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10 Different Types of Coffee Makers: Which is Right for You?

Types of Coffee Makers Coffee Affection

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages. A 2018 study found that 79% of U.S. coffee drinkers consume coffee made at home. So it’s no surprise how common it is to see a coffee maker in someone’s kitchen. However, there are several ways to brew coffee at home. Today we will explore four of these options so you can learn about brewing methods you might not be familiar with.

Scroll down to learn about the 10 different types of coffee makers, from classics like drip coffee makers and espresso machines to less common options like the Vietnamese phin and the AeroPress. You may just find a new favorite brewer!

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The 10 Types of Coffee Makers

1. Drip Coffee Makers (electric)

Drip coffee maker

Traditionally, drip coffee makers have been a popular staple of American households due to a combination of ease of use, affordability, durability, and the ability to quickly produce coffee for one to four coffee drinkers at a time.

Drip machines are one of the most popular types of coffee makers in the US.

Pros
  • Affordable.
  • Easy to use.
  • Reliable.
Cons
  • Warming plate “cooks” coffee sitting in the pot.

2. Thermal Coffee Makers (electric)

Thermal coffee maker

Thermal coffee makers work like drip coffee brewers but with the unique advantage of brewing your coffee into an insulated thermal carafe. This keeps your coffee hot for hours without continuing to “cook” your coffee as it sits on a heated surface, which can eventually lead to a thick and bitter brew.

Pros
  • Keeps coffee hot without “cooking” it as it sits.
Cons
  • More expensive than the standard drip brewer.

3. Espresso machines (electric)

Espresso machine

One of the more expensive types of coffee makers is the electric espresso machine. While home espresso machines can cost a little more than other types of household brewers and can tend to be more finicky and labor-intense, it can be worth it to the die-hard espresso lover if you get your technique down pat and can successfully extract the rich, delicious shots of brew like your favorite coffee shop.

Pros
  • Can produce great espresso.
  • Can aerate (froth) milk.
Cons
  • Expensive.
  • Technical.
  • Labor-intensive.

4. Percolators (electric)

Percolator

Percolators are fun to watch and to listen to as they steam away during the brewing process. They also tend to produce a consistently hearty and flavorful pot of coffee. Percolators were largely replaced by drip brewers in many households, probably due to having more parts to assemble and clean than drip brewers.

Pros
  • Consistent and reliable.
Cons
  • Multiple parts to assemble and clean.

5. Siphon Coffee Makers (electric)

Siphon coffee maker

Siphon coffee makers, also known as vacuum pot coffee makers, may not be very practical for everyday use due to their many fragile parts and the unusual amount of time and labor that goes into brewing each pot. Many siphon pot users swear by the unusually great-tasting coffee that they produce. The siphon pot is also great as a showpiece when entertaining and brewing for houseguests.

Pros
  • Produces flavorful coffee.
Cons
  • Fragile and labor-intensive.

6. French Press Coffee Makers (manual)

French press

The French press, also known as a “press pot” or “plunger pot,” is easy to use, easy to clean, and can even be taken with you when you travel. The press uses a mesh metal filter. This allows all the coffee’s flavor oils to make it into your cup, as opposed to getting trapped in a paper filter during brewing. Travel-friendly versions also exist.

Pros
  • Easy to use and clean.
Cons
  • Glass pots are fragile.

7. AeroPress (manual)

AeroPress

The AeroPress looks like a giant syringe and allows the user to make unusually smooth espresso-like coffees by hand without an expensive and cumbersome machine. The Aeropress is simple to use, easy to clean, and small enough to take with you on your travels.

Pros
  • Easy to use.
  • Great for travel.
Cons
  • Makes one cup at a time.

8. Cold Brew Coffee Makers (Manual)

Cold brew coffee maker

The “Toddy” brand cold brew coffee maker is an easy and reliable brewer that consistently produces a uniquely delicious coffee concentrate that can be refrigerated for later use. Also known as “cold water extract,” cold brew coffee can be diluted and poured over ice or heated like regular coffee. It’s known for producing a less acidic brew than other types of devices.

Pros
  • Produces a brew that is smooth and low in acidity.
Cons
  • Takes 12 hours to brew.

9. Vietnamese Coffee Makers (manual)

Vietnamese coffee maker

If you like your coffee sweet and cold over ice, this may be the coffee brewer for you. Vietnamese coffee typically includes the addition of condensed milk or cream and sugar to achieve the perfect cup of rich, sweet iced coffee.

Pros
  • Makes a uniquely delicious iced coffee.
Cons
  • Designed for iced coffee only.
  • Multiple parts to clean.

10. Moka Pot Coffee Makers (stovetop)

Moka pot

The Moka pot is a simple and cost-effective alternative to a full-blown home espresso machine. It produces a thick, rich and flavorful brew that goes great with creamers, flavored syrups or frothy steamed milk. The Moka pot is also a favorite brewing device for campers who enjoy brewing on a camping stove or over the fire. This type of coffee maker brews quickly and produces an espresso-like kind of coffee.

Pros
  • Affordable alternative to espresso machines.
  • Consistent.
Cons

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In Conclusion

There you have it: the 10 major types of coffee makers. From the most common drip machine to the more unusual Vietnamese phin and Italian Moka pot, there are a lot of ways to brew coffee. We hope that this guide helps you find the best coffee maker for your needs. And why not try a new method? You may be surprised at the delicious results!

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Kate MacDonnell

Kate is a lifelong coffee enthusiast and homebrewer who enjoys writing for coffee websites and sampling every kind of coffee known to man. She’s tried unusual coffees from all over the world and owns an unhealthy amount of coffee gear.

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