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Best coffee makers 2024: tested by a barista

Find the best coffee makers which can master effortless espressos to gourmet pours. These are our barista and expert testers' top picks.

One of the best coffee makers, the KitchenAid Drip coffee maker
(Image credit: Walmart)
Best coffee makers 2024: Jump Menu

De'Longhi All-In-One Coffee Maker on a countertop

(Image credit: Best Buy)

1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: OXO Brew 8 Cup
3. Best drip: Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select
4. Best for beginners: KitchenAid Drip Coffee
5. Best value: De'Longhi All In One
6. Best automatic: Philips 3200 Series
7. Best French press: Espro P7
8. Best espresso machine: Breville Bambino Plus
9. Best range of coffees: De'Longhi Eletta Explore
10. Best programmable: Breville Precision
11. Best single serve: Cuisinart Grind and Brew
12. Best cold brew: OXO Good Grips
13. Best iced coffee: Ninja Dual Brew
14. Best moka pot: Bialetti Classic
15. Just missed the list
16. How we test
17. How to choose

There are just two factors which will ensure you’re brewing cafe-quality coffee at home: owning one of the best coffee makers and using good beans. The beans are easy to shop, but the machines can be a little trickier. 

That's because there's a huge range of options on the market, and they all promise you the world. Some of them deliver a better cup of coffee than you'll find in a café. Others will make little more than hot bean water. Luckily for you, I’ve tested dozens of coffee makers. From French presses to bean-to-cup machines, you name it, I've brewed in it.

As a former barista, I’ve had years of experience in the industry, and know first-hand the technicalities behind what makes the best coffee maker. In the past eight months alone, I’ve worked my way through testing more than fifty of the best coffee makers on the market. I’ve tasted the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the bitter, so that I can filter out the very best that the market has to offer you. 

If you're looking for an artisanal approach to your coffee, I've covered the best pour-overs and French presses. However, if you want quicker coffee which is still delicious, our team have tested the best drip coffee makers, bean-to-cup machines as well as the best single serve coffee makers on the market.

The quick list

Here's a quick tour of our tried-and-tested favorites. We'll give you the headlines here and if you want to know more, we have detailed reviews further down the page.

The best coffee makers 2024

You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best coffee maker overall

1. OXO 8 Cup Coffee Maker

Capable, compact and top-quality - perfect for drip coffee drinkers

Specifications

Coffee Type: Drip
Dimensions: 13.5" x 10.5" x 7"
Cups: 8
Warranty: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
Brew a single cup or a full carafe
+
BetterBrew precision brewing meets SCA Golden Cup Standard requirements
+
Simple to use

Reasons to avoid

-
The water tank isn't removable
-
Not programmable
Buy it if

✅ You love drip coffee: this makes the best drip coffee out of all our tests It's faultless.

✅ You live in a large household: whilst this can brew a single cup of coffee, it can also make up to eight servings, perfect for busy homes 

✅ Simplicity is your priority: this isn't complex to use, so if you're after a straightforward machine, look no further

Don't buy it if:

❌ Customization is important: there are no programmable features, so you will have to manually adjust coffee strength

❌ You like milky coffees: this is a specialist in drip coffee, but can't manage anything else. If you need variety, there are plenty of other options

❌ You need easy cleaning: the water tank isn't removable, so when you're doing a deep clean, you'll struggle

The bottom line

🔎 OXO 8 Cup Coffee Maker: quality and simplicity are at the heart of this drip coffee maker. It's the best on the market and doesn't come with a huge price tag, and it meets the Golden Cup Standard for coffee

With its 8-cup coffee maker, OXO forgoes complicated settings, and instead focuses solely on the coffee. It still is one of a handful of home coffee makers that meet the Specialty Coffee Association's Golden Cup Standard and can brew a whole pot in less than six minutes. 

The brewing process is extraordinarily simple. Just indicate brew size and power on, and you'll have one of the best cups of drip coffee you've ever tasted. And if you want just a single cup, OXO incorporates an attachment that makes it simple to make single-serve coffee without pods. Once brewing is complete, OXO nixes the hot plate for a leak-proof double-wall, vacuum-insulated thermal carafe that keeps your coffee's temperature for hours. 

However, unlike other drip coffee makers, the OXO isn't programmable or customizable, so you'll have to manually adjust your coffee strength and keep an eye on the machine. The water tank isn't removable either, so it's tricky to clean. Finally, it's worth bearing in mind that this is just a drip coffee coffee maker. It's delicious, but can only make one style of coffee, so you need to look elsewhere for espressos and flat whites. 

There's more detail in our full OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorThis is the fullest flavored drip coffee we've tasted★★★★★
ValueReasonably priced, especially for the quality★★★★★
RangeOnly variety is amount of coffee, not coffee type★★
CleaningA fixed water tank makes it really hard to deep clean★★

The best drip coffee maker

Style and substance, this is an incredibly durable drip coffee maker

Specifications

Coffee type: Drip coffee
Dimensions: 6.5 x 12.75 x 14 inches
No. of cups: 10
Warranty: 5 years

Reasons to buy

+
Very quiet
+
Built to last
+
Easy to use 
+
Brews very fast

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacking in extra features
-
Simple design for an expensive machine
Buy it if

✅ Quality really matters: this is more expensive than some models, but worth it. Expertly designed, it feels incredibly premium

✅ You drink drip coffee: this only makes drip coffee, but it makes a delicate, full-bodied brew every single time

✅ Speedy brewing is essential: this was one of the fastest brewing drip coffee makers that we tested, so if you're often in a hurry, you'll love this

Don't buy it if:

❌ You like extras: this doesn't come with all the bells and whistles, the machine is pared-back and simple

❌ You need simplicity: this has a very particular method of brewing, which takes some getting used to

❌ You're on a budget: this is expensive, so if you're looking for cheap and cheerful, look for other options (we have some suggestions)

The bottom line

🔎 Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select: the balance of outstanding aesthetics and exceptional performance, our testers said that this was 'unparallelled'. It can brew up to six cups of delicious drip coffee at once

This Dutch-made coffee maker is certainly easy on the eyes, with a large and striking build that puts function first. It's available in a selection of colors though, so you will be able to fit it into any kitchen design you wish. You'll find this coffee maker in our guide to the best drip coffee makers, where we noted that it's as close as you'll get to a pour-over coffee from a home machine.

The Moccamaster has a cone-shaped coffee filter to allow a full flavor profile to develop when you brew. It has a shower-style pour-over design that automatically works, and takes only a minute to come to the right temperature. This uses copper brewing technology to reach 196-205°F, the ideal temperature range for the full extraction of ground coffee. In our tests, we found that the entire process took around four minutes, and was whisper-quiet throughout. 

Just like the OXO above, as a drip coffee maker it can only make one style of coffee. Unlike the OXO, this machine has pretty basic functions for the price, making it feel quite expensive. However, what it lacks in a multitude of extra features, it more-than makes up for with smooth and speedy brewing, and a quality design that is backed by a five year warranty. 

There's more detail in our Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorSo good, it tastes like pour-over★★★★★
ValueAlthough this is expensive, it's made to last★★★★
RangeThe only variation is how much coffee it can make★★
CleaningEasy to clean, but needs to be hand washed★★★★

The best coffee maker for beginners

3. KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker

Look no further for flawless filter coffee

Specifications

Coffee Type: Drip
Dimensions: 14.3 x 7.1 x 13.4 inches
Cups: 12 cups (57.5 fl oz)

Reasons to buy

+
Makes delicious coffee
+
Easy to use
+
Keeps coffee warm for hours
+
Thoughtfully designed

Reasons to avoid

-
Small cup measurement
-
Large footprint
-
Slower brewing
Buy it if

✅ You love drip coffee: this makes some of the best we've tested
✅ You live in a large household: this can cater for up to ten people
✅ Simplicity is your priority: this is easy to use without being overly basic

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need speed: this is slightly slower than average
❌ You want small servings: this is better suited to batch brewing
❌ You're short on space: this demands a lot of countertop real estate

The bottom line

🔎 KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker: this is one of the best drip coffee makers we've tested. It's simple to use and makes delicious coffee. You'll need to clear some space on your countertops for it though.

If you've ever heard people say 'less is more', this machine in mind is the perfect example. KitchenAid's simple drip coffee maker is easy to use, but can deliver coffee flavors which surprised both me (a former barista) and our other coffee experts (including one who said 'I don't even really like filter coffee'). None of us could stop drinking this. We finished a whole carafe. With that kind of evidence, I can't over-stress how universally this appeals. 

If you're impressed, but think that the 'best drip coffee maker for beginners' sounds a little too basic for your coffee tastes, don't worry. KitchenAid uses a technical shower head, which evenly saturates coffee grounds, and offers plenty of adjustable settings, as well as a really effective hot plate. I consider myself to be a bit of a coffee snob and yet I was delighted with the KitchenAid. It made some of the smoothest, lightest coffee that I’ve ever had. 

I’m not often lost for words when it comes to criticism and I don’t want this to sound like a KitchenAid advert, but there’s very little not to like. The most I can sum up is that this has a large footprint, so if you’re short on countertop space, you might struggle to fit it into your kitchen. It also counts 5 oz as a cup of coffee, so, although this says it's a twelve cup machine, it's more like a 10 cup option. Aside from these, very small, criticisms, I think anyone would love to own one of these. 

There's more detail in our full KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorThis is the fullest flavored drip coffee we've tasted★★★★★
ValueReasonably priced, especially for the quality★★★★★
RangeOnly variety is amount of coffee, not coffee type★★
CleaningVery low maintenance★★★★

The best coffee maker for value

Incredibly versatile at an excellent price, this can truly do it all

Specifications

Coffee type: Espresso, drip
Dimensions: 17.5in x 14in x 12.25in
Pressure: 15 bar
Warranty: 1 year

Reasons to buy

+
Variety of coffee and espresso options
+
Run both drip coffee and espresso maker at the same time
+
Superb value
+
Milk frothing wand

Reasons to avoid

-
Wider than a standard coffee machine
Buy it if

✅ Variety is important: this machine can make drip coffee, pod coffee, and frothy, milky drinks too

✅ Customization matters to you: this has a digital timer as well as personal profiles and pre-sets, so you can make the perfect, personal brew

✅ You need a warming feature: if you can't always drink coffee straight away, the warming feature will ensure your coffee is the perfect temperature, but not stale

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need a quiet machine: this can really make some noise when making espresso

❌ You don't already have a grinder: most machines have integrated grinders, but this doesn't. You'll have to buy one separately

❌ You want an easy clean: the gold tone filter is hard to clean, so much so that our experts recommend using filter paper instead

The bottom line

🔎 De'Longhi All in One Combination Coffee Maker: this will take you from filter coffee to espresso and back again. It's an expert multitasker and ultra-versatile, so it's a really convenient machine 

De'Longhi's All In One Combination Coffee Maker does exactly what it says. With attachments for filter coffee and a portafilter for barista-style shots, you can make a range of different coffees from one machine. 

Even better, you can accomplish both at the same time. You can also use the steam wand to froth milk too. Recent additions to the latest edition include a digital touchscreen control, a Bold brew setting, an updated front-loading water tank, and a spillproof glass carafe. We also found that the warming feature is effective, too.  It's excellent value, and both styles of coffee are genuinely delicious. It's not just a gimmick.

The trade-off for three machines in one is that this machine takes up a lot of countertop real estate. It is also pretty noisy when pulling shots of espresso, and unlike other espresso machines, doesn't have an integrated grinder. We also found that's pretty hard to clean the filter, and you're probably be better off using filter paper. However, all of that said, this is excellent value, and great choice for beginners who are just starting to explore their own coffee.

There's more information in our De’Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorMakes consistently delicious coffees★★★★
ValueFor three appliances in one, this is exceptional value★★★★★
RangeAs an espresso machine, this has incredible range★★★★★
CleaningTricky to clean and takes a lot of maintenance★★

The best automatic coffee maker

Fully-automatic, delicious coffee excellence at the touch of a button

Specifications

Coffee type: Espresso, Coffee, Hot Water, Cappuccino, Latte and Americanox
Dimensions: 9.6"W x 17"D x 14.6"H
Pressure: 15 bar
Warranty: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to clean
+
Fully automatic
+
Good size
+
Brilliant milk frother

Reasons to avoid

-
Noisy
Buy it if

✅ You want fuss-free coffee: the Philips 3200 can make five different coffees at the touch of a button; you won't need to lift a finger

✅ Frothy coffee is your favorite drink: the excellent LatteCrema system can texture tight, smooth milk, whether you're using dairy or plant-based alternatives

✅ You're willing to spend a little more: whilst this isn't super expensive, it's no budget option. It's great value if you'd use every feature 

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need silence: This can be a noisy machine when it gets grinding, so if you need to sneak coffee silently out in the mornings, avoid this machine

❌ You only like one type of coffee: You pay extra for the variety and quality of coffee here, but if you'll only drink espressos, you're wasting money. 

Big brews are your thing: When it comes to cup size, this tends to come up small compares to a standard measurement

The bottom line

🔎 Philips 3200 Series LatteGo: luxuriously automatic, this machine can make barista-quality brews at the touch of a button. The milk frother is incredibly useful and the range of coffee types are perfect for caffeine enthusiasts

If you're after some coffee luxury, at the touch of a button, this is your perfect match. The LatteGo is a truly premium coffee maker, with the ability to make effortless, automatic barista-worthy brews. 

On test, we found that our favorite feature is the LatteGo milk frothing system, which has markings to show you how much milk to add for different types of coffee and froths the milk perfectly. This results in totally fool-proof lattes and cappuccinos, so this machine is great if you want milk-based coffees. It can also handle milk alternatives. What's more, this cuts down on waste, and you can put it through the dishwasher to keep it perfectly clean. 

It's modern and understated, and while no bean-to-cup machine is small, this one is easy enough to store. It sits perfectly under cabinets with some extra clearance that makes it easy to top up on coffee beans. 

As with most bean to cup machines, this can get a little noisy when grinding. While this is relatively cheap by bean-to-cup standards, it's still very expensive. It's definitely overkill if you just want some coffee to wake you up in the morning, and also the portion sizes are a little small. 

There's more information in our Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine review

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorFresh and faultless on every coffee★★★★★
ValueReasonably priced for a versatile machine★★★★★
RangeGood range, but could have more options★★★★
CleaningAlmost self-sufficient, but will need some assiantance★★★★

The best coffee maker for French press

6. Espro P7 French Press

Excellent for smooth cups of coffee as well as cold brews

Specifications

Size: 18 oz., 32 oz.
Material: Stainless steel
Filter type: Double

Reasons to buy

+
Makes a killer cold brew
+
No risk of broken glass
+
Easy to use
+
Insulated design keeps coffee hot
+
Double filter minimizes graininess 

Reasons to avoid

-
Tight seal makes it more difficult to pull plunger out
-
Pricier than alternatives
Buy it if

✅ A smooth brew is your priority: thanks to two filter, the Espro makes the smoothest cup of coffee out of all our French press tests

✅ You need insulation: the stainless steel body is both shatterproof and an excellent insulator compared to standard glass

✅ You like cold brew: rather than having to buy a cold brew coffee maker, use this - it's excellent

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're on a budget: whilst this is the best French press, it's also the most expensive one we've tested

❌ You like seeing your coffee: although stainless steel is shatterproof, you loose the classic aesthetics with an opaque carafe

❌ You're not strong: the well-sealed plunger is tough to pull out when it comes to cleaning

The bottom line

🔎 Espro P7 French Press: holding top spot for French presses, this well-designed model is all you need for a perfect cup of coffee. It filters excellently and is the best French press for insulation too. 

For those all about exploring more traditional brewing methods, the Espro P7 makes a delicious cup of coffee, and is truly one of the most luxurious French presses you can buy. ESPRO's brewing system uses a two-stage filter with an extra tight seal that will leave you with a sip so smooth that you may have thought you're drinking pour-over. 

The brewing vessel is hefty, yet sturdy, with a handle that is comfortable to pour from, and a spout that doesn't dribble. The durable stainless steel body is shatterproof and can also keep beverages hot for longer periods of time compared to glass. That conductivity also means it can keep drinks cold, so this is also a smart option for making cold brew at home.

The tight seal is great for keeping your coffee well-filtered, but makes it difficult to pull the plunger out when you want to clean it. What's more, the metal body is a little spartan and less aesthetically pleasing than a glass carafe, because you can't watch your coffee brew. If you're a coffee obsessive, that means it's also harder to tell when to press the plunger. It's also more expensive than other French presses. However, compared to espresso machines, it's much more affordable.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorThis made the smoothest, most flavorful cup★★★★★
ValuePossibly the most expensive on the market★★★
RangeCan make cold brew as well as French press★★★
CleaningTricky to remove plunger for a deep clean★★★

The best espresso machine

7. Breville The Barista Pro

Incredibly technical and yet easy to use, this is ideal for aspiring baristas

Specifications

Type: Semi-Automatic
Dimensions: 12" x 12.25" x 14.5" inches
Weight: 27.6 lb.
Descaling Notification: Yes
Interface: Dial and button

Reasons to buy

+
Control grinding
+
Adjustable brew temperature
+
Steam wand swivels 360 degree
+
Storage tray for accessories

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Take up a lot of space
Buy it if

✅ Hands-on coffee is your thing: espresso machines are generally more hands-on than most other coffee makers. You need to tamp, lock, and pull your own shots

✅ You like luxury: this comes with every possible accessory you could dream of. You won't need to buy anything except beans

✅ Adjustable controls excite you: there's plenty of settings to adjust extraction time, temperature, infusion, and more

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want simplicity: this is the kind of machine a barista would use, if dials intimidate you, this isn't for you

❌ You want drip or filter coffee: this brews and extracts coffee like a café would, so it's not as light as filter coffee

❌ You're on a budget: this is an expensive machine. It's worth every penny, but not for those who are looking to save money

The bottom line

🔎 Breville The Barista Pro: my favorite espresso machine, this model can pull an incredible shot. It made smooth, sweet coffees, but requires an involved coffee enthusiast, not someone in a hurry 

The Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine has everything you need to make the perfect espresso at home. I struggled to fault it. 

Unlike lots of other espresso makers, this is very fast. I went from unboxing to to brewing in five minutes, and it's even faster once you have it set up on your countertop. It's quick at steaming milk, too. 

When comes to coffee, it made delicious, deep espresso. I especially loved the pre-infuse function, which makes smooth, sweet coffees. The built-in, conical burr grinder has 30 settings, so you can get the right flavor profile. It comes with a host of accessories, so that you can make a range of different coffees, using different grinds and milks. 

However, it has a learning curve, so if you want something straightforward, I'd look elsewhere. It's also has a pretty big footprint on a countertop, so may not work if you're in an apartment. It's also undeniably expensive, so if you're on a budget, I'd look elsewhere; I wasn't entirely convinced but the Gaggia Pro could be a good option on a budget. As a proper espresso machine, this takes a lot more work than a drip coffee maker, so it's not for you if you just want a fast coffee maker. 

All the detail is in my Breville Barista Pro review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorFaultless flavors, every coffee was smooth and sweet★★★★★
ValueThis is on the pricy side of reasonable★★★
RangeIncredibly versatile, speciallity coffees★★★★★
CleaningAlmost maintains itself★★★★★

The best coffee maker for range of coffees

8. De'Longhi Eletta Explore

This makes 52 different types of coffee, all of exceptional quality

Specifications

Type: Fully automatic
Dimensions: 17.5 x 10.25 x 15.13 inches
Weight: 24.7 lbs
Capacity: 60 fl oz
Materials: Stainless steel and plastic

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent range of coffees
+
User-friendly
+
Customizable features

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive
-
Quite long
-
Could be overkill
Buy it if

✅ You want variety: with over 52 different types of coffee available, each customizable and exceptionally delicious, you'll never get bored

✅ You're looking for luxury: tall about the premium features, this is ultra-convenient and comes with every single accessory you might need

✅ ease is important: the touch screen interface is intuitive and super simple to navigate

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're money conscious: this is right at the top of reasonable, so if you're trying to save rather than spend, avoid this model

❌ You need a space-saver: this is quite a long machine, so it's not made for compact kitchen countertops

❌ You only drink one type of coffee: if you don't need variety and only like filter coffee, for example, this machine is a waste of your money

The bottom line

🔎 De'Longhi Eletta Explore: stylish and incredibly easy to use, this bean-to-cup machine can achieve coffee perfection in minutes, you'll just need to save some money to own one 

If money was no object, this is the coffee machine that I would buy. It can make a range of delicious coffees, hot and cold, and each one is perfect. It excelled on espresso, americano, and a wide range of milky coffees from lattes to cappuccinos. When I tested it on cold brew coffee – which it made in under five minutes rather than the standard 18 hours – it was close to perfect. 

The screen is incredibly intuitive, so I'm confident any person would be able to maximise the features of this machine. It even cleans itself, so that you don't end up with any nasty dried milk or mould.

But if it seems too good to be true, it probably is, and the downside with this coffee maker is that it's incredibly expensive. It's not the most expensive I've ever used (that dubious honor goes to the Faemina, which runs up a $6k price tag) but this usually retails around $1800. When there are good coffee makers on the market for under $100, it can be hard to justify buying one which is 18 times the price.  

What's more, if you only drink a range of five coffees, all of the amazing extra features will be wasted. It's also a large machine, with a big countertop footprint. 

There's more information in my De'Longhi Eletta Explore review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorIncredible flavors across all coffees★★★★★
ValueAlthough this is brilliant, it's expensive★★
RangeFaultless range of coffees, including cold brew★★★★★
CleaningAlmost maintains itself★★★★★

The best coffee maker for programmable options

Beautifully designed with a range of brewing modes

Specifications

Coffee type: Drip coffee
Type: drip
Dimensions: 12.4” x 6.7” x 15.7”
Cups: 12
Warranty: 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful design and slim shape
+
6 preset brewing modes
+
Thermal, heat retention features

Reasons to avoid

-
No milk frothing capability
Buy it if

✅ Looks matter: sleek, slim, and stainless steel, we loved this beautiful design for displaying in your kitchen

✅ You like various types of drip coffee: this has six different brewing modes, iced and hot for a range of brews

✅ You need things kept hot: the excellent thermal features retain heat really well, ensuring your brew is never tepid or stale

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need more than drip coffee: this has a range of settings, but all within drip coffee

❌ Value matters: this is really expensive for a drip coffee maker, so you can't be money conscious with this

❌ You want a removable water tank: although the mouth of this water tank is wide, it's still not removable, making cleaning tricky

The bottom line

🔎 Breville Precision Brewer: A rival to Moccamaster Technivorm's bold flavors, this brewer has great credentials. It's an excellent insulator with six delicious pre-sets

If you'll need to make lots of coffee at once, drip through machines are really useful. Breville's Precision Thermal Brewer offers coffee lovers the opportunity to experiment with their filter coffee. 

It has six pre-set brewing modes, including Strong, Gold (meets SCA requirements for a Golden Cup Standard), Fast, Over Ice, and Cold Brew, but the real magic is you can even customize (and save) settings for temperature, bloom speed, and flow rate. In addition, the thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot for a longer time. Best of all, it simply makes excellent coffee, with delicious brews across every mode.

Drip coffee makers almost never have milk frothing capabilities. If you tend to drink Americanos or other simple coffees that won't be a problem, but if you're looking for cappuccinos, you're better off with an automatic machine or a separate milk frother. 

On test, we found that cleaning this can be tricky, because you can't remove the water tank, and while it's great, it's pretty expensive for a drip coffee maker. 

Our Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker review has more information.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorBold, strong favors across the settings★★★★
ValueExpensive for what it is★★
RangeGood range of drip coffees, no milk frothing capabilities★★★★
CleaningWater tank is fixed, so not the most straightforward to clean★★★★

The best single-serve coffee maker

Best single-serve coffee maker

Specifications

Coffee type: Single-serve
Dimensions: 11 x 7.3 x 12.7"
Brew sizes: 4oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12oz
Warranty: 3 years

Reasons to buy

+
Integrated grinder
+
Compact design
+
Easy to clean

Reasons to avoid

-
No milk frother
-
No warming plate
-
Only makes single servings
Buy it if

✅ You have low kitchen cabinets: this coffee maker is compact enough to clear any countertop.
✅ You like strong coffee: the strength of these brews doesn't diminish with the size of the cup.
✅ You want something quick and easy to clean: all you need to do is rinse the basket and scoop out old grinds between brews.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need pod storage: as a smaller model, this has capacity for fewer pods.
❌ You like frothy coffee: this machine does not come with an integrated milk frother.
❌ You want to brew now and drink later: this machine is missing a warming plate.

The bottom line

🔎 Cuisinart Grind and Brew gave Nespresso a run for its money, and now it's my favorite single-serve coffee maker on test. It's easy to clean, quick to use, and makes delicious brews.

The Cuisinart Grind and Brew isn't just the best single-serve coffee maker − it's one of the best coffee makers on the market. This machine combines the rich flavors of specialty brews with the convenience of pod coffee. If you want to make a quick and easy upgrade to your morning cup of joe, look no further. 

Just under thirteen inches tall and seven inches wide, the Cuisinart Grind and Brew is compact enough to clear low countertops. It should fit right into smaller kitchens. All you need to do is slide the drip tray into place, plug in the machine, and you should be ready to go. 

As a grinder, this machine made evenly-sized shavings of coffee beans to strain through your filter. While there isn't an option to change the grind size or the quantity of coffee beans, this shouldn't be an issue unless you really care about customizable coffee. 

The Cuisinart Grind and Brew makes strong, intense coffee to fit small cups and carafes alike. The taste was slightly on the acidic side for me, but it was still delicious. There are a few design flaws and missing features. In particular, I felt the absence of an integrated milk frother and a warming plate. If you want to make light and airy lattes, or brew now to drink later, you'd be better off shopping elsewhere.

You can find more detail in our Cuisinart Grind and Brew review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorBest filter coffee ever★★★★★
ValueReasonably priced★★★★
RangeGood range within pod limitations★★★★
CleaningExtremely easy to clean★★★★★

The best coffee maker for cold brew

Excellent value, easy to store, with super-smooth results

Specifications

Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 14.7 inches
Capacity: 32 oz
Materials: Stainless steel and BPA-free plastic
Weight: 4.4 lbs
Filter: paper, metal, or both
Brew time: 12-24 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Makes the best cold brew
+
Easy to use
+
Looks good
+
Well designed
+
Feels premium

Reasons to avoid

-
Slow brew time
-
Expensive
Buy it if

✅ You're short on storage: this comes apart and packs up into a compact, easy to store square

✅ You batch brew: the brewing container can be put striaght into the refrigerator and stored there for weeks

✅ You like slick design features: the specialized rainshower and sleek design features both look good and make good cold brew

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want quick cold brew: other, electronic machines will be quicker

❌ You're on a budget: this is the glass, premium version of lots of plastic models

❌ You want a single filter: this makes the best cold brew when you double filter through the spout

The bottom line

🔎 OXO Good Grips: this made the best cold brew of any I've tested.

The reason this is number one is obvious. It made the best cold brew I've ever had, including brews from other professional baristas.

Some of the simplest cold brew coffee makers are pitchers or brewing containers. They're convenient, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive. OXO's sleek model, the Good Grips, is both smart and straightforward. It infuses your coffee grounds in water for 12-24 hours and then filters your cold brew into an elegant glass carafe.

This pitcher is one of the more expensive models on the market, but it's packed with well-considered features. The premium glass carafe has measuring marks on the side, so that you can use it to fill your brewing container all the way up to the 14-serving maximum mark. Once you've filtered out your cold brew concentrate, the airtight glass carafe doubles-up as a jug, which you can keep in the refrigerator.

You can also choose to use single-use paper filters, the integrated re-usable metal filter, or both.

There's more detail in our OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorClose to perfect when double filtered★★★★★
ValueMore expensive than other models, but still good value★★★★
RangeOnly useful for cold brew★★
CleaningA bit messy, but very easy to deconstruct★★★★

The best coffee maker for iced coffee

12. Ninja DualBrew Pro Speciality Coffee Maker

Versatile, competent, and exceptional value

Specifications

Dimensions: 9.13" x 11.39" x 15.54"
Weight: 9.69 pounds
Capacity: 96 fluid ounces
Settings: Grounds, pods, classic, rich, over ice, specialty, hot water, milk frother

Reasons to buy

+
Compatible with pods and grounds
+
4 brew styles
+
Frothing tool
+
Removable reservoir

Reasons to avoid

-
Large footprint
-
No integrated grinder
-
Not perfect on vegan milks
Buy it if

✅ You use a range of brewing methods: this is compatible with coffee pods and grounds

✅ You want to froth milk: this can create tight, textured milk

✅ You like iced coffee: we loved the cold coffee settings, although the four different brew styles are all good

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're short on space: this has a really large footprint

❌ You don't own a grinder: this doesn't have one integrated and buying one is an extra cost

❌ You use non-dairy milks: the results on almond milk were imperfect

The bottom line

🔎 Ninja DualBrew Pro: whether you like pods or fresh coffee grounds, the DualBrew pro will cover youe coffee needs. It can brew a pot of coffee as well as lattes and iced drinks 

If you like to switch between pods and coffee grounds, the Ninja DualBrew Pro is the one for you. If you want lattes, drip coffee, or a pot for all the family, it'll cater to your  every need. The four brewing styles can make iced coffee; deeper, richer coffee; and lighter filter coffee. 

If you like to have milk in your coffee, the easy to use frothing tool can whip up smooth, glossy milk in a matter of seconds, although it struggled with almond milk. When it comes to cleaning, the removable reservoir is easy to click out and rinse thoroughly. It's also easy to fill up too. It's relatively compact on the countertop and the frothing tool even folds away so that it's not in the way. When it comes to the coffee, it was good by single-serve standards, but far from café quality. 

However, it is very tall and quite wide, so will require you to make some space on the countertop. You'll also need to grind your own beans, as this doesn't come with an integrated grinder. On test, we also found results with almond milk a little lacking. 

There's more information in our full Ninja DualBrew Pro review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorGreat coffees across the board★★★★★
ValueReasonably priced for the versatility★★★★
RangeUseful across a range of coffees★★★★★
CleaningYou need to be diligent, but it's easy to clean★★★★

The best coffee maker for percolator coffee

13. Bialetti Moka Express

Classic, full-bodied stove top coffee

Specifications

Dimensions: 2" x 2" x 2"
Weight: 7.7 oz
Capacity: 6 fl oz
Material: Aluminium

Reasons to buy

+
Classic design
+
Quick to brew
+
Makes full-bodied coffee

Reasons to avoid

-
Hands-on
-
Effortful cleaning
Buy it if

✅ You like classic brewing methods: all you need is a stove and a moka pot

✅ You want a low-cost option: these tend to be inexpensive

✅ You want simple coffee: moka pots make full-bodied, black coffee. It's pared-back perfection

Don't buy it if:

❌ You like versatility: these only make plain coffee, no milk frothing or slow brewing

❌ You want quick coffee that you don't need to focus on: these can be speedy, but you need to watch them boil extremely closely

❌ You want a quick clean up: moka pots take time to clean and soak thoroughly

The bottom line

🔎 Bialetti Express: this classic design looks great in any kitchen. Even better, it will make a beautiful cup of coffee. 

Bialetti are the moka pot experts.The classic Bialetti Express boasts a timeless design, and it's been largely unchanged for years. It feels premium and the method is straightforward too. It's also available in a range of capacities, so just pick the one which will suit your household best.

It takes a few minutes, but it makes excellent, full-bodied coffee that's far, far better than anything I've had from a single-serve machine. While it's not comparing like with like, the coffee is deeper and more flavorful than drip coffee, too. 

The only drawback with Bialetti moka pots is their handles. The plastic isn't the most tactile, nor does it match the premium style of the rest of the appliance. Take good care when cleaning these too, because there are lots of places where grounds can settle and begin to make your coffee taste stale. We also found after a couple months of tests that the aluminum isn't the most durable. 

Whilst I would love to recommend the Dolce & Gabbana collaboration moka pot I tested, it doubles the price for a good design - you're probably better off with a Bialetti Express in aluminum. 

There's more information in my Bialetti x Dolce & Gabbana Moka Pot review.

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
FlavorMakes full-bodied coffee★★★★★
ValueReasonable pricepoint★★★★
RangeLimited to black coffee★★★
CleaningFiddly to clean★★

The ones which just missed the list

There are plenty of other excellent coffee makers, which you'll see featured in our niche buying guides. If you can't see the drip coffee maker you're after, take a look at our buying guide. Here are a few honorable mentions for some excellent machines, which we wished we could include.

How to choose the best coffee maker for you

Before jumping in to a specific model, it's worth considering some big-picture coffee questions. Look at your house and lifestyle and that will help you decide which coffee maker would fit neatly into your home.

Size
Some machines are smaller than others, just as some are designed to be displayed rather than stored away. Generally, espresso machines and bean-to-cup machines are heavy. This means that you’ll need lots of countertop space to accommodate them. The French press or pour over coffee makers are much more drawer and cupboard friendly.

Grinder
Bean to cup machines will have integrated grinders, but if you want to use fresh coffee, you’ll also want to consider a grinder. Pre-ground coffee can degrade quickly, so if you’re after fresh flavors, it’s a worthwhile investment.

Waste
Some of these machines will only produce coffee grounds as waste. You can use these in the garden as fertilizer or put them in with food waste. However, if you don’t have reusable pods like these at Amazon, or a reusable filter like this at Amazon, it’s likely that you’ll be creating waste with your pod and pour-over machines.

Noise
If you’re an early rise and morning coffee drinker, you’ll be very conscious of noise. Grinding and brewing can be very loud with some of the more substantial machines. We always include a comment and measurement of noise so that you’ll know what to expect. French press and pour over coffee makers don’t use grinders, so they’re really quiet. The high pressure in espresso machines and grinders in bean to cup machines can be a little less forgiving.   

Cleaning
Some of these machines will be easier to clean than others. French press and pour over machines can either go in the dishwasher or the sink, whereas an espresso machine or coffee maker will need more care and attention. This is another factor that you’ll want to consider before buying a coffee maker. 

If you want some guidance to the difference between different types of coffee makers, we have a dedicated page which breaks down the differences.

How we test coffee makers

Smeg drip coffee maker between the smeg automatic machine and the espresso machine

(Image credit: Future)

We put a lot of thought into how we test the best coffee makers before featuring them in our guide, and have included a range of coffee makers from top brands like Breville, Nespresso and Technivorm to make sure that there is a coffee maker for everyone in our roundup.

We always test an espresso, Americano, and cappuccino, if possible. This will help us to understand the range that each coffee maker has. However, if a coffee machine claims to make sixteen different types, we will test them all and add them to the 'special features section'. We make sure to use the same coffee beans in each test, so that we can compare how well the flavors and aromas of the coffee has been extracted. If a machine can froth milk, we will test non-dairy milks too, as these can be temperamental.

Our experts are either trained or are training as specialist Customer Advisors, which means that they'll have experience across the coffee industry, from manufacturing to customer-facing roles. You can also click through to read more thorough reviews of coffee makers, including how easy they are to set up, our thoughts on the user experience, and that all-important cleaning process. 

Meet The Experts

A headshot of Laura Honey, with bookshelves in the background
Laura Honey

Laura is our eCommerce editor. Before Homes & Gardens she studied English at Oxford University. Alongside her studies, she qualified as a barista and trained as a master perfumer. This makes her our certified expert for all things coffee, candles, and fragrance. Laura has worked for luxury retail brands, reinforcing the importance of quality and style over quantity and fads. She looks for products which have been designed with thoughtful finishes. The secret to her heart is simplicity in products, in style and, of course, in your homes and gardens.

Millie Fender
Millie Fender

Millie Fender is Head of Reviews on the Homes and Gardens Ecommerce team. She specializes in cooking appliances like the best coffee makers, and also reviews outdoor grills and pizza ovens. 

Alex David author profile photo
Alex David

Alex is Head of eCommerce at Homes & Gardens. He has several years' experience as a product tester in the homes and gardening industries, especially with kitchen appliances like coffee makers.

Jaclyn Turner photo
Jaclyn Turner

Jaclyn was H&G's eCommerce editor where she tested a range of coffee makers and small kitchen appliances. She knows what good looks like, so we really trust her thorough reviews.

FAQs

What is the best coffee maker?

For those looking for a customizable cup of coffee, the Breville Precision Brewer is a beautiful machine with six brewing modes, including Strong, Gold (meets SCA requirements for a Golden Cup Standard), Fast, Over Ice, and Cold Brew, plus the ability to tinker with settings for temperature, bloom speed, and flow rate. 

For the perfect cup of coffee every time, machines like the OXO Brew 8 Cup and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select pre-set to deliver consistent results every single time. OXO's version utilizes a thermal carafe and comes with an attachment to brew 1-4 cups as opposed to a whole carafe while Moccamaster with its striking design and numerous color options uses a glass design and hot plate that shuts off automatically after 100 minutes.  

How much should a coffee maker cost?

We’ve found excellent coffee machines costing anywhere from $100 and $3000, but as a general rule, the more you spend the better the machine will be, especially in terms of longevity, quality of parts – especially if it has a built-in grinder – and ease of cleaning.  However, I've tested a $6,000 machine and, although it was nice, I felt that you could have a much better machine for much less money.

Pod coffee machines are generally quite affordable, but the pods themselves tend to cost more per serving than using typical grinds. 

If you want to make quality coffee at home, we think you should aim to spend at least $200, but given how much a flat white in a café costs, your machine could easily pay for itself in just a few months.  

If you love real coffee, you’re going to need a quality coffee machine. If you love instant coffee or tea all you need is a spoon and a kettle, but for specialty coffees with Barista flair, a model that has a high-pressure boiler that can extract espresso with a lovely crema layer on top is a must.

Bean-to-cup designs offer the freshest brews. By grinding exactly the right amount of beans for your chosen drink you’ll extract more flavor from your favorite roasts.

What are the types of type of coffee maker?

There are a number of factors to consider before you buy a coffee maker. Different coffee drinkers will be better suit different machines. A large household might like batch-brew drip coffee, whereas specialist coffee drinkers might prefer espresso machines.

Bean to cup
A comprehensive bean-to-cup model will grind fresh beans for a single serving. You’ll notice the difference in flavor, trust us, These are very hands-off, but they tend to be more expensive.

Espresso machine
These are the machines that baristas use. They’ll require more precision and control, but the results will be top-quality.

Drip coffee
If you prefer classic filter coffee over espressos and lattes these machines will make fresh coffee and keep it warm without any fuss.

Pod machines
These are really useful, mess-free options for convenient, quick coffee. They create more waste than a bag of coffee beans would, but there are reusable pod alternatives.

Pour-over
If you want an option that is easy to store and noise free, pour over machines are a fantastic option. Buying filter paper is an ongoing cost, but it’s cheaper than a drip coffee machine, with similar results.

French press
This classic method is coming back into style. We have a guide on how to use a French press. It’s quiet, easy to store, and you can use your French press for more than just coffee. 

What are the features of a coffee maker?

Before jumping in to a specific model, it's worth considering some big-picture coffee questions. Look at your house and lifestyle and that will help you decide which coffee maker would fit neatly into your home.

Size
Some machines are smaller than others, just as some are designed to be displayed rather than stored away. Generally, espresso machines and bean-to-cup machines are heavy. This means that you’ll need lots of countertop space to accommodate them. The French press or pour over coffee makers are much more drawer and cupboard friendly.

Grinder
Bean to cup machines will have integrated grinders, but if you want to use fresh coffee, you’ll also want to consider a grinder. Pre-ground coffee can degrade quickly, so if you’re after fresh flavors, it’s a worthwhile investment.

Waste
Some of these machines will only produce coffee grounds as waste. You can use these in the garden as fertilizer or put them in with food waste. However, if you don’t have reusable pods, or a reusable filter, it’s likely that you’ll be creating waste with your pod and pour-over machines.

Noise
If you’re an early rise and morning coffee drinker, you’ll be very conscious of noise. Grinding and brewing can be very loud with some of the more substantial machines. We always include a comment and measurement of noise so that you’ll know what to expect. French press and pour over coffee makers don’t use grinders, so they’re really quiet. The high pressure in espresso machines and grinders in bean to cup machines can be a little less forgiving.  

Cleaning
Some of these machines will be easier to clean than others. French press and pour over machines can either go in the dishwasher or the sink, whereas an espresso machine or coffee maker will need more care and attention. This is another factor that you’ll want to consider before buying a coffee maker. 

Do I need a grinder?

If your machine isn't a bean to cup machine, you'll need to buy coffee grounds. As soon as a bean has been ground, it will start to degrade. If you are buying your grounds from the store, it's likely that these will have been ground weeks, if not months ago. For fresh coffee, we would recommend investing in a top-quality grinder, some good beans, and grinding them yourself. Make sure to keep your beans or left-over grounds in an airtight container, in a cool dark space.

Which coffee machine can make the hottest coffee?

According to the Specialty Coffee Association, the optimal temperature for brewing a great cup of coffee is 197.6ºF – 204.8 ºF, while most coffee makers will brew a range of 195ºF- 205ºF. The machines approved by the SCA, many of which feature on our list, would fall within that optimal range.  

Coffee brewed at too high of a temperature runs the risk of losing some of its flavors and tasting bitter or burned, just as coffee that is not hot enough comes out watery and weak. 

For those that want extra hot coffee, look for machines that offer the ability to change settings and vary temperatures, such as the Philips 3200 Series  or the Breville Precision Coffee Maker, while machines like the OXO Brew 8 Cup  and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Selectare designed to deliver the best tasting cup of coffee and are optimized to do so within the ranges set by the SCA. 

Laura Honey
eCommerce Editor

Laura is our eCommerce editor. As a fully qualified barista, she's our expert in all things coffee and has tested over thirty of the best coffee makers on the market. She has also interviewed Q-Graders and world-leading experts in the coffee industry, so has an intimate knowledge of all things coffee. Before joining Homes & Gardens, she studied English at Oxford University. Whilst studying, she trained as a master perfumer and worked in the luxury fragrance industry for five years. Her collection of home fragrance is extensive and she's met and interviewed five of the world's finest perfumers (also known as 'noses'). As a result of this expansive fragrance knowledge, she always puts quality and style over quantity and fads. Laura looks for products which have been designed simply and with thoughtful finishes.  

With contributions from