It seems every few years, a new must-have countertop kitchen appliance hits the market; if you’ve added an Instant Pot, air fryer, or an amazing retro-style kitchen appliance to your countertop recently, you’re not the only one. And if this applies to you, it’s almost certain that you are running out of precious real estate for food prep, storage, or new countertop appliances. Thankfully, coffee makers are one kitchen mainstay that don’t have to hog your priceless counter space. This guide will help you select the best mini coffee maker for your kitchen so that you can save counter space and a little money.
What to consider before purchasing a mini coffee maker
Size & Design: If you already have a space in mind for your new coffee maker, it may be wise to measure it so the product you select fits like a glove. Some product features, like large water containers, may improve a coffee maker’s functionality, but will also make it a bit bulkier. Consider your needs and usual coffee routine in order to determine the best option for you.
Brew Cycles: Many modern coffee makers (even miniature models) have advanced brewing features that make it easier than ever to enjoy specialized brews such as lattes, cappuccinos, and cold brews. Consider your favorite types of coffee and make sure the mini coffee maker you invest in is tailor-made to brew your preferred drinks.
Compatibility: It’s not uncommon for mini coffee makers to have compatibility issues. For instance, most single-serving coffee makers won’t be compatible with large travel coffee tumblers, and some require you to buy single-serving coffee cups (think Keurig). Be sure to judge products by their limitations and read reviews to see what compatibility pain points real users had to go through.
Without further ado, here are our top picks for mini coffee makers that will save counter space in your kitchen!
Top Pick: Ninja Pods & Grounds Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Featuring a sleek, compact design that brews up to 24 ounces of coffee at once, the Ninja Pods & Grounds Single-Serve Coffee Maker is a premium product for folks who value coffee quality as much as counter space. This coffee maker is only 5.51 inches wide and just over a foot long, making it easy to slide into tight spots on your counter. However, despite its compact size, it offers a wealth of options, including four pod brewing volumes, six grounds brewing volumes, and a mode for brewing fresh iced coffee. Reviewers rave about this product’s brew quality, with some noting that Keurig pods taste much better after they made the switch. If you are looking for a high-quality single-serve coffee maker from a top brand, this one is your best bet.
Pros: Ninja is a trusted name for coffee makers, and for good reason. This model’s thermal flavor extraction technology makes a darn good cup of joe without taking up much space on your kitchen counter. It’s also an amazing value given its current asking price.
Cons: This Ninja coffee maker isn’t compatible with a carafe, so it’s not an ideal choice for those who wish to make more than three servings of coffee at a time. Also, it doesn’t include a milk frother, which comes standard on other Ninja models (such as one featured below).
Bottom Line: Reviewers love this product’s space-saving design almost as much as the delicious coffee it brews. However, single-serve coffee makers are not a convenient option for everyone. Read on if you prefer to make coffee in family-sized amounts.
Best Mini Multi-Serve Model: Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
Despite its 12-cup capacity, the Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is quite compact, measuring in at less than seven inches wide and a foot high. It also provides quite a bit of value for its budget-friendly price tag, including a reusable eco filter that will help you save a few trees while enjoying daily cups of coffee. Reviewers love how easy this coffee maker is to use (there’s only one button) and the durability of its borosilicate glass carafe. It also comes in six color options, giving you ample choices that span basic to cute and eye-catching. While this isn’t the most compact model in this guide, most homeowners should have enough counter space to make this coffee maker a worthy addition to their kitchen.
Pros: This no-frills coffee maker is so simple to use, a baby could operate it … good thing it will be stored on your counter and away from your toddler. If cost-effectiveness is what you are going for, you won’t find a better coffee maker at this price point.
Cons: As noted, this mini coffee maker is slightly bulkier than single-serve counterparts. As such, be sure to measure your space to ensure it isn’t too big for the cozy coffee nook you have in mind.
Bottom Line: This is a great option for those who are looking for an easy-to-use coffee maker that can brew enough coffee for the whole family. However, those looking for fancy features like preset brewing settings should probably keep reading.
Best Portable Mini Coffee Maker: AeroPress Coffee Press
Whether you are at home or on the go, it’s hard for any conventional coffee maker to compete with the AeroPress Coffee Press. Seriously, people swear by this product, with some doing away with their traditional countertop coffee maker entirely. The reason why: It features a unique brewing method that combines agitation, pressure brewing, and microfiltration, which minimizes your coffee’s bitterness while emphasizing its unique taste. Also, it doesn’t require electricity, so you can use it at home, at the campsite, or anywhere else; as long as you have a way to boil water and your favorite coffee grounds, you’re good to go. And unlike your old French press, this product is a breeze to clean. With so much upside, the somewhat more involved brewing process may be forgiven (although it should be noted that some AeroPress evangelists consider even this to be a feature rather than a defect).
Pros: In terms of overall coffee quality and the ability to brew virtually any type of coffee beverage your heart desires, the AeroPress should be one of your top choices. It also gives you a ton of variety in terms of how you brew your coffee, making it an excellent pick for enthusiasts and amateur baristas.
Cons: Unlike a conventional coffee maker, the AeroPress requires the user to decide how long to brew for, how long to stir the grounds, what sort of filter matches your desired flavor profile, and more. This may be daunting to those who desire plug-and-play simplicity, although serious coffee lovers should be able to quickly navigate this product’s learning curve.
Bottom Line: The AeroPress Coffee Press ensures that brewing a perfect cup of coffee can be done anywhere, and to the user’s exact specifications. This product made major waves upon its release and is still a must-have tool for coffee lovers all over the world. If you think this is just another glorified version of a French press, think again.
Best For Specialty Brews: Ninja Pod & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker
If you enjoy making the same type of specialty brews that you get from your local coffee shop, the Ninja Pod & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker is the best mini coffee maker for your needs. Featuring a nearly identical design to our top pick, this mini coffee maker from Ninja includes a built-in milk frother and a “specialty” brew setting so you can create café-quality lattes without breaking the bank. Additionally, this model features a few other versatile brewing options with preset water temperatures so that your coffee can achieve your desired richness. Factor in its super-compact design (the milk frother folds into the unit, making it virtually as compact as the frother-free model) and affordable price tag (it’s often priced similarly to the frother-free model), and this is a mini coffee maker that surpasses expectations.
Pros: From its beautiful, compact design to its extraordinary brew consistency, this coffee maker is a dream come true for small kitchens. It’s “specialty” setting provides an espresso-like brew that is great for specialty coffee recipes.
Cons: If you already own a milk frother, spending extra money on this product as opposed to the standalone Ninja Pod & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker probably doesn’t make sense. Unless it’s on sale at a comparable price, that is.
Bottom Line: A milk frother is a must-have for specialty coffees, and this mini coffee maker implements this functionality seamlessly so that the added bulk doesn’t take up precious space on your kitchen counter. If you love coffee, either one of the Ninja coffee makers we feature here is likely to be a winner for your morning cup of joe.
Best For Espresso: Sowtech Coffee Machine
Quality Espresso machines tend to be expensive, so the first thing that may catch your eye regarding the Sowtech Coffee Machine is its budget-friendly price tag. However, it has a lot to offer aside from a great deal. Verified purchasers laud the espresso this product produces, and quite a few reviewers note its surprisingly sturdy build quality. Of course, another thing espresso machines are typically known for is taking up a ton of space, but Sowtech managed to squeeze a lot of value into a tiny product that can save space in the kitchen by virtue of its compact form factor. To sweeten the deal, this product also offers a built-in milk frother, making it a great choice for those who like turning espresso shots into customized lattes and cappuccinos.
Pros: This is a solid mini espresso machine at an amazing price point. Verified reviewers note this product provides an excellent crema (the telltale foam that forms on top of espresso) and quality espresso, so you can rest assured that it’s the real deal.
Cons: Some reviews note that this product gets very hot after operation, so be sure to keep it away from children and exercise a degree of caution during use.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for an inexpensive espresso machine that won’t take up very much counter space, this is the product for you.