If you’re in the market for the best coffee maker america’s test kitchen, you’ll want to check out the options from America’s Test Kitchen. They scored top marks in the organization’s latest round of testing, and offer a range of features that will appeal to coffee lovers of all types.
Whether you’re looking for a simple machine that just makes great coffee or one with all the bells and whistles, ATK has something to offer. So if you’re ready for your morning cup to be even better, read on for our picks from America’s Test Kitchen.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table
Why do You should buy the Best Coffee Makers?
There are several reasons, but ultimately it boils down to your lifestyle and how much you want it. The most common reason why people buy coffee makers is because they’re tired of going to a nearby coffee shop before work or if their family has grown too big for them to make everyone a cup in the morning when they wake up.
The cost of having a coffee maker at home can vary a lot depending on which type you decide to purchase and what features come with it, however all types with the exception of percolators will have an average pay off period that falls between 3-5 years from when you first bought it at today’s prices. This is because these machines only use electricity and water to function so there aren’t any parts that need to be replaced over time, however the coffee will always be what you put into them which is why some brands offer refill packs for sale.
The benefits of having a coffee machine at home are plenty but in truth they mainly fall under convenience and saving money in the long run since these machines pay for themselves in about 4 months on average if you were to buy one cup per day from a local shop every day without fail.
Having fresh brewed coffee at home also means you have total control over what goes into it so anyone who has special dietary requirements can adjust things to their liking with ease rather than being forced to settle with whatever tastes good enough when served by someone else.
The Best Coffee Maker America’s Test Kitchen in 2023
Top 1 – Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew Trio 2-Way Single Serve Coffee Maker
Here’s the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew 2-Way Coffee Maker with a slim profile and simple operation mechanism. This tiny appliance packs a real punch and allows you to whip your delicious cups of joe quickly.
This product is equipped with lots of features, despite its small frame. Its remarkable versatility allows you to do more with this machine. It offers several brewing options, which can be a bit overwhelming.
The “Brew Now” button instantly gets the FlexBrew brewing a carafe/cup of joe for a quick fix. Also, it automatically switches to the Keep Warm function to keep the coffee at an ideal serving temperature for about two hours.
In addition, there is a dedicated button to choose the brew strength – regular or bold. Also, you can program the machine for future brewing within a 24-hour advance period. Sadly, you can only use the “Prog” on the carafe side.
If you’re anything like me – love to have a full carafe of coffee, then Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew Trio 2-Way Coffee Maker is the way to go. This machine offers a massive 12 cups of the carafe to enjoy with your large guests.
What’s more? This best coffee maker america’s test kitchen has a primary feature, two-way brewing, to let you get the preferred caffeine concentration by merely pushing a button. You can easily use the K-cup to brew a single-serving size and use the other side for a 12 cup carafe of coffee.
Pros:
- Two brewing size options
- Large water reservoir
- Compact size
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- The 2-hour shut-off timer might be too short for some users
Top 2 – Cuisinart Stainless Steel Thermal Coffeemaker
The Cuisinart Stainless Steel Thermal Coffeemaker is the best thermal carafe coffee on this list. It’s built with one thing in mind – making delicious cups of coffee. Hence, you won’t get other kinds of drinks with this machine. So, if you are looking to make milk, tea, etc., the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Thermal Coffeemaker is not the appliance for you.
But if you are a big fan of coffee, you won’t regret investing in this product. This beast makes about 12 cups of joe, making it perfect for offices or families.
Down to the specs, this appliance rocks an automatic cleaning program, an alert, and a setting timer. Also, it has a brew-strength control to allow you to select between stronger and regular coffee – since brewing a perfect cup of joe hinges on extracting the rich flavor of the coffee beans.
More so, the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Thermal Coffeemaker has a 60-seconds memory function to save your convectional steps and programs of brewing to ensure power loss does not ruin your cup of coffee.
On top of that, this america’s test kitchen coffee maker comes with a charcoal filter to get rid of the foul smell or taste from the water. Above all, it comes in a space-saving design to allow people with limited space to set up this machine on their counter without the slightest worry.
Pros:
- Adjustable size and strength
- Equipped with a setting timer
- Self-cleaning mechanism
- Sturdy stainless steel quality
- 60-second reset
Cons:
- Lacks a hot water system
- The water reservoir is a bit uncomfortable
Top 3 – Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
Whether you are looking to make an upgrade or purchase your very first espresso machine, you can’t go wrong with America’s Test Kitchen espresso machine – Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine.
This semi-automatic machine is a fantastic device coming with amazing-automatic features such as its stainless steel dual-use single broiler featuring the Thermocoil technology, pre-programmed settings for a quick fix, and many more.
This well-rounded beast comes with a built-in, conical burr grinder to deliver full espresso taste and flavor since it helps maximize the surface area of the ground coffee. The Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine is equipped with a Thermo coil heating system and 15-bar pump to froth and brew with ease.
More importantly, it comes with a detachable crystal-clear bean hopper to hold 8 ounces of coffee beans. Plus, it has removable burrs to guarantee effortless maintenance. Also, it ensures even extraction of rich flavor with its low-pressure pre-infusion system.
That’s not all: it has two double-wall filters for single and double shots. The pre-programmed espresso settings allow you to get a shot by merely pushing a button quickly. You can also override the preset modes and input your preferred espresso settings for a customized drink.
Pros:
- Available in two finishes – sleek jet black or modern brushed stainless steel
- Suitable for creating other types of drinks like teas, milk, etc.
- Digital temperature control (PID) for great precision
- Remarkable steam wand performance
Cons:
- With a single broiler machine, it’s nearly impossible to steam and brew simultaneously
Top 4 – Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
Whether you’re a newbie or seasoned coffee lover, you should consider replacing your blade grinder with the superior burr grinder – why? The latter is designed to deliver more control and consistency by rotating burrs against one another.
If it sounds like something you need, you should consider this America’s Test Kitchen coffee grinder from Capresso.
Let’s get started: the Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder comes with 16 grind settings, covering most brewing methods from French press to Turkish coffee.
What’s more? This america’s test kitchen coffee maker has a gear reduction motor design to minimize the noise, heat, and static for optimal oil retention in the beans. Above all, it comes with a trendy appearance, offers a much better grind consistency and retails at a lower price.
Pros:
- Commercial-grade, solid steel conical burrs
- Suitable for manual brewing
- Large 8.8 ounce of beans capacity
- Easy cleanup
Cons:
- Not a decent choice for big fans of espresso
Top 5 – Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker
Wrapping up the list is the Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker, promising to deliver delicious typical coffee, cappuccinos, and lattes. This america’s test kitchen single cup coffee maker is a specialty coffee maker with many premium features to ensure it brews a wide range of drinks.
The K-Cafe is a remarkable single-serve brewer compatible with most K-cups and features an effective milk frother, which we find easy to use. With an incredible battery of controls, such as brew strength and size options, this model is built to impress coffee aficionados.
On the downside, this machine is on the bulkier side, which is understandable considering its large frother and water reservoir. So, if you’re limited on space or tight on budgets, this beast might not be the best choice for you.
Pros:
- Cup size and brew strength controls
- Integrated milk frother
- Descaling alert and auto-off program
- Accommodates travel mugs up
- Dishwasher-safe top rack
Cons:
- Massive footprint
- On the pricey side
What are The Factors to Consider When Buying The Best Coffee Maker?
While you might think that all coffee makers are the same it’s worth considering your personal preferences when making a purchase. Here are some factors to consider…
Price
Drip brewers tend to be the cheapest way to make coffee at home because they use paper filters and very little extra equipment to function, even so you can find models that range in price from $20 to over $200 depending on how much money you’re willing to spend.
Convenience
If you don’t want any hassle then drip machines will be perfect for your needs because just adding water, grounds and pressing a button is usually all it takes for great tasting coffee.
Maintenance
Espresso makers require cleaning after every use which is why most people recommend drip machines because they don’t damage the machine itself like high-pressure devices can do.
Extra Features
If you want to make cold brew or experiment with different types of coffee then French press and siphon makers can be great choices but these require more work and preparation than your average machine.
The Best Coffee Makers Brands on The Market
There are many different brands of coffee makers available for people to buy but we’ve narrowed it down to six of the most popular options…
Bunn
Bunn has been around since 1957 and specializes in making hot and cold brewers. Their machines can also dispense drinks at speeds up to 10 gallons per hour so they’re great if you need a lot of caffeine very quickly.
Hamilton Beach
This company is famous for its line of personal brewers which can make up to 10 cups each (perfect for shared offices or very large households) and will brew whatever size pot you want because there’s no minimum requirement.
Cuisinart
Like Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart markets their products as ideal for small spaces like dorm rooms and shared offices but they also have models that hold up to 70 ounces so these are good for heavy drinkers as well.
Breville
This company is known for their innovative designs, attractive styles and the fact that every model has programmable features which you can set to start brewing before you even wake up in the morning…
DeLonghi
The DeLonghi name is widely respected because these devices are easy to operate, convenient enough for smaller families or dorms yet still deliver great tasting coffee consistently.
Gaggia
Gaggia machines are often considered the creme de la creme of home brewers because they’re very expensive but offer discrete controls, long warranties and feature-packed designs that will brew professional grade beverages at home.
Types of Coffee Makers
Espresso Machines
These can be very expensive and are meant for people who either A: enjoy spending money on fancy new equipment or B: drink enough coffee to justify their purchase. However since these machines use pressure instead of steam like percolators they need freshly ground coffee from espresso roast which tends to cost more so unless money isn’t an issue most home users won’t have any use for them.
Percolators
Percolators are cheap and can be modified to do most of the things drip machines can but instead of using electricity they rely on steam pressure so they aren’t very good choices for people who don’t want to deal with complicated maintenance and repairs.
Drip Coffee Makers
Drip coffee makers use paper filters and will need either a water temperature that falls between 195°F (90°C) and 205°F (96°C) or a brewing time that falls within 2-4 minutes, most consumers prefer it when both conditions are met simultaneously as boiling water tends to impart undesirable flavors over time.
Aeropress
Aeropress is very different from drip coffee machines because these make use of air pressure instead of steam. They can be used to make both hot and cold coffee and the brewing temperature tends to fall between 175°F (80°C) and 185°F (87°C)…
Vietnamese Coffee Makers
Vietnamese coffee brewers are unique in that they use a special filter that’s meant for preparing individually brewed cups of coffee using condensed milk instead of removing the water entirely like espresso machines do with their shots. The final product is very sweet but these machines are usually expensive unless you find a good deal online…
Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Unlike drip makers which extract flavor from grinds via steeping, cold brew machines work by soaking ground coffee overnight at room temperature before passing the resulting mixture through a filter where it’s combined with ice. The resulting coffee is very strong in flavor because it’s not diluted by any water or ice, but this also means that people who don’t like the taste of cold brew probably won’t enjoy this type either…
French Press Coffee Makers
French press machines make use of coarse ground coffee and room temperature (or colder) water which are mixed together before being left to steep for 3-5 minutes then filtered through a mesh screen into another container. This leaves grinds at the bottom of the pitcher instead of in your cup like with drip brewers so you end up with more control over how much caffeine you get with each serving…
Siphon Coffee Maker
Siphon machines are similar to espresso makers except these heat water via an electrical element instead of a steam boiler. This means the water has to be passed through a filter before being forced under pressure through ground coffee then back into the base. This usually results in a very complicated machine that requires more work than most other devices on this list but also delivers better tasting coffee thanks to lower temperatures and water being absorbed by both grinds and filters…
FAQs on Coffee Maker
1). What should I look for when buying a coffee maker?
There are several things to consider but you’ll want to make sure the product has the right capacity, brews good tasting beverages and comes with additional features that will boost your enjoyment.
2). How many cups does each model produce?
Typically, drip brewers will create up to 10 cups of coffee before they need to be refilled so these products are perfect if you live with others who drink caffeine too. There are exceptions though because some models can crank out 14 or more cups so these products aren’t limited to families or office use…
3). How much do I need to spend on a machine?
You can buy low-end devices anywhere from $20-$100 and mid-range models will be somewhere in the $30-$200 range so these are fairly affordable options if you have a little money to spend.
4). Why should I choose an automatic brewer?
Automatic machines are great because they’re very simple to use, brew fresh coffee quickly and will provide your home with professional-grade beverages that taste just as good as what you can get at cafes or restaurants. You don’t have to go out for coffee any more!
5). How long do products like Keurig’s K-Cup last before they expire?
The shelf life of K-Cups is around two years but make sure you store them properly by keeping them out of direct sunlight and at cool temperatures which means buying several boxes at once for maximum freshness.
6). What are the advantages of buying a product with a no-drip spout?
There are several benefits to choosing drip-free carafes because they usually have rubberized non-slip bases that won’t move when you pour, some have filters built into the spouts so your beverages will be more pure, some models can keep coffee warm for up to an hour and some glass designs feature heating coils beneath the surface which means you don’t need hot plates or burners.
7). What’s the best way to clean my device?
Cleaning the best coffee maker according to america’s test kitchen is very simple because most of them are dishwasher safe but it’s best not to leave organic residue on components for long periods of time because this will make it harder to clean in the future. Make sure you rinse out equipment immediately after use and always remember to check the user guides before washing anything.
8). What’s the best coffee maker for someone who likes cappuccino?
It really depends on your budget but DeLonghi makes several products that use high-end frother attachments so they’ll produce delicious steamed milk with a thick layer of velvety foam for all types of low-fat drinks…so these products are perfect if you want cafe quality beverages at home!
9). How do I choose between glass carafes and thermal carafes?
Carafes can be made of either glass or stainless steel (which is more common) but either option is fine because they’re both durable and easy to clean. The real difference comes down to the different types of insulation each product has which means you’ll want to check that particular item’s specifications and compare it with other machines before purchasing.
10). What kind of coffee maker should I buy if I like black coffee?
If you like strong, bold tasting beverages then French press pots are your best option because these devices make very concentrated cups of java…so they’ll be perfect for making pour-over or cold brews as well!
11). How do they work?
Drip coffee makers are simple to operate so you just need to put your filter in place, add ground coffee and hot water then press the start button. Once this is done the machine will begin spraying hot liquid over the ingredients which causes a chemical reaction during which time your beverage is brewed.
12). What’s the difference between each type?
If you want to buy the best coffee maker then there’s really no major difference between models because these devices all work on the same principle – that said, price does play an important role because most businesses try to offer their customers more for less so a cheap product will usually have fewer features while a high-end model will have extra bells and whistles designed to improve performance.
13). Are they time consuming?
Overall, drip coffee makers are fairly quick because all you have to do is load your filter with ground coffee and water then press a button. Some models will let you transfer the liquid into a carafe before it begins brewing so this allows you to serve up multiple cups of piping hot caffeine without having to stand by the machine until it’s finished.
14). Which model should I buy?
It all depends on how much money you’re willing to spend really but if you just want something that delivers great results then Bonavita makes some fantastic drip brewers at an affordable price point while Gaggia machines are hands down the best even though they cost several hundred dollars…
Conclusion
The best coffee maker according to america’s test kitchen is the one that suits your needs and style. Coffee makers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and prices so there’s sure to be something for everyone on this list! Weighing all these factors will help you find the perfect machine for your household.
With more than 20 years of experience reviewing products like coffee machines, America’s Test Kitchen knows what they’re talking about when it comes to which models are worth investing in (and which ones aren’t). They’ve also compiled an extensive list of reviews by category-from espresso machines to French presses-in order make shopping easier for you.
See also:
Leave a Reply