The Best Coffee Maker for 2021

The Best Coffee Maker of 2020Expert & Consumers Reviews

Spending hundreds of hours to make this research, interview experts and brewing thousands of cups of coffee in 50+ machines, we think Breville BES870XL Barista Express is the best espresso machine and OXO On Barista Brain 9 Cup Coffee Maker is the best in the category “drip coffee maker”.

But are you sure that it is good enough? Check our full article and decide!

If you are not satisfied with your coffee maker or you just feel it is time to invest in the quality you deserve then take a look at our review for the best coffee makers of 2021.

We have selected products that offer a diversity of prices, sizes, and brewing types so that we meet the different criteria for your full coffee satisfaction.

Model
Best Espresso Machine
Breville BES870XL
Best Drip Coffee Maker
OXO On Barista Brain 9
Editor's Choice
Technivorm Moccamaster 59160 KBG
Best Single Serve Coffee Maker
Nespresso Vertuo
Best Grind & Brew Coffee Maker
Cuisinart DGB-900BC
Manufacturer
Breville USA
OXO
Technivorm-Moccamaster
Breville
Cuisinart
Type
Espresso Machine
Drip Coffee Maker
Drip Coffee Maker
Pod Coffee Maker
Drip Coffee Maker
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso...
OXO Coffeemaker, 9 CUP, STAINLESS STEEL
Technivorm 59160 KBG Coffee Brewer, 40 oz,...
Breville BNV250CRO1BUC1 Vertuo Coffee and Espresso...
Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind & Brew Thermal 12-Cup...
Advantages
Great tasting froth and espresso
Cool design, simple controls, makes hot and tasty coffee, reliable
Cool design, cheap maintenance
Affordable, reliable, durable and good-looking
Cheap drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder;
Disadvantages
1 year limited Manufacturer's warranty
Insignificantly on the pricey side
A bit pricey
The brewing temperature is not high enough
Some customers have problems with the heating plate
Built-in Grinder
Our Score
9.7/10
9.6/10
8.8/10
8.5/10
8.9/10
Customer Rating
Customer Reviews
13,910 Reviews
2,256 Reviews
3,732 Reviews
6,483 Reviews
8,487 Reviews
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Aluminium
Plastic
Plastic
Dimensions (WxDxH)
13.2 x 12.5 x 15.8 inches
8.3 x 15 x 17.2 inches
6.5 x 12.8 x 14 inches
11.9 x 8.3 x 11.9 inches
7.9 x 12.7 x 15.9 inches
Weight
23 pounds
7.7 pounds
6.26 pounds
9.8 pounds
14.99 pounds
Year Developed
2013
2015
2015
2017
2003
Brewing time - full carafe
4 to 7 seconds
7 to 8 minutes
4 to 6 minutes
15 seconds
10 minutes
Brewing Capacity
67 oz water tank
9 cups
10 cups
1 pod / tank size: 40oz
12 cups
Certified by SCAA
Dishwasher Safe
Best Espresso Machine
Model
Breville BES870XL
Manufacturer
Breville USA
Type
Espresso Machine
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso...
Price at Amazon
Advantages
Great tasting froth and espresso
Disadvantages
1 year limited Manufacturer's warranty
Built-in Grinder
Our Score
9.7/10
Customer Rating
Customer Reviews
13,910 Reviews
Material
Stainless Steel
Dimensions (WxDxH)
13.2 x 12.5 x 15.8 inches
Weight
23 pounds
Year Developed
2013
Brewing time - full carafe
4 to 7 seconds
Brewing Capacity
67 oz water tank
Certified by SCAA
Dishwasher Safe
Read Our Review
Best Drip Coffee Maker
Model
OXO On Barista Brain 9
Manufacturer
OXO
Type
Drip Coffee Maker
OXO Coffeemaker, 9 CUP, STAINLESS STEEL
Price at Amazon
Advantages
Cool design, simple controls, makes hot and tasty coffee, reliable
Disadvantages
Insignificantly on the pricey side
Built-in Grinder
Our Score
9.6/10
Customer Rating
Customer Reviews
2,256 Reviews
Material
Stainless Steel
Dimensions (WxDxH)
8.3 x 15 x 17.2 inches
Weight
7.7 pounds
Year Developed
2015
Brewing time - full carafe
7 to 8 minutes
Brewing Capacity
9 cups
Certified by SCAA
Dishwasher Safe
Read Our Review
Editor's Choice
Model
Technivorm Moccamaster 59160 KBG
Manufacturer
Technivorm-Moccamaster
Type
Drip Coffee Maker
Technivorm 59160 KBG Coffee Brewer, 40 oz,...
Price at Amazon
Advantages
Cool design, cheap maintenance
Disadvantages
A bit pricey
Built-in Grinder
Our Score
8.8/10
Customer Rating
Customer Reviews
3,732 Reviews
Material
Aluminium
Dimensions (WxDxH)
6.5 x 12.8 x 14 inches
Weight
6.26 pounds
Year Developed
2015
Brewing time - full carafe
4 to 6 minutes
Brewing Capacity
10 cups
Certified by SCAA
Dishwasher Safe
Read Our Review
Best Single Serve Coffee Maker
Model
Nespresso Vertuo
Manufacturer
Breville
Type
Pod Coffee Maker
Breville BNV250CRO1BUC1 Vertuo Coffee and Espresso...
Price at Amazon
Advantages
Affordable, reliable, durable and good-looking
Disadvantages
The brewing temperature is not high enough
Built-in Grinder
Our Score
8.5/10
Customer Rating
Customer Reviews
6,483 Reviews
Material
Plastic
Dimensions (WxDxH)
11.9 x 8.3 x 11.9 inches
Weight
9.8 pounds
Year Developed
2017
Brewing time - full carafe
15 seconds
Brewing Capacity
1 pod / tank size: 40oz
Certified by SCAA
Dishwasher Safe
Read Our Review
Best Grind & Brew Coffee Maker
Model
Cuisinart DGB-900BC
Manufacturer
Cuisinart
Type
Drip Coffee Maker
Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind & Brew Thermal 12-Cup...
Price at Amazon
Advantages
Cheap drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder;
Disadvantages
Some customers have problems with the heating plate
Built-in Grinder
Our Score
8.9/10
Customer Rating
Customer Reviews
8,487 Reviews
Material
Plastic
Dimensions (WxDxH)
7.9 x 12.7 x 15.9 inches
Weight
14.99 pounds
Year Developed
2003
Brewing time - full carafe
10 minutes
Brewing Capacity
12 cups
Certified by SCAA
Dishwasher Safe
Read Our Review

There are several types of coffee makers depending on the different brewing principles they use.

In the most popular machines, you place the ground coffee beans in a paper, metal or plastic filter situated in a funnel which stays above a pot. In a separate container, you put cold water which the machine heated to a boiling point and then poured it into the funnel.

This basic principle of brewing coffee is also known as the automatic drip-brew. Probably most of you have some coffee maker in your home working on the principle of drip-brew.

Breville BES870XL
9.5 / 10 Expert
{{ reviewsOverall }} / 10 Consumers (2 votes)
Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price
Breville BES870XL

Breville BES870XL

Barista Express Espresso Machine

Breville BES870XL – a high-quality espresso maker, 100% comparable to the fully-automatic machines! The barista-quality coffee takes less than one minute to make from bean to espresso. This machine is more for people who appreciate the great coffee, if you are looking for a simple machine that prepares a coffee with one push, look elsewhere, like the Nespresso machines.

If you are a big espresso enthusiast [like me] who wants to study the art of preparing amazing coffee, this is the right home coffee machine for you! 

This machine will give you a full variety of opportunities you never dreamed were possible at home. Read the full review here.

Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price

OXO On Barista Brain

9 Cup Coffee Maker

OXO On Barista Brain may be insignificantly on the pricey side, but it’s the best model if you’re looking for something that gives a delicious cup of coffee that re-creates the Pour Over method automatically but is fairly easy-to-use. Certified by SCA, OXO On Barista Brain is people who wanted to have a modern drip coffee maker, without sacrificing the quality of the coffee. 

It is much easier to use compared to rest of the drip coffee makers, we’ve reviewed. Can be programmed 24h before to automatically brew. The resulting coffee is much hotter compared to most of drip coffee makers and it does not get overheated or bitter because it is in the thermal carafe. If you are looking for a quest for the ideal cup of coffee and this hits the mark.

We love the modern look of it and the simplicity – the fact that it has one button to control it all. Read the full review here.

Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price
OXO On Barista Brain 9 Cup
9.6 / 10 Expert
{{ reviewsOverall }} / 10 Consumers (8 votes)
Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price
OXO On Barista Brain 9 Cup
Cuisinart DGB-900BC

Cuisinart DGB-900BC

Grind & Brew Thermal 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker

Fully programmable, the Cuisinart DGB-900BC comes with a built-in grinder. It’s very easy to use but it’s hard to clean and dry effectively. The 2-pound, double-walled thermal carafe keeps the coffee warm for hours. It measures 16.3 inches by 8.3 inches by 11.6 inches and weighs 9.5 pounds. Read the full review here.

Cuisinart DGB-900BC is rated #1 in our category of best grind and brew coffee maker.

The Cuisinart makes better-tasting coffee than the vast majority of drip coffee makers, and it’s much cheaper and simpler to use than the other high-end machines, to give you excellent coffee without devoting the flavor.

Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price

Technivorm Moccamaster KBT

10-Cup Coffee Brewer with Thermal Carafe

The Technivorm Moccamaster KBT is handmade, individually tested in the Netherlands, very simple, elegant, workhorse which will last a lifetime [20+ years], precise pure electric drip coffee brewer. The maintenance is cheap, easy and minimal. Certified by SCA, the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT makes exceptional coffee with perfect temperature [196 to 205 deg F], crema, and taste.

Technivorm Moccamaster KBT has a well-deserved reputation as the best automatic drip coffee maker you can buy.

Made with durable metal housings and BPA/BPS/BPF & phthalate free plastics. Read the full review here.

Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price
Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741
8.8 / 10 Expert
{{ reviewsOverall }} / 10 Consumers (0 votes)
Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price
Technivorm Moccamaster KBT
Nespresso Vertuo
8.5 / 10 Expert
{{ reviewsOverall }} / 10 Consumers (0 votes)
Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price
Nespresso Vertuo Coffee Maker

Nespresso Vertuo by Breville

Coffee and Espresso Machine Bundle with Aeroccino Milk Frother

Nespresso Vertuo by Breville is ranked as #1 in the category “single serve coffee maker“. The coffee and espresso are both delicious, in addition, you can make delicious mistos, cappuccinos, and lattes.

Nespresso Vertuo – smart engineering with one push button by Breville. Coffee brewing temperatures vary by the code on the pod, which is awesome. With a click of a single button, in only 15 seconds, you can enjoy a magnificent shot of coffee every time! Read our full review here.

Don’t forget: Coffee pods generate massive amounts of plastic waste each year and they are not biodegradable or recyclable [until now].

 

Bonavita BV1900TS

8-Cup Carafe Coffee Brewer, Stainless Steel

Bonavita BV1900TS is compact, easy to clean, simple to use [no timers, clocks, LEDs or other stuff you don’t need]. Equipped with a No-spill thermal carafe, auto shut-off feature, flat-bottomed filter basket and 1500 watt heater that reaches and maintains the optimal water temperature of 195 to 203 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Certified by SCA, Bonavita BV1900TS requires only about 6 minutes for a full pot of coffee and the thermal carafe [cannot pour without the lid on] keeps the coffee warm for hours. It retails for around $120 right now, which is a huge bargain for a coffee maker like this.

Remember, the better the beans, the better the coffee. Read the full review here.

Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price
Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741
8.8 / 10 Expert
{{ reviewsOverall }} / 10 Consumers (0 votes)
Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price
Bonavita BV1900TS Coffee Maker
Ninja Coffee Bar Brewer CF092 Coffee Maker

Ninja Coffee Bar Brewer CF092

10-Cup with Glass Carafe Coffee Brewer

Ninja Coffee Bar is a single serve and glass carafe coffee maker with a built-in frother with hot and cold frothing skills, a host of delightful coffee recipes you can experience. This is a wonderful coffee machine, but it does take proper maintenance. 

The thermal carafe will keep your coffee steaming hot even after few hours of letting it sit. The machine also comes with its personal motorized milk whisk. 

Ninja Coffee Bar Brewer CF092 is not inexpensive, but if you drink coffee daily and like a pod coffee maker, you’ll break even on price fairly swiftly. 

 

Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price

Cuisinart DCC-3200

14 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Stainless Steel

Cuisinart DCC-3200 is one of the best coffee makers we have ever tried. Although it’s not perfect, this carafe is heavy and solid but has a terrible design and it’s hard to clean.

Cuisinart DCC-3200 offers high value for money when it comes to “price to feature” ratio. Overall the coffee maker is excellent, except one design imperfection is that the machine should have either an on/off switch or an indicator that the warming plate has switched off.

This machine is extremely easy to program and operate. Read the full review here.

Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price
Cuisinart DCC-3200
8.9 / 10 Expert
{{ reviewsOverall }} / 10 Consumers (7 votes)
Performance
Maintenance
Design
Features
Price
Cuisinart DCC-3200 Coffee Maker

Buying Guide – Choosing the best coffee maker

Today’s coffee making machines are relatively advanced, and there are lots of programmable models available which quicken up the brewing process and make it easy. The best coffee makers will reach optimum temperature quickly (optimum temperature for brewing coffee is 96.11 Deg C).

drip coffee maker

High-end drip coffee maker

Those that automatically make coffee in advance are also useful, especially if you like, your coffee to be waiting for you, when you wake up or when you get home.

It’s also worth taking into account the environment that we live in; the best coffee makers today are those that are BPA free and certified. That means that the coffee delivered should be of good quality, without contamination from plastic or other materials used.

Here are a few other things to look for when choosing your coffee machine maker:

  • You want something with consistent temperature control.
  • You may want a container that will keep your coffee hot for hours (without burning it)
  • It’s useful to buy a machine that is easy to assemble and easy to maintain
  • You’ll want a machine with a flat filter basket.
  • It’s a good idea to choose a machine with widely distributed water jets; this helps your grinds to be evenly soaked.
  • Stainless steel construction is best as it keeps your coffee hot.
  • Quick brewing is useful if you’re in a hurry, some machines can brew coffee in less than 5 minutes!
  • Choose one with an easy to remove the water tank.
  • A useful safety feature is an automatic shut-off on your hot plate.
  • Look for a fresh brew timer which tells you when you need to brew a new batch.
  • Another useful feature is a brew strength selector which helps you to slow down brewing time.
  • Look for single-serve brew options (if you just want to make enough for one person)

The Best Coffee Maker by Type

The Best Espresso Maker – a machine for experts

As the base for almost every coffee drink, if you want to enjoy the best possible quality coffee at home, you need a reliable espresso maker. Our choice for the best espresso coffee maker is Breville Barista Express BES870XL Machine. Check out all the espresso machines; we’ve reviewed.

Obviously, you want a quality machine because you want to experience the best possible coffee taste!

Breville Barista Express BES870XL Machine

Breville Barista Express BES870XL Machine

Best Drip Coffee Maker

Honestly, I much prefer espresso coffee makers over the drip coffee makers. I have been disappointed with drip coffee makers for quite some time until I tried the best drip coffee maker – OXO Barista Brain 9 Cup.

This is a high-quality drip coffee maker that makes consistent cups at a proper temperature and looks classy.

OXO On 9-Cup Coffee Maker

OXO On 9-Cup Coffee Maker

Best Single Serve Coffee Maker

A single-serve coffee maker is for you if you consume 1-2 cups of coffee daily. Coffee pods are really expensive (around 1$ each) and generate massive amounts of plastic waste each year. My personal best is Nespresso Vertuo by Breville.

The machine automatically identifies the right amount of water from the pod, no heat-up time and just looks good on the counter. Check out all the Nespresso and Keurig coffee makers.

Nespresso Vertuo by Breville

Nespresso Vertuo by Breville

Best Grind & Brew Coffee Maker

This coffee option is for you if you like waking up and having strong coffee ready, freshly ground. It doesn’t grind as well as the $250 burr grinder, but for this price range Cuisinart DGB-900BC is the best you can get. When you use quality coffee beans and filtered water it produces an exceptional cup of coffee.Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind & Brew

Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind & Brew Thermal 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker

The Best Coffee Maker by Brand

As with any kitchen appliance, it’s always wise to choose a reputable coffee machine brand so you feel a peace of mind.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to purchase a machine that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty so if there are any problems, you know you’re covered. A decent quality home coffee maker should last you a long while, choose from the following respectable manufacturers:

  1. Moccamaster
  2. OXO
  3. BONAVITA
  4. CUISINART
  5. BUNN
  6. NINJA 

Just a couple of pointers to help you get the most of your coffee maker:

  • Always choose good quality coffee beans to get the best flavor
  • Always measure the right amount of coffee
  • Make sure you grind your coffee beans properly
  • Always store your coffee properly as this can severely alter the flavor
  • Always use filtered water as unfiltered can affect the overall flavor

Conclusion

I personally prefer an Espresso machine, which is ideal for me as they can create Lattes, Cappuccino, Macchiato, Espresso and so many more. Espresso machines pressurize hot water which extracts the coffee from a pod. They can be used at home and there are also bigger versions that are used in cafés. Generally, they’re quick and efficient and require minimum maintenance.

Now, all that’s left is for you to make your own decision! Hopefully, if you’ve thought about all of the above you should make the right choice and it won’t be long before you’re enjoying your first cup of home-brewed drip coffee.

About the Author

As an avid coffee enthusiast, I know how difficult it can be to find the best coffee maker. With so many different varieties and styles it can often be confusing to find the one that’s right for you. Especially if you’re new to the coffee game. That’s exactly why I’ve designed Coffee Corner to guide you through the process and hopefully help you make a decision on what to buy.

Last update on 2021-06-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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