Which Coffee Maker is Right for You?

Mmm, coffee. Most of us can’t live without it. But hitting the local coffee shop daily can take a toll on your wallet. To keep your coffee habit in check financially, you’ll want to invest in a coffee maker for your home. With so many options on the market, how do you know which method to choose? We dive into the different ways to brew your morning cup of joe to help you figure out which coffee maker is right for you. 

From high-tech options that produce a cup of coffee at the push of a button to testing your patience and brewing for perfection, there are a lot of options out there claiming to provide the best brew. Since each method has it’s own perks, you might want to experiment with a few to find what makes your ideal cup of coffee. 

Types of Coffee Makers

Automatic Drip Coffee Maker

When you think of a typical coffee maker, you probably think of the traditional drip coffee machine. Usually these are automatic; you just throw some ground coffee in a filter, add water, press the brew button, and voila! Within minutes, you’ll have a decent pot of coffee ready to drink. Because you can brew an entire pot at one time, automatic drip coffee makers are ideal for those that like to have more than one cup in the morning. Many also have a timer feature that you can use to set your coffee to brew automatically at a certain time.

Pour-over

Pour-over coffee is made by hand-pouring hot water through coffee grounds in a filter which are situated in a dripper that rests above your mug. Coffee enthusiasts often prefer the pour-over method for their morning coffee. Why? Because with a pour-over coffee maker you are in control of how much water is used. You also get to control how quickly you pour the water plus the technique of how it’s poured, which can help you get the best-tasting cup for your particular taste buds. And if you love the science of coffee, then the pour-over your ideal coffee maker.

French Press 

Like the pour-over, this method is often preferred by coffee enthusiasts who are looking for a more customized or stronger cup of coffee. With the French press, you literally press the water out of the grounds while they’re steeping inside the French press. No filters needed. French press coffee makers are often stylish as well, if you’re looking for something less bulky to have in your kitchen.

AeroPress Coffee Maker

If you’re looking for a quick and smooth brew, but don’t want to deal with anything that requires plugging in, check out the AeroPress coffee maker. With a function similar to a French Press that quickly presses hot water through the coffee, this machine brews a cup of joe within 30 to 60 seconds. Did we mention it’s portable? Some folks also claim that this process produces a less acidic version of coffee.

Percolator

If you crave a rich and strong cup of coffee in the morning, you might want to go with a percolator. This type of coffee maker continually cycles boiling or nearly boiling water through the grounds using gravity until the brew reaches the desired strength. This is another good option for brewing more than one cup at a time, but some people claim that the continual flow of hot water can reduce the quality of the coffee. You’ll have to decide for yourself!

Pod Coffee Maker

These single-serving coffee makers are perfect if you don’t have time to fuss, but need your fix quick and easy. Just pop in a pod, make sure the water supply is ample, and place an empty cup to catch your brew and you’ll be good to go. Coffee pods come in a variety of flavors, which make it a cinch to mix-up your routine. Pod coffee makers range from simple to high-tech. The features you get will likely depend on your budget. And you can reduce your environmental impact by making your own coffee pod with a reusable and refillable coffee pod product.