Coffee lovers, rejoice — after testing dozens of machines, here’s our updated 2025 guide to the top coffee makers across all categories. Whether you’re into drip brewing, espresso, single-serve, or manual machines, these picks blend performance, design, and “cup quality” to deliver your favorite brew day after day.
☕ How We Tested
Before we jump into the models, here’s how we compared them:
- Brew tests across multiple roast types and strengths
- Temperature consistency and stability
- Brew-to-brew repeatability
- Ease of cleaning, maintenance, and user interface
- Feature set (display, programmability, connectivity)
- Build quality, reliability, and real-world usability
We then curated this list to include options suited for different needs — from budget drip machines to high-end espresso units.
Top Coffee Makers to Consider in 2025
Here are our favorites by category:
1. Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker — Best for Most People
This beautifully designed drip brewer is one of our top overall picks. Its strength lies in precision: it offers tight temperature control, a steam-free sealed brewing chamber, and a double-walled carafe to retain heat.
It also allows you to program recipes ahead of time, offering a balance of automation and control. Downsides include a somewhat finicky interface and lighter build in places.
2. Breville Luxe Brewer — Best Drip Coffee Maker
If you want a robust drip machine, the Luxe Brewer delivers. It brews quickly — up to 60 ounces in about 3 minutes — and offers multiple filter basket options (cone, mesh, flat).
It also includes a cold brew mode. You won’t find all the bells and whistles of an espresso machine, but for drip lovers, this is a dependable option.
3. Breville Bambino Plus — Best Budget Espresso Machine
For espresso fans on a budget, the Bambino Plus delivers real espresso flavor in a compact frame. It has automatic steaming, a decent steam wand, and it’s capable of producing rich crema.
It lacks a built-in grinder, so plan to pair it with a good grinder. Some users find the steam wand’s range a bit limited.
4. Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select — Best Traditional Drip
This Dutch-made machine is simple in design but stellar in consistency. It uses precise heating and a showerhead water dispersion system to ensure even extraction.
Pros: long warranty (5 years), reliable parts, consistently good brews. Cons: minimal features, premium price for a no-frills machine.
5. Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima — Best Single-Serve Pod Machine
If convenience is high on your list, this pod-based machine is worth a look. It’s compact, easy to use, and includes an integrated milk frother.
It excels at delivering consistent drinks, though the waste (pods), cost per serving, and limited control may turn off power users.
6. De’Longhi La Specialista Touch — Best Semi-Automatic Espresso
A more hands-on pick, this machine offers a touchscreen, assisted tamping, and a powerful steam wand. It’s flexible enough for those who want control, but with enough automation to reduce fuss.
It’s compact but still handles most espresso, latte, and milk-based drinks well. Some may find the wand steering fiddly.
7. SMEG EMC02 Mini Pro Manual Espresso — Best for Enthusiasts
For baristas at heart, this manual espresso machine gives you full control. You can pull shots manually or let the machine assist. Reviewers praised its capability to extract “utterly divine” espresso and a powerful steam wand.
Be prepared for a learning curve — this is for coffee lovers who want to tinker and master their brew.
🧭 Choosing the Right One for You
- Know your brew style — If you mostly drink drip coffee, go drip. Espresso drinkers should lean espresso or hybrid.
- Space & footprint — Some machines are bulky; others are compact.
- Ease vs control tradeoff — Pod and automatic machines prioritize simplicity; manual models give you more control (and complexity).
- Maintenance & cleaning — Removable parts, descaling routines, and ease of cleaning matter a lot over time.
- Budget & cost per cup — Some machines are affordable upfront but expensive to maintain (pods, filters, parts).