There are literally hundreds of coffee makers to choose from. These include automatic drip, vacuum pots, espresso and cappuccino makers. While it’s important for you to conduct your own research and compare prices, the following information can help you become familiar with some of the more popular brands. Each review is based on consumer opinion and ranked in order of popularity.
Regardless of the brand, model or style you choose, keep your own personal needs in mind when making a selection and choose a brand that has a solid reputation and good customer service. I hope the following information makes it easier for you to decide which type is the best coffee maker for you.
Chemex Drip Device – The Chemex Coffeemaking System was invented by chemist, Dr. Peter J. Schlumbohm, in 1941. This brewing device has a distinct “science lab” appearance. Special paper filters that are 20 to 30 percent heavier than other coffee filters are placed in the upper section. The filter is filled with medium- to coarse-grind coffee and a small amount of water is poured over them.
Using a Chemex requires water to be heated in a tea kettle prior to brewing. After the water is brought to a boil, it’s important to wait for it to cool just slightly, than wet the grounds in the filter. After the grounds have drained, you fill the pot with water.
The Chemex receives a rating of 9.1 out of 10. This one cup coffee maker retails for around $40.00.
Melitta Coffee Maker – Due to its ability to brew from 1 to 4 cups at a time, the Melitta BCM4 is a good choice for people who do not consume much coffee. The BCM4 is a well-built unit and is perfect for camping and tailgate parties. Brewing time for the BCM4 is approximately one minute per cup.
Melitta coffeemakers use a special cone-shaped filter. Melitta manufactures a variety of coffee makers including single serve, 5- and 10-cup coffee makers, travel mug coffee maker, percolators, coffee urns, and cappuccino coffee espresso makers. Melitta coffee makers are also sold under the name of Salton®. This is the same company that is famous for the George Foreman® grill.
Overall, Melitta coffee makers receive a rating of 9.1 out of 10. Melitta coffee makers range in price from $24.99 to $99.99.
KitchenAid Coffee Maker – KitchenAid is perhaps best known for its legendary stand mixer. Today, KitchenAid manufactures an entire line of home living products including stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers.
KitchenAid coffee makers are available in a variety of styles and coffee brewing capacities. They use a flat filter basket to create a uniform layer of coffee, which results in outstanding flavor. A unique feature of KitchenAid coffee makers is the use of a showerhead dispersion system, which saturates the grounds and allows for even distribution of coffee oils.
KitchenAid coffee makers are available in 10- and 14-cup. KitchenAid coffee makers receive a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Prices range from $99.99 to $349.99.
Keurig Premium Coffee Systems – Keurig coffee systems are the latest in single cup home brewing systems. Machines are extremely well designed, simple to operate, aesthetically pleasing, and most importantly, brew an excellent cup of coffee.
Keurig coffee systems use K-cups, which are pre-filled with coffee. K-cups have a miniature coffee filter inside. All you have to do is pop the cup into the coffee machine and in less than 60 seconds you have a freshly brewed cup of coffee. There’s no mess to clean up, no filters to change, and no coffee to measure.
Keurig has partnered with a variety of gourmet coffee, tea, and cocoa manufacturers including Newman’s Own, Tully’s, Green Mountain, Celestial Seasoning, and Ghiradelli (famous for fine chocolate). There are over currently 130 K-cup beverages to choose from.
Keurig offers the “My K-Cup” reusable coffee filter, which allows you to use your own gourmet coffee in your Keurig home brewer. If your water contains high chlorine levels, Keurig offers a charcoal water filter that can help improve water quality. This filter is available for the B100 Brewer only.
Keurig coffee systems are available for home and office use. There are currently four home units available, which allow you to brew K-cups between 7.25 and 11.25 ounces of coffee per cup.
Keurig coffee systems received a rating of 8.3 out of 10.Home brewing units range in price between $99.95 and $279.95. K-cups cost $2.95 for 5 cups and $13.95 for 25 cups.
Senseo Coffee Pod System – The Senseo Coffee Pod System is very similar to the Keurig coffee system. However, with the Senseo system, you can choose the strength of your coffee. If you prefer your coffee medium-dark to dark, simply use two Senseo coffee pods.
Senseo coffee pods are specially designed for Senseo coffee machines. Each pod contains pre-measured servings of coffee. Coffee varieties include blends from Sumatra, Brazil, Kenya, and Colombia. Senseo also offers flavored coffees such as Irish Cream, Hazelnut, Vanilla and Mocha, and French Vanilla and Caramel. For those who prefer tea, Senseo offers two tea selections.
The Senseo Coffee Pod System received a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Prices range between $69.99 and $139.99. Senseo coffee and tea pods are priced at $29.99 and contain between 108 and 120 pods.
Bunn Coffee Maker – Founded in 1957, Bunn-O-Matic Corporation introduced the first paper coffee filter. Bunn has built a reputation on providing dependable, safe, and efficient coffee makers for 50 years.
The BTX Home Brewer is one of Bunn’s most recent designs. The stainless steel vacuum carafe keeps coffee hot without overheating. It brews 10 cups of coffee in less than 3 minutes, making it one of the fastest home brewing systems on the market.
Additionally, Bunn recently launched “My Cafe™”, a commercial grade pod brewer for use at home or the office. Similar to the Keurig and Senseo coffee machines, “My Cafe” uses coffee pods. The difference is Bunn’s single cup coffee makers let you use other manufacturer’s pods.
For those who live in altitudes above 4,000 feet, Bunn offers high altitude single coffee cup brewing machines.
Bunn coffee makers received a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Prices range between $99.95 and $119.95 for home brewing units.
Cuisinart Coffee Maker – Cuisinart makes a wide range of kitchen appliances and accessories. Julia Child was the first culinary expert to hail the Cuisinart food processor as a revolutionary kitchen appliance when it was introduced to America in 1973.
Cuisinart coffee makers are high quality and efficient machines. Cuisinart offers everything from a basic 4-cup drip machine to a programmable grind and brew coffee maker. One of Cuisinart’s most unique coffee makers is the Two to Go® machine. This handy appliance lets you brew directly into two travel mugs that hold 14-ounces of coffee each. After brewing, just grab your mug and go! Best of all, it’s affordably priced at around $30.00.
Cuisinart received a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Prices range $29.95 to $99.95.
Braun Coffee Maker – In 1929, Braun was one of Germany’s leading radio manufacturers. Today, Braun manufacturers 200 small electrical appliances in ten categories.
Braun’s newest innovation in coffee makers is the Impressions design. The sleek design and advanced brewing technology, deliver hot, fully extracted and aromatic coffee. The Impressions coffee maker includes a Brita® water filter, which not only reduces chlorine, but also prevents calcification. The coffee flows directly into the stainless steel thermal carafe, keeping coffee hot for hours. After brewing is finished, the Impressions coffeemaker shuts off automatically.
Another innovation is the Braun Tassimo Hot Beverage System. This is a single cup coffee maker, much like the others mentioned earlier. This system uses Tassimo coffee or “T-discs.” T-discs are available in a wide variety of hot beverages from trusted, quality brands including Gevalia coffee, Twinings tea and Suchard hot cocoa.
Overall, Braun coffeemakers received a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Prices range from $29.99 to $169.99.
Mr. Coffee – Mr. Coffee has been manufacturing high-quality, yet affordable home brewing machines since 1972. They were perhaps one of the first American coffee manufacturers to introduce the single cup coffee maker.
Mr. Coffee has 44 styles of coffee makers. They range from single cup to 45-cup stainless steel urns. Some are very basic for those who prefer simplicity. Others are programmable and include built-in coffee grinders.
Mr. Coffee coffeemakers are available in white, red and black. Many have the traditional glass carafe, while others have stainless steel thermal carafes that keep coffee warm for hours.
Overall, Mr. Coffee brewing machines received a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Prices range from $19.99 to $89.99.
Krups Coffee Maker – Krups opened its doors for business in 1846 and built their reputation building scales for private customers and retail sale. It wasn’t until 1956 that Krups became involved in the coffee business. It was at this time they launched the first electric coffee grinder and sold more than one million units their first year.
Krups manufactured their first coffee maker in 1961, when they launched the ONKO coffee maker, which later became the T-8, and is now sold as the F-68.
Today, Krups offers a wide variety of coffee makers including automatic drip and pod machines, and the Moka brewing system. Moka uses the natural pressure of steam to extract full coffee flavor, resulting in a rich Italian-style coffee. Krups also carries a line of fine roasted coffees.
Krups coffee makers received a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Prices range from $79 to $299.
Black and Decker Coffee Maker – Black and Decker may be best known for their power tools, but they make a strong and durable coffee maker too. One of their most popular models is the Spacemaker™, with its under-cabinet mounting system.
Black and Decker offers a full line of automatic coffee machines and has recently entered the single-cup coffee maker market. In lieu of using pods, Black and Decker single-serve coffee makers include a permanent filter, allowing you to use any type of coffee you desire.
Black and Decker coffee makers received a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Prices range from $16.99 to $54.99.
De’Longhi Coffee Maker – De’Longhi is an international organization that offers unique features and products that truly provide a benefit and convenience to their consumers. One of the most unique features on De’Longhi espresso makers it the patented ‘No-Drip’ technology. They also feature a FlavorSavor filter basket on their coffeemakers.
De’Longhi’s most popular coffee maker is the 10-cup brewer with brushed stainless steel exterior. This model features a double-wall thermal carafe that helps keep coffee hot for hours. It has a 24-hour programmable timer and will automatically shut-off after brewing is complete. The adjustable flavor selector allows you to choose the strength of coffee you want.
De’Longhi’s MAGNIFICA Super Automatic Machine is the mother of all machines. This brewing system will do everything but pour in the coffee and water. The MAGNIFICA truly is magnificent and can aid you in brewing the ultimate cup of coffee, cappuccino, latte, or espresso shot.
De’Longhi coffee makers receive mixed reviews. Some people love them; others don’t have anything nice to say about them. Overall, De’Longhi received a rating of 5.0 out of 10. Prices range from $29 to $1500.
