The Best Small Coffee Maker
With the top small coffee makers, you can enjoy delicious coffee even without a big machine. These small machines are available in a variety of sizes and styles to meet your requirements.
A coffee urn is great for restaurants and cafes but not for those who are looking to make an espresso for themselves. A single-serve coffee maker is quick, easy and perfect for just one person.
1. Nespresso VertuoPlus
This is the right appliance for you if you have limited space and would like to invest in a machine that can provide you with an authentic cafe experience. It is easy to use, reliable and makes excellent coffee every time. There are some quirks, but those are minor enough that you can learn to live with them.
Centrifusion is the VertuoPlus brewing system that differentiates it from other systems. The machine utilizes the barcodes on each Nespresso capsule to determine the type of beverage is being made, and then adjusts the extraction speed and temperature. This ensures consistency among different coffee types and cups, ranging from lungo to espresso.
It also comes with an reusable capsule container that reduces waste and keeps track of your inventory. Plus, when you're finished, the pod is ejected automatically and placed in an additional bin for disposal.
This small appliance is made to last. It features a durable plastic body and stainless steel accents. Its compact design makes it easy to fit on a counter and has a low-profile so you can still fit in your cup. If you don't have a lot of space on your counter then the Essenza Mini is a good choice. It measures 12.8 inches high and 12.7 inches wide.
The only downside is that you're committing to the Nespresso pod system, which doesn't exactly encourage recycling (and will cost you a lot more than generic pods). If you're willing to invest in the brand and get a good system to dispose of your old capsules it's the best option on our list. 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 total control over the final product. Its carafe is constructed of BPA-free heat-resistant glass. In addition, it is equipped with an stainless steel filter which promotes reuse. This can help you reduce the cost of disposable paper filters and reduce your carbon footprint.
The filter that is reusable also aids in preserving the coffee's natural flavors and oils to give it an enhanced flavor. This coffee maker is an affordable option that's great for beginners or those who prefer a less expensive machine. It's not the ideal choice for those looking to make more than two cups at a time.
This coffee maker has a double-walled design, which keeps your brew warmer for longer than single wall models. The handle is cool-touch, which makes it easy to hold and preventing your hands from burning. The design is insulated, making it a great choice for camping trips as well as other occasions where you'll need to keep your coffee hot.
When we test this model it produced a clear cup with no sediment. It was similar to other well-insulated French presses made of metal, such as the Secura or 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 your coffee grounds. This will save you time in the morning rush. The manufacturer also offers a 1-year return/replacement policy in the event that you aren't satisfied with your purchase.
3. OXO Good Grips
OXO Good Grips offers a range of high-end kitchen appliances and cooks' tools that are designed ergonomically with the user in mind. Their grips are supple sturdy and durable. They won't slide when in use. Their handles are shaped oval rather than round, which makes them fit the hand's palm and stay secure when held under pressure.
They are dishwasher-safe and BPA-free. They are also easy to stack. The lids are also simple to open and close even if your hands are damp. Some of their containers are airtight which is ideal to store dry snacks (such as chips and pretzels) or pantry staples such as pasta sugar, flour, oats and beans.
Sam Farber, nephew of Simon Farber who created the Farberware brand in 1900, established the OXO Good Grips company in 1990. His first product called a peeler had an oval, wide handle that was simple for anyone to hold and control regardless of the size or strength of their hands.
He introduced a nonstick cookware set made from dishwasher-safe hard anodized aluminium for superior heat conductivity. The 3-layer coating, which is PFOA-free releases food easily and is durable enough for daily use. The pans also have a flat bottom that makes them ideal for stovetop to oven cooking.
Other OXO products include a soft-handled can opener with large comfortable handles that are nonslip even in wet conditions and have an oversized knob that relieves stress on your fingers. They are also suitable for those with arthritis or other conditions that affect their grip strength, due to the company's Universal Design philosophy.
You can purchase OXO Good Grips tools individually or in sets that meet your needs. The six-piece Prep & Serve Set, for example, can be easily moved from stove to table and comes with spatulas, slotted spoons, and spoons that every home cook requires. Include tools that are specific to your needs, such as an asparagus peeler or a corn peeler to make an even more sophisticated set.
4. Essenza Mini
This is the smallest and most compact Nespresso machine which is a pod-based machine that brews Espresso and Lungo recipes at the touch of the button. It's not as advanced 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 white, gray, and black that blends with most kitchen decors. It's also extremely light at just 5 pounds, so it's easy to move around. It's among the fastest machines to heat up and begin working. The time between pressing the on button and a cup being ready to pour is about 28 seconds.
Contrary to other models unlike other models, the Essenza Mini only has two buttons that are programmable for Espresso and Lungo which makes it simple to use. It's the only one of our top picks with an energy saving mode that shuts down automatically after 9 minutes of inactivity, and it has a removable, 20.3-ounce water tank.
Another key difference between the Essenza Mini and other Nespresso machines is that it produces more of a richer crema than Vertuo line, which has an even layer of tiny microbubbles, as opposed to a thin, aerated cap of bubbles (the latter is often confused with froth). The only drawback is that it doesn't have a separate drip tray, meaning that you'll need to put your cup directly on the counter, which can be problematic for tall mugs.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Mini does not include a reusable capsule or an app. which coffee machine is best will need to purchase preprogrammed Nespresso pods or an additional milk frother. Fortunately, both of these options are relatively inexpensive and readily available on the internet.
5. OXO Good Grips Mini
The OXO Good Grip Mini is a small set of kitchen tools that are perfect for gifts and stockings. It's also great for traveling. The set includes four smaller beakers with attractive and easy-to-read measurement marks. Also included is the mini angled cup that is perfect for measuring liquids. All of them can be stacked together to form an efficient storage unit. They are also dishwasher safe.
The Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring cup's patent-pending angle makes it easier to read the measurement markings, without having to tilt or strain like traditional cups. This eliminates spills. The Tritan plastic is BPA free and features 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 will fit in your kitchen as well as theirs. The non-slip handle, balancing loop, and durable stainless steel double rod construction make it a great kitchen workhorse.
The compact OXO Good Grrip Mini Grate & Slicing set includes a coarse and medium grater surface to prepare salads, crudite plates or potato chips made from scratch. A nonslip base and the lid that locks make this set an ideal option for kitchen drawers or counters for cafes. The transparent SAN bin allows you to look inside the bin and the lid, in white complements any kitchen or bakery decor.