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Kitchen Gear Lab
Updated September 2026

The Best Espresso Machines for Small Kitchens

Three compact options, chosen by how you use your counter: manual steaming, automatic milk, or a narrow machine body. Plan space for the whole routine before buying.

By The Kitchen Gear Lab Test Desk · Compared from published tests, official specifications and owner feedback

Disclosure: The Kitchen Gear Lab is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you. Picks come from cited independent tests, official specifications and owner feedback; we do not run an in-house lab and rankings are never paid for. How this works.

Top pick: Breville Bambino — A compact starting point when you want to steam milk by hand. Confirm the exact unit's dimensions if your available space is tight.

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Illustrative compact coffee corner with an unbranded espresso machine, separate grinder, cup and milk jug on an oak counter.

Our starting point is the Breville Bambino if you want manual steaming, the Bambino Plus if automatic milk is worth the extra space and cost to you, or the De'Longhi Dedica Arte when a narrow body is the priority. These are editorial recommendations from published evidence, not results from our own fit or taste tests.

A machine can fit on a counter and still be awkward to use. Think through filling the tank, locking in the portafilter, steaming milk and emptying the tray. None of these three has a built-in grinder. A separate grinder, jug and preparation area need space too.

Size note: published US dimensions for the two Bambino models disagree across manufacturer and retailer listings. We flag that in the table instead of promising an exact fit. The Dedica Arte's listed body size is consistent across the sources checked. Body dimensions do not include every movement needed to use a machine.

If space is flexible, compare our full espresso machine shortlist for more machine types and workflows.

If your spending limit decides the shortlist first, start with our budget espresso machine guide and allow for the rest of the setup.

Top picks at a glance

Short on time? These three cover most kitchens. Full reviews are below.

For Manual Steaming#1

Breville Bambino

A compact starting point when you want to steam milk by hand. Confirm the exact unit's dimensions if your available space is tight.

$$

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For Automatic Milk#2

Breville Bambino Plus

Choose it for automatic milk texturing rather than a claim that it is the smallest. Leave room to handle the jug and maintain the wand.

$$$

Check Price on AmazonRead review
Narrow-Body Option#3

De'Longhi Dedica Arte

Its listed body is 5.9 inches wide, but still 13 inches deep. A useful candidate for a narrow counter section, with manual milk steaming.

$$

Check Price on AmazonRead review

Compare all 3 picks

Key specs side by side. Tap a name to jump to its review.

#1Editor's Choice

Breville Bambino

Body size (W × D × H)
Unconfirmed: published US dimensions disagree
Steam wand
Manual wand
Built-in grinder
No
Fit check
Confirm dimensions; plan room for manual steaming and tank access
Price
$$
#2For Automatic Milk

Breville Bambino Plus

Body size (W × D × H)
Unconfirmed: published US dimensions disagree
Steam wand
Automatic milk texturing with manual override
Built-in grinder
No
Fit check
Confirm dimensions; allow access for tank, tray and milk jug
Price
$$$
#3Narrow-Body Option

De'Longhi Dedica Arte

Body size (W × D × H)
Listed body: 5.9 × 13 × 12 in.; operating space is additional
Steam wand
Manual My LatteArt wand
Built-in grinder
No
Fit check
Check counter depth, removable tank access and manual-wand space
Price
$$

The 3 best, reviewed

01
For Manual Steaming

Breville Bambino

Editorial selection

$$

A compact starting point when you want to steam milk by hand. Confirm the exact unit's dimensions if your available space is tight.

Type
Semi-automatic, compact
Boiler
ThermoJet heater, ready in about 3 seconds, PID
Pump pressure
15 bar pump, low-pressure pre-infusion, brews at 9 bar
Portafilter
54 mm stainless steel
Steam wand
Manual wand
Footprint
Published dimensions disagree; confirm the assembled US model with the seller

Best for: Beginners on a budget who already have, or will buy, a grinder.

Skip it if: You make several milk drinks in a row.

Specifications and evidence: Tom's Guide — Breville Bambino review, Breville — Bambino BES450 product and spec page, Serious Eats — The Best Espresso Machines, Tested & Reviewed, Breville US — current Bambino specifications, Seattle Coffee Gear — US Bambino listing (dimensions differ)

Pros

  • Same fast ThermoJet heater and PID as the Bambino Plus at a lower tier (Breville).
  • Tom's Guide praised the shot quality for the money and the tiny footprint.
  • Manual wand is a better teacher than the Plus's auto mode if you want to learn latte art.

Cons

  • Steam is weaker and slower than the Plus (Tom's Guide).
  • Plastic-heavy body; the drip tray fills fast.
  • No built-in grinder; grinding beans yourself adds equipment and counter space.

Breville · BES450BSS

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02
For Automatic Milk

Breville Bambino Plus

Editorial selection

$$$

Choose it for automatic milk texturing rather than a claim that it is the smallest. Leave room to handle the jug and maintain the wand.

Type
Semi-automatic, compact
Boiler
ThermoJet heater, ready in about 3 seconds, PID
Pump pressure
15 bar pump, low-pressure pre-infusion, brews at 9 bar
Portafilter
54 mm stainless steel
Steam wand
Automatic milk texturing with manual override
Footprint
Published dimensions disagree; confirm the assembled US model with the seller

Best for: Small kitchens and latte drinkers who want fast, easy milk drinks with a good grinder beside it.

Skip it if: You pull many shots in a row or want to upgrade parts later.

Specifications and evidence: Tom's Guide — Breville Bambino Plus review, Serious Eats — The Best Espresso Machines, Tested & Reviewed, Wirecutter — The Best Home Espresso Machine, Breville — Bambino Plus BES500 product and spec page, Breville US — current Bambino Plus specifications, Seattle Coffee Gear — US Bambino Plus listing (dimensions differ)

Pros

  • Breville specifies a three-second heater startup; preparing the coffee still takes time.
  • Automatic steam wand makes consistent microfoam for beginners, and you can steam by hand too.
  • Serious Eats and Wirecutter both recommend it as a compact beginner pick.
  • Compact body; allow extra space for tank access and a separate grinder.

Cons

  • No built-in grinder; include a separate grinder in your space and budget if you want to grind beans.
  • 54 mm ecosystem and a light body that moves when you lock in the portafilter (Tom's Guide).
  • Thermojet cannot hold temperature as steadily as a boiler for back-to-back shots.

Breville · BES500BSS

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03
Narrow-Body Option

De'Longhi Dedica Arte

Editorial selection

$$

Its listed body is 5.9 inches wide, but still 13 inches deep. A useful candidate for a narrow counter section, with manual milk steaming.

Type
Semi-automatic, slim body
Boiler
Thermoblock, three temperature settings
Pump pressure
15 bar pump
Portafilter
51 mm, pressurized and unpressurized baskets available
Steam wand
Manual My LatteArt wand
Footprint
About 5.9 in. wide, 13 in. deep, 12 in. tall, 9 lb

Best for: Tiny kitchens and apartment counters where width is the deciding factor.

Skip it if: You want automatic milk texturing or a built-in grinder.

Specifications and evidence: Homes & Gardens — De'Longhi Dedica Arte review (qualified barista), De'Longhi — Dedica Arte EC885M product page, CNET — The Best Espresso Machines After Testing More Than 20 Models (updated June 2026)

Pros

  • A 5.9-inch-wide body in the De'Longhi US listing, also reported by Homes & Gardens.
  • Homes & Gardens' barista reviewer got good shots and usable microfoam once the pressurized basket was swapped.
  • Three temperature presets and a fast thermoblock.

Cons

  • 51 mm portafilter and pressurized baskets by default limit espresso quality.
  • Small drip tray and water tank; thermoblock temperature drifts on back-to-back shots.
  • Manual My LatteArt wand requires practice; it does not texture milk automatically.

De'Longhi · EC885M

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How we chose

Your available space

We separate a narrow machine body from a complete working setup. A grinder and space to prepare coffee can matter more than a small difference in machine width.

Manual or automatic milk

The shortlist offers both approaches. Choose the one that suits your daily drinks and willingness to practice, rather than assuming automatic milk also prepares the coffee.

Usable access

The tank, tray, controls and steam wand must remain accessible. We do not invent a universal clearance measurement: check the exact model's installation instructions.

Evidence and limits

We compare manufacturer information with retailer specifications and published use reviews. Conflicting dimensions stay marked as unconfirmed; our ranking is not a precise size leaderboard.

Measure your coffee corner before choosing

First, measure usable width, depth and the height below any shelf. Start at the surfaces that actually limit the appliance, including a backsplash or projecting shelf edge. Do not plan to balance a machine over the counter edge to make the numbers work.

Next, ask the seller to confirm the assembled width, depth and height of the exact US model, including whether the measurement includes the attached handle. This matters especially for the Bambino models: the published dimensions we checked do not agree. If your opening leaves little room, postpone the purchase until those measurements are clear.

Make a paper outline using the confirmed body dimensions. Mark a separate place for the grinder, cup and milk jug. The outline is a planning aid, not an installation clearance. Follow the manufacturer's placement instructions even when the outline fits.

Walk through a drink: where will you fill the water tank, prepare the coffee, place the cup and move the milk jug? Then walk through cleanup. A setup that needs dismantling to empty the tray may be a poor fit for your routine even if its total width looks attractive.

Choose how to use the space left for grinding. A separate electric grinder needs its own footprint and access. A hand grinder may be easier to store, but you must make room and time to use it. If you start with pre-ground coffee, choose the basket specified by the machine's manual.

Finally, check the exact model and bundle at checkout. Dedica Arte EC885M is not the same listing as every other Dedica; Bambino BES450 and Bambino Plus BES500 have different milk workflows. Do not borrow dimensions or included accessories from a similar-looking machine.

Frequently asked questions

Which espresso machine should I consider for a small kitchen?

Start with the Bambino for manual steaming, the Bambino Plus for automatic milk, or the Dedica Arte for a narrow-bodied option. These are different workflow choices. Confirm your exact model's size before buying for a tight opening.

Source: Breville US — Bambino BES450, Breville US — Bambino Plus BES500, Homes & Gardens — Dedica Arte hands-on review

Which of these has the narrowest confirmed body?

The Dedica Arte is listed at 5.9 inches wide, 13 inches deep and 12 inches high. We cannot provide a verified smallest-to-largest ranking because the Bambino listings disagree. Compare assembled dimensions for the exact products you can buy.

Source: Homes & Gardens — Dedica Arte hands-on review, Seattle Coffee Gear — Bambino US listing, Seattle Coffee Gear — Bambino Plus US listing

Will a compact espresso machine fit under my cabinets?

Body height alone cannot answer that. Check the manual's placement instructions and whether you can refill and remove the tank, operate the controls and clean the machine in that position. Ask for assembled measurements if the available space is tight.

Source: Breville — Bambino Plus US instruction manual

Do these machines include a grinder?

No. Reserve space for a separate grinder if you want to grind beans yourself. Breville's manual describes dual-wall baskets for pre-ground coffee; use the basket appropriate to your model and coffee.

Source: Breville — Bambino Plus US instruction manual, Homes & Gardens — Dedica Arte hands-on review

Does automatic milk steaming save counter space?

It changes the work you do, but does not remove the need for a jug and space to handle it. The Bambino Plus offers automatic and manual texturing; choose it for that workflow, not because automatic milk proves a smaller footprint.

Source: Breville US — Bambino Plus BES500

Why do you not give one exact size for each Bambino?

The manufacturer and US retailer dimensions we checked were inconsistent. We prefer to mark the measurement as unconfirmed rather than use a single number to promise a fit. Request the assembled dimensions for the exact unit from your seller.

Source: Breville US — Bambino BES450, Breville US — Bambino Plus BES500, Seattle Coffee Gear — Bambino US listing, Seattle Coffee Gear — Bambino Plus US listing

The bottom line

Choose the milk workflow first, then confirm that the complete setup fits. The Bambino is our starting point for manual steaming, the Plus for automatic milk, and the Dedica Arte for a narrow body. None is a guaranteed fit from a photo or a single width measurement. If these choices do not suit your routine, return to the main espresso machine buying guide to compare other setups.

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