Best Coffee Maker Picks - Smart or Basic, What’s Actually Worth It?

I currently use a Bonavita drip machine with a thermal carafe. It’s SCA-approved and reasonably priced. But if I had a bigger budget, I’d go with the Breville Precision Brewer. It’s got adjustable settings, and you can almost replicate pour-over techniques. James Hoffman even recommends it!

I used to have a Breville Cappuccino/Coffee maker around this price range, but it kept having issues. Now I’ve got a simple Krups machine I use with a smart plug, and it’s working out great.

We’ve had a Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System for about a year, and it’s great. Not smart, but it has a timer and can brew tea or coffee, hot or cold. You can make a single cup or a full pot, with lots of settings for strength and type.

If you’re not focused on smart features, you might find more options on a coffee-specific forum. But if you want an idea, check out SCA’s list of certified brewers—I have a Bonavita, and it’s been fantastic.

Certified Home Brewers — Specialty Coffee Association (sca.coffee)

It’s over budget, but we’re really happy with our Phillips LatteGo 5400. We use it every day, and it’s been worth it!

Half the joy of coffee is in making it yourself!

I recently bought the Fellow Aiden. The coffee quality is fantastic, and you can tweak the settings endlessly. No open API for home control, but that’s not an issue for me.

AeroPress—super simple, and it makes the best coffee I’ve had at home.

Most affordable drip coffee makers don’t heat water enough to brew well. I gave up on them and instead got a $20 electric kettle, a single-cup filter, and a grinder. Fresh ground is so much better than pre-ground!

I’m loving this coffee maker. It makes a surprisingly great cup of coffee.

Thanks for all the feedback, everyone—it’s super helpful!

This might not be directly about smart homes, but as a coffee fan, I get it. Here’s my take:

Avoid smart coffee makers unless they’re fully automated with fresh-ground beans. If you’re serious about coffee, you’ll want to measure out fresh beans every time anyway, which limits what can be automated.

Check out: Certified Home Brewers — Specialty Coffee Association for a list of machines that keep water at the perfect brewing temperature.

And don’t skimp on a grinder—a quality conical burr grinder is key. I keep my beans in a container in the freezer to keep them fresh. Some might say that’s extra, but if you’re going to get a good brewer, don’t settle for less on the rest of your setup.

@BrianCopland
I’d argue it’s exactly what this forum is for! OP is asking if a smart coffee maker is worth it, and that’s pretty much what we discuss here, right?

Molly said:
@BrianCopland
I’d argue it’s exactly what this forum is for! OP is asking if a smart coffee maker is worth it, and that’s pretty much what we discuss here, right?

Fair point! Most people here do ask about setting up devices or choosing smart gadgets, but I get why OP would ask for coffee maker advice here too.

@BrianCopland
I got the OXO 9-cup based on that site’s recommendation. It doesn’t have a hot plate, but the coffee tastes better without sitting on one. My AeroPress makes a better cup, but it’s more work.

For grinding, I use a Baratza Encore. It’s a little loud, and you have to turn it off manually, but all parts are available on their website if you need replacements.

@Jade
Smart move on the grinder! I might try that for my next one. Mine’s decent, but definitely not ideal for espresso.

@BrianCopland
I consider myself a coffee snob. I have a Mazzer grinder and a Moccamaster for daily use. I also have a Chemex, French presses, AeroPresses, moka pots, and even a vacuum pot. After 45+ years of drinking coffee, if there’s a difference between beans ground at night and in the morning, I honestly can’t taste it.

@Smart
Honestly, I probably can’t taste it anymore either!

But I guess it’s more about knowing that freshly ground is supposed to be better.