A compact coffee maker for apartments needs to fit tight counter space while still making decent coffee. Full-size machines take up too much room. Single-serve pods create waste. The right compact coffee maker for apartments balances size, quality, and practicality.
This guide reviews the best compact coffee maker for apartments across different brewing styles and budgets.
Contents
- 1 What Makes a Coffee Maker “Compact”?
- 2 Best Compact Coffee Makers for Apartments
- 2.1 1. Best Overall: Keurig K-Mini
- 2.2 2. Best Drip: Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single-Serve
- 2.3 3. Best Pour-Over Style: Bodum Pour Over
- 2.4 4. Best for Espresso Lovers: Nespresso Essenza Mini
- 2.5 5. Best Budget: Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew
- 2.6 6. Best Cold Brew: Takeya Cold Brew Maker
- 2.7 7. Best Premium: Breville Precision Brewer Compact
- 3 Comparison Table
- 4 How to Choose
- 5 Storage Tips
What Makes a Coffee Maker “Compact”?
For apartment living, a compact coffee maker for apartments should be:
- Under 12 inches tall (fits under most cabinets)
- Under 6 inches wide (minimal counter footprint)
- Under 10 inches deep (doesn’t stick out past counter edge)
- Lightweight (easy to store when not in use)
Standard coffee makers are 14-16 inches tall. That extra 2-4 inches matters when cabinet clearance is tight.
Best Compact Coffee Makers for Apartments
1. Best Overall: Keurig K-Mini
Dimensions: 4.5″ W x 12.1″ H x 11.3″ D Capacity: Single cup (6-12 oz) Price: $70-90
The smallest Keurig model. Under 5 inches wide, fits almost anywhere. Brews one cup at a time using K-Cup pods.
Pros:
- Extremely narrow footprint
- Fast brewing (under 2 minutes)
- No carafe to clean
- Travel mug friendly
Cons:
- Pod waste and ongoing cost
- Single cup only
- No programmable features
Best for: People who drink 1-2 cups daily and value speed over coffee quality.
2. Best Drip: Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single-Serve
Dimensions: 5.5″ W x 11″ H x 10.5″ D Capacity: Single cup (8-14 oz) Price: $40-55
Uses pods OR ground coffee. Flexibility to avoid pod waste when you want fresh grounds.
Pros:
- Works with pods and grounds
- Compact size
- Affordable
- Auto shut-off
Cons:
- Plastic construction feels cheap
- Water reservoir is small
Best for: Budget-conscious apartment dwellers who want options.
3. Best Pour-Over Style: Bodum Pour Over
Dimensions: 4.7″ W x 9″ H x 4.7″ D Capacity: 4 cups (17 oz) Price: $20-30
No electricity needed. Glass carafe with permanent filter. Simplest possible design.
Pros:
- No electricity required
- Smallest footprint possible
- No mechanical parts to break
- Excellent coffee quality
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Requires kettle for hot water
- Manual process takes longer
- Glass can break
Best for: Coffee enthusiasts in tiny spaces who prioritize taste.
4. Best for Espresso Lovers: Nespresso Essenza Mini
Dimensions: 3.3″ W x 12.8″ H x 8″ D Capacity: Single shot Price: $130-180
The smallest espresso machine available. Makes genuine espresso, not just strong coffee.
Pros:
- Real espresso quality
- Incredibly narrow (3.3 inches)
- Fast heat-up (25 seconds)
- High pressure (19 bar)
Cons:
- Nespresso pods only
- No milk frother included
- Higher ongoing pod cost
Best for: Espresso drinkers with minimal counter space.
According to Consumer Reports, single-serve machines have improved significantly in brew quality while shrinking in size.
5. Best Budget: Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew
Dimensions: 7″ W x 10.5″ H x 8.5″ D Capacity: 5 cups (25 oz) Price: $25-35
Traditional drip coffee at the smallest size for multi-cup brewing. Makes enough for two people.
Pros:
- Makes multiple cups
- Very affordable
- Uses standard filters
- Simple operation
Cons:
- Wider than single-serve options
- Basic features only
- Carafe is small
Best for: Couples or roommates who share coffee.
6. Best Cold Brew: Takeya Cold Brew Maker
Dimensions: 4″ W x 11.5″ H x 4″ D Capacity: 1 quart Price: $20-30
Not a coffee “maker” in the electric sense, but perfect for apartment cold brew. Steeps in fridge overnight.
Pros:
- No electricity or counter space needed
- Stores in fridge door
- Makes smooth, low-acid coffee
- Very affordable
Cons:
- 12-24 hour brew time
- Cold brew only
- Requires planning ahead
Best for: Cold brew lovers who can plan ahead.
7. Best Premium: Breville Precision Brewer Compact
Dimensions: 7.4″ W x 13.5″ H x 12.4″ D Capacity: 12 cups Price: $250-300
The smallest “real” coffee maker with SCA-certified brewing quality. For serious coffee drinkers.
Pros:
- Exceptional coffee quality
- Temperature precision
- Multiple brew modes
- Built to last
Cons:
- Expensive
- Larger than true compacts
- Overkill for casual drinkers
Best for: Coffee enthusiasts willing to sacrifice some space for quality.
Comparison Table
| Model | Width | Height | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keurig K-Mini | 4.5″ | 12.1″ | 1 cup | $70-90 |
| Hamilton Beach FlexBrew | 5.5″ | 11″ | 1 cup | $40-55 |
| Bodum Pour Over | 4.7″ | 9″ | 4 cups | $20-30 |
| Nespresso Essenza Mini | 3.3″ | 12.8″ | 1 shot | $130-180 |
| Mr. Coffee Mini Brew | 7″ | 10.5″ | 5 cups | $25-35 |
| Takeya Cold Brew | 4″ | 11.5″ | 1 qt | $20-30 |
How to Choose
Get the Keurig K-Mini if: Speed and convenience matter most. You drink 1-2 cups daily.
Get the Bodum Pour Over if: Coffee quality matters and you have a kettle. Smallest footprint.
Get the Nespresso Essenza Mini if: You need espresso and have the narrowest possible space.
Get the Mr. Coffee Mini if: You need multi-cup capacity on a budget.
Storage Tips
Even a compact coffee maker for apartments takes counter space. Options:
- Store in cabinet between uses (pour-over and cold brew makers only)
- Use appliance garage if your kitchen has one
- Place on rolling cart that tucks away
- Use top of refrigerator if heat isn’t an issue
For more apartment appliance advice, see The Kitchn’s small kitchen guide.
Related:
Small Apartment Kitchen Essentials
