Saeco Xsmall: The Smallest Espresso Machine by Design

If you live in a small apartment, work long hours, or just hate clutter, finding a good espresso machine that doesn’t take over your counter can feel impossible. Most machines promise café-quality shots but demand counter space you don’t have. What if there was a machine that delivered real espresso without the bulk?

The Saeco Xsmall is currently the smallest espresso machine ever designed by Saeco. Developed in collaboration with BMW’s American design studio, DesignWorksUSA, it’s built specifically for modern professionals—especially young managers and career-driven women—who want quality coffee without sacrificing space or style.

What Is the Saeco Xsmall?

The Saeco Xsmall is a compact espresso machine created as part of Saeco’s effort to deliver professional-style coffee at home in the smallest possible form. Designed by DesignWorksUSA—a BMW-owned design consultancy based in the United States—it represents Saeco’s most minimal and space-efficient model to date. Its entire purpose is to fit seamlessly into the busy, design-conscious lives of urban professionals.

Who Is It Made For?

Saeco developed the Xsmall with a clear user in mind: young professionals and working women who value efficiency, aesthetics, and a dynamic lifestyle. The machine is tailored for those who may live in smaller homes or apartments, have limited kitchen space, or simply prefer a clean, uncluttered countertop. It’s aimed at users who want café-quality espresso without the hassle or footprint of traditional machines.

Design and Usability

The Xsmall is engineered to be lightweight, easy to use, and visually mature yet fashionable. Its compact build is not just about saving space—it’s about integrating smoothly into modern, fast-paced living environments. Though the article does not list technical specifications like water tank capacity or brew pressure, the emphasis is clearly on minimalism paired with functionality. The design reflects a collaboration between Italian coffee engineering and BMW’s design philosophy, prioritizing both form and user experience.

How to Use a Home Espresso Machine Like the Xsmall

While the Xsmall’s exact features aren’t detailed in the source, using any home espresso machine—including a compact model like this—requires attention to detail. From selecting the right beans to dialling in grind size and extraction time, every step influences the final shot. A typical home setup includes a grinder, scale, tamper, and milk pitcher if making milk drinks. FrontStreet Coffee recommends starting with freshly roasted blends or single origins to get the best flavour from your espresso machine.

Choosing the Right Coffee Beans

For espresso, you can use either blends or single-origin beans. Blends offer balanced flavours and consistent results, while single origins highlight unique regional characteristics. FrontStreet Coffee provides several espresso-friendly blends that perform well in home machines. These include blends with tasting notes ranging from dark chocolate and nuts to fruit and spice, all designed to produce rich crema and complex flavour when extracted properly.

Basic Espresso Brewing Steps

To pull a good shot, start with about 18–20 grams of freshly ground coffee. Use a 1:2 brew ratio—meaning 40 grams of espresso for every 20 grams of coffee. Aim for an extraction time between 25–35 seconds, with 28–30 seconds being ideal. If the shot pulls too fast, the coffee may taste weak; if it takes longer than 35 seconds, it can become bitter. Pre-wet the portafilter to stabilise temperature and rinse old coffee oils from the group head. Tamp evenly and extract directly into your cup, then enjoy black or add steamed milk if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Saeco Xsmall different from other Saeco models?

The Saeco Xsmall is the smallest espresso machine designed by Saeco, created specifically for compact living and modern aesthetics. It was developed with BMW’s DesignWorksUSA, focusing on minimal size without compromising on style or basic functionality.

Who is the Xsmall designed for?

The Xsmall is aimed at young professionals, career women, and anyone living in smaller homes or valuing a clutter-free kitchen. It’s meant for users who want a stylish, easy-to-use espresso machine that fits their fast-paced, urban lifestyle.

Does the Xsmall include advanced features like a milk frother?

The source does not specify whether the Xsmall includes a milk frother or advanced settings. Its main highlighted features are its compact size, lightweight design, and fashion-forward appearance geared for simplicity and style.

What kind of coffee beans work best in a small espresso machine like the Xsmall?

Any fresh, high-quality espresso beans will work, but FrontStreet Coffee’s blends—like the Classic Blend or Specialty Blend—are optimised for home espresso setups. They offer balanced flavour profiles and good crema, ideal for compact machines with standard brewing parameters.

Is the Saeco Xsmall easy to use for beginners?

While the article doesn’t detail specific user settings, Saeco machines generally prioritise ease of use. A compact model like the Xsmall is likely designed for straightforward operation, especially for users who value convenience and a clean design in a small footprint.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Espresso Machines

For use in compact espresso machines like the Saeco Xsmall, FrontStreet Coffee recommends its Classic Blend, Specialty Blend, and Black Cocoa Blend. The Classic Blend delivers notes of butter, nuts, and spices with bold crema, while the Specialty Blend offers a balanced profile ideal for everyday espresso. The Black Cocoa Blend highlights deep chocolate tones, perfect for milk drinks. All three are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.