The Best Small Coffee Maker
You can enjoy delicious coffee without the expense of a larger machine using the top small coffee maker. These small machines are available in a variety of sizes and styles.
A coffee urn is great for cafes and restaurants, but not for people who would like to make the coffee for themselves. A single-serve coffee maker is quick, simple and perfect for just one person.
1. Nespresso VertuoPlus
This is the appliance for those with limited space and are looking to invest in a device that gives you the authentic experience of a cafe. It is simple to use, reliable and produces great coffee every time. It does have a few quirks however they're small enough to accept them as part of your daily routine.
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 brewing and then adjusts the speed of extraction and temperature according to. This ensures consistency among different coffee types and cups, ranging from lungo to espresso.
It also comes with a capsule that can be reused that is great to reduce waste and making it easier to keep your inventory in order. Additionally, when the container is empty, it's automatically removed and put in a separate container to be disposed of.
This is a small appliance that is 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 it has an elongated profile to make space for your beverage. If you don't have a lot of space on your countertop and you want to make it a smaller size, the Essenza Mini is a good option. It measures 12.8 inches tall and 12.7 inches wide.
The only downside is that you're committing to the Nespresso pod system, which doesn't encourage recycling (and will cost you a lot more than generic pods). If you're willing and able to be a part of the brand and its products, then this is the best option. It can be paired with a Nespresso aeroccino fother to make creamy cappuccinos or lattes.
2. Coffee Gator
The Coffee Gator pour over French press is a manual brewer designed to give you total control over the way your coffee is brewed. The carafe, which is made of heat-resistant glass that's free of BPA is equipped with a stainless-steel filter to promote reusability. This can help you save money on paper filters and reduce the environmental footprint.
The reusable filter will also help preserve the natural oils and flavors of your coffee to give it a more smoky taste. This is a great choice for those who are just starting out or want to use a less expensive machine. However, it's not the best choice for anyone who wants to make more than two cups at one time.
This double-walled coffee maker keeps your coffee warmer for longer than models that have one wall. The handle is cool-touch, making it easy to hold and preventing your hands from burning. The insulated design makes it a good choice for camping trips and other occasions where you'll require keeping your coffee hot.
This model produced an unclean cup and had minimal sediment when we examined it. It was comparable to other metal insulated French presses, like the Secura and Poliviar. However, it was not as clean as the top French presses for camping that use a ceramic filter.
Another great feature of this coffee maker is that it has a built-in measuring spoon as well as a silicone funnel to make it easier to add your ground coffee. This can help you save some time in the morning rush. The manufacturer also provides an 1 year return or replacement policy in case you're not satisfied with the purchase.
3. OXO Good Grip
OXO Good Grips offers a collection of premium kitchen tools and cook's tools that are designed ergonomically with comfort in mind. The grips are durable soft and will not slide while in use. Their handles are shaped oval rather than round, which helps to fit in the hand's palm and keep them secure under pressure.
They are dishwasher-safe, BPA-free and easy to stack. The lids are also simple to open and close even when your hands are wet. Some of their containers are airtight, which is great to store dry snacks (such as chips and pretzels) or pantry staples like 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. The first product he launched was a peeler that had large oval handles that anyone could hold and control, regardless of size or strength.
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 lets food out easily and is durable enough for everyday use. The pans also have a flat bottom, which makes them ideal for stovetop or oven cooking.
Other OXO products include a soft-handled opener for cans with large, comfortable handles that are not slippery even when wet, and come with an oversized knob that relieves 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 purchase OXO Good Grips tools on their own or in sets that meet your specific needs. For example the six-piece Prep & Serve Set can be moved from the stove to the table easily and comes with the spoons, slotted spoons and spatulas that every home cook requires. Include special tools like an asparagus peeler and a corn peeler to make a more advanced set.
4. Essenza Mini
It's the tiniest and most compact Nespresso machine, a pod-based system that brews Espresso and Lungo recipes at the touch of one button. It's not as full-featured as some of the more expensive models, but its simplicity makes it a good option for a lot of households.
best pod coffee machine is available in a muted gray, white, and black that blends with the majority of kitchen decor. It's also super lightweight at just 5 pounds, which means it's easy to move. It's also one of the fastest machines we've tested to warm up and get going with a total time of around 28 seconds between pushing the button to turn on and having the coffee ready to pour.
The Essenza Mini is a breeze to use, as it has only two buttons that can be programmed. One for Espresso and the other for Lungo. It's also the only one among our top picks to have an energy saving mode that shuts off 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 because it produces a thicker and more robust crema and has a layer of microbubbles as opposed to the Vertuo's thin air-aerated bubbles. (The latter is often mistaken as froth). The only drawback is that it does not have a separate drip tray, meaning that you'll have to place your mug directly on the counter, which can be difficult for tall mugs.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Mini does not include a reusable capsule or an app. This means that you'll have to purchase pre-programmed Nespresso pods or an individual milk frother. Both options are easily available and relatively inexpensive on the internet.
5. OXO Good Grips Mini
The OXO Good Grip Mini is a small set of kitchen equipment that is ideal for gifts and stockings. It's also great for traveling. The set includes four smaller beakers that have colorful and easy-to-read measurement markings. The set also comes with a mini angled cup for liquid measuring. All nest together to make a compact storage unit. They are also dishwasher safe.
The Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring cup's patent-pending angle allows you to read the measurement markings without the need to tilt or strain like traditional cups. This eliminates spills. The clear Tritan plastic is BPA-free, and has standard and metric measurement markings including a 1/4 cup 6ml, 4 Tbsp and a 1/4 cup.
This is a great gift to present to recent graduates, mixologists, and bakers. It will fit in your own kitchen and yours. The non-slip handle, balancing loop, and sturdy double rod made of stainless steel make it a great kitchen workhorse.
The small OXO Good Grips Mini Grate and Slice Set has a medium and coarse grater surfaces that can be used to prepare salads, crudite platters or homemade potato chips. A nonslip base and lid that locks shut make this set a great choice for kitchen drawers or counters for cafes. The transparent SAN plastic bin lets you to see contents and the white lid is a great match with kitchen or bakery decor.