Tl;dr: Counter space is often a hot commodity in busy households or smaller kitchens. Luckily, there are plenty of high-quality espresso machines that come in compact silhouettes.

As an ex-college student and current full-time van-lifer— I am no stranger to navigating small kitchens. If you’re anything like me, a small kitchen is no excuse to give up the finer things in life, like a decadent cup of home-brewed espresso.

I’ve spent years working in coffee shops, and I’ve traveled all over the world tasting different regional espresso. I’m passionate about perfecting the perfect brew, and I’ve done a bunch of research to help bring you the best small espresso machine that will fit nicely on your counter.

Let's dive in.

What To Consider When Shopping For a Small Espresso Machine

The world of espresso makers can be daunting, so if you’re wondering what features you need and what type of espresso machine is right for you— let's break down some things to consider.

What Espresso Experience Are You Looking For?

All of the machines mentioned in this article are semi-automatic and super-automatic machines. But what's the difference, and which one is right for you?

Some espresso enthusiasts are looking for the most authentic barista experience possible. If this is you, then you may want to consider semi-automatic machines. These machines are ideal for someone who wants a hands-on approach. This could include adjusting your espresso grind, controlling the temperature of your water, and even adjusting the pressure of your espresso extraction.

All of these little adjustments will change the way your espresso tastes, and even how it feels in your mouth.

However, others may not care for an authentic brewing experience, and instead, they may opt for a super-automatic machine that’ll take care of everything at the push of a button.

No one experience is “better” than another, and it’s important to evaluate what experience will suit your needs and lifestyle best. If you’re someone who values the ability to perfect your espresso brewing and latte art, be sure to find a machine with features that you can grow into.

What Is Your Budget?

It's no secret that espresso machines can quickly rack up a large bill. In fact, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred to even a few thousand dollars depending on the features you’re wanting.

This is why it's important to get specific about how much you’re willing to spend on the right espresso maker for you. While it's perfectly acceptable to spend just a few hundred dollars on a machine, it's important to ensure you’re choosing a machine that can grow with you.

What Kind of Drinks Will You Make Most Often?

You may not be a home barista who needs all of the bells and whistles of a premium machine. If you prefer americanos— don’t worry about finding an expensive machine with a double boiler system or premium steam wand.

Similarly, if you’re just in the market for something that’ll make great steamers or chai lattes— don’t stress yourself out about finding a machine that delivers premium espresso. More bells and whistles often mean higher prices, so get specific about what is important to you before you shell out too much extra cash.

If you’re unsure what kind of espresso drink you’ll want to enjoy, it may be best to find a machine that can do a little bit of everything. Small espresso machines are capable of crafting all of the same espresso drinks you love from your local coffee shop, but you may have to decide which features are the most important to you.

The 5 Best Small Espresso Machines For Your Kitchen

Here, we’ll deep dive into the best compact espresso makers on the market. We’ll explore options that are budget-friendly, as well as some more robust options.

1. Best Overall: Breville Bambino Plus

• Benefits: Heats up in 3 seconds, creates great microfoam.
• Be Aware: Single boiler system, limited grinder options, small water reservoir.
• Key Features: Semi-automatic, single boiler, PID system, automatic milk frother.
• Price: $499.95

The Breville Bambino Plus is one of the best home espresso machines on the market, and has plenty of amazing capabilities. This machine has a single-boiler system which means you have to wait between steaming and pulling espresso shots. However, this machine uses Breville’s ThermoJet heating system, which allows this system to heat up in just 3 seconds. This means you can turn the machine on and start brewing right away!

The automatic milk frother can create impressive microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos. The digital temperature control system (PID) ensures consistent and precise 200-degree brewing temperatures for consistent espresso shots every time.

If you’re someone looking for a moderate amount of control in your espresso brewing process and don’t mind waiting a few seconds between pulling espresso and steaming milk, then the Breville Bambino Plus is an ideal choice and one of our top picks here at Curated.

2. Best Budget Option: Breville Bambino Espresso Machine

• Benefits: Quick start-up time, semi-automatic operation, built-in PID system.
• Be Aware: Single boiler system, plastic components, limited cup clearance.
• Key Features: ThermoJet heating system, pre-infusion function, automatic milk frother.
• Price: $299.95

The Breville Bambino Espresso Machine may have the price of an entry-level machine, but the machine is surprisingly sophisticated and features an ultra compact size. Not only is this machine able to pull incredible espresso shots and steam beautiful microfoam— but it includes everything you need to get started (frothing pitcher, portafilter, tamper, etc.).

While the single-boiler system means you’ll have to steam milk and pull espresso shots one at a time, this only adds a few extra minutes to your espresso experience. Like the aforementioned Bambino Plus, this machine also heats up in just three seconds and has a built in temperature control system (PID controllers system).

This machine is perfect for those who want to practice latte art, impress friends with barista-quality espresso, and take their brewing skills to the next level. The Breville Bambino Espresso Machine is a fantastic option and one of the best espresso machines for beginners.

Breville machines are some of the most popular and well-loved options, so be sure to check out our expert guide to the Breville Espresso Machine Lineup.

3. Most Features: Rocket Espresso Appartamento Espresso Machine

• Benefits: Commercial-grade build quality, heat exchanger system, E61 group head.
• Be Aware: Limited programmability, noisy operation, no built-in grinder.
• Key Features: Steam pressure gauge, 2.5 liter water reservoir.
• Price: $1,850

The Rocket Espresso Appartamento Espresso Machine is an espresso enthusiast's dream. It boasts commercial-grade components that are robust enough to stand up to heavy usage. While this may be the most expensive machine on this list, it’s quite affordable compared to other professional-quality machines on the market.

Group heads play an important role in the espresso brewing process because they channel water from the machine and into the portafilter. The Rocket Espresso Appartamento Espresso Machine features an E61 group head, known for its impressive temperature stability, and provides consistently rich espresso extraction— where hot pressurized water extracts all of the flavors from the coffee grounds.

Just be sure to pair this machine with a great coffee grinder that can provide consistent ground coffee every time since there's no built-in grinder. It's worthwhile to note that this machine is a bit noisier than some of the other options on the market— so if you’re concerned about waking up a partner or roommates in the morning, this could be an important factor to consider.

The Rocket Espresso Appartamento's advanced features like the E61 group head, precise temperature control, and heat exchanger system make this machine a great intermediate-level option. Its features mean the machine can grow with any coffee enthusiast interested in refining their brewing skills beyond basic entry-level models.

4. Most Versatile: De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew

• Benefits: Dual heating system, cold brew function.
• Be Aware: Learning curve, limited grinder options.
• Key Features: Built-in grinder, sensor grinding technology, smart tamping station, built in milk frother.
• Price: $549.95

The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew is the perfect choice for those who prefer a wide variety of drinks from rich espresso macchiatos, americanos, dry cappuccinos, and even cold brew.

This machine can also brew and steam at the same time, thanks to its dual heating system. The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo features an intuitive control system that makes crafting different espresso and milk-based beverages easy, however it can take some practice to perfect.

The pre-programed settings are perfect for anyone who wants to take some of the guess work out of crafting great espresso beverages, and the pressurized pump automatically adjusts for pre-infusion and espresso extraction. This means your espresso shots should come out consistent and robust every single time.

Bear in mind that while these pre-programed settings make the process of making espresso easier, there is no option to custom adjust your brew settings to your own specifications. That means you won’t be able to micro-adjust your espresso based on your taste preferences. Also, the grinder only has 8 settings which makes it difficult to fine tune your espresso shots as well.

5. Easiest Operation: Terra Kaffe TK-01 Espresso Machine

• Benefits: All in one functionality, touchscreen interface, high quality materials, quick heat up time.
• Be Aware: Limits espresso skills, single boiler system, plastic components
• Key Features: Built in grinder, dual coffee hoppers, automatic milk frothing, intuitive touch screen
• Price: $895.00

The Terra Kaffe TK-01 Espresso Machine is a sleek and modern choice for coffee enthusiasts who want good espresso in an easy, reliable, and hands-off experience. This machine features all-in-one functionality, which means it can make a wide array of milk and espresso-based drinks at the push of a button, making it a great super-automatic espresso machine option.

This machine is made with high-quality plastic components that are built to last. This helps this machine stay relatively affordable compared to some of the other super-automatic espresso machines on the market.

While this machine may not give you the ability to manually change things like brewing temperature, grind size, or steaming temperature—it does offer the ability to fill the dual espresso bean reservoirs with two different types of coffee beans. This can keep your espresso experience feeling versatile.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully by now you’ve found the right small espresso machine to fit perfectly on your counter. We truly hope this helps you level up your espresso game and impress your friends and family.

Don’t forget that finding the right machine is just one piece of the puzzle, and there are a lot of nuances that go into making great espresso at home.

If you’re still overwhelmed by all of the different options and don’t know what is right for you, feel free to chat with any of our Curated Coffee Experts now!