If you've considered purchasing a new coffee maker recently, you might have found it to be a surprisingly daunting task. With hundreds—if not thousands—of coffee machines available, each offering various styles and functionalities, it can be challenging to determine the best type of coffee maker for your needs. From classic drip machines to pour-overs, French presses, espresso machines and more, the array of options can be overwhelming. How do you decide which one is right for you?
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“The benefits of any coffee maker really comes down to two things: taste preference and ease of use,” explains Colby Barr, co-founder and CEO of Verve Coffee Roasters. Some styles of coffee makers, such as single-serve machines, deliver a milder coffee, while cold brew and French press coffee makers produce bold, rich flavors. Additionally, there's the matter of manual vs. automatic machines: Manual options provide precise control over factors like coffee grounds, brew time and saturation, whereas other coffee makers are fully automated—you simply press a button, and they handle every step of the brewing process.
To help you find the ideal option for your kitchen, here's what you need to know about the best types of coffee makers and who they're best-suited for.
Drip Coffee Makers
Drip coffee makers tend to be the most common thanks to their ease of use—they're simple to operate and consistently produce a satisfying cup of coffee. “Drip coffee makers are a great option if you’re looking for something more affordable,” explains James Roche, co-founder of coffee brand Wrexham Bean Co. “They remain ‘the workhorse’ for a reason: they deliver consistent coffee and you can brew all kinds of strengths and volumes.” With these machines, you have the flexibility to brew just a few cups or a full carafe to cater to a group.
- Who it’s best for: Everyday coffee drinkers and large households.
- How it works: To use a drip coffee maker, you fill the reservoir with your desired amount of water and insert a filter containing ground coffee. When you activate the appliance, the water is heated and then showered over the grounds. The resulting coffee is dispensed into a carafe for serving.
Pour-Over Coffee Makers
If you're aiming to extract the maximum flavor from your coffee beans and are willing to put in a bit of extra effort to achieve it, a pour-over coffee maker provides you with complete control over your brew.
“Pour-over coffee makers are simple to use, portable and customizable,” says Roche. “I’d say they’re more of a ‘meditative ritual’ for serious coffee lovers, but by accurately controlling water flow and temperature, you can really taste delicate, almost hidden, flavors.”
- Who it’s best for: Flavor connoisseurs.
- How it works: Pour-over coffee makers operate manually, and their design can vary—some feature a built-in carafe, while others sit directly on top of your mug. After setting up a filter and filling it with ground coffee, you gradually pour hot water over the grounds. Typically, water is poured in two stages: initially, a small amount to "bloom" the grounds, followed by a second, larger pour to brew the coffee.
Single-Serve Coffee Makers
Two major brands dominate the market for single-serve coffee makers: Keurig and Nespresso. These machines, which brew individual servings of coffee and espresso using single-use pods, are renowned for their speed, convenience and ease of use.
“Pod machines are the ultimate ‘pop-in-a-pod, push a button’ solution. Easy? Absolutely,” says Roche. “But when it comes to flavor and sustainability, they’re not the best.”
- Who it’s best for: Busy individuals seeking a single drink with minimal effort.
- How it works: Simply insert a pod into the machine, then select your preferred settings. Keurigs utilize pressure to push hot water through the pod for quick brewing, while most Nespresso machines spin hot water in the pod to achieve better saturation and flavor extraction. With both machines, your drink is dispensed directly into your mug.
French Press Coffee Makers
A French press is another manual style of coffee maker that offers versatility, making it suitable for use anywhere from your kitchen to the middle of the wilderness while camping.
“The French press is a unique brewing method that allows you to enjoy rich, full-bodied coffee flavors,” says Roche. “Unlike drip machines, French presses don't require paper filters, which is a plus for eco-conscious coffee drinkers.”
- Who it’s best for: Coffee lovers who appreciate full-bodied flavor; hikers and campers.
- How it works: To use a French press, simply add coffee grounds and hot water into the carafe. After allowing it to steep for several minutes, press the plunger to strain out the coffee grounds and serve your beverage.
Espresso Coffee Makers
For serious coffee enthusiasts, investing in one of the best espresso machines is worth the splurge. “Espresso machines are ideal for really getting the best flavor out of your beans because their high-pressure brewing process creates a concentrated, flavorful shot topped with a crema,” explains Roche. “However, espresso machines require a bit more time to begin with to master the grind size, tamping pressure and extraction time.”
These coffee makers are also perfect for those who enjoy coffee shop–style drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, especially if you opt for a model with a built-in milk frother.
- Who it’s best for: Coffee enthusiasts; latte and cappuccino drinkers.
- How it works: There are several styles of espresso machines, from manual to fully automatic, but they all brew coffee in the same way. You pack finely ground beans into the machine's portafilter, and then pressurized hot water is forced through the filter to extract a concentrated "shot" of espresso.
Grind-And-Brew Coffee Makers
One of the easiest ways to improve your coffee routine is to grind your own beans. However, for those who prefer to avoid purchasing a separate coffee grinder, a grind-and-brew coffee maker streamlines the process.
“Grind and brew machines are just a combination of two machines in one: the grinder and the coffee machine,” explains illy master barista, Giorgio Milos. “The advantage of this coffee maker is that the ground coffee is fresh! Ground coffee loses its flavors 50% faster than whole beans when exposed to the air." While grinders can be integrated into drip coffee makers, they are also common features in higher-end espresso machines.
- Who it’s best for: Individuals seeking freshly ground coffee beans.
- How it works: These coffee makers automatically extract coffee beans from their built-in hopper upon startup, grinding them to the optimal coarseness. The freshly ground coffee is then utilized to brew your preferred beverage, whether it be regular drip coffee or a shot of espresso.
Cold Brew Coffee Makers
As the name suggests, cold brew coffee makers don’t use any heat during the brewing process. Instead, they involve mixing coffee grounds with cold water and allowing them to steep for an extended duration, resulting in a rich, concentrated beverage characterized by a smooth flavor profile, ideal for serving over ice.
- Who it’s best for: Iced coffee enthusiasts.
- How it works: The process is straightforward—combine coarsely ground coffee beans with room temperature water and allow them to steep overnight. Cold brew can be refrigerated for up to two weeks and it is commonly enjoyed over ice for a refreshing drink.
