If you want to make coffee quickly on a narrow worktop, start by comparing capsule and pod machines, then check the format of the coffee and its cost per drink. A compact portafilter machine is a good option if you’re happy to measure out the coffee and clean the parts; with an automatic bean-to-cup machine, check its depth and how easy it is to access the compartments. Either way, the machine’s dimensions alone won’t tell you how much space you’ll need to fill and maintain it.
Compare the width, depth and height, as well as the space needed to remove the water tank and drip tray. Nespresso France lists the Essenza Mini Matte White as 8.4 cm wide. This can help you narrow down your options, but it doesn’t tell you how much room you’ll need to use the machine.
Capsules and pods mean you don’t have to measure and tamp ground coffee for every cup. Your choice then depends on the drinks you want, the format the machine accepts and the coffee you plan to buy regularly.
A compact portafilter machine gives you the option of using ground coffee, but involves more handling and cleaning. If you prefer whole beans, check the depth of an automatic bean-to-cup machine too, and make sure you can access its water tank and used-grounds container.
UFC-Que Choisir identifies four types of espresso machine: soft pod, capsule, portafilter and bean-to-cup. For a small kitchen, start with the space you can actually use, then consider whether the coffee system and cleaning requirements fit your daily routine.
| What to consider | What to check | How I’ll use it |
|---|---|---|
| Usable space | Measure the model’s width, depth and height. Allow room to access the water tank, drip tray and controls, especially if it’s going under a cupboard. | I want to fill and empty the machine without moving everything else on the worktop. |
| How it works | Decide whether you want a pre-portioned system, a portafilter to fill with ground coffee or a grinder. Check which drinks and formats the specific model supports. | On busy mornings, I’d rather keep handling to a minimum; when I have time to make coffee, a portafilter could suit me too. |
| Coffee supplies | Find out which capsule or pod system the machine accepts. To compare costs, look at the products you’d actually buy and work out the cost per drink and volume you make. | I want to be able to find the right coffee format easily in the shops I usually visit, without discovering after buying the machine that my capsules or pods won’t fit. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Check the instructions for emptying the compartments, cleaning removable parts and descaling. If you use a steam wand, check how to clean that too. | A machine that’s quick to start won’t help if its maintenance doesn’t fit into my routine. |
| Capacity | Compare the size of the water tank and drip tray with how often you’ll use the machine, and allow enough space to remove them. | If I make several coffees a day, I want to know how often I’ll need to refill the water and empty the tray. |
A narrow machine can still take up a lot of worktop depth. For example, De’Longhi France lists the Magnifica S ECAM22.110.SB as 430 mm deep. You’ll also need room to access the parts you have to fill or empty.
Measure the space where you plan to put it, then check how much room the chosen model needs to refill the water tank and remove its compartments.
Capsules, soft pods and whole beans all work differently. UFC-Que Choisir notes that machine types vary in factors such as ease of use and the cost of each coffee.
Check which formats are compatible, then compare the coffee you’d actually buy for the drinks you make.
You’ll still need to clean the water tank, drip tray and other removable parts. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing process looks at these parts and the cleaning programmes; how easy they are to access varies by machine.
Check the instructions for your chosen model to see what’s involved in routine cleaning and descaling. If you plan to use a steam wand, factor in cleaning that too.
The Essenza Mini in the Original system is an example of a narrow capsule machine for making drinks such as espresso and lungo.
SENSEO machines are worth considering if you want to use soft coffee pods rather than a capsule system.
The Dedica Style EC685.M is a useful example of a narrow portafilter machine, while the Magnifica S ECAM22.110.SB highlights the factors to consider with an automatic bean-to-cup model.
These options include capsule machines, models listed as compatible with several coffee formats and a portafilter machine. Compare the coffee formats they use and the space they need, rather than choosing on compact looks alone.
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If you want to make espresso with capsules, check that the machine accepts the capsules you buy and that you can reach the water tank on your worktop. The product listing specifies a 0.6 L water tank and 1,200 W of power.
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If you’d like to switch between different types of coffee, check which adapters come with this machine and the exact formats they accept. The product listing mentions hot and cold modes, E.S.E. pods and ground coffee. Also check that you have enough room for your cup and for cleaning.
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If you’re planning to use both capsules and ground coffee, check which adapters come with this multi-format option. The product listing mentions hot and cold modes; check the orientation of the dimensions and make sure you can access the parts that need cleaning before setting aside a space for it.
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When choosing this Vertuo model, make sure you’re happy with the capsules for this system rather than assuming another Nespresso format will fit. The product listing specifies a 0.6 L water tank; also measure the space above the machine and around the parts you’ll need to remove.
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A portafilter machine is for those who are happy to handle and clean ground coffee to make their espresso. Check its depth and make sure you can access the water tank in your kitchen. Also check the exact capacity of this model before buying.
Measure the width, depth and height of the space where you plan to put it, then check how you’ll fill the water tank and remove the trays. The Magnifica S ECAM22.110.SB’s listed depth of 430 mm, according to De’Longhi France, shows why width alone isn’t enough when choosing a bean-to-cup machine.
No. Check the exact system your machine accepts and the compatibility information on each pack. UFC-Que Choisir explains that capsule machines are generally designed for a particular type of capsule, so don’t assume, for example, that Original and Vertuo capsules are interchangeable.
Yes. You’ll still need to clean the removable parts and descale the machine; UFC-Que Choisir’s testing process looks at these separately. Check your model’s instructions to find out which parts need cleaning and what steps to follow, especially if you use a steam wand.
Compare the coffee supplies that match the drinks you actually make. For capsules and pods, count the portions you use; for beans, take your chosen dose and serving size into account. A capsule, a pod and a kilogram of beans aren’t three directly comparable portions.
According to ADEME, aluminium and plastic capsules go in the recycling bin for paper and packaging. Paper capsules can be composted at home or put in a shared compost bin.