A coffee maker is a kitchen appliance designed to brew coffee. It typically works by heating water to an optimal temperature and then passing it through ground coffee, extracting flavors to produce a cup of coffee. Coffee makers come in a variety of designs and sizes, from basic drip machines to advanced espresso machines.
The most common types of coffee makers include:
- Drip Coffee Maker: This is the most common type. Water is heated and dripped over a filter containing ground coffee, allowing gravity to pull the brewed coffee into a carafe below.
- Espresso Machine: An espresso machine forces hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure, producing a concentrated shot of coffee called espresso. More advanced models can make cappuccinos, lattes, and other espresso-based drinks.
- Single-Serve Pod Coffee Maker: These machines use pre-packaged coffee pods or capsules, making it quick and convenient to brew a single cup of coffee. Popular brands include Keurig and Nespresso.
- French Press: While technically not a traditional “coffee maker” in the electrical sense, a French press is a manual brewing method where coffee grounds are steeped in hot water and then separated using a plunger.
- Pour-Over: In this method, hot water is poured slowly over ground coffee in a filter. This can be done using a manual device like a Chemex or a simple V60 dripper.
- Cold Brew Coffee Maker: These are designed for steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period (usually 12–24 hours), producing a smoother, less acidic brew.
Looking for the perfect coffee maker?
Choosing the best coffee maker can feel overwhelming with so many options available. From traditional drip machines to single-serve models, coffee makers with built-in grinders, and more, the variety seems endless. For those who want something beyond drip coffee, there’s also the French press, espresso machines, and cold brew makers to consider. Plus, if you’re always on the go, portable coffee makers let you enjoy your favorite brew wherever you are.
Each type of coffee maker has its own advantages depending on your preferences for flavor, strength, convenience, and brewing time.
01. Best Overall: Keurig Coffee Maker
4.7 out of 5 Ratings
Keurig K-Elite Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, with Strength and Temperature Control, Iced Coffee Capability, 8 to 12oz Brew Size
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker: Premium Design Meets Ultimate Beverage Customization
The Keurig K-Elite brewer combines sleek, modern design with advanced programmable features for an elevated coffee experience. With its striking brushed finish and metal accents, this stylish machine is a standout addition to any kitchen. Whether you’re brewing a bold cup of coffee with the Strong Brew option or making a refreshing iced coffee with the Iced button, the K-Elite offers exceptional versatility.
Choose from five brew sizes—4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz—allowing you to customize your coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or iced beverage with the touch of a button. Enjoy the convenience of hundreds of K-Cup pod varieties or brew your own ground coffee using the Universal My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter (sold separately).
In addition to its customizable brew options, the K-Elite features a range of programmable settings, including auto on, temperature control, and hot water on demand for instant soups or oatmeal. The large, 75oz removable water reservoir lets you brew up to 8 cups before needing a refill.
Key Features:
- Descaling Reminder: The K-Elite alerts you when it’s time to descale, ensuring your machine stays in top condition and delivers the best-tasting coffee by removing calcium build-up.
- Fast Brewing: Just insert a K-Cup pod, select your desired cup size, and enjoy your perfect cup of coffee in under a minute.
- Reusable Filter Compatibility: Brew your favorite ground coffee with the My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter (sold separately), giving you even more brewing flexibility.
With the Keurig K-Elite, you get premium design, versatility, and the convenience of perfectly brewed beverages in every cup.
02. Best Runner Up: Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Maker
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer: The Ultimate Coffee Maker for Enthusiasts
Since 1968, Moccamaster has set the gold standard for home coffee brewing. Engineered to extract the fullest flavor from your coffee grounds in just 4-6 minutes, a Moccamaster delivers a brew on par with the craftsmanship of manual methods or the quality you’d find at your favorite café.
Built to last a lifetime, each Moccamaster is constructed from premium materials, with easily replaceable parts to ensure long-term performance. With proper care, it’s the only coffee maker you’ll ever need. Proudly handmade in the heart of the Netherlands, every Moccamaster is crafted with attention to detail and precision.
Brewers feature a robust metal housing and a copper boiling element for precise water temperature control, ensuring your coffee is brewed at the ideal temperature for perfect extraction. We also use BPA, BPS, BPF, and phthalate-free plastics, prioritizing your health and safety.
03. Best Premium Pick: Gevi Professional Barista Coffee Machine
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
Gevi Professional Barista Coffee Machine | Smart Pour-over Drip Coffee Maker | Programmable Brew & Spin Speed | 51 Precise Grind Settings | Custom Recipes | Fast Heating Brewer for Home and Commercial
Auto Barista System: Craft your perfect cup of coffee with ease using the Gevi Barista System. This advanced coffee maker lets you fine-tune every aspect of the brewing process—from water preheating and temperature adjustments to grind size, brew time, brewing and spinning speeds, and ratio settings. It even includes options for pause and bloom controls, making it ideal for both seasoned coffee connoisseurs and those looking to enjoy fresh, ground coffee at home. While there is a learning curve, mastering the system is a rewarding journey to the ultimate cup.
Elegant & Versatile Design: Designed with professional baristas in mind, the Gevi coffee maker is perfect for home use, offices, coffee shops, bars, hotels, restaurants, and even coffee training or enthusiast events. Its sophisticated, user-friendly design makes it a versatile choice for any setting.
Innovative Dynamic Display: The Gevi pour-over coffee maker features a vibrant TFT display that tracks the entire brewing process—grinding, heating, and brewing progress—allowing you to be fully immersed in the art of coffee-making. Plus, you can create and save custom recipes for future use, ensuring you can easily recreate your favorite brews time and time again.
04. Best Value Pick: Ninja Coffee Maker
4.6 out of 5 Ratings
Ninja Hot & Iced XL Coffee Maker with Rapid Cold Brew, 4 Brew Styles, 8 Sizes Small Cup to Travel Mug, Single-Serve Coffee Brewer, 12-Cup Carafe, Permanent Filter, Removable Reservoir
4 Brew Styles: Choose from Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and Cold Brew to enjoy your coffee exactly how you like it. Iced Coffee: Get bold, refreshing iced coffee with full flavor—never watered down. Cold Brew: Brew smooth, delicious cold brew in as little as 10 minutes.
8 Brew Sizes: Brew everything from a small cup to a regular cup, XL cup, or travel size. You can also select a quarter, half, or full carafe. Removable Reservoir with Auto-Metering: The easy-to-fill, removable water reservoir automatically senses the water amount, so you never have to measure or refill constantly.
Thermal Flavor Extraction: Enjoy perfectly extracted flavor with even saturation and precise temperature control for a rich, full-bodied coffee experience.
05. Editor’s Pick: Cuisinart Coffee Maker
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
Cuisinart Coffee Maker, 14-Cup Glass Carafe, Fully Automatic for Brew Strength Control & 1-4 Cup Setting, Stainless Steel
Enjoy Hotter Coffee: Harness advanced coffee-making technology to keep your coffee at the ideal temperature, ensuring every cup delivers a rich, flavorful experience without sacrificing taste or quality.
Brew Strength Control: Customize your coffee strength to your liking with options for regular or bold settings, giving you the perfect brew to match your personal taste preferences.
Fully Automatic Coffee Brewer: Enjoy ultimate convenience with 24-hour programmability, including flexible 1-4 cup settings, auto-off functionality (0-4 hours), and an optional ready alert tone to make your coffee routine easier than ever.
14-Cup Glass Carafe: Serve generous portions of coffee with a stylish 14-cup glass carafe, featuring an elegant stainless-steel handle and a matching body that complements your kitchen décor.
06. Best Popular Pick: Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, 6 to 12oz Brew size, with Cord Storage, Perfect for Small Spaces
The Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker in Studio Gray combines a sleek matte finish with a compact design, measuring under 5 inches in width—making it the ideal choice for any space or occasion. This user-friendly brewer lets you enjoy fresh, delicious coffee in just minutes.
Simply add water to the reservoir, insert your favorite K-Cup pod, press the brew button, and you’re ready to sip your perfect cup. Choose from a wide range of K-Cup pod varieties to brew 6-12oz of coffee, tea, cocoa, or iced beverages.
With a single-cup reservoir and built-in cord storage, the K-Mini is as portable as it is convenient, bringing great coffee wherever you go. Available in several stylish matte-finish colors, the K-Mini has been updated based on customer feedback, with previous reviews pertaining to earlier models now removed.
07. Best for Budget: BLACK+DECKER Digital Coffee Maker
4.4 out of 5 Ratings
BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker, Programmable, Washable Basket Filter, Sneak-A-Cup, Auto Brew, Water Window, Keep Hot Plate
12-Cup DuraLife Glass Carafe: The durable 12-cup glass carafe is designed for precision, with clear measurement markings for easy filling and an ergonomic handle for smooth, comfortable pouring. (*One cup equals approximately 5 ounces, though this may vary depending on brewing method.)
Sneak-A-Cup Feature: Pour your first cup of coffee mid-brew without the mess! The Sneak-A-Cup feature temporarily halts the flow of coffee, allowing you to enjoy a fresh cup before the brewing cycle is complete.
Easy-View Water Window: The front-facing water window lets you easily track the amount of water you’re adding, so you know exactly how much will turn into your perfect cup of coffee.
Digital Controls with Rubberized Buttons: The large, rubberized buttons offer a comfortable grip and precise control over your brew. The easy-to-read digital display shows the clock, brew time, and programming options, making it simple to customize your coffee experience.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right coffee maker depends on several factors, including your coffee preferences, lifestyle, and space. Here’s a guide to help you find the best one for your needs:
1. Consider Your Coffee Preferences
- Brew Type: Do you prefer regular coffee, espresso, or specialty drinks like lattes or cappuccinos?
- Drip Coffee Makers: Great for brewing large amounts of regular coffee.
- Single-Serve (Pod) Coffee Makers: Perfect for those who enjoy variety or have limited time, as they brew one cup at a time.
- Espresso Machines: Ideal if you love strong coffee or espresso-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, or macchiatos.
- French Press or Pour-Over: Best for those who prefer a more hands-on, artisanal approach to brewing coffee.
- Strength & Flavor: Do you like your coffee strong or mild? Some machines let you adjust the brew strength, so look for features like brew strength control or grind settings on grinders for fresher, more customizable coffee.
- Temperature Control: If you like your coffee at a certain temperature, look for coffee makers with adjustable heat settings or ones that have built-in temperature regulation.
2. Determine Your Desired Brew Volume
- Single Serve vs. Large Brew: If you’re brewing coffee for just one person, a single-serve pod machine (like Keurig or Nespresso) might be your best bet. If you regularly brew for multiple people, a larger drip machine or a carafe-style coffee maker (12 cups or more) might be more appropriate.
- Special Features: Look for programmable features (like the ability to set brewing times in advance) or a pause-and-serve function if you’re brewing multiple cups at once.
3. Ease of Use and Cleaning
- Simple Operation: If you prefer convenience, look for a coffee maker with straightforward controls, like a single-button operation or intuitive touch screens.
- Cleaning Ease: Some coffee makers require frequent cleaning (e.g., espresso machines), while others are self-cleaning or have removable parts that can go in the dishwasher.
- Water Reservoir: Removable water reservoirs are easier to clean and refill.
4. Space and Size
- Compact vs. Full-Sized: Consider the space you have on your countertop. Single-serve machines and compact coffee makers are perfect for small kitchens or office spaces. Larger machines, like drip coffee makers with carafes, take up more space but offer higher volume.
- Storage Needs: Some machines come with cord storage or other space-saving features.
5. Additional Features
- Programmability: Many modern coffee makers offer programmable features that allow you to set brew times, brew strengths, and even grind sizes for the perfect cup of coffee every time.
- Auto-Off Function: Look for a coffee maker with an auto-off function for safety and energy savings.
- Thermal Carafe vs. Glass Carafe: A thermal carafe keeps your coffee hot without a warming plate (which can burn coffee), while a glass carafe offers a more traditional look and lets you see the coffee level.
- Built-in Grinder: Some higher-end drip coffee makers and espresso machines come with built-in grinders, allowing you to grind fresh coffee beans for a fuller flavor.
- Frothing Capabilities: If you enjoy milk-based drinks, look for an espresso machine with a milk frother or a separate milk frother.
6. Budget
- Affordable Options: Single-serve machines and basic drip coffee makers tend to be more affordable and are great for everyday use.
- Mid-Range Options: For better quality and additional features like programmability, thermal carafes, or built-in grinders, you may need to increase your budget.
- High-End Machines: If you’re a coffee enthusiast and want specialty drinks or café-quality espresso, be prepared to spend more on espresso machines, advanced drip coffee makers, or high-end single-serve systems.
7. Brand Reputation and Reviews
- Reliability: Consider brands known for producing high-quality, durable coffee makers. Brands like Keurig, Nespresso, Breville, and Café are often praised for their quality and innovation.
- Customer Reviews: Reading customer reviews can give you insight into the machine’s performance, ease of use, and long-term reliability.
8. Environmental Impact
- Sustainable Options: If sustainability is important to you, look for coffee makers that are eco-friendly, such as those that use reusable pods or come with recyclable components.
- Water Filtration: Some coffee makers offer built-in water filtration systems that improve taste and reduce scale buildup, extending the life of the machine.
By matching your coffee needs with the right features and budget, you can find a coffee maker that suits your daily routine and elevates your coffee experience.
