By Erica Reagle | Updated May 20, 2022 10:39 AM

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For many of us, the day begins with a cup of coffee, so finding the best home coffee maker is a high priority. There are many different types of coffee makers: French press, pour-over, drip, espresso, and stovetop. Even if you prefer to avoid the caffeine but still enjoy the taste, there are options available to suit your preference.

All have features and benefits, and they use different methods of coffee-making to produce multiple coffee types. The right coffee maker provides the ability to skip the daily trips to the cafe and take a coffee break right in your own kitchen. Enjoy a cup of steaming espresso or a glass of cold brew when choosing the best coffee maker to suit your needs.

It’s important to understand the different kinds of coffee makers and their various benefits. Read on to learn about the most popular types of top-rated coffee makers.

Espresso machines are for people who want to make espresso or espresso-based drinks like lattes, americanos, or cappuccinos at home. Espresso makers are typically more expensive than other types of coffee makers and come with fancy features like precise temperature controls and milk-frothing wands. Espresso makers come in manual, automatic, and semi-automatic varieties, with each type requiring a different level of coffee-making skill, depending on how many functions the machine has.

The French press is a super-simple, quick, and affordable type of coffee maker, easy to learn and master. To use a French press, let coarsely ground coffee and hot water sit together for three to five minutes, then slowly press down the plunger. The press has a metal filter that makes a more flavorful cup of coffee than one gets with coffee makers that use a paper filter. French presses are some of the best small coffee makers on the market because of their ease of use and variety of sizes and styles to suit the user.

Pour-over coffee makers are a low-tech and inexpensive way to make a cup of joe. The pour-over style uses a paper filter and hot water to make coffee. To use one, put coarsely ground coffee into a cone-shaped funnel with a paper filter, then pour hot water over the top. The water filters through the coffee grounds and the coffee flavors flow directly into your cup. Pour-over models can make full-bodied cups of coffee, and they give you control over more variables in the coffee-making process.

For a less expensive alternative to an espresso machine, try a stovetop coffee maker like a Moka pot. This staple of Italian coffee culture is designed with three separate chambers for water, ground coffee, and brewed coffee. Pour water into the bottom section and finely ground coffee in the middle section before placing it on the stovetop. Once the pot heats up, water passes through the middle chamber filled with the ground coffee beans, before turning into brewed coffee in the top chamber. Stovetop coffee makers come with multiple parts, so cleaning them requires a little extra time and effort.

Drip coffee makers are a traditional type of electric coffee maker found in many homes. They are simple to use and can brew multiple cups of coffee at once. Drip coffee makers come with carafes (or coffee pots), permanent filters, and water reservoirs. Most also have convenient features like 24-hour programmability and automatic shutoff functions. Drip coffee makers are a good option for novice coffee makers who just want to add water and ground coffee, then push a button.

This double-duty coffee maker combines the simplicity of a drip coffee maker with the sophistication of an espresso machine. It includes a built-in grinder that can grind coffee beans right before brewing, resulting in a fresh-tasting cup of coffee. A grind-and-brew machine eliminates the need for a separate coffee grinder and gives you a convenient place to store coffee beans. Remember to routinely wash the built-in grinder to keep it operating properly. An ideal coffee maker with grinder includes a clear storage compartment that shows users when it is time to refill with fresh beans.

Cold-brew coffee makers produce a less acidic cup of java than other brewing methods. They consist of a pitcher, mesh filter, and lid. To use a cold-brew machine, add ground coffee to the infuser, then pour cold, filtered water into the pitcher and lower the infuser into the water. Seal the lid and shake the pitcher, then store it in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the infuser after the brew cycle is complete for a concentrated cup of coffee. Pour over ice if drinking the coffee cold, or combine with boiling water if drinking it hot. Consider investing in one of the top iced coffee makers if you’re a fan of cold-brew.

The different features to consider when shopping for the best coffee maker for your kitchen include functionality, brewing time, brew cycles, water temperature, capacity, and programming options.

Coffee makers come in three general varieties, based on how they function: stovetop, electric, and manual. Stovetop coffee makers get their heat from the stove, as the name implies. Electric coffee makers plug into the wall and use electricity to brew coffee. Manual coffee makers rely on boiled water and time to brew coffee. Brew time, drink capacity, and programming options are some of the factors to consider when comparing coffee makers. Choosing a stovetop, electric, or manual coffee maker depends on your coffee preferences, budget, and preferred brewing method.

Brewing time is a critical factor when making coffee, and it varies depending on the type of coffee maker. Brewing time can range from 20 seconds to 36 hours. When making espresso, the coffee grounds should only be in contact with water for 20 to 30 seconds. French presses take about four minutes to brew coffee, and drip coffee makers require about five to brew a pot. The cold-brew method requires the longest brewing time, as it needs to steep overnight. Generally, the longer the brew time, the more flavorful the coffee. Fancy coffee makers often come with adjustable options for brewing times to cater to a user’s preference.

Coffee changes flavor at different stages of the brew cycle, and the solubility of coffee grounds decreases throughout the cycle. Even though the richest flavors are extracted at the beginning of a brew cycle, coffee pros recommend letting coffee complete its full cycle before pouring a cup to get a balanced flavor. Some automatic drip coffee makers have settings that allow you to pour a cup of coffee before the brew cycle is done, helpful if you’re in a hurry.

Water temperature and quality affect the taste of a cup of coffee. For good results, start with cold, filtered water. During the brew cycle, keep the water temperature between 195 degrees and 205 degrees. Cooler temperatures can result in under-extracted, weak-tasting coffee, and hotter temperatures can lead to over-extracted, bitter-tasting coffee. If you’re using a manual brewing method like a French press or a pour-over, let the water come to a full boil, then remove from heat and let sit for one minute before pouring it over the coffee grounds.

Different types of coffee makers come with different capacities, ranging from a single cup to 14 cups. When shopping for a new coffee maker, consider how many cups of coffee you intend to make at one time. If you’re looking for a single-serving solution, try a stovetop or pour-over machine. Traditional drip coffee makers tend to have the highest capacity, allowing you to brew a full pot of coffee at once. Some coffee makers have two chambers, one for brewing a full pot and another for brewing a single cup.

Some electric coffee makers come with programming options that let you program the coffee maker before you go to bed, so hot coffee is waiting for you when you wake up. Programmable coffee makers allow you to set a brew time up to 24 hours in advance.

The many coffee-making options available feature a wide range of benefits, specialties, and costs. To help you pick the best coffee maker for your needs, here are some of the top choices on the market for you to consider.

This drip coffee maker by Cuisinart has a lot of features that give you control over how you make your coffee while still giving you a cup of joe at the push of a button. Choose between two brew strengths, regular or bold, and program the machine so hot coffee is waiting for you when you wake up.

Brew up to 14 cups at once if you have a crowd, or set it to make just one to four cups at a time. There’s an adjustable keep-warm temperature control to keep coffee hot in the glass carafe without burning it, and the machine comes with a reusable metal filter.

Additional features include a backlit LCD display, a tone to alert you when your coffee is ready, and a light to let you know when it’s time to decalcify the coffee maker. This is one of the top programmable coffee makers available.

Get the Cuisinart coffee maker at Amazon, Crate & Barrel, Kohl’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, and The Home Depot.

This budget-friendly coffee maker features a permanent coffee filter that doesn’t require paper filters and a convenient sneak-a-cup feature so it’s possible to have a cup of coffee in the middle of the brewing cycle. It has a removable lid and filter basket for easy cleaning.

Use the single-button control (with built-in indicator light) to turn the coffee maker on and off and make the desired amount of coffee by using the clear level markings found on the water window. This five-cup coffee maker is designed for smaller spaces, so it’s a good choice for dorms or vacation houses where there’s no need to brew 12 cups of coffee at once.

Get the BLACK+DECKER coffee maker at Amazon, The Home Depot, Mercari, and Target.

This personal coffee maker can brew a cup using ground coffee or K-cups. Select your brewing method by clicking one of two buttons on the side of the machine and use the water-adjustment function to brew the desired amount, up to 14 ounces at a time. The Sboly is speedy, brewing a cup of coffee in three minutes. This model has self-cleaning and automatic-shutoff functions, too.

Get the Sboly coffee maker at Walmart.

Making an espresso is simple and straightforward with this De’Longhi model. It has a rotary dial and push-button controls with 13 programmable settings. All you do is choose your preferred temperature, strength, and cup size, then hit a button. Along with espressos, this machine can also make cappuccinos and lattes.

A coffee grinder is built into the De’Longhi, and it has a separate chamber for pre-ground regular, decaf, or specialty coffee. This espresso maker also has an advanced milk-frothing system, a twin-brewing cycle, and a three-hour automatic-shutoff function. The removable water reservoir, drip tray, and waste bin allow for hassle-free cleaning.

Get the De’Longhi coffee machine on Amazon and at De’Longhi.

One of the drawbacks of a French press coffee maker is that grounds sometimes make their way into your coffee. To prevent this, the Mueller French Press has a triple-layered filtration system to keep those grounds out of your drink, and it still produces a full-bodied cup of coffee.

The double-insulated stainless steel design keeps beverages hot for an hour longer than thinner-walled steel or glass models, while the exterior and handle stay cool to the touch. It also makes hot chocolate and tea, plus it comes with a stainless steel canister for storing coffee beans.

Get the Mueller French press coffee maker on Amazon and at Mueller Direct.

The Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker produces a flavorful pot thanks to its steel mesh filter that preserves the oils and flavors of ground coffee better than pour-overs with paper filters. The Bodum model can brew up to 32 ounces at once. It has a glass carafe with a removable cork band on the exterior that protects your hands from the hot glass. That cork band also adds an earthy, elegant touch to the coffee maker.

Get the Bodum coffee maker at Amazon, Target, Bodum, and Walmart.

The Bialetti Express Moka Pot is made of high-quality polished aluminum and has a stylish octagon shape. It can make 12 cups of rich, velvety Moka coffee at a time. This stovetop machine has a patented safety valve and is easy to disassemble for cleaning. Bialetti features coffee that’s specially prepared for the Moka; however, any brand that’s Italian ground works in this machine. Finely ground coffee can clog a Moka pot, and coarsely ground coffee can result in tasteless, pale coffee.

Get the Bialetti moka pot coffee maker at Amazon, Williams-Sonoma, Target, Walmart, and Crate & Barrel.

This 12-cup grind-and-brew coffee maker offers streamlined grinding and brewing for a quick and flavorful cup. Grind whole beans, or turn off the grinder to brew coffee using pre-ground beans. Customize your coffee with a brew-strength selector that lets you choose regular, bold or strong flavors.

This grind-and-brew machine has a 24-hour automatic-brew function to wake up to freshly brewed coffee, plus a sneak-a-cup feature that allows you to pour yourself a cup before the brew cycle ends. It also has a water-level indicator, automatic-shutoff feature, and a permanent, reusable filter.

Get the BLACK+DECKER coffee maker at Amazon, The Home Depot, Kohl’s, and QVC.

This drip coffee maker can brew a full pot or a single cup using grounds or make a single serving with a K-cup pod. Its carafe holds up to 12 cups of coffee. It has a programmable timer that can be set up to 24 hours in advance, a two-hour keep-warm cycle, and an automatic shutoff function for added safety.

The coffee maker has a reusable metal filter and a pause-and-serve setting that lets you pour a cup before the brew cycle ends. There’s a brew-strength selector that enables you to choose regular or bold coffee. The single-serve coffee maker side of the FlexBrew can be adjusted to fit short cups or tall travel mugs.

Get the Hamilton Beach coffee maker at Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s, and Walmart.

The Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker has an airtight lid that keeps coffee fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It can brew up to four servings of cold-brew coffee at a time. Its non-slip, silicone handle makes it easy to pour, and its reusable mesh filter is designed to prevent gritty grounds from getting into your brewed coffee. The BPA-free plastic pitcher can withstand high temperatures if you prefer your coffee hot. The Takeya is top-rack dishwasher-safe and is designed to fit into most refrigerator doors.

Get the Takeya coffee maker at Amazon, Takeya USA, Target, and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Shoppers looking for a reliable coffee maker for a standard family size will appreciate the ease of use and compact design of the Cuisinart coffee maker, which provides 14 cups of drip coffee at the touch of a button. It’s one of the market’s favorite drip coffee makers.

Coffee enthusiasts looking for an upgrade may want to check out the De’Longhi, a top-rated coffee machine that provides users with expert coffee pours.

With such a wide variety of coffee makers saturating the market, we had our work cut out to find the best among the bunch. We narrowed down our search into specific categories to provide shoppers with options catered to their particular needs. We made sure to provide choices for a range of budgets with simple, affordable drip coffee makers to more high-end models that are sure to please even the most discerning of coffee connoisseurs.

We are also aware of the wide selection of types of coffee makers, so our list of recommendations covers the most popular, from drip coffee makers, grind-and-brew machines, moka pots, and espresso machines to the newly popular cold-brew machines.

Here are some tips for you to consider as you choose, then begin using your new coffee maker.

It’s not a good idea to reheat coffee in a coffee maker, because the machine’s warmer plate does not get hot enough to get your coffee to a desirable drinking temperature. Instead, reheat it in the microwave or on the stove.

Clean a coffee maker with soap and water after each use. For deeper cleaning, run equal parts vinegar and water through a brew cycle every three months to descale the machine and eliminate mineral deposits.

The most common reason for a coffee maker to leak from the bottom is overfilling the water reservoir.

There are several possible reasons why coffee tastes bad. The most common include using stale coffee beans, poor-quality water, or a dirty coffee maker. The creamer or milk you add to your cup of coffee can also affect the taste, so it should be fresh.

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