Need a coffee maker that can make the perfect latte, espresso or ground coffee? We’ve found everything from the best coffee maker with a frother steam arm, to one that’s great for single serve coffee in this handy round up. So, what do you need to consider before you buy a new coffee maker? As with anything, a new purchase needs to work for you and your lifestyle - whether it’s something like a single-serve coffee maker or something much bigger.
If it’s barista style lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites you’re craving, then considering a pod machine is a good place to start. Or if you’d like to create the froth yourself and save money on coffee pods, which can be a bit pricey over time, then consider a coffee maker that has a steam arm so that you can create your own using any milk of your choice.
If you’re a fan of coffee that packs a punch, then you might want to consider one of the best espresso machines instead, or something more simple like a drip-filter coffee maker, for no frills but tasty coffee.
For many, price is a crucial factor when choosing a new kitchen appliance, so consider how often you’ll be using your coffee maker - if it’s a few times a day, it may be worth investing in one you really love. Capacity is also worth thinking about - how many people will you be making coffee for at one time? If it’s a few people, then pod machines can quickly become expensive and are sometimes a little slow, but something like a single-serve machine obviously won’t do the job either.
And finally, how your coffee maker looks is going to be super important - especially as it will probably take pride of place on your kitchen countertops. So, whether you want something sexy and sleek or practical and good value, find the ideal coffee maker for you in this guide.
1. Mr Coffee Maker: Best coffee maker overall
The Mr Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker is a great value coffee machine, but it isn’t as basic as you might think. Admittedly, it won’t be able to make fancy lattes, however it tops our best coffee makers guide because it has well thought-out features such as an Auto Pause function, which enables you to enjoy a quick cup of coffee while the machine brews the rest.
Other handy features include the Lift and Clean filter basket, making for easy maintenance. The Delay Brew function is also great and, to make sure your coffee suits your taste, you can adjust the strength with the Brew Strength Selector.
With a built-in warming plate, coffee can be kept hot for up to two hours, after that time the auto shut-off will kick in. What’s more, there’s an audible signal when your coffee is ready to drink, making this coffee machine ideal for brewing large quantities of coffee, especially during busy mornings at home.
2. De'Longhi 10-Cup Coffee Maker and Espresso Maker: Best pro-style coffee maker
The De'Longhi 10-Cup Coffee Maker and Espresso Maker comes out on top as the best professional-style coffee maker, with a sophisticated feel and stylish look. Complete with a steam arm for making a frothy cappuccino, the coffee maker has one of the biggest capacities in our guide.
Compatible with pods and ground coffee, this model can also create drip coffee and has a handy hot plate to keep it warm too. Ideal for creating espresso, the De'Longhi 10-Cup Coffee Maker provides a great crema on top of your drink. Other finer details that make a difference to the final coffee are a water filtration system, cup warmer and auto shut off after a couple of hours to prevent you wasting energy.
3. Hamilton Beach The Scoop: Best single-serve coffee machine
If you want hot, tasty coffee and you want it fast, Hamilton Beach The Scoop is a great choice. This single-cup coffee maker can brew an 8-ounce cup of coffee in 90 seconds, and it takes less than three minutes for the machine to fill a 14-ounce travel mug. You also can save money with this coffee maker since you don’t use prepackaged pods.
Instead, you use a scoop filter to measure ground coffee into the Hamilton Beach’s brewing basket. The scoop has measuring lines for specific amounts. In addition, you can adjust the coffee’s strength by using the “regular” or “bold” settings.
Regular works nicely with standard grocery-store coffee, while bold is better suited to finer grinds and gourmet coffees. The regular setting releases hot water quickly since that works best for coarse ground coffee. The bold setting allows more time for the hot water to flow through finer coffee grounds to brew the finished product.
- Read our Hamilton Beach The Scoop review
4. Black + Decker Stainless Steel Drip: Best coffee maker with built in grinder
Ideal for grinding beans and making coffee, this Black + Decker coffee maker is a great value option. Making up to 12 cups and with the functionality to keep coffee warm for up to two hours, this coffee maker is an ideal option for busy homes and families.
With a reusable coffee filter, this machine means there’s no need to buy and throw away paper filters. Even better, this model also has a programmable timer so that you can wake up to delicious coffee already brewing.
5. Keurig K-Select: Best coffee maker for pod drinkers
If it’s an effortless coffee you’re after, then capsule machines are ideal. This Keurig coffee maker is great for making a single coffee and there’s a vast range of capsule pods that are compatible with it.
Handy features include the auto shut off, as well as the removable drip tray so that you can place a travel mug inside ready to be filled with fresh coffee to take on the go. The average brew time is less than a minute, making it one of the speedier options in our round up. The large water reservoir also means that you can make up to five cups of coffee before having to refill.
How much do the best coffee makers cost?
Good quality home coffee makers run the gamut from $20 to more than $200, but price alone does not guarantee exceptional quality. Even modestly priced coffee makers intended for home use can produce excellent coffee and offer enough features to satisfy the most discerning coffee aficionado.
It's worth thinking about costs when choosing between a pod machine and one that uses ground coffee. Pods can be quite pricey over time and buying them becomes an ongoing purchase, so it all mounts up.