Best Espresso Machines for Small Kitchens

Your counter is already working overtime. The toaster lives next to the kettle, the knife block fights the fruit bowl, and every inch is spoken for.

You still want good espresso at home. You just don’t have room for a machine the size of a microwave.

The best espresso machines for small kitchens prove you don’t need a big machine to make café drinks. You just need to choose carefully.

How We Chose These Machines

These are research-based picks with 4 stars or more on Amazon and strong review counts.

I favored narrow machines and ones that don’t need a separate grinder taking up more room.

Quick Comparison Table

What to Measure First

Before buying a space-saving espresso machine, measure your counter width, depth and the height under your cabinets. KitchenAid also suggests leaving room for accessories like a milk pitcher, cups, beans and any separate grinder.

My guide What Size Espresso Machine Do I Need? walks you through measuring, including how much room you need above the machine to fill it.

Small Tanks Mean More Refills

A smaller machine usually has a smaller water tank. KitchenAid notes that larger tanks take up more counter space but need fewer refills.

If you make one or two drinks a day, a small tank is fine. If several people drink espresso, choose a slim machine with a bigger tank, like the CASABREWS.

Our Top Picks

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine (BES500)

Best for: Best overall

Evidence: Research-Based Pick

The Bambino Plus is built for tight spaces and still makes café-style lattes. It heats up fast, which helps on rushed mornings.

Benefits

    • Compact size.
    • Automatic milk texturing.
    • Quick heat-up.

Drawbacks

    • No built-in grinder.
    • Small water tank.

Choose it if: You want lattes in a small kitchen.

Skip it if: Several people make drinks back to back.

Click the link now to buy the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine (BES500) from Amazon.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/05/2026 11:07 am GMT

CASABREWS CM5418 Compact Espresso Machine

Best for: Slimmest body

Evidence: Research-Based Pick

The CASABREWS CM5418 is a slim espresso machine, only about 6 inches wide, yet it holds a 34 oz water tank.

Benefits

    • Very narrow design.
    • 34 oz removable tank.
    • Built-in pressure gauge.

Drawbacks

    • No built-in grinder.
    • Some owners mention noise.

Choose it if: You’re short on width but want capacity.

Skip it if: You want automatic milk.

Click the link now to buy the CASABREWS CM5418 Compact Espresso Machine from Amazon.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/05/2026 11:07 am GMT

De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine

Best for: Small budget

Evidence: Research-Based Pick

The Stilosa is about 8 inches wide and easy on your budget. It’s an easy fit for an espresso machine for apartments and first kitchens.

Benefits

    • Narrow base.
    • 15-bar pump.
    • Manual milk frother.

Drawbacks

    • No built-in grinder.
    • Basic controls.

Choose it if: Space and budget are both tight.

Skip it if: You want automatic milk drinks.

Click the link now to buy the De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine from Amazon.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/05/2026 11:03 am GMT

Nespresso Essenza Mini by De’Longhi

Best for: Smallest size

Evidence: Research-Based Pick

The Essenza Mini is one of the smallest ways to make espresso at home. You pop in a capsule and press a button.

Benefits

    • Very compact.
    • Simple one-touch brewing.
    • No grinder or tamper needed.

Drawbacks

    • Uses capsules only.
    • No milk frother built in.

Choose it if: You want espresso in the smallest space possible.

Skip it if: You want fresh-ground coffee.

Click the link now to buy the Nespresso Essenza Mini by De’Longhi from Amazon.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/05/2026 11:03 am GMT

Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee and Espresso Machine

Best for: Espresso and coffee in little space

Evidence: Research-Based Pick

The Vertuo Pop+ makes espresso and full cups of coffee from one compact machine. Its 25 oz tank sits on the side, which keeps it shallow.

Benefits

    • Compact design.
    • 30-second heat-up.
    • Espresso and coffee in one.

Drawbacks

    • Uses Vertuo capsules only.
    • No steam wand.

Choose it if: You want one small machine for both drinks.

Skip it if: You want traditional espresso.

Click the link now to buy the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee and Espresso Machine from Amazon.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/05/2026 11:17 am GMT

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the smallest espresso machine?

Capsule machines like the Essenza Mini are the smallest. Among traditional machines, the CASABREWS is one of the slimmest.

Can a small machine make lattes?

Yes. The Bambino Plus textures milk automatically, and the Stilosa and CASABREWS have steam wands.

Will it fit under my cabinets?

Most will, but measure with the lid open, since you need room to fill the tank.

Should I get a built-in grinder to save space?

It can help. A built-in grinder replaces a second appliance, though those machines are usually larger overall.

Conclusion

A small kitchen doesn’t mean settling for bad coffee. The Bambino Plus is my top pick, the CASABREWS is the slimmest and the Essenza Mini takes the least space of all.

If capsules appeal to you, Best Capsule Espresso Machines compares them side by side. And if you’re keeping costs low too, Best Espresso Machines Under $300 has more budget picks.

You don’t have to decide today, and you don’t have to remember any of this. Pin the images from this post to my Pinterest, @sianahskitchenguide, so they’re waiting when you’re ready, and follow me there too. If you’d rather browse everything I’ve picked in one place, my Amazon storefront, Sianah’s Lifestyle Finds, is open anytime. It has the recommendations from both my Lifestyle Blog and this blog.

I’m glad you were here.

Sianah ❤️

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Product

Best for

Key features

Breville Bambino Plus (BES500)

Best overall

Compact, automatic milk texturing, quick heat-up

CASABREWS CM5418

Slimmest body

About 6 inches wide, 34 oz tank, pressure gauge

De’Longhi Stilosa

Small budget

About 8 inches wide, 15-bar pump, manual frother

Nespresso Essenza Mini

Smallest size

Compact capsule machine

Nespresso Vertuo Pop+

Espresso and coffee in little space

Compact design, side tank, 30-second heat-up