In my two years at Tom's Guide, I've tested a whopping 43 coffee makers. Yes, seriously. Forty. Three. And this number is ever-expanding. Next week, I'm going to test out some new budget bean-to-cups, and I'm super excited.
But let's take a retrospective look at these past two years. I've tested everything from the $1,600 Semi-Professional Smeg and La Pavoni powerhouses to the $12 Hario V60 — and both are on this list. You can get incredible, barista-quality coffee on the Smeg EMC02, just like you can get coffeehouse-approved pour-over with the $11 Hario V60. It's all in you, the barista.
As there's no single "best" coffee maker, I'm going to walk you through the nine I would actually buy with my own money. I'm covering everything from said $12 Hario V60 all the way up to said $1,800 Smeg x La Pavoni espresso machine, so buckle in, kick back, and relax.
The manual coffee makers
Alright, here are the non-electric coffee makers I'd recommend. I've tested everything: the Hario V60, AeroPress, Chemex, Kalita Wave, Clever Dripper, Espro P7, Aarke French Press, Stanley pour-over, Yeti pour-over, Wacaco (all of them...), and more. Although I liked all of them, here are the three I would buy with my own money.
Hario V60
In my 4-star review of the Hario V60, I discussed its affordability, its compact footprint, and its inimitable ability to make coffeehouse-quality coffee for extremely cheap. With a little practice, you'll be slinging out barista-level black coffee like you own the shop.
Sure, you need some finesse to impress coffee nerds online, but if your pour-over tastes good, who cares if you're doing it right or wrong? Coffee doesn't have hard and fast rules in the same way math does. Coffee + water = whatever you want.
AeroPress
In my 4.5-star review of the AeroPress Clear Color, I highlighted its striking appearance and surprising ease of use. Don't be put off — AeroPresses are way easier to use than you might think. It's kind of like a sped-up French press.
Seriously, nothing else tastes like AeroPress. It's delicate, floral, fruity, yet also intense like a French press. And the best part — they're so tiny you can hide them in your cutlery draw between uses.
Chemex
When I reviewed the Chemex in 2024, I gave it the coveted Editor's Choice, 4.5-star rating. A year and a half later, we still use the Chemex regularly in the office. It's so much easier to use than you might think — simply put coffee in a paper filter and pour over hot water.
That's literally it — and the coffee tastes amazing. Chemex is like an even more delicate AeroPress. You get floral, aromatic notes with zero bitterness.
The espresso machines
I've tested 24 espresso machines, ranging from the $3,000 Breville Oracle Dual Boiler to the $139 Casabrews 3700 Essential. Here are the four I would buy with my own money.
Breville Bambino
The Breville Bambino is the only budget espresso machine I would buy for myself. Although super-cheap models like the De'Longhi Stilosa and Casabrews 3700 Essential are really great for under $150, if you want to make seriously pro-level espresso, you will have to spend a little more on the $300 Bambino.
I love the Breville Bambino because it combines high-end features like a PID controller (temperature controller) and a customizable pre-infusion time (so you can choose if you want your coffee to be more saturated). On top of all that, it's just 6 inches wide and perfect for small kitchens.
Breville Bambino Plus
I love my Breville Bambino Plus. It's the perfect combination of coffee-snob-style espresso machine finesse with user-friendly, beginner-compatible style and function. With a 3-way solenoid valve that sucks out excess water from your coffee puck, a PID controller, and customizable pre-infusion time, you'll be feeling like a barista in no time with this machine.
It's not just about espresso, though. The Bambino Plus has a 4-hole steam wand that is capable of making coffee-shop-quality microfoam. I continue to get some of the best latte art of my life on this machine — my barista days included.
If I had to go back and choose my personal espresso machine again, of course, I would stick with the Breville Bambino Plus.
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo
What makes the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo so good is its affordability. Although, yes, I know it's $699, this is an unbelievably reasonable price for a bean-to-cup. If you want to make reliably delicious coffee at home and you're not overly crazy about becoming a coffee snob, I'd always recommend a bean-to-cup like this or the Barista Express.
The Arte Evo even has a cold brew setting, you can make cold brew in five minutes right from your espresso machine. Of course, it looks a treat and has a powerful steam wand, too.
Smeg x La Pavoni EMC02
If you're unfamiliar with La Pavoni, no biggie, it's just the company that invented espresso. Way back in the early 20th Century, this Italian coffee company manufactured the very first espresso machine and changed coffee forever.
The EMC02 is La Pavoni's collaboration with Smeg. It has a triple boiler system for controlled (and customizable) temperature, an electric E61-style group head (not a "real" E61), and a steam wand so powerful I thought I was back in my old coffeehouse job.
And also — look at it. Just look at it. Ain't she a beauty? My colleague, Harry, repeatedly says that the EMC02 made the "best coffee" he's ever tasted. Big ol' boots to fill, right? No wonder I gave it 4.5 stars in my review.
The drip machines
Technivorm Moccamaster KGBV Select
I tested the revered Moccamaster KGBV Select recently and, of course, adored it. I've tested it before, but it's true — it's still my favorite.
On top of looking like an industrial, eye-catching, effortlessly cool machine, the Moccamaster also comes with a 5-year warranty and lifetime repairs. Yep, so if your Moccamaster breaks in 2036, Technivorm will still repair it. How cool is that?
This is definitely the last drip machine you'd ever have to buy (because it will last a lifetime). For that reason, I'd buy this with my own money.
Ratio Four
Oh, the Ratio Four. This is one of two coffee makers I've awarded five stars. If you love pour-over but can't be bothered to make it every day, you'll love the Ratio Four — it's effectively an automated pour-over machine.
While it doesn't have a keep warm function, I don't mind. It's not that kind of machine. This is for serious coffee lovers who want finesse without the stress of making pour-overs again and again. Coffee snobs will love it (and hopefully, so will everyone else).
I would love to buy this machine for myself — it's gorgeous, makes aromatic, delicate coffee, and is from an independent business.
More from Tom's Guide
- Article
- Article
- Article
