By Matt Gibson
If you are a regular coffee drinker, you are sure to own a household coffee maker of some kind. Some people are okay with making a pitstop on the way to work to buy a cup of coffee, but true coffee lovers know the value of getting that first cup of joe as soon as they wake up in the morning.
Owning a coffee maker that consistently makes high-quality coffee is important to those that rely on coffee to help them wake up in the morning. Many inexpensive coffee makers fit this role without costing an arm and a leg. However, more expensive coffee machines are available for people who don’t mind investing in their favorite morning ritual. Does the average person who enjoys drinking coffee on a regular basis really need an expensive machine in order to meet their needs? The answer depends on the type of coffee you prefer, and what you are looking for in a coffee maker.
Are expensive machines worth the investment? It turns out you can find a great coffee machine to make your daily brew in just about any price range, without having to take out a loan or mortgage your house in the process. We will show you what to look for when purchasing a coffee machine, and introduce you to some of the leading manufacturers on the market. With this in-depth guide to buying the right coffee machine, you will be well equipped with everything you need to know to decide what coffee maker will work best for your household, at your budget.
Are Expensive Coffee Makers Really Worth The Price Tag?
You may believe that the more money you spend on a coffee maker, the better it will be, but not all coffee makers are created equal. While there are certainly some excellent high end coffee makers on the market that go above and beyond making a good pot (or cup) of joe, you can also get a great coffee maker for mid-tier, and even low-budget level prices. The brand you choose will have an impact on the quality of the coffee you make in your household, but finding the right brand and type of coffee maker is no easy task with so many different options on the market. Picking the right brand and model is important no matter what your budget is, whether you are looking for a top-tier, high price coffee maker or a quality brewing system at a lower price point that doesn’t make too big of a dent in your savings.
When considering whether or not to buy an expensive coffee maker, ask yourself, do you really need the extra features that it comes with to brew a great cup of coffee? Extra features drive up the price significantly, and they are not always something that we actually need in our coffee machine. Take the Jura Giga 5 into consideration. This coffee maker has a ridiculous price tag north of five grand. It can brew any type of coffee you can name, from regular coffee, to espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes. It also has not one, but two burr grinders. Unless you live in a household full of seasoned baristas who can somehow afford a $5,000 coffee machine off of tips, there is not any good reason for someone to have this appliance in their home.
Some expensive coffee makers, however, are well worth a larger price tag. The Breville Precision Brewer is $300 but allows a more customizable brew than the majority of drip coffee makers. The Burr Grind and Brew grinds your coffee right before brewing and makes an excellent cup of coffee for around $200. The Bonavita BV1800 is priced around $150, which is not a cheap coffee maker, but the coffee it produces is well worth a little extra money. Though none of these are anywhere near the $5,000 range, they are quite a bit more than your basic drip machine.
How To Find A Great Coffee Maker Without Breaking The Bank
Look into the type of coffee machine that fit your needs, and if you have to extend your budget a bit to get the one you want, it should still be a good purchase that you won’t regret in the long run. Coffee experts agree that more often than not, the quality of the coffee you choose will have more impact on how good your brew is than the machine you use to brew it anyway. A cheap bag of low quality coffee is going to produce lackluster results, even if you brew it in a $5,000 coffee machine. On the other hand, the choicest, freshest beans, when brewed in a cheap coffee maker, will still make a good cup of coffee.
The best way to select the right coffee maker is to select a type of coffee maker based on what meets your specific needs and personal preference. Research and pick which brands and models make the best coffee maker in that type that fits your budget, and it should be no problem to get a great machine that is perfectly suited to your household needs and brews excellent coffee, without overextending your budget.
What to Look For in a Coffee Maker
There are quite a few important factors to think about when looking into purchasing a new coffee maker. Do you want to expend minimal effort and have your coffee brewed when you wake up in the morning? Do you want to make your coffee by hand so that you have more control over the brewing process or do you want it made for you by your coffee machine? Electric drip machines don’t require any work from you when it comes to brewing like more customizable options, such as a french press, or a pour over device. Programmable electric coffee makers can be set to brew your morning cup while you get a few extra minutes of sleep, while standard electric machines only require a few additions and the push of a button or two. If your family members all enjoy drinking coffee made in different ways, and at different times of the day, the best choice may be a pod or single-cup machine. Pod machines are especially convenient for households in which everyone drinks coffee, but in small quantities. Consider what your preferences are when deciding on the right machine for you.
Coffee makers and espresso machines are available in a two-in-one format or as separate machines. Do the people in your home enjoy drinking both types of coffee? If so, you can get one of each machine as long as you have the space. If your kitchen counters are already rather crowded, a hybrid machine might make more sense. Separate machines will be better suited to crafting each drink better, but a hybrid machine might save you a little bit of extra money as well as space. If your family only drinks one beverage or the other, it may be wiser to opt for a single machine that only makes the drink your household members prefer. If your household enjoys authentic italian style coffee drinks, like espressos, cappuccinos, and macchiatos, steer clear of pod machines and electric drip machines entirely, and look into more versatile coffee bar style machines.
Another important factor to consider is the amount of coffee the members of your household tend to consume. If your household drinks a lot of coffee, you will want a coffee maker that has a large carafe instead of pod-style machines or single-cup brewers. If your household consumes coffee all throughout the day, you might benefit from a system with a thermal carafe, as a drip coffee machine can easily burn the coffee when left on the burner throughout the day. If your household only drinks coffee in the morning, machines with a burner or hot plate should serve. For those who need a quick cup of joe to go, a pod system or a single cup brewer will come in handy.
What Type of Coffee Maker Is Right For Me?
There are many different types of coffee makers on the market. Take a moment to review the advantages and disadvantages of each type to decide which type of coffee maker you should buy for your household needs.
Non-Electric Coffee Makers
Non electric coffee makers are great for kitchens with limited counter space, as they can be stowed away when they are not in use. Pour over systems, french presses, and stovetop espresso devices are all great options for brewing excellent coffee with a hands-on brewing approach. They are all relatively inexpensive, as well as easy to use and keep clean. On the other hand, they take time to prepare, and make only relatively small batches.
Electric Drip Machines
Electric drip coffee makers are the most basic coffee makers available, aside from more customizable high-end models. If you just want plain coffee, these are your go-to brewers. Most drip coffee makers are simple units that are cheap and easy to use. They are available with large carafes or small ones at low budget to mid-tier prices.
Single-Serve Coffee Makers
Single-cup brewers or the newer capsule or cup-style machines are the new craze in coffee making convenience. Everyone in your household can brew their own favorite style of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate in just minutes. Though widely available in grocery stores and immensely popular, these machines create more packaging waste than most people realize. They are easy to use but bad for the environment. While convenient, the coffee they produce is nowhere near the quality of pour over setups or french presses, and is more comparable to simple drip coffee.
Espresso Machines
If you love italian style coffee, espresso machines are the style for you. You can find a wide range of options for espresso on the market with an equally wide range of price tags. Espresso can be made in stovetop models, standalone machines, and elaborate full coffee-bar setups that are comparable to commercial coffee machines. While the best models tend to be dedicated espresso makers, you can also find hybrid machines that can make regular coffee as well as espresso.
Cold Brew Systems
Cold brew systems are unique in that they use more water than coffee and require extended brewing times to make cold brew. The result is a less bitter and less acidic brew. Some machines can make concentrated brews, as well as regular cold brew coffee. Cold brew systems require a bit of pre-planning in order to have your coffee ready when you need it, but most cold brewers allow you to make large quantities of cold brew to enjoy for multiple days after brewing.
Leading Coffee Maker Brands
Look for reputable names like those listed here when purchasing coffee makers. If you go with a lesser-known brand, be sure to do your research and read plenty of reviews to make sure you are getting a high quality product that will stand the test of time and produce quality java. The following names are seasoned vets or proven newcomers in the coffee maker industry.
Bunn
Bunn has been around for ages, and make commercial as well as household appliances that have earned a good reputation. Bunn brewers make a large variety of great coffee makers, including setups that grind your beans right before brewing your coffee for the freshest possible cup, as well as machines that keep their water heated up so your always minutes away from freshly brewed coffee.
Breville
Breville makes especially nice coffee makers and espresso makers that typically come with a sizable price tag, though there are some more moderately priced models in their line. Their coffee makers are sleek and stylish, and produce excellent coffee. Higher end Breville brewers are highly customizable and as luxurious as their prices suggest they are.
Bodum
Bodum is a seasoned veteran in the french press industry, producing a line of french presses that are made from various materials and in various sizes. Though best known for their french press models, Bodum also makes a quality pour over system, as well as a stovetop vacuum brewer.
Chemex
Chemex coffee makers are in a class of their own when it comes to pour over coffee systems. The name Chemex has become a symbol of luxury coffee. Their pour over designs are classic and loved by coffee enthusiasts everywhere.
Cuisinart
Though Cuisinart is known for its food processors, they also make most common kitchen appliances, and their coffee makers have risen in popularity in recent years due to their high quality products. Cuisinart has earned a coveted spot as a trusted coffee maker manufacturer.
Keurig
The Keurig K-Cup coffee makers quickly took over the coffee maker world due to their availability and convenience. If you are a K-Cup user, you swear by Keurig’s single cup brewers. Unfortunately, the disposable cups are responsible for massive amounts of waste.
Mr. Coffee
Mr. Coffee machines are a home kitchen staple. Their simple electric drip coffee makers are inexpensive, easy to use, and have become one of the most trusted lines of coffee makers in the industry.
Whether you decide to invest in an expensive coffee maker or a more affordable model, understand that a coffee maker is only as good as the coffee that you put in it. If you want all the fancy features that come with the high-end models, by all means, treat yourself. But there are plenty of low-budget and mid-tier models that brew superb coffee without setting you back. Though many of these lower priced options lack the bells and whistles of the more expensive options, if the end result is remarkable brew, the price is subjective.