Discover the Best Coffee Maker: The TOP 10 Models for Quality Brew
In a Hurry? The test winner after 27 hrs of research
Editor’s Pick: Breville BES870BSXL The Barista Express Coffee Machine
Why is it better?
≫ Cost-effective, good for use in cafes and as specialty coffee makers.
≫ Italian high-grade design.
≫ Suitable for home and commercial use.
| Picture | Products | Rating/Shop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Products Editor’s Pick: Breville BES870BSXL The Barista Express Coffee Machine | Rating 93 | |
| Ease of use 89% Brewing time 89% Mess-free operation 91% Functionality 100% | |||
Image  | Products Runner Up: Cuisinart DCC-3400 Stainless Steel Thermal Coffeemaker 12 Cup | Rating 89 | |
| Ease of use 92% Brewing time 90% Mess-free operation 85% Functionality 89% | |||
Image  | Products Budget's Pick: De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker | Rating 88 | |
| Ease of use 87% Brewing time 93% Mess-free operation 81% Functionality 91% | |||
Image  | Products Best Electric Kettle: HOMIGRAND 1L Electric Gooseneck Kettle | Rating 86 | |
| Ease of use 95% Brewing time 90% Mess-free operation 84% Functionality 73% | |||
Image  | Products Best Nespresso Machine: Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De'Longhi | Rating 89 | |
| Ease of use 90% Brewing time 94% Mess-free operation 91% Functionality 81% | |||
Image  | Products Best Drip Coffee Maker: Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System | Rating 92 | |
| Ease of use 87% Brewing time 91% Mess-free operation 92% Functionality 100% | |||
Image  | Products Best French Press : Bodum 1548-01US Brazil French Press Coffee and Tea Maker | Rating 82 | |
| Ease of use 79% Brewing time 87% Mess-free operation 81% Functionality 80% | |||
Image  | Products Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker: Toddy Cold Brew System | Rating 90 | |
| Ease of use 97% Brewing time 87% Mess-free operation 89% Functionality 85% | |||
Image  | Products Best Small Coffee Maker: Wacaco Minipresso GR, Portable Espresso Machine | Rating 87 | |
| Ease of use 92% Brewing time 96% Mess-free operation 87% Functionality 72% | |||
Image  | Products Best Single Cup Coffee Maker: It's American Press Coffee and Tea Maker, 12 oz | Rating 88 | |
| Ease of use 98% Brewing time 90% Mess-free operation 93% Functionality 72% | |||
1. Editor’s Pick: Breville BES870BSXL The Barista Express Coffee Machine
Pros:
≫ Cost-effective, good for use in cafes and as specialty coffee makers.
≫ Italian high-grade design.
≫ Suitable for home and commercial use.
Cons:
≫ Beginners may need some time to get used to the advanced features of this coffee machine.
If you are an experienced home barista, you’re most likely familiar with the Breville Barista Express Coffee Machine, as it is one of the most popular coffee machines on the market.
This full-blown coffee maker features a lot of the hallmarks of classic Italian espresso machine design.
At first glance, you’re going to notice the striking appearance of this machine with its shiny casing, excellent knobs, and an exposed East 61 group head.
Another awesome thing about this machine is that it gives you a lot of high-end features.
At a very reasonable price, you get a 1.8-liter heat exchange boiler inside, allowing you to pull shots and steam milk at the same time. That’s something a lot of machines fall short with because it requires intensive technique to implement the feature. With the Breville, you’ll be able to set your shot up to pull and start steaming your milk while brewing your shot. This also cuts down on preparation time, which is a plus if you brew more than 3 cups at a time.
From the steam and hot water dispenser knobs to the shot lever – you’re going to get tactile control. The control panel with clear instructions helps even first-timers adapt in a blink.
These valves are always warm to ensure the out streams all get a relevant temp. Therefore, when you pull shots, you won’t lose any water temperature.
Furthermore, the dual coffee maker mode allows you to make two espresso cups at the same time.
With all these features, many people would think that they’d have to pay a lot more than they actually do with the Breville; the price is as attractive as the machine itself.
Beginners and pros alike have loved this machine ever since its launch, and we’re excited to name it the best coffee maker of this year.
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2. Runner Up: Cuisinart DCC-3400 Stainless Steel Thermal Coffeemaker 12 Cup
Pros:
≫ Flexible uses for home or office.
≫ Prepare coffee fast and conveniently.
≫ Has different capacity modes to save energy and time.
Cons:
≫ Pod lids may need cleaning once in a while.
This Cuisinart coffee maker has a refined brewing process that can make different types of flavorful coffee. This machine allows you to brew up aromatic sips that are comparable to products from Technivorm Moccamaster.
To make your favorite cup, fill the removable water tank with fresh water, then add your favorite grind. Next, select the heat setting for a strong-flavor cup of coffee.
Choosing how strong the flavor you want is an additional feature of this coffee maker. What’s more, it is programmable, with many convenient functions like 1-4 cup settings, self-clean, auto-off, 24-hour on, and various alert tones.
Depending on your needs, you can set the Cuisinart to 5 cup coffee maker mode for daily household use, or 12 cup coffee maker mode for conference use.
The basket has a dripless spout, which ensures you don't miss a drop.
With premium performance and exceptional results, the Cusinart DCC 3400 is a close runner-up on our list.
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3. Best Product on a Limited Budget: De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Pros:
≫ Make gourmet coffee at a fraction of the price.
≫ Has cappuccino and espresso modes.
≫ Good for those just starting their barista career.
Cons:
≫ Cannot make more than 2 cups at once.
≫ Not suitable for extensive commercial use.
Our pick for the best coffee machine on a tight budget is the DeLonghi EC 155 - an espresso and cappuccino maker. For less than a hundred bucks, you can get a very well-made machine.
It has a single boiler which gives you first-hand experience in temperature surfing and switching from steam to brewing. It also pulls pretty good shots.
Like the OXO coffee maker, the EC 155 has upgraded filters. You can even depressurize it yourself without needing any extra tools.
If you are serious about enjoying gourmet coffee on a budget, the wiser choice is to invest your money in a grinder rather than the boiler – it will bring you a better performance/price output.
You can put a lot of money into a coffee maker, but if the grinder isn’t up to scratch, the results you’ll get will still be mediocre.
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4. Best Electric Kettle: HOMIGRAND 1L Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Pros:
≫ Gooseneck pouring spout for the perfect water stream.
≫ Keeping heat stable with exact temperature settings for flavorful coffee.
≫ Convenient for pour-overs.
Cons:
≫ The gooseneck spout pours water at a slower than normal rate.
People typically choose gooseneck kettles for coffee brewing, and HOMIGRAND designs it for pour overs.
The kettle’s goose neck restricts flow so you can pour it more accurately. That explains why despite being a kettle, it ranks among the top rated coffee makers on the market.
Another great thing about this kettle is that it has a variable temp. You will have control over the temperature at which your water boils, for example, 201 or 202 degrees.
Their standard size is the right amount for either a single cup or a small carafe for two or three people. The Homigrand Electric Gooseneck Kettle therefore comes in the perfect size for making pour-over coffee.
It has a 1000-watt heater that can keep the temperature high enough all day long.
The heat also increases quickly, so you can have your cup of coffee right at the moment you want it.
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5. Best Nespresso Machine: Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De'Longhi
Pros:
≫ Beautiful design.
≫ Many tasty capsuled blends come with the machine.
≫ Produces decent-quality coffee
Cons:
≫ Can only contain 11 capsules at once.
≫ Need to bottom out the container weekly.
The Nespresso machine is a capsule machine for coffee.
Out of the entire line of Nespresso machines on the market, the Nespresso Inissia is the smallest in size. With its exquisite design, this coffee maker is sure to look good on your countertop.
There’s a nice little lever on the top of the machine, so you can load your capsules up and drop it in. This structure reminds us of the Bunn coffee maker.
And then you have your whole drip tray assembly down in the base of the machine. The flip door goes up if you have a bigger cup. It can hold up to 11 capsules, so you don’t have to worry about putting them out too frequently.
The components of the machine take apart and pull out very easily, so you can clean it effortlessly.
De'Longhi makes a wide variety of capsules with different blends. They give you a sample pack with each machine; accordingly, you can taste them and order the ones that suit you best.
The thing that users appreciate most about this machine, aside from its size and neatness, is that you don’t have coffee coming in contact with any brew unit. There won’t be anything to clean, aside from descaling every once in a while.
It also lies at a low price point, so this would be a nice little lifestyle enhancement for people with small apartments or retro aesthetic taste.
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6. Best Drip Coffee Maker: Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System
Pros:
≫ Modern and sleek design.
≫ Has automatic features for your convenience.
≫ Able to make up to 4 cups at a time.
Cons:
≫ Need to use the brand’s measuring spoon.
As one of the biggest names on the market, you can rely on Ninja coffee machines.
We feel happy with all the useful features of this specialty coffee maker at an affordable price point. That’s mostly thanks to the unibody plastic design, which does away with mixed plastic and stainless steel.
Aside from that, they’ve added a couple of really nice features. First off, it is a glass carafe with a hot plate. Unlike other brewers on the market, the hot plate can dial into 185 degrees, and it’s on a 40-minute timer. That way, you don’t have to worry about the hot plate staying on all day and burning and ruining the flavor of your coffee.
For people who are sensitive to the flavor of stainless steel, the glass carafe is a decent option.
The other fantastic thing about the Ninja machine is that the basket is now attached to the brewer. It also has a little plastic rail onto the basket, making its ergonomics and usability just that much better.
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7. Best French Press : Bodum 1548-01US Brazil French Press Coffee and Tea Maker
Pros:
≫ Good for beginners.
≫ Gives an exquisite brewing experience.
≫ Sturdier compared to traditional French presses.
Cons:
≫ Can only make conventional coffee.
Most people’s entrance into specialty coffee starts with the French press, and we recommend the Bodum Brazil as an entry level or beginners’ French press.
In comparison to more classic French presses, the Bodum Brazil is more affordable, while saving you more time and effort.
The plastic ring bottom is unlike the metal feet and stands of a regular French presses. Therefore, it holds the glass easily as you set it on or take it off the table.
Also, the handle goes from top to bottom instead of being limited to the top or just the bottom, so you get a bit more control in your pour.
It’s got a pretty classic French press filter design with a macro filter and a micro filter.
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8. Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker: Toddy Cold Brew System
Pros:
≫ Produces coffee with less acidity, helps with your digestion.
≫ Can use its concentrated coffee to make hot or cold cups to your taste.
≫ Affordable price.
Cons:
≫ 12 - 24 hours to brew coffee.
For the best cold brew coffee maker, nothing can beat the Toddy Cold Brew System for great performance at a low price point.
It drips concentrated coffee from the grounds and straight to your cup. The machine is also capable of doing up to five cups at once.
The Toddy System also has the standard steeping time for cold brewers, which is 12 to 24 hours to make coffee.
To make hot coffee from it, you need to stir in boiled water to the concentrated drops.
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9. Best Small Coffee Maker: Wacaco Minipresso GR, Portable Espresso Machine
Pros:
≫ Handy size, suitable for traveling.
≫ Makes gourmet-grade espresso.
≫ Easy to use.
Cons:
≫ Quite heavy on the move.
Wacaco Minipresso is an espresso maker that you can use on the go. You can bring it along when camping, on backpacking trips, or an RV adventure.
This coffee maker fits the size of your hand. However, it is quite heavy, weighing 12.8 ounces.
Fill the filter up with coffee, one scoop at a time. Pour hot water in the water container, and pump out the espresso. It takes about six pumps to have a cup of hot and aromatic espresso.
Because the device fits right in your hand, you do, however, have to be careful with the high temp.
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10. Best Single Cup Coffee Maker: It's American Press Coffee and Tea Maker, 12 oz
Pros:
≫ Artistic brewing process.
≫ Original coffee brewing idea.
≫ Makes coffee fast.
Cons:
≫ Can only make 2 cups at a time.
The It’s American Press solves the problem of messy coffee presses. It also provides an artistic brewing experience and produces less landfill waste than pod brewers.
Watching water transform into coffee as you press is unlike anything you’ve ever seen or experienced before. It’s a hands-on experience that engages sight and touch. The anticipation of the smell and taste of freshly brewed coffee will satisfy your cravings.
The coffee itself is clean and deep, where the aromas and flavors are preserved by forcing water through an enclosed reusable pod and an ultra fine metal filter.
At a capacity of 16 oz., you can use it as a 2 cup coffee maker or a single cup, depending on your preference.
Because the It’s American Press brews coffee as you press, the setup is quicker and easier. There’s no waiting – just press.
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How To Choose The Best Coffee Maker For You?
Coffee blender and boiler machine great for makes hot drinks
If you love having a nice and steamy cup of coffee every morning (or throughout the day), then buying a decent coffee machine would be a wise investment.
Having a coffee maker is cost-effective and can provide you with a perfect cup of happiness anytime you need it.
However, that’s only true if you have a coffee maker that performs to suit your needs.
➜ RELATED: How To The Best Way to Clean Your Coffee Maker
To achieve this, you’ll need to learn more about all the common types of coffee makers on the market. There might be more than you think!
☑ Italian coffee machine: This is the machine that you see at a cafe or coffeehouse. These coffee machines can handle all aspects of a barista’s work, so they bear a heavier price tag than some of the other coffee makers on this list. People can make all types of specialty coffees and coffee variations with these machines.
☑ Drip coffee maker: Makes quick and strong coffee, and serves 5-10 cups at a time.
☑ 1-cup coffee maker: This includes pod coffee makers and presses. With a small batch size, 1-cup coffee makers give you the chance to experience the many flavors in your drink of choice.
☑ French press: Easy to use and ideal for beginners, the French press doesn’t require much effort to work, and it is perfect for people who travel a lot.
The above list includes only the traditional types of coffee machines. Nowadays, there are more types manufactured to fit the broader needs of customers.
Another approach to choosing the best coffee maker is to base your choice on the quantity factor, in other words, how many cups of coffee you need to make at a time, or in a day, or how many people you need to serve coffee to.
☑ If you live alone and drink 1-2 cups a day, then a press or a single-serve coffee maker will be sufficient.
☑ If there are 1-2 other people in the household, then you’ll need a pod coffee maker or a drip coffee machine.
☑ If you are going to put the coffee maker in the lounge or office for many people to use at one time, then it’ll be best to buy a 5-cup or 12-cup coffee maker.
☑ If you want to have the experience of brewing or serving coffee professionally at a cafe, then only the best Italian coffee machine will be able to satisfy your needs.
Other than that, there are also many more types of coffee machines that are tuned to the user’s particular needs.
For example, people who want to make coffee from capsules will need to purchase a Nespresso machine, and experienced drinkers who love pour-overs will need a good gooseneck kettle.
Once you’ve considered the factors surrounding your daily coffee consumption, read on to find our editor’s list of the 10 best coffee machines on the market right now.
Man in the kitchen pouring a mug of hot filtered coffee from a glass pot
Time To Wake Up Your Morning
Above are our top 10 picks for the best coffee makers at every budget and preference. They all passed our tests while scoring high on brand reliability and user experience.
With these drip, grind-and-brew, one-cup, pod coffee maker, or full-blown Italian coffee machines, we believe you can enjoy a great good cup of coffee every day.
Comment and share to let us know your choice from the list above.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- 01. How long does the typical coffee maker last?
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This is a tricky question because it has no definite answer.
Not only does each model of coffee maker vary in the design and material, but the extent that the user cares for the machine matters a lot in terms of its lifespan.
While plastic coffee filters ought to last you some ten years, automatic ones with electric circuits, mesh filters, and pod brewers can only last around 5 years. That’s because the machine has to deal with many heavy-duty tasks at once: brewing the coffee, filtering, dripping, and keeping the coffee warm. Not to mention that this type of coffee machine is often shared among many users, which will exhaust its lifetime even faster.
If you want to keep your coffee machine as long as possible, then keep in mind that you must go through the maintenance process every day:
☑ Do not brew or keep coffee warm all day – turn it off as soon as possible.
☑ Use only clean, filtered water, and use a descaler on the filter every other month.
☑ Rinse and clean any removable part of the machine monthly.
☑ Run some plain water through the machine before brewing.
If you dedicate some time to maintaining the machine, it will surely outrun the warranty period and give you consistently good cups of coffee.
- 02. Which coffee maker uses ground coffee the best?
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Hands down, the coffee maker that brings out the most aromatic and flavorful coffee from ground coffee beans is the French press. However, it leaves some silt in your cup.
If you like the strong taste and the high dose of caffeine minus the silt, then a cold brew coffee maker is your best bet.
Through the cold brewing process, it leaves the coffee less acidic and with zero bitterness.
- 03. What is the best coffee maker for small office use?
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No matter how small your office, it is still an office, so using a home coffee machine for the purpose would raise some problems in and of itself.
Single-serve coffee makers and home drip pod brewers are not of commercial grade. They cannot supply the high volume uses in an office. Therefore, it’s better to invest in a commercial grade coffee maker from the get-go.
Your best bet is a 12-cup machine, with an auto-off feature.
We strongly advise you against buying an espresso or Italian coffee maker, as they require a lot of maintenance.
- 04. Is buying a personal coffee machine worth it?
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If there’s anything that you’ll be regretting after purchasing a coffee machine, it would be not buying it sooner.
A coffee machine gives you access to tasty, fresh, flavorful and steamy coffee at any time of the day.
It’s not only cups of coffee, though – the machine also gives you convenience and the exquisite experience of brewing from grounded coffee beans.
Not only will you be the consumer, but you will also be the artist who creates art in a cup.
- 05. Should I buy a single-serve, 5-cup or 12-cup coffee maker?
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At first glance, there are few reasons to choose a single-serve coffee maker when there are options available that allow you to make 5 or even 12 cups at a time. However, single-serve coffee makers also have their perks.
The best thing about small, instant 1-cup coffee makers is that they are really easy to clean and leave virtually no mess after use.
These machines also let you make cappuccinos, macchiatos, or lattes in only a minute or two.
On the other hand, those who choose a coffee machine for an entire office or just love plain coffee would benefit more from buying a higher capacity machine. For an environment with a high number of coffee drinkers, it makes more sense to choose a 5-cup or 12-cup coffee maker.
