You don't need a huge espresso machine or much counter space to make great coffee at home. Some of the best brewers are small, cheap and tidy away easily. Here's what works well when space is limited.
AeroPress
If we could only keep one brewer, it might be this one. The AeroPress is small, practically unbreakable and very forgiving. It uses pressure and full immersion to make a clean, rich cup in about two minutes, and there's very little to wash up afterwards. It's also easy to take on holiday.
Best for: people who want a good single cup quickly, with room to experiment.
Pour-over dripper (V60 or similar)
A pour-over dripper is about the size of a mug and costs very little. It makes a clean, bright cup that shows the flavours of lighter-roasted single origins well. You'll need a kettle, and ideally one with a gooseneck spout for control, and ideally some temperature control, but the dripper itself fits in a drawer.
Best for: people who enjoy the ritual and drink light, fruity coffees.
Clever Dripper
The Clever Dripper looks like a pour-over cone, but it has a valve at the bottom. The coffee steeps like it would in a cafetière, then drains through a paper filter when you put the dripper on your cup. You get the body of immersion brewing with the clean finish of a paper filter, and it's very hard to get wrong.
Best for: people who want pour-over quality without learning pouring technique.
Cafetière (French press)
The cafetière is the classic small-kitchen brewer. It needs no paper filters, makes several cups at once and produces a full, rich coffee. Go for a double-walled steel one if you can, because it keeps heat in much better than glass.
Best for: making coffee for two or more with very little effort.
Moka pot
A moka pot sits on the hob and makes a strong, concentrated coffee. It's the closest you'll get to espresso without a machine. It isn't true espresso, as there isn't enough pressure, but it's great on its own, topped up with hot water or mixed with milk. Some models also work on induction hobs.
Best for: people who like strong coffee, especially with milk.
Compact espresso machine
If you want real espresso, some machines are designed for small spaces. Compact models like the Sage Bambino heat up in seconds and take up about as much room as a toaster. You'll also need a grinder that can grind fine enough for espresso, so check you have space for both.
Best for: daily flat whites and cortados, if you can spare a bit of counter.
Capsule machines
Capsule machines are compact and simple, which is why so many people have one. They're convenient, but the coffee usually isn't as fresh or as good as the options above. If you already own one, specialty-grade compostable pods are the best way to get more from it.
Best for: convenience above everything else.
A few small-kitchen tips
- Get a hand grinder. It takes less space than an electric one and gives better quality for the money. Freshly ground coffee makes the biggest difference to how your coffee tastes.
- Store beans in their bag or an airtight container, away from the hob and out of direct sunlight. You don't need a big canister on the counter.
- Choose brewers that can hang up or stack. Drippers, AeroPresses and moka pots all fit in a cupboard.
Not sure which brewer suits the coffee you like? Message us on BrewBuddy and we'll help you pick.
