The Best Small Coffee Maker
With the best small coffee makers, you can enjoy delicious coffee without the need for a huge machine. These small machines are available in a variety of sizes and styles.
A coffee urn is ideal for restaurants and cafes but not for those who are looking to make an espresso for themselves. A single-serve brewer is quick, easy, and perfect for a single user.
1. Nespresso VertuoPlus
If you're in a tight space and are looking to invest in a machine that will deliver an authentic cafe experience, this is the one for you. It is simple to use, reliable, and produces great coffee every time. There are some quirks but they're minor and you can accept them.
The defining feature is the VertuoPlus's Centrifusion brewing system. The machine scans the barcodes on each Nespresso pod to determine the kind of beverage it's making and adjusts its extraction speed and temperature accordingly. This ensures consistency across different types of coffee and cups, from lungo to espresso.
It also comes with a reusable capsule container, which is nice for reducing waste and making it easier to keep the track of your inventory. Additionally, when you're done, the pod is ejected automatically and placed in the bin to be disposed of in a separate container.
This small appliance is built to last. It is made of a durable plastic body and stainless steel accents. Its compact design makes it easy to fit on a counter and has an elongated profile so you still make room for your beverage. If you don't have much space on your countertop then the Essenza Mini is a good choice. It measures 12.8 inches high and 12.7 inches wide.
The only drawback to this is that you are committing to the Nespresso pod-system that doesn't encourage recycling and is more expensive than generic pods. If you're willing to purchase the brand and purchase the best system for your capsules that are used, this is the top choice on our list. It can be paired 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 brewer designed to give you complete control over the final product. The carafe is made of BPA-free heat-resistant glass. In addition, it is equipped with a stainless steel filter that promotes reusability. This can help you save money on a disposable paper filter and reduce your carbon footprint.
The filter that is reusable will help preserve the natural oils and flavors of your coffee for a richer flavor. This coffee maker is an affordable alternative that is ideal for novices or those who prefer a less expensive machine. However, it's not the best choice for anyone looking to make more than two cups at one time.
This double-walled coffee maker will keep your coffee warmer longer than models with one wall. It also features a cool-touch handle that makes it easy to grip and keeps your hands from burning. The design is insulated, making it a great choice for camping trips as well as other adventures where you'll need to keep your coffee hot.
This model made a cup that was clean and had no dirt when we tested it. It was comparable to other metal insulated French presses, including the Secura and Poliviar. It was not as clean as other French presses that utilize ceramic filters.
The coffee maker also comes with a measuring spoon as well as a silicone funnel built-in to make it easy to add coffee grounds. This can save you a bit of time during the morning rush. The manufacturer also provides a 1-year return/replacement policy should you not be 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 the user's comfort in mind. Their grips are durable soft and will not slide during use. Their handles are oval and not round. This allows them to be a perfect fit for your palm and keep them secure 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 useful to store dry snacks (such as pretzels and chips) or pantry staples such as pasta sugar, flour, oats and beans.
Sam Farber, the nephew of Simon Farber, who founded the Farberware company in 1900, launched OXO Good Grips in 1990. The first product he launched was a peeler that had a wide oval handle that anyone could hold and control regardless of their size or strength.
He introduced a nonstick cookware set made from dishwasher-safe hard anodized aluminium for superior heat conductivity. Its PFOA free, 3-layer coating is robust and easy to clean. The pans also have a flat bottom, which makes them ideal for stovetop to oven cooking.
OXO also offers a non-slip, soft-handled can opener with large, comfortable handles. The knob is large enough to alleviate stress on fingers. The company's Universal Design philosophy makes them ideal for people suffering from arthritis or other conditions that affect their grip strength.
You can purchase OXO Good Grips tools on their own or in sets that meet your requirements. The six-piece Prep & Serve Set, for instance, can be easily transferred from table to stove and comes with spatulas, slotted spoons, and spoons that every home cook needs. Add specialty tools such as an asparagus peeler or corn peeler to make an additional set of tools.
4. Essenza Mini
This is the most compact Nespresso machine. It's a pod-based device that makes Espresso or Lungo at the push of the button. It's not as full-featured as some of the more expensive models, but its simplicity makes it a great choice for many households.
The Essenza Mini comes in a matte gray or black finish to go with the majority of kitchen designs. It is also lightweight, weighing only 5 pounds. It's also among the fastest machines we've tested to warm up and begin working with a total time of about 28 seconds between pushing the on button and having the coffee ready to pour.
coffee machine best to other models unlike some other models, Essenza Mini only has two buttons that are programmable for Espresso and Lungo It's also very simple to use. It's the only model in our top five that comes with an energy-saving mode that shuts off after 9 minutes. It also comes with a removable 20.3-ounce water reservoir.
The Essenza Mini is different from other Nespresso machines because it produces a thicker and more robust crema, with a layer of microbubbles, in contrast to the Vertuo's thin, air-aerated bubbles. (The latter is often mistaken as froth). The only downside is that there's no drip tray, so you'll have to place your mug directly on the countertop. This could be problematic for tall mugs.
It is important to know that the Mini does not include a reusable capsule or app. This means you will have to purchase pre-programmed Nespresso pods or an additional milk frother. Both options are easily available and relatively inexpensive on the internet.
5. OXO Good Grip Mini
The OXO Good Grips Mini is a selection of kitchen tools that are perfect for gifts, stockings and travel. The set includes a miniature measuring cup that is angled to revolutionize measuring liquids by removing spills, as well as four smaller-sized beakers that have bright and easy to read measurement markings. They all nest 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 measurement markings without having strain or tilt like traditional cups, thereby avoiding spills. The Tritan plastic is BPA free and comes with measurements in metric and standard sizes including a 1/4 cup and 6ml.
It's a great gift for recent graduates mixingologists, friends from the mixology field, and avid bakers, and can easily fit into your own kitchen, as well as theirs. The comfortable non-slip handle and balancing loop make it a workhorse in any kitchen, and the sturdy stainless steel double rod construction is built to withstand the rigors of daily use.
The compact OXO Good Grips Mini Grate and Slice Set has a medium and coarse grater surfaces 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 the lid that is locked. The transparent SAN bin lets you view the contents and the lid is white, which complements any kitchen or bakery decor.