If you plan on learning how to make coffee drinks at home, you’ll need to invest in a quality coffee machine to make the magic happen.

But the question is- which one is right for you?

It’s incredible the number of ways you can brew coffee beans, giving aficionados plenty of choices when it comes to finding the best device for their needs.

We share 15 types of coffee makers. Let’s get started!

1. French Press

French Press

PROS:

  • Affordable
  • User friendly
  • Flavorful and aromatic coffee
  • Easy to control steeping

CONS:

  • Loses heat quickly
  • Can’t brew large quantities at a time

The French Press is a simple, manual device for brewing all kinds of coffee drinks and is especially useful if you’re traveling or camping. You can use it with Arabica or Robusta roasts, but it’s commonly used for darker roasts.

The container features a carafe for ground coffee and a plunger. Start by filling the carafe with your desired amount of coffee, then pouring hot water over the top.

Let it steep for a few minutes, then press the plunger down to separate the black coffee from the grounds.

Just be careful and watch the temperature, as the coffee tends to lose heat quickly throughout the extraction process.

This is the best type of coffee maker for individuals who want an affordable coffee maker or travelers who need a compact device that doesn’t require an energy source.

2. Single Serve

Reusable filter

PROS:

  • Convenient
  • User friendly
  • Compact for travel
  • Affordable

CONS:

  • Takes time to prepare the coffee manually

This is another manual coffee device that’s great for individuals or travelers. You only need a mug and a single-serve reusable filter.

It works by placing the reusable filter on top of the mug and filling it with ground coffee. Pour hot water over the grounds, and wait until the coffee has seeped through the filter into your mug.

The waiting is the hardest part, but you get an aromatic full-bodied mug of coffee, so the quality is satisfactory.

This is ideal for travelers because of its compact size. There’s no need for an energy source, so you can pack it in your luggage or take it camping.

3. Single Serve Pods

Single Serve Pod Coffee Maker

PROS:

  • Fast and convenient
  • User friendly
  • Great variety of flavors

CONS:

  • Expensive
  • Plastic pods aren’t sustainable

We’ve all heard of Keurig. It was the first brand to debut its revolutionary single-serve pod cups. Just load the pod of pre-ground coffee into the machine, push the start button, and watch a serving of coffee drip into your cup.

This system is the black sheep of the coffee world but incredibly convenient. There is a multitude of coffee pod flavors to choose from, and very little prep or clean-up is involved.

This is best suited for individuals, homes with limited kitchen space, or small office settings.

4. Percolator

Stovetop Percolator

PROS:

  • User friendly
  • Affordable
  • Produces large batches
  • Consistent

CONS:

  • Complicated to assemble
  • Many parts that need to be cleaned

This type of coffee maker needs a heating source, like a stovetop, to function. You must fill the coffee chamber with ground coffee, then boiling water steeps the coffee chamber in cycles until it’s done and ready to be consumed.

Percolators are loved because they produce consistent, flavorful coffee in large amounts. This makes it especially handy for parties or large households.

5. AeroPress

Aeropress

PROS:

  • Affordable
  • User Friendly
  • Can brew coffee and espresso drinks
  • Compact for travel

CONS:

  • Must clean the plastic parts thoroughly after each use
  • More force needed than with a French Press
  • Can’t brew large quantities

The AeroPress works like the French Press, except you can use it to make a variety of espresso-based drinks, such as cold brews, lattes, and basic shots.

Quick and easy, this is ideal for individuals or busybodies who want to whip up a strong cup of coffee in a few minutes. It’s also portable for travel and doesn’t require an energy source.

6. Cold Brew

Cold Brew Coffee Maker

PROS:

  • Hands-off brewing
  • User friendly
  • Ideal for large batches
  • Affordable

CONS:

  • Coffee takes 24 hours to steep
  • Must use a large quantity of ground coffee

These special brewing containers allow you to store cold brew coffee for up to 36 hours. You can easily make cold brew coffee by filling it with water and ground coffee, then let it sit and steep before straining out the grounds.

This is the best coffee maker for anyone who likes to prep large batches of strong coffee for the week or enjoys chilled coffee that isn’t watered down.

7. Pour Over

Pour Over Coffee Maker

PROS:

  • Affordable
  • Stylish
  • User friendly
  • Portable

CONS:

  • Glass can break easily
  • Takes time to brew

This setup consists of a Borosilicate glass coffee maker with a cork or wooden collar and a reusable cone filter that fits neatly over the opening of the glass container.

You can make the coffee as strong as you want, simply scoop ground coffee into the filter and pour hot water over the top. The glass container is big enough to hold at least 3-4 cups of coffee in one go.

The pour-over coffee maker is perfect for entertaining, camping, or individuals who want an easy and affordable option.

8. Drip Coffee

Moccamaster Drip Coffee Maker

PROS:

  • User friendly
  • Wide variety of sizes and designs
  • Affordable

CONS:

  • No customization options- limited to coffee only

This is the classic electric coffee maker that allows you to brew black coffee with the push of a button. Popular for households and offices, you can brew anywhere from 2-14 cups of coffee in a single session.

Since you can only brew coffee and there are no settings to meddle with, simply fill the water tank with cold water, scoop ground coffee into the paper or reusable filter, and hit the Start button.

Fast and easy, yet limited- this is recommended for families who aren’t particular about specialty drinks or office settings that brew large quantities throughout the day.

9. Moka Pot

Moka Pot

PROS:

  • Fast brew time
  • Similar to espresso (strong coffee)
  • Affordable
  • No additional filters needed

CONS:

  • Doesn’t brew large quantities
  • Needs a heating source, like a stovetop
  • Coffee scorches easily if heated for too long

If we compare coffee makers, the Moka pot is very similar to the percolator, except you need to be more hands-on to ensure your coffee doesn’t get ruined from overcooking.

The Percolator can brew coffee for longer periods, resulting in nothing more serious than a strong cup of coffee. Coffee can burn if you brew it too long with the Moka, destroying the flavor.

Still, this is a convenient and compact option for households with limited kitchen space or for individuals who want a quick, strong brew.

10. Espresso Machine

Espresso Machine

PROS:

  • Makes barista-level espresso
  • Plenty of customization options
  • Great for those passionate about espresso
  • Great variety of specialty drinks, including milk drinks

CONS:

  • Expensive
  • Takes time to brew
  • Steep learning curve
  • Larger, heavier machines

For those who love espresso, there are different types of espresso makers that offer varying features for users based upon their level of expertise.

Espresso machines can be expensive, but they’re well worth the price if you love quality espresso and drink it frequently. In the end, it could save you a lot of money buying specialty drinks at the cafe.

Manual Espresso Machine

Manual Espresso Machine

These espresso machines are not suited for beginners but are perfect for experienced baristas who understand the different coffee settings to manually adjust the temperature, volume, strength, and grind settings.

It takes practice to find the right adjustments for your preferences, but once you do, you’re rewarded with a perfect shot of espresso every time.

Semi-automatic Espresso Machine

Semiautomatic Espresso Machine

This is the machine that espresso aficionados turn to when they want to learn the art of espresso alchemy but still enjoy some automatic convenience.

This is for the true coffee lover or professional baristas who enjoy the challenge of adjusting the espresso temperatures, volume, and coffee strengths.

Once you finetune your settings, the machine controls the pressure. Some semiautomatics even come with a built-in coffee grinder, so you don’t have to buy one separately.

Superautomatic Espresso Machine

Superautomatic Espresso Machine

These luxury machines can brew different kinds of coffee drinks and milk drinks with the push of a button.

They come with integrated grinders, bean hoppers, and cutting-edge brew systems that make it feel like you have a barista living in your home.

As you might’ve guessed, superautomatics are expensive and best suited for passionate coffee drinkers who can afford them.

11. Ibrik Turkish Coffee Maker

Turkish Coffee Maker

PROS:

  • Compact
  • User friendly
  • Versatile- can be used to heat other liquids
  • Affordable

CONS:

  • Must be precise or risk burning the coffee
  • Leaves coffee residue in the cup

If you like a strong, spiced coffee and don’t mind sediment getting stuck in your teeth, then the Ibrik is a fun and fast way to brew.

It works by boiling water and ground coffee together. You can also add cinnamon or cardamon mid-brew. Once it boils, remove the Ibrik from the heat and pour it into a small cup for consumption.

12. Vietnamese Coffee Filter

Vietnamese Coffee Maker

PROS:

  • Single-serve
  • User friendly
  • Strong coffee
  • Compact for travel
  • Affordable

CONS:

  • Only makes one cup at a time
  • Must wash after each use

The Vietnamese coffee filter, also called a “phin,” works just like a single-serve pour-over coffee maker.

Fill the bottom of a small glass with a thin layer of condensed milk and place the filter over the glass. The coffee drips on top of the milk and is very strong. Mix it with the condensed milk, and you’ve got a decadent, chocolatey treat.

Unfortunately, it only brews one drink at a time, so it’s not suitable for households with multiple coffee drinkers.

13. Steeped Coffee Packs

PROS:

  • Portable
  • Convenient

CONS:

  • Can be expensive, depending on how much coffee you drink

This is a great option if you like coffee on the go but don’t want to deal with a machine. Steeped coffee packs are like tea bags, and they’re brewed the same way, too.

Simply toss a pouch into a mug of hot water and let it sit. The longer the pouch seeps, the stronger the coffee is.

This is great for travel, especially backpacking. It can be difficult to find it in stores, though, and ordering online can be a hassle.

14. Grind & Brew

PROS:

  • You get the freshest grind for your coffee
  • Preserves your coffee beans
  • Don’t need to buy a separate grinder

CONS:

  • Expensive
  • Grinder may jam
  • Must be cleaned regularly

This coffee maker takes the classic drip machine to the next level with a built-in grinder that crushes whole beans to extract the freshest flavors possible.

All you have to do is select the amount of coffee you want to be brewed and hit the Start button. The grinder does its thing according to your selection, and the coffee drips into your waiting cup.

Pro Tip: Look for models that feature a burr grinder, as this grinds beans to a finer, more consistent grind than steel blade grinders.

15. Siphon Coffee Maker

Siphon Coffee Maker

PROS:

  • Gentle brew method that doesn’t over-extract the coffee
  • Delicate, aromatic flavors

CONS:

  • Expensive
  • Frequent cleaning required
  • Takes time

Of all the different coffee makers, the Siphon machine’s motto is: good things come to those who wait.

It’s an interesting system that’s ideal for coffee geeks. It works by gently heating the water and ground coffee at a low temperature, fully extracting the aromas and flavors before the water begins to boil.

As the water heats, it turns into vapor and rises into the round upper carafe, reaching the coffee grounds. The vapor steeps into the grounds and releases back into the original carafe, where a vacuum force maximizes the flavors.

Final Thoughts

Coffee is one of the most versatile drinks around, and there are so many types of coffee makers to choose from. Before making your decision, consider factors such as the cost, size of the machine, and the amount of coffee you drink on average.

Each device offers different features and methods to enjoy delicious coffee- all you have to do is find the one that matches your lifestyle!


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