If coffee is the most important part of your morning routine, then having a reliable coffee maker at home will make it so much easier to get your caffeine in. Whether you prefer to drink pour-over coffee or a strong cold brew, a quality machine will make all the difference in how your brew tastes.
To find the best coffee makers, we researched dozens of models and evaluated them based on type, size, ease of use, durability, and more. We also asked Jessica Rodriguez, certifications program manager at the Specialty Coffee Association, for expert advice on what to look for in a coffee machine and her recommendations for a home brewer. Cary Wong, a coffee educator at Partners Coffee, also weighed in with tips on how to clean your coffee maker to help it last as long as possible.
Based on our research, our best overall pick is the Oxo 9-Cup Coffee Maker. It's an easy-to-use programmable coffee machine that brews enough for multiple adults and keeps it warm for up to four hours.
Here are the best coffee makers for every household's needs.
Also available at Wayfair and Williams Sonoma.
Who it's for: People who want a good cup of coffee made quickly and easily.
Who it's not for: Larger households that would need a bigger carafe, or people seeking a more affordable option.
Oxo's 9-Cup Coffee Maker stands out because it's extremely easy to use. Simply add ground coffee, fill the water tank, then use the dial to indicate how many cups you want and when. We love that a single dial can control everything from brew size to the wake-up timer. And you won't have to wait too long for your first cup of coffee: Temporarily removing the carafe will pause the brew cycle for a minute so you can pour a cup.
The double-walled stainless steel carafe keeps your coffee warm without concerns about overheating the brew, which can change the taste over time. Plus, the machine will automatically start a timer once it's done brewing so you know exactly how fresh the coffee is. The carafe and its lid need to be washed by hand, but other removable parts (like the brew basket and coffee scoop) are safe to pop in the dishwasher on the top rack.
It's also worth noting that this coffee maker is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, which means it was tested and proven to meet incredibly high standards in categories like brewing time, brewing temperature, and how much coffee is extracted from the grounds.
Who it's for: People seeking a budget-friendly coffee maker that gets the job done.
Who it isn't for: People looking for a high-end appliance that will last many years.
This budget-friendly machine from Mr. Coffee is a good option if you need something more budget-friendly. The no-frills coffee maker brews up to 12 cups at a time, and the warming plate will keep the carafe warm for up to two hours. Even though it doesn't have all the bells and whistles that pricier models have (like a programmable timer), this machine can pause the cycle so you can pour yourself a cup of coffee mid-brew.
The carafe and other parts aren't dishwasher safe, so you'll need to wash them with hot soapy water. Because this coffee maker is so simple to use, we think it's a good option for vacation homes and other temporary living spaces. However, based on its durability and lack of special features, it's probably not the best coffee maker for heavy everyday use.
Also available at Target, Walmart, and Crate & Barrel.
Who it's for: People with limited counter space who need a compact coffee maker.
Who it isn't for: People who don't have time to hand-wash their coffee maker.
If 9 or 12 cups is way more coffee than you'll ever need at once, then this Zojirushi model is a great downsized option. The compact coffee maker can brew 5 cups at a time, and it has a sleek minimalistic design that tucks neatly into any corner of a small kitchen, office, or dorm room. We especially like the water tank, which is removable and features separate fill lines for hot and iced coffee. That way when you're making iced coffee, you'd use less water during the brewing process so it doesn't taste watered down when served over ice.
The Zojirushi coffee maker also comes with a charcoal filter, which will purify the water so your coffee tastes better (and it's designed to last two years of regular use). There are two minor downsides to this machine, though. One is that it's hand-wash only, and the other is that regular coffee filters don't always fit, so you may have to get a little creative with folding them. But if those aren't a dealbreaker for you, this small coffee maker gets the job done without taking up much counter space.
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Also available at Wayfair, Walmart, and Target.
Who it's for: Households of two or more coffee drinkers who need an easy-to-use, programmable machine.
Who it isn't for: People who only make a cup or two of coffee at a time.
If there are multiple coffee drinkers in your household, you can program this 14-cup coffee maker ahead of time so it automatically brews at the designated time—and that's one less thing to worry about in the morning. You can either set it up to turn off on its own or keep the coffee warm for up to four hours. The clear water window on the side makes it easy to see how much water you need to add, and there's a charcoal filter in the reservoir to keep your coffee tasting great.
The glass carafe, plastic carafe lid, and mesh filter basket are all dishwasher safe on the top rack, which makes this machine very easy to clean. Large households and offices will appreciate the 14-cup capacity, this coffee maker is probably unnecessarily big for people who only need to make a few cups a day—but there's still the option to brew as little as one cup at a time.
Also available at Target, Wayfair, and Walmart.
Who it's for: People who need just one cup of coffee at a time.
Who it isn't for: People trying to cut down on waste.
Keurig's K-Select Coffee Maker is an excellent choice for anyone who only ever needs a cup of coffee at a time. The single-serve pod coffee maker is extremely easy to use since you don't need to measure coffee grounds or worry about filters. All you need to do is ensure the water reservoir is full, pop in a pod, and press a button indicating whether you want to brew 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces—then you'll have a hot cup of coffee in under a minute. It has a 52-ounce water tank that'll last multiple days before it needs to be refilled, and it even has a removable drip tray so you can brew directly into a travel mug.
The single-serve coffee maker has helpful features like automatic shutoff, light indicators that tell you when you need to add water or descale the machine, and a strong brew option that makes your coffee taste more intense. Plus, this machine comes in a variety of bright and neutral colors to suit any kitchen style.
One downside to coffee makers like this is that you usually need to use proprietary coffee pods. Keurig offers a huge variety of coffee flavors, as well as hot chocolate and tea pods, so you're bound to find pods that you love. If you'd rather not use a disposable pod every day, you can buy reusable pods that you can fill with ground coffee to make your setup a bit more environmentally friendly.
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Also available at Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Walmart.
Who it's for: People who love iced coffee and drink it year-round.
Who it isn't for: People who want to make a fresh cup of coffee each day.
It's actually really easy to make cold brew concentrate at home—especially with a combination brewer and storage pitcher like this one from Takeya. You simply measure out ground coffee into the removable filter, add cold filtered water, screw on the airtight lid, shake for 30 seconds, and leave the whole container in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours to brew. After that, you can remove the filter and discard the coffee grounds—you'll be left with cold brew coffee that can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Although a batch probably won't last the full two weeks in most households, this coffee maker probably isn't the best choice for people who want to make a fresh cup of cold brew every day.
The cold-brew coffee maker comes in 1- and 2-quart sizes—and the smaller version will fit into most refrigerator doors. The bigger option is a few inches taller, so it takes up a bit more vertical space. For easy cleaning, all the components can be washed on the top rack of your dishwasher.
Also available at Food52 and Williams Sonoma.
Who it's for: People who want one or two cups of coffee at a time.
Who it isn't for: People who want to brew a lot at once or need their coffee kept hot.
This Espro Bloom Pour-Over Kit isn't your traditional pour-over coffee maker. It comes with a glass carafe, stainless steel brewer, a measuring scoop, and custom paper filters that work together to brew up to 18 ounces of coffee in two minutes. The kit uses an easy-to-read measuring system (with dots and lines) to ensure each batch has the correct ratio of coffee to water per serving. You can use it with or without the paper filters, and all the other components can be washed on the top rack of your dishwasher. Plus, the kit is chic (and small) enough to display on your kitchen counter.
A pour-over coffee maker isn't the best choice for people who want a continuous stream of hot coffee available, but it's perfect if you just need to make one batch before heading out the door in the morning. It's also worth noting that since it's not electric, the Espro pour-over coffee maker won't keep your coffee warm.
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Also available at Wayfair and Walmart.
Who it's for: People looking for a simple coffee solution that doesn't require permanent counter space.
Who it isn't for: People who need their coffee kept warm.
When you use a French press coffee maker, you immerse the coffee grounds in very hot water, then push down on a mesh filter to strain the liquid and separate the grounds. It's a super low-tech but effective way to make your coffee—just make sure you use coarsely ground beans, so the grounds stay in the filter and you don't end up with little bits in your beverage. You don't have to wait long before pouring a cup because it only takes four minutes for the coffee to brew.
We love that Bodum's glass and stainless steel French presses don't require any disposable accessories (like paper filters or plastic pods), which makes them a favorite among eco-conscious consumers. Plus, this coffee maker takes up minimal space in the kitchen and simply looks nice. It comes in a variety of sizes ranging from 12 to 51 ounces, but it's important to note that it won't keep your coffee warm for hours like an electric coffee maker. As for cleaning, the glass, plunger, and filter are dishwasher safe, but the lid and frame should be washed by hand.
Also available at Ninja, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Target.
Who it's for: People who want to be able to brew single-serve pods and carafes from ground coffee in the same machine.
Who it isn't for: People who prefer less complicated kitchen appliances.
The most versatile coffee maker on our list, the Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System gets you the best of both worlds. In addition to the 12-cup carafe, this machine can also brew coffee from single-serve pods. This is especially helpful for households where some people prefer to use K-Cups while others would rather brew a full carafe of hot coffee. And like many of the best coffee makers, this machine has both keep warm and delayed start functions, so you can program it to brew up to 24 hours in advance.
This multifunctional appliance also has other features that make it stand out, like multiple brew options: classic, rich, over ice, and a specialty mode that makes concentrated coffee that's perfect for lattes. When brewing a carafe, you can even choose to make as little as one small cup of coffee. There's also a built-in milk frother and a separate hot water dispenser so you can make tea and oatmeal without a coffee-like aftertaste. We also like that you can attach the water tank to either the side or back of the coffee maker, depending on what works best with your space. But it's important to note that because this machine has so many features and settings, there may be a bit of a learning curve before you get the hang of everything it's capable of.
Also available at Bed Bath & Beyond, Wayfair, and Williams Sonoma.
Who it's for: Coffee aficionados who are passionate about specialty drinks.
Who it isn't for: People who prefer to drink plain ol' black coffee.
If you're serious about specialty espresso drinks (think: lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos), then Breville's espresso maker is definitely worth the splurge. This machine has it all: A built-in coffee bean grinder and water filter, a milk frother attachment for steaming and texturizing milk, and a large water tank that holds 67 ounces. You can choose whether you make a single or double shot, and there's also the option to manually override the amount of espresso you make.
Just keep in mind that the steam wand and frothing attachment require cleaning after every use.
And since it weighs over 27 lbs, this appliance should be considered a permanent fixture on your kitchen counter or coffee bar. The espresso maker is a hefty investment, but serious coffee aficionados find it well worth the price tag to get cafe-quality results at home—especially anyone who is used to spending $5 (or more) on lattes every day.
Also available at Sur La Table, Target, and Williams Sonoma.
Who it's for: Espresso drinkers who don't want another electrical appliance taking up counter space.
Who it isn't for: People who prefer the less-concentrated taste of coffee over espresso.
If you're looking for a stovetop coffee maker, you can't go wrong with the Bialetti Moka Express. The Italian brand is known for its aluminum pots with a distinctive two-chamber design—just add water and ground coffee beans. The resulting brew is much stronger and more concentrated than traditional coffee, so it's similar to espresso. The stovetop coffee maker works on both electric and gas ranges, but it's not safe for induction cooktops. As long as you have ground coffee, this Moka pot doesn't require any additional tools (like filters). Just note that every piece should be hand washed with water only—no dish soap or detergent.
The brand makes a multitude of stovetop coffee makers that brew anywhere from 1 to 12 cups, so there are options for households of every size. It's hard to make just a partial pot, so make sure to get the size that makes the most sense for your coffee habits (or purchase multiple so you have options).
We think Oxo's 9-Cup Coffee Maker is a great choice for most households because it's easy to use and makes a solid cup of drip coffee. It has a stainless steel carafe, which keeps the brew warm without messing with the taste, and the instructions are simple enough for coffee lovers who aren't technologically savvy. But if you'd rather drink iced coffee, then we recommend Takeya's Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker because it's much more affordable than buying cold brew concentrate at the store.
Before you do anything else, consider how much coffee you typically make at once and how long you need it to stay hot. A household that goes through six cups throughout a regular morning will need a coffee maker that can handle brewing that volume and keeping it warm, whereas a single-serving coffee maker option will suffice if you live alone or rarely drink coffee. Plus, getting the right capacity brewer will also help reduce waste since you will only brew what you need, says Rodriguez.
There are so many different types of coffee makers on the market, so you'll need to think about which one you're looking for. Whether you're looking for a classic drip or high-end espresso machine (or something in between), there are coffee makers available for every need. Some of the fancier models have features like multiple brew options, programmable timers, and built-in frothers, while basic coffee makers have fewer settings to choose from.
You'll also want to think about how much time and energy you're willing to spend on making your coffee. Maybe you get immense satisfaction out of making professional-level lattes at home, or maybe you much prefer the pod-style options of a single-serve coffee maker. Be realistic about what will work for you, and go from there.
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Rodriguez highly recommends using filtered water to make coffee, since tap water often contains minerals that can build up in your equipment and add a less-than-ideal taste to your brew. A coffee machine with a built-in water filter can help with the taste, but it may require a little more maintenance in the form of regular descaling (more on that below). If you can commit to getting a separate water filter, like a Brita pitcher or the kind that attaches to your tap, then your machine might be easier to clean and maintain over time.
Regular cleaning will keep your coffee maker functional for as long as possible. Simple tasks, like washing the carafe and rinsing out the brew basket, should be done after each use. But to really prolong the life of your machine and keep your coffee tasting good, you'll occasionally need to give your machine a deeper clean. Wong suggests deep cleaning every month or two to "prevent any build-up of limescale, coffee oils, or worse—mildew or mold."
In addition to the daily rinse of your carafe and filter, you'll also need to descale your coffee machine regularly. Regular coffee makers can typically be cleaned with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. But as always, you should reference the manufacturer's instructions for your specific machine. (You can also check out our guide on how to clean a Keurig for additional tips.)
If you have a barista-style espresso machine that gets heavy use, Wong recommends a monthly cleaning to soak parts like the group heads, valves, and lines. He uses a coffee cleaning solution like Cafiza. "These solutions help remove buildup of coffee oils that I might have missed," he says. "You'll notice how much better your coffee is tasting once you've deep cleaned your machine."
This will vary depending on the type of coffee maker you have, what your machine is made of, and how often you use it. But generally, experts say that regular cleaning and maintenance will keep most coffee makers going for years—so it's a good idea to invest in a machine that you'll want to keep.
This article was written by Nina Bahadur, a writer with almost 10 years of home and lifestyle experience. She spent hours researching the best coffee makers to fit different needs, considering factors like type, brew size, and ease of use. For expert tips, Nina consulted Jessica Rodriguez, certifications program manager at the Specialty Coffee Association, and Cary Wong, a coffee educator at Partners Coffee.