11 Best Small Coffee Makers you can buy in 2020

Coffee has always been a warm, comforting drink for any occasion, whether hot or cold, day or night. The tasty drink smoothly slips through your throat, and the caffeine in it hits just the right spot to keep you awake and pleasant for a long time. You may not always have a stove and a gas connection every time you feel like having coffee. The process can also be strenuous at times. To tackle this problem, these ten best small coffee makers are here to make coffee to all those coffee lovers out there and save the day.

These small coffee makers are standard in all homes and work environments, even though coffee shops are pretty lively and bursting with people. This is because of the immense convenience these small coffee making machines offer you. Go through our recommended list to get the most out of your money. Hint: Each of these is capable device on its own!

Best small coffee machines that you can buy right now (Updated for year 2020)

     

1. Nespresso EN80BAE (TOP CHOICE)

Nespresso with pods

The Nespresso EN80BAE is a mini espresso machine and can delight you with espressos and cappuccinos anytime you want. The compact module makes sure that it fits neatly in your space. There is a milk frother module that comes along, and it is also easy to store along with the device. The EN80BAE is compatible only with original Nespresso capsules. Moreover, it can brew two different portion sizes of 5 ounce and 1.35 lungo and espressos.

One of the best features of this small coffee maker is that it takes just about 30 seconds for the coffee to brew. Not only that, but the water temperature required for brewing is attained in a record 25 seconds. The energy saver mode automatically turns off the device after 9 minutes. The drip tray is foldable and easy to clean up as well. As far as the dimensions go, it measures 4.7 x 9 x 12.6 inches and weighs around 8.5 pounds.

Pros

  • This is the fastest machine of all, can dispense your drink under 30 seconds.
  • The auto-shutdown timer is activated after 9 minutes.
  • It offers two different cup sizes – lungo and espresso.
  • Includes milk frother as well, which is an advantage.
  • Each machine comes with a welcome set that includes sixteen capsules of distinct aromas.
  • It has a high-pressure pump of 19 bars.
  • The Nespresso club provides you 24 x 7 assistance online, and you can even order capsules at any time. The capsules are recyclable as well.

Cons

  • Only Nespresso modules are compatible.

2. Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer

Packed with a 60-ounce water reservoir and a 12 cups coffee brewing function, the Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer can prove to be an ideal choice. As fas the dimensions are concerned, they are 9.96 x 10.55 x 14.61 inches and weighs around 7 pounds. The thermal extraction feature allows the user to enjoy a good coffee cup and the one where bitterness is entirely out of the picture. For all the people who are in a hurry to leave, the pause brewing option lets you have a cup of coffee mid-way into brewing. The programmable feature on this device allows you to set the time to start your brew. This ensures that you can wake up to a freshly brewed beverage every morning.

ninja ce251 programmable - one of the best small coffee maker

The warming plate is pretty impressive, keeping your brewed coffee warm for up to four hours. To cut down on the generation of paper waste, it comes equipped with an inbuilt filter. All you need to do is, make sure that you clean it regularly. The entire machine consists of plastic build, so its pretty lightweight. The water reservoir indicates water levels and its removable, so it’s easy for you to clean.

Pros

  • It can brew 12 cups of coffee in one go.
  • The adjustable warming plate can keep the drink warm for up to 4 hours maximum.
  • You can set the delay timer for automatic brewing.
  • The inbuilt filter is removable and easy to maintain.
  • You can even remove the water reservoir and clean it.
  • The entire machine has aluminum and BPA free plastic materials.

Cons

  • The price is on the higher side if you compare it with the competitors.

3. BLACK+DECKER DLX1050B

The BLACK+DECKER DLX1050B is a small coffee making machine that features a soft-touch digital pad that shows you all the controls you may want to use. The product can brew 12 full cups of coffee in just one go and is extremely useful when many people come over or in office spaces. There is a small light that indicates when the machine is on. The auto brew option allows you to set a time for the coffee to dispensed automatically every day. After 2 hours of continuous use, the machine shuts down automatically for your safety.

You can pause the brewing function in between, and the warming plate does not let anything stick. The pause function allows you to grab a single cup of coffee while the remaining quantity brews for later usage. There is a removable filter basket that can be cleaned from time to time. The water filter will display the level every time. It is a pretty easily affordable drip coffee maker that fits well into your space, and no matter the continuous use. It is said to offer long-running durable performance.

black decker dlx 4 cup brewer

Pros

  • Includes a small compartment in the back to hold cord and wires.
  • It has a very compact design that makes it top our list.
  • There is an extra drip tray that can prove handy.
  • There is a non-sticky plate that does the job of keeping your beverage hot.
  • It has digital controls, which makes it look stylish and modern.

Cons

  • Some users noted some performance-related issues.

4. Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker

These small coffee makers have easy-to-use K-cup pods offering you a wide range of beverage options like coffee, tea, among others. The pod storage bin has nine different seeds. Each of them slides into the front of the brewer when it is not in use. You can save the coffee powder by filling the machine with the right quantity of your coffee cup. This ensures that you will use only the exact amount of coffee needed for brewing. The extra drips are collected by the drip tray provided along with the product. 

keurig mini plus - compact tower device

There is an auto shut down option which gets triggered 1.5 minutes after the last brew. Some of you may find it a little annoying. But this is for your safety and even saves electricity. You can use the small compartment behind the back of the machine to fold the wire and cord neatly. This compartment can prove beneficial for the ones who intend to carry their device with them on vacation. With dimensions of 6 x 13.6 x 14.7 inches, it can fit anywhere and easy to carry along. You can think of it as travel friendly, which provides travel mug holder on the drip tray’s removal. It can hold a travel mug of up to 7 inches in height.

Related: Check out JURA E6 – your personal coffee shop.

Pros

  • It offers many K-cup pod options.
  • It is less than 5 inches wide, hence very compact and uses less space.
  • The auto turn-off feature turns off the device after 90 seconds from the last brew.
  • The drip tray can hold the full brew in case of an accidental leak.
  • You can even use a travel mug, has an opening of 7 inches.
  • It has digital controls, which makes it look stylish and modern.
  • Available in multiple colors so that you can match the color of your kitchen cabinet easily.

Cons

  • You need to fill the water reservoir before every cycle.
  • There is not temperature or strength control available.

You might be interested in: Our top recommended thermal coffee makers for the year 2020

5. Hamilton Beach HDC300

Weighing just 5.4 pounds, the HDC300 takes a tiny space of its width (which is approximately 4.35 inches). The dimensions of the device are approximately 10.25 x 11 x 4.35 inches. This model is compatible with a wide range of universal K-cups. You can think of this as a multi-functional brewer. Being simple to use is another important thing. Combining this one with the easy cleanup option, this model makes a perfect fit for occasional coffee drinkers as it lets you brew just a single cup in one go. Even if you want to drink several cups a day, it can handle that pretty well.

hamilton beach - best compact coffee maker by Hamilton brand

The K-cups work better than pods in this machine, and you can even use tea along with coffee for your occasional cravings. Individual reviews claim that the coffee isn’t hot enough, so be informed about this. Manufactured in China, this machine offers a 1-year warranty.

Pros

  • A very compact machine should not take much space in your kitchen.
  • It should be easy to clean.
  • The operation us user friendly and newbie-friendly.
  • It is compatible with K-cups as well.

Cons

  • The spillage can be an issue in the long term.

6. Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker

capresso 5 cup maker

Made out of stainless steel, the Capresso is a drip coffee maker. Having the capacity to produce five cups at once, it can be helpful for small families. Making the category right, it is very compact and can fit into your preferred space easily. The jar has markings that show you the amount of beverage that you are going to brew. Moreover, it even features a pause drip function. There is a gold-tone filter that enables you to avoid filthy filter papers and is easier to clean comparatively.

You can time this tiny little coffee maker according to your preference. The dimensions of this device are 8 x 6.25 x 10 inches and weigh approximately 2 pounds. This is probably the lightest of all the models listed. This ensures that you can enjoy your freshly brewed coffee every day at a time that you want and without any efforts. The hot plate present ensures that your coffee stays warm for about 2 hours, at least. Beyond that, the machine triggers the auto shut-off feature. There is also a water filter to ensure your taste of coffee stays pure and that the electronic indications show details about the filter for ease of use.

Pros

  • Features auto brew option.
  • It has automatic shut down, which turns off the device immediately after brewing.
  • The hot plate keeps the coffee warm for a maximum of 2 hours.
  • There is even a brew pause option in this budget option.
  • It includes a gold-tone filter.
  • This is a programmable device, which can dispense at the time set by you.

Cons

  • Glass pot needs caution while handling.

7. Cuisinart DCC-450BK coffee brewer

This model, made out of stainless steel, offers a coffee brewing capacity of 4 cups in a single go. 450BK can be ideal for bachelors or small families. It features dimensions of 10 x 8 x 5.25 inches and weighs around 3.25 pounds. The size of this machine makes it suitable for carrying it around on your business trips and hikes. The knuckle guard and a dripless spout are indeed useful features to look for in this product. It also has a brew-pause function that allows you to have as much coffee as you want beforehand while the machine pauses. There is an indicator light that denotes whether the device is on.

For the user’s safety, there is a 30-minute auto shut off feature, and it comes with an easy to follow instruction booklet for beginners. It is an affordable device, given its excellent features. Make sure to snap the lid close before brewing, or it can cause the coffee to spill. Since it features a stainless steel body, you need to take care that it doesn’t get burned. Some user reviews go so far as to say the product lasted for about three years, so the durability is pretty good if handled with care.

Cuisinart 450K - our favorite brand

Pros

  • The auto shut-off feature triggers after 30 minutes.
  • It includes a thermal carafe (with a capacity of four cups). The carafe has a knuckle guard and is dripless in design.
  • Like modern devices, it even features pause drip function.
  • The build quality is sturdy since it has a stainless steel body.
  • It should last you a couple of years.

Cons

  • The carafe lid is quite tight.

8. Chefman Grind and Brew Coffee Maker

Chefman offers a small coffee machine that has an extra feature of grinding your coffee on the spot so that you can enjoy mineral-rich and flavor-filled coffee anytime you want. As far as the dimensions go, it has a 12.5 x 11.3 x 8 inches size and weighs approximately 6 pounds. You can customize the coffee you want to brew according to your liking, as there is a removable filter, one-button operation, and brew strength options to keep your coffee as strong as you want it. You can also use ground coffee to speed up brewing along with the water level indicating feature.

Chefman - the one with grinder

Even though it is a highly equipped module, this coffee machine only keeps the coffee warm up to 30 minutes after brewing. The auto-shutdown function provides the user with safety. The brew-pause feature lets you fill a cup midway. There is a 1-year warranty on this product, and it can easily brew 4 cups that are perfect for small families. Although it is a bit pricey than other competitors, it is worth investing for the long term.

Pros

  • This particular model is sturdy and features the stainless steel body.
  • There is an automatic shut down feature.
  • It can keep your brew warm for 30 minutes.
  • This device can grind your coffee beans fresh and use it for preparing your favorite beverage.
  • It features a removable filter.
  • You can even customize the brew strength according to your needs.

Cons

  • The price is on the higher side as compared to the competitors.
  • The hot plate can hold the temperature for a maximum of 30 minutes, whereas the others can offer much more time.

9. CuisinArt SS-5P1

CuisinArt is a quite renowned brand, and this model is perfect for small workplaces. This machine provides you to get your favorite drink faster than the traditional drip models. You can choose between standard serving sizes of 6, 8, and 10 ounces. Moreover, it is even compatible with universal K-cups, so you do not have to hunt for pods once you run out.

SS-5P1 - an unsung hero

There is a removable 40-ounce water reservoir, and for troubleshooting, you can always refer to the guide given with it. There is also a 30-minute automatic shutdown feature for user safety, and you can couple it with an additional coffee filter. The Cuisinart SP-5P1 has dimensions of 10.7 x 7.25 x 12.1 inches and weighs little over 6.95 pounds. One thing to note, though, is that lots of users have complained that the base section starts leaking after some time. The waste generated by the coffee pods should be disposed of properly, in case if you are not using the reusable ones.

Pros

  • 5P1 offers three different volumes.
  • The removable 40-ounce water reservoir makes it wasy for maintainence.
  • Includes 30-minute automatic shutdown timer.
  • You can attach an additional coffee filter if needed.

Cons

  • You can face leakage sometimes.

10. Cuisinart Grind & Brew Automatic Coffeemaker

This Cuisinart Grind & Brew Automatic machine can produce up to 12 cups of coffee in a big glass carafe. It is a programmable device that can dispense your favorite beverage at the time specified/ programmed by you. You can use both ground coffee beans or ground coffee powder, according to your preferences.

Another one by our favorite brand

The pause function lets you stop the operation midway, and the coffee maker shall shutdown by itself in about 4 hours for user safety. There is an easy cleanup option too due to separate brewing and grinding chambers.

Pros

  • 12 cups of joe can be brewed at single go.
  • The carafe includes knuckle guard as well.
  • On board coffee grinder is included.
  • Includes auto shutdown feature as well.
  • Easy to clean and maintain.

Cons

  • It can be loud at times due to the presence of grinder.
  • Some users had reported leaking problems.

11. Bodum pour over 17 ounce model

The Bodum pour over maker is quite compact and affordable. You will be surprised to know that it has dimensions of just 5.5 x 4.6 x 6.1. To be honest, it is perfect if you have a compact kitchen and want to save space. The size is small than most of the other options that we have listed above. Even if you compare the electric pour-overs that we had highlighted in the previous article, it will look bulky.

bodum pour over - our top inexpensive recommendation

The design is pretty simple, a glass carafe, cork, or rubber band. Besides, it includes a permanent stainless steel filter, so no need to stock on paper filters. The only downside, in my opinion, would be the capacity. The base model has 17 ounces, which is good enough to hold approximately 3 cups of joe. If you spend a few bucks extra, you can get the item in 2 larger sizes of 34 ounces and 51 ounces. These are highly-reviewed and preferred by customers due to the ease of use, cleaning, and maintenance. Another great thing is, it is pretty inexpensive and bang for the buck. So, you can provide it as a gift during holidays or birthdays.

Pros

  • An attractive price tag.
  • The parts are dishwasher safe, excluding the collar.
  • It is available in different sizes of 17, 34, and 51 ounces, as stated earlier.
  • It comes with a removable stainless steel filter, which is easy to clean

Cons

  • The heat retention is terrible as compared to other models.
  • The glass is fragile.
  • The filter can get strained quickly.

Hot: Our top recommendations for bottled water to use with your brewers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the benefits of owning a small coffee maker?

There are several benefits to owning your small coffee maker, and those include gaining access to your favorite drink anytime you want, lift your mood, or even sometimes be a cure to your sore throat. Let us take a look at each of them in detail so that you can decide on buying one for yourself.

1. It’s fresh

When making instant coffee, the number of nutrients and antioxidants mixed with the coffee powder will not be enough for your body. But when brewing coffee in a coffee maker, it releases more natural and healthy oils along with your much-needed nutrients and keeps it fresh straight out of the machine for longer. Even though drinking too much coffee can prove to be disadvantageous for you, freshly brewed coffee is also said to prevent many forms of cancer to an extent.

2. Health Benefits

The health benefits of owning a small coffee maker to brew fresh coffee can be plenty. Those include getting coffee, which is more flavourful and aromatic to lift your mood. Coffee helps you burn fat and lose weight. The caffeine present in it gives you more focus on your work and keeps you awake. Premature death and the risk of stroke are said to be prevented by a certain extent due to coffee, according to some studies. Along with those, it also shows regular consumption of coffee reduces Parkinson’s disease and lowers Type II diabetes. More than any of these functions, coffee always keeps you fresh and puts you in a good mood.

3. Money-Saving

Several kinds of coffee available in shops outside can be expensive due to the different methods of brewing it. Even though the initial cost of buying a small coffee machine can be a bit high, but it can save you a lot in the long run. To go to coffee shops itself, you might have to spend cash reaching the destination if it is far from your location, and paying for each cup of coffee also takes money away. But with a coffee maker at home, you can quickly learn how to make all kinds of coffee and treat yourself to one of those unique flavors, be it day or night. This way, over a year, you save up to $1000.

4. Your choice of perfect beverage!

All cafes may not serve the coffee of your choice, and most of the time, you will be disappointed. If you own a small coffee brewer, you will not have to face this disappointment. You can brew unlimited beverages of your choice in the comfort of your home! If friends or colleagues are around, you can also treat them to a cup of their choice, or you can recommend them amazing flavors to try and be a good host.

5. Time Saver

If you want to get a cup of coffee, your first choice will be the nearest coffee shop. It can be quite tedious and waste a lot of your time traveling and waiting for your order. You can avoid this by owning one of those fantastic small coffee makers in the market now. Having one of these devices in your nearest proximity, you can do your work while the coffee is brewing and waste no time.

6. Its fun to use one!

Owning a small coffee maker can open you to a wide range of possibilities for brewing coffee. For a coffee lover and even a casual coffee consumer, trying out some new experiments with different coffee flavors can be fun and exciting now that there are many options. You can always show off your coffee making skills to your friends and colleagues and even make a good impression on them. And all the coffee lovers are bound to have lots of fun owning their very own coffee making machine.

How do I choose the top small coffee maker?

1. Budget

The budget is single-handedly one of the most crucial factors when you are going to buy any product. The same thing applies here, as well. You should have a maximum budget in your mind before your purchase. Even though you may have to invest some amount at first, it always saves you more money than you spent buying in year or less. Consuming coffee from cafes or coffee shops is still costly then owing to one of these machines.

2. Quantity

The quantity of coffee you wish to make varies with your family members, friends, and colleagues. Sometimes even you may want more than your usual amount. Single-serve brewers make you put in more effort to make several cups, whereas others make multiple servings in one go, and that may be more suitable. If you are living alone, then the ones listed above are perfect for your usage. It doesn’t make sense to spend more money and get the multi-cup devices, which will be worthless.

3. Convenience

Since these small coffee makers are here to let you have some load lifted off of you, make sure that the model you choose suits your convenience. Look at the time you can wait for your coffee in the morning as soon as you wake up. Ensure that the time it takes to brew coffee satisfies you as waking up tired can be an annoyance. There are also models in the market that make you coffee at a specific fixed time every day once you have programmed it to be so. If you hate complicated functions in a coffee maker, make sure to stay away from those too. Extra features also result in extra money and consider your budget first before anything else.

4. Extra Features

Even though these so-called extra features can make your small coffee maker a bit more costly than the others, coffee lovers know that it can be worth the money you spend. Some come with a built-in grinder that grinds your coffee beans on the spot, programs to make your machine function better, multiples warmers, and some even have a milk frother as an additional feature for a thicker coffee texture. There are coffee makers with an attached water filter to ensure your coffee tastes quite alright, devoid of impurities, or any added flavors. 

5. Space

The whole purpose of owning a small coffee maker is to save space regardless of whether it is in your workspace or home counter. Many of us already have lots of appliances and crockery filled in our kitchen. Moreover, your office workspace needs to be spacious and clean. Both of these problems can be tackled quickly with the new concept of small machines. They are ideal to fit into small spaces and make it easy for carrying around. We have even listed out the dimensions of all the products here. So, you can take the measurements of the space that is available in your home/ office. You can compare your open space with the dimensions above and decide which one will fit in your area. If you intend to buy it for later use, you can store them in your storeroom.

6. Type of the machine

6.1 Drip Makers

There are mainly four types of coffee makers. The drip coffee maker, which is affordable, easy to use, and comes with various options in shapes, sizes, and brands. Although making something fancy is restricted in this model, it can brew a lot of your favorite beverage in one go, which can be useful if you are looking for such an option.

6.2 Single Serve

The single server brewers are quite compact and also easy to clean and store. They are rather affordable and handy for not wasting any resources. Being very user friendly, this is more preferred by people as they can always make another cup of coffee on demand. Sometimes this process can be tedious when in the presence of a lot of people.

6.3 French Press

Another type is the french press coffee maker. You can put your ground coffee on top, add boiling water and just press down to squeeze out the essence and make coffee. It is even more affordable, and although there are no filters of any kind, it works perfectly fine without electricity. There is always the problem of residue getting mixed up with your coffee.

6.4 Espresso maker

Topping the list is the stylish espresso maker. These are sophisticated in making different types of beverages. They can brew different types of drinks and can even adjust the concentrations of beans. Moreover, these are stylish and can serve as an attraction to your guests and friends. Also though it only makes small quantities of coffee in one go and it is expensive, it is pretty easy to use at the same time.

Related: You can checkout our extensive guide to the types of espresso machines available!

Are expensive coffee makers worth it?

If I had to explain it one word, I’d say yes. Many models come with an affordable price tag that is good to get the job done. On the other hand, the expensive models provide a wide array of drink options and can run without any hiccups over a long period. The problem with affordable counterparts is that they do not heat enough. I am trying to say that many of these budget ones do not heat beyond 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit. This is where expensive models come into the picture. They can easily brew at a temperature of more than 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, they do not wear out or burn out quickly with time. Sure, some affordable options can heat up to 205 degrees. You need to shell out a little more money, but it’s worth the extra dollars that you put in. 

pouring in cup

Conclusion: Should you get one of these top small coffee makers?

Whether you are aiming for class with an espresso machine or going for comfort as your most sought after option with a single brew small coffee machine, we got you with all the features you can look for and buy. This list of the top brewers above is enough to make a buying decision for yourself. You can weigh out the pros and cons, compare it with your wallet, and then finally make an informed decision. If you have any other better recommendation, do let us know in the comments below!

About Arianna Koss

Hi there! My name is Arianna Koss. Some of my friends call me a coffee freak, but I admire coffee and it’s my passion. I love to have lattes and espressos, and even worked as Barista for 3 years! I have created this blog to share the recipes and tricks that I have used to make the great cup of joe. Don’t forget to subscribe so that you do not miss out on any updates!

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