Endless studies and debates have emerged ever since coffee was introduced to world. No one could produce a definitive answer about whether or not coffee is good (or bad) for one’s health, but one thing is for certain—millions of people around the world depend on coffee to help them get through the day.
Along with the rise of coffee’s popularity came the innovations on how to further enhance the drink’s flavor by combining with various other ingredients, and using different methods. These days, specialty coffee drinks can now be brewed in the comforts of home, thanks to numerous coffee makers that permeated the market.
How to Choose the Best Coffee Maker
Some people prefer their coffee simple, while some acquired a taste for the more complex preparations. Hence, the only essential thing to determine when shopping around for a coffee machine is whether or not a trouble-free filter machine is needed, or one that can brew drinks rivaling those found in coffee shops. Or perhaps something in between. Whichever the case, the chosen coffee machine should match the lifestyle and the amount of effort willing to be put into brewing a cup of coffee.
A filter coffee maker, or sometimes called drip coffee maker, is perhaps the first coffee machine that became popular owing to the simplicity and ease of use. Great for people on the go and those who don’t want all the fuss, all it takes to make the coffee drink is measure out ground coffee and place in the filter basket, add water into the compartment, turn on the machine, and just wait for the coffee for brew.
Another simple one to use are bean-to-cup coffee makers that grind and pour coffee automatically. This is a good choice for those who want to grind their own beans to produce their own fresh coffee. Capsule or single-serve coffee makers are recently enjoying a steady rise in popularity due to the ease in creating that perfect cup of espresso at home. Although brewing would cost more per coffee, they are extremely simple to use and barely make any mess. Coffee comes from pre-packaged capsules that are popped into the machine, and perfect espresso will be made in no time at all.
For those who have the time or just want to have a taste of barista coffee at home, manual and automatic espresso coffee makers are the way to go. Countless coffee preparation options are available, and fresh, rich coffee is produced everytime.
Here now is a list of the best of the best among coffee machines out on the shelves today.
Best Filter Coffee Maker – Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
Everyone is all praises for this humble filter coffee machine that can easily perk anyone up with a cup of strong coffee at the touch of a button. Coffee stays at the optimal temperature of 195-200 degrees for hours, thanks to its 1500W heater. It also has an optional pre-infusion mode that basically allows degassing by wetting freshly ground coffee, creating better tasting coffee. The large showerhead, together with the flat-bottomed filter basket, makes saturation uniform. A stainless steel-lined thermal carafe comes with this machine, making sure coffee stays warm longer.
Pros:
- very simple to use
- optimal coffee temperature is maintained for hours
- large shower head
Cons:
- no button programmability
- hard to pour coffee out of carafe
- not too durable
Best Bean-to-Cup Coffee Maker – DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica
DeLonghi ESAM3300 is a winner just by its looks alone. This bean-to-cup coffee maker is chic yet durable. It is also quite compact, making it easy to fit in even small kitchens. There is the option of controlling the desired fineness of coffee beans using a high-quality burr grinder, so the desired brew is achieved everytime.
The double boiler system makes it possible to make cappuccino even as soon as another espresso is done brewing. This feature is perfect for entertaining guests at home. The tank capacity is about 7.5 cups, so there won’t be a shortage of coffee anytime soon.
Operation of the DeLonghi coffee maker is straightforward thanks to the programmable controls. Included in the options are controls for the cappuccino system, along with the adjustments for coffee, water, and milk.
Pros:
- easy to use
- no waiting between cups
- compact design
Cons:
- grinder has a tendency to be loud
- hard to repair
- pricey
Best Capsule Coffee Maker – Keurig 2.0 K250 Brewing System
The K250 is equipped with a touch screen that makes brewing easier than ever. Coffee drinkers are given control over the strength of the brew and the temperature, making it effortless to brew different beverages. There are three different pods sizes that produce a min of 4 oz. to a maximum of 30 oz. brewed coffee. Coffee flavors come in thousands, so users will never run out of new flavors to try.
Brewing takes no time at all with K250. It would take a maximum of only 120 seconds to enjoy that perfect cup of coffee. If that’s not enough, brewing is always optimized according to the pod inserted. Other beverages like tea or hot chocolate will always taste superb. Perfect for people who occasionally want to enjoy non-coffee beverages.
Pros:
- operation is trouble-free
- can brew hot chocolate and tea
- thousands of flavors to choose from
Cons:
- water reservoir is limited at 40 oz.
- machine only allows K-cup brands
- needs constant cleaning
Best Manual Espresso Coffee Maker – Breville BES870XL Barista Express
This powerhouse is the ultimate in espresso machine for homes. Breville BES870XL has a solid, top-class build that can last for years to come, and has all the features an avid coffee-lover could ask for in an espresso machine.
Consistent brews are made each time with its stainless steel burr grinder, and easy-to-use frother and pannarello wand. Multiple settings are available, allowing the user to control the coarseness of the grind.
The Breville BES870XL is also easy to clean and even includes a storage compartment to stow away cleaning tools.
Pros:
- suitable for beginners and experts alike
- easy to experiment with various coffee preparations
- grinder is top-quality
Cons:
- top and bottom of the machine are made of plastic
- pricey
- regular cleaning and descaling is needed
Best Automatic Espresso Coffee Maker – DeLonghi ESAM3500.N Magnifica
DeLonghi ESAM3500 uses two separate boilers for brewing and steaming, effectively eliminating the wait time between the two processes. Multiple cups can be brewed in no time at all, making it a breeze to entertain family or friends. The brew strength can be set from extra mild to extra strong, making it sure everybody will enjoy their perfect cup of coffee.
This coffee maker also makes it possible to warm the cups put on top, offering something which other coffee machines don’t have. Warm cups make drinking coffee even more enjoyable, especially in cooler weather. DeLonghi also boasts of its own compact brew group which makes it possible to brew espressos with a rich crema on top.
Of course, DeLonghi ESAM3500 has made it even more convenient to brew cappuccinos and lattes with its separate lids for milk. The milk will automatically poured to the cup, depending on the setting for cappuccino or latte. This, and more, can all be done with just a press of a button.
Pros:
- separate broilers dedicated to brewing and steaming
- separate lids for frothing and steaming
- coffee can be set to brew at a specific time
Cons:
- housing is plastic
- drip tray is not too durable
- parts replacement may take time
Best French Press Coffee Maker
The Kona French Press has a unique design which immediately sets it apart from other French presses. This coffee maker is very durable as it is made of borosilicate glass, and added to that is the distinctive design that actually doubles as a wrap-around protection for the glass.
This coffee maker is designed in such a way that no plastic will ever come into contact with the coffee or tea while steeping. The French screen also has a tighter fit with this unit compared with other brands, ensuring that tea leaves and coffee grounds will stay out of the brew.
Pros:
- stylish yet durable design
- grounds are not mixed into the brew
- value for money
Cons:
- lid is flimsy
- knob attached to the steel rod may get unscrewed
- glass is thin
The SterlingPro French Press is another French press that has been highly rated by users. The glass is sturdy, and the double-layered screen also prevents grounds from reaching the coffee—an significant advantage over other presses. A total of 8 delicious cups of brew may be made at a time, although this quantity varies with the cup that will be used. The borosilicate glass will be able to withstand high temperatures, but care should still be taken when cleaning the glass carafe.
Pros:
- has double-screen design
- up to 1L capacity
- easy to clean
Cons:
- center bar has a tendency to wiggle
- glass carafe can be difficult to remove
- plastic on the lid can get loose
Best Travel French Press Coffee Maker – Bodum Stainless-Steel
The Bodum Stainless-Steel Travel French Press Mug is perfect for taking out that delicious, fresh French press coffee on the road or on a morning jog. All it takes is to scoop some ground coffee into the mug, pour some hot water, close the lid, and done! And because the mug is made from steel, it may also be used to hold cold drinks. The silicone grip even comes in different colors, making the mug very stylish and trendy.
Pros:
- stainless steel is durable
- heat is retained well
- rubber grip comes in different colors
Cons:
- pricy
- has a tendency to leak
- plastic taste during first few uses
Best High-End French Press Coffee Maker – Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel
The Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press undeniably looks gorgeous with its steel body and sleek curves. Although a bit pricey compared with others in its category, build is long lasting and even has a 5-year warranty.
The double-layer wall serves as insulator, keeping coffee hot for a longer time compared to glass French presses, and preventing the heat from reaching the hands. Filtering is achieved with a metal and a fine mesh filter, preventing grounds from reaching the brew.
Pros:
- elegant design
- long warranty
- makes good coffee
Cons:
- lid can accumulate water
- hard to clean
- water can escape from the spout when plunger is set
Best Iced Coffee Maker – Toddy T2N Cold Brew System
Toddy is a pioneer in manufacturing iced coffee brewers for home use. This coffee maker has all the great qualities that made Toddy iced coffee brewers a household name. Although mainly made from plastic, the Toddy T2N Brew System is very durable and is even fitted with a reusable filter. The iced coffee that comes out tastes smooth and silky, without that strong acidic taste. It is also worth mentioning that the Toddy T2N can also be used to make hot coffee and tea. The design is also beautiful, making it a nice addition to anyone’s kitchen.
Pros:
- affordable
- easy to assemble
- drinks are strong yet smooth
Cons:
- practice is needed to perfect the brew
- height can be too tall for some kitchens
- cannot be used with refill paper filters
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