The Best Coffee Maker for 2021
Expert & 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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].
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.
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.
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).
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
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
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
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 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:
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