Wondering what types of coffee makers are there? Here you will find 15 of them, with which you can prepare a delicious cup of coffee.
I am Leandro, the founder of The Coffee Arsenal and I’ve worked really hard to gather information to make the most comprehensive guide about this topic.
Each kind of coffee maker is designed for a specific purpose, all of them have different characteristics and some of them are more popular than others.
In this article, I have categorized all types of coffee brewers into 15 sections. You will find key definitions, how they work, their price, their advantages, and disadvantages and their ideal user.
Let’s go deeper into this guide!
1. Drip Coffee Makers
A drip coffee maker is a simple machine that produces coffee similar to pour-over coffee. In fact, these machines were invented to automate the process of making pour-over coffee.
They are great because they produce lots of coffee in a single row. (from 1 to 14 cups).
For using these machines you need to buy filters and they require cleaning and descaling once you finish a pack of filters to maintain a good taste of coffee.
How Do They Work?
First water is added to the water reservoir, then ground coffee is added to the filter inside the machine, then the machine heats the water inside the reservoir and moves it through the coffee beans, and then pours the coffee into a glass jar.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to use
- Produce from 1 to 14 cups of coffee at the same time
Cons
- Low control over the brewing process
- You need to buy filter packs
Pricing Range
You can buy these machines for $30 to +$250.
Of course, cheaper models have less quality and durability compared to more expensive models.
For Whom Are They Better?
Since they are convenient and produce a lot of coffee, they are good for families and offices.
2. Pour-Over Coffee Makers
This type of coffee maker allows you to make coffee without effort. They are designed in three main materials, plastic, metal, and glass.
They produce coffee in two to four minutes and usually, you can make a single cup of coffee with them.
The pour-over coffee maker it’s not the easiest method, it has a learning curve and you need special equipment to use it properly.
How Do They Work?
They function by putting hot water into the pour-over along with a filter and ground coffee, then the coffee is extracted into a cup or jar.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Produce clean coffee
- High control over the brewing process
- Cheap
Cons
- Inconsistent coffee if not used properly
- Complicated technique
- You need equipment to use this brewing method properly
Pricing Range
You can find pour-overs from $5 to $50, this price can vary depending on the brand and the material.
Also, they have an added cost of $3 to $15 because you need to buy the filters they need to work.
For Whom Are They Better?
They are good for those who like to prepare a clean, particle-free cup of coffee and like to control the entire process, from water temperature to coffee extraction.
3. Capsule Coffee Makers
Capsule coffee makers work with a pre-packed dose of ground coffee. They are super easy to use and there are lots of flavor options to choose from.
Although these machines have lots of advantages, they have several downsides, for example, they produce diluted espresso tasting coffee, so they are not good for people who like a strong cup of coffee.
Another disadvantage is that they are one of the most expensive options, but not because of the machine as such, but because the coffee per gram is more expensive.
How Do They Work?
First, you pour water into the water tank, turn on the machine to heat up, insert the coffee capsule, and push the start button.
That’s it!
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to use
- You don’t need any additional equipment to make them work
- They brew coffee quickly
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Pre-packed coffee is not fresh
- Coffee capsules are more expensive than other options
- Don’t produce strong coffee
Pricing Range
You can find these machines from $40 to $500.
Of course, the cheapest machines are simple and small, without many features. On the other hand, the most expensive models have more features, are more durable, and have higher quality in general.
For Whom Are They Better?
They are best for business people who don’t have a lot of time to prepare their coffee in the mornings.
Also, they are good for people who like to have a lot of flavor options to choose from and don’t mind spending a little more money on coffee capsules instead of a pack of ground coffee.
4. French Press Coffee Makers
Very simple to use coffee brewers, they have two main components, the jar, and the plunger.
They produce a mixed flavor that is less transparent than other coffee brewing methods.
Also, the coffee they produce is cloudy because the filter mesh on the plunger doesn’t collect all the tiny particles in the brewing process.
They are usually very affordable and you don’t need additional equipment to make them work.
The major disadvantage of the french press is that the brewing process takes a long time compared to other coffee makers.
How Do They Work?
The process is very simple: add ground coffee, hot water and let it sit for a few minutes, then press the plunger and pour the coffee into a cup.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to use
- No additional equipment required
- It can brew big volumes of coffee (1 liter the big ones)
- They don’t tend to over-extract coffee
Cons
- Hard to clean
- The brewing process takes a long time
- They don’t produce a strong, flavorful coffee unless you brew it for a long time
Pricing Range
The price of a french press usually ranges from $10 to $100.
For Whom Are They Better?
They are better for families who like flavorful coffee.
5. AeroPress Coffee Makers
The AeroPress is a sophisticated way of making coffee that was recently invented. It produces a strong cup of coffee, it’s portable and affordable.
It is composed of three main parts, the chamber, the plunger, and the basket. These parts are made of resistant plastic which makes this device really hard to break.
It brews coffee really quickly and has lots of accessories to choose from to increase its functionalities.
How Do They Work?
Add coffee into the device plus hot water, then put the device on the top of a cup and press the plunger down.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Can make strong, flavorful coffee
- Easy to travel with
- Durable
- Brew coffee quickly
- Easy to clean
- Wide range of accessories
Cons
- Can brew a limited amount of coffee (200 – 250 ml)
- Produce a little cloudy coffee
Pricing Range
The price of the AeroPress coffee maker is usually around $30 to $35.
If you buy its accessories this price will increase.
For Whom Are They Better?
The AeroPress coffee maker is good for frequent travelers and people who are short on time and like a strong cup of coffee (such as espresso) without too much effort.
6. Cold Brew Coffee Makers
Cold brew coffee makers are devices that allow cold brew fans to make their own cold coffee at home.
These are usually simple devices without any kind of complicated mechanism, they’re affordable and easy to clean.
These devices are great for making cold brew coffee, however, they have a couple of downsides.
First, they take a long time to brew coffee and they require far more coffee than other coffee makers.
How Do They Work?
In general, you just need to add coffee and hot water and let the brew rest overnight.
Keep in mind that there are lots of different cold brew coffee makers, so each one of them has its own brewing process.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Nice design
- Produce large amounts of coffee in a single row
Cons
- Takes a long time to brew coffee
- Requires lots of coffee
Pricing Range
You can find these coffee makers from $15 to +$150.
The simplest ones are the cheapest and the more complicated ones, with mechanical parts, are the most expensive.
For Whom Are They Better?
They’re good for families and people who are bored of the traditional hot coffee.
7. Espresso Coffee Makers
Espresso machines are sophisticated coffee makers that allow the production of true espresso shots.
By using these machines you can customize your espresso drink as you desire. However, you need some skill to do this.
There are several types of espresso machines:
- Lever espresso machines
- Steam Driven Espresso Machines
- Pod Espresso Machines
- Automatic espresso machines
And much more!
How Do They Work?
They all work by moving pressured hot water through a small amount of ground coffee.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- They brew coffee quickly
- High customization over espresso drinks
- There’s an espresso machine for any kind of user
Cons
- High-end models are really expensive
- Most of them require some skill and the learning curve is high
Pricing Range
The price tag can vary depending on the type of espresso machine you want to buy.
In general, you can buy an espresso machine as cheap as $50 and you can find models up to +$2,000.
For Whom Are They Better?
They are for espresso aficionados, there is no specific user, there are portable espresso machines and bulky espresso machines for businesses.
If you like a strong shot of espresso, these machines are for you!
8. Stovetop Coffee Makers
The stovetop coffee maker or Moka Pot is one of the most popular coffee makers out there. We all know someone who has one of these machines in her/his home.
These are really simple coffee makers, they produce a strong cup of coffee very similar to espresso. They are affordable and highly durable.
They are great for camping and you don’t need any additional equipment to use them.
A stovetop coffee maker has a simple design that consists of three basic parts: the bottom chamber, the basket, and the upper chamber.
The major downside of this type of coffee maker is that when using a Moka Pot it is difficult to control the brewing process.
How Do They Work?
It functions by putting the Moka pot on a stove, once the water starts boiling it will go up passing through the ground coffee and seating in the upper chamber.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Nice for camping
- Very durable
- Easy to use
- No additional equipment required
- Affordable
- Some models produce large amounts of coffee
Cons
- No control over the brewing process
- Hard to clean
- Dangerous if not operated properly
Pricing Range
You can find a stovetop coffee maker from $10 to $150.
For Whom Are They Better?
They are good for families and campers because they produce large quantities of coffee (several models produce more than 8 cups) in a short time and because only a stove is needed to operate them.
9. Grind and Brew Coffee Makers
Grind and brew coffee makers can save you a lot of time by automating the coffee brewing process.
You don’t need any additional equipment when using them due that they are already equipped with everything you need to make a consistent cup of coffee.
The only problem with these machines is that the cleaning process is very time-consuming due to all the parts that compose them.
How Do They Work?
The process is extremely simple. Just add the coffee grounds, some water and press the start button.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No need for additional equipment
- Convenient
- Easy to use
- Produce consistent coffee
Cons
- Cleaning them is very time-consuming
- Expensive
Pricing Range
The cheapest ones generally cost $100 and the most expensive ones cost over $700.
I recommend you to buy models that cost $300 and up. These machines are really complex and if you want a grind and brew coffee maker that will last for years you will have to be able to spend a little more on a quality one.
For Whom Are They Better?
They are good for families and business people who do not want to spend a lot of time making their coffee and who can spend some money on a coffee maker.
10. Turkish (Cezve/Ibrik) Coffee Makers
The Turkish coffee maker, often called Cezve or Ibrik is an ancient brewing method that is popular in a lot of countries.
It produces a small and very strong cup of coffee, however, it’s not easy to use. It requires practice and dedication to brew a delicious cup of coffee using this method.
It’s a very beautiful object to use and you don’t need any filter to use it, just a stove.
How Do They Work?
Just add finely ground coffee, water and then put the Cezve/Ibrik on the stove and remove it just before it starts to boil.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Don’t need any filters
- Produce a very strong and flavorful coffee
Cons
- Coffee can get easily over-extractor
- They brew a small amount of coffee
Pricing Range
As they are small and simple pots, the cost is usually around $30-$35. However, there are more advanced/automatic models that can cost more than $90.
For Whom Are They Better?
They are ideal for coffee drinkers who like strong coffee that brews quickly and who are passionate about this ancient method of coffee preparation.
11. Steeped Coffee Makers
These are small tea bags that contain coffee instead of tea that produce a full-bodied cup of coffee.
Portable, easy to use, and cheap, steeped coffee is a good way of making coffee if you don’t want to spend money on ground coffee and on a coffee maker.
How Do They Work?
You add the bag into a cup of hot water and wait for five minutes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Portable
- No coffee equipment needed
- Easy to use
Cons
- Coffee is not strong and flavorful
Pricing Range
You can find a pack of 8 servings for $15.
For Whom Are They Better?
They are good for people who do not mind losing strength and flavor for convenience.
12. Vietnamese Coffee Makers
Small, portable, and affordable brewing method. The Vietnamese coffee maker is an ancient method that produces delicious and sweet coffee with condensed milk.
They are made of metal and require fine coffee grounds to work.
Despite their benefits, they have several downsides, for example, they take a long time to make a single cup of coffee.
How Do They Work?
Add ground coffee into the filter, put the device on the top of a cup of coffee filled with a small amount of condensed milk and then add hot water.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Portable
- Cheap
- Easy to use
Cons
- Takes some time to brew
- Can produce a small amount of coffee at the same time
Pricing Range
As these are very simple coffee makers they cost $10 to $15.
For Whom Are They Better?
They’re great for single-cup coffee drinkers who like strong and sweet coffee.
13. Siphon Coffee Makers
A sophisticated device that allows you to make aromatic cups of coffee.
It’s good to say that their design is very appealing and could be an excellent entertainer for guests.
You can control a lot of the variables that compose the coffee brewing process which is a big advantage (this does not apply to all models).
The downsides of this type of coffee maker are that they are hard to clean, expensive, and bulky.
How Do They Work?
Add water in the lower part of the device and ground coffee in the upper ball, then let the water boil and you will automatically have your coffee after several minutes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Produce large amounts of coffee
- Produce tasty and aromatic coffee
- You can control a lot of variables in the coffee brewing process (Only applies to some models)
Cons
- Expensive
- Difficult to clean
- Bulky
Pricing Range
The simplest models cost $60 and the most complex ones reach $200 or more.
For Whom Are They Better?
They’re great for people who have a budget to spend on a high-quality siphon coffee maker and who like to maximize the flavor of their coffee.
Also, they’re good for families since they produce large amounts of coffee.
14. Percolator Coffee Makers
Devices very similar to the stovetop coffee makers, they produce fully aromatic cups of coffee and you can use them on a stove or you could buy an electric one.
They possess several convenient characteristics, for example, they produce large amounts of coffee in a short period of time and they’re portable.
They are usually not very expensive and very durable in the long run.
How Do They Work?
Heated water passes through a tube and repeatedly saturates coarse coffee grounds located on the top of the machine.
Their process is very similar to the stovetop coffee maker. You add coffee grounds, water and put the coffee maker on a stove.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Produce a lot of coffee fast
- Easy to clean
- Portable
- Affordable
Cons
- They usually burn the coffee
- No control over the coffee brewing process
Pricing Range
The price can vary depending on the quality and size of the percolator.
You can find them for $30 to +$100.
For Whom Are They Better?
As they are really convenient, they are good for families and travelers.
15. Multi-Function Coffee Makers
These machines are not coffee makers as such but multi-functional machines.
For example, you can find a multi-function coffee maker that comes equipped with a stove and a toaster.
They are very convenient since they can do a lot of things at the same time, so they are good for traveling.
If you want a “breakfast station” this is the right coffee maker for you.
How Do They Work?
Usually, it works exactly like a drip coffee maker, however, they have a lot more features to try like a bread toaster.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Convenient
- You can save a lot of money since you have lots of kitchen appliances in one single place
Cons
- Really difficult to clean
- Produce small amounts of coffee (3 cups)
Pricing Range
You can find them starting at $80.
For Whom Are They Better?
They are good for families who like to travel a lot because of their multi-functional features.
The Bottom Line: Types of Coffee Makers
Now you know all the types of coffee makers that exist and which one may be the best for you.
If you want to decide which coffee maker is ideal for you, I recommend you go deeper into each type of coffee maker.
Think about convenience, affordability, and durability.
If you want to learn more, I invite you to explore our blog full of guides about coffee gear.
