Best Coffee Makers Buyers Guide To Help You Get The Best Coffee Maker For You
You won’t find too many products that can start your day off right like a cup of coffee, especially if it’s from one of the best coffee makers. In the United States and around the world, it’s the beverage that most people drink to jump start their day. Not too long ago, you’d have to brew your coffee using an old kettle and Red Mountain.
Today, you have the option of brewing coffee at home, which helps you save time and money. A cup of coffee serves as one of the best ways to overcome morning grogginess, and it can help you stay productive throughout the day.
It doesn’t matter if you drink coffee every morning or consume it once per week. There are several reasons to consider getting your own coffee maker, and depending on how you like your coffee, you could save as much as $1,000 per year.
You’ll also save money because you won’t have to use gas to drive to the local coffee shop. Despite what you might’ve been told, home coffee makers can be used to brew almost any type of coffee, so you can get it however you want it.
The only problem is that the market is filled with hundreds of different products to choose from, and before you make a purchase, you should know what to look for. Here we give you a handy comparison table and reviews of the best coffee makers. Below that, we have put together a handy guide of the things you should look for or know before investing in the best coffee maker for you.
Below, you’ll find a comparison table and reviews for some of the best coffee makers on the market.
| Product | Image | Features | Star Review Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonavita BV1800SS 8-Cup Original Coffee Brewer Stainless Steel |  | One-touch brewing 1,400-watt heater Keeps the water temperature between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit | 4.0 out of 5 Stars | $$ SEE PRICES ON AMAZON |
| Moccamaster KBT 10-Cup Coffee Brewer with Thermal Carafe |  | Drip-stop brew basket Takes four to six minutes to finish the brewing cycle | 4.3 out of 5 Stars | $$$ SEE PRICES ON AMAZON |
| Cuisinart DCC-2650 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker |  | Holds enough coffee for 12 cups Convenient pause feature | 4.0 out of 5 Stars | $$ SEE PRICES ON AMAZON |
| Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Brewer 49980A |  | Choose from one to 12-cup setting Brew strength selector | 4.3 out of 5 Stars | $$ SEE PRICES ON AMAZON |
| Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker, Stainless Steel 46201 |  | Programmable clock and a few different brewing options Brew between one to four cups of coffee | 3.7 out of 5 Stars | $ SEE PRICES ON AMAZON |
| BUNN BT Velocity Brew 10-Cup Thermal Carafe Home Coffee Brewer Black |  | Brew between four to 10 cups 800-watt heater | 4.2 out of 5 Stars | $$ SEE PRICES ON AMAZON |
| KitchenAid KCM1204OB 12-Cup Coffee Maker |  | 24-hour programmability One-touch operation | 3.8 out of 5 Stars | $ SEE PRICES ON AMAZON |
| Ninja Coffee Bar Thermal Carafe System CF097 |  | Make hot and iced coffee drinks Several specialty brewing options with built in frother | 4.2 out of 5 Stars | $$$ SEE PRICES ON AMAZON |
| Keurig K55 Coffee Maker Black |  | Brew many flavors in six, eight and 10-ounce sizes Water reservoir that can hold up to 48 ounces | 4.0 out of 5 Stars | $ SEE PRICES ON AMAZON |
| KRUPS KM9008 Cup on Request Programmable Coffee Maker |  | 12 cups and features immediate flow stop 1,100-watt heating element | 3.7 out of 5 Stars | $$$$$ SEE PRICES ON AMAZON |
Bonavita BV1800SS 8-Cup Original Coffee Brewer Stainless Steel
The Bonavita BV1800SS is a basic model and operates with one-touch brewing. To maintain an optimal brewing temperature for coffee, it’s equipped with a 1,400-watt heater, and it keeps the water temperature between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
For the complete saturation of the coffee grounds, this Bonavita coffee maker uses a showerhead design. The intelligent design of the head extracts flavor in an optimal way. The thermal carafe is made of stainless steel, so it’s durable and capable of keeping coffee hot.
The showerhead, filter basket and carafe lid can be washed in a dishwasher and don’t contain BPA. The Bonavita BV1800SS features a simple design, and it can brew up to eight cups of coffee within a single pot. The basic design produces consistent results and can be operated with a single button.
Moccamaster KBT 10-Cup Coffee Brewer with Thermal Carafe
The Moccamaster KBT features a manual drip-stop brew basket, and the thermal carafe is made of stainless steel. The heating element is made of copper, and it automatically shuts off when the brew cycle is finished.
This coffee maker can brew a full or half carafe, and it takes four to six minutes to finish the brewing cycle. Since it brews with a consistent temperature, the Moccamaster KBT produces a consistent product.
For an optimal coffee bloom, this machine features a pulse action, which optimizes the extraction process. This model is SCAE, SCAA and ECBC approved. At a glance, the Moccamaster KBT might look complicated, but it’s actually one of the best coffee makers designed for convenience and ease of use.
Cuisinart DCC-2650 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
The Cuisinart DCC-2650 has a pot that holds enough coffee for 12 cups. It features an ergonomic handle, knuckle guard and dripless spout. With 24-hour programmability, it runs automatically, and it even has a feature for self-cleaning.
It has a special setting for one to four cups and can shutoff automatically. The carafe temperature can be controlled, and you can choose from high, medium and low settings.
With a convenient pause feature, the Cuisinart DCC-2650 allows you to grab a cup of coffee before the pot is finished brewing. It comes with a Gold tone commercial filter and uses a charcoal water filter to remove impurities. For a basic pot of coffee, this might be a great coffee maker for you.
Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Brewer 49980A
The Hamilton Beach 49980A gives you two different ways to brew, and you can choose from one or 12-cup settings. This machine isn’t compatible with K cups and uses a standard water reservoir.
The brew basket comes with a mesh filter, and it can hold pre-packaged soft pods or ground coffee. To hold soft pods, the pod holder must be snapped onto the brew basket. For consumers who’re picky about how they like their coffee, the Hamilton Beach 49980A offers a brew strength selector.
You can choose between regular and bold flavors. It has a simple control panel and allows you to program your preferred brew time 24 hours in advance.
Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker, Stainless Steel 46201
The Hamilton Beach 46201 features a simple design and offers easy filling. It has a few different brewing options and can brew between one to four cups of coffee.
It has a programmable clock and automatically shuts off after two hours. The swing-out brew basket has a release button and makes filling quick and easy. The base of the machine is equipped with wheels, makes accessing the water reservoir much easier.
This is one of the best coffee makers in our list for affordability and producing consistent flavor. It can brew enough coffee for a large group, or it can be set to brew enough for a single person. It features a simple, attractive style and doesn’t take long to clean.
BUNN BT Velocity Brew 10-Cup Thermal Carafe Home Coffee Brewer Black
The BUNN BT Velocity coffee maker can brew between four to 10 cups, and the brew cycle takes about three minutes to complete. The thermal carafe is vacuum insulated and keeps coffee warm for up to two hours.
With a unique spray head, it extracts all the flavor from the coffee grounds. The internal water tank is made of stainless steel and keeps water heated to an optimal temperature, which is around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Since the carafe has a double wall, it’s very durable and can be washed in a standard dishwasher. This home coffee maker can brew up to 10 cups of coffee within 10 minutes, and to quickly heat water in the internal reservoir, it uses an 800-watt heater.
KitchenAid KCM1204OB 12-Cup Coffee Maker
The KitchenAid KCM1204OB features 24-hour programmability and simple operation. It offers variable brew strength and allows you to choose your desired flavor.
It has a small batch brew mode, so you can choose a smaller portion size. Since it has a convenient pause feature, you can stop the brew cycle and grab a cup. Most people don’t know that this coffee maker is inspired by the iconic stand mixer from KitchenAid.
The KitchenAid KCM1204OB simplifies coffee brewing with one-touch operation, so it’s one of the best coffee makers for people who’re always in a rush.
Ninja Coffee Bar Thermal Carafe System CF097
If you’re looking for something a bit more complex, the Ninja Coffee CF097 is worth considering. It features a single-serve setting and doesn’t require pods. It can be used to make hot and iced coffee drinks, and it offers a variety of custom brewing options.
You can choose between Over Ice, Rich and Classic. There are also several speciality brewing options. If you’re a big fan of froth, then you’ll love the built-in frother. The best coffee makers need a good frother, and this doesn’t let you down.
Keurig K55 Coffee Maker Black
The Keurig K55 is a top product, and it satisfies the needs of most K-cup lovers. It can brew many flavors in six, eight and 10-ounce sizes.
It has a water reservoir that can hold up to 48 ounces, and you can brew several cups before you must refill the reservoir. The Keurig K55 offers the simplicity of one-touch operation and can be programmed to shut off automatically.
KRUPS KM9008 Cup on Request Programmable Coffee Maker
If consistency is very important to you, then the KRUPS KM9008 might be a great machine for you. It can be programmed for large and small cup sizes, and it features precise warming technology.
Its removable water tank is large enough to hold enough coffee for 12 cups and features immediate flow stop. The drip tray can be adjusted to three different positions and accommodates most travel mugs and cup sizes. With a 1,100-watt heating element, the KRUPS KM9008 brews quickly and efficiently. This machine for sheer capacity and quality easily secures it’s place on our list of the best coffee makers.
What to Look for When Buying The Best Coffee Makers
When shopping for the best coffee makers, it’s important to consider the capacity. There are some smaller models that make enough for four cups, but many modern coffee makers can brew up to 12 cups in a single batch.
Fortunately, many of the larger models have options that allow you to brew a smaller amount. Before you make a purchase, consider the programming features. Some of the latest coffee makers can be set to brew at a certain time of the day, which can be a very convenient feature to have.
If you’re someone who loves to have a cup of coffee ready when you wake up in the morning, then you’ll enjoy this programing feature.
There are also many basic models that don’t come with many programming options, and with a basic design, they’re designed to brew a cup of coffee as quickly as possible. Some other features to look for are automatic shutoff and pause brew.
If your mornings are frantic, and you tend to forget things, then the best coffee makers for you would be one with an automatic shutoff feature. A pause feature is also useful because it allows you to grab whatever coffee has brewed and pause the cycle.
Before deciding on a specific product, find out if it has a water filter. Many of the latest coffee makers come with a carbon water filter, but you always have the option of using filtered water.
Types of Coffee Makers
The experience that you receive depends on your coffee maker. When shopping for these products, you’ll notice that there are four major types. One of the top choices is the drip coffee maker.
Most people own an automatic drip coffee maker, and it’s defined by the automatic process that drips boiling water over the coffee grounds. If someone tells you they’re going to make a pot of coffee, there is a good chance that they’ll use a drip coffee maker.
The basic design is one of the major advantages of this type of product. Since most people are familiar with the design, they’ll find this coffee maker very easy to use. To use a drip coffee maker, you must load up a coffee filter with your favorite grounds and place it into the designated chamber.
Next, add some water and hit the brew button. You’ll find drip coffee makers in most break room, restaurants and homes. They’re very easy to use, convenient and flexible, but they’re almost always designed for basic coffee.
Single-Serve Coffee Makers
Many consumers are in love with these products because they’re designed to use k-cups or pods. Since you can purchase pods in a variety of different flavors, you can find the perfect flavor for your taste preferences.
To use a single-serve machine, you must choose your favorite pod and drop it into the machine. Although drip coffee makers are convenient, many consumers would argue that single-serve models offer an even greater level of convenience.
If you can’t stand dealing with messy coffee grounds and want a clean cup of coffee, a single-serve model might be the best choice for you. These products are very easy to use and require minimal cleaning. They’re also very affordable and can be used with a variety of different coffee pods.
If you’re someone who prefers to drink a single cup of coffee, and you don’t want to make an entire pot, then a single-serve coffee maker might be the best choice for you. These machines are ideal for the office or home, and they can even be used for tea.
French Press
The French press, also known as a cafetiere is another popular type of coffee maker, and if you’re looking for a low-tech product, this type of product won’t disappoint.
To use it, you must fill it with the coffee grounds that you’d like to use. Next, you add boiling water and press the lid, which forces the grounds to the bottom.
A French press coffee maker is one of the cheapest products that you can purchase, and it can be used in any home. Since it doesn’t use any electricity, it’s very affordable, and you don’t have to load it with filters.
However, due to the basic design, the coffee from a French press doesn’t always taste amazing, and you might end up with some grounds floating around in your cup of coffee. If this sounds like an experience that you’d enjoy, then consider getting a French press.
Espresso Makers
The fourth major type of coffee maker is the espresso machine. You can think of espresso machines as the sports cars within the coffee world, and if coffee experimentation is very important to you, then an espresso machine should be very rewarding.
A typical espresso machine is likely to cost quite a bit more money than the other types of coffee makers, but once you’ve used one, you might find it difficult to go back to a basic model.
Espresso machines produce smaller amounts of coffee, which are stronger and have more taste. The shot of coffee from an espresso machine is quite small, but the lack of quantity is compensated by an increase in potency.
If you own an espresso machine, you can make lattes, macchiattos and cappuccinos. Espresso machines are known for producing the best coffee drinks, and they allow you to make many of the popular drinks that you can buy from the local coffee shop. They’re also easy to use and look great on most kitchen countertops.
Quantity and Convenience
When shopping for a coffee maker, consider the number of occupants within your house. If five people in your home drink coffee, then a single-serve product might not be the best choice. A coffee maker that brews an entire pot of coffee might be the better choice for a house full of people. Machines with all the bells and whistles are not always the best coffee makers. Sometime simple can be much better.
If convenience is very important to you, then you might want to avoid complicated machines. After waking up in the morning, a lot of people prefer to pour water and press a button to brew their coffee. A complicated espresso machine isn’t the best choice for consumers who want maximum convenience.
It’s important to purchase the best coffee makers that brew coffee the way that you like it. If you prefer basic coffee, then avoid getting an espresso machine. However, if you’re very picky and drink only the best coffee, then consider spending more money to get a high-quality machine.
Before you make a purchase, decide if you like steamed milk in your coffee. Some coffee makers have a steamer, which allows you to make the types of drinks that you can get from the local coffee shop.
Some of the top brands for coffee makers are Bunn, DeLonghi, Gaggia, Jura-Capresso and Keurig. If you’re looking for standard drip machines or espresso makers, DeLonghi is a top brand. When it comes to single-serve machines, Keurig is the most well-known brand.
Krups is a brand that sells drip coffee makers, but they also offer a few espresso machines.
Getting The Right Grind For Your Coffee Maker
If you are interested in a pod or cartridge, single serve coffee maker then this wont concern you too much. However, if you are interested in a French Press, Filter or Espresso coffee maker, then you need to know the right grind for your beans.
Whole Bean
To get the best from your coffee maker, you need to know your beans. We won’t go into the difference between Arabica and Robusta beans here, other than Arabica are a higher grade. The main thing you really need to know, is that the best coffee will always come from whole beans. The reason for this, is that once beans are ground into fine granules, all the moisture and oils that are trapped within are released and the granules start to dry out. As that happens, there is also an impact on the flavour. Now this isn’t something that will be a problem for most coffee lovers, but for real connoisseurs the difference is significant. So you should always buy beans whole and grind them fresh for every pot.
That is why the best coffee shops always grind fresh beans. Some of the best coffee makers come with a compartment for grinding beans but some don’t. If your choice falls into the latter, you should consider buying a coffee grinder to get the best from your coffee maker. There is no point investing in one of the best coffee makers if you are going to half ass it with the beans.
Course Grind
Depending on the type of coffee you are making, you will either want a course or a fine grind. For French Press or filter coffee makers, the grind should be course, like sugar. As the water is essentially allowed to brew or drip through this type of machine, a course grind is recommended. A course grind will provide ample taste and prevent too much bitterness. It will also prevent much of the debris that can find its way to your cup with a fine grind.
Fine Grind
A fine grind will give you maximum punch, flavour and strength. For Espresso makers, or any coffee maker that applies pressure to force hot water through coffee in a container that has very small filter holes, then a fine grind is for you. This is the type of grind you get from professional baristas and coffee houses, where they use professional pressurised coffee makers. Fortunately, some of the best coffee makers for the home are up to the same quality of job. But only if you get the grind right and get the beans as finely ground as you can.
We hope this guide has shed some light not only on what are the best coffee makers out there in the market, but on how to prepare the best cup for you from the machines available. The best coffee is an art. It is more that choosing the right machine, the right beans and the right grind. It can only be achieved by respecting each and all of these things in unison. But with this guide and one fantastic coffee maker, you will taste the difference in no time.
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