The Best Coffee Makers On The Market In 2023
Coffee Crisp #CoffeeCrisp
For avid coffee drinkers, there are few more worthwhile investments than one of the best coffee makers. These kitchen workhorses can help to break your morning café habit, saving you money and time in the process—and once you’re equipped with the tools to whip up delicious brews all on your own, you might be surprised by how much you enjoy it. For the majority of Americans, drip coffee makers still reign supreme, but espresso machines are quickly becoming more ubiquitous in the States, as are specialty devices like cold brew coffee makers, Nespresso machines, French presses and more. After a month of rigorous, firsthand testing, our in-house team has determined that there’s no better choice than OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker—but we’ve included over a dozen other excellent options in our curated list of top picks, ahead.
For avid coffee drinkers, there are few more worthwhile investments than one of the best coffee … [+] makers.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailers
So, what exactly should one consider when selecting a brand-new coffee maker—or shopping around for an upgrade? “I look for a model that can get a good, high temperature,” says Michael Phillips, director of global education and engagement at Blue Bottle Coffee. Pat Cotter of Seattle Coffee Gear agrees: “The number one thing I look for in a drip brewer is temperature stability,” he says. “Many cheap brewers just boil the water and then dump it on the grounds, letting it cool as it runs through the coffee… A brewer with a good, consistent heating element will properly heat the water throughout the brewing process to around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, then hold it there throughout the brew.” We’ve included a full buying guide at the bottom of this article.
Amazon
OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
Capacity: 9 cups | Carafe: Thermal with brew-through lid | Programmable: Yes
Pros:
Cons:
OXO’s Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker is, hands down, our top pick for 2023. A drip maker, it offers high functionality at a reasonable price, and its ease of use and no-frills display is bound to appeal to most home users. There’s a helpful “brew pause” feature and a freshness timer that can tell you how long the coffee in the carafe has been waiting around, and it’s fairly easy to clean, too, with nothing more than dish soap and hot water. Users are also notified when the machine needs to be descaled. Note that it is on the bigger side—at 15 inches tall and 17 inches wide, this might not be the best option for smaller kitchens. But it’s a solid, durable machine that’s bound to last years.
Capacity: 6 cups | Carafe: Borosilicate glass | Programmable: No
Pros:
Cons:
Sometimes, simpler is better. That was certainly the case with this budget-friendly pick, which two of our experts recommended wholeheartedly. “Personally, I remain a fan of the classic Chemex glass brewer,” says Tony “Tonx” Konecny, founder of Yes Plz Coffee. “Unlike a lot of coffee gear, it looks beautiful on the countertop and I find it to be less fussy than some of the other manual pour-over devices. The filters it uses are a bit heavier and more forgiving, and it delivers a really full-flavored cup.”
“When I want to have more control, I use a Chemex,” adds James McCarthy, educator at Driftaway Coffee. “It has the thickest paper filter of all pour over methods, and I really enjoy the super light body it produces because of it. I like being able to taste more nuance and clarity.”
Capacity: 12 cups | Carafe: Glass | Programmable: Yes
Pros:
Cons:
The Cuisinart Brew Central Stainless Steel Coffee Maker is a reliable drip coffee maker with a large 12-cup carafe, making it a go-to option for those who drink multiple cups of coffee each day. This highly rated coffee pot is also equipped with a variety of useful features, including 24-hour brew programming, adjustable “keep warm” temperature control, adjustable automatic shutoff and a “time to clean” indicator light.
The glass carafe has an ergonomic handle, dripless spout and knuckle guard, and the machine comes with a gold-tone filter, measuring scoop and paper coffee starter kit. It might not be the fanciest machine out there, but the Cuisinart Brew Central gets consistently positive reviews from buyers who love its adjustable features and say it lasts for many years.
Amazon
Nespresso VertuoPlus
Discarded capsule capacity: 10 large capsules | Water tank capacity: 40 ounces | Types of drinks brewed: A range of coffees, espressos and double espressos
Pros:
Cons:
The Nespresso VertuoPlus was our top tested pick when we tested all of the best Nespresso machines on the market. With the press of a button, you’ll be treated to your coffee drink of choice, whether 5 or 8 ounces, espresso or double espresso. (The machine scans the embedded instructions within each capsule, and automatically brews from there.) It’s also easy enough to clean—you’ll just have to dump out the capsules every once in a while, and wash out the water tank.
Capacity: 10 cups | Carafe: Glass | Programmable: No
Pros:
Cons:
If you want one of the absolute best coffee makers, the Technivorm Moccamaster is one of the most highly regarded options available—but it comes with a price tag to match.
“I love the Moccamaster by Technivorm,” says McCarthy. “It heats the brew water to around 200 degrees, which enables the water to pull out more sweetness, body and nuance. The brew basket has a switch that you can use to close it all the way (I’ve found this helpful for a short bloom or degassing time after the first hit of water), and halfway, if you’d like to slow down the flow of water through the coffee bed.” He adds, “It delivers the most well-extracted flavor when you use it to its full capacity.”
This futuristic-looking coffee maker is available in a wide range of colors to match any decor, and it can make up to 10 cups of coffee at a time in its glass carafe.
MOST POPULAR
Capacity: 7.5 cups | Carafe: Stainless steel | Programmable: Yes
Pros:
Cons:
“Automatic drip machines have gotten really good in recent years,” says Konecny. “The Breville Precision Brewer is one I like a lot if you want a lot of granular control over your brewing.”
This high-end model boasts a beautiful stainless steel exterior and six brewing modes, which include Gold Cup, Fast, Strong Brew, Iced Coffee, Cold Brew and My Brew, a custom setting that lets you customize bloom, water temperature, brew time and more. The machine includes both flat-bottom and cone-style filter baskets, and it has a 12-cup stainless steel carafe to keep your java hot until you’re ready to drink it.
Capacity: 1 to 3 cups | Material: BPA-free plastic | Programmable: No
Pros:
Cons:
For those that tend to drink one cup at a time, the AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker is budget-friendly, versatile and easy to use. “When it comes to my home coffee setup, I value versatility over all else, which is why I recommend the AeroPress,” says David Yake, Director of Sales & Sustainability at Tony’s Coffee. “It doesn’t require a fancy kettle, and it can make nearly any coffee shine. With an easy recipe adjustment, you can make everything from a strong, concentrated coffee for your cappuccino, to a clean, crisp cup using your favorite floral Ethiopia coffee.”
This coffee press only takes a minute to use, and its compact form makes it ideal for travel, as well. Its plastic design is phthalate- and BPA-free, and it comes with paper micro-filters that eliminate any grit from your drink and make cleaning up easy.
Capacity (Serving Sizes): 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 cups | Water Tank: 75 ounces | Programmable: No
Pros:
Skip if:
Single-serve coffee makers offer unbeatable convenience, and one of the best coffee machines that uses coffee pods is the Keurig K-Elite. This sleek appliance offers a wide range of settings—including five drink sizes, brew strength adjustment, an iced coffee option and more—and its large, 75-ounce reservoir lets you make up to eight drinks before it needs to be refilled.
The Keurig K-Elite gives you the option to adjust its brewing temperature between 187 and 192 degrees, and it can also dispense hot water on demand for those times you’re making tea, oatmeal or instant soup. Its removable drip tray leaves room for travel mugs over 7 inches tall, and the machine also alerts you when it needs to be descaled.
Capacity: 5 Cups | Carafe: Glass | Programmable: No
Pros:
Cons:
With a sleek-looking glass pitcher, this cold brew maker is easy enough to lid: Just measure out your grounds, then place them into the filter basket—which conveniently screws into the lid. Next, fill the pitcher, seal the lid and let the coffee brew for 12 hours at room temperature or 24 hours in the refrigerator. It couldn’t be simpler, and what’s more, it’s dishwasher-safe.
Amazon
Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker
Capacity: 12 cups | Carafe: Stainless steel | Programmable: Yes
Pros:
Cons:
Freshly ground coffee beans yield a fresher and more flavorful drink. The Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker has a built-in burr grinder that processes beans right before it makes your brew, resulting in the freshest coffee possible. It has six grinder settings, and in addition to brewing into the 12-cup stainless steel carafe, the machine can also dispense a single serving of coffee directly into a travel cup or large mug.
The coffee maker has an LCD display that allows you to choose the grind setting, grind time and number of cups to make. There are eight strength settings, along with the option to use pre-ground coffee for those times you don’t have whole beans on hand.
Editor’s Pick
Capacity: 24 ounces | Carafe: Insulated stainless steel | Programmable: No
Pros:
Cons:
Some people swear by French press coffee, and if you want to see what the hype is about, you can’t go wrong with the Fellow Clara French Press Coffee Maker. Not only is this French press incredibly sleek with its matte black exterior (it’s also available with walnut accents!), but it takes the guesswork out of coffee brewing thanks to coffee and hot water lines marked inside the carafe.
This French press is made from insulated stainless steel that will keep your drink a consistent temperature, and it yields clean, full-flavored coffee. The all-directional pour lid makes it easy to serve, and the nonstick interior makes for fast cleanup.
What To Look For In A Coffee Maker
As you compare different coffee makers, there are several factors you’ll want to consider to find the best model for your home.
Style
There are many kinds of coffee makers available today, and they all have their own benefits. Traditional drip coffee makers are a popular choice, as they can generally brew multiple servings at once. There are also pod coffee makers, such as Keurigs, which are ideal for those who want to brew one serving at a time. Finally, there are manual coffee makers, which give you more precise control over your brew.
Capacity
Some coffee makers brew one cup at a time, while others brew up to 12 cups. To find the best option for your home, consider how many cups of coffee your household usually drinks—homes with multiple coffee drinkers will likely want a larger capacity machine. People who live alone or have different coffee preferences than their housemates might be better off with a single-serve machine, many of which offer a range of serving sizes.
Brew Customization
If you’re specific about how you like your coffee to taste, you may want to look for a coffee maker that allows you to customize the brew. “To ensure the best cup of coffee, the most important feature is being able to adjust the brew strength so you can make each cup of coffee to your individual liking,” explains Raymond Cole, CEO of Lucky Jack Coffee. More advanced coffee machines allow you to adjust settings like the brew temperature, brew time, coffee strength and more, helping you make the perfect cup of coffee for your individual tastes.
Temperature Features
Coffee makers often have a variety of features designed to keep your drink an ideal temperature. Some machines have insulated stainless steel carafes that will keep coffee warm for longer, while others have keep warm settings that use a hot plate to maintain a consistent temperature. If you tend to come back for a second cup of coffee, these types of features will definitely be beneficial.
Cleaning
“The most important thing to look for in a coffee maker is to make sure it is easy to clean,” says Cole. “A clean machine is underrated, but it is actually very important if you want to brew good tasting coffee. The cleanliness of the coffee maker can negatively affect the coffee severely. Cleaning the machine once a month is paramount.”
What Is The Best Coffee Maker For Home?
The right model for you depends on your preferences, but for true coffeehouse-quality brews at home, check out the high-tech (and expert-backed) Technivorm Moccamaster or our top pick, the OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker. Alternatively, go the artisan route with a pour-over carafe (like the Chemex) or a French press (see the Fellow Clara). Bonus: Both of these devices are budget-friendly.
What Is The Best Coffee Machine Brand?
While we trust all the names featured here, if you’re looking for a reputable appliance brand that’s always dependable, you can’t go wrong with OXO, Cuisinart, Breville, Chemex (for pour-over carafes), Keurig or Nespresso (for pod-style brewing). For a newer-to-the-market, trendier brand that caters to home coffee connoisseurs, check out Fellow, which has amassed its own fan following.
Do Coffee Makers Really Make A Difference In Flavor?
“A coffee maker can have a huge impact on flavor as it impacts the way the coffee is extracted,” explains Phillips. “From getting the correct temperature, to having a pour that consistently saturates the bed of grounds evenly, to even the simple aspects of being easy to keep clean, the coffee maker you pick will definitely change the cup you get.”