An Exhaustive Guide to the Best Coffee Makers We’ve Ever Reviewed

At Epicurious we take our coffee quite seriously.We’ve tested and reviewedclose to 100 coffee makers of different styles, sizes, and price points, from the most complex smart espresso makers to the simplest styles that coffee drinkers have been using in one way or another for centuries.

Because there are so many different types of coffee maker we’ve collected a sort of greatest hits album here. Below you’ll find winners from all our different testing along with some information on the various types of brewers. While we can’t tell you what type of coffee you want to drink, how much work you want to put into making, or how much space you have for a countertop appliance, we will arm you with recommendations that will allow you to use your answers to those questions and pick the best coffee maker for your routine.

Whether you’re looking for a run-of-the-mill drip coffee machine, a good looking pour-over tool that connoisseurs swear by, or an espresso machine that even a total noob can operate, you can keep reading for our top picks.

Is it worth buying an expensive coffee maker?
Drip coffee makers
Espresso machines
Single-serve coffee makers
Pour-over coffee systems
French press pots
Cold brew coffee makers

喝咖啡不太可能达成什么缺点titutes an “expensive coffee maker,” so the answer to this question is wrapped up in subjectivity. What we can say with some certainty is that you should not buy a notably cheap coffee maker. What constitutes cheap is different for different types of machines. For example, we tested a reasonable drip coffee maker that cost around $100, but found all electric espresso makers that cost less than $300 to be disappointing to the point of being useless. It’s also frequently true that more expensive coffee makers do actually make better coffee. That’s because brewing coffee has a limited number of inputs; things like the quantity of coffee beans, the grind of coffee beans, the quantity of water, the temperature of water, and the brewing time. Expensive coffee machines do a better job of controlling those last three factors because of better water pumps, better temperature monitoring with PIDs, and more precise measurements. Expensive machines with built-in grinders, like super-automatic espresso makers, can also do a good job with the quantity and grind of the beans,although we think standalone burr grinders generally work better.

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When it comes to ease of use, there is nothing quite like a drip coffee machine. Make sure the water tank is filled the night before, put coffee in the brew basket, push the button, walk away. Drip coffee makers run the gamut from the ultra-budget models found in motels and sold at drug stores to more high-end ones like those from Technivorm, Oxo, and Café. While the number of added features may vary and cheap ones don’t make the best tasting coffee, a drip coffee maker will always be the most convenient system to brew a full pot of coffee. (For more info, read our full review of thebest drip coffee makers.)

There was a bit of an earthquake at Epi’s coffee testing bureau in 2022. After years on top, theTechnivorm Moccamasterwas displaced. We still have plenty of love for our old friend and highly recommend it, but the world of elite drip coffee makers that make high-quality cups of coffee is getting crowded. The new winner, the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker, makes the same excellent coffee that the Technivorm does, but adds a bunch of additional features. It also has a much more modern and beautiful design.

The Café, like the Technivorm and the Ratio coffee maker we’ll get into below, received the Golden Cup Standard from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). The showerhead puts out just the amount of water that the SCA deems right, at just the right temperature to make a perfectly balanced cup of coffee. But the Café goes a step further than other Golden Cup winners by offering several different brew strengths. “Gold” is just one of them, along with light, medium, dark, and bold. So if you’re someone who likes a stronger cup of coffee, or a weaker cup, you can adjust this coffee maker in ways you can’t with most others we tested.

Another nice addition is the Café’s water filter, which ensures consistently high-quality brewing water (a factor that'smore important than you might thinkin making good coffee). The wide showerhead on the brewer ensures even distribution of water, and solid agitation of the grounds—both important for consistent extraction and flavor. It’s also Wi-Fi capable and offers voice-to-brew technology. We don’t personally think those kinds of smart features do much to improve a cup of joe, but if you’re a real “hey Google” or “Alexa, dote on me,” type, this drip coffee machine will fit seamlessly into your lifestyle.

Machine Size:12.5” x 7.3” x 14”
CoffeeCapacity:45 ounces

Our coffee testers tend to prefer pour-over to even very good drip coffee machines. The Ratio Six is a drip machine that does a good job mimicking the pour-over technique. As a company, Ratio has only been around since 2012, but in that short amount of time it has created a line of machines that leapfrogged right to the top of the drip coffee world—and they’ve done it in style. The Ratio Six (don’t be fooled, this is actually an 8-cup coffee maker) won the same Golden Cup certification that the Café and Technivorm have from the SCA—and it is a looker of a machine. But it’s also technically proficient. It fully saturates the grounds with water at the right temperature and allows them to bloom at the beginning of the brewing process. Choosing the ratio also means there's no need for an insulated travel mug. It comes with a thermal carafe that we found kept coffee warm for hours and didn’t spill a drop during a car ride to the park.

Machine Size:13.5” x 6.75” 14.25”
CoffeeCapacity:40 ounces

In the most recent update to our drip coffee maker tests, we wanted to go deep on what we consider to be budget picks—those that cost $100 or less. We added another half dozen affordable, programmable coffee makers to the bunch and after batches and batches of mostly mediocre coffee, Braun’s Brewsense distinguished itself from competitors like Mr. Coffee and Ninja. The Braun comes with several nice extra features, like the ability to brew smaller batches of coffee (one to four cups)orfull carafes, two brew strength settings, an auto shutoff if you remove the glass carafe, and three different settings for the warming plate. This last feature is particularly nice because one of the worst parts of cheap drip coffee makers is that they tend to make undrinkably hot coffee that tastes increasingly burnt the longer it sits on a hot plate. We won’t go so far as to say that the coffee you get from the Braun is “great tasting,” but then again, it’s not fair to expect the same results from something that costs $95 as you do from something that costs $350. If you want a machine that’s affordable, easy to use, and makes a good cup of coffee, the Braun is for you.

Machine Size:7.9” x 7.9” by 14.2”
CoffeeCapacity:12 cups

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There is actually much more to consider when buying an espresso machine than simply “does this make good coffee?” That’s because the discrepancy in price, size and functionality of espresso makers is so vast. If you wanted to, you could pay as much for one of these as you would for a used car. And you do generally get more for your money. The temperature control, pressure, and quality of the steam wand (or milk frother) are higher on pricier machines. But formostpeople the differences are not so great that they cannot get everything they need from a less expensive machine (read our fullespresso maker review here).

We tested a number of prosumer-grade espresso makers—that is a portmanteau of professional and consumer, and the machines are generally scaled down versions of the kinds of pro setups featured in fancy coffee shops. We liked the Mio, a collaboration between Italian company Diletta and Seattle Coffee Gear, best in this category. It’s a slick looking machine that pulls a great shot and has a separate heat circuit for the steam wand. That means no waiting if you’re making a latte or cappuccino. The Mio, like other prosumer models we tested and enjoyed, such as the Rancilio Silvia Pro X, is not a machine for novices. To get a good shot you do need to dial in your coffee grinder, get a good tamp, and manually start and stop the brewing process. But that also means that, once you get the hang of it, you can brew it to taste however you want. This is a machine for someone who doesn’t just want a good cup of coffee, but truly wants to master the craft of espresso.

Machine size:10.75 x 17 x 15
Basket size:58mm
Cup clearance:3 inches

索利斯咖啡制造商跳回到顶部of our rankings thanks to the illuminating benefits of long-term testing. We liked this Solis from the jump: Not only did it brew terrific espresso and froth both dairy and non-dairy milk incredibly effectively, it had a very small footprint on the counter, which is rare in nice espresso machines. It was briefly knocked out of its top spot by the Breville Barista Express Impress, which came with a built-in burr grinder and smart tamper. Ultimately, that built-in grinder was the Breville’s downfall. While the machine is well designed (the smart tamping system in particular was very accurate), the grinder proved under-powered and unable to handle light roast coffee beans. Given that we liked the coffee from the Solis just as much as the coffee from the Breville and it was still brewing as well a year on as it did the day we got it, we gave it the nod. It comes with other features that are standard on good espresso makers in this price range, like a pressure gauge and the ability to adjust water temperature and program shot volumes. At the time of writing, the Solis also only cost $330, which is abargainfor a machine that performs this well. We think this is the machine that will work best for the most people.

Machine size:7” x 17” x 12.5”
Basket size:54mm
Cup clearance:3.5”

Breville’s newer pint-sized entry to the espresso market is as fool proof as a semi-automatic machine can be. It heats up in seconds and, because it only comes with pressurized filter baskets, shots come out perfect every time. That said, we had a non-pressurized filter basket that fit the machine and tried it. The results were excellent, though without a pressure gauge it might be hard to use this machine to learn how to pull a good shot if you don’t have experience doing it already. But the best part about the Bambino if you’re a beginner is its automatic milk texturing. Thanks to a pre-programmed steam wand and a milk sensor, you just stick the wand in the milk jug, set how much foam you want (cappuccino or latte), push a button, and wait. The automatic milk texturing here was actually better than what we produced on any of the manual machines. Like the Solis, this is also a teeny appliance by espresso machine standards, taking up next to no space on the counter.

Machine size:7.7” x 12.6” x 11.8”
Basket size:54mm
Cup clearance:5”

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At the beginning of 2023, we tested pod coffee makers for the very first time. Expectations were not high; our general experience with k-cups in hotels and car dealerships has not been encouraging. Most plastic coffee pods are also environmentally problematic—they can remain in landfills for hundreds of years without breaking down. The appeal of pod coffee is clear, though: It is fast and it is convenient. The question for us was:Could a machine provide that convenience without compromising too much on flavor?Ultimately we found not one, not two, but actually three machines to recommend, all of which use either recyclable or biodegradable pods (none of which happen to be made by the current king of single-serve, Keurig). You can read all about them in our fullsingle-serve coffee maker review. For the purposes of this list, though, we only recommend what we found to be the very best.

The Spinn is not a traditional pod coffee maker. It’s actually not a traditional coffee maker of any type. Instead of forcing water down through coffee grounds, it spins a centrifuge at 4500 RPM. This spinning motion pushes the coffee grounds against the wall of the centrifuge, and shoots water through them sideways. The centrifuge technology allows the Spinn to mimic a number of different brew styles including espresso, cold brew, and a very impressive pour-over style. It’s a smart gadget that you can program and use from your phone. As much as we downplay the importance of apps for any food or drink appliance, this machine really makes the most out of its techy features. As we said, it’s not a pod machine. It uses freshly ground coffee beans with its built-in burr grinder. Note that, while we don’t like built-in grinders for most machines, this is more like a fully automatic machine and because of its unique brewing process, it needs a built-in grinder. It is certainly a step up in price over any pod machine we tested, but it’s also a step up in coffee quality.

Read our full review of the Spinn here.

Size:13.5” x 8.5” x 14”
Drink type:Drip-style, pour-over, cold brew, nitro cold brew, espresso
Coffee type: Fresh beans

Though it’s not quite as versatile as a couple other single-serve machines we liked (theBruvi, for example, can make cold brew, hot drip coffee, and Americanos; the Spinn can do even more), the Nespresso Vertuo can brew everything from single espresso-style shots to eight-ounce cups with the push of a single button. The machine is able to read a barcode printed on every pod and set itself to brew whatever kind of coffee that pod is made for. That means you don’t have to select cup size, brew strength, or anything else. In our testing, we found the coffee to be well-balanced (much more than we can say for a number of other machines we tested). The pods are also fully recyclable using Nespresso’s recycling program, which does require you to ship the pods off to be recycled. In addition to making tasty coffee, the Nespresso is fast. It heats up in just 20 seconds and can have a completed cup of coffee in your hand in less than a minute more.

Size:8.7” x 12.7” x 12.8”
Drink type:Coffee and espresso
Coffee type:Nespresso Vertuoline capsules

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Making coffee doesn’t get more low-tech thanpour-over.And that’s not a bad thing! Coffee lovers who prefer a manual brewer find that pour-over yields a smoother, brighter cup than French press. Plus, it’s a great option if you’re just looking to make asingle cup of coffeefor yourself every morning. The key attribute of pour-over brewing is the ability to achieve “blooming.” Blooming happens at the point whenhot waterinitially saturates the grounds and the coffee starts to expand during hydration. Pour-over can be a finicky process for newbies, though. You should weigh your coffee grounds in grams (generally between 15 and 17 grams of water to one gram medium-grind coffee is the ratio to use) and measure your water’s brewing temperature to between 195 and 200 to ensure the good results. But with a little practice you’ll be brewing like a pro.

The Chemex brewer and its hourglass shape are iconic in the world of pour-over coffee. You may have even walked into a coffee shop where coffee made with the pour-over method is just called Chemex. What makes the Chemex stand out in a sea of coffee drippers is that it is perhaps the easiest to learn what can be an unforgiving way to make a cup of coffee. Part of that is the shape, but part of it is the proprietary filters that help trap oils, reducing some of the bitter flavors. The other great thing about Chemex brewers is that you can make a lot of coffee at once. Imagine hosting abrunchand needing to make everyone an individual cup of coffee. No thanks.

Size (for 6-cup model):5.3” x 5.3 “ x 8.5”
Capacity:30 ounces

If pour-over is a morning ritual you keep just for yourself, a single-serve dripper will be more your speed than an 6-cup Chemex. The Kalita Wave is perhaps even easier to use than the Chemex thanks to its flat bottom. Because the water doesn’t drain through a single point, you don’t need to be as careful when you pour it.

Size:4” x 4” x 2.5”
Capacity:16 ounces

We’re including a recommendation for a thermal carafe in our pour-over section because, unlike a drip coffee maker, most pour-over rigs do not come with a hot plate to keep your coffee warm once it's brewed. A good thermal carafe prevents that awful choice of chugging the coffee you so carefully brewed or (gasp) drinking it at room temperature. The Ratio carafe claims to keep coffee hot for 90 minutes. We found it worked for closer to two hours. It’s also compatible with the Kalita Wave.

Size:7.9” x 7.9 “ x 7.1”
Capacity:40 ounces

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For those who don’t have the counter space for a drip machine, a French press is a terrific manual coffee brewing option that can fit in yourcabinet. French press loyalists like that this method doesn’t require the use of a paper filter; because water comes in direct contact with the coffee grounds, more of the oils make it into the final product, which yields a stronger taste. Another benefit of the French press is that it allows for great control, both of water temperature and brew time. Read ourfull review of the best French press coffee pots hereand get a detailed rundown ofhow exactly to make French press coffee here.

It seemed impossible, but the iconic Bodum Chambord French press was finally bested in our testing by...another Bodum model. While the image of the Chambord, with its glass carafe and chrome frame, is forever intertwined withFrench press咖啡,新的敬意从Bodum提高both utility and aesthetic. The carafe, which comes in a number of fun colors, is made of stainless-steel, which retains heat better than glass. The silicone and mesh plunger is also easier to clean than a more traditional coil and mesh one. It also kept a tight seal, preventing any unpleasantly large grit from getting into our coffee. It is true that this is a pricier model than other presses we like, but it also pulls double duty: It is a stellar coffee brewer and looks great on the countertop.

Until 2022, the Chambord was our favorite French Press, an honor it has received many times over from coffee lovers since it came out in the 1950s. Our tester questioned whether the Chambord was widely considered a standout because it actually outperformed the competition, or because it had been around so long (it was designed in the 1950s). But it held its own in the testing process. The combination of fine-mesh filter and perforated steel-plate lunge plunged smoothly into the carafe, but remained secure enough to keep the coffee grit-free. The carafe is comfortable to hold and pour from. And, at less than half the price of the Tribute, it is one of the best value coffee makers, regardless of brewing method, on the market today.

Size (for 8-cup model):14.1” x 10.7 “ x 23”
Capacity:34 ounces

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Cold-brew coffee is not just a summertime phenomenon that has everyone you know walking around with enormous plastic cups. It's a brewing method that produces an entirely different type of drink (and should not be confused iced coffee, which is coffee brewed over ice, or simply served over ice). Cold brew is a drink that's smooth, chocolatey, and as easy drinking as coffee gets. It is also incredibly easy to make. The only irritating ingredient is time. Almost all cold-brew systems, including our favorite below, take at least half a day. But if you can't have your coffee any other way, then it's certainly worth the wait.

Cold-brew coffee is not just a summertime phenomenon that has everyone you know walking around with enormous plastic cups. It's a brewing method that produces an entirely different type of drink (and should not be confused iced coffee, which is coffee brewed over ice, or simply served over ice). Cold brew is a drink that's smooth, chocolatey, and as easy drinking as coffee gets. It is also incredibly easy to make. The only irritating ingredient is time. Almost all cold-brew systems, including our favorite below, take at least half a day. But if you can't have your coffee any other way, then it's certainly worth the wait.

The Oxo cold brewer operates differently from the infusion-style coffee makers we tested. Its perforated lid controls the flow from the water reservoir and limits how much water can come into contact with the coffee grounds at a time. The water slowly works its way through the coffee until, ultimately, it all gets filtered into a glass carafe. The advantage of this method of making cold brew is that there is no shaking or stirring required. It really is a set-it-and-forget-it operation. Another plus to the Oxo is that both the carafe and the brewing container have marks showing how much water and coffee to use. While it’s preferable to measure both coffee and water by weight (get yourself agood scale!), we found the volume measurements here totally usable.

One note: The Oxo produces a cold brew concentrate that needs to be diluted at a 1:2 or 1:3 coffee to water ratio. You don’t want to mess with the brew strength of a cold brew concentrate. If you want cold-brew you can drink straight, a simple filter basket brewer like thisHario cold-brew bottlewill make solid coffee and look good enough that it can sit out on the counter when not in use.

Size:9.5” x 9.5 “ x 14.7”
Capacity:40 ounces

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