Updated on Sep. 17, 2024
Whether it's through firsthand testing, extensive research and/or rave online reviews, these models are confirmed to be the best coffee maker for every category of brewing method.
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As new products hit the market and different brewing methods become popularized, it can feel like keeping up with the Joneses when it comes to your cup of joe. But we say, you do you while you brew.
Maybe you’re digging on drip coffee or you’re still hot on pods or you’re partial to pour-over. Regardless, we’ve compiled and, in some cases, tested the best coffee maker in every category (yes, that includes iced and cold brew). So now you can enjoy java just the way you like—and make sure it’s done right.
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Don’t sleep on drip coffee! This straightforward method of brewing is commonplace for a reason, and you’ll want to have a coffee maker that does the daily job well.
Our favorite programmable coffee maker is budget-friendly and basic in the best way. It boasts all the functions coffee fans have come to expect, but skips the sometimes confusing features of other over-the-top machines. Plus, it’s attractive. One of our Test Kitchen experts, Maggie Knoebel, who tested this appliance, compared it to a “well-made German car.”
Two other main perks: Users can adjust the brew strength and the temperature of the warming plate. See more of our favorite drip coffee makers in categories such as compact, high-end and versatile.
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If you’re always on the go or simply live solo, consider a single-serve coffee maker or Keurig coffee maker. The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew is our model of choice, mostly because of its versatility—you can use this machine with or without pods. Who knew?! Brewing up to 14 ounces, it comes with a pod holder and grounds basket, making the affordable price feel totally reasonable. (Psst! We love this other Hamilton Beach single-serve coffee product, too.)
Coffee makers are famously finicky to clean, but not this one! The built-in pod-piercing needle is easy to remove, and therefore, easy to sanitize. The dispensing port fits all sizes of mugs while the overall blueprint of the machine manages to remain remarkably compact. And it’s speedy, too! Your brew is ready to sip in just three minutes.
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This all-in-one gadget helps you rise and grind—literally. Our top contender in the underutilized, ultra-convenient category of coffee makers with built-in grinders, this Cuisinart machine is ideal for busy households or large families. Prepared grounds transfer directly into the brew basket with no extra steps by the user, and the auto-rinse feature ensures that no grounds are left behind.
When the appliance is in need of a refill, you’ll know right away because the bean hopper is clear and located prominently on top. The bean hopper, which holds a half-pound of beans, is sealed with a lid to maintain freshness. And the insulated stainless steel thermal carafe keeps coffee warm for leisurely mornings or staggered pours.
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Multiple members of our team (myself included!) swear by this simple plastic device, as do nearly 13,000 five-star reviewers on Amazon. (Read our full review.) Although it feels a bit too rudimentary to truly be considered a “coffee maker,” you won’t care what category it falls into once you taste how crisp and delicious your coffee is.
Both setting it up and using it are insanely easy: Simply fill the appropriate chambers with water, then stow in your freezer for at least 12 hours. Once you’ve brewed your coffee via the preferred method, pour it into the top of the HyperChiller, swirl the liquid around for 60 to 90 seconds, then pour into a glass and enjoy. It’s inexpensive and effective, and leaves you with an undiluted, unparalleled final product. Plus, you can chill liquor, wine, tea and more in it, as well.
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Unlike iced coffee, cold brew is coffee that has been steeped at a cool temperature for at least 12 to 24 hours, meaning it’s highly concentrated. And the Oxo cold brew coffee maker has perfected this method.
The attractive, modern-looking machine mimics the drip coffee maker model. The grounds and water brew up top and can then be drained down into a removable carafe with a 32-ounce capacity. The filtration of the concentrate into the carafe is controlled by an easy-to-use button. Plus, can we talk about how sleek and sophisticated said carafe is? It’ll look so nice on your brunch table.
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Just say “oui” to this Bodom French press coffee maker! Competing with pour-over as the easiest coffee-brewing method, French press involves pouring properly ground coffee beans into the maker, filling the receptacle with water, then literally pressing the grounds down with a “plunger,” which is outfitted with a mesh filter.
Although this method is simple, it’s performed by hand, so you don’t want to skimp on your tools—and the Bodom Chambord model delivers. It comes in three sizes—12-ounce, 34-ounce and 51-ounce—and five finishes. Plus, the plunger is proven to prevent grounds from escaping into the coffee. The nifty tool takes four minutes to make a cup of coffee you can feel good about (this method is particularly eco-friendly, due to the lack of paper and plastic products required).
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Although it looks better suited for a science lab than your kitchen, the Chemex can be found on just about every aspiring barista’s wishlist. And thankfully, acing a pour-over cup of coffee is much easier than those high school chemistry assignments.
Chemex makes it simple: Fill a filter on top with grounds, then pour over water (preferably with a gooseneck kettle) so it can drip through to create coffee in the lower portion. If desired, cover and keep the full Chemex bottle in the refrigerator to reheat the coffee later with first-day-fresh results.
Chemex offers models with various bottleneck sizes. A smaller one drains slower, so the coffee is stronger, and vice versa. Plus, the wooden collar and rawhide bow give the plain glass bottle a finished look.
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Espresso makers are the upper echelon of coffee makers, and leading the charge of that rank is the Breville Bambino Plus.
The appliance, which comes in four colors, is small but mighty—it fits nicely under most cabinets with room to spare. Put this baby (hey, it’s literally called “bambino!”) to work by making the most of its myriad features and accessories: hands-free milk frothing function, adjustable brewing, foam and temperature functions, tamper, filters, milk pitcher, and steam wand attachment and cleaner.
The quality of the machine’s bells and whistles are backed up by the primo cup of espresso that it produces (see our full review). Mark Neufang, one of our Test Kitchen experts, tested this machine and remarks, “It makes a full-bodied, dark, beautiful espresso.” What more could you want? Well, maybe to enjoy espresso on the go, which you can do with the Minipresso.
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Style and substance join forces in the Grosche stovetop espresso maker that has an average of 4.5 out of five stars and nearly 20,000 reviews on Amazon. The method of making coffee over the stovetop or fire with a percolator might be old-school, but the appearance of this moka pot is anything but. Choose from nine color options and three sizes to use on your gas or electric range.
The heat-resistant knob and handle make you feel protected as you’re pouring your Italian moka coffee, and the safety valve that prevents the internal pressure from increasing to a dangerous point makes you feel protected as you’re prepping it. This humble coffee-bar accessory produces impressively bold espresso that’s as easy to make as it is to enjoy.
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
“Better” is subjective, but there are a few places to start. First, it really all comes back to the beans. These widely available coffee brands are our Test Kitchen’s favorites, but take the time to sip coffee from local, small-batch roasters around you to find your true perfect match. Then, be sure you’re employing your preferred brewing method by carefully considering those outlined above. Lastly, rid yourself of the notion that “real” fans of coffee drink it black and black only. If you like coffee creamers and flavored syrups, lean in and experiment. Also, a little frothed milk makes even the most basic cups of coffee feel fancy.
To learn how to clean your coffee maker, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your specific machine. Some components might be dishwasher safe while others will require hand-washing and others yet, a simple wipe-down. The most important thing to confirm is that you’re cleaning all the parts appropriately and not just, say, the coffee pot. For example, for a drip coffee maker, you need to consistently clean the exterior and the brew basket, in addition to the carafe.
The descaling process (i.e., the process that removes mineral buildup caused by hard water) is going to differ from machine type to machine type. But here’s how to descale a standard drip coffee maker, including single-serve ones or those with grinders. First, make a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water, then pour it into the coffee maker’s water chamber as though you’re making a standard full pot of coffee (leave the basket for grounds empty). Run a brew cycle, then rinse the carafe and dispose of the vinegar solution. To complete the process, run a couple more water-only cycles.
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