The 12 Best Small Coffee Makers of 2023

Best Overall

Keurig K-Mini Plus Single Serve Coffee Maker

4.2

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There’s no doubt about it: Keurig is one of the most beloved names in coffee. Its K-Cup pods are easy to use and offer a wide range of coffees, teas, and more. The Keurig K-Mini Plus takes the brand's signature convenience and bottles it into a 5-inch-wide device, made for those hoping to save space in the kitchen. A pod storage bin holds nine K-Cup pods to keep them handy and slides into the front of the brewer when not in use. If you want your coffee a little stronger, all it takes is the press of a button.

This brews 6 to 12 ounces of coffee, simply by adding that amount to the removable water reservoir. If you’re not sure how much coffee your mug holds, you can use that to fill the reservoir, so you’ll never overflow a cup, and if someone forgets the cup, the drip tray can hold all the liquid for easy disposal and cleaning. When the drip tray is removed, you can brew directly into a travel mug up to 7 inches tall.

The coffee maker turns itself off 90 seconds after brewing. If you want to put the coffee maker away between uses, the cord stores neatly in the back of the brewer, so it won’t tangle when the brewer is resting on a shelf in the pantry.

Price at time of publish: $60

Grounds or Pods: Pods (or reusable K-Cup filter) | Capacity: 6 to 12 ounces | Dimensions: 11.3 x 4.5 x 12.1 inches | Warranty: 1-year limited | Wattage: 1,470 | Voltage: 120

Best Budget

Black+Decker 5-Cup Coffeemaker

4.2

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A small, affordable coffee maker, this doesn’t have a lot of frills, but it still makes a good cup of coffee. The carafe holds five cups, so you have plenty of coffee to last the morning, or to share. It operates with a simple on/off switch that lights up to let you know that the coffee maker is on. The hot plate will keep the carafe warm as long as the coffee maker is on, but there is no auto-off feature.

The carafe is designed for ergonomic handling and drip-free pouring, so you won’t make a mess, and the lid is completely removable for easy cleaning when the coffee is gone. If you can’t wait for the first cup, this stops the brewing process, so you can pour a cup without making a mess. A permanent filter is included, so you’ll never need paper filters.

Price at time of publish: $20

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Capacity: 5 cups | Dimensions: 7.25 x 8.2 x 10.75 inches | Warranty: 2-year limited | Wattage: 650 | Voltage: 120

Best With Grinder

Cuisinart DGB-450 Grind and Brew 10-Cup Coffee Maker

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A coffee grinder is the best accessory you can add to make a fresher, tastier cup of joe. Unfortunately, it's yet another item that takes up space in your kitchen—that's why coffee makers with built-in grinders are so handy, and the Cuisinart DGB-450 is one of the most compact examples you can find. The downside is that it has a blade grinder instead of a burr grinder. Experts widely prefer the latter because they grind more evenly. The good news is that blade grinders are more affordable, so it keeps this coffee maker's price reasonable.

The Cuisinart Grind and Brew comes with a variety of convenient features, too. There's a 1- to 4-cup setting for when you need a little caffeine, but don't want to make a full pot. It's also programmable up to 24 hours in advance and has a self-cleaning function. That said, some customers mention that cleaning by hand can be a little rigorous, which is somewhat expected considering the built-in grinder.

Price at time of publish: $130

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Capacity: 10 cups | Dimensions: 8.1 x 10 x 15.5 inches | Warranty: 3-year limited | Wattage: 1,025 | Voltage: 120

Best Espresso

Coffee Gator Espresso Machine

4.8

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Espresso makers tend to be bulkier than other brewing devices, but this Coffee Gator model is among the most compact you can find. It’s just 5.5 inches wide–slimmer than some drip coffee makers on our list–and, at 10.3 inches tall, it fits comfortably below most cupboards. 

Don’t let its stature fool you, though: The tiny brewer packs a powerful punch. One of our writers tested the espresso firsthand and consistently found the shots to have a strong flavor, rich body, and an all-important, golden-brown crema. During the tests, he didn’t have to wait long for delicious coffee, as the item heats up in roughly 20 seconds. Producing thick, foamy milk takes a little longer, however, as the steam wand isn’t the strongest our team has tested. That said, our reviewer said the wand is easy to use and still sufficient for lattes and cappuccinos. 

Such strong flavor makes the Coffee Gator Espresso Machine a viable option for seasoned espresso drinkers, while the item’s intuitive design and affordable price makes it an excellent choice for those new to espresso as well. Once the red display lights stop blinking and turn solid, all you have to do is turn the machine’s lone dial, located on the side, to start pulling espresso shots.

Price at time of publish: $119

Grounds or Pods: Grounds or ESE pods | Capacity: N/A | Dimensions: 12.4 x 5.5 x 10.3 inches | Warranty: 1 year | Wattage: 1,150 | Voltage: 120

Best Splurge

Ratio Six Coffee Maker

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With an eye-catching design and a unique brewing style, the Ratio Six has a high-end feel that distinguishes it from most drip coffee makers. The stainless steel shower head is visibly different than the average plastic one, and it maximizes flavor by smoothly and evenly pouring water over the coffee grounds. There's also an automated "bloom" phase, which is typically associated with non-electric coffee makers like pour overs and French presses. In this phase, the Ratio Six gently saturates the coffee grounds before fully brewing them so that they release pent-up CO2 and, as a result, have a better taste.

Overall, the Ratio Six is an excellent and reliable brewing device, but there are few considerations to mention. It is expectedly more expensive than the average drip coffee maker, and despite the high price tag, there's no pause-and-serve feature. Paper filters are required for brewing, as well, as opposed to a permanent filter. The Ratio Six is also quite long for a coffee maker, due in part to the separate water reservoir and shower head. It is exceptionally slim, however, measuring under 7 inches in width, which is why we feel it's compact enough to include on our list. Width is usually a more important factor in saving counter space than depth.

Price at time of publish: $365

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Capacity: 40 ounces | Dimensions: 13.5 x 6.75 x 14.25 inches | Warranty: 5-year limited | Wattage: 1,400 | Voltage: 120

Best Pour Over

Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker

4.2

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This little pour-over device is affordable, easy to use, and saves more space in the kitchen than even the slimmest electric coffee maker. Its elegant design is similar to that of a Chemex—rounded glass body, cork or rubber band—but it comes with a permanent stainless steel filter, so you won't have to buy countless paper ones.

Capacity might be an issue for the true coffee lover, as this model only holds 17 ounces, roughly equivalent to two or three cups of joe. However, Bodum also manufactures the item in two larger sizes: 34 and 51 ounces.

Customers give the Bodum Pour Over high marks, especially regarding its value for money and easiness to clean (simply remove the cork or rubber band and toss the item in the dishwasher). A scant number of reviews mention chipping or breaking, but this is to be expected with glass coffee makers. The size and price make it a great gift option, so keep it in mind for holidays, birthdays, or just-because days.

Price at time of publish: $20

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Capacity: 17, 34, and 51 ounces | Dimensions: Varies by capacity | Warranty: 1-year limited

Best Thermal

OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

4.8

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Thermal coffee pots provide multiple benefits over glass ones. First off, they're more durable. Second, and perhaps most important, they retain heat better than glass carafes, which actually helps the coffee taste better in the long run. Glass coffee pots usually have hot plates underneath them to stay warm, but this added heat essentially "cooks" the coffee, changing its flavor and making it more bitter. A thermal coffee maker, like this one from Oxo, keeps coffee fresh and delicious for hours by leaving the flavor intact.

It's no wonder we were highly impressed with the quality of the coffee that this machine brews. Our tester noted that the showerhead evenly distributes water over the coffee grounds, leading to a well-balanced cup of joe. The device also has the unique capability to brew one cup at a time when you prefer that over a full 8-cup pot.

The design is not only slim at 7 inches wide but incredibly simple too. There are only three buttons on the machine: a power button and two brew settings. A major downside to the simplicity, however, is that the Oxo 8-Cup Coffee Maker is not programmable. So, if you like to situate your coffee maker at night and set it to brew before you wake up in the morning, you might prefer another option.

Price at time of publish: $200

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Capacity: 40 ounces | Dimensions: 10.5 x 7 x 13.5 inches | Warranty: 2-year limited

Best Travel

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

4.8

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A favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and coffee experts alike, the AeroPress is the best travel companion you can find. It's small enough to toss in a backpack or suitcase, and all it takes is access to hot water to make a tasty cup of coffee or even a richer, espresso-like brew. Our expert product tester compared the flavor and smoothness to pour over coffee.

One question that pops up with the AeroPress is whether it's useful as a primary brewing device—like a drip coffee maker, for example—or if it's more of an occasional, on-the-go gadget. There's no set answer, but our reviewer thinks it's suitable for both. Just keep in mind that it has a small capacity of 8 ounces and requires more hands-on effort than most coffee makers, so some people may tire of using it and cleaning it multiple times a day. That said, cleaning is quick and easy. The four main plastic parts of the AeroPress are top-shelf dishwasher safe, and our tester adds that rinsing by hand takes no more than a minute. The AeroPress is also reasonably priced, on par with other non-electric brewing devices and cheaper than many electric ones.

Price at time of publish: $40

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Capacity: 8 ounces | Dimensions: 4.75 x 4.5 x 11.75 inches | Warranty: 1-year limited

Best Without Pods

Zojirushi Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

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While brewing coffee with pods is certainly convenient, it can quickly become expensive. This slim 5-cup brewer solves the issue by letting you use your favorite coffee grounds instead of pods. Other perks include a removable water tank for easy filling and a keep-warm plate that can be turned on and off with a side-located switch.

The Zojirushi Zutto Coffee Maker has widely positive reviews, with customers saying the coffee is consistent and that the machine is easy to clean. One common complaint is that the water tank is prone to leaking, but this does not happen to most users. The company provides a one-year warranty should this be an issue.

Price at time of publish: $74

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Capacity: 5 cups | Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 10.6 inches | Warranty: 1-year limited | Wattage: 650 | Voltage: 120

Best Versatile

Nespresso Essenza Mini with Aeroccino Milk Frother

4.8

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By itself, the Nespresso Essenza Mini is a reliable and easy-to-use espresso maker. A member of our team tested the item over several weeks and said the espresso consistently had strong flavor and a rich crema. Throw in an Aeroccino3 Milk Frother and the bundle becomes highly versatile, allowing users to whip up lattes, cappuccinos, and more right from home.

It's all the drink options you get from an automatic espresso maker (except for an Americano), but in a more compact device. The Essenza Mini is roughly 4 inches wide, so it can slide between cookbooks, canisters, and other countertop accoutrement. And the separate milk frother, measuring 3.5 inches in diameter, takes up little space too; it can also go in a cupboard when not in use.

There are two drink size options on this machine, espresso and lungo, labeled on top with a pair of simple buttons. The capsule container needs to be emptied after six shots of espresso, which is smaller than many alternative Nespresso machines, but that's a natural consequence of such a slim design. While Nespresso products skew toward the pricier end, the Essenza Mini is one of the most affordable, and our tester called it an excellent value-for-money option.

Price at time of publish: $200

Grounds or Pods: Pods | Capacity: Single serve | Dimensions: 4.3 x 8 x 12.8 inches | Warranty: 1 year | Wattage: 1,255 | Voltage: 110

Best Single Serve

AdirChef Grab N' Go Personal Coffee Maker

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This slim coffee maker can fit into all kinds of nooks and crannies, whether it’s in a kitchen, dorm room, or RV. The device is terrific personal use since it has single-serve capabilities. It does not take pods, which one might expect given its diminutive size, but instead uses real coffee grounds to brew a fresh cup of joe. Customers widely say it’s quick and super easy to use.

As an added bonus, the AdirChef Grab N’ Go comes with a stainless steel travel mug that you can take to class or keep in a cupholder during your morning commute. Other travel mugs fit inside the machine too, should you already have a go-to favorite in your cupboard (maybe just measure its height beforehand). While this isn’t the most versatile coffee maker out there—no settings for programmability or adjustable brew strength—the machine itself plus the travel mug come at an incredibly affordable price and offer unbeatable value for money.

Price at time of publish: $23

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Capacity: 15 ounces | Dimensions: 6.7 x 5.1 x 10.1 inches | Warranty: 1-year limited | Wattage: 650 to 750 | Voltage: 120