Best coffee maker 2021: 12 top options for kick-starting your day

Our favorite way to start our mornings is with a strong cup of coffee, made possible with one of the best coffee makers gracing our countertops. Coffee makers come in varying shapes, sizes, and functionalities, but ultimately, the one you choose will come down to your own personal preferences. 

We've done the heavy lifting in our edit of the best coffee makers, so you can get to enjoying that sacred cup of rich java much faster. No trip to a coffee shop is necessary...just make sure you have your fave mug, delicious beans (or pods), and a plentiful supply of oat milk on hand. While you're at it, you may even find yourself inspired to equip yourself with fun finds for your coffee station. 

Some coffee makers are fully automatic and make brewing your favorite cup of coffee a breeze, while others will let hone in on your evolving barista skills, or dive into the world of craft coffee with specialty methods, such as the best pour-over coffee maker. Whatever you decide fits your needs, look at all the options available to suit your lifestyle and home. 

Want to get healthy too? Take a look at our guide to the best blenders on the market and make yourself a smoothie as well.

These are the best coffee makers of 2021

This espresso machine is an impressive piece of kit that will make you a delicious, rich brew, just as you would expect from a barista. It’s pricey, yep, but it could be just what you have been looking for…

What we like
We LOVE that this machine has a burr grinder which means that it will give consistently delicious results. The grinder's size and dose can also be adjusted so you can get into the nitty-gritty of barista perfection.

We also like the fact that it can heat up in three seconds so you won't have long to wait for coffee time.

What we don’t like
Like any manual espresso machine, there will be a learning curve to pulling your best shot, and it may even take some time. Luckily, the LCD interface gives you step-by-step instructions to walk you through the espresso brewing process. 

Anything else?
The steam wand is fab. It’ll enable you to get creative and make some impressive latte art which will have all your friends and family gathering around to sample the wonders (and coffee!)

The Philips 3200 Series gives new meaning to the one-touch super-automatic espresso machine, with its game-changing LatteGo milk frother that lets you brew a latte or a cappuccino in one step. 

What we like
The sheer effortlessness of getting a cafe-quality beverage without having to take notes from a barista. As far as the espresso it brews, so easy and strong, with a built-in grinder, excellent pressure, and a spout that adjusts to your cup size. Philips exclusive LatteGo milk frother clips to the hot water spout on the machine, and uses air steam and milk to froth the milk right into your cup. The options for coffee drinks feel almost endless, with the ability to choose between five coffee beverages: espresso, coffee, americano, latte, and cappuccino. From there, you'll also have the ability to adjust the brew strength, pour size, temperature, and amount of froth, if you choose to make a milk beverage.  

What we don't like
The initial setup was a little complicated, but quick video tutorials got us on the right path. It's also a little noisy, which is expected of an espresso machine. 

What else?
The LatteGo froths and pours the foam into your cup before the espresso, which is the reverse of how you actually make a cappuccino. 

A fine example of retro-styling, this coffee machine will freshly brew up to ten cups of coffee and will keep warm all the drips and drops left over.

What we like
It does exactly what one would expect from using it: it makes a really lovely coffee. Once you’ve made your coffee, the machine is really easy to keep clean and maintain too.

We’re also big fans of the colors available; blue, pastel green, red, black, cream, and white.

What we don’t like
There’s nothing which we don’t especially like, but perhaps the setup could be a little easier. There are a few settings to work through before you can make a satisfying brew, and the water tank can be slightly awkward to fill up if the machine is under a cupboard. And, if you unplug the machine, you'll have to work through your settings again.

Anything else?
The price is a little steep compared to the other coffee machines in our guide but this machine makes really good coffee, making it a worthwhile investment. 

Nespresso's most compact coffee and espresso pod machine offers some of the most versatility in its Vertuo lineup... including the ability to brew a carafe. 

What we like
At just 5.5 inches wide, the Nespresso Vertuo Next is ideal for both tiny kitchens or coffee carts, without sacrificing quality. It's also sustainably made with 54 percent recycled plastic body in a number of color options to suit your kitchen design.  

Nespresso's Vertuo system Centrifusion brewing technique to extract its flavor. Each capsule has a specific barcode to deliver the optimal in-cup, taking into account cup size, pressure, brewing time and temperature for the way each cup should be enjoyed, so you can get the perfect aroma, flavor, and that silky, irresistible layer of crema with the touch of a single button. 

What we don’t like
It's only compatible with Nespresso's proprietary Vertuo line pods, which you need to remember to keep in stock and they do tend to add up.  Luckily, you have almost 30 different coffee choices from around the world to discover and fall in love with. 

Anything else?
Nespresso has a recycling program in place so you can feel less wasteful using pods, you just have to send them in. 

To make your own lattes and milk beverages, Nespresso's Aeroccino milk frother is the perfect complement to your machine. 

If you're particular when it comes to coffee, the Technivorm Moccamaster will impress the most discerning coffee drinkers, and those who take their caffeine, black.  Plus, it comes with a stamp of approval from both the Specialty Coffee Association and the European Coffee Brewing Center for brewing the perfect cup of coffee. 

What we like
The Moccamaster drip coffee maker most closely resembles a gourmet pour-over experience with the convenience of an automatic coffee maker.  The Moccamaster craftsmanship is unparalleled. Everything is handcrafted, including the unique copper heating element that maintains that your coffee always heats between 196 and 206 degrees Fahrenheit, while the separate hot plate will maintain the glass carafe at temperatures between 175 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit for 100 minutes before automatically shutting off. The KBGV Select option we tried also gives the ability to designate whether you're brewing a full or a half carafe to make the best cup of coffee possible.  

The extremely quiet and efficient brewing process uses an exclusive 9-hole drip arm that ensures even extraction and full bloom of coffee grounds for a smooth flavorful cup of coffee.  And it does all this, a whole 10-cup pot in as little as six minutes. 

What we don't like
Users have said it's a little more complicated thanks to its unique design and separate parts. We've also questioned the longevity of its plastic parts, but note, it does come with a 5-year warranty, which is pretty lengthy for a small appliance, and each plastic piece is readily available for a replacement to prevent the machine in it's entirety from ending up in a landfill.

Good to know
If you prefer thermal carafes to glass, the Moccamaster is also available in a thermal carafe, without the hot plate option.  Also of note, the Moccamaster skips out on fancy settings and simply has ON buttons to start the machine, and select carafe size.

Looking for a coffee maker that can keep up with your rotating coffee order? The Ninja Specialty makes coffeehouse-style beverages for at-home use for the ultimate versatility in one single countertop machine. 

What  we like
In particular, we love that this coffee maker from Ninja can do it all, and it's insanely easy to use. A carafe for a crowd? Easy! A morning latte? Done. How about an afternoon iced coffee pick-me-up? Simple. It comes with a variety of customizations like the ability to choose brew strength to six-different cup sizes with just a few buttons, and features a built-in milk frother that conveniently folds in and out, plus an iced coffee setting when only chilled beverages will do. 

What we don’t like?
The specialty brew setting is more or less a 4 oz. portion of "coffee concentrate" that resembles espresso and creates specialty coffee drinks, but should not be mistaken for actual espresso.

Anything else?
Depending on your preference, the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker is available with either a thermal carafe or a glass carafe with a hot plate.

Looking for a casual machine that still makes an impeccable cup of coffee. The Braun BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker offers distinct styling, compact design, and quality mechanics at a fraction of the price. 

What we like
For starters, the under $100 price is very attractive.  This affordable coffee machine is built to handle your caffeine habits with the ability to brew as little as 11 ounces and as much as 12 cups.  Coupled with features like a programmable timer, auto-shut-off, and a special PureFlavor system with a permanent gold-tone filter, and it has everything we need. 

What we don’t like?
While we're very into the boxy, compact design, the display is not backlit, so it can be harder to see the buttons unless you're in a well-lit space. Additionally, it brews coffee pretty quickly but does not give an audible chime when the brew cycle is done.

A Wi-Fi and Alexa enabled option really bring a smart home element to the coffee brewing process on this sleek countertop coffee maker from GE Appliance's gourmet line, Café.

What we like
There’s a lot of things we like about this coffee maker. First of all, it's SCA-rated, meaning its met some very rigorous requirements to meet the Golden Cup Standard. It features four unique brewing modes: Gold, Light, Medium and Bold;  and the ability to control the machine's desired strength and precise temperature. The vacuum-insulated thermal carafe will also maintain a temperature of over 178°F for two hours. 

And we're hung up on its stunning appearance, available in matte white, chrome, or matte black with copper accents. Tres' chic for your modern kitchen. 

What we don’t like?
Well, if you're looking to control your coffee maker from your bed, the wifi connection is really only useful if you already have the machine on standby with water and ground coffee already in the tank. 

Users also wish that the water tank was removable for easier cleaning and filling. 

Anything else?
It can brew up to 10 cups but does not have a single-cup option. 

If you’re always on the go and prefer your own coffee to your exacting standards, the Wacaco Pipamoka Portable Coffee Maker dares to shake up your coffee order when ordering. Just add hot water and your favorite ground coffee. Its compact size and non-electrical design make it essential should you find yourself on an off-the-grid adventure like back-packing or camping... or a grueling commute. 

What we like
Its innovative design uses a vacuum pressure brewing method that uses a manual twisting mechanism to generate the right amount of vacuum pressure inside the mug. This negative pressure generated a suction force that draws hot water downwards through the coffee grounds. In just two minutes, the same amount of time it takes to brew from a single-serving coffee maker, you'll have a bold cup of coffee. 

It also uses a stainless steel microfilter to minimize waste, and you can drink straight from the tumbler.

What we don’t like
Well, it's more or less part of the design, but since it is a completely manual, non-electric product, you will have to have a hot water source nearby. 

Anything else?
To operate, you drop the fill and drop the coffee basket into the mug, and let it sink to the bottom. Twisting the orange ring creates vacuum pressure that draws the water down through the grounds. When the water chamber has fully risen, remove the brewer, add the lid and enjoy a hot coffee, on the go.

Widely considered the origin of manual pour-over coffee, this Chemex design has been in production since its release in 1941. The magic of Pour Over is that it allows you the most control over your brewing parameters such as water temperature, grind size, pour speed, and the water to coffee ratio to create the perfect cup of coffee. For some coffee aficionados, the ability to play and experiment with all facets of production will reign supreme over all other methods. 

What we like
The Chemex is our pick for the optimal pour-over experience. Operation is as simple as methodically pouring your water through the grounds, watching them bloom, and then pouring to enjoy.  It's also made of borosilicate glass that can be added to an external heat source to keep warm, should you not want to savor the coffee. We also appreciate its voluptuous and thoughtful design: the removable wooden collar protects fingers from the heat, acting as a buffer between you and the glass.

What we don’t like
Not necessarily an end-all, be-all, but you'll want to use the Chemex-branded filters for the best experience. They are 20-30% heavier than other filters, and designed to remove the smallest particles as well as the undesirable oils and fats, for the finest extraction possible. 

Anything else?
Whether you're looking for a personal-sized Chemex or one that could please a brunch party, there are multiple size options available to choose from. 

Truth, we can find little to fault the classic Bodum Chambord French Press. Those new and experienced with the art of French Press will find this suits their every need for function and style. To brew, you'll simply let coarse grounds seep among hot water for four minutes before activating the plunger to compress the grounds. You can even create cold brew coffee this way too...

What we like
The Chambord French Press is available in a wide range of colors and sizes from 17 ounces to 51 oz. It's compact to store in a cabinet, but with looks like these, we're keen on leaving it out on our coffee carts. More so, it's easy to use and keep clean and ultimately makes a wonderful cup of coffee.  

What we don't like
Not necessarily a con of the Bodum, more so as a con of French Press overall, is that coarse grounds can still escape, leaving to a grittier cup of coffee. Some coffee enthusiasts call it a trade-off, or even a "badge of honor" for their bold and flavorful brews. 

What else?
Should your borosilicate glass beaker crack or break, replacement parts are easily and affordably available. A shatterproof plastic design is also available for those who are risk-averse. We prefer the glass, however. 

If cold brew is your daily kryptonite, why not out the best. Our hearts are starry-eyed toward the KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker. In just 12 to 24 hours, you can be sipping on a super-rich concentrated coffee, rounded out with your favorite milk, syrups, and creamers. It also never has to leave your fridge with an easy pour dispenser. 

What we love
Particularly, the dispenser design is so easy to handle and gives you the feeling of having cold-brew on tap. Its square design fits onto almost any shelf in the fridge and has a secure carry handle for taking back and forth from the fridge after brewing. However, after that, it can securely remain in place in your fridge. This small but mighty pick is one of our favorite little luxuries. 

What we don't like
The large metal brew basket holds a lot of coffee. However, a fair amount of coffee is absorbed into the coffee grounds, leaving the final vessel half-full after pulling out the brew basket.  The glass container is also 

What else?
If you want even more coffee, an XL 38-ounce option is available too. 

What is the best coffee maker?

To recap. if you want to buy an espresso machine, we wouldn’t hesitate to buy the Breville The Barista Pro Coffee Machine. In our opinion, it has everything you could possibly need from a coffee machine; it grinds the whole beans, makes a delicious coffee, and has a steam wand, so the possibilities are endless. 

It is an investment appliance though, so if you would like to spend a fraction of the price on another good coffee machine then we would recommend you buy the Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee Machine. It’s mega easy to use, makes a lovely drip coffee, and is available in a selection of pleasing colors.

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