Mini coffee machine. Homemade espresso in a few centimetres

Preparing espresso at home

There are a huge number of coffee machines on the market that promise great espresso from your kitchen too. It is up to you whether you prefer the speed of preparation, the variety of types or the resulting taste of the coffee and which coffee machine you choose.

Downsizing a coffee machine doesn't have to mean a reduction in quality. Plenty of mini coffee makers can do just as well as larger ones.

What should a proper espresso actually look like?

An espresso is a small but strong drink made from about 18g of coffee, at a pressure of at least 9bars. The extraction of the coffee takes about 30 seconds, during which time we reach a volume of about 35 ml of coffee.

Mini lever coffee machines up to 25 cm

If you are sure that you want to spend more time and effort on coffee preparation, lever coffee machines are the way to go for good espresso. But you have to consider that your investment in equipment doesn't end with the purchase of a coffee machine.

Apart from the coffee maker, you will also need a grinder, tamper, coaster, uncorker, barista brush and last but not least a broader knowledge in coffee preparation such as coffee extraction or coffee maker maintenance.

So, when buying a lever coffee maker, you also have to think about the fact that is not enough to make room for just the coffee maker, but also the accessories that are needed for it.

Of course, the lever is the basis for making coffee in a lever coffee maker. Freshly ground coffee is put into the portafilter, which is squeezed with a tamper, put into the coffee maker and the brewing process starts.

The advantage of these coffee makers is the possibility of adjusting the resulting beverage. Thanks to the weighing, you can personalize your cup exactly for your taste buds.

Flair Espresso Coffee Machine

Introducing the smallest lever coffee machine of the bunch.

Flair Espresso, is a portable machine for manual espresso preparation,

and because it operates without electricity, it can also make espresso on the go.

Advantages and disadvantages

✔ 15 cm x 25 cm x 30 cm

✔ Elegant design

✔ Easy to use

✔ Compact - suitable for travel

× More difficult to maintain and clean

Lelit Mara PL62T coffee machine

Lelit are stylish coffee machines inspired by the past.

Clean silhouettes, stainless steel, minimalist design great functionality in every detail make the Lelit coffee machine an unforgettable addition to your kitchen.

Advantages and disadvantages

✔ 22 cm x 40 cm x 36 cm

✔ Unusual design inspired by the 1950s

✔ Removable power cord

✔ Steam nozzle to create latte art

× Higher price

× Higher maintenance - inconvenient to change the drip tray

Gaggia New Classic Coffee Maker

Gaggia is an Italian brand company that specializes in coffee makers for the home.

TheGaggia Classic New is a newer version, of the iconic Classic coffee maker, which is one of the best-selling coffee makers in the world in its class.

Advantages and disadvantages

✔ 23 cm x 38 cm x 24 cm

✔ Steam nozzle to whisk milk

✔ Easy to use

✔ Simple and quick maintenance

× Small aluminium boiler

Mini automatic coffee machines up to 28 cm

If you want to prepare your coffee easily, quickly and without the extra effort and the need to buy accessories, reach for the automatic coffee machine. It will conveniently prepare a delicious espresso at the touch of a button.

The automatic coffee machine is not just a stand-alone in just a few steps. You have to pour the coffee beans into the reservoir and likewise fill the water into the coffee maker's tank.

You also need to keep up maintenance and cleaning: throw out the log regularly and descale the coffee maker when requested.

Gaggia Magenta Plus coffee machine

The aforementioned Italian brand Gaggia specializes not only in lever, but also in automatic coffee machines.

The Magenta Plus machine can handle the preparation of up to 5drinks.

Advantages and disadvantages

✔ 22 cm x 36 cm x 46 cm

✔ Automatic cleaning cycle

✔ Fast and quiet coffee machine

× Inconvenient water container

Nivona NICR 530 coffee machine

Quality, ease of use and automatic maintenance is top of mind with Nivona coffee machines.

With its mini size,the Nivona 530 is suitable for homes, offices or small businesses and operations.

Advantages and disadvantages

✔ 24 cm x 34 cm x 46 cm

✔ Quiet grinder

✔ Several preset profiles

✔ Easy to use

× Does not include milk carafe

Saeco Magic M1 coffee machine

Saeco makes automatic coffee machines that can create delicious espresso at the touch of a button.

TheMagic M1 features a touchscreen display and also allows to accept payments.

Advantages and disadvantages

✔ 28 cm x 44 cm x 48 cm

✔ Easy to use

✔ Easy maintenance

× Wider than previous coffee machines

× Higher price

9Barista Espresso Machine

If you're worried about really limited space in your kitchen, get the 9BaristaEspresso Machine.

Thefirst stove-top coffee machine for real espresso and also the world's smallest home espresso machine.

Advantages and disadvantages

✔ Smallest coffee machine: 6 cm x 18 cm x 6 cm

✔ Can be used on any stove: gas, electricity, induction or campfire

✔ Despite its size, it meets all the requirements and standards of a proper espresso machine

× Slow brewing

You no longer have to worry about the lack of space on the kitchen counter. Because even with a small coffee machine, you can do a lot of things. There are plenty of options to choose from, it's up to you which coffee machine you choose.