Good quality coffee maker
The 7 Best Coffee Makers of 2023
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- Kitchen
- Coffee
By
Wirecutter Staff
Updated November 16, 2022
Photo: Michael HessionUpdatedNov 2022
Updates
Over the years, we’ve tried nearly every method of making coffee, from cold-brew coffee makers and the Chemex to moka pots and Moccamasters. For people who want pour-over-quality coffee as well as the convenience of a one-button machine, we recommend the OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker. Of all the methods we’ve tested, we think the OXO Brew offers the best ratio of flavor to effort—at a good value. But if you’re looking for an espresso machine, a coffee grinder, pour-over gear, and more, we have other recommendations, too.
Our pick
OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker
This stylish brewer makes consistently good coffee and has a solid thermal carafe. And you can program it to brew automatically before you wake up.
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| Pre-infuses coffee grounds, like pour-over, for best extraction | One-button dial is sleek but not intuitive to use |
| Starts with very hot water for best flavor | Takes up a lot of space |
| Has a timer for automatic brewing |
Find the right coffee maker for your needs
- Best drip coffee maker
- Best pour-over coffee dripper
- Best cheap coffee maker
- Best French press
- Best cold-brew coffee maker
- Best beginner espresso setup
- Best Nespresso machine
- Why we don’t recommend Keurig machines
- Best coffee grinder
- Best electric kettle
- More for coffee and tea drinkers
- Frequently asked questions
Best drip coffee maker
Our pick
OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker
This stylish brewer makes consistently good coffee and has a solid thermal carafe.
And you can program it to brew automatically before you wake up.
Who this is for: Anyone who wants a solid drip coffee maker to make a pot of great-tasting coffee that stays hot for hours. If you already own a good grinder (the most important part of any coffee setup) and you pay a premium for gourmet beans, this machine will get the most out of them.
Why we like it: The OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker is fast and convenient, with features like a programmable start time and an automatic pre-infusion cycle (which briefly wets the coffee before brewing, for better extraction). In our tests to determine the best drip coffee maker, we found that the coffee was pleasant and much better than what we made with some of the competitors. The coffee maker has a handsome design, with a well-made thermal stainless steel carafe that pours easily and keeps coffee hot for hours.
The OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker can brew a full pot in just under 7 minutes.
Photo: Michael Hession
The OXO’s digital interface is sleek and easy to use, once you get the hang of the single-button system. Photo: Michael Hession
The OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker can brew a full pot in just under 7 minutes. Photo: Michael Hession
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The OXO has an unintuitive interface. So if you don’t read the manual, programming the timer can be difficult. But once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straightforward. In our years of long-term testing, we’ve also noticed that the lid on the OXO’s carafe tends to trap old coffee; even a good rinse isn’t enough to flush everything out. Another thing to note is that the OXO is tall, at 17.2 inches, so it may not fit under some cabinets—especially since the lids for the water tank and the grounds basket need an additional 5 inches of clearance to fully open. By comparison, our also-great pick, the Bonavita Connoisseur, is just 12.2 inches tall.
And in our taste tests, the Bonavita Connoisseur beat the OXO.
So this is something you should consider if you prioritize flavor over all else (though the Bonavita lacks some convenience features, including a timer). Finally, if the OXO’s price seems a bit steep, check out our guide to budget coffee makers.
Dimensions: 15 by 8.3 by 17.2 inches
Capacity: 9 cups
Brew time: less than 7 minutes
See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.
Best pour-over coffee dripper
Our pick
Kalita Wave 185 Dripper
Out of all the pour-over drippers we’ve tested, the Kalita Wave 185 made the best-tasting coffee.
Buying Options
$27* from Amazon
*At the time of publishing, the price was $24.
Who this is for: People who want a manual, inexpensive method for making great-tasting coffee, and one that doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Why we like it: The pour-over method is simple, and it produces delicious coffee. By having more control over the brewing process, you can hone each variable to get the most flavor out of the beans. In our guide to the best gear for making pour-over coffee, we have recommendations for drippers, grinders, kettles, and scales. The Kalita Wave 185 is our favorite dripper because it produced the most-consistent, even, and flavorful cup of coffee of all of the drippers we tested.
The Kalita Wave 185 Dripper’s signature “wavy” filters maintain temperature by insulating the pour from the cone’s walls and ensure an even flow of water. Photo: Michael HessionFlaws but not dealbreakers: In comparison with an automatic drip coffee maker, a multistep, gear-intensive method of making coffee can be a bit complicated, especially if you’re groggy first thing in the morning.
Also, our dripper pick, the Kalita Wave 185 Dripper, uses proprietary filters that are more difficult to acquire than standard Melitta filters. They are, however, available on Amazon or in specialty coffee shops.
See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.
Best cheap coffee maker
Budget pick
Who this is for: Someone who wants a decent, low-fuss drip coffee maker for under $100. This machine will brew reliably good coffee whether you use freshly ground or pre-ground beans, making this an especially good choice if you typically buy the latter.
Why we like it: Among the budget drip models we tested, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker CE251 made the most balanced and the hottest cup of coffee.
It has convenient, simple-to-use features, like different settings for a classic or richer taste, and its removable water tank is easy to read and fill. This model was also intuitive enough to program, so it’s suitable for shared kitchens.
The Ninja has easy-to-read buttons for customizing and preprogramming a pot of coffee, but remember to select the features you want before pressing the brew button. Photo: Connie Park
The removable water reservoir is easy to both fill and clean. Video: Connie Park
The Ninja has easy-to-read buttons for customizing and preprogramming a pot of coffee, but remember to select the features you want before pressing the brew button. Photo: Connie Park
Flaws but not dealbreakers:We had issues with the carafe’s lid: It screws on and off, and is not as easy to use as the flip-top lids on some of the other models we tested.
Capacity: 12 cups
Brew time: about 13 minutes
See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.
Best French press
Our pick
Espro P3 French Press
This inexpensive French press has an innovative filter that consistently makes cleaner, more-nuanced coffee than the competition.
Who this is for: People who want a super-simple, quick method of making coffee. This is great for coffee drinkers who want something that’s easy to learn and master.
Why we like it: The Espro P3 French press produces consistently clean, bright, flavorful coffee. It has a bucket-shaped double filter, with finer mesh than that found in most French presses. This keeps coffee as close to grit-free as you get with a pour-over (and noticeably more so than coffee made in our runner-up pick, the Bodum Chambord). Once the Espro is plunged, it keeps the grounds away from the coffee, so your java doesn’t take on bitterness from oversteeping.
In our tests, the last cup we poured tasted as good as the first—even a full hour later.
The Espro P3 makes consistently clean, bright, flavorful coffee. Photo: Michael Murtaugh
The Espro’s unique plunger uses two bucket-shaped fine-mesh filters to create a cleaner, more-balanced pot of coffee. Video: Michael Murtaugh
The Espro P3 makes consistently clean, bright, flavorful coffee. Photo: Michael Murtaugh
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Glass presses will never be as sturdy as their stainless steel counterparts. All glass beakers are delicate and will break if you drop them or knock them too hard. In the event that the Espro P3 does break, you can buy replacement parts, including beakers and filters.
The Espro P3 is not as visually appealing as some other French presses, like the Bodum Chambord, with its classic stylings. And the double filter makes it a little tricky to clean. But we didn’t find the Espro to be that much harder to clean than any other French press, and we think the results are worth any of these tradeoffs.
Available sizes: 12 ounces (1½ cups), 17 ounces, 34 ounces (4 cups, pictured), 51 ounces (6 cups)
Materials: borosilicate glass (beaker) and polypropylene (handle)
See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.
Best cold-brew coffee maker
Our pick
OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker
OXO’s cold-brew maker has the best-looking design, plus some clever aspects that make it easier to pour from and to store. The brew it makes was often a favorite of panelists.
Who this is for: For people who want to make better iced coffee. Compared with simply refrigerating hot-brewed coffee, cold-brewing with a slow exposure extracts fewer bitter flavors. So you’ll get a sweeter, milder-tasting coffee.
Why we like it: The OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker is our pick for the best cold-brew coffee maker because it’s well designed and easy to use, and in our tests it produced a more-consistent, flavorful cup of coffee than other models. It made cold coffee with balanced acidity, a stronger aroma, and a cleaner finish.
The OXO brewer makes a flavorful concentrate, looks good on a counter, and is easier to use and store than any other pick. Photo: Michael Hession
The “rainmaker” lid on the OXO brewer evenly saturates the grounds below, ensuring full extraction and saving you a stir. Photo: Michael Hession
The OXO brewer makes a flavorful concentrate, looks good on a counter, and is easier to use and store than any other pick. Photo: Michael Hession
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Some of our testers thought the Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer (our runner-up) made a smoother, mellower cup of coffee. But others liked the stronger, bolder flavor of coffee from the OXO.
Plus, we found our pick easier to use than the Filtron (which is a bit more cumbersome).
Dimensions: 9.5 by 9.5 by 14.7 inches
Capacity: 32 ounces (4 cups)
See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.
Best beginner espresso setup
Our pick
Breville Bambino Plus
This potent little machine is fast and easy to use, and it will impress beginners and experienced baristas with its consistent espresso shots and silky frothed milk.
Who this is for: People who like good coffee and want to make quality espresso (or espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos, lattes, and Americanos) at home.
Why we like it: The Breville Bambino Plus espresso machine stood out in our tests for the best espresso machine, grinder, and accessories, pulling consistently great-tasting espresso shots more easily than other machines.
It was also the simplest to use, featuring the best documentation and most user-friendly design. When it came to making milk drinks, the Bambino Plus’s steam wand was easily the best of those on the under-$1,000 machines we tested. This model comes with a lot of accessories and a place to store them. And it’s available for a reasonable price.
When you’re making espresso, a good grinder is just as important as a good espresso machine. Our coffee grinder picks, though great at grinding beans for drip or pour-over coffee, lack the finer, more-precise settings that are needed to make the best espresso. The Baratza Sette 30 accurately produced fine espresso grinds. In our tests, it performed the best in its price range.
The Bambino Plus consistently produced rich, tasty shots. Photo: Sarah Kobos
Pouring latte art takes practice, but producing silky milk froth with the Bambino Plus does not. Photo: Sarah Kobos
The Bambino Plus’s steam wand is fast and powerful when used manually.
Photo: Sarah Kobos
The Bambino Plus consistently produced rich, tasty shots. Photo: Sarah Kobos
Flaws but not dealbreakers: In our tests, the Bambino Plus made the most consistently good espresso, but it did not make the absolute best espresso (the pricier Breville Barista Touch won that crown). The preprogrammed double-shot setting on the Bambino Plus cut off the extraction too quickly during our initial attempts. But reprogramming the shot volume, using a phone timer, was easy. Finally, the Bambino Plus lacks the hot-water dispenser that’s included with other Breville models.
Dimensions: 12.5 by 7.6 by 12.2 inches
Water filter: yes
Water-reservoir capacity: 1.9 liters
See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.
Best Nespresso machine
Our pick
Nespresso Essenza Mini
The Essenza Mini makes the same exact espresso as $400 Nespresso machines, but it has no unnecessary features.
Who this is for: People who are interested in convenience and speed. A Nespresso is the fastest, most effortless way to make an espresso-like drink—all you have to do is pop a capsule into the machine and press a button.
Why we like it: The Essenza Mini is our pick for the best Nespresso machine because it’s small and mighty, capable of making the same espressos and lungos as any other Nespresso machine in its line. We’ve determined that all of the machines make identical drinks, so the least expensive one is your best bet. We don’t love the flavor of Nespresso, and it’s more expensive than a full cup of drip coffee. But taste is subjective, and the real appeal of Nespresso is its ease, speed, and consistency (though if you want to make real espresso at home, we recommend these beginner setups).
The Essenza Mini’s slim, tidy frame takes up less space than a hot-water kettle. Photo: Michael Hession
The Essenza Mini has a removable drip platform.
Photo: Michael Hession
The waste container can hold up to six used capsules. Photo: Michael Hession
The LED brewing buttons light up when the machine is heated. Photo: Michael Hession
The Essenza Mini’s slim, tidy frame takes up less space than a hot-water kettle. Photo: Michael Hession
Flaws but not dealbreakers: In exchange for its compact size, the Essenza Mini has a 20.3-ounce water tank and a reusable tray that can accommodate just six capsules, the smallest of any Nespresso machine. But then again, both are easy to refill and empty. The Essenza Mini did struggle slightly in our testing after brewing dozens of back-to-back espressos. This may be a problem if you plan on churning out lungos from your Essenza Mini for a large dinner party. But if the machine sputters or stops, let it rest for a minute and it should be good to go again.
Dimensions: 4.3 by 12.8 by 8.1 inches
Water-tank capacity: 20.
3 ounces (enough for eight espressos)
Used-capsule capacity: six
See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.
Why we don’t recommend Keurig machines
Best coffee grinder
Our pick
Who this is for: If you want to take coffee seriously, the most important item in your brewing setup will be a good-quality burr grinder. Unlike blade grinders, which randomly chop coffee beans into smaller and smaller pieces, burr grinders pulverize coffee beans between two sets of burrs and deliver a much more uniform grind, resulting in better-tasting coffee.
Why we like it: The slim and trim Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder is priced lower than most of the competition—about $170, compared with about $200 for anything else in its echelon.
In our testing for the best coffee grinders guide, the Encore performed as well as or better than any home grinder we tried. It grinds beans quickly and evenly and is simple to use and adjust. And because it’s easy enough to clean and maintain, you’ll use it for years to come. The Encore makes it supremely easy to produce a great cup of coffee.
The Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder grinds beans quickly and evenly. Photo: Michael Hession
Grind settings on the Encore. Photo: Michael Hession
The Encore’s amusing on/off/on/off switch. Photo: Michael Hession
Looking inside the conical burrs of the Encore. Photo: Michael Hession
The Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder grinds beans quickly and evenly. Photo: Michael Hession
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Encore is a very simple machine. It has an on/off switch only, so it doesn’t allow for a timed grind (whereas the Baratza Virtuoso+, our upgrade pick, does). It can take a long time to grind on a very fine, espresso-like setting.
And like all of the machines we tested, the Baratza machines can be messy when grinding coffee, spreading dust and chaff over the counter.
Dimensions: 6.3 by 4.7 by 13.8 inches
Grind settings: 40
See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.
Best electric kettle
Our pick
Also great
OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Pour-Over Kettle
We recommend this gooseneck kettle for anyone preparing pour-over coffee or for tea lovers who will geek out over its spot-on temperature accuracy.
Who this is for: The Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle is for anyone who needs to bring water to a boil to make French press coffee, pour-over coffee, or tea.
The OXO Brew Pour-Over Kettle is best for people preparing pour-over coffee (the gooseneck spout offers better aim) or for tea lovers who will geek out over its spot-on temperature accuracy.
Why we like it: The Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle topped all of the competition in our tests for the best electric kettle guide (this model has been our pick since 2013). The PerfecTemp offers a winning combination of speed, accuracy, and ease of use. Its handle has buttons with preset temperature settings, which is pretty useful since different coffees and teas require different brewing temps. In addition, if pour-over coffee is your jam, you’ll appreciate the precise aim of the OXO Brew Pour-Over Kettle’s gooseneck spout. It had the most accurate temperature controls among all of the models we tested. Unfortunately, as of this writing, we’re struggling to find the OXO kettle in stock anywhere. The sleek-looking Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck Kettle was a standout in our recent testing—with accurate temperatures and an even smoother pour; it will likely replace the OXO as the gooseneck pick in our electric kettle guide.
The Cuisinart CPK-17 remains our top pick for the fifth year in a row. Photo: Michael Hession
Our top pick has six preset temperature-setting buttons on the handle (160 °F, 175 °F, 185 °F, 190 °F, 200 °F, and Boil), plus a Start button and a Keep Warm button. Photo: Michael Hession
The OXO pours in a steady, controlled stream, ideal for making pour-over coffee. Photo: Sarah Kobos
The dial on the OXO allows you to easily adjust the temperature to the degree. Photo: Sarah Kobos
The Cuisinart CPK-17 remains our top pick for the fifth year in a row. Photo: Michael Hession
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although the Cuisinart CPK-17 had better accuracy than most of the other kettles we tested, we found that it wasn’t as accurate at hitting lower temperatures; when we set it to 160 °F, it measured 8 degrees over. Because this model has a slew of other noteworthy features, we’re willing to forgive its minor temperature variances at the lowest setting.
We’ve received feedback from some of our readers about this Cuisinart model breaking down after about a year, including rusting screws and lid issues. We haven’t experienced these issues ourselves; several people on our staff have owned and used this kettle for years and haven’t had any problems with it.
As with most gooseneck kettles we tested, the OXO’s lid doesn’t open at the push of a button—you have to pull it off manually, which can be tricky when the kettle is hot. Also, like most gooseneck kettles we tested, the OXO lacks a water-level window. And, although a handful of Amazon reviews complain of durability issues, it’s important to remember that electric kettles tend to have a shorter-than-average shelf life compared with other small appliances. That said, the OXO comes with a two-year warranty, which is more generous than the one-year warranty of your average kettle. And we’ve found OXO’s customer service to be very responsive.
Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle:
Dimensions: 9.
75 by 8.25 by 12 inches
Capacity: 1.7 liters
Temperature settings: six preset heat settings
OXO Brew Pour-Over Kettle
Dimensions: 11.4 by 6.3 by 8.1 inches
Capacity: 1 liter
Temperature settings: adjustable in one-degree increments, from 140 °F to 212 °F
See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.
More for coffee and tea drinkers
The Best Travel Mug
After 78 hours of research and testing since 2013, we think the Zojirushi SM-SC Mug is the best travel mug to keep your drinks hot for hours.
The Best Tea Steeper
After more than 30 hours researching dozens of tea steepers, and drinking tea made in 15 infusers, teapots, and travel mugs over the past two years, we found that the Finum Brewing Basket is the best option.
Gear for Car Camping
When the Wirecutter outdoor team goes car camping—as opposed to backpacking and carrying gear into the wilderness—this is the gear they bring.
The Best Tumbler
We left 15 Slurpee-filled tumblers in a 112 °F car. Handling the meltdown with ease, the Hydro Flask emerged as the perfect choice for most people.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best black coffee maker?
Though getting the most out of your beans is important no matter how you drink your coffee, it’s especially important for those who drink their coffee black. We think pour-over methods make the best black coffee.
They’re a simple, consistent way to brew coffee, with flavor dimensionality you might not get from a machine. And the paper filters used with our pour-over picks reduce residue, resulting in a cleaner-tasting cup, compared with coffee made in a French press. That said, our French press pick, the Espro P3, uses a mesh double-basket filter, which makes a cup that’s pretty close to pour over.
How can I make coffee taste better at home?
Buy whole beans in small batches. Coffee beans lose flavor over time. Keeping the beans whole and storing them at room temperature in an airtight container—we like the Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Storage Containers—will keep your coffee from turning bitter or absorbing ambient smells. Grinding them just prior to use with a burr grinder will ensure that the coffee is ground evenly, resulting in coffee that is flavorful and balanced.
For the most consistent cup, weigh your beans using a kitchen scale, rather than measuring by volume. Beans and grounds don’t settle the same way in a spoon every time, and the coffee-to-water ratio can make the critical difference between a good and bad brew.
The American Weigh Scales LB-3000 Compact Digital Scale is the most accurate 0.1-gram scale we’ve tested.
Are pricier coffee makers worth it?
Arguably, the best ways to make coffee are often the cheapest. You can get a quality pour-over dripper for about $25 and a French press for about $40. However, hand-pour methods can still require other gear, like grinders and kettles. The grinder especially is worth spending a little more money on. Our burr grinder pick, the Baratza Encore, costs nearly $150, compared with a budget blade-style grinder which runs about $25, but ensures a more consistent, flavorful cup.
For automated makers, they’re worth springing for up to a point. We tested espresso machines and learned that anything under $500 isn’t worth buying—espresso requires durable hardware and precise temperature and pressure control, which are costly. For drip coffee makers, a $100 coffee maker will make better coffee than a $40 coffee maker. After a certain point, though, the price difference comes down to user interface and design, rather than coffee quality.
About your guide
Wirecutter Staff
Further reading
The Best Drip Coffee Maker
by Marguerite Preston, Alex Arpaia, and Liz Clayton
We’ve been testing coffee makers since 2015, and we think the OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker offers the best combination of convenient features and delicious coffee.
The Best Cold-Brew Coffee Maker
by Nick Guy, Kevin Purdy, Daniel Varghese, and Anna Perling
The OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker is the best we’ve found after years of testing. It makes smooth, balanced, delicious cold brew.
How to Clean Your Coffee Maker
by Joanne Chen
Cleaning your coffee maker regularly and thoroughly will help the machine last longer and make the coffee taste better.
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8 Best Coffee Makers of 2023, Tested by Experts
We updated this article in January 2023 to ensure the information reflected current prices, features and more. Our original top-rated picks, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab, remain the same.
Many Americans have more than just one type of coffee maker in their home. And while drip coffee makers are still the most common, the specialty coffee category has grown dramatically over the past couple of years. Many are continuing to invest in single-serve coffee makers, coffee makers with grinders and other high-end brewers, including the best espresso machines and even latte makers.
To round up the best coffee makers, we scoured decades worth of testing data from the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab where we've tested more than 100 coffee makers and made more than 1,000 cups of coffee in all different types of coffee makers over the years, from drip coffee makers to Nespresso machines, French presses, cold brew coffee makers, portable coffee makers and more. Of the many models we've tested, here are some of the best coffee makers you can buy in 2022.
-
1
Best Overall Coffee Maker
Precision Brewer Breville
$330 AT AMAZON
Read More
$330 AT AMAZON
-
2
Best Value Coffee Maker
12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker BLACK+DECKER
$39 AT AMAZON
Read More
$39 AT AMAZON
-
3
Best Iced Coffee Maker
Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker Ninja
$169 AT AMAZON
Read More
$169 AT AMAZON
-
4
Best Small Coffee Maker
5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker Capresso
$40 AT AMAZON
Read More
$40 AT AMAZON
-
5
Best Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe
Programmable Coffee Maker Wolf Gourmet
$600 AT AMAZON
Read More
$600 AT AMAZON
-
6
Best Coffee Maker with Grinder
Grind Control Coffee Maker Breville
$330 AT AMAZON
Read More
$330 AT AMAZON
-
7
Best Pod Coffee Maker
VertuoPlus Coffee Maker Breville-Nespresso
$250 AT AMAZON
Read More
$250 AT AMAZON
-
8
Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Cold Brew Coffee Maker OXO
$39 AT AMAZON
Read More
$39 AT AMAZON
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After our top picks, stick around to learn more about how we test coffee machines in the Lab and what you should look for when shopping for one.
1
Best Overall Coffee Maker
Breville
Precision Brewer
Breville
$330 AT AMAZON $300 AT SUR LA TABLE $330 AT WALMART
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 12 cups |
| Type of carafe | Thermal carafe |
| Dimensions | 14 x 9 x 16 inches |
2
Best Value Coffee Maker
BLACK+DECKER
12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Black+Decker
$39 AT AMAZON $39 AT WAYFAIR $45 AT JCPENNEY
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 12 cups |
| Type of carafe | Glass carafe |
| Dimensions | 8. 25 x 12.25 x 11 inches |
3
Best Iced Coffee Maker
Ninja
Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker
Nina
$169 AT AMAZON $170 AT HOME DEPOT $181 AT WALMART
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 10 cups |
| Type of carafe | Glass carafe |
| Dimensions | 112 x 8.75 x 15 inches |
4
Best Small Coffee Maker
Capresso
5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker
$40 AT AMAZON
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 5 cups |
| Type of carafe | Glass carafe |
| Dimensions | 8 x 6. 25 x 10 inches |
5
Best Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe
Wolf Gourmet
Programmable Coffee Maker
$600 AT AMAZON $600 AT SUR LA TABLE $600 AT WAYFAIR
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 10 cups |
| Type of carafe | Thermal carafe |
| Dimensions | 11 x 9 x 14.4 inches |
6
Best Coffee Maker with Grinder
Breville
Grind Control Coffee Maker
Breville
$330 AT AMAZON $460 AT WALMART $350 AT WAYFAIR
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 12 cups |
| Type of carafe | Thermal carafe |
| Dimensions | 12. 5 x 8.5 x 16.3 inches |
7
Best Pod Coffee Maker
Breville-Nespresso
VertuoPlus Coffee Maker
Breville-Nespresso
$250 AT AMAZON $272 AT WALMART $250 AT BED BATH AND BEYOND
| Type of coffee maker | Single-serve pod coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 1 cup |
| Type of carafe | Brews into a mug of your choice |
| Dimensions | 10.8 x 14.75 x 15.5 inches |
8
Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker
OXO
Cold Brew Coffee Maker
OXO
Now 25% off
$39 AT AMAZON
| Type of coffee maker | Cold brew coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 4 cups of coffee concentrate |
| Type of carafe | Glass carafe |
| Dimensions | 9. 5 x 9.5 x 14.7 inches |
How we test coffee makers
To determine the best overall coffee makers, we brew at least two full pots of coffee in each drip machine and record the brew time, the brew temperature and how well the coffee keeps warm over a two-hour time span. We also pay attention to consistency, as we do when we test espresso machines and single-serve coffee makers. As part of our brew tests, we also conduct a sensory test and get as many people as we can to taste the results and share their tasting notes.
In addition to performance, we assess ease of use by scoring a number of factors including the usefulness of the user guide and how easy it is to use the controls, access the water tank and brew basket, read the markings on the tank and carafe, clean the carafe and more.
What to look for when buying the best coffee maker
✔️ Type of coffee maker: Coffee makers range in variety from drip coffee makers to cold brew coffee makers and espresso machines.
Consider what type of coffee you drink most and if you'd like a coffee machine that can make different styles of coffee, including single-serve sizes, full pots of coffee and sometimes even espresso. It’s becoming increasingly popular for coffee makers to offer multiple ways to enjoy your coffee.
✔️ Strength preference: If you prefer your coffee mild or strong, look for a coffee maker that has adjustable strengths. Many of the models we tested have two to three strength options available. Espresso in general also has a stronger flavor as does coffee made in stovetop coffee makers.
✔️ Number of servings: Most drip coffee makers will make 10 to 14 cups of coffee, but if you don’t need that much, look to smaller coffee makers that make 4 to 5 cups or single-serve options that can brew one cup at a time.
Manual coffee makers are also great for making small amounts of coffee because you can more easily control the brew times.
✔️ Convenience: If you’re pressed for time or don’t want to prep your coffee, a single-serve machine may be a benefit as there’s little to no prep or cleaning up. A drip machine takes longer to brew coffee since it’s making a larger quantity, but this also allows for more customization. If you have plenty of time on your hands, pour-overs and French presses take longer to brew and require a more hands-on approach, but the flavor is typically richer, smoother and worth the fuss.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab where she oversees all of Good Housekeeping's content and testing related to kitchen appliances, tools, gadgets and gear. She's been testing kitchen appliances professionally since 2013 and has worked at kitchen appliance companies where she helped develop some popular coffee makers as well as many recipes for them.
She is trained in classic culinary arts and is a professional recipe developer.
Jamie Kim's first job at the GH Institute was testing a variety of consumer products, including kitchen appliances and cooking tools. Since then she has tested and written about many kitchen-related and cooking tools, especially anything coffee related. She has a passion for cooking and is always in her kitchen and loves trying all the new kitchen appliances and tools. She holds an apparel and textile design degree as well as mechanical engineering.
Nicole Papantoniou Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019.
Jamie Kim Contributing Writer and Analyst Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing.
