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.

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 Select are designed to deliver the best tasting cup of coffee and are optimized to do so within the ranges set by the SCA.

Best coffee makers 2023: tested by a barista

One of the best drip coffee makers on the market, an orange Moxxamaster sits on a countertop with a fruit bowl beside it

(Image credit: Moccamaster)

By Laura Honey

last updated 27 November 2023

Contributions from

Alex David, Millie Fender

Best coffee makers 2023: Jump Menu

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

1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: OXO Brew 8 Cup
3. Best drip: Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select
4. Best value: De'Longhi All In One
5. Best automatic: Philips 3200 Series
6. Best French press: Espro P7
7. Best espresso machine: Breville Bambino Plus
8. Best range of coffees: De'Longhi Eletta Explore
9. Best programmable: Breville Precision
10. Best single serve: Nespresso Vertuo Next
11. Best smart: Morning coffee machine
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

The best coffee makers are a kitchen staple. They're what makes the difference between a basic routine and a sacred ritual. Some people like to mindfully grind their beans and others need a quick fix. Thankfully, for every kind of caffeine consumer, there's a good coffee maker.

Whether you're deep in the cold brew and coffee concentrate trend or seeking to settle the Breville vs De'Longhi debate, our experts have the answers. Our team of coffee connoisseurs and baristas have tested a range of machines which can make delicious, consistent, speciality coffee.

As a former barista, I've looked at all the household names - Breville, Nespresso, Gaggia, Bialetti, and De'Longhi - as well as modern, up-and-coming companies trending on TikTok. For every caffeinator there's a coffee maker, and I'm here to help you find yours.

If you're still not sure whether you want a filter coffee maker, bean-to-cup machine, or something in-between, our baristas have written a guide to the different types of coffee makers. If you don't have time to waste, here's everything you need to know.

Best coffee maker deals

If you want to save some money on your coffee maker, these are the best coffee maker deals available on tested, recommended products.

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.