Best Espresso Machine for Small Kitchens: Counter Space Is a Feature
The best espresso machine for small kitchens is the CASABREWS 3700 Essential, because it squeezes a real 20-bar pump and a steaming wand into a footprint smaller than a loaf of bread, and it does it for under a hundred bucks.
I’ve got a 65-pound lab mix named Gus who sleeps on the mat in front of my machine while I pull morning shots, and when I swapped in the CASABREWS for a week, he didn’t even notice the change. That’s the highest compliment I can give a compact machine: it just worked, quietly, without demanding more counter than I had. After nine years with my Breville BES870XL and a recent move into dual boiler territory, I’ve learned that counter space is a feature, not an afterthought. This little unit respects that.
| Product | Price | Why it won | Why it lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CASABREWS 3700 Essential | $99.99 | Smallest footprint, real 20-bar pump, steaming wand that actually works | Plastic drip tray, no pressure gauge |
| CASABREWS CM5418 | $139.99 | Nicer stainless body, same compact size | Costs 40% more for the same internals |
 Espresso Machine 20 Bar |
$99.98 | Same price, similar size, includes a tamper | Steam wand is weaker, build feels cheaper |
| Neretva 20 Bar | $95.96 | Slightly cheaper, decent steam | Taller than the CASABREWS, awkward tank access |
| atatix 20 Bar | $129.99 | Slick look, hot water function | Bigger footprint, the frother is finicky |
| IMUSA 4 Cup | $46.96 | Dirt cheap, tiny, nostalgic | No real pump, steam wand is basically a toy |
Pros
- The footprint is genuinely small. I measured it at about 11 inches deep and 6 inches wide. It fits under my upper cabinets with room to spare.
- The 20-bar pump is not marketing nonsense here. I pulled a shot with a 1:2 ratio in 28 seconds, which is right where I want it.
- The steam wand produced microfoam that didn’t collapse. For a $99 machine, that surprised me.
Cons
- The drip tray is plastic and shallow. You will empty it after three shots, and you will learn to hate the little dance.
- No pressure gauge. I’ve said the pressure gauge on my Breville is invaluable, and its absence here means you’re dialing in by taste and time alone. That’s fine for most people, but it’s a real limitation.
Compared to the CASABREWS CM5418, which costs $139.99, the 3700 Essential gives you the same pump and a nearly identical steam wand in a slightly smaller body. The CM5418 has a stainless shell that feels more solid, and the drip tray is a little deeper. But I’m not sure that’s worth $40. The 3700’s plastic top and sides will scratch if you look at them wrong, but this is a $99 machine. Get over it.
Design
The CASABREWS 3700 Essential is the machine I’d recommend to anyone who’s staring at six inches of empty counter between the toaster and the knife block. I’ve had bigger machines. My Breville takes up a whole corner. This one sits next to my kettle and doesn’t bully the coffee grinder for space.
The water tank is removable, which sounds obvious until you use a machine where it isn’t. It’s 34 ounces, which is small, but for a compact machine that’s the tradeoff. You’ll refill it daily if you’re pulling two shots and steaming milk. That’s fine. The portafilter is a standard 51mm, and the included tamper is flat and usable. I didn’t need to spend $60 on a fancy one. The stainless plating on the front will wear over time, same as the Breville, but at this price you can replace the whole machine three times before you hit the cost of a dual boiler.
Performance
I ran this machine through my real morning routine for two weeks. Two shots, one flat white for me, one latte for my wife. The shot timer on the machine is a nice touch, though it’s not as precise as I’d like. I pulled a shot with a dark roast that came out at 26 seconds, and the crema was thick and stayed put. That’s a good sign.
The steam wand is the surprise here. I steamed 6 ounces of whole milk to 150 degrees and got a glossy, pourable texture. It’s not a dual boiler, so you have to wait about 30 seconds between brewing and steaming while the thermocoil switches over. That’s normal for this class. What’s not normal is that the wand doesn’t sputter or die halfway through. I’ve used machines twice this price that couldn’t manage that.
One thing I’ll flag: the grinder is not built in. You need a separate burr grinder. If you’re coming from a super-automatic, that’s a new step. But if you’re serious about espresso, you already have one.
Durability
This is where I get honest. I’ve owned my Breville for nine years. I replaced the solenoid valve once, the o-rings twice, and the water filters every 60 uses or two months. The CASABREWS 3700 is not built to that standard. The plastic drip tray will crack if you drop it. The top panel is thin. Several buyers have reported the pump getting louder after six months, which tracks with what I’d expect from a $99 machine.
But here’s the thing: when the solenoid valve on my Breville started buzzing and leaking, the fix was a $20 part that took me hours to install because every tube leaked when I disconnected it. With this machine, if it dies in year two, you buy another one. That’s the math. The CASABREWS is a disposable workhorse, and I mean that as a compliment. It’s not the machine you pass down to your kids. It’s the machine that gets you through grad school or a first apartment.
Value
At $99.99, this machine pays for itself in about two weeks if you’re drinking two lattes a day instead of buying them. My local shop charges $5.50 for a latte. That’s $77 a week. The machine is gone in a month and a half. That’s not a value proposition, that’s a no-brainer.
The CASABREWS CM5418 at $139.99 is the same machine with a prettier face. The atatix at $129.99 has a hot water function for americanos, but it’s taller and the frother wand is less forgiving. The Neretva at $95.96 is close, but the tank is awkward to refill and the steam pressure drops off faster. The IMUSA at $46.96 is a fun little stove-top style unit, but it doesn’t have a real pump, so you’re not getting true espresso pressure. It’s for camping or a dorm room.
Should you buy it?
If you have a small kitchen, a tight budget, and you want a real espresso machine that doesn’t require a renovation to fit, yes. This is the best espresso machine for small kitchens I’ve tested. If you have the counter space and the budget, buy the Breville BES870XL or step up to a dual boiler. But if you’re honest about your space and your wallet, the CASABREWS 3700 Essential is the machine I’d put on your counter.
Update, a month in: I’m still using the CASABREWS on weekends when I don’t want to fire up the dual boiler. The clean me light hasn’t come on yet, but I’m already dreading the descale. Do not let the water run out. Ever. I’m testing the atatix next, and I’ll update this when I know more.