Top Pick: Capresso Team Pro Plus | $210 | Amazon
I don’t know about you, but I can’t start my day without coffee. And with the pandemic still raging on, I’m trying to limit the time spent outside of my apartment as much as possible. If you’re a germaphobe like me, then you’ve probably also had to sacrifice trips to your local coffee shop for the foreseeable future. However, just because you’re observing social distancing guidelines, it doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the taste and experience of a good cup of coffee (or maybe three).
With that in mind, we at The Inventory have researched and sampled some of the best-rated coffee machines out there. This way, you are that much closer to the perfect cup of home-brewed coffee.
What Is the Best Coffee Maker?
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Before purchasing a specific coffee maker, there are a few factors to consider first. Are you shopping for a household of big coffee drinkers? Or do you live alone and only drink one cup per day? Do you prefer hot coffee, or are you hooked on cold brew blends of iced coffee? Can you splurge a few hundred dollars on a high-tech machine, or are you just looking for the best coffee maker under $50? These are all important questions to ask yourself while you’re in the preliminary shopping stage. And depending on your answers, we’ve got you covered.
Best With a Built-In Grinder: Capresso Team Pro Plus
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If you like freshly ground beans and a luxury experience, the Capresso Team Pro Plus is the coffee maker for you. Once you fill and program it, the machine grinds the beans right into the filter, then automatically brews fresh coffee. You can make up to ten cups with each brew, which should be plenty to get you through even the longest day. I love that it has an easy-to-clean, permanent filter, so you don’t have to bother with buying paper ones.
Capresso’s grinder has three different settings for different types of beans, and it cleans itself after every cycle. That said, if you want to feed the machine pre-ground beans, those will do just fine.
Best Keurig: Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker, Single Serve
Are you deeply attached to the Keurig way of brewing coffee? Then, we’ve got the product just for you. The Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker, Single Serve can brew multiple sizes of k-cups (6, 8, 10 ounces). With its user-friendly design, this coffee maker has a 48 oz. reservoir and can brew in less than a minute’s time. Also, if you’re looking to have your coffee poured right into your 7-inch travel mug, just remove the drip tray. Lastly, if you’re a fiend about saving electricity, this product has an auto-off feature that is triggered if the coffee maker has been idle for two hours.
Best Cold Brew Maker: OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker
If you prefer your coffee cold, you’re in luck. OXO’s simple three-part cold brew coffee maker is designed to brew a cold concentrate for delicious cold (or hot) coffee. The coffee is less acidic and lasts longer than coffee brewed and chilled. Simply steep the coarse coffee grounds in cold water for 12 – 24 hours, and you’ll get yourself a cool, tasty brew every time. I’m not the only one that loves this simple maker. It’s well-reviewed on Amazon, and over 2,100 0f our readers bought it too! 4.5 / 5 stars overall, and over 1400 reviews. At $50, you would pay for it by skipping 10 days at Starbucks.
Best Budget: KRUPS Simply Brew Compact Filter Drip, 5-Cup
Brewing up to five cups of coffee, the KRUPS Simply Brew is super convenient and great for 1-3 people. This coffee pot does not have a drip spout, eliminating future messes in your kitchen. It also has an easy on/off button and a very accessible water tank. This product is compatible with #2 coffee filters, and the coffee pot, permanent filter, and spoon are all dishwasher safe. As a bonus, this coffee maker has a stainless steel finish to add some extra style to your kitchen.
No matter what type of coffee you prefer, there is a perfect coffee maker here for you. Take the chill away or awaken your senses with a bold cup of joe, made just right.
This story was originally published by Chaya M. Milchtein on 12/08/2020 and was updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 01/22/2021.