The models in detail
This page is for anyone who wants real espresso at home but has a short stretch of counter or low upper cabinets. The six models were picked from Amazon.com product listings checked on October tenth, 2026, comparing the size, water tank, pressure and weight each listing states. No machine was brewed with or measured by us, so this page is a comparison on paper; measure your own space before you order.
1 · Our pick
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
Espresso machine with grinder4,4/5 from 27912 Amazon customer ratings (as of October 10, 2026)
On a small counter, the real question is how many appliances you need, and the Barista Express answers it with one. Its integrated conical burr grinder offers 16 settings and grinds straight into the 54 mm portafilter, so you skip the separate grinder the Stilosa, CASABREWS CM5418 and Dedica all require. The listing adds a 1/2 lb bean hopper, a 67 oz water tank, digital PID temperature control and a manual steam wand, all on 1600 W. What the listing leaves out matters on this page: it gives no dimensions, no weight and no extraction pressure in bars, so check the height under your cabinets against the product page photos before buying. Tamping and milk steaming are manual, which means a learning curve, and the warranty is a 1-year limited one. Customers rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 27,912 reviews, the largest review count on this page.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
- Built-in conical burr grinder with 16 settings grinds straight into the 54 mm portafilter.
- Low-pressure pre-infusion and digital PID temperature control for even extraction.
- Manual steam wand for hand-textured microfoam and latte art.
- 1/2 lb bean hopper, 67 oz water tank, 1600 W, and a long list of included accessories.
Cons
- The listing gives no extraction pressure in bars.
- Milk texturing and tamping are manual, so there is a learning curve.
- 1-year limited warranty only.
Best for: Home baristas who want an all-in-one machine with a grinder and are ready to learn manual steaming.
Skip it if you want push-button milk drinks with no learning curve.
Other specs
- GrinderIntegrated conical burr with dose control
- Grind settings16 grind settings
- Heating systemThermocoil
- Steam wandManual steam wand
- Portafilter54 mm stainless steel
- Bean hopper1/2 lb
- Adjustable temperatureDigital PID temperature control
- Power1600 W, 120 V
- Included accessoriesRazor dose trimming tool, single and dual wall 1 & 2 cup baskets, coffee scoop, integrated tamper, stainless steel milk jug, cleaning disc, tablets, brush tool, Allen key, water filter and holder
2 · Cheap small-footprint starter
De'Longhi Stilosa
Espresso machine4,2/5 from 13858 Amazon customer ratings (as of October 10, 2026)
The Stilosa suits a small kitchen if you already own a grinder or buy pre-ground coffee and just want a basic pump machine. The listing describes a compact design with a 15 bar pump, a stainless steel boiler and a manual steam wand for lattes and cappuccinos. Its two-level cup holder lets you fit taller cups, a useful detail when the Dedica tops out at about 5 inches. The weak point for this page is the listing itself: it gives no dimensions, no water tank capacity, no wattage and no portafilter size, so you cannot compare its footprint with the Dedica on paper. There is no built-in grinder and no temperature control, unlike the Barista Express. The included tamper is a basic measuring scoop. It holds a 4.2 out of 5 customer rating over 13,858 reviews, which is a solid base for an entry-level machine.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
- 15 bar pump for single or double espresso.
- Stainless steel boiler built for durability, according to the listing.
- Manual steam wand for lattes and cappuccinos.
- Compact design with a two-level cup holder for taller cups.
Cons
- The listing gives no portafilter size, water tank capacity, wattage or dimensions.
- The included tamper is a basic measuring scoop/tamper.
- No built-in grinder or temperature control.
Best for: Beginners who want an entry-level espresso machine with a steam wand.
Skip it if you want precise temperature control or a built-in grinder.
Other specs
- Heating systemStainless steel boiler
- Steam wandManual milk frother
- Included accessoriesPortafilter, measuring scoop/tamper, two filters (single and double)
3 · Small counter, pressure gauge
CASABREWS CM5418
Espresso machine4,3/5 from 8113 Amazon customer ratings (as of October 10, 2026)
The CASABREWS CM5418 is pitched at beginners who want an affordable compact espresso machine, and its feature list is generous for the size. You get a 20 bar pump with a built-in pressure gauge, low-pressure pre-infusion according to the brand, a 1350 W boiler, a steam wand, a cup warmer and adjustable single or double shot volume. The removable 34 oz water tank is half the size of the Breville tanks, which the brand says still brews up to 10 cups. The catch shows up when you make milk drinks: you must let the machine cool after steaming before brewing again, or it trips its overheat protection. That makes it a poor fit for back-to-back lattes. Like the Stilosa, its listing gives no dimensions, no weight and no portafilter size, and the tamper is a basic one with a spoon. Customers give it 4.3 out of 5 over 8,113 reviews.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
- 20 bar pump with a built-in pressure gauge, plus low-pressure pre-infusion per the brand.
- 1350 W boiler and a steam wand for microfoam.
- Removable 34 oz water tank that the brand says brews up to 10 cups.
- Adjustable single and double shot volume, cup warmer and removable drip tray.
Cons
- You must let the machine cool down after steaming before brewing, or it enters overheat protection.
- The listing gives no portafilter size, dimensions or weight.
- The included tamper is a basic tamper with spoon.
Best for: Beginners who want an affordable compact espresso machine with a steam wand and pressure gauge.
Skip it if you often make several milk drinks back to back.
Other specs
- Heating systemBoiler
- Steam wandSteam wand
- Power1350 W
- Included accessoriesOne- and two-cup filters, portafilter, tamper with spoon
4 · No counter space at all
OutIn Nano
Portable espresso maker4,2/5 from 5787 Amazon customer ratings (as of October 10, 2026)
The OutIn Nano is the odd one out on this page: it is a portable, battery-powered espresso maker rather than a compact countertop machine, so it only fits here if you have no counter space to spare. It weighs 670 g, brews with 20 bar pressure and holds 1.7 oz of water. According to the listing, it heats 77°F water to 198°F within 200 seconds and brews in 3-4 minutes, charging over USB-C. The limits are serious for daily home use: it gives only up to 5 hot shots per charge from room-temperature water, or 200+ if you add hot water yourself. There is no steam wand at all, so no lattes, unlike every other model compared here. The listing does not say which capsule formats it takes. It is rated 4.2 out of 5 over 5,787 reviews. Pick it as a travel or desk brewer, not as your only kitchen machine.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
- Self-heating: brings 1.7 oz of 77°F water to 198°F within 200 seconds, according to the listing.
- 20 bar pressure and one-button brewing in 3-4 minutes.
- Works with ground coffee and capsules.
- 670 g, with USB-C charging including 10-15 W car chargers.
Cons
- Only up to 5 hot shots per charge from room-temperature water (200+ when you add hot water).
- Must travel in carry-on luggage and cannot be used during flights.
- The listing does not name which capsule formats are compatible.
Best for: Travelers and commuters who want hot espresso on the go without boiling water.
Skip it if you need more than a few shots between charges.
Other specs
- Power sourceBattery (2500 mAh), USB-C charging
- Capacity1.7 oz water
- CompatibilityGround coffee and capsules
- MaterialFood-grade stainless steel
5 · Narrowest counter gap
De'Longhi Dedica EC680M
Espresso machine4/5 from 4870 Amazon customer ratings (as of October 10, 2026)
If you measure a narrow gap between the sink and the wall, the Dedica EC680M is the model to check first. It is the only machine here whose listing gives a width: 6 inches, which De'Longhi calls its slimmest espresso machine. It pairs a 15-bar pump with thermoblock heating that reaches brewing temperature in 40 seconds, per the listing, and a 3-in-1 filter holder for single shots, double shots or easy-serve espresso pods. The water tank and drip tray are removable, and the parts are dishwasher safe. The trade-off of the slim body is height clearance: cups are limited to about 5 inches, even with the adjustable drip tray, so tall mugs will not fit. The listing gives no tank capacity, no wattage, no weight and no portafilter diameter. There is no grinder, unlike the Barista Express. It has the lowest rating on the page, 4 out of 5 over 4,870 reviews.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
- Only 6 inches wide, which De'Longhi calls its slimmest espresso machine.
- 15-bar pump with thermoblock heating that reaches brewing temperature in 40 seconds, per the listing.
- 3-in-1 filter holder for single shots, double shots or easy-serve espresso pods.
- Removable water tank and drip tray; the parts are dishwasher safe.
Cons
- The listing gives no portafilter diameter, wattage or weight.
- Cup clearance is limited to about 5 inches, even with the adjustable drip tray.
- Milk is frothed manually with the steam wand.
Best for: Beginners with little counter space who want real pump espresso and a steam wand.
Skip it if you want tall mugs under the spout or a built-in grinder.
Other specs
- Heating systemThermoblock, ready in 40 seconds
- Steam wandManual frother (Advanced Cappuccino System)
- Portafilter3-in-1 filter holder: single shot, double shot, ESE pods
6 · Automatic milk, roomier counter
Breville Barista Touch BES880BSS
Espresso machine with grinder4,2/5 from 3909 Amazon customer ratings (as of October 10, 2026)
The Barista Touch is here for readers who want the all-in-one approach of the Barista Express plus automatic milk, and who have a little more room than the word compact suggests. Its listing shows a conical burr grinder with 30 settings, a 54 mm portafilter, ThermoJet heating that reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds, 9 bar extraction after pre-infusion and an automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and texture. The touchscreen offers 5 pre-programmed cafe drinks and up to 8 saved custom coffees. It shares the 67 oz tank and 1/2 lb hopper of the Barista Express and draws 1680 W. For this page, the problem is size: the listing gives no dimensions or weight, and its own advice is to skip it if you need a very compact machine. Tamping stays manual. The warranty is 2 years, and it holds 4.2 out of 5 over 3,909 reviews.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
- Touchscreen with 5 pre-programmed cafe drinks and up to 8 saved custom coffees.
- Integrated conical burr grinder with 30 settings and dose control into a 54 mm portafilter.
- ThermoJet heating reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds; PID control and 9 bar extraction after pre-infusion.
- Automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and texture; 2-year limited warranty.
Cons
- Tamping is still manual, per Breville's comparison carousel.
- The listing gives no dimensions or weight.
- The touchscreen and automation add complexity compared with simpler machines.
Best for: Home baristas who want grinder, guided touchscreen and hands-free milk in one machine.
Skip it if you prefer full manual control of steaming or need a very compact machine.
Other specs
- GrinderIntegrated conical burr with dose control
- Grind settings30 grind settings
- Heating systemThermoJet, extraction temperature in 3 seconds
- Steam wandAutomatic steam wand, adjustable milk temperature and texture
- Portafilter54 mm stainless steel
- Bean hopper1/2 lb
- Adjustable temperatureDigital PID
- Power1680 W, 110 to 120 V
- Included accessories54 mm portafilter, single and double wall baskets, 480 ml jug, ClaroSwiss water filter, Razor dose trimming tool, cleaning kit, water hardness test strip
How to choose a compact espresso machine
Measure width and cabinet height first
Measure your free counter width and the height under your upper cabinets before anything else, because most listings on this page skip dimensions. Only the De'Longhi Dedica EC680M gives a width, 6 inches, while the Breville, CASABREWS and Stilosa listings give none. Leave room above the machine to open the water tank lid or fill a bean hopper, and room in front to lock in the portafilter. If a listing has no size, look for the dimensions in the product page images or questions section, and compare them with your tape measure rather than with the word compact in the title.
Count appliances, not just inches
A machine with a built-in grinder often saves more counter space than a smaller machine plus a separate grinder. The Barista Express and Barista Touch grind straight into a 54 mm portafilter, with 16 and 30 settings respectively, so the whole espresso setup sits on one base. The Stilosa, CASABREWS CM5418 and Dedica need pre-ground coffee or a grinder next to them. If you already own a grinder you like, a slim machine without one makes sense; if you are starting from scratch, compare the combined footprint of two appliances against one.
Water tank size versus refills
A bigger tank means fewer trips to the sink, which matters when the machine is wedged into a tight spot. Both Breville models list a 67 oz tank, the CASABREWS CM5418 lists 34 oz, and the OutIn Nano holds only 1.7 oz per shot. The Dedica and Stilosa listings do not give a capacity at all. Check that the tank lifts out from the front or the top without pulling the machine forward, since a rear tank under low cabinets can turn every refill into a chore.
Cup clearance under the spout
Check the space between the drip tray and the spout, because compact machines often save height there. The Dedica fits cups up to about 5 inches tall, even with its adjustable drip tray, so a tall travel mug will not slide under it. The Stilosa offers a two-level cup holder that makes room for taller cups. The other listings on this page do not state a clearance, so if you drink from large mugs, look at the product photos with a cup in place before you decide.
Milk drinks in a small machine
Decide how many milk drinks you make in a row, since small boiler machines handle steaming differently. The CASABREWS CM5418 must cool after steaming before it brews again, or it goes into overheat protection, which slows down a round of lattes. The Barista Touch steams milk automatically with adjustable temperature and texture, while the Barista Express, Stilosa and Dedica rely on a manual wand you learn to use. The OutIn Nano has no steam wand at all, so it is espresso only.
Heat-up time and power draw
Fast heat-up helps when you brew right before leaving the house, and the listings give a few clues. The Dedica reaches brewing temperature in 40 seconds and the Barista Touch reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds, according to their listings. Power ranges from 1350 W on the CASABREWS CM5418 to 1600 W on the Barista Express and 1680 W on the Barista Touch, so avoid sharing a busy outlet with a kettle or toaster. The Stilosa and Dedica listings give no wattage, so check the label on the product page photos.
Skip it if…
- your upper cabinets are low and you have not measured, since most listings here give no height at all.
- you drink from tall travel mugs and are looking at the Dedica, which clears cups only up to about 5 inches.
- you make several lattes back to back and are leaning toward the CASABREWS CM5418, which needs to cool after steaming before it brews.
- you want the battery-powered OutIn Nano as your only daily brewer, because it gives up to 5 hot shots per charge from room-temperature water.
- you need the smallest possible footprint and still want automatic milk, as the Barista Touch listing gives no dimensions or weight.
FAQ
What is the best compact espresso machine for a small kitchen?
The Breville Barista Express BES870XL is our pick because it combines a 16-setting conical burr grinder, a 67 oz tank and a steam wand on one base, so you need only one appliance. If your gap is very narrow and you already grind your beans, the De'Longhi Dedica EC680M, 6 inches wide, is the slimmest espresso machine on this page.
How wide is the De'Longhi Dedica espresso machine?
The De'Longhi Dedica EC680M is 6 inches wide, according to its listing, which De'Longhi calls its slimmest espresso machine. The listing also says it fits cups up to about 5 inches tall, even with the adjustable drip tray. It does not give the depth, the height, the weight or the water tank capacity, so check the product page images before you measure your counter.
Is a compact espresso maker with a built-in grinder worth it?
Yes, if you would otherwise buy a separate grinder, because one combined machine usually takes less counter space than two appliances. The Barista Express grinds with 16 settings and the Barista Touch with 30, both straight into a 54 mm portafilter. Neither listing gives dimensions or weight, so measure your cabinet height against the product photos, especially for the bean hopper on top.
Can a portable espresso maker replace a countertop machine?
Not for most households. The OutIn Nano is light at 670 g and brews with 20 bar pressure, but it holds 1.7 oz of water and gives up to 5 hot shots per charge from room-temperature water, according to the listing. It has no steam wand for milk drinks. It works as a travel or office brewer next to a home machine rather than instead of one.
Which compact espresso machine has the biggest water tank?
On this page, the Breville Barista Express and Barista Touch share the largest listed tank at 67 oz. The CASABREWS CM5418 lists a removable 34 oz tank, which the brand says brews up to 10 cups. The De'Longhi Dedica and Stilosa listings give no capacity, and the portable OutIn Nano holds only 1.7 oz, so plan on refilling smaller machines more often.
Do compact espresso machines fit tall mugs?
Some do and some do not, so check cup clearance before you buy. The De'Longhi Dedica fits cups up to about 5 inches tall, while the Stilosa has a two-level cup holder for taller cups. The Breville and CASABREWS listings give no clearance figure. If you drink from a large mug, brew into a small cup or pitcher and pour it over, or pick a model whose photos show a tall cup in place.
Ilias, BaristaCompas
Models are picked from the product listings on Amazon.com, recorded and dated. Missing data is flagged instead of guessed, and no hands-on test is described unless it actually happened.
Our method