Mornings… they can be difficult.

But if there’s one thing that can make that time of the day a lot better, it’s coffee!

The signature pick-me-up drink for most Americans — it refreshes, rejuvenates, and gets them ready to head out and tackle their day. So it’s no wonder that for many people, the first stop of the day is a coffee shop such as Starbucks.

What if we tell you that you have the perfect cup of coffee and the many luscious flavors offered by high-end baristas, all in the comfort of your home?

Modern coffee machines do a lot more than brew a pot — some can froth milk to create outstanding macchiatos, frappuccinos, and lattes, etc. Others can brew iced coffee, and even grind beans for completely hands-free operation.

Read on to find out more about the best coffee machines that the SousVideGuy recommends to start your day off right.

Our Top Pick: Bonavita Connoisseur

The Bonavita Connoisseur deserves the top position because it’s the best at delivering piping hot coffee throughout the day, making it the perfect addition for kitchens in homes and offices alike.

When you have the Connoisseur in your kitchen, emergency trips down to your local coffee shop are no longer necessary.

Thanks to its compact design, the Bonavita Connoisseur takes very little space. So if you have a small kitchen counter, this coffee machine won’t overcrowd it.

This nifty little coffee machine is perfect for anyone who loves drip coffee – we promise you’ll love every last drop you get from it.  This is made possible by a process called pre-infusion, i.e., wetting of coffee grounds before starting the brewing process.  This ensures consistency in quality and taste, which leads to the perfect cup.

The Bonavita Connoisseur has a thermal 8-cup carafe, which keeps the coffee fresh and hot hours after it has been brewed.

Above all, it features a one-touch brew operation, and the temperatures can go as high as 205-degree Fahrenheit, courtesy of the 1500-watt heater, and its thermal carafe from Double-walled stainless steel.

Pros

• Sturdy build quality
• Optional pre-infusion facilitated
• All plastic is BPA-free
• Compact in size

Cons

• Lack of auto brew features

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The Ideal Programmable Coffee Maker: Cuisinart DCC-3200

This Cuisinart model makes our list because it’s perfect for large families and small office settings.

You can make 14 cups of coffee at a time, and use the auto-shutoff, and brew-pause features to ensure that the brew stays fresh all day long.

The Cuisinart DCC-3200 has a gold-tone filter that doesn’t require replacements. There is also an exceptional water filter, and you get the option to pause between the brewing cycles – fill a cup and activate it again.

If time is of the essence, use the machine’s programmable feature to make sure your coffee is always ready on time — set the timer to start up the coffee maker before you wake up. By the time you are ready to head out, your perfect cup will be ready.

You can also adjust the strength of the brew to make a strong cup, or if you want decaffeinated coffee, the machine can deliver that as well. The Cuisinart DCC-3200 also has self-cleaning capabilities.

It features a double-walled insulated carafe to ensure the coffee remains adequately hot at all times to deliver rich taste.

Pros

• Double-walled carafe
• BPA free machine — no harmful chemicals can be introduced
• Adjustable brew-strength
• Self-cleaning capabilities
• Auto-shutoff
• Programmable features

Cons

• It is a slightly bulky unit, won’t fit on small counters

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Best Hybrid Brewer: DeLonghi BCO430 Combination Pump Espresso and 10-Cup Drip Coffee Machine With Frothing Wand

If your go-to coffee is an Espresso, but you also love to try other flavors and combinations, the DeLonghi BCO430 Combination Pump Espresso and 10-Cup Drip Coffee Machine is right up your alley.

You’ll find a 15-bar espresso, latte, and cappuccino filter on one side of the machine, whereas the other side has a 10-glass carafe to brew drip coffee. Also, there is an incorporated manual frother, so overall — it can help you prepare any specialty drink as well as a rich cup of standard coffee.

No matter what you fancy, you can have it with the DeLonghi BCO430 — once you get accustomed to using the machine, you will get to taste some of the best palette pleasers.

The BCO430 has many advanced features such as a programmable timer, drip-stop feature, so coffee never gets spilled, single and double espresso filters, a dedicated water filter, and a smart Brew Pause feature –  to pause the brewing process midway – and continuing from the same place after having your cups.

Unlike most coffee machines, the DeLonghi BCO430 is a front-loader machine — you can access the dedicated reservoirs from the front. You are not required to remove the head to pour in coffee and water, which can be a daunting process, especially when the coffee maker is placed in a narrow area.

Pros

• Front-loader machine, which makes it ever so convenient
• A large 40-ounce removable water tank
• An incorporated manual frother can produce exceptionally thick foam
• A provided attachment allows for using of both single or double espresso filter

Cons

• Getting used to all the advanced features may take some time
• The machine cannot grind beans
• Out of the box, you don’t receive a metal frothing cup

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Best Large-Capacity Coffee Machine: Hamilton Beach 45 Cup Coffee Urn And Hot Beverage Dispenser

If you need something bigger and better then a single-cup coffee brewer, the Hamilton Beach 40515R is a worthy investment.

This is a 45-cup coffee machine with two spouts so everyone can get their coffee fix, making it a great addition to offices and restaurants.

And the best part is that it’s not just good for brewing coffee, it can do a lot more. It can hold and dispense many other beverages such as hot water for tea, cider, warmed wine, and a lot.

To top it all, the Hamilton Beach 45 Cup Coffee Urn and Hot Beverage Dispenser is easy to fill thanks to water level markings on the inside, and it has a lid with a twist-lock mechanism. So spilling hot drinks is the least of your worries.

It keeps temperatures in check and has large handles as well as a removable cord that makes it easy to carry.

Furthermore, it brews a cup within a minute, and once done, a ready-to-serve light illuminates, so you can get to serving in no time. It also has a 2-way dispenser, which helps with continuous filling.

Pros

• A cost-effective device
• Ready-to-serve light
• A wise choice for large gatherings
• Can brew a cup every minute
• Prepares 15 to 45 cups in one brew cycle

Cons

• Easily stained

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What To Look for in a Coffee Machine?

There is a lot to consider when buying a coffee, but mainly you need convenience, cost, and coffee that tastes good!

Convenience

Select a coffee machine that complements your routine — if you have only a few minutes to spare when waking up and heading out, you’ll want the coffee to be ready on its own.

On the other hand, you may actually like the brewing process — it’s a tradition you have been accustomed to, plus the aroma itself gives you a kick.

Accordingly, you can buy a:

• A programmable electric coffee
• Less automated machines
• Manual pour-over coffee makers

Type of Coffee

Depending on what type of caffeinated hot beverage you like, you may buy a coffee machine, an espresso machine, a hybrid, or two separate machines.

While separate machines give you the highest quality drinks, but not only do they take a good amount of space, but they tend to be expensive.

An ideal solution is to get a hybrid machine — the best of both worlds. The good news is that newer models can produce exceptional coffee likes of which are seen from separate machines.

If your household has several people, all of whom like different types of coffee, a pod system may be a good buy, but they can’t provide you that authentic blend.

Brew Size

Different coffee machines have different brewing capacities; you can select a machine that can brew a cup at a time or one that can make enough for everyone at work at the same time.

Single-cup brewers are great if everyone wants a different type of coffee as well as for people who live alone. Plus, if all family members tend to wake up at different hours, this machine is all you’ll need.

If you enjoy several cups a day, run a bed and breakfast, or occasionally host large gatherings, go for coffee machines that can brew in large quantities in a cycle.

Timing

If you and your family consume coffee several times a day, choose a coffee machine with a thermal carafe – you will have fresh and hot coffee available at all times – no need to brew a new cup.

For people who just drink a cup or two at most, a glass brewer accompanied by a warming plate may be a safe bet; however, the prepared coffee may have a burnt taste after some time.

A pod coffee machine is for anyone who wants their coffee quickly – it instantaneously brews and once done, it turns off on its own.

The Size Of The Machine

The quality of coffee won’t be impacted by the size of the machine, but what’s the point of getting a machine that doesn’t look good on your kitchen counter.

So make sure you know the dimensions of your counter and choose a device that fits there nicely. Apart from that you also need to consider if:

• There is enough space to remove the top for adding grounds and water
• Your cup can fit in the selected coffee machine

Custom Options

Basic coffee machines allow you to add more grounds or extra water, but that’s about it.

However, some of the newer, more advanced machines come with extra features that enhance your coffee-making experience and the overall taste — they let you:

• Select water temperatures
• Strength of the brew
• Different brew sizes
• Ability to make other beverages such as tea, hot chocolate, and a lot more

Bells and Whistles

Some machines have added user-friendly features to ensure that you get the perfect cuppa at all times. Here are some of the many improvements you can look forward to:

• Auto-shutoff so you can head on out without worrying about manually switching off the machine
• Programmed brewing — the machine self-starts at a chosen time, and you will wake up to a hot cup or pot waiting for you
• A thermal carafe for piping hot coffee at all times
• Audible alerts and light-based notifications that signal completion of a brewing cycle
• Bean grinding
• Milk frothing
• Alerts to remind you that a clean-up is required
• Hybrid models that can prepare a variety of hot and cold beverages, etc.

Price & Warranty

On average, a coffee machine can cost anywhere from $50 to $650 – the better the features, the higher the price tag.

Ideally, you should look for a coffee machine on digital market places such as Amazon — you have more options to review and compare to make a well-informed decision.

Also, check the warranty offered by the manufacturer, and make sure to read the fine print— make sure you know what it covers, and when the warranty claim would be inadmissible.

Types Of Coffee Machines

Here are the different types of coffee machines:

• Drip Coffee Maker
• Precision Brewer Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe
• Pour-Over Coffee Maker
• Single-Serve Capsule Coffee Maker
• French Press Coffee Maker
• AeroPress Coffee Maker
• Siphon Coffee Maker
• Cold Brew Coffee Maker
• Percolator Coffee Maker
• Vietnamese Coffee Maker
• Espresso Coffee Maker
• Stovetop Coffee Maker
• Steeped Coffee
• Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
• Turkish Coffee Maker

Frequently Asked Questions

Do All Coffee Makers Have An Automatic Shut Off?

No, many vintage coffee makers don’t feature the option. However, many modern coffee machines have auto-shutoff capabilities.

How Often Should You Replace A Coffee Maker?

It depends on the make, model, and the recommended time by the manufacturer. However, if you are not getting a decent cup even post-cleaning, you probably need to buy a new coffee machine as soon as possible.

What Temperature Do Coffee Makers Brew At?

The ideal temperature is 200-degrees Fahrenheit give or take five -degrees as per the Specialty Coffee Association. Almost all coffee machines operate at 195 to 205-degrees.

Can Tea Be Made In A Coffee Machine?

Yes, not only tea, but you can also make hot chocolate and many other beverages, depending on the type of machine you have. Remember, before preparing something other than coffee, thoroughly clean the machine.