Numerous coffee maker options are available, ranging from simple drip Coffee makers including drip coffee makers,Cold Brew Coffee Makers, single-serve coffee machines, French press coffee makers, latte machines, cold brew coffee makers, and coffee makers with grinders. And more. Specialty coffee makers have been gaining popularity in recent years, with many coffee enthusiasts turning to drip coffee alternatives such as the French press, high-end expresso machines, and even gadgets to carry your coffee with you, such as portable coffee makers.
Our top picks:
10
BEST COFFEE MAKER, SINGLE-SERVE AND ESPRESSO ALL-IN-ONE
Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffee Maker
The Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab at the Home Accessories Institute has evaluated hundreds of coffee makers over the years and continues to do so regularly. We’ve made over 1,000 cups of coffee to find the best coffee makers for you.
Read below our top selections for more information on how we test coffee makers and what to look for when purchasing one. Check out the top coffee bean grinders and milk frothers to take your coffee to the next level.
1
PROS
- Easy to use and clean
- Distributes water evenly over grounds
- Parts nest together for more compact storage
CONS
- Does not include lid for brewing reservoir
Type of coffee maker: Cold brew coffee maker.
Cup capacity: 4 cups of coffee concentrate.
Type of carafe: Glass carafe.
Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 14.7 inches.
Making cold brew couldn’t be easier than with this Oxo Cold Brew coffee maker. According to our taste testers, it made a great cold brew with a smooth and balanced flavor. Our experts found this quite simple to operate, adding coarsely ground coffee and water through the “rainmaker” top, which distributes water evenly over the grounds and allows it to rest. The coffee is ready to be dispensed into the glass carafe after 12 to 24 hours by pulling a lever. Adjusting the flavor by steeping it for shorter or longer periods is pretty simple. It’s also easy to clean; after you’re done with it, the sections nest together for more compact storage.
2
PROS
- Makes up to 6 cups of pour over coffee
- Lightweight, yet sturdy carafe
- Dishwasher-safe
CONS
- Coffee cools quickly
Type of coffee maker: Pour over.
Capacity: 6 cups.
Type of carafe: Glass.
Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches.
Chemex Pour Over coffee makers are one of the most popular pour-over machines, and their hourglass design makes them immediately identifiable. Unlike most pour-over coffee makers, this is our favorite since it can brew up to six cups of coffee. We discovered that it creates a great, smooth cup of coffee. Our experts admire how light this carafe is while still feeling sturdy. When we tested it at home, we discovered that the filters fit well and were simple to operate.
Because of its design, the carafe can be challenging to wash by hand, but it’s dishwasher safe; remove the collar and make sure it doesn’t collide with anything else in the dishwasher. It doesn’t stay as hot as other coffee makers with a thermal carafe or keep warm features, but that’s to be expected, especially since it doesn’t have a lid, so drink it immediately away.
3
PROS
- Brews a tasty cup of French press coffee
- Coffee grounds do not get into the coffee
- Metal frame protects the glass carafe
CONS
- Doesn't stay as hot as long compared to some other coffee makers
Type of coffee maker: French press.
Cup capacity: 34 ounces.
Type of carafe: Glass carafe surrounded by stainless steel.
Dimensions: 9.0 x 5.6 x 4.2 inches.
If you’re searching for a French press to make a more robust cup of coffee, the Bodum Eileen French press is the way to go. It has the same construction as the popular Bodum Chambord French press, which we tested and recommended. Still, it has a beautiful modern style that looks excellent on any countertop. The metal frame looks lovely and protects the glass carafe from breaking, a regular issue with glass French presses.
It makes a well-rounded, smooth cup of coffee, and the stainless steel filter is simple to use and well-fitted, ensuring that the coffee grounds stay at the bottom and do not enter your cup. The carafe and its components are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a pleasure. The only disadvantage is that the coffee stays less hot than a thermal carafe or drip coffee machine with a keep-warm setting.
4
PROS
- Easy to use
- Produces silky smooth coffee
- Large variety of capsules available
CONS
- Only takes Nespresso Vertuo capsules
Type of coffee maker: Single-serve pod coffee maker.
Cup capacity: 1 cup.
Type of carafe: Brews into a mug of your choice.
Dimensions: 10.8 x 14.75 x 15.5 inches.
When you’re in a hurry or want a delicious cup of coffee you know you like, pod coffee makers are ideal. This pod machine is the most versatile and delicious of all the pod machines we tested.
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee is a single-serve coffee machine that uses Nespresso Vertuo capsules. Each capsule has a barcode that tells the machine how to brew it, whether it’s an espresso, a double espresso, American coffee, or something else. You can select from various capsules that vary in type (espresso, double espresso, ordinary coffee, and more), strength, and even origin. In some jurisdictions, the pills can be thrown in with your recycling or placed in a Nespresso-supplied bag and dropped off at UPS or a Nespresso boutique to be recycled by Nespresso.
The espressos and coffees have a substantial body and a thick, creamy crema. Everyone is consistent and hot, and the machine is simple to use. The bundled milk frother makes this our favourite pod coffee maker option — hello, cappuccinos and lattes — but this machine can also be purchased separately for less money.
5
BEST SINGLE SERVE COFFEE MAKER
Keurig K-Cafe SMART Single Serve Coffee Maker
NOW 20% OFF
PROS
- BrewID feature curates drink options for various pods
- Milk frother works well
- Brew strength and temperature settings are customizable
CONS
- K-cups must be BrewID compatible for curated recommendations
Plate size: 1-inch.
Temperature settings: Adjustable up to 450ºF.
Auto shut-off: None.
Cord: 7.7 feet.
Material: Ceramic tourmaline.
This is the best flat iron money can buy (and for under $50! ), according to Amazon reviewers, with over 59,000 five-star ratings (it’s also worth checking out the thousands of before and after photographs). Reviewers say it can press hair silky smooth in one pass, cut down on styling time, and is snag-free. Still, it scored low in our Beauty Lab tests for ease of use and satisfaction, with testers citing the heat dial as “difficult to adjust,” plus it took the longest of all irons to heat up — we also discovered hair didn’t stay straight.
6
PROS
- Compact footprint
- Easy to use and clean
- Two-hour keep warm and automatic shut-off
CONS
- Does not brew as hot as other coffee makers
Type of coffee maker: Single-serve.
Capacity: 6, 8, 10 or 12-ounce cups.
Type of carafe: N/A.
Dimensions: 11 x 12.1 x 12.7 inches.
Our favourite Keurig coffee machine is the K-Cafe Smart Single Serve unit. The Brew ID function, which identifies Brew ID pods and recommends curated drink alternatives for that same pod on the Keurig app, wowed our experts. Please keep in mind that older pods may not have the BrewID. You can adjust the brew strength and heat settings to suit your tastes. It can make six—, eight–, ten–, and twelve-ounce coffees and a concentrated espresso-type shot for drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. In our tests, we would have liked to see more crema on the espresso-like shot, but our experts were delighted with the consistency of the preheat time, brew time, coffee temperature, and volume.
The built-in milk frother quickly frothed milk in our tests and worked well with complete whole, almond, or soy milk. For iced drinks, there’s also an excellent froth option. Because the frother jug is removable, surplus milk can be stored in the fridge using the frother’s included lid.
7
PROS
- Highly customizable
- Makes hot coffee that stays hot
CONS
- Basket holder needs to be rinsed after every use
Type of coffee maker: Drip coffee maker.
Cup capacity: 12 cups.
Type of carafe: Thermal carafe.
Dimensions: 12.5 x 8.5 x 16.3 inches.
Coffee machines with built-in grinders are not well-known. They are prone to clogging and require more maintenance than standard drip coffee machines. However, after testing a few, we know why people buy them: they produce a fresh and consistent cup of coffee with minimal effort. This Breville coffee machine with a built-in grinder stands out for having numerous grind settings that affect the flavour of your coffee. It also has a digital display that measures the amount of water added to the reservoir on the front of the machine, making the entire operation simple. It allows you to select one of eight strength settings and estimate the brewing time.
Coffee brewed hot and stayed warm throughout the two-hour test period, and it kept burning all day when we tested at home! In our taste test, this coffee maker outperformed four other coffee makers with grinders. It lets you prepare a single cup or travel mug-size coffee and a full carafe.
8
PROS
- Makes iced coffee concentrate
- Makes a 4-ounce concentrated size for espresso-style drinks, like cappuccinos and lattes
CONS
- Classic brew was mild-bodied
Type of coffee maker: Drip coffee maker.
Cup capacity: 10 cups.
Type of carafe: Glass carafe.
Dimensions: 112 x 8.75 x 15 inches.
Whether you want hot or iced coffee, a latte or cappuccino, the Ninja Hot & Iced Coffee Maker has you covered? This machine can brew basic hot drip coffee, Rich (for those who prefer a more robust tasting coffee), Ice, and Specialty Concentrated settings. The Specialty Concentrated option produces a meagre amount of coffee that simulates espresso and can be used to make drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos. Even though it is not a proper latte or cappuccino, testers believed it created an excellent latte-like drink.
Brew sizes include a full 10-cup carafe, a half carafe, and a single serving that brews directly into the cup. Our experts discovered it has a quick brew time, preparing a complete carafe in less than eight minutes. We also enjoy intelligent features such as a shelf for brewing into single cups to reduce spatter and storage for the coffee scoop on the side of the unit to keep it from getting misplaced. The water tank is easily accessible for filling, and the control panel is simple to use.
9
PROS
- Makes hot coffee and keeps it warm for hours
- Easy to use
- Carafe has wide opening for easy cleaning
CONS
- Pricey
Type of coffee maker: Drip coffee maker.
Cup capacity: 10 cups.
Type of carafe: Thermal carafe.
Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 14.4 inches.
Wolf’s high-end programmable coffee maker received a five, our top rating, for brew temperature and its capacity to keep coffee warm for two hours, thanks to the thermal carafe. The coffee was piping hot and powerful, according to the tasters. We liked the big opening on the thermal carafe, which allows you to clean it more simply than others with narrow holes.
This coffee maker has features that make it one of the easiest to use, in addition to what some could call the basics (brewing a delicious cup of coffee and a high-performing carafe). Its brew basket swings out, allowing you to fill it without fiddling with covers, and its water reservoir is removable. It has a digital display and an “accubrew” mode that weighs the coffee grounds as you add them to the basket, allowing you to produce the perfect cup based on the amount of water and strength level you choose.
10
BEST COFFEE MAKER, SINGLE-SERVE AND ESPRESSO ALL-IN-ONE
Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffee Maker
PROS
- Makes drip coffee, K-cups, resuable pods and Nespresso Original Line Capsules
- Frother works well
- Separate water tanks for drip coffee and single-serve
CONS
- Opening to pour water in for drip coffee is small
Plate size: 1-inch.
Temperature settings: None.
Auto shut-off: 30 minutes.
Cord: 8.5 feet.
Material: Ceramic.
We’ve seen coffee makers that can create both drip coffee and K-cups or reusable pods. What particularly distinguished this machine and thrilled our experts was its ability to handle Nespresso Original Line-style capsules, making it a genuinely versatile machine. It contains a built-in steam wand to froth milk and a wide range of coffee options such as drip, single-serve pods, and Nespresso. The frother performed admirably in our tests, even with nut milk, which can be more challenging to froth.
This machine produced a well-balanced cup of drip coffee, according to testers. The drip coffee side can create up to 12 cups, while the single serve features six–, eight–, and ten-ounce cup sizes. We like how there are two distinct reservoirs for drip coffee and a single serve, so you won’t have to refill it as frequently. The one disadvantage is that the opening for pouring in the water for drip coffee is on the small side, so you must be careful not to spill.
11
PROS
- User-friendly controls
- Keeps coffee warm for two hours
CONS
- It didn't brew at a high enough temperature
Type of coffee maker: Drip coffee maker.
Cup capacity: 12 cups.
Type of carafe: Glass carafe.
Dimensions: 8.25 x 12.25 x 11 inches.
The Black & Decker 12-cup programmable coffee maker surprised our experts with its inexpensive pricing and high brew time and temperature performance rankings. It’s simple compared to other coffee makers, but that makes it simple. While it lacks some of the features found in more expensive coffee makers, it offers a digital display, a 24-hour auto-brew option, and a keep-warm mode, which marked the coffee warm for two hours in our tests. It can prepare up to 12 cups of coffee, and the sneak-a-cup feature allows you to steal a cup before it’s finished brewing without leaving a mess.
12
PROS
- Highly customizable
- Includes both cone and flat-bottom filter baskets
- Sleek design
CONS
- Carafe requires hand washing
Type of coffee maker: Drip coffee maker.
Cup capacity: 12 cups.
Type of carafe: Thermal carafe.
Dimensions: 14 x 9 x 16 inches.
This drip coffee maker with a thermal carafe lives up to its moniker as a precision brewer by brewing coffee at the exact temperature and time specified by the Specialty Coffee Association. It produced 12 cups of hot coffee in around eight and a half minutes, which was speedy compared to the others we tested, and the coffee it made was among the best tasting.
With an additional attachment, the Breville Precision Brewer can make up to 12 cups at a time, a single cup, iced coffee, cold brew, and pour-over. It also includes two different shaped baskets (a cone-shaped basket and a flat basket that bring out distinct flavour notes in the coffee) so consumers may choose which one creates a better cup of coffee. The basket fully retracts for simple filling and emptying, and the water reservoir features a large aperture and easy-to-read measurement indications.
Coffee connoisseurs will appreciate the ability to customize the water flow and bloom time. The display has a count-up timer that indicates how long the coffee has been kept warm. The thermal carafe performed admirably in our tests, keeping coffee hot for the entire two-hour test period. It’s also straightforward to clean, with a moderately wide aperture for a sponge (a bottle brush makes it much easier).
How we test the best coffee makers
We brew at least two full pots of coffee in each drip machine and record the brew duration, brew temperature, and how well the coffee keeps warm over two hours to find the top coffee makers.
We also look for consistency while testing espresso machines and single-serve coffee makers. We conduct a sensory test as part of our brew tests and invite as many individuals as possible to taste the product and provide their tasting thoughts.
We examine simplicity of use in addition to performance by assessing a variety of variables, such as the usefulness of the user guide and how easy it is to handle the controls, access the water tank and brew basket, read the markings on the tank and carafe, clean the carafe, and more.
What to look for when buying the best coffee maker
✔️Coffee makers come in many styles, from drip coffee makers to cold brew coffee makers and espresso machines. Consider what kind of coffee you drink the most and whether you want a coffee machine that can make several types of coffee, such as single-serve sizes, complete pots of coffee, and even espresso. Coffee makers that provide different ways to enjoy your coffee are becoming increasingly popular.
✔️Strength preference: If you prefer mild or strong coffee, choose a coffee maker with changeable intensities—many of the models we evaluated come in two to three different strengths. Espresso has a richer flavour than coffee produced in stovetop coffee makers.
✔️Number of servings: Most drip coffee makers make 10 to 14 cups of coffee, but if you only need four to five cups, check for smaller coffee makers that make four to five cups or single-serve choices that can prepare one cup at a time. Manual coffee makers are also ideal for preparing little coffee because the brew periods can be readily controlled.
✔️Convenience: If you need more time or want to prepare your coffee, a single-serve machine may be a good option because it requires little to no preparation or cleanup. A drip machine takes longer to brew coffee since it produces more, allowing for more flexibility. Pour-overs and French presses take longer to brew and demand more hands-on attention, but the flavour is often more affluent, smoother, and well worth the effort.
Do coffee makers really make a difference in flavor?
Yes, coffee makers can have an impact on the flavour of the coffee. Drip coffee, espresso, cold brew, French press, and other brewing methods necessitate using specific coffee and espresso appliances. Different grind sizes, water temperature, pressure, and contact time with the grinds are used in these ways of brewing, all of which influence the taste of the coffee.
This is why, among other things, some people prefer the robust flavour of cold brew or a concentrated shot of espresso. Just bear in mind that the coffee bean itself impacts the flavor of the coffee, and sure beans are better suited for particular processes than others. If you’ve only tried one brewing technique, you may need to experiment to find the one that works best for you.
Why trust Home Accessories?
Brigit Earley is a writer and editor with over 15 years of expertise covering home products such as furniture and accessories. She researched and reviewed the vacuum cleaner mentioned in this story with the help of HA Institute professionals, including vacuum scientists and engineers in the HA Institute Textiles Lab.
