so it's very simple to use. It's also the only one of our top picks to feature an energy saving mode that shuts down automatically after 9 minutes of inactivity and it comes with a reversible, 20.3-ounce water tank.
Another important difference that separates the Essenza Mini and other Nespresso machines is that it produces more of a richer crema than Vertuo line, with an even layer of tiny microbubbles as opposed to a thin, aerated cap of bubbles (the latter is often mistaken for froth). The only drawback is that it does not have an additional drip tray, so you'll have to place your mug directly on the counter, which is difficult for tall mugs.
One thing to note is that the Mini does not include a reusable capsule or app. This means you will need to purchase preprogrammed Nespresso pods or an individual milk frother. Fortunately, both of these options are relatively inexpensive and easily accessible on the internet.
5. OXO Good Grips Mini
The OXO Good Grips Mini is a selection of kitchen appliances that are ideal for stockings, gifts and travel. The set comes with four smaller beakers that have colorful and easy-to-read measurement markings. Also included is a mini angled cup for measuring liquids. They all fit together to create a compact storage unit. They are also dishwasher safe.
The patented angled surface of the Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup makes it easier to read measurements without having to strain or tilt like traditional cups, which 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 fantastic present to give to recent graduates, mixologists, and bakers. It can fit in your own kitchen and theirs. The non-slip handle, balancing loop and durable double rod construction made of stainless steel make it a great kitchen workhorse.
The compact OXO Good Grip Mini Grate and Slice Set features a medium grater and coarse grater surfaces to prepare salads, crudite platters or homemade potato chips. The set is perfect for kitchen drawers as well as counter tops for cafes as it features a non-slip base and the lid that is locked. The transparent SAN plastic bin allows you to see contents and the white lid complements the kitchen or bakery decor.