How to Find the Right Type of Coffee Maker for Your Home (2025)

For many of us, coffee is one of the first things we reach for in the morning — akin to, say, brushing your teeth. In fact, according to Joe Derochowski, Home Industry Advisor for the NPD Group, the coffee category as a whole has been growing for the past five years, increasing 5% in the last year alone.

While Derochowski says single serve coffee makers, like Keurig-brand machines, are the largest growing subcategory, sales of espresso makers, pour-over coffee makers, and French presses are also on the rise. But there are many different ways to make coffee — and each method offers a different taste, from bold and robust cold brew, to smooth, creamy French press coffee.

Of course, each type of coffee maker comes with pros and cons, from flavor to convenience to price. To help you decode the mass market of coffee makers and choose the best one to suit your lifestyle and personal preferences, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab identified the most popular types of coffee makers, how they work, and who they're best for.

Drip Coffee Maker

Drip coffee makers are an easy, familiar way to make coffee. They can brew a single cup of coffee or up to 14, though they're not ideal for brewing a single cup. Some drip coffee makers feature an additional brewing system such as a hot water dispenser or a single-serve brewer that is compatible with K-cups for more versatility. There are glass and thermal pots; some people prefer thermal carafes to preserve the temperature of the coffee for hours without overheating it on a hot plate. (Instead of resting on a heating element, coffee is brewed into an insulated carafe that is typically vacuum sealed.)

How it works: Cold water is added the reservoir, and ground coffee is added to a filter. Water heats up and passes through the beans through what looks like a shower head. Brewed coffee is then dispensed into a glass carafe that sits atop a hot plate, which keeps the coffee warm.

Who it's best for: Traditionalists, families, entertaining.

Pour-Over Coffee Maker

Brewing coffee using a pour over is one of the more gentle brewing methods. Pour-overs can be used over a single mug or larger carafe to make a full-bodied cup of coffee. Unfortunately, the glass design isn't very insulating, so the coffee does cool more quickly.

How it works: Medium-coarse grounds are placed in a cone shaped funnel with a filter. Hot water is added to the grounds in batches; the first time to “bloom” the coffee grounds, and the second time to fully brew them. As the water filters through the grounds, it empties into a single cup or carafe, resulting in a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee.

Who it's best for: Single-cup coffee lovers.

Single-Serve Capsule Coffee Maker

Keurig was amongst the first brands to introduce capsule machines, which have changed the way traditional drip coffee is made: A fresh cup of coffee at the touch of a button. Most have water reservoirs so you don't have to fill your coffeemaker with water every time and come in a wide variety of styles, from just one coffee cup size to a wide range that can accommodate a large to-go cup. Just note: These types of machines do produce more waste than others, plus the coffee doesn't tend to be as sophisticated.

How it works: Using the same method as drip coffee but on a smaller scale, these machines use pre-ground and measured pods to deliver a consistent cup of coffee every time. A pre-set amount of hot water runs through the grounds directly 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.

Who it's best for: Anyone who wants a quick, easy way to make a variety of coffee drinks, but doesn't want to brew a full pot. They're popular for businesses, too. These machines don’t require a lot of maintenance and customers can pick their favorite flavor or drink.

French Press Coffee Maker

A French Press works by gently steeping coffee grounds in just-boiled water to make a full-bodied cup of coffee. The longer you steep the coffee, the stronger the flavor, although four minutes is the recommended amount of time. We love the control this provides, but recommend the extra step of heating the carafe first to ensure coffee doesn't cool too quickly.

How it works: Combine coarse to medium-ground coffee with just-boiled water, and add the lid to the carafe so it can steep. After a few minutes, slowly push down the plunger (equipped with a fine-mesh filter) to move the grounds to the bottom of the carafe.

Who it's best for: Coffee aficionados who love the taste of full-bodied coffee or want to bring out the flavor of high-quality coffee.

AeroPress Coffee Maker

In addition to making espresso and Americanos, the AeroPress can also make cold brew coffee by allowing the grounds to steep for one minute instead of 10 seconds. People love that it's quick and easy to clean (though all parts do need to be individually washed each time), especially in comparison to French presses, which work similarly. Now, the brand also makes a portable version with nesting parts. Our team liked it so much that it won a 2023 Kitchen Gear Award. It's incredibly easy to use and great for the office for a quick brew at your desk.

How it works: Add one rounded tablespoon of finely ground coffee to the base for every espresso-sized shot you'd like to make. Heat water to 170ºF; use it to fill the base up to desired cup marking. Place the filter in the cap, screw it onto the base, and then place the base over a mug. Stir coffee grounds for ten second and then use included plunger to carefully push water down (this requires more force than a traditional French press), through the grounds, into the mug.

Who it's best for: Strong coffee lovers who are looking for a quick and easy way to make one cup at a time.

Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Traditional iced coffee is made by pouring already brewed coffee over ice, but the cold brew method does not use any heat, which results in a rich and full-bodied brew. There are many ways to make cold brew, including steeping it in a large container, but most require a large amount of coffee and can take up to 24 hours from start to finish.

How it works: Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in room temperature or cold water overnight. The brewed coffee is then dispensed into another container for servings. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 14 days, and, in addition to being served over ice, can be used as a concentrate to make hot coffee.

Who it's best for: Those who like a fuller, deeper, more flavorful cup of coffee – cold or hot.

Espresso Coffee Maker

Like coffee, there are a lot of ways to make espresso, which is a type of coffee drink that uses dark roasted beans and a fine grind. It’s a lot more concentrated than drip coffee and served in a smaller cup, but these machines can be a little tricky to master, depending on which type you select.

How it works: Espresso can be made using a manual, semi-automatic, automatic, or super-automatic machine. They all work by heating water and running it through pressed coffee grounds at high pressure.

• Manual machines require you to control all the variables, including tamping, creating pressure, and water flow. These are great for expert espresso drinkers who are very particular about their espresso and enjoy doing things from scratch.
• Semi-automatic machines control the pressure, but allow you to control how much water you want to use. These are good for coffee drinkers who like strong coffee and want to be able to make both espresso and Americanos.
• Automatic machines control the pressure and amount of water. Some have built in coffee grinders. They are perfect for people who'd like to make fuss-free espresso at home.
• Super-automatic machines do everything for you; all you have to do is select the type of espresso drink you'd like and the machine will automatically grind the right amount of beans and dispense the drink according to pre-programmed settings, making them great for those who want press-and-go espresso.
• Capsule machines make espresso and coffee drinks using pods with pre-measured espresso or coffee grounds. Most capsule machines require you to select the size of the drink you'd like to make, but others, like the Nespresso VirtuoPlus, detect the barcode on the capsule and brew the perfect size automatically. Ideal for people who want to be able to make a consistent cup of espresso or espresso drink with little effort.

Who it's best for: People who enjoy rich, concentrated coffee. The exact type depends on your preferences and lifestyle — capsule machines are more convenient, but some like the control manual machines give them over the end result.

Capsule Espresso Coffee Maker

Like capsule coffee makers, these convenient machines make espresso and coffee drinks using small pre-measured capsules of espresso or coffee grounds. The VertuoPlus shown here is one of our favorites, because it's one of the most affordable Nespresso machines out there, but it still has a sleek design, plenty of features and delivers a hot and well-rounded drink with a luxurious, thick crema. It does, however, only accept Nespresso Vertuo pods.

How it works: It really couldn't be easier to operate a capsule espresso machine. Most machines require you to select drink size (some, like the Nespresso VirtuoPlus, detect the barcode on the capsule and brew automatically) and hit start.

Who it's best for: Espresso lovers who want to marry taste and convenience.

Stovetop Coffee Maker

A Moka pot is a popular coffee maker that produces a very strong brew that's comparable to espresso, but, according to the Italian Espresso National Institute, doesn’t qualify as espresso because it doesn’t use the required nine bars of pressure. It still produces a very dark cup of coffee, however, and can be used as a solid base for cappuccinos and lattes. Just be careful not to scorch it!

How it works: Water is added to the bottom container, and fine grounds are added to the filter located at the top. The heat generates steam, which creates pressure, causing the water on the bottom to flow through the beans and brew into the top compartment.

Who it's best for: Espresso lovers who like a deep, dark cup of coffee.

Grind and Brew Coffee Maker

Some drip coffee makers feature a grinder that can grind coffee beans immediately before brewing. Many people like this style of brewing because it ensures the freshest-tasting coffee.

How it works: Select the amount of coffee you'd like to brew and watch the machine automatically grind the corresponding amount of beans into the brew basket. As with regular coffee grinders, some grind and brews have blade grinders and some have burr grinders. Both need to be rinsed after every use.

• 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.

Who it's best for: Grind and brews are appealing to drip coffee drinkers who like to grind their coffee at home and simplify the process.

Turkish Coffee Maker (Ibrik)

Turkish/Greek coffee is made on the stove using a very small pot. This method produces very strong, unfiltered coffee. Some people like to add sugar or other seasonings like cinnamon or cardamom right to the pot while brewing, which infuses the flavor. Like espresso, it's enjoyed from a small cup.

How it works: Water is mixed with very finely ground coffee until the mixture just starts to boil. Coffee is then transferred to a cup where the grounds settle to the bottom. Timing is key here and, even if you nail it, there will be sediment in the bottom of the cup.

Who it's best for: Coffee drinkers who like strong coffee that's quick and easy to make.

Steeped Coffee

Some brands package coffee in tea bags that can be made the same way as tea: Steeped. Specialty coffee packaged in compostable baggies makes it easy to enjoy a good, full-bodied cup of coffee on the go, though some users say the taste doesn't measure up to other, more complicated methods of brewing coffee. We beg to differ about the version pictured here, which was a 2022 Kitchen Gear Award winner. Testers loved the convenience and the fact that the bags are compostable, plus said the taste measured up. The organic French roast is “roasty” with notes of caramel.

How it works: Just like a tea bag: Put the coffee sachet into a mug and add hot water. Steep for five to six minutes.

Who it's best for: Frequent travelers and those who value convenience over everything — you only need hot water to get a cup of coffee.

Vietnamese Coffee Maker (Phin)

A phin is similar to a small pour-over. It's made of metal and uses finer ground beans.

How it works: Small holes on the bottom allow hot water to drip through it after it has passed through the grounds. It typically brews into a cup that is filled with a small amount of sweetened condensed milk. It's a long process and you can only make one cup at a time, but fans say it's worth the effort.

Who it's best for: Single-cup coffee drinkers who like strong coffee.

Percolator Coffee Maker

Percolators existed long before drip coffee machines. They produce very hot (some say too hot!) flavorful cups of coffee with a strong aroma. Some can be used on the stove, while others are electric.

How it works: Heated water passes through a tube and repeatedly saturates coarse coffee grounds located on the top of the machine.

Who it's best for: Those who really like hot coffee.

All-in-One Coffee and Espresso Maker

Love it all? Or have a family member with distinctly different tastes? An all-in-one machine like SPINN's Espresso and Coffee Machine is worth the splurge. It uses whole beans to make American coffee, Americanos, espresso, cold brew, nitro cold brew and more — basically everything you could ever want without much of a learning curve. Our only hangup is that you can only use one type of bean at a time.

How it works: Simply load your favorite whole beans into the machine and it will grind them to order based on your selections.

Who it's best for: Anyone who wants all the options and families with varying preferences.