Not sure what kind of coffee maker you should buy? Are you looking for the perfect coffee maker for you and are confused by so many existing products? We know it can be a bit confusing and even frustrating not knowing which one you should buy according to your needs.
That is why in this guide you will know the main types of coffee makers, what needs they cater to, and their pros and cons. Also, you’ll find the most common references so you can choose the ideal one for you.
Remember that no type of coffee maker is better than the other, each has been designed to meet a different need. So we will guide you depending on what you want; filtered coffee, espresso, americano, etc.
This will also depend on you making sure you buy a good coffee bean and grinding it at the right time. Visit our blog How to make a good espresso, if you want to learn all the essentials.
Table of Contents
Espresso Coffee Machines
The first espresso machine was built in 1884 and since that date, it has been one of the most used to make excellent quality coffees. This type of coffee maker works on steam and is perfect for creating cappuccinos or very creamy lattes.
The reason these drinks get that heavy and delicious cream is that most espresso machines have a milk frother especially meant for these types of recipes. Therefore, it is very common for cafes and restaurants to have this kind of machine.
The taste of the coffee in this coffee maker may vary depending on its degree of grinding. However, in general, you will get a coffee very intense in caffeine and with a thick body. The pressure, steam, and high temperatures that are handled inside the coffee maker are perfect to obtain delightful espressos.
So, if you are a fan of intense and strong coffee, this is the ideal type of coffee maker for you.
Analysis
Type of coffee: In this coffee maker you will get a coffee of intense flavor and body with a good layer of cream.
Maintenance: Espresso machines require constant cleaning because they get dirty very quickly. Therefore, you must thoroughly clean all its containers so as not to accumulate waste.
Although the hot water that circulates through the coffee maker helps it stay clean, it is best to clean it with a mixture of water, sea salt, and lemon juice. You can also use descalers to prevent lime and grease from building up. Learn more about this on our blog on accessories for coffee makers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Coffee experience | More complex to use |
| Best quality coffee | Requires frequent cleaning. |
| Useful for making coffee, cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, macchiatos, americanos, etc. | It is large-sized and can be uncomfortable to store in a small kitchen. |
| It can make espresso in 30 seconds. | They can be very expensive. |
Recommended products
If you chose to buy an espresso machine, you surely want to invest in one that offers you so many benefits that you are fully confident that you didn’t lose your money. That’s why here are two recommendations.
1. De’Longhi Magnifica S Super Automatic Coffee Maker
One of the best-known brands in espresso coffee machines. With this coffee maker, you can make an espresso of excellent quality, as well as cappuccinos, infusions, and teas. It has a 1.8-liter water tank that is removable so you can fill it and clean it much easier. It can make up to 14 cups of coffee.
One of its great advantages is that you can customize the intensity of the coffee so you will have as a result a drink full of the flavor and aroma that you prefer. You can choose to have a short black, medium, or long coffee, with a strong or soft aroma and even if you want it very hot or medium temperature.
Also, its double dispenser will allow you to make several coffees in less time. And you have the chance to use ground coffee or beans because it has an integrated grinder with up to 13 degrees of grinding.
2. Cecotec Power Espresso 20 Professionale Coffee Machine
This is a much cheaper coffee maker than that of De’Longhi but offers many features that you will love. With a removable 1.5-liter water tank, 20 pressure bars, a double outlet arm, a steamer, and stainless steel finish, it will allow you to create an excellent-quality espresso with a good layer of cream. The steamer will help you create cappuccinos and other recipes with creamy milk.
It is a very intuitive machine that is perfect for beginners in the world of coffee. It has a digital control that allows you to know the pressure in real time and monitor it.
Moka Pots
Italian coffee makers, or also known as Moka pots, are one of the most practical and easy to use. These work similarly to an espresso machine, but more simply, with boiled water along with steam that passes through the ground coffee.
Its origin dates back to 1933 in Italy when Alfonso Bialetti invented it. Therefore, they are one of the most traditional coffee makers at home. Since their creation, they were very popular throughout Europe and now they are also widespread in the American continent.
They can be made of aluminum or stainless steel and are composed of three parts: the bottom, where the water is heated, the second, where the coffee is added, and the third, the top where the coffee is stored after the process is finished.
Moka pots have a peculiar shape that characterizes them, but over the years they have evolved into more modern designs, which still maintain the traditional way of making coffee.
Analysis
Type of coffee: In this type of coffee maker, you can make a fast, strong, and full-bodied coffee. The finer the coffee is, the stronger the flavor you will get. And if the grind is coarse, you will get a drink with less body and flavor.
Maintenance: You should periodically change the rubber seals because coffee residues can build up and this can affect the taste of your coffee. You must also be aware of the valve for the coffee maker to work properly. You can get special brushes to clean each part and prevent lime and grease from being stored in your coffee maker.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | You can’t make an espresso |
| Inexpensive | You must use disposable filters every time you use it. |
| It makes coffee quickly | |
| All in one, it also heats the water. |
Recommended products
Now, if you have decided that this is the perfect type of coffee maker for your needs, but you don’t know of brands or references, we will show you two of the best Moka pots in the market. One with a more modern design and another very traditional. You decide which one suits you best.
1. Pedrini Steel Moka Acero
It is a stainless steel coffee maker of high quality, imported from Italy.
This brand has two references, one to brew up to 6 cups of coffee at a time and, the other, to brew up to 10 cups. In both cases, it is a quick and easy-to-use coffee maker that adjusts to all types of kitchens and stoves with an innovative design.
2. Bialetti Moka Express
This is the most traditional and popular Moka pot throughout Europe and also in America because it was the first brand that patented this type of coffee maker. Since its creation in 1933, Bialetti hasn’t stopped manufacturing and selling this traditional aluminum product that is still very popular among lovers of homemade coffee.
They have various sizes to brew 6, 9, or 12 cups of coffee. What sets this coffee maker apart is that its pot has eight sides so that the heat is distributed evenly. Thus, it makes delicious coffee!
Coffee Drippers or Pour Over Coffee Makers
Also known as artisanal coffee makers, these are among the most unique ways to make coffee because they don’t use any type of technological or electrical components.
In this category of craft coffee makers, the most common ones are the Chemex and the V60 dripper. The German Peter Schlumbohm invented the Chemex coffee maker in 1941 and its success was so resounding that in 1958 it was considered the best design of the time. Therefore, it is now in the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA).
Its brewing method consists of putting the coffee in a filter and letting the water pass through the filter so that it absorbs the taste of the coffee. Thus, an intense or mild drink is produced according to its preparation. It will remain in the coffee maker’s container, ready to be served directly to your cup.
They are similar to the coffee makers that use a filter, but these are much more manual and the barista has all the freedom to play with the brewing and obtain different nuances, bodies, and aromas.
These coffee makers are ideal for people who want to enjoy a good drink full of flavor and aroma, but also want to have an experience around coffee while making it and want to start exploring the world of coffee and its recipes.
If you envision yourself making coffee in a very artisanal way to enjoy different aromas and flavors, this would definitely be the perfect type for you. But if your idea is to make your coffee every morning without going too far into the subject of brewing, it is better to opt for a more automatic machine.
Analysis
Type of coffee: It may vary depending on the method. In general, you can get an intense and very aromatic coffee.
Maintenance: It is very simple because if you use a paper filter, you won’t have much waste. If you use a fixed one, you must clean it every time you use it so as not to save coffee grounds. And you can wash the container daily with only water.
| Pros | Cons |
| They are inexpensive | Making coffee here requires more effort and knowledge |
| They are versatile, the barista chooses how to brew coffee | It takes time to have coffee ready |
Recommended products
If you definitely want to have this experience of preparing a more artisanal coffee, here are the two most popular drippers so you can make your choice.
1. Chemex Pure Design, Pure Flavor Chemex coffee maker
One of the most traditional coffee makers with a very elegant design.
It is made in glass and has a coffee brewing filter. This coffee maker includes a wooden collar with a leather thread that gives it a more sophisticated design, and its material is specially designed not to absorb odors around it.
This brand has several sizes available according to your needs; they can brew 3, 6, 8, or up to 10 cups at a time.
2. Coffee Gator Pour Over coffee maker
A new coffee maker has come to the coffee machine market to stay. With its drip system, an intense coffee in aroma and flavor is achieved.
It comes in two sizes; 400ml and 800ml to make 5 to 6 cups of coffee per brew. This coffee maker comes with its own steel filter so you don’t spend more money buying paper filters every time you want to make your coffee.
Coffee Plungers
Coffee plungers, or better known as French presses, coffee presses, or cafetières are also among the simplest and cheapest coffee makers you can find.
Its origin dates back to France in the 1850s, although the first person to patent this model was the Italian designer Attilio Calimani in 1929.
Its structure is a cylinder normally made of glass, with a piston or plunger that slides through the cylinder to make coffee. In the plunger, which is where the ground coffee is put, there is a filter that allows only the water and not the coffee residues to pass through. This is to have a cleaner drink.
To make coffee in a French press, you need to add hot water along with the ground coffee. After a few minutes, you need to insert the plunger and push it to the bottom of the container so that the grounds can be separated from the drink.
The success in brewing a high-quality coffee is the water temperature. Experts recommend a temperature of 92-93 ºC (197-199 °F), which is the same as boiling water and letting it cool for about 15 seconds.
This type of coffee maker is ideal for those who want to start having an experience around coffee in a simple and not very expensive way. It is perfect to have it at home and experiment with the times and the type of coffee to obtain different bodies, flavors, and tasting notes.
Analysis
Type of coffee: Strong coffee, but this will depend on the brewing time. The drink will be more bitter the longer the water is in contact with the coffee.
Maintenance: They do not require much maintenance other than conventional washing including all their parts.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | You can’t get an espresso |
| It requires little maintenance | No water heater included |
| It doesn’t need electricity |
In this same category of coffee plungers, we find a much more modern and quick-to-use model that employs the same traditional system. This is the Aeropress designed in 2005 that makes coffee in just 30 seconds. The coffee and water are mixed for only 10 seconds and, with air pressure, the drink goes up a filter for 20 seconds to offer a soft coffee, with intense aromas. That’s how fast it is.
Recommended products
Here are two recommendations for coffee plungers: a traditional one and an Aeropress.
1. Bodum Chambord 1913-01 coffee plunger
This is one of the favorite French presses for its price and recognized brand.
It has a capacity of 1 liter, that is to say, you can make up to 5 cups of coffee at a time. It is a classic glass coffee maker with stainless steel and the perfect size for your kitchen.
You can brew strong coffee and even if you want to make the device more functional, you can use it to brew other types of infusions.
2. Aerobie Aeropress A80
This coffee maker is lightweight and very easy to take anywhere, making it perfect for traveling.
It has a microfilter to give you a soft filtered coffee with low acidity and excellent quality in just 20 seconds. It is easy to clean and wash as all its parts are removable.
Capsule Coffee Machines
These are very easy and quick-to-use coffee makers. One of the newest machines on the market and perhaps most different from the way we usually make coffee. Instead of using coffee beans or grounds, they use capsules that are already packaged and sealed and contain ground coffee with different intensities, aromas, and flavors.
They actually work very similarly to other coffee makers. That is, with hot water at high temperatures that goes through the capsules to produce the cup of coffee.
Although its invention was in the 80s, its popularity has grown in recent years for being multifunctional and easy to use. This type of machine is becoming very attractive for home use, that is, not for creating mass coffees, but for casual home recipes.
If what you want is to have a single machine where you can make several kinds of coffee quickly, this is the ideal one for you. With it, you can make various coffee recipes and various flavors of tea and chocolates.
Analysis
Type of coffee: In capsule coffee machines you can taste a coffee with an intense body and a lot of cream. However, this may change depending on the flavor or type of coffee in the capsule.
Maintenance: It is very similar to the maintenance of espresso machines. You can use a mixture of water, sea salt, and lemon juice to clean all the parts of the coffee maker.
| Pros | Cons |
| They are quick and easy to use | Capsules can be expensive and are the only supported method to make coffee. |
| They are versatile. There are capsules for making coffee, latte, cappuccino, tea, chocolate, etc. | You can only use the capsules of the same brand as your machine. |
| Capsules last stored for several weeks without any problems. |
Recommended products
If you’re interested in knowing more about what model of capsule coffee machine you could buy, here are two options for you to choose the one you like best.
1. De’Longhi Piccolo XS Dolce Gusto coffee machine
It is an automatic coffee maker with 15 pressure bars and the Thermoblock heating system that allows it to be much faster. It has a removable 0.8-liter water tank with a compact design and small size for easy storage in any kitchen.
The advantage of this coffee machine is that you can have both hot and cold drinks including coffees, chocolates, infusions, and teas in less than a minute. Another pro is that you can get Dolce Gusto capsules easily to be able to make your favorite drinks.
2. Bosch Tassimo Automatic Capsule Coffee Machine
This is a compact and cheaper coffee machine than the Dolce Gusto, but with many qualities that will also surprise you.
Its highlight is the technological system called INTELLIBREW that allows an internal cleaning so that every time you use a capsule of a different flavor, the flavors don’t get mixed.
With a removable 0.7-liter tank and 3.3 pressure bars, you can make coffee, cappuccino, latte, tea, and chocolate at the push of a button.
Drip Coffee Makers
Better known as electric coffee makers, American coffee makers are other of the most common at home. These are made up of a filter, a container to store the water, another container for the coffee, and a metal plate to keep the drink warm.
If what you seek is to be able to make your coffee every morning easily and quickly, without investing a lot of time and without wanting to experience many flavors or aromas; this coffee maker is ideal for you.
In drip coffee makers you can use disposable or permanent filters. Disposable filters are made of paper and help make the coffee taste better because every time, you will use a new one. The permanent ones for this type of coffee maker are made of metal and aren’t so good at filtering coffee, so they aren’t the most recommended.
Its functioning is no big deal. You need to pour the water in the tank at the top, then put the ground coffee in the filter into the special container for this and that’s it. The machine will begin to do its job of heating the water and passing it through the coffee in the filter to finally obtain the soft drink that will be stored in the machine’s jug. As we mentioned above, the metal plate that is on the bottom will keep the coffee warm for longer.
Analysis
Type of coffee: In drip coffee makers the taste and aroma may vary depending on the filter you use. Ideally, you should use a fine ground coffee to obtain a soft americano-type beverage.
Maintenance: If you use a paper filter, its cleaning will be easier, as this won’t allow so much waste to build up. However, follow the factory cleaning recommendations. Many coffee makers have a cleaning cycle where you can use descaling capsules. You add them to the water and with the cleaning cycle, you’ll prevent grease and lime from accumulating in your coffee maker.
| Pros | Cons |
| Coffee is quick and easy to make | They don’t brew top-quality coffee |
| They have a built-in water heater. | You have to use a new filter every time you make coffee. Disposable filters can be expensive long-term. |
| The metal plate keeps the coffee warm. | It may take up to 10 minutes to have the jug full of coffee. |
| You can make 6 to 12 cups of coffee at a time. |
Recommended products
The drip or American is one of the favorite coffee makers at home and that’s why you can find many options on the market. Here you have the two most recommended options for you to choose the one that best suits you.
1. Melitta 1021-21 Drip coffee maker
It is more expensive than conventional ones but gets a lot closer to making a high-quality coffee.
One of the advantages of this coffee maker is that it has an integrated grinder. So you can buy fresh coffee beans and grind them the moment you make your coffee to have a cup full of endless flavors and aromas. It will seem brewed by an expert. You can adjust the degree of grinding and the intensity of the coffee depending on your tastes.
Also, this coffee maker has the descaling system that we mentioned above and all its parts are removable to allow its cleaning to be easier and safer. It has a water tank of 1,375 liters, with an anti-drip function, water level meter, and touch screen.
2. Jata CA290 Drip coffee maker
With this electric coffee maker, you can have from 2 to 12 cups of coffee at a time. It has an anti-drip system to avoid coffee dripping when the jug is not in the coffee maker. Although it is a standard machine for its price, you will get a functional and very good quality coffee maker.
Hydro-pressure Coffee Makers
Also known as steam or semi-espresso coffee machines, these are ideal for making espresso-like coffee using a simpler system than espresso coffee machines. Also, these are cheaper and, therefore, perfect to have the house and make high-quality coffees.
The most important thing to keep in mind about hydro-pressure coffee makers (so as not to get confused when buying one of these) is that they don’t get to make an espresso. They only reach a maximum of 5 bars of pressure, while espresso machines can reach up to 15 bars. But the coffee produced is not as smooth as one that could be brewed in a drip coffee maker.
Just like espresso machines and unlike drip coffee makers, hydro-pressure coffee makers have a steamer to make milk froth. The pressure of this coffee maker is not equal to that of an espresso machine, so the cream you will get in the coffee won’t be the same.
These are ideal for those who love a softer espresso and want a coffee quickly. Although they work very much like the espresso machine and a fine grinding should be used, you can use a medium grinding and thus vary the bitterness, body, and taste of your coffee.
Analysis
Type of coffee: Espresso-like with cream not as heavy as that of an espresso.
Maintenance: Very similar to the espresso machine. You need to constantly clean the coffee maker so that no residues are left. You can fill the water tank with a mixture of half-part water and half-part white vinegar and let it stand for half an hour for a thorough cleaning.
| Pros | Cons |
| It has a water heater included. | You will not get an espresso as if it were made in an espresso machine. |
| You can brew from 3 to 4 cups. | |
| Coffee is ready in 2 to 5 minutes. |
Recommended products
If this type of coffee maker is what you are looking for, here you have two models you can analyze to choose the one that fits your needs.
1. Jata CA704 Hydro-pressure Coffee Maker
With this machine, you can make up to 4 coffees per preparation since it has a water storage capacity of 350 ml.
It has a pressure of 3.5 bars with a rotary handle that can be configured in 4 different positions depending on the drink you want to make: turn off, pause, espresso, or use the steamer to make a cappuccino.
2. Severin KA5978 Coffee Maker
With a capacity of 220 ml to brew up to 3 cups of coffee and 3.5 bars of pressure, you can create soft coffees quickly.
It has a safety valve and a steamer special to make milk froth and create cappuccinos. It also has a switch so you can choose whether you want to brew coffee or have steam for other types of recipes.
In general, these kinds of coffee makers are very similar in design and functionality, what varies is the capacity of water storage.
Cold Brew Coffee Makers
Cold brew coffee makers are specially designed for making cold coffee.
Its process is very slow because cold or room temperature water should be used and left for about 12 to 24 hours so that it can absorb the taste and aromas of coffee beans. A foil or paper filter or a French press should then be used to separate the beverage from the coffee beans.
Usually, this brew is used as a base to prepare other recipes such as frappuccinos or drinks combined with chocolate, cream, caramel, etc.
This machine may not be very convenient since you can only make cold coffee. Although there are more multifunctional coffee makers, in this one you could have a different experience and taste various flavors depending on the time you leave the water with the coffee.
Analysis
Type of coffee: A drink more concentrated in caffeine, mild in taste and aroma, and very low in acidity.
Maintenance: Normally, cold brew coffee makers can be disassembled and each part can be washed independently. It is important to do this after each use as the ingredients last a long time in the container.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | It takes a long time to make a beverage |
| You can have several cups of coffee at a time | You can only prepare cold coffee |
Recommended products
If you finally decided to buy a cold brew coffee maker, here you have two recommendations.
1. Dripster Cold Brew Coffee Maker
In this coffee maker, you will have cold, fruity, sweet, and caffeinated coffee.
It is the best-known in Germany and one of the most recommended for brewing cold coffee or tea.
Its great highlight is the tap it has so you can control the drip speed yourself and also have different flavors and intensities. You can even brew a cold coffee in 3 hours.
2. Hario Mizudashi Mini MCPN-7CBR Cold Brew Coffee Maker
It has a metal filter that makes it easier to prepare cold coffee without any particles. We advise you to use finely ground, roasted coffee in this coffee maker.
It has a capacity of 600 ml and will take between 12 to 24 hours to have the coffee depending on the concentration you prefer.
And now?
Now it’s your turn to decide which coffee maker is right for you. Remember that there is no one type better than another, but your choice will depend on what you are looking for in your cup of coffee.
In addition to that, keep in mind that the coffee maker is not the only one that will influence the process of having a good cup of coffee, but also the coffee and the degree of grinding you choose.
