The number of different types of coffee makers is overwhelming. There are many different types of variations within each category. It’s not surprising that it’s difficult to choose just one, or even a few, coffee makers that would be perfect for you.
We will list the most common types of coffee makers and explain how they work and the style of coffee they brew. Continue reading and you’ll find the perfect coffee mug for your morning cup.
1. Automatic Drip Coffee Machines
Automatic coffee machines are very common in North America and are used to make coffee. There is a large variety of options when it comes to these items, in terms of both cost and quality. They can be found in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. This means that they are present in most people’s homes or workplaces.
A coffee maker typically has a basket that is lined with a filter, where you add medium-coarse ground coffee. When you start the automatic brewing cycle, the machine will begin by pumping hot water into the brewing chamber.
Coffee is extracted from the coffee beans and drips into a carafe below.
The carafe for this coffee machine is usually made out of glass and has a hot plate under it to keep the coffee warm. It can also be an insulated stainless steel thermal carafe. Thermal carafe models are more durable than other models and don’t require a hot plate.
At one end of the drip coffee makers spectrum, you’ll find essential and affordable models from companies specializing in small household appliances — brands like Cuisinart, Black + Decker, Mr. Coffee, and so on.
The SCA certified coffee machines have been tested to meet high brewing standards.
Although they are significantly more expensive, the coffee they produce tastes as though it was prepared by a professional barista. The coffee is great and definitely worth the money if you are interested in specialty coffee.
2. Espresso Machines
Espresso makers come in many different types and styles. It would be easy to write an entire article about all the different types, but we will give a brief overview here. There are four main categories of automation, depending on the degree of automation.
In most cases, machines that are more automated are easier to use but make lower quality espresso. Though this also depends on machine price and quality.
- Super-automatic espresso machines are like a small cafe in your home. They do everything for you, including grinding, tamping, pulling the shot, and more often than not, frothing the milk. For this reason, they are often called bean-to-cup machines. They require no skill to operate, with many drinks available at the press of a button.
- Fully automatic espresso machines require a bit more know-how. Typically, you will have to prepare the portafilter by adding ground coffee and tamping. However, once you lock the portafilter in the machine and start the shot, it takes over. These machines might have a manual steam wand or an automatic frothing system.
- Semi-automatic espresso machines are almost the same as fully automatic, but the key difference is that you need to both start and stop the shot. The timing is not automated, so these machines require your full attention while in use.
- Manual espresso machines are the hardest to master but can deliver uniquely exceptional results. With these machines, the barista uses a lever to pressure and pull the shot rather than relying on a mechanical pump. Some manual machines still use electricity to heat up or pump water into a boiler, while others need only the addition of hot water, making them fully portable.
Another category to consider is prosumer espresso machines. A prosumer machine is a type of machine that is designed for both professional and consumer use.
Although these machines are expensive, they are designed for people who are passionate about using them at home. However, they still rely on components that are typically found in commercial settings. There are coffee machines that are rated by the NSF and can be used in small cafes. Many prosumer machines are semi-automatic, with both automatic and manual models available.
3. Pod Coffee Machines
Pre-ground coffee is sealed in a capsule and placed in a pod coffee machine to brew a single-serve coffee. The capsules are punctured to allow hot water to flow through and extract the coffee during brewing.
There are two main types of capsule-compatible coffee machines – those that follow the Keurig style and those that follow the Nespresso style. These are the two biggest companies in the space.
Nespresso machines use small, hermetically sealed aluminum capsules. They puncture the capsule and pump highly pressurized water into it until coffee bursts out. Nespresso machines produce a drink similar to espresso as they use pressure to brew the coffee.
Instead of small pods, Keurig machines use larger plastic capsules. The water flows through the capsule slowly, more like an automatic coffee machine. The coffee at most diners is similar to drip coffee, though it is often more watered-down, resulting in a less potent flavor.
Coffee from pod brewers is not as good as coffee from other methods because it is not as fresh.
The environmental implications of single-use pods are significant. However, the advantage of capsule coffee is its convenience. The process of brewing only takes a couple of minutes, including the time it takes to heat up. Cleaning up is even quicker and easier.
4. French Press
The French Press coffee maker is an excellent brewer that is a worthwhile addition to any home coffee collection. If you are just learning to make coffee at home for the first time, it is the perfect first purchase.
This coffee maker is a good value because it is inexpensive and easy to use. It also works well with any roast level of coffee. This coffee maker is versatile and can even accommodate pre-ground coffee if you don’t have a coffee grinder yet.
Costa Rican barista Fabiola Solano is a big fan of the forgiving nature of French Press brewing, saying:
With some pouring methods, you have to be careful about the speed at which you pour the water. With the French press there’s no such risk. It’s almost infallible.
There are both glass and metal French Presses available. Glass is typically less durable than metal, but there are metal options if you’re looking for a sturdier option to take with you while traveling.
The French Press is a coffee maker that uses the immersion brewing method, meaning the coffee grounds are steeped in hot water before being filtered out. A drip coffee maker continually pours water through the coffee grounds, while the French press does not. Immersion brewing tends to produce coffee with a bolder flavor and a fuller body.
To brew using a French press, you add hot water to the body, followed by coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are left to soak in water for a few minutes before being strained using a metal filter and plunger.
A metal filter is another essential component of a French press. The metal filter does not absorb the coffee oils like the paper filter does. A metal filter produces a more distinct flavor and a fuller mouthfeel.
The French press can also be used to froth milk by adding warmed milk to the chamber and moving the plunger rapidly up and down. This is a great tip for making lattes at home.
5. Pour-Over Coffee Maker
Pour over brewing is a slower and more gentle method of brewing coffee. A pour-over can be used to make a single mug or a larger carafe of coffee.
A medium-coarse grind is placed in a cone-shaped funnel with a filter. Water is added to the coffee grounds in two stages. The first stage is to “bloom” the coffee grounds, and the second stage is to fully brew them.
How the coffee is made: water is filtered through the grounds, and then it empties into a single cup or carafe.
6. Single-Serve Capsule Coffee Maker
Capsule machines were introduced by Keurig, and they have changed the way traditional drip coffee is made. You can now get a fresh cup of coffee at the touch of a button.
Coffeemakers usually have a water reservoir so you don’t have to fill it with water every time. They come in a variety of styles, from single-cup sizes to ones that can accommodate a large to-go cup.
These machines make coffee using the drip method, but on a smaller scale. They use pre-ground and measured pods to produce a consistent cup of coffee every time. A set amount of hot water runs through the coffee grounds and into your mug.
The filter is located in the pod, so you don’t have to worry about emptying the grinds. Just toss the pods in the trash.
Those who want to quickly and easily make a variety of coffee drinks, but don’t want to brew a full pot.
7. AeroPress Coffee Maker
This coffee maker is very popular on Amazon, with over 5,000 positive reviews. It’s quick and easy to clean, which is loved by people, especially when compared to how French presses work.
In addition to making espresso and Americanos, the AeroPress can also make cold brew coffee by steeping the grounds for one minute instead of 10 seconds.
For each espresso-sized shot you want to make, add one rounded tablespoon of finely ground coffee to the base. Heat water to 170 degrees Fahrenheit and use it to fill the base to the desired cup marking. Place the filter in the cap, screw it onto the base, and then place the base over a mug.
To make coffee using a French press, stir the coffee grounds for ten seconds and then use the included plunger to carefully push the water down through the grounds and into the mug.
If you love strong coffee and want an easy way to make one cup at a time, this is the method for you.
8. Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Cold brew coffee is made by pouring already brewed coffee over ice, but the traditional method uses heat, which results in a rich and full-bodied brew. There are many ways to make cold brew coffee, including steeping it in a large container for a long period of time.
The coffee beans are ground coarsely, and then soaked in room temperature or cold water overnight to make cold brew coffee. The coffee is then poured into another container to be served.
You can store it in the fridge for up to two weeks and use it as a concentrate to make hot coffee, as well as serve it over ice.
Coffee drinkers who like a more intense flavor.
9. Stovetop Coffee Maker
Although a Moka pot produces a dark brew comparable to espresso, it does not qualify as espresso according to the Italian Espresso National Institute because it doesn’t use the required nine bars of pressure.
The coffee it produces is very dark, but it can be used to make cappuccinos and lattes.
You add water to the bottom container, and then add coffee grounds to the filter located at the top. The heat creates steam, which increases pressure, forcing the water at the bottom to flow up through the beans and into the top compartment.
Those who like a deep, dark cup of coffee and enjoy espresso will love this blend.
10. Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
Some drip coffee makers have a grinder that can grind coffee beans right before brewing. People like this method of brewing coffee because it tastes fresher.
You can choose how much coffee you want to brew, and the machine will automatically grind the right amount of beans into the brew basket. Some coffee grinders use blades while others use burrs.
- Blade grinders have a single blade that grind beans like a food processor by chopping them.
- Burr grinders are made up of two pieces of hard material that grind the beans as they pass in between the two; they allow for more precision and consistency.
For people who enjoy drip coffee and grinding their own beans at home, grind-and-brew machines offer a simple solution.
11. Turkish Coffee Maker (Ibrik)
To make Turkish/Greek coffee, you will need a small pot that can be placed on the stove. This method produces very strong, unfiltered coffee.
Some people like to add flavoring agents such as sugar, cinnamon, or cardamom to the pot while the coffee is brewing, in order to infuse the beverage with those flavors. Like espresso, it’s enjoyed from a small cup.
User 5565’s answer: The water and coffee are combined and heated until it reaches boiling point. After the coffee has been brewed, it is poured into a cup where the grounds will settle at the bottom.
Coffee drinkers who want a strong cup of coffee that is quick and easy to make.