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 may be ideal for cafes and restaurants however, it's not the best choice for those who just need to make one cup for themselves. A single-serve coffee brewer is quick, simple and ideal for a single person.
1. Nespresso VertuoPlus
This is the right appliance for those with limited space and are looking to invest in a gadget that can provide you with an authentic experience in a cafe. It's simple to use and reliable, as well as making delicious coffee every time. It has some flaws however they're minor enough that you can be able to accept them.
Centrifusion is the VertuoPlus brewing system that differentiates it from other systems. The machine scans a barcode on every Nespresso pod to determine the kind of beverage it's making and then adjusts the speed of extraction and temperature in line with. This ensures consistency among different coffee types and cups, from lungo to espresso.
It also comes with a reusable capsule container that helps to reduce waste and also helps you keep the track of your inventory. Additionally, when you're finished, the pod is automatically ejected and put in an additional bin for disposal.
This small appliance is built to last. It features a durable plastic body and stainless steel accents. Its compact design makes it easy to place on the counter and features a low-profile so you can still have room for your cup. If you don't have much space on your counter, 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 bound to the Nespresso pod system, which doesn't exactly encourage recycling (and can cost much more than generic pods). If you're willing and able to be a Nespresso customer and its products, then this is the best option. It can be paired with a Nespresso aeroccino frother to make creamy cappuccinos and lattes.
2. Recommended Webpage over French press is a manual brewer that's designed to give you total control over how your coffee will be brewed. The carafe is made of BPA-free heat-resistant glass. In addition, it is equipped with a stainless steel filter which promotes reusability. This will help you save money on paper filters and reduce your carbon footprint.
The reusable filter also helps you to preserve the flavors and oils to give it a fuller taste. This coffee maker is a budget alternative that is ideal for novices or those who prefer a less expensive machine. However, it's not ideal for those who want to make more than two cups at the same time.
This coffee maker is a double-walled model that keeps your coffee more hot for longer than single-wall models. It also comes with a cool-touch handle, which makes it easy to grip and stops your hands from burning. The design is insulated, making it a good choice for camping trips as well as other adventures where you'll require keeping your coffee hot.
When we test this model it produced a clear cup with no sediment. It was similar to other insulation French presses made of metal like the Secura or Poliviar. However, it was not as clean as the best French presses for camping, which use a ceramic filter.
This coffee maker also has a measuring spoon and 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 provides one-year returns and replacements in case you're not satisfied with the purchase.
3. OXO Good Grips
OXO Good Grips offers a line of high-end kitchen tools and cooks' tools that are designed ergonomically with the user in mind. Their grips are strong soft and will not slide while in use. Their handles are shaped to be oval rather than round, which makes them fit the palm of your hand and stay secure when held under pressure.
They are dishwasher safe, BPA-free and easy to stack. They also feature push-down lids that are easy to open and close 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 like 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 grip and control regardless of their size or strength.
Later, he released a nonstick pro cookware set that is dishwasher safe and hard-anodized aluminum for superior heat transfer. Its PFOA free, 3-layer coating is robust and easy to clean. The pans also have a flat bottom that makes them ideal for stovetop and oven cooking.
OXO also has a non-slip, soft-handled can opener with large comfortable handles. The knob is oversized to alleviate stress on fingers. The company's Universal Design philosophy makes them suitable for those suffering from arthritis and other conditions that impact their grip strength.
You can buy OXO Good Grips products on their own or in sets that fit your needs. For instance the six-piece Prep & Serve Set can move from stove to table with ease and includes the spoons, slotted spoons and spatulas that every home chef needs. For a more advanced collection, add in specialty tools such as an asparagus peeler corn peeler and a variety of citrus zesters.
4. Essenza Mini
It's the tiniest and tiniest Nespresso machine with a pod-based system that makes Espresso and Lungo recipes at the touch of a button. It's not as advanced as some of the more expensive models however, its simplicity makes it a great choice for many homes.
The Essenza Mini is available in a muted white, gray, and black finish that blends in with the majority of kitchen designs. It's also super lightweight at just 5 pounds, meaning it's easy to move. It's also one of the fastest machines we've tested to warm up and start working, with a total time of around 28 seconds between pushing the button to turn on and having the cup ready to pour.
The Essenza Mini is a breeze to use, as it only has two programmable buttons, one for Espresso and the other one for Lungo. 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 comes with a reversible, 20.3-ounce water tank.
The Essenza Mini is different from other Nespresso machines in that it produces a more dense crema, with a layer of microbubbles, as opposed to the Vertuo's thinner, aerated bubbles. (The latter is often mistaken as froth). The only downside is that it does not have an additional drip tray, so you'll need to place your cup directly on the counter, which can be difficult for mugs with tall sides.
The other thing to be aware of is that the Mini does not come with a reusable capsule container or app, so you'll have to buy preprogrammed Nespresso capsules or buy an additional milk frother. Fortunately, both alternatives are fairly inexpensive and easily available on the internet.
5. OXO Good Grips Mini Mini
The OXO Good Grips Mini is a collection of kitchen appliances that are ideal for stockings, gifts or 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 bright and easy to read measurement markings. They can all be stacked together to create a compact storage area and are dishwasher safe.
The Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring cup's patent-pending angle makes it easier to read the measurement markings without tilting or strain like traditional cups. This helps prevent 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 grads mixingologists, friends from the mixology field, and enthusiastic bakers. It can easily fit into your kitchen and theirs. The non-slip handle, balancing loop, and durable double rod made of stainless steel make it a kitchen workhorse.
The compact OXO Good Grip Mini Grate & Slicing set features a medium and coarse grater surface for preparing salads, crudite plates or potato chips made from scratch. The set is perfect for kitchen drawers and cafe counter tops because it has a non-slip base with the lid that is locked. The transparent SAN bin allows you to look inside the bin and the lid in white is a perfect match for any kitchen or bakery decor.