Coffee Makers

With automatic-drip machines, the most popular type, you fill a chamber with water, load coffee into a filter basket, and flip a switch to heat the water and run it through the grounds and typically into the pot.

These force water through a small packet, either a hard-shelled capsule or a soft pod resembling a tea bag. Some accept an adapter that takes your favorite loose grounds.

These machines brew differently from the standard drip method. Some mimic traditional French presses, suspending the coffee grounds in hot water for a period of time before filtering.

Our espresso maker ratings include scores for taste, frothing ability, weight, and convenience. We evaluate convenience by looking at what is involved to set up and brew a cup of espresso, the noise and vibration of the espresso maker, how easy it is to clean, and more.

These machines use cold or room-temperature water and brew a concentrated coffee that you then dilute with cold water and/or ice (or with hot water for hot coffee).