Coffee machines have evolved into sophisticated appliances that cater to every taste, from drip enthusiasts to espresso aficionados. In 2025, the market offers a range of options that balance convenience, flavor, and design. Below, we review the 10 best coffee machines, drawing from expert testing and real-world performance, with pros and cons for each. A FAQ section follows to address common questions.
1. Breville Barista Touch Impress
This fully automatic machine from Breville (known as Sage in the UK) is our number-one recommendation if you’re looking for a coffee maker that’s simple to use, but doesn’t compromise on performance. We spent two full months testing it, and were thoroughly impressed by the quality and consistency of its results. The Impress puck system, paired with a bright touchscreen and automatic milk texturizing system (AutoMilq), makes preparing your favorite drinks even easier. The machine informs you what’s happening (like how much coffee is going into the filter basket) and suggests adjustments if your shot is under- or over-extracted, helping you tweak the grind size. AutoMilq offers presets for both dairy and plant milks, delivering excellent froth.
Pros: Easy to use, consistent rich espresso, automatic milk texturizing, beginner-friendly touchscreen guidance, versatile for dairy and plant milks.
Cons: Expensive, large footprint requires dedicated counter space.
2. Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select
The Moccamaster KBGV Select is the best filter coffee maker we’ve tested thanks to its balance of style, simplicity, and performance. A drip coffee machine doesn’t have to be complicated, and this one isn’t, with just two buttons. In our tests it produced delicious and well-extracted coffee every time, brewing a full carafe in just under six minutes. The durable thermal carafe of the KBT retains heat well, while the hot plate on the glass-carafe KB keeps an impressively stable temperature without burning the coffee. Both models offer manual control over the brewing process by allowing you to open or close the filter basket, producing nuanced, high-quality cups.
Pros: Consistent brewing, stylish design, fast brew time, reliable with a five-year warranty, excellent thermal carafe.
Cons: No clock or descaling reminder, pricier than other drip makers, no brew completion indicator.
3. OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker
This easy-to-use machine consistently brews hot coffee at the right strength. Among drip models, it’s a standout for its smart design and ability to brew reliably good coffee whether you use freshly ground or pre-ground beans. It’s a solid choice for those who want a low-fuss drip coffee maker under $200. The machine adjusts water dispersion for different volumes (2-4 cups, 5-8 cups, or 9-12 cups), ensuring consistent extraction. Its thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for nearly two hours without a hot plate, and the removable showerhead simplifies cleaning.
Pros: Versatile volume settings, effective thermal carafe, easy to clean, reliable flavor, budget-friendly for features.
Cons: Fixed water reservoir, slightly bulky for small kitchens.
4. Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series
The Ninja Luxe Café is a multifunctional coffee maker that can prepare espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew all in one, and even includes an automatic milk-frothing system. It’s rare to find a coffee maker that does everything well, but the Luxe Café nails it all. The milk jug has an in-built spinner for automated steaming, with settings for dairy and plant milks to prevent burning. You can also use the steam wand manually for hands-on frothing. It’s a versatile option for those who want espresso-based drinks but also enjoy drip or cold brew.
Pros: Multifunctional (espresso, drip, cold brew), automatic milk frothing, plant milk compatibility, intuitive controls.
Cons: Milk steaming can be slow, large footprint, cold brew setting doesn’t fully replicate true cold brew.
5. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus’s balance of coffee-brewing talent and beginner-friendly features can’t be beaten for the money. It welcomes even complete newcomers with its friendly, informative user manual and helpful YouTube tutorials, and it’s capable of brewing brilliant coffee. It’s a neat little machine, and the modest dimensions mean it will slot unobtrusively on to most kitchen worktops. The PID temperature control and 9 bar OPV ensure consistent espresso, while the steam wand on a ball joint offers flexibility for frothing. Sage supplies almost everything you need in the box, though you’ll need a grinder or pre-ground coffee.
Pros: Compact, beginner-friendly, excellent espresso, flexible steam wand, good value.
Cons: No built-in grinder, slight dripping after shots, potential “portafilter sneeze” if grind is too fine.
6. De’Longhi Rivelia
Aside from the ability to make a good cup of coffee, there’s an argument to be made that the core function of any coffee machine should be convenience. If you ascribe to that notion then you’ll love what the De’Longhi Rivelia brings to the table. This bean-to-cup machine gives true coffee fans the chance to try out different blends on the fly thanks to its swappable bean hopper system. There are two bean hoppers included (although you can buy more separately), and they can be taken off or added to the machine at a moment’s notice. Espresso poured brilliantly with our home-roasted beans, with a good crema and bold acidity. Automatic milk frothing produces tightly packed foam for cappuccinos.
Pros: Swappable bean hoppers, excellent espresso, convenient automation, great milk frothing.
Cons: Fiddly interface, espressos can be too hot, large footprint.
7. Fellow Aiden
Fellow’s new Aiden machine has snatched the top spot in our best coffee maker guide, and it’s so deserved. After a few months of use, I already feel like I couldn’t live without it. This coffee maker gets drip right, with rich and well-rounded brews guaranteed and countless smart features, all at a price that I think is well-justified. It accounts for local elevation and offers special recipes for individual coffee beans, yet it’s simple enough to brew a great mug within eight minutes of unpacking. Its bloom cycles and precise temperature control rival pour-over quality.
Pros: Superb drip coffee, smart features, elevation adjustment, easy setup, pour-over-like flavor.
Cons: Expensive, switching brew baskets is slightly annoying, limited to drip brewing.
8. Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima
The Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima is the best pod coffee maker I’ve tried. With a smart and convenient milk dispenser and all the flexibility of a Nespresso Vertuo machine, it’s my favorite single-serve coffee maker on the market for those who want the option to make just about any coffee-based drink. It offers five drink types (espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug, and alto) and uses a barcode system to brew each capsule perfectly. The milk dispenser automates frothing, and Nespresso recycles used pods, with the machine made from 54% recycled plastic.
Pros: Foolproof brewing, versatile drink options, automatic milk frothing, eco-friendly pod recycling, compact.
Cons: Pods are expensive, limited to Nespresso capsules, small water tank.
9. BALMUDA The Brew
The sleek, pleasing design of BALMUDA The Brew makes it a great fit in nearly any kitchen — but at this price point, a high-end coffee maker needs to do more than just look good. Fortunately, The Brew is easy to set up and straightforward to use, with mode options for iced, strong, or regular-strength coffee. This coffee maker performs best with medium-ground coffee, yielding nuanced flavors and aromas through each of the brewing models. It replicates the art of making a pour-over while taking away the hassle, delivering superb drip coffee.
Pros: Excellent drip coffee, pour-over quality, sleek design, easy to use, versatile brew modes.
Cons: Not programmable, expensive, no frother or espresso options.
10. Rancilio Silvia Pro X
A favorite of Bon Appétit food director Chris Morocco, the Rancilio Silvia Pro X is a lovely machine to use. It’s a dual boiler, so the water used to steam milk is always at the ready and at a different temperature than the brewing water. It has a useful pressure gauge and an adjustable PID controller you can set to the degree. It pulled some of the best shots in our tests, with a powerful steam wand that creates café-quality microfoam, though it takes time to heat up when switching to steam mode. Its industrial look may not suit every kitchen.
Pros: Top-tier espresso, dual boiler, precise PID control, powerful steam wand, enthusiast-friendly.
Cons: Industrial design, slow steam mode switch, expensive, heavy.
FAQs
What type of coffee machine is best for beginners?
For beginners, pod machines like the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima or automatic espresso machines like the Breville Bambino Plus are ideal. Pod machines require minimal skill—just insert a capsule and press a button—while automatic espresso machines like the Bambino Plus offer guidance and simplify tamping and frothing, making them forgiving for novices.
How much should I spend on a coffee machine?
It depends on your needs. Budget drip machines like the OXO Brew 9-Cup ($150-$200) deliver great value for basic coffee. Mid-range options like the Breville Bambino Plus ($400-$500) suit espresso beginners. High-end machines like the Breville Barista Touch Impress or Rancilio Silvia Pro X ($1,000+) are for enthusiasts seeking café-quality results. Consider long-term costs, like pods or beans, too.
Are pod machines environmentally friendly?
Pod machines produce waste, as many capsules aren’t recyclable. However, brands like Nespresso offer recycling programs, and some machines use 54% recycled plastic. If eco-friendliness is a priority, opt for a drip or espresso machine with reusable filters and ground coffee to minimize waste.
How often should I clean my coffee machine?
Clean your machine every 1-2 months, depending on usage. Descaling removes mineral buildup (use a descaling solution or vinegar). Clean removable parts like carafes, filter baskets, and milk frothers weekly. Check the manual for specific instructions, as some machines have automated cleaning cycles.
Can I use plant-based milk in coffee machines with frothers?
Yes, many modern machines, like the Ninja Luxe Café and Breville Barista Touch Impress, have settings for plant-based milks to prevent burning. Oat and soy milk froth well, but results vary by brand. Experiment to find the best milk for your machine’s frother.