The Best Home Coffee Makers 2021

Waking up to a fresh cup of Joe is one of modern life’s greatest pleasures. But shopping for a new home coffee maker is quite the opposite. 

If you’re percolating over the right coffee machine for your kitchen counter, read our guide below. We discuss the numerous coffee machine types, models, and brands available today.

Best Drip Coffee Machines

The term “drip coffee machine” is the source of a lot of unnecessary confusion. If you’ve had coffee out of an automatic machine, you’ve had drip coffee. The term is mainly used to distinguish from French presses or percolators, as well as from espresso machines. Most automatic coffee machines work in roughly the same way, with hot water being dripped onto coffee grounds - hence the name! 

This is the most common type of home coffee machine, and picking a favorite is difficult. That said, we’re big fans of Cuisinart’s appliances. The Cuisinart 14-Cup PerfecTemp is a versatile machine that allows you to brew mild, medium, or bold coffee with the press of a button. You can make as little as a single cup, or as many as 14 cups. Better still, you can pre-program the PerfecTemp to begin brewing at the exact hour you wake up, ensuring you’re greeted every morning by the sweet scent of freshly brewed coffee. 

Best Espresso Machines

While Starbucks may have popularized espresso in North America, these 1-ounce shots of jet fuel can be traced back to Italy. 

Unlike the aforementioned drip-coffee machine, espresso machines force near-boiling water through coffee grinds at high pressure. The resulting beverage has a concentrated coffee flavor balanced with a sweet crown of crema. Espresso can be enjoyed on its own, or as the basis for other popular drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos.

In our opinion, the best espresso machine on the market is the Brentwood Espresso and Cappucino maker. This machine can make up to 4 shots at a time. An adjustable steam wand allows you to heat and froth milk to your desired temperature and consistency. Finally, bonus points need to be awarded for the machine’s easy-to-clean removable parts.

Best Hybrid Coffee and Espresso Machines

Do you often flip-flip between drip and espresso? If so, a hybrid home coffee and espresso machine is probably right for you. These brilliant devices have a variety of modes and functions, allowing you to make the style of coffee you’re craving at that exact moment.

In our opinion, the Mr. Coffee All-In-One is the perfect hybrid machine. This multitasker can brew a single cup of drip via pods or you can pull up to two shots of espresso at a time. An adjustable steam wand allows you to prepare fancier beverages like cappuccinos and lattes as well. 

Best Pod Machines

In the past ten years, pod machines have skyrocketed in popularity. These no-brainer appliances allow you to make a single cup of coffee with the push of a bottom. And unlike the aforementioned machines, pod machines allow you to brew a range of flavored coffees from Irish Cream to French Vanilla.

In our opinion, the award for best pod machine has to go to the Cuisinart Coffee Center. This unique device is perfect for those who prefer a no-fuss cup of coffee. While its primary function is a single cup, the easy-to-use pod system also has a place to brew a full pot.

Iced Tea and Coffee Maker

While a warm cup of coffee is the perfect addition to a crisp winter’s morning, a glass of iced tea is just as nice on a hot summer’s day. You may not know it, but there are a lot of hybrid iced tea/coffee makers on the market.

One of our favorite home coffee machines is the Brentwood Iced Tea and Coffee Maker. This machine boasts a 64-ounce pitcher for your ice tea, making this perfect for serving gatherings. You can also easily adjust the strength of your tea to taste. 

Time to Get Brewing

We only touched on a few of the great coffee-related products out there. Make sure to check out our full selection of coffee machines, and find one that’s right for you.