By 2ndactt/ Photo by Cristian Rojas on Pexels.com
There has never been a drink so personal as coffee that everyone drinks in their own way.
People have created myriad ways of drinking coffee for at least a thousand years, from pure and dark to mixing milk, butter, chocolate, wine, black peppers, chili peppers, etc.
Some want their coffee makers as versatile as possible. Others look for a machine that specializes in one single task. And some prefer a quick and easy machine to make coffee in a rush morning. Others favor a stylish little pot to brew a good cup of coffee on a quiet afternoon.
Finding best of the best
In 2021, 2ndatt reviewed reviews of 103 coffee machines collected, reviewed, and recommended by ten media and check sites across the US, the UK, and Canada to find out the best coffee machines for various purposes. This year, we went back to check who is still on the list. Here is what we found.
> The most versatile coffee maker
1. JURA E6 Automatic Coffee Machine
Picked by > Forbes
Why ranked among the best?
- Forbes chose this model as the Most Versatile Coffee Maker because it offers up to seven programs. Cappuccino, espresso, two coffees, two espressos, milk foam, coffee, and hot water are all included.
Main features > Bean-to-cup machine.
- Can be controlled via cellphone app.
- Lets you know when to change filter.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on eBay and Best Buy
Pros:
- Low maintenance.
Cons:
- Users said that cappuccino is not hot enough.
2. NINJA CP301 Hot and Cold Brew System
Picked by > Cnet
Why ranked among the best?
- Creates solid drip, cold brew, iced coffee, or latte-style drinks with a milk frother.
- Adjusts coffee temperature based on your preference.
- Allows you to brew iced and hot coffee in multiple sizes.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Has a thermal carafe.
- The filter is reusable.
- Programmable.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on eBay and Best Buy
Pros:
- Does a great job of brewing coffee or tea.
Cons:
- More than one review said that the water tank leaks water.
3. The Oracle Touch SES990 Bean-To-Cup Espresso Coffee Machine
Picked by > WIRED UK
Why ranked among the best?
- The interactive touchscreen lets you swipe and select between latte, Americano, espresso, cappuccino, and flat white.
Main features > Bean-to-cup machine.
- Comes with an interactive touchscreen with an array of coffee options.
- Lets users tweak coffee recipes with on-screen settings and save them as preset drinks, so they do not have to do it again the next time.
- Uses separate boilers for milk and coffee so people can steam milk and brew coffee at the same time.
- Cleans itself.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on TechRadar, Wired UK, and eBay
Pros:
- Intuitive and easy to use.
- Impressive crema.
- Good variety.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Takes up some countertop space.
- Perfect for 8oz cups, but it takes a two-step process if you want to make double Americana for larger mugs.
> The best drip coffee maker
1. Cuisinart Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Stainless Steel Coffeemaker
Picked by > Forbes
Why ranked among the best?
- Its large carafe provides up to 12 cups of coffee, making it a good option for people who drink multiple cups of coffee a day.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Comes with an adjustable keep-warm temperature control.
- The automatic shutoff function can be adjusted.
- Has a time-to-clean indicator light.
- Programmable 24 hours in advance.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on eBay
Pros:
- Control buttons are easy to navigate.
Cons:
- The clock is small and has no backlight.
- Pouring water into the reservoir is a bit challenging.
2. OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker
Picked by > Wirecutter (nytimes.com)
Why ranked among the best?
- The machine makes much better coffee than some of its competitors.
- Offers coffee-shop quality coffee with a touch of a button.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Programmable start time.
- The automatic pre-infusion cycle for better extraction.
- The thermal stainless steel carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on Wirecutter (nytimes.com)
Pros:
- Starts with very hot water for best flavor.
- Has a timer for automatic brewing.
Cons:
- The one-button dial is not intuitive to use.
- Takes up a lot of space.
3. OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
Picked by > Cnet
Why ranked among the best?
- The drip machine delivers top-rated coffee.
- The thermal carafe does not drip and spill while you pour from it.
- Compact and sturdy design.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Comes with a thermal carafe that keeps coffee warm.
- Has a single cup filter basket for Kalita Wave filters.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on Cnet
Pros:
- Brews excellent pots of coffee quickly.
- The thermal carafe does not drip while pouring.
Cons:
- The filter basket does not sit flat on countertops, so users would have to hold it in one hand when filling coffee grounds.
> The best Italian coffee maker
1. GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker
Picked by > Rank-It.ca
Why ranked among the best?
- Able to brew strong coffee.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- The unit is for use on a stovetop.
- Works well on gas or electric stovetop. Can heat the pot over a campfire.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on Rank-It.ca
Pros:
- Straightforward to use.
- Easy to clean.
- Sturdy as it is made of stainless steel.
Cons:
- The silicone seal needs to be replaced regularly.
- Not washable by dishwasher.
2. smeg ecf01rdus espresso coffee machine
Picked by > Esquire
Why ranked among the best?
- Comes in seven colors, including red, pink, and blue.
- Makes first-class single or double shots.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- The 3-button control panel offers adjustable settings.
- The steam wand can be adjusted in different positions.
- Can brew single or double espresso.
- Has an alarm that tells you when a de-calc is needed.
- Generates up to 15 bar pressure.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on eBay, Esquire, and Amazon
Pros:
- Works well with hard water.
- The steel cup tray is removable, so it is easy to clean.
Cons:
- Does not come with a milk jug, given its high price.
> The best French press coffee maker
1. Mueller French Press Double Insulated 310 Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
Picked by > Rank-It.ca and Forbes
Why ranked among the best?
- Retains heat better as the coffee maker is made of professional-grade 310 18/10 double-layered stainless steel.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Has a multiple-layer filtration system that strains out all stray grounds or tea leaves.
- Keep coffee hot for up to 60 minutes.
- Has great versatility as the unit can also make tea, hot chocolate, frothed milk, nuts milk, and herbal drinks.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on Rank-It.ca and Amazon
Pros:
- Thick and sturdy.
- Makes a variety of drinks.
- Made of stainless steel instead of glass.
Cons:
- The unit may be difficult to disassemble.
2. Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee and Tea Maker, 12 Ounce
Picked by > Wirecutter (nytimes.com)
Why ranked among the best?
- This unit makes coffee that was as grit-free as brews from more expensive models.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Comes with a 3-part stainless steel mesh filter.
- No paper filters are needed.
- The patented lid can prevent splashing of liquids while pressing.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on Wirecutter (nytimes.com)
Pros:
- Makes coffee with few stray grounds.
- Easy to clean and use.
Cons:
- Made of glass, and so can be brittle.
- Some find the unit’s spherical handle less comfortable to use than other flat-capped handles.
> The best coffee maker for large capacity
Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 Perfectemp Coffee Maker, 14 Cup Glass Carafe
Picked by > Forbes
Why ranked among the best?
- Delivers really hot coffee without sacrificing flavor.
- Can choose between regular and bold brews.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Programmable up to 24 hours in advance.
- Has a setting option from 1 to 4 cups.
- Features an adjustable keep-warm temperature control.
- Offers regular or bold coffee flavor.
- Includes a reusable gold tone filter.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on Best Buy and Forbes
Pros:
- Can keep the plate at different temperatures.
- Has a self-cleaning feature.
Cons:
- The small holes make pouring water into the unit challenging.
> The best compact coffee maker
Cuisinart 4 cup coffee maker – DCC 450
Picked by > Rank-It.ca
Why ranked among the best?
- Ideal for people short of counter space, and does pretty good basic job.
- It features simple brew-pause functions and shuts off automatically after 30 minutes.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Features a stainless steel carafe, so it does not break.
- Has a brew-pause feature.
- Shut off automatic after 30 minutes.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on Rank-It.ca
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Compact.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Brews coffee relatively slowly.
> The best splurge-worthy coffee maker
Technivorm Moccamaster 59162 KBG, 10-Cup Coffee Maker
Picked by > Forbes
Why ranked among the best?
- Futuristic-looking with a wide range of colors to match any decor.
- Makes up to 10 cups of coffee at a time.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Uses copper boiling elements and has no pumps to ensure that the brewing temperature stays between 198 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit (92 and 96 degrees Celsius). So the coffee is rich in flavor and does not taste bitter.
- The hot plate holds coffee between 175 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit (80 and 85 degrees Celsius).
- Has a 9-hole outlet arm for coffee saturation.
- Can brew 10 cups in six minutes.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on eBay and Amazon
Pros:
- Uses copper heating element, instead of aluminum heating elements that corrode and would eventually short-circuit the machine.
- Brews very quickly. About 6-7 minutes for the whole pot.
Cons:
- Several reviews said that the unit is way too expensive.
> The best nice-looking coffee maker
Smeg Retro Style Coffee Maker Machine
Picked by > Rank-It.ca
Why ranked among the best?
- Comes in a wide variety of colors.
- Aesthetically pleasing.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Offers multiple brewing size options.
- Offers various brew strength settings.
- Keeps coffee warm for an hour.
- Has a reusable filter.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on Rank-It.ca
Pros:
- Aesthetically pleasing.
- Reusable filter.
Cons:
- Expensive.
> The best tasting coffee maker
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker
Picked by > Rank-It.ca
Why ranked among the best?
- Features a charcoal water filter that removes impurities or odors that could impact coffee flavor.
- The machine is an excellent option for those on a budget but don’t want to compromise the taste of their coffee.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- The charcoal water filter lasts for up to two years under normal usage.
- Has a removable water tank.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on Rank-It.ca
Pros:
- Has a charcoal filter.
- Uses fewer grounds.
Cons:
- Does not shut off automatically.
> The best gourmet coffee maker
Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System Tea and Coffee Maker (CP307)
Picked by > Rank-It.ca
Why ranked among the best?
- Offers five brew modes, including classic, over ice, 10–minute cold brew and specialty.
- Has a frother that turns milk into foam, so you can also make cappuccinos or lattes.
Main features > For use with ground coffee.
- Uses stainless steel carafe.
- Features a one-touch recipe creation.
- Comes with separate coffee and tea baskets.
- Features a smart basket recognition: The system automatically recognizes the basket and displays drink options for coffee or tea.
- Provides 6 brew sizes from a single cup to a full carafe.
Pros & Cons >
From reviews on Rank-It.ca
Pros:
- Brews both coffee and tea.
- Multiple volume settings.
Cons:
- Can take up much space as it is a tall unit (30 x 25.4 x 38.1 cm or 11.81 x 10 x 15 inch).