The Best Coffee Machines for Every Coffee Lover

Ah, coffee. Morning joe. Java. Your daily brew. No matter what you call it, you'd be hard-pressed to find a morning beverage with more international acclaim. Though coffee is generally beloved, everyone seems to have their own preparation method to best enjoy their daily cup. Going to a café is nice on occasion, but if you're a daily coffee drinker, you'll need to make your own at home sometimes. We've got the full breakdown on each type of coffee maker out there so you can get a better idea of what might be the best one for your needs.

Single-Serve

With the advent of the Keurig came a whole generation of coffee drinkers that love single-serve coffee machines. Though Keurig is definitely not the only name in the game, they certainly played a hand in popularizing these machines. These units are good for those that are looking for a quick and easy cup on the fly. They're also compact, making them great for college dorms and office desks alike. All you'll need to do to get a nice warm cup of coffee in your hands is load up a K-cup or a reusable filter cup into your single-serve machine, place your mug in its designated spot, and hit start. You'll be sipping within a minute.

Single-Serve with Carafe

Some single-serve coffee machines also come with a carafe. A carafe is just a fancy word for that container with which you most commonly see coffee served, usually either glass or metal. With these machines, you'll have the option of getting a single-serve cup of coffee right into your mug, like a regular single-serve coffee maker, and you'll also have the option to have the coffee drip into the carafe to serve a larger group of people. When you store your coffee in the carafe, the machine's heating element will keep it warm and ready for serving whenever you need it. These machines are best if your coffee consumption varies day to day, or if you live in a multi-person home that can make use of both the single-serve feature and the carafe.

Automatic Drip Coffee Makers

Automatic drip coffee makers embody the classic coffee machine vibe, with a large pot that slowly gets filled using the drip method. The drip method refers to the process of the machine passing water through ground coffee to make your brew. It's called the drip method specifically because these machines don't push the water with any pressure - they let gravity do the work and allow the water to pass through the grounds until your pot is full. As mentioned, these machines operate with ground coffee, so be sure you're picking up ground coffee at the store, or grind up your own beans with a coffee bean grinder. Automatic drip machines typically come with a wide assortment of features. On most units you can set a time for the machine to start brewing your coffee so your coffee will be ready to pour when you're heading out the door. You can also adjust your brew strength very easily, so you can get yourself a stronger-tasting brew one day and a milder brew the next day if you want.

Espresso Machines

Espresso machines allow you to make specialty espresso beverages, opening you up to a whole new world of possibility. Rather than making a basic cup of coffee, with an espresso machine you can make yourself a cappuccino, a latte, or even a macchiato. They operate similarly to regular coffee machines. They both filter water through ground coffee, but espresso machines use pressure to push the water through tightly-packed extra-fine coffee grounds, which is essential for ensuring that the espresso is as bold as it should be. These machines often also come with more premium features that you would usually find at your local coffee shop. Many units come with milk frothers, and some can even handle making two beverages at once. If you'd rather sip an espresso than a coffee, then you might prefer an espresso machine.

All-In-One Coffee Makers

All-in-one coffee makers combine the best aspects of both regular coffee makers and espresso machines into one convenient unit. These powerful machines can drip-brew you a pot of coffee, and make espresso drinks with ease. They also come with many of the helpful features we've already covered like a milk frother to help you create cappuccinos, a setting that lets you adjust your brew strength, and the ability to set a specific time for the machine to start on its own. These machines are a coffee connoisseur's dream.

If you consider yourself a coffee lover, you're going to want a quality coffee machine to back you up. Whether you're a solo brewer who just needs a morning pick-me-up, or you're a serious home barista, there's a coffee machine out there for you. Once you get the hang of your coffee machine, it'll only be a matter of time before you're browsing coffee accessories, and before you know it, you'll be a master. Don't settle for lesser coffee - proudly brew your own way!