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Not a lot of space on your counter, but a lot of love for coffee? The best coffee makers small-sized can deliver greatness without hogging up your valuable kitchen space. Think you’re limited on options when you’re in need of a small coffee maker for space-conscious brewing? You’re definitely not!
Table of Contents
Bottom Line Upfront Top Smallest Coffee Makers for Space Conscious Brewing
- French Press: Best Overall
- Chemex: For A Classic Look
- Pour Over Coffee Maker: Runner Up Space Saving
- Black & Decker Spacemaker Coffee Maker: Best for keeping the Counter Clear
- CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker: Smallest
- Nostalgia BSET300AQ Retro 3-in1 Family Size Breakfast Station: Best Retro Look
- Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De’Longhi with Aeroccino: Best Easy to Operate
- Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker (12-Cup Carafe): Best Tucked Under the Cabinet
- Keurig K-Mini Plus Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker: Best Space Saving
- Capresso® SG120 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker: Best Modern Looking
- Capresso® On-the-Go Personal Coffee Maker: Fastest Brewing
- Kitchen Aid® Personal Brewer Coffee Maker: Best for Busy Person
CHAMBORD is a true original – the classic French Press coffee maker designed in the 1950s to honor the iconic Château de Chambord in France.
You can choose a more hands-on option like pour-overs or get a small coffee pot or drip coffee maker that makes several cups at one time while you’re busy doing something else. There are even machines that make specialty drinks without taking up a lot of space.
French Press
Here’s a low-maintenance small coffee maker option. You can get them in all sizes, from three-cup to 12-cup.
They’re usually made from glass and/or stainless steel, but there’s one to match any kitchen décor, whether you like vibrant pops of color or a more rustic style. You can put it in a corner or cabinet so it’s out of the way, and it’s no trouble to pull it back out again when it’s time to use it.
You’ll need coarse ground coffee for this type of maker. Pour hot water in, put the lid on (leave the plunger up), wait a few minutes, push the plunger down, and then pour your coffee. Some French presses are even low maintenance enough to be dishwasher-safe.
Try the Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker, which comes in a variety of sizes and has a simple enough style to fit in almost anywhere.
CHAMBORD is a true original – the classic French Press coffee maker designed in the 1950s to honor the iconic Château de Chambord in France.
Chemex
This glass, bamboo, and leather option is another classic coffee maker you can easily move to the corner or put in the cabinet between uses. Get it in three-cup to 12-cup sizes, with or without a handle. The classic line is less expensive, but the handblown one is beautiful (and available in a 13-cup size instead of 12).
The simple, elegant design helps it look right at home anywhere. The rawhide used to only come in tan, but now you can choose from a range of colors if you want to use color to tie your Chemex in with your kitchen’s color scheme.
This is a pour-over style small coffee maker that allows you to make enough for more than one person at a time. A great advantage is that Chemex is easy to clean and does not require any special maintenance.
Chemex coffee makers are made from the same high-quality glass used for labware. It is beautifully clear and imparts no flavors or chemicals into your brewed coffee.
Pour Over Coffee Maker
When you really want to free up your counter space, a pour-over coffee maker is the way to go. They’re typically small enough to fit in a drawer. You could also perch one on a shelf and use it as a decoration when it’s not being used to make coffee. They’re about the size of a mug and can be used with almost any filter type (paper, Coffee Sock, etc).
There are some really beautiful ones on Etsy. If you have a local coffee shop that showcases handmade goods and art from local creatives, you may find one there, too. You can generally get one for $30.00 or less.
Of course, you will only be able to make one cup at a time with it. If you live alone, are the only coffee-drinker in your house, or don’t mind sharing with a significant other or roommate and taking turns with it instead of brewing a half or full pot at once, it could be the perfect solution.
Check out Etsy's pour over coffee maker selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our home and living shops.
Black & Decker Spacemaker Coffee Maker
The Black & Decker Spacemaker Coffee Maker is one way to keep your counters clear. This one attaches to the underside of the upper cabinets. The designers seem to have thought of everything, down to a cord management hook. It’s 11 lbs and its dimensions are 17” x 12” x 13”.
This option makes eight cups of coffee at a time and the thermal carafe keeps them warm. You can also sneak a cup while it’s still brewing if you just can’t wait, or set it to brew before you even wake up. The programming buttons are easily accessed and quick to use.
There are two negatives to this one: it’s going to take two people to mount it (and some tools), and it’s one of the most expensive options on the list by far about $400.00.
That said, if you’re space-conscious because you’re in a tiny house, apartment, boat, or RV, it may be worth the time, effort, and expense to get your coffee maker mounted somewhere that totally frees up counter space without taking up any storage space.
Black+Decker’s SpaceMaker appliances are back to save you time and space in the kitchen! The Under-the-Cabinet 8-Cup Coffee Maker quickly makes your fresh morning coffee, all while freeing up limited countertop space.
CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker
The CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker stands out for its vibrant colors. Choose from black, blue, red, green, or orange. It uses capsules, but it isn’t brand-specific and allows you to keep your coffee options wide open. It’s also one of the smallest on the list, at 9.5”x 5.1” x 10.4” and 1.3 lbs. It’s even good for a dorm room. Plus it only costs about $40.00.
It works fast (three minutes, total), shuts off automatically, stays cool on the outside for safety, and it’s easy to clean. Because it’s so quick to make a cup of coffee, you could easily use this in a home even if you don’t live alone. It may not be the best idea for entertaining, but it’s perfect for daily life.
Sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to brew a whole pot of coffee. Or maybe you want hazelnut, but someone else wants dark roast. Not a problem. CHULUX SINGLE CUP COFFEE BREWER is designed for one person. It offers you a fresh and hot 5-12 ounce cup of coffee in minutes at any time you need it.
Nostalgia BSET300AQ Retro 3-in1 Family Size Breakfast Station
If you love a yesteryear vibe and multi-tasking appliances have your heart, you’ll adore the Nostalgia BSET300AQ Retro 3-in-1 Family Size Breakfast Station. It combines a small coffee maker (four-cup) with a griddle and toaster oven. It can toast four pieces of bread, cook eggs and/or sausage, and make coffee at the same time, and automatically shut off when it’s done. There’s even a glass lid for the griddle.
It’s easy to clean the toaster because the oven tray comes right out. The non-stick feature of the griddle means it’ll wipe clean without too much elbow grease, too. Expect to pay $80.00 or less, which is a great deal if you’re already on the market for a toaster oven and/or griddle as well as a small coffee maker.
It takes up a little more room than some of the other options (19.2” x 11.8” x 11.5” and 12 lbs.), but since it’s doing so many things, you may end up saving space anyway compared to other small coffee pots.
Bring the family together and makes a complete breakfast with just one appliance. Enjoy a cup of coffee with the four-cup coffee maker, then treat the family to a variety of breakfast meats and eggs cooked on the large, non-stick griddle.
Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De’Longhi with Aeroccino
The Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De’Longhi with Aeroccino allows you to create specialty drinks at home without sacrificing a lot of space. You can make espresso or lungo with the touch of a (programmable) button.
It only takes 25 seconds to get the water hot enough to get started, then you can make nine drinks back to back before you have to refill the water reservoir. If you haven’t used it in nine minutes, it turns itself off. What’s a specialty drink without the ability to froth milk? Nothing. So this machine comes with an Aeroccino for frothing hot or cold milk (plus some Nespresso capsules). Tuck that away until you need it.
This one is available for $200.00 or less. Its dimensions are 4.6” x 12.6” x 9.1” and it weighs 5.29 lbs.
Indulge in a rich cup of coffeehouse-style Lungo or espresso with this Nespresso Inissia espresso machine from DeLong with a tiny footprint and compact, lightweight design, this smart little Coffee machine will make each morning a bit easier.
Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker (12-Cup Carafe)
The Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker (12-Cup Carafe) is a relatively small coffee pot (11.26” x 8.2” x 14.62”) that can still make enough coffee for your own family and a couple of guests. It’s also only about $40.00 and comes with cone filters.
If you’ll be putting this coffee maker on a spot below a set of upper cabinets, you’ll love that you can get to not only the brew basket but the water reservoir from the front. No need to tug the whole machine out to open a lid or lift out the reservoir, only to slide it back into place later.
There are three brewing methods (regular, bold, and 1-4 cups), plus it tells you how much time has passed since the coffee was brewed so you know how fresh it is. You can easily see how much water’s left in the reservoir, pour before it’s done brewing, and get a reminder when it’s time to clean the machine. It also shuts off automatically after two hours.
Finally, a coffee maker that can stay tucked under a cabinet when in use. With front access to the water reservoir and brew basket, The Hamilton Beach programmable easy-access Coffee maker puts an end to the back and forth maneuvering of a countertop Coffee maker.
Keurig K-Mini Plus Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Mini Plus Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker is a minimalist’s dream. Clean, sleek lines and storage space for nine pods? Yes. It’s not even five inches wide, so no matter how much counter space you (don’t) have, you can still make this one work.
Choose how much coffee you want to make in your mug, from six to 12 ounces. The reservoir is removable. Just fill it up, put it back, and brew your delicious cup of regular or strong coffee. If you forget to turn it off, it’ll automatically shut off after 90 seconds.
It only costs about $100.00. The only negative to this one is the fact that it opens up instead of out, like the Hamilton Beach 12-cup option. Even then, it’s only 16.8” high, though (closed, it’s 12.1”). Dimensions are 11.3” x 12.1” x 4.5” and it only weighs 6.5 lbs.
The Keurig K-Mini Plus single serve coffee maker features a new sleek design, and at less than 5” wide is the perfect size for any space or occasion. The K-Mini Plus brewer is effortlessly simple to use - just add fresh water to the removable reservoir, pop in your favorite K-Cup pod, press the brew button and enjoy fresh-brewed, delicious coffee in minutes.
Capresso® SG120 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
The Capresso® SG120 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker is another small coffee maker for space-conscious brewing that proves that you don’t need a ton of countertop real estate available to brew up a big pot of coffee. Plus it looks sleek and modern.
It only takes about 10 minutes or less to brew that full pot, too, which is nice. If you can’t wait that long, you can stop it mid-brew and pour yourself a cup without making a mess.
The Capresso coffee maker means business when it comes to extracting as much flavor as possible from your coffee. It has multiple nozzles to spray the water through the grounds (instead of just one in the middle), and there’s a special Aroma setting designed to make the brewing process take longer and bring out all the flavor.
Even though it brews so much coffee, it still only weighs 6 lbs. and measures 9” x 6.5” x 13.75”.
The NEW Capresso SG120 12-cup coffee maker brews 12 cups of coffee in less than 10 minutes for maximum flavor and aroma. Full S/S wrapped housing provides superior strength and style.
Capresso® On-the-Go Personal Coffee Maker
The Capresso® On-the-Go Personal Coffee Maker is an on-the-go person’s best friend. It brews straight into a travel mug (one is included, too, in case you need it) and it shuts itself off. It only takes four minutes to brew a cup, so it won’t hold you up when you’re in a hurry.
Just like with the other Capresso coffee maker option, the design of this one is meant to extract all the flavor possible from whichever coffee you choose to use—soft pod or ground—thanks to a larger-than-usual water nozzle.
You don’t even have to worry about keeping filters in stock because this one’s is permanent. It’s also removable for easy cleaning. The filter, mug, and filter basket can all be washed in the dishwasher.
It weighs a whopping 3 lbs. and is 6.5” x 5.25” x 12”. You’ll only have to pay about $40.00 for it.
Space-saving, slim design will fit easily into small kitchens that can brew up to 16 ounces of Coffee using the included travel mug or your own cup, heats up quickly and brews in less than 4 minutes for a fast, hot cup of coffee.
Kitchen Aid® Personal Brewer Coffee Maker
The Kitchen Aid® Personal Brewer Coffee Maker is available in sleek Contour Silver and brilliant Empire Red. It’s another small coffee maker for space-conscious brewing in the homes of busy people who are always on their way out the door.
Make 18 ounces of coffee right into your travel mug (a matching one—hand wash only–is included), grab it, and go. You’ll be using your own regular coffee for this, not pods or capsules. There’s a gold-tone, permanent filter that is easy to clean.
It weighs 8 lbs. and will take up a little more space than the Capresso model (12.5” x 8.8” x 15.75”). You can hide and store the cord when it’s not in use.
The sleek, compact design is perfect for your countertop and brews directly into the included 18-ounce thermal mug or into any mug or cup of your choice. Simply add water to the removable tank, add your favorite coffee to the reusable gold-tone filter and press On to begin brewing. No pods required.
How They Compare
Let’s compare them all side-by-side:
| Dimensions | Features | Price | |
| French Press | Varies | Simple, no additional filters needed, usually stainless steel or glass | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| Chemex | Varies by size, largest (handblown, 65oz) is 11” high with 5.75” in diameter; largest classic (50oz) is 9.25” high with 5.125” diameter | Made from non-porous Borosilicate glass, wood, and leather, makes regular coffee (pour over) | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| Pour Over Coffee Maker | Varies, but usually about the size of a coffee mug | Simple, easy to store, can be decorative, works with a variety of filters, easy to clean | Check the latest price on Etsy |
| Black & Decker Spacemaker Coffee Maker | 17” x 12” x 13” | Auto shut-off, cord management hook, thermal carafe, 8-cups, auto brew option, dishwasher-safe carafe, removable water reservoir, sneak-a-cup feature | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker | 9.5” x 5.1” x 10.4” | Bright colors available, uses most capsules, removable drip tray and water reservoir, BPA-free, single serve, auto shut-off, one touch control | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| Nostalgia BSET300AQ Retro 3-in-1 Family Size Breakfast Station |
19.2” x 11.8” x 11.5” | Griddle, toaster oven, 4-cup, auto shut-off, easy to clean, easy to use | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De’Longhi with Aeroccino | 4.6” x 12.6” x 9.1” | Espresso or lungo, comes with milk frother and capsules, auto shut-off, programmable buttons, and heats water in 25 seconds | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker | 11.26” x 8.2” x 14.62” | Auto shut-off, three brewing methods, 12-cup, easily accessible reservoir and brew basket even when under cabinets, cleaning reminder, freshness indicator, cone filters included | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| Keurig K-Mini Plus Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker |
11.3” x 12.1” x 4.5” | Less than 5” wide, auto-off, single cup, strong option, portable, makes 6-12 oz cups, holds 9 pods, removable reservoir that’s easy to clean | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| Capresso® SG120 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker | 9” x 6.5” x 13.75” | 12 cups, easy-fill water reservoir, easy to clean, can pause brew to pour a cup, brews in 10 minutes or less, Aroma setting and multiple water nozzles for extracting as much flavor as possible | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| Capresso® On-the-Go Personal Coffee Maker |
6.5” x 5.25” x 12”
|
Brews straight into a travel mug, automatic shut-off, can work with mugs up to 7” tall, comes with a stainless steel thermal travel mug, larger nozzle to make the most of the coffee’s flavor, can use soft coffee pods or ground coffee, brews in less than four minutes, removable permanent filter, dishwasher-safe parts | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| Kitchen Aid® Personal Brewer Coffee Maker |
12.5” x 8.8” x 15.75” | Brews 18 oz into a travel mug, comes with matching mug, cord storage, top-load water tank, uses ground coffee, one-touch brewing, auto shut-off, easy-to-clean permanent filter | Check the latest price on Amazon |
Which One Does Your Kitchen Need?
Really, the perfect coffee maker or small coffee pot will depend on:
- How many cups of coffee you need to make at a time
- What your budget looks like
- The types of drinks you need to be able to make
- How much space you actually have (and whether you always want a coffee maker on the counter or need something that’s easy to put in a corner, on an out-of-the-way shelf, in a drawer, or in a cabinet
- Whether you like the idea of your coffee maker being attached to another appliance, like a toaster oven
CHAMBORD is a true original – the classic French Press coffee maker designed in the 1950s to honor the iconic Château de Chambord in France.
Once you’ve answered those questions, you’ll be able to pick the best, smallest coffee maker for space conscious brewing for your specific area of counter space.
