The Best Small Coffee Maker
With the top small coffee makers, you can enjoy delicious coffee without the need for a huge machine. These compact machines are available in a range of sizes and styles.
A coffee urn is ideal for restaurants and cafes but not for those who would like to make a cup of coffee for themselves. A single-serve coffee maker is simple, quick and ideal for a single person.
1. Nespresso VertuoPlus
If you're living in a tiny space and are ready to invest in an appliance that can provide a genuine cafe experience, this is the one for you. It's user-friendly and reliable, as well as making great-tasting coffee every time. There are some quirks however they're small enough to be able to accept them.
The defining feature is the VertuoPlus's Centrifusion brewing system. The machine reads a barcode on every Nespresso pod to determine the kind of beverage it's producing and adjusts the speed of extraction and temperature accordingly. This ensures consistency across different coffee types and cups, from lungo to espresso.
It also comes with a reusable capsule container that is great for reducing waste and makes it easier to keep the track of your inventory. Additionally, when the container is empty, it's taken out and placed in a separate container to be disposed of.
This is a small appliance made to last, with sturdy plastic throughout and stainless steel accents. Its compact design makes it easy to place on a counter. It also has a low-profile so you can still fit in your beverage. If you don't have a lot of space on your counter, the Essenza Mini is a good choice. It measures 12.8 inches tall and 12.7 inches wide.
The only downside to this is that you are taking on a Nespresso pod-system that does not encourage recycling and is more expensive than generic pods. However, if you're willing buy in to the brand and invest in a good system for your used capsules this is the best option on our list. It can be paired 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 complete control over the way your coffee is brewed. The carafe is made of BPA-free, heat-resistant glass. Additionally, it has stainless steel filter which promotes reusability. This can help you save money on a disposable paper filter and also reduce the carbon footprint.
The reusable filter also helps you to preserve your coffee's natural flavors and oils to give it more flavor. www.coffeee.uk is an affordable option that's great for beginners or those who prefer a less costly machine. It's not the best choice for those who want to make more than 2 cups at a time.
The double-walled coffee maker keeps your coffee warmer for longer than models that have a single-wall. The handle is cool-touch, which makes it comfortable to hold and preventing your hands from burning. Its insulated design is ideal for camping trips and other activities that require you to keep your coffee warm.
When we test this model it produced a clean cup with minimal sediment. It was similar to other well-insulated French presses made from metal like the Secura or Poliviar. It was not as clean as other French presses using ceramic filters.
Another good characteristic of this coffee maker is that it comes with an integrated measuring spoon and silicone funnel to make it easier to add your ground coffee. This will save you some time during the morning rush. If you're not happy with your purchase, the manufacturer offers a 1-year replacement/return policy.
3. OXO Good Grip
OXO Good Grips is a high-end line of cooks tools and kitchen equipment that are designed with ergonomic comfort in mind. Their grips are soft sturdy and durable. They won't slip when you use them. Their handles are shaped oval rather than round, which makes to fit in the hand's palm and stay secure when held under pressure.
They are dishwasher-safe, BPA-free and easy to stack. The lids are also easy to open and close even if your hands are damp. Some of their containers are airtight which is great for storing dry snacks (such as chips and pretzels) or pantry staples such as pasta, flour, sugar, oats and beans.
Sam Farber, nephew of Simon Farber who created the Farberware brand in 1900, launched the OXO Good Grips company in 1990. His first product was a peeler with an oval handle that anyone could grip and control no matter their size or strength.
He introduced a nonstick cookware set made from dishwasher-safe hard anodized aluminum to provide superior heat conductivity. Its PFOA free, 3-layer coating is durable and easy to clean. The pans have a flat bottom, making them suitable for cooking on the stove or in the oven.
OXO also has a non-slip, soft-handled can opener with large, comfortable handles. The knob is large enough to alleviate stress on fingers. OXO's Universal Design philosophy makes them ideal for people suffering from arthritis and other conditions that interfere with their grip strength.
You can purchase OXO Good Grips products by themselves or in sets that meet your requirements. For example the six-piece Prep & Serve Set can move from stove to table with ease and includes the spoons spatulas, slotted spoons, and slotted spoons that every home chef requires. For a more sophisticated collection add specialty tools such as an asparagus peeler corn peeler and a variety of citrus zesters.
4. Essenza Mini
This is the smallest Nespresso machine. It's a pod-based device, which brews Espresso or Lungo at the push of one button. It is not as feature-rich as some of the more expensive models, but it's simplicity makes it a great option for a variety of homes.
The Essenza Mini is available in a muted gray, white and black finishes that go well with the majority of kitchen decor. It's also super lightweight at just 5 pounds, meaning it's easy to move around. It's also one of the fastest machines we've tested to warm up and get going with a total time of just 28 seconds between pushing the button to turn on and having the coffee ready to pour.
In contrast to other models, unlike other models, the Essenza Mini only has two buttons that are programmable for Espresso and Lungo which makes it easy to use. It's also the only one among our top picks to have an energy saving mode that shuts down automatically after 9 minutes of inactivity and it has a removable, 20.3-ounce water tank.
The Essenza Mini is different from other Nespresso machines in that it produces a thicker and more robust crema that is topped with microbubbles as opposed to the Vertuo's thinner, air-aerated bubbles. (The latter is often mistaken for froth). The only drawback is that there's not a secondary drip tray, so you'll need to put your cup directly on the countertop. 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 app, so you'll have to buy preprogrammed Nespresso capsules or purchase a separate milk frother. Both of these options are easily available and fairly inexpensive online.
5. OXO Good Grip Mini
The OXO Good Grips Mini is a selection of kitchen appliances that are perfect for stockings, gifts or travel. The set includes a small measuring cup that is angled to revolutionize measuring liquids by removing spills, and four smaller-sized beakers that have bright and easy to read measurement markings. They can all be stacked together to create a compact storage area and are dishwasher safe.
The patented angle of the Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup makes it easier to read measurements without having to strain or tilt like traditional cups, thereby avoiding spills. The transparent Tritan plastic is BPA-free and comes with standard and metric measurement markings such as a 1/4 cup 6ml, 4 Tbsp and a 1/4 cup.
This is a wonderful present for recent graduates, mixologists, and bakers. It will fit in your kitchen as well as yours. The non-slip handle, balancing loop and sturdy double rod construction made of stainless steel make it a kitchen workhorse.
The compact OXO Good Grips Mini Grate & Slice Set comes with a medium and coarse grater surfaces that can be used to prepare crudite platters, salads or homemade potato chips. The set is perfect for kitchen drawers and cafe counter tops because it includes a non-slip base, as well as a lid that locks. The transparent SAN bin lets you look inside the bin and the lid, in white will complement any kitchen or bakery decor.