Brewing coffee at home is an easy and inexpensive way to get your caffeine fix in the mornings, but what happens when you’re craving something a bit more than just a good old cup of coffee? Fortunately, times have changed. Gone are the days of having to get dressed, find your car keys and make the trek down to your local coffee shop.
With dozens of specialty coffee makers on the market, it’s now easier than ever (on you and your wallet) to add barista to your resume. Although with so many great options out there, deciding which coffee maker is right for you can feel overwhelming. That’s why we went ahead and did the research for you. Check out these eight models and how they can make your morning buzz a bit better.
For Those Who Appreciate Life’s Simple Pleasures: Nespresso Vertuo Next and Aeroccino 3
Sip coffee shop quality coffee at home with one of Nespresso’s newest additions. The Vertuo Next boasts a slim design and ultra-quiet Centrifusion technology. In other words, unless you’re brewing a coffee or espresso, you’ll hardly know it’s there. It has an extra large water tank, brews six cup sizes, and features Bluetooth/Wi-fi connectivity so you can effortlessly reorder your Nespresso Vertuo capsules through your phone or tablet. While you can purchase the machine on its own, we recommend purchasing the Aeroccino 3 milk frother, which froths hot or cold milk so you can enjoy lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, flat whites, or whatever delicious coffee drink you might be craving. Shop Now.
The only downside to this machine? There are so many different capsule options that it’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite. We suggest starting out with this starter sampler.
If You Prefer To Have Options: Instant Pod Coffee and Espresso Maker
If you love the idea of single serve coffee makers but don’t want to be limited in your coffee choices, you’re in luck. The makers of the beloved Instant Pot have now brought us the Instant Pod Coffee and Espresso Maker that works with both K-Cup pods and Nespresso capsules, meaning there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re feeling coffee or espresso, the Instant Pod brews the perfect cup in seconds, truly living up to the “Instant” in its moniker. For even more drink options, pick up a simple frother, like this top seller on Amazon which has more than 40,000 reviews. Shop Now.
For Coffee Lovers Who Want A Truly Luxe Experience: JURA ENA8
They say that money cannot buy happiness, but it can buy you the creme de la creme of coffee machines, which is basically the same thing. JURA’s ENA8 brews 10 different specialities at the touch of a button. Users have the option to program their desired volume, strength, and temperature for each drink on the easy-to-use operating panel, and its fine foam technology creates light, airy milk foam for cappuccino or other specialties ensuring the perfect cup every time.
You’ll also want to pick up one of their glass milk containers, which connects directly to the machine as and when needed. Have leftover milk? Just move the glass container to the refrigerator until the next use. If the price tag has you sweating, JURA offers refurbished machines at a discounted price. Shop Now.
For Coffee Aficionados Who Want It All: Terra Kaffe
Terra Kaffe’s TK-01 is another automatic bean-to-cup espresso machine that will give you a ton of bang for your buck. The bean hopper will keep an entire 12 ounce bag of coffee beans fresh for up to 30 days, and it comes with a sleek milk canister that easily goes from fridge to machine and back again. Users can control everything from temperature, water hardness, grind size and drink size, allowing them to make more than a dozen different types of drinks.
Our favorite thing about this machine besides the fact that it makes the perfect cup of, well, just about anything, is the fact that the TK-01 is currently the only model offered by the direct-to-consumer brand. Since it’s the only one, the company has been able to devote all of their attention to perfecting the machine, causing it to become an overnight sensation that is known to sell out. That being said, we recommend getting your order in ASAP. Shop Now.
Best Value Coffee Maker: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker
If you want a luxe experience at an affordable price, this is the machine for you. This specialty coffee maker from Ninja is versatile, easy to use, simple to clean, and offers a ton of options. You can brew a single cup of coffee — hot or iced — for a quick caffeine fix, or an entire carafe if you’re entertaining guests.
Craving something extra? Use the machine’s fold-away frother to give hot or cold milk a silky, foamy texture, and press the specialty button for super-rich, concentrated coffee to create the coffeehouse style drink you love. Not only does this machine come with a frother, it also has an easy-to-read measuring scoop and reusable filter that cleans in seconds. Shop Now.
For Budding Baristas: Capresso Steam PRO
If you’re new to the world of espresso machines, the Capresso Steam PRO is the perfect way to get your feet wet thanks to its ease of use and entry-level price point. This steam machine heats water to boiling until steam is produced. That steam creates pressure to force the hot water through the loose ground coffee right into your cup. You can adjust the coffee strength to your taste (we opted for the strongest setting), and use the attached swivel frother to froth milk for a perfect cappuccino or latte. We love how fast this machine heats up. It can produce 2 to 4 cappuccinos or lattes in under five minutes, ensuring that it will be a hit at your next dinner party. Shop Now.
For The Most Stylish Coffee Drinkers: SMEG Drip Coffee Maker
We couldn’t help falling in love with this retro-style drip coffee maker by Italian-based SMEG. Not only is it available in seven different colors, but it is as functional as it is stylish. You can choose from two aroma settings — delicate or intense — for the perfect pot and use the auto-start feature to schedule a time for your machine to brew a delicious pot of coffee. Is there anything better than waking up to the smell of a freshly brewed pot of coffee? We think not. Shop Now.
For Coffee Lovers Who Don’t Need All Of The Bells and Whistles: Farberware Percolator
If you want an old school, delicious, no frills cup of coffee, this 12 cup percolator will give you just that. Simply fill it with water, measure your grounds (we recommend using course grounds), plug it in, and wait for your piping hot cup of Joe. Once it’s finished brewing, it automatically switches to its “keep warm” function, and the cord detaches for easy serving. We also love its slim, lightweight design that allows you to tuck it away when it’s not in use. Shop Now.
