The Best Small Coffee Maker
With the best small coffee makers you can enjoy great coffee even without a big machine. These small machines are available 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 an espresso for themselves. A single-serve brewer is fast easy and ideal for a single person.
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 machine for you. It's simple to use and reliable, as well as making great-tasting coffee every time. There are a few quirks however, they're small enough that you will learn to live with them.
Additional Info is the VertuoPlus brewing system that sets it apart. The machine reads a barcode on every Nespresso pod to determine the type of beverage it's making and then adjusts the speed of extraction and temperature according to. This ensures consistency across a variety of cups and types of coffee from lungo to espresso and everything in between.
It also comes with a reusable capsule, which is nice for reducing waste and makes it easier to keep your inventory in order. Furthermore, once you're done, the pod is ejected automatically and placed in the bin to be disposed of in a separate container.
This is a small appliance that's built to last, using durable plastic throughout and stainless steel accents. Its compact size means that it can be easily placed on a countertop and has a slim profile that makes room for your cup. It's 12.8 inches tall and 12.7 inches deep, so if you're short on counter space, think about something smaller like the Essenza Mini instead.
The only drawback is that you're taking on the Nespresso pod-system, which does not encourage recycling and is more expensive than generic pods. However, if you're willing invest in the brand and invest in a good system for your used capsules this is the best option on our list. You can pair it with a Nespresso Aeroccino Frother that makes creamy cappuccinos and lattes.
2. Coffee Gator
The Coffee Gator pour over French press is a manual brewer designed to give you complete control of how your coffee turns out. The carafe, made of heat-resistant glass that's free of BPA, comes with a stainless-steel filter that is designed to ensure reusability. This will help you reduce the cost of disposable paper filters and help reduce the environmental footprint.
The reusable filter also helps you to preserve your coffee's natural flavors and oils to give it a fuller taste. This is a great choice for those just starting out or want to use a less expensive machine. It's not the ideal choice for those looking to make more than 2 cups at a time.
This coffee maker is a double-walled model which helps keep your coffee warmer for longer than single wall models. The handle is cool-touch, which makes it comfortable to hold and preventing your hands from burning. Its insulated design is perfect for camping trips or other adventures that require you to keep your coffee warm.
When we tried this model, it produced a clean cup with no sediment. It was comparable to other well-insulated French presses made of steel, such as the Secura or Poliviar. However, it was not as clean as other French presses for camping that use ceramic filters.
This coffee maker also has a measuring spoon as well as a silicone funnel built-in to make it easy to add coffee grounds. This will save you a bit of time during the morning rush. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, the manufacturer provides a one-year return or replacement policy.
3. OXO Good Grips
OXO Good Grips offers a range of high-end kitchen appliances and cooks' tools that are ergonomically created with the user in mind. Their grips are durable, soft and won't slide when in use. Their handles are oval rather than round. This allows them to be a perfect fit for your palm and stay secure even under pressure.
They are dishwasher safe, BPA free and stack easily. They also have lids with push-down handles that are easy to open and close, even when your hands are damp. Some of their containers are airtight, which is ideal for storing dry snacks (such as pretzels and chips) or pantry staples such as pasta, sugar, flour, oatmeal, 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 an oval, wide handle that was easy to hold and control, regardless of the size or strength of their hands.
He launched a nonstick cooking set made of dishwasher-safe hard-anodized aluminum for better heat conductivity. Its PFOA free, 3-layer coating is sturdy and easy to clean. The pans are flat on the bottom, making them ideal for cooking on the stove or in the oven.
Other OXO products include an easy-handled can opener that has large, comfortable handles that aren't slippery even in wet conditions and have an oversized knob that reduces stress on your fingers. OXO's Universal Design philosophy makes them suitable for those suffering from arthritis and other conditions that interfere with their grip strength.
You can buy OXO Good Grips products 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 includes the spatulas, slotted spoons, and spoons that every home cook requires. Add specialty tools such as an asparagus peeler and a corn peeler to make an additional set of tools.
4. Essenza Mini
This is the smaller Nespresso machine. It's a pod-based device that makes Espresso or Lungo at the touch of a button. It is not as feature-rich as some of the more expensive models, but it's simplicity makes it a good option for homes with a lot of space.
The Essenza Mini is available in a muted gray, white, and black finish that blends in with most kitchen decor. It's also super lightweight at just 5 pounds, which means it's easy to move around. It's also one of the fastest machines we've tested to heat up and begin working, with a total time of about 28 seconds between pressing the on button and having the coffee ready to pour.
The Essenza Mini is very easy to use, as it has just two programmable buttons, one for Espresso and the other one for Lungo. It's also the only one in our top five that has an energy-saving mode that shuts off automatically after 9 minutes. It also comes with a removable 20.3-ounce water reservoir.
The Essenza Mini is different from other Nespresso machines in that it produces a thicker crema that is topped with microbubbles, as opposed to the Vertuo's thinner, bubbles that are aerated. (The latter is often mistaken for foam). The only downside is that there's not a secondary drip tray, meaning you'll need to place your cup directly on the countertop. This can be a problem for tall mugs.
The only other aspect to take into account is that the Mini does not come with a refillable capsule container or app, which means you'll have to stock up on pre-programmed Nespresso capsules or purchase a separate milk frother. Fortunately, both of these options are relatively inexpensive and readily available on the internet.
5. OXO Good Grip Mini
The OXO Good Grip Mini is a small set of kitchen tools that are perfect for stockings and gifts. It's also great for travel. The set includes a miniature measuring cup with an angled design that will transform liquid measuring by removing spills, as well as four smaller beakers with colorful and easy to read measurement markings. All nest together to make a compact storage device. They are also dishwasher-safe.
The patented angled surface of the Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup makes it easier to read measurement markings without having to strain or tilt like traditional cups, eliminating spills. The clear Tritan plastic is BPA-free and comes with measurements in metric and standard sizes including a 1/4 cup 6ml, 4 TBSP and 6ml.
It's a wonderful present for recent graduates mixingologists, friends from the mixology field, and avid bakers, and can easily fit into your kitchen, as well as theirs. The non-slip handle, balancing loop, and durable double rod made of stainless steel make it a reliable kitchen tool.
The compact OXO Good Grrip Mini Grate & Slicing set comes with a coarse and medium grater surface to prepare crudite plates, salads or potato chips made from scratch. This set is ideal for kitchen drawers as well as counters for cafes since it has a non-slip base with a lid that locks. The transparent SAN bin allows you to see the contents and the lid is white, which is a perfect match for any bakery or kitchen decor.