Best coffee makers 2025 – the top appliances for creating a café in your kitchen

As a kitchen appliance expert, the question I hear most often is 'What's the best coffee maker?' It seems simple enough, but the answer is different depending on what kind of coffee you like to drink.

Personally, I’m a cappuccino girl, and since my mornings are always a rush, I swear by the best espresso machines. But I live with a barista, who is all about strong black coffee, so there's always a French press on our table, too.

Over the last nine months, I've been lucky enough to test the best coffee makers of all shapes, sizes, and brewing methods – with the help of my team of expert product testers. We've tested premium espresso makers over $1000, all the way through to small Moka pots and cheap pod machines.

Our favorite overall is probably the OXO Brew 8 Cup Coffee Maker which brews simple, delicious coffee that you just can't argue with. But in this guide, I deep dive into the different brewing styles, explaining who they suit and supplying luxury and budget options for each category. Just tell me your coffee order – I’ve got the perfect fit for your kitchen.

Quick List

If you're here for the TLDR, these are the best coffee makers from each category. They scored five stars across the board in our tests. I'll go into more detail further down the page.

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What are the different types of coffee makers?

Before we dive deep into my reviews of the best coffee makers, you might want some help choosing the type of coffee maker you want. This table will give you a quick insight into each brewing style.

Best drip coffee makers

Drip coffee, also known as filter coffee, is the nation's favorite brewing style. The smooth, light, delicate flavors are easy to sip all day long.

One of the pros of drip coffee makers is their sheer simplicity. It's easy to learn how to use a drip coffee maker, so it is perfect for beginners and those who don't want to have to complete a PhD to use their machine. They are a breeze to rinse and maintain, too.

If you want to get full flavors from your filter coffee maker, you need to pair it with one of the best coffee grinders. This can bump up the price, but if you care about specialty coffee, it's worth it.

One downside of drip coffee makers is that they are often big and they make singular, very simple coffee. There's no intense espresso or creamy cappuccinos here. If that's your style, scroll down to see the best espresso machines.

I've tested the best drip coffee machines and these are my three favorites.

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Best espresso machines

If you've ever admired the set-up in your local café, you've probably been looking at one of the best espresso machines. These elite machines, once reserved for baristas and coffee connoisseurs, now grace homes around the world. They make rich, intense shots of coffee, and they're paired with steam wands for café-quality lattes and cappuccinos.

Espresso machines are fairly large and they can get expensive, ranging from $500-1,500 in price. They can also be a little complicated to operate, but there are varying degrees of automation depending on how much control you'd like over your brew.

Models are becoming increasingly simple and user-friendly, but if you're a total beginner and want coffee at the touch of a button, scroll down to the best automatic coffee machines instead.

I've tested the best espresso machines and these are my three favorites.

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Best automatic coffee machines

If you like the finer things in life, a bean-to-cup coffee maker might be just what you're looking for. These automatic espresso machines are specially designed for beginners or anyone who wants a quick cup of coffee without much effort. Simply add the beans, place a cup underneath, and let the machine handle the rest.

I have a De'Longhi machine in my kitchen and I adore it for lazy or rushed mornings. I can save my coffee preferences and order tonnes of different brews depending on my mood. Automatic machines usually have milk frothers, so you get café-quality cappuccinos and flat white in about two minutes.

However, this convenience comes at a cost. A quality bean-to-cup machine usually starts around $700 and can go up to $2,000. While the upfront price may seem high, they’re durable and can save you money in the long run, especially with reputable brands like the ones below.

I've tested the best bean-to-cup machines and these are my three favorites.

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Best single-serve coffee makers

The best single-serve machines use pods or capsules to create simple but delicious coffee. A convenient option for those seeking speed. While the flavor may not be as fresh as espresso machines, they are ideal for small spaces and busy people.

However, you'll need to keep up with your capsule supply, and disposing of them can be a hassle. Eco-conscious users should seek out B-Corp-certified machines that work with compostable capsules, like the illy ESE and Grind One Pod, to minimize waste.

Single-serve machines are affordable, generally priced between $100-300, but most are made from plastic and aren't built to last long. If you're after durability, a drip coffee or bean-to-cup machine might be a better long-term investment.

These are my favorites. There's a wider selection in my guide to the best single-serve coffee machines.

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Best French press

As you might have guessed from the name, French presses are very European. You've probably seen them sat on a wooden tray next to a croissant in an Instagram picture. The process is slow and mindful, delivering multiple cups of rich, delicious coffee.

The flavor profile is often described as acidic and bitter, which won't appeal to everyone. It's certainly not very sweet, but the process can draw out more earthy, nuanced notes in your coffee.

Learning how to make a French press coffee is easy, so it's often a method I recommend to beginners. The clean-up is similarly simple. I wouldn't expect to pay much over $100 for a good French press, so it's excellent if you're on a budget. My only word of warning is that these are easier to break. I've smashed more glass carafes than I care to admit, so if you know you're clumsy, make sure to invest in a stainless steel model.

These are my favorites; I explore more options in my roundup of the best French presses.

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Best pour over

If you like delicate, aromatic coffee, a pour-over coffee maker is an excellent option. Simply sit filter paper in the funnel, place your coffee grounds in the funnel, and pour water over it.

As with drip coffee makers, you'll either need to grind your own coffee or buy fresh grounds to enjoy the flavors fully. The brewing process can take up to 15 minutes, – if you need your morning cup of joe quickly, it's not the one for you.

If you're price-conscious, this is an excellent option, since these tend to cost no more than $50. If you're careful, they'll last a lifetime too. If you're clumsy, make sure to opt for a metal pour-over rather than a porcelain or glass option.

These are my three favorites; I've recommended more options in my guide to best pour-over coffee makers.

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Best stovetop or moka pot

If you enjoy espresso flavors, but don't want to pay the professional price tag: meet the moka pot. This stovetop appliance makes smooth, intense, and rich coffee. I'm convinced that most coffee drinkers wouldn't be able to tell the difference between moka pot and espresso machine coffee if they were blindfolded.

Even the best moka pots are much cheaper than an espresso machine. However, they can only make black coffee and if you have an induction hob, you'll have to choose a model carefully. These are designed for gas stoves normally.

Moka pots tend to cost $30-130, so it's a great entry point for espresso drinkers. These retro pieces actually make great design features. I've written a buying guide to the best moka pots, including some gorgeous Dolce & Gabbana designs. You'll see that they're mostly from Bialetti because the brand has dominated the market since they were founded.

These are my three favorite picks.

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Best cold brew

Cold brew has gained popularity for its smoother, sweeter taste compared to traditional hot brews. Unlike iced coffee (which is just hot coffee cooled down) cold brew is steeped in cold water, creating a velvety, rich drink with minimal bitterness. You can use a dedicated cold brew machine or a French press, though the process can take time – often requiring at least 16 to 24 hours for the coffee to steep.

Cold brew coffee makers simplify this process, allowing you to press a button or let the grounds sit on the countertop. They're relatively affordable, ranging from $30 to $150. If you're looking for versatility, some coffee machines from brands like Nespresso and Breville come with cold brew settings.

Here are three of my favorites, but I've written and tested some of the best cold brew coffee makers, which you can read about here.

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How to choose the right coffee maker for you

Personal taste: When you're choosing the perfect coffee maker for you, the best place to start is with the kind of coffee that you enjoy. If you prefer punchy espressos, an espresso machine, moka pot, or AeroPress will give you that full-bodied flavor. For lattes and cappuccinos, espresso machines with steam wands are ideal, while some single-serve machines also offer milk frothing options. If you require larger servings of rich black coffee, a French press, pour-over, or drip coffee maker will suit you. An automatic espresso machine is likely to satisfy all coffee preferences, suiting family households.

Space: If you have lots of space, you can choose almost any coffee maker. However, if your kitchen is compact, you'll probably want to steer clear of espresso machines and automatic coffee makers. These tend to be big appliances. You could still fit them on your countertop, but you'd have to work to do it.

Time: If you don't mind taking your time with coffee, then you'll have the pick of the bunch. However, if you're normally five minutes late for being ten minutes late, you'll want a quick machine: pod machines, pre-set drip coffee makers, and automatic machines will be your best friends. Capacity If you're the only coffee drinker in the house, you might not need a big machine. Pour-overs are an excellent option for single-cup coffee drinkers. However, if there are ten of you in your home, a drip coffee maker will cater to the masses.

Ease: If you normally buy your coffee from a barista, you might not enjoy being very hands-on when making coffee. For that reason, a bean-to-cup machine would suit you really well. It'll be just like your barista, but without the small talk. If you like the idea of becoming a barista yourself, espresso machines are at the other end of the scale. They can be a lot of fun too.

Price: It goes without saying that price has to be factored into things. I've covered how much money you should spend on a coffee maker at the bottom of this article. A French press or pour-over can cost a tenth of the price of a bean-to-cup machine or espresso machine. It's better to start small and work up to a bigger machine. That being said, we've included these machines in our roundup because we think they're good value for what they offer. I've tested machines worth more money and you can't tell the difference.

How we test

At Homes & Gardens, we have a rigorous testing process for all of our coffee makers. This enables us to score coffee makers both individually and against other models on the market.

Research: As Homes & Gardens' kitchen appliance expert, this is my starting point. I'm always on the lookout for the best coffee makers on the market. Once I’ve found one that I think you, our readers, will like, I order it to my home kitchen. I usually like to test at home, as it means I can use the appliance in my regular routine for around a month. This helps me uncover advantages (or most likely, pain points) I would never discover with a one hour session in the test kitchen.

Design: Once the machine is in my hands, I first consider the design and build quality. I give extra points to coffee makers that look good on the counter, but I never prioritize style over substance.

Brewing performance: The first thing I make with any espresso machine is an espresso. This is a way of testing how good a coffee maker is at the basics. A good espresso should be between 1.25-2 oz. It should be 190-205 degrees and full of flavor. A big giveaway is the crema on top: that should be thick with a hazelnut hue.

Then, I'll test other brews: including americano, latte, cappuccino and anything else the coffee maker has to offer.

Cleaning & ease of use: After brewing and tasting, I make notes on the clean-up process as well as how I would recommend storing and maintaining the coffee maker. I also think about how easy it is to use and what type of coffee drinker it would suit.

Value for money: After a month of testing and evaluating, I round up my notes. Then, I take a look at all of our other coffee makers to see how they compare on each testing criteria. I also look at online reviews to see what other experts and real-life customers thought, so that I could bring you more insight. After this, I give each coffee maker a score out of five. Only the five-star appliances make it into my best coffee maker buying guide.

If you’re interested and want to find out more, you can read all about the process in our how we test coffee makers page.

Meet our testing team

Lydia Hayman

Lydia is a trained chef and recipe writer, currently in charge of product testing as the Kitchen Appliances Editor for Homes & Gardens. Lydia trained at Leiths School of Food & Wine and she has shadowed professional baristas, attended coffee masterclasses, and toured roasteries to master the art of coffee. Her drink of choice is a frothy, Italian cappuccino (alongside a croissant, of course).

Laura Honey

Laura has tested over 60 coffee makers for Homes & Gardens. As a fully qualified barista, she's our expert in all things coffee – and she's even delved into matcha, too. She has also interviewed Q-Graders and world-leading experts in the coffee industry, so has an intimate knowledge of the industry.

Jaclyn Turner

Jaclyn is a homes product tester and eCommerce editor. She has also written for foodie publications like The Kitchn and The Spruce Eats. Jaclyn was a particular fan of the Techniform Moccamaster coffee machine she tested, which is our luxury pick in the best drip category. She says: 'It brews some of the most distinctive, memorable coffee I've ever had at home, and perhaps even out and about at cafes.'

FAQs

How much should I spend on a coffee maker?

This will depend on the coffee maker that you buy. You could spend anything from $30 to $2,000, but I wouldn't spend much more than that. When I say $30, I have pour-overs and French presses in mind. The materials used for these keep the costs low and you definitely shouldn't spend more than $150 on them.

When I'm talking about spending thousands of dollars on a coffee machine, I expect it to be an espresso machine, especially an automatic model. If you're happy to work hard and hands-on, experimenting with your espresso machine, you'll be able to pick up a model for around $600, just don't expect any automation or a grinder.

In the middle of inexpensive French presses and fancy espresso machines, you'll find drip coffee makers. If you've got about $200-$300 to spend, you'll be able to get a quality model. These won't have integrated grinders, so set aside some budget for that (more on grinders below).

As your budget gets bigger, coffee makers will probably become more convenient and versatile. Set expectations for what you want and what you're happy not to pay a premium for and choose carefully.

Do I need to buy a coffee grinder to go with my coffee maker?

Unless your coffee maker has an integrated grinder, yes you do. You can buy pre-ground coffee from the stores, but as soon as the beans have been ground up, the delicious oils in them start breaking down, tasting flatter and less delicious. Freshness plays an immense factor in the flavors of your coffee. Luckily, we have done a roundup of the best coffee grinders on the market, so you don't have to do any searching.