Best Small Coffee Makers: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

What to Look for In a Small Coffee Maker

Capacity

If you choose a small coffee maker that's not single-serve, the number of cups that can be prepared at one time will be a major factor in your choice.

The non-single-serve models on our list brew 3 to 14 cups in one go. For large volumes of coffee, drip coffee makers or a French press are best.

Some pod brewers also allow different sizes of drinks. The Keurig K-Mini and Nespresso VertuoPlus coffee makers have this capability.

Size and weight

The size of the coffee maker is very important if space in your kitchen or office is limited. The device must fit exactly into the space provided for it. Pay attention to the way in which water and ground coffee are added for each model—will you be able to reach the water tank when the coffee maker is in your small kitchen?

If you are considering coffee makers that only prepare one cup at a time, be sure to check what size of mug can fit in the small coffee maker.

If you plan to take your coffee maker on trips, then choose a lightweight model. Some of the options on our list weigh less than two pounds.

Wattage

This indicator affects the speed at which the drink is prepared by your device. The higher the power, the sooner you get a cup of hot aromatic coffee.

Wattage should be considered in conjunction with the type of coffee make you are choosing. For espresso machines, power is very important, and there is simply no point in considering devices less than 1000 watts. But for the small coffee makers we are considering, an average of 650-800 watts will be quite enough. Small coffee makers help reduce energy consumption due to their lower power requirements.

Plus, non-electric coffee makers like the Secura French press and Bodum pour-over coffee maker don't use any watts at all!

Electric or manual

If you want a model that you can take with you on camping trips and hikes, then a manual device is a good choice. These are also a good choice if you like to be more involved in the brewing process. Manual models are suitable for fans of experiments, since small changes in dosage affect the final result.

If ease of use and a fast brewing time are your priorities when making coffee, buy an electric small coffee maker. These can have convenient functions such as an auto-start timer and keep-warm function. Such coffee makers will satisfy those who value their time and always choose comfort.

Other features

Some coffee makers have more functionality, some have less. When choosing a small coffee maker, pay attention to those device capabilities that are important for you and will satisfy your daily routine.

An automatic shutdown function will be appreciated by those who sometimes forget to turn off electrical appliances. Plus, this feature saves electricity.

Pay attention to an auto-pause function, which will stop the brewing cycle so that you can pour coffee without waiting for the end of the cycle. This will be useful if you are making coffee for the whole family but want some before the rest is done brewing. When choosing a model for the office, this function is very important.

For those who like to sleep in, some coffee makers are equipped with an automatic brewing timer function. The coffee maker will start brewing your drink while you're still asleep and it'll be ready for you when you wake up.

Maybe you want a keep-warm feature, especially if you drink more than one cup of coffee in the morning or if you're purchasing a coffee maker for an office. Some models keep coffee warm for up to 90 minutes.

Best Small Coffee Makers Reviews

1. Mr. Coffee Simple Brew - Best Small Coffee Maker

If you're looking for a 4-cup coffee maker that can easily serve four people without emptying your wallet, take a look at the Mr. Coffee Simple Brew.

This model is easy to use, even for beginners. The brewing process involves just three steps: add coffee grounds, add water, and press a button. And because the coffee maker is affordable, it's ideal for both people who have small spaces and people who are on a budget.

For your convenience, the Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker has a dual water window for hassle-free filling. With this machine you can make four 5-oz cups of coffee at a time.

With Mr. Coffee's drip coffee maker, you no longer have to wait for the end of the brewing cycle when you need a cup of your favorite drink. The machine has an auto-pause function that stops brewing while you pour coffee. The cycle will finish when you put the carafe back in position.

The removable filter basket is easy to use. It lifts up for quick, easy filling and is easy to clean. The warming plate is stain-resistant and easy to clean.

The power on/off indicator displays the status of the machine. It is conveniently located on the front of the device and reminds you to turn off the device.

2. Keurig K-Mini - Best Single-Serve Pick

The K-Mini coffee maker makes a single 6-to-12-ounce cup of coffee in 50 seconds and is compatible with both Keurig K-Cup pods and ground beans. This model is the perfect small coffee maker for an office, and brews rich, tasty coffee.

The Keurig machine is compact and allows you to brew strong coffee at the touch of a button. You can choose the size of the drink—from 6 to 12 ounces—depending on your preference. The model is compatible with the K-Cup universal reusable filter so you can also use your own ground coffee.

The removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7 inches tall.

If your kitchen doesn't have a lot of space, this coffee maker is the perfect choice. It's easy to use, clean, and transport. In addition to a compartment for K-Cups, there is also a cord compartment for easy portability.

You no longer have to wait long to enjoy a fragrant cup of coffee. This small coffee maker heats up in just 2 minutes and only takes 50 seconds to brew a drink. The removable water reservoir allows you to use fresh water for each beverage.

The Keurig K-Mini coffee maker has an energy-saving function that turns off the device 90 seconds after it was last used.

This is one of Keurig's cheapest and simplest coffee makers and is available in a variety of matte colors.

3. AeroPress - Smallest Coffee Maker

The AeroPress opens up a million different brewing methods. Coffee brewed with this coffee maker can be so unique that there's even a World AeroPress Championship.

Due to its small size, the AeroPress is considered the best small coffee maker for camping. In recent years, AeroPress has established itself as one of the most popular choices among coffee lovers.

The coffee maker uses a fast total immersion brewing process to make smooth, tasty, aromatic coffee with low acidity and no bitterness.

The AeroPress uses paper filters to keep grit and coffee oils out of your cup. Paper filters allow you to get a flavored drink with a more delicate coffee taste. It also means the device is quick and easy to clean.

This device is ideal for both home use and travel, due to its light weight, compact size, and durability.

A cup prepared with an AeroPress tastes like an espresso, so you can brew coffee for cappuccino, latte and other espresso drinks.

The product is made of BPA-free plastic. The AeroPress not only looks great but is also very durable.

4. Cuisinart PerfecTemp - Best Programmable Coffee Maker

If you are looking for a machine that lets you program a brewing start time, the strength of the drink, the number of cups, and a shutdown time, then the Cuisinart PerfecTemp coffee maker is definitely worth your attention.

This machine has a brew strength control that allows you to select the type of coffee you want. You can choose between regular or rich depending on your mood.

With Cuisinart, you get hotter coffee without sacrificing taste and quality thanks to its special brewing technology. This small coffee maker keeps your coffee hot for 90 minutes thanks to the thermal carafe. You can also set the desired temperature of the drink.

Another impressive thing is the Brew Pause feature, which lets you enjoy a cup of black coffee even before the brew cycle is complete.

This programmable coffee maker is easy to use. You can even set the brewing time 24 hours in advance so the next cup is ready when you're ready. You can set a shutdown time as well. Also, for your convenience, the model has a transparent water window for accurate filling.

You no longer have to monitor the need to descale your device, as a special LED indicator will let you know when it's time for maintenance.

This high-quality programmable model has all the features you could want in a modern coffee machine. 

5. Nespresso by De'Longhi - Best Small Nespresso Machine

This Nespresso coffee maker allows you to brew a single cup of coffee—and choose between five types—at the touch of a button in less than a minute. Due to its quiet operation and its compact size, it will be an excellent purchase for any kitchen.

Whether you prefer espresso, double espresso, lungo, or 8- or 14-ounce Nespresso cupsules of coffee, the VertuoPlus does it all. It uses patented Centrifusion technology to brew perfect coffee of a wider variety of sizes than Nespresso's Original line.

The device has a fast warm-up time of just 20-25 seconds and automatically shuts down after 9 minutes. You can brew fresh coffee in less than a minute.

The water tank holds 60 ounces, which allows you to brew up to 4 of the largest cups of coffee in a row. For your convenience, the water reservoir can be rotated and positioned behind the unit depending on the configuration of your counter space.

You control the VertuoPlus with a single button, which means that all you have to do to make coffee is insert a K-Cup and press the button.

The coffee maker automatically dumps the used pod into a bin at the back, which holds a lot of pods and is easy to slide out and empty.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of Nespresso coffee machines is their usability. It will be difficult for you to find something simpler or more intuitive. Even someone who has never seen a Nespresso coffee machine before can figure out how to work with it relatively easily.

6. Bodum - Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker

Making pour-over coffee is an art that must be learned. However, the result is a delicate flavor that cannot be obtained with any other brewing method. With the Bodum pour-over coffee maker, you can brew eight 4-ounce cups of aromatic coffee in minutes.

The Bodum coffee maker is suitable for those who like to control the coffee brewing process from start to finish.

The pour-over technique involves slowly pouring hot water over the coarse-ground beans in a circular motion and allowing the coffee to drain into the bowl below. You'll have a great coffee experience in a few minutes. The Bodum coffee maker brews about 5 large cups or 8 small cups at a time.

This model is made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass. It's sturdy enough, easy to disassemble, and every part is washable. It's even dishwasher safe.

The Bodum coffee maker is a beautifully designed pour-over device that comes with a reusable stainless-steel mesh filter that helps to extract the aromatic oils and delicate flavors of your coffee instead of absorbing them like a paper filter. Since the mesh is very fine, it is impossible for sediment to get into your drink.

7. Secura - Best French Press

The Secura French Press is an easy and convenient way to make coffee for a good start to the day. And stainless steel carafe will keep the drink hot for a long time.

With a 34-oz capacity, the Secura French press easily brews 4 great 8.5-oz cups of coffee at a time. The undoubted advantage is the versatility of the Secura. It brews not only coffee but also tea.

Both the inside and the outside of this device are made of stainless steel that is durable, so it will get fewer scratches where dirt can build up. The design is second to none.

In addition, the French press coffee maker boasts double walls that keep drinks hot for a long time. Even though the handle is also made of stainless steel, it doesn't get hot.

As for the filtration system, a three-layer stainless steel filter is used. Additional mesh layers keep all grounds and sediment out of your coffee.

Unlike paper filters that are commonly used in traditional coffee makers, the stainless steel mesh filters allow important acids and natural oils into the drink, giving a richer, fuller flavor.

In addition, all Secura French press components are easy to disassemble for cleaning and, together with the housing, can be washed in the dishwasher.

8. Zojirushi Zutto - Best 5-Cup Coffee Maker

What is the best 5-cup coffee maker? The Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto!

This is a basic drip coffee maker that always great coffee at the right temperature. You can prepare a drink for the whole family in no time.

The keep-warm feature keeps the coffee warm until you drink it.

The Zutto drip coffee machine is smartly designed, takes up minimal space, and is easy to store when not in use. The product itself is made of top-quality metal, glass and plastic, which makes it strong and durable. This model is easy to care for and only needs to be wiped with a dry cloth to maintain its durability.

The Zutto 5-cup coffee maker is equipped with a removable water reservoir that is easy to pull out and fill. The model also has a glass decanter with a water filter that should last two years.

The comfortable plastic handle makes the Zutto easy to hold in your hand.

This is an easy-to-clean coffee maker because the plastic filter basket can be removed for easy cleaning.

Sources:

1. How Automatic Drip Coffee Maker Is Made - How Products are Made
2. How Coffee Makers Work - How Stuff Works