Best compact pick: The Rancilio Silvia Pro X packs two boilers into a familiar, narrow footprint and remains straightforward to service.
Measure three dimensions
Width matters, but height under cabinets and depth with the portafilter installed can be the real deal-breakers. Leave ventilation space and room to lift or remove the reservoir.
Do not shrink the steam boiler too far
A tiny steam boiler may recover slowly when preparing back-to-back milk drinks. Capacity matters more for households making several cappuccinos than for one flat white each morning.
Next steps
Read the Silvia Pro X review and our full choosing guide.