The Very Best Coffee Makers, According to Our Exhaustive Testing

There are many different ways to brew coffee and, fortunately, we’ve got you covered with top picks across the board. Whether you’re looking for the best drip coffee maker, espresso machine, or pour-over, we’ve tested and reviewed just about every brew method you could imagine. To better navigate the wide world of coffee, we compiled this list of the best brewers in each category.

Things to Consider

Automatic vs. Manual Coffee Makers

Two of the most important aspects of coffee brewing are temperature and brew time, and high-end coffee makers manage both really well—but it’ll cost you. Our favorite drip coffee makers brew at the ideal 200ºF for the target 5- to 6-minute brew cycles, but they’re also fairly expensive compared to most drip brewers. (As in, they're all $200 or more.)

On the other hand, brewing a pour-over or a French press gives you total control over brew temperature and time, but requires a hands-on approach and careful attention to detail (like pouring technique and speed and water temperature management). Both options brew great coffee, but one requires a financial investment while the other needs your time, attention, and skill. 

Is There a Reason the Best Coffee Makers Are Expensive?

Actually, yes! Building a drip coffee maker that can regulate temperature requires high-end components that are more powerful (and costly to manufacture) than those in a standard coffee maker. For espresso machines, that price difference is even more drastic. While two of our top espresso maker picks come in around $500, that’s actually on the low end of what a good machine costs. Espresso machines have a lot of moving parts, and because they use so much pressure (around 500 pounds of direct force), every component needs to be well-made and fit together precisely. In comparison, we also reviewed the La Marzocco Linea Micra—which costs nearly $4000 due to its commercial build quality—and while it’s a dream to pull shots with, it’s also excessive for most people’s kitchens. 

Hey, You Didn’t Review This One Well-Liked Espresso Machine! 

It’s true—between our $500 top picks and the $4000 ultra-splurge Linea Micra, there are hundreds of great espresso machines out there at varying price points with a variety of features. A lot of these machines are truly stellar, but we just don’t think they offer an exponentially better espresso experience for the average home user compared to their higher costs. There’s always the chance that we’ll review more machines in the future, but, for now, we also have a roundup of semi-automatic espresso machines that includes a few more options. 

Okay, But What About Grinders? 

Glad you asked! We love coffee grinders. Specifically, the Baratza Virtuoso+, which is sturdy and grinds coffee with precision burrs that produce consistent grind particles every time. It’s great for drip brewers and manual brew methods, but if you’re looking to spend a little less we also recommend the Baratza Encore. Coffee nerds looking for top-notch design and flavor clarity might be willing to shell out for the Fellow Ode Gen 2 (which we liked, even if it is expensive), but if you’re not super particular about your coffee, the OXO Brew Coffee Grinder is an affordable upgrade for most people. Also, we didn’t forget about espresso grinders! The Baratza Sette 270 was our favorite for excellent grind precision, but casual home espresso users will probably love the Baratza Encore ESP, which pulls double duty as a solid espresso grinder and standard burr grinder.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Coffee Maker

The best coffee makers, simply put, make the best coffee. For automatic drip brewers and espresso machines, this means brewing at temperatures between 195ºF to 205ºF while evenly saturating the coffee bed. Single-serve brewers need to be convenient and easy to use without sacrificing brew quality. Pour-over brewers should have ideal coffee bed geometry and flow control; French presses should have fine-mesh filter screens and insulated dual walls; and cold brew makers should be easy to set up and clean after brewing. 

Our Favorite Coffee Makers

The Best Drip Coffee Maker

Ratio Six Coffee Maker

$359 at Amazon View on Ratiocoffee.com

What we liked: With precision temperature, an excellent spray head, a built-in bloom cycle, and fast brew times, the Ratio Six makes the best-tasting coffee we’ve had from a home machine. It’s a solid piece of equipment that’s built to last (and can be repaired) and is the daily coffee maker for multiple Serious Eats staffers. 

What we didn’t like: It’s hard to ignore the price point, and the difference in flavor quality between this brewer and our other top picks is subtle for most coffee drinkers. If you’ve got the cash and want great coffee quality, though, the Ratio Six delivers. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 1.25 liters/40 ounces/8 cups
• Brewer height: 14.25 inches
• Weight: 8 pounds
• Built-in bloom cycle: Yes
• Type of carafe: Thermal carafe
• Average brew time: 4 minutes, 48 seconds
• Wattage: 1400 watts
• Warranty: 5-year limited
• SCA-certified brewer: Yes

The Best Drip Coffee Maker Under $200

OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

$200 at Amazon $200 at Williams Sonoma $200 at Oxo

What we liked: The OXO Brew 8-Cup is the only coffee maker we’ve seen that comes with a smaller filter basket for brewing less coffee—it’s just one design detail that we think makes this brewer excellent. It also delivers precision water temperatures through its wide spray head, brewing great-tasting coffee with the push of a button. 

What we didn’t like: The spray head struggled to saturate the coffee evenly for mid-sized batches of coffee. It’s a slightly awkward problem that’s easily solved by brewing less or more coffee and using the appropriate basket for each. We've also had issues with the machine overflowing, leaving a puddle of ground-flecked coffee on the counter, but this is also easily remedied by measuring your coffee out (putting too much coffee in the basket causes overflows).

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 1.25 liters/40 ounces/8 cups
• Brewer height: 13.5 inches
• Weight: 10.3 pounds
• Built-in bloom cycle: Yes
• Type of carafe: Thermal carafe
• Average brew time: 5 minutes, 53 seconds
• Wattage: 1400 watts
• Warranty: 2 years
• SCA-certified brewer: Yes

The Best Programmable Drip Coffee Maker

OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker

$223 at Amazon $230 at Williams Sonoma $230 at Home Depot

What we liked: This drip coffee maker features the same precise temperature regulation as the 8-cup model, only with a programmable option if you’re looking for a brewer that wakes up before you do. While we always recommend grinding fresh immediately before brewing, sometimes the convenience of a programmed brew is worth it for the extra snooze cycles. 

What we didn’t like: The conical filter didn’t extract coffee as evenly as the 8-cup’s flat-bottomed filter, and we found darker roasts were bitter with this brewer. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 45 ounces/9 cups
• Brewer height: 17.2 inches
• Weight: 11 pounds
• Built-in bloom cycle: Yes
• Type of carafe: Thermal carafe
• Average brew time: 6 minutes, 40.5 seconds
• Wattage: 1400 watts
• Warranty: 2 years
• SCA-certified brewer: Yes

The Best Overall Espresso Machine

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

$500 at Amazon $500 at Williams Sonoma $500 at Sur La Table

What we liked: Compact, affordable, and with precision brew temperatures regulated by a proportional integral derivative controller (or PID—an algorithm that predicts temperature swings and corrects them) and an automatic steam wand, the Bambino Plus is excellent for beginners and intermediate home espresso users. It pulls great shots and aerates silky microfoam for latte art. It’s an all-around excellent machine that fits on almost anyone’s counters with ease.

What we didn’t like: Espresso enthusiasts might find its 54-millimeter basket size more limiting compared to a 58-millimeter commercial-sized basket, and we wish there was a way to turn off the automatic volume dispensing (which we didn’t find to be very accurate). 

Key Specs

• Weight: 11 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 54 millimeter 
• Capacity: 1 liter 
• Warranty: 2-year limited product warranty
• Comes with: 54mm tamper, precision dosing tool, 16 fl. oz / 480ml Stainless Steel Milk Jug, 1- and 2-cup single wall & dual wall filter baskets, cleaning tool, cleaning disc

The Best Espresso Machine For Beginners

Breville Barista Express Impress

$900 $800 at Amazon $800 at Williams Sonoma $800 at Target

What we liked: Not only does the Barista Express Impress have a built-in grinder, but it also has an assisted tamp lever and portions out coffee for you. These features automate the trickiest parts of learning how to pull an espresso shot, and with the same PID temperature control as the Bambino Plus, it’s a great all-in-one machine for those who are new to espresso (or just would rather spend more time drinking coffee than making it).

What we didn’t like: While the built-in grinder does a great job, it’s not as precise as our favorite espresso grinders. This machine can pull great shots, but tinkerers and perfectionists might feel limited. 

Key Specs

• Weight: 24 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 54 millimeter 
• Capacity: 2 liters 
• Warranty: 2-year repair or replacement limited warranty
• Comes with: 480ml stainless steel milk jug, 1- and 2-cup single and dual wall filter baskets, water filter holder with filter, precision trimming tool, cleaning tablets, Allen key, steam wand cleaning tool, cleaning disc, cleaning brush, descale powder

The Best Espresso Machine for Enthusiasts

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

$1,000 $865 at Amazon $46 at Walmart

What we liked: The Rancilio Silvia is about as close to a professional espresso machine as you can get for at-home use. It’s made of commercial-grade parts and is incredibly durable despite its countertop-friendly size. During our tests, this machine pulled some seriously great espresso with balanced flavors and rich aromas. There’s a light that lets you know when the machine is heating, and you can switch the boiler to a hot water mode that dispenses from the steam wand for preheating mugs. And that steam wand? It’s more powerful than most home espresso machines thanks to a full boiler pressurizing system instead of a rapid-heating thermoblock. Working with the Rancilio Silvia feels like a pro experience; no wonder it’s a favorite among espresso diehards.

What we didn’t like: There’s a learning curve with this model. It takes some time to heat sufficiently for steam mode, which then leaves things too hot to pull an espresso shot without waiting a few minutes more.

Key Specs

• Weight: 22 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeter 
• Capacity: 2 liters 
• Warranty: 1-year
• Comes with: Double and single filter baskets, blank backflushing basket, tamper

The Best Touchscreen Espresso Machine

Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine with Grinder

$1,500 at Amazon $1,500 at Williams Sonoma $1,500 at Sur La Table

What we liked: The touchscreen menu that walks you through each step of the beverage-crafting process makes this machine a standout. Not only does it make the Barista Touch Impress suitable for espresso beginners, but it also provides real-time feedback. During our tests, we appreciated it telling us if shots were pulling too fast or slow—and we liked the advice on how to fix the problem by adjusting the grind finer or coarser. This machine features an upgraded burr set by Baratza for precision grinding. It even lets you know when it’s due for a cleaning. 

What we didn’t like: All this snazzy tech comes at a price that won’t be accessible to everyone. And we wish Breville could sort out its struggles with automatic volume consistency.

Key Specs

• Weight: 31 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 54 millimeter 
• Capacity: 2 liters 
• Warranty: 2-year repair or replacement limited warranty
• Comes with: 480ml stainless steel milk jug, 1- and 2-cup single and dual wall filter baskets, water filter holder with filter, water hardness strip, the Razor precision trimming tool, cleaning tablets, steam wand cleaning tool, cleaning disc, cleaning brush, descale powder

The Best Nespresso Machine

Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker by De'Longhi

$169 $110 at Amazon $15 at Walmart $200 at Target

What we liked: This Nespresso machine topped our tests. All you have to do is insert a pod and push a button! As we said in our review, "The machine scanned the barcode on the underside of the inserted capsules and automatically brewed them to their ideal size." It had an adjustable brewing platform to accommodate different mugs and was pretty affordable.

What we didn’t like: Nespresso isn't for everyone. Serious coffee folks just won't like it.

Key Specs

• Weight: 9.3 pounds
• Dimensions: 5.75 x 16 x 12.5 inches
• Brewing options: Espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, and coffee

The Best Manual Single-Serve Coffee Maker

AeroPress Original Coffee Maker

$40 $30 at Amazon $40 at Target View on Aeropress.com

What we liked: Lightweight and easy to pack, the Aeropress is a versatile single-serve coffee brewer—and the Prismo attachment (which locks onto the Aeropress for pressurized brewing) improves both the brew quality and ease of use. By retaining all of the brewing water, the Prismo turns your Aeropress into a miniature immersion brewer (like a French press), letting the coffee and water steep until you’re ready to press it. 

What we didn’t like: Even if the Prismo simplifies the Aeropress’ brewing process, there are still a lot of moving parts that require you to attach them just right. It might take a little practice to get used to pairing an Aeropress with a Prismo, but we think it's worth it. 

Key Specs (Together)

• Materials: Plastic, rubber, metal
• Weight: 8 ounces
• Surface diameter: 6 centimeters
• Base diameter: 9.5 centimeters
• Length: 17 centimeters
• Number of pieces: 3

The Best Pour-0ver Coffee Maker

Kalita Wave 185 Dripper

$35 at Amazon View on Seattlecoffeegear.com

What we liked: The flat bottom of the Kalita Wave lets the water evenly saturate the coffee bed, and the small exit holes on the bottom help control the flow for easy coffee brewing. We also really love its sturdy stainless steel construction, which makes it great for tossing in your bag when you travel. 

What we didn’t like: The flat bottom helps saturate coffee evenly, but it also requires enough coffee to do so—which means it’s hard to brew less than 16 ounces.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel, plastic handle
• Weight: 4 ounces
• Compatible with: Kalita Coffee Server
• Compatible with: Kalita Wave Paper Coffee Filters (size 185)

The Best French Press

Fellow Clara French Press

$99 at Amazon $100 at Williams Sonoma $100 at Target

What we liked: The fine-mesh filter on the Clara brewed excellent coffee with very little silt, and its dual-wall insulation held temperatures better than the competition. We also really loved its omnidirectional pouring lid (which meant you never had to align the pouring spout, like on other presses), as well as how easy it was to clean (it has a nonstick coating on the interior). The weighted handle was a plus for easy pouring, and it also comes with a wooden spoon for agitating your coffee grounds mid-brew. 

What we didn’t like: It’s pricey compared to the competition, and it’s also heavy (though the weighted handle helped keep balance while pouring). 

Key Specs

• Capacity: 24 ounces
• Weight: 3 pounds
• Dimensions: 4.53 x 6.69 x 7.87 inches
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Insulation: Double-wall insulated
• Filter type: Single screen
• Care instructions: Hand-wash

The Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker

OXO Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker

$35 $31 at Amazon $35 at Oxo

What we liked: Easy to use, compact, and affordable, this cold brew maker also scored top marks in our double-blind taste tests. It features a rainmaker shower head that distributes the water evenly over the coffee and a spring-loaded rubber stopper that prevents brewing coffee from dripping through the filter. When you’re ready, you just set the brewer on top of the included carafe (which has a lid for storing your concentrate), and the rim of the carafe triggers the release valve to start filtering. Cold brew coffee makers are usually very basic, and we appreciated all of the smaller design details (like volume measurements for coffee and water)  that made this brewer stand out. 

What we didn’t like: Without a paper filter, coffee from the OXO was grittier, and developed some funkier flavors after being in the fridge for extended periods. With a smaller capacity, however, you’d likely go through all of the coffee quickly.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 700 milliliters
• Yield: 16 ounces of concentrate
• Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Filter style: Reusable stainless steel

The Best Moka Pot

Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker

$40 $38 at Amazon $40 at Williams Sonoma $38 at Target

What we liked: An enduring favorite among moka pot enthusiasts, the Bialetti produces great coffee and is sturdy enough to last for years. Heavy-duty aluminum creates thick walls that conduct heat evenly for a stellar brew—and helps make sure the Bialetti can withstand everything from the occasional floor drop to use over a campfire. The Moka Express created steady, reliable pressure that yielded delicious coffee every time, regardless of whether we used light- or dark-roast grounds. Even better, the generously sized filter basket can hold a full 1:10 ratio of coffee to water, giving us the syrupy-sweet goodness we were looking for. 

What we didn’t like: This is a durable pot, but since aluminum is on the softer side, sometimes it can be tricky to screw the top chamber to the base. The threads could be smoother. 

Key Specs

• Stated capacity: 9 ounces
• Weight: 24.6 ounces
• Average brew time: 5 minutes

FAQs

What is the best home coffee maker? 

There are a lot of great options for home coffee makers, but it also depends on what style of coffee you want to brew. We think the best drip brewer is the Ratio Six Coffee Maker, but the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is a great option if you’re looking to spend a little less money. If you like brewing coffee by hand, the Kalita Wave 185 Stainless Steel is the best pour-over coffee maker, and the Fellow Clara French Press is the best French press. Lastly, if you’re looking for an espresso machine, the Breville Barista Express Impress is great for beginners, but the Breville Bambino Plus is the best, compact, inexpensive, and versatile espresso machine for most people.

Is an expensive coffee maker worth it?

We think so! Our favorite coffee makers are expensive because they’re built with high-quality parts and are designed specifically to extract coffee better than the competition. We think that the build quality is worth the investment alone, but everyone at Serious Eats agrees: the best drip brewers just brew better-tasting coffee, hands down. 

Is there really a difference between coffee makers?

Absolutely! Our favorite coffee makers are SCA-certified, which means they have passed a number of distinct criteria like brewing a batch between four and eight minutes, brewing with water that’s between 195ºF to 205ºF, and meeting gold cup standards. Most home coffee makers don’t ever reach ideal brew temperatures and take up to 12 minutes to brew a full batch, which usually causes the coffee to taste bitter and astringent.

Should I use fresh coffee grounds? Does it really make a difference?

Fresh coffee grounds do taste better than pre-ground coffee, so if you don’t already have one, it’s worth investing in a coffee grinder. It’s best to grind your beans right before you brew, but if you occasionally need to grind in advance, you can help maximize the freshness and flavor of coffee grounds by storing them in airtight containers in a dark, cool space. You should also consider a coffee subscription service if you want to try different coffee flavors, while also ensuring you don't run out of coffee.

What kind of coffee filters should I use? 

You’ll want to check your coffee maker’s user manual for the best advice on what to use with your specific machine, but if you’re standing in the supermarket wondering if there’s a difference between the white paper filters and the brown ones, the white ones are bleached. This won’t affect the taste of your coffee, but bleach isn’t great for the environment so we’d recommend reaching for the brown ones. 

What does an SCA-certified brewer mean? 

The Specialty Coffee Association bestows its approval on coffee makers that meet its rigorous standards for brewing coffee at home. SCA testing takes into consideration brewing temperature, timing, saturation of coffee grounds, and more. Basically, if it’s an SCA-certified machine, you can count on a quality brew.

What’s the best coffee for a drip coffee maker?

A medium grind is usually best for drip coffee makers, allowing the hot water to extract just-right amounts of flavor and aroma from the grounds. Whether you prefer a light, medium, or dark roast is purely up to you.

Why We're the Experts

• Jesse Raub was Serious Eats' commerce writer and spent over 15 years working in the specialty coffee industry. He was our in-house coffee expert and regularly tested coffee gear, including reviews of coffee roasters, coffee scales, and pour-over brewers.  
• For this review, he compiled the winners from every coffee maker review we have on Serious Eats, including drip coffee makers, espresso machines, pour-over brewers, French presses, and more.
• Summer Rylander has been writing for Serious Eats since 2022. She helped to add more models to this review to reflect further testing we've done since initial publication.