A smart coffee maker can easily make our morning brews even better. After all, who wouldn’t enjoy waking up to a freshly made pot each day? With the help of automated coffee makers, all you need to do is schedule your daily brew and customize each setting to your preferences. If you’re not the type to learn how to use a French press, there are plenty of smart coffee machines to choose from. Whether you’re new to coffee machine brews or simply searching for the best one that fits your preferences, here are our top recommendations.
15 Best Smart Coffee Makers to Upgrade Your Morning Brew
1. BLACK + DECKER CM11608 12-Cup Thermal Programmable Coffeemaker – Best for Beginners
Can’t wait for your first cup as soon as you wake up? You don’t have to worry about making a mess with BLACK + DECKER’s smart coffee maker. It comes with a unique sneak-a-cup feature, which temporarily pauses coffee flow so you can pour your first cup even before brewing ends.
As for flavor, the easy-view water window shows exactly how much water will saturate your coffee grounds so you can avoid a diluted brew. Lastly, the machine also has an automatic 2-hour shutoff so you won’t have to worry about accidentally leaving it on.
Pros:
- Auto shutoff feature.
- Clever sneak-a-cup technology.
Cons:
- Very few customizable options.
- Does not come with app controls.
2. Cuisinart SS-10P1 Premium 72-Ounce Single-Serve Smart Coffee Maker – Best Single-Serve Coffeemaker
If you like to entertain guests with a hot cup of coffee, this coffee machine from Cuisinart will certainly impress. One of its stand-out features is its versatility. It can be used with K-cup capsules or with its trademark HomeBarista filter cup that can be filled with either tea or coffee. This way, you’ll be able to customize your beverages, from classic coffees to trendy flavored varieties.
Aside from this, this smart coffee maker is also programmable. This means you’ll be able to maintain the quality of your brews for each cup. It also offers a range of drink sizes, from four to 12 ounces. Cleaning up after is also a breeze, thanks to its rinse feature that conveniently cleans the inside of the brew chamber for you.
Pros:
- Single-cup K-Pod compatible.
- Has a reusable filter cup for coffee or tea.
- Comes with an auto-rinse feature.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have all the features typically associated with smart coffee makers.
3. Keurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker – Large Water Reservoir
Keurig is beloved by many for making many café-style drinks accessible at home. The Keurig K-Café continues that tradition, but in a user-friendly and more affordable way. With this smart coffee maker, you’ll be able to make your favorites such as cappuccinos and lattes, with just a touch of a button. All you need to do is insert any K-Cup pod and let the machine do its thing.
For big coffee drinkers, the K-Café comes with a 60 oz. water tank that will allow you to make up to six cups before needing a refill. Perhaps one of its best features is the programmable auto-off function, which will turn the coffee maker off two hours after it was last used. Lastly, cleaning up is less of guessing with this machine as it will alert you when it’s time to descale!
Pros:
- Compatible with the K-Cup universal reusable coffee filter.
- Comes with a high-altitude setting that will keep your machine working, even at 5,000 feet.
Cons:
- You’re limited to using K-Cup pods as this machine cannot be used with coffee grounds.
4. Ninja CM401 Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker – Best for Home Coffee Bars
From café-style brews to a simple cup of iced coffee, the Ninja CM401 is certainly one smart coffee maker. It can make your coffee in four different ways, just choose from Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty brew. There are also six brew sizes to choose from, allowing you to make a single cup for yourself or go for a full carafe. You don’t have to worry about your drink getting cold since it also comes with a stay-warm feature!
This coffee machine also comes with a built-in frother, which will turn your plain brew into a creamy latte. Another great thing about the Ninja CM401 is the ease of clean-up. The water reservoir, scoop, glass carafe, frother whisk, permanent filter, brew-through lid, and flip-top lid are all dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- You can use your favorite coffee grounds, no need for reusable pods.
- Built-in, fold-away frother.
Cons:
- A little lacking when it comes to connectivity.
5. Mr. Coffee 10-Cup Coffee Maker with Optimal Brew Thermal System – Fastest Brewing Time
For lazy mornings when you’re in dire need of something to perk you up, hot coffee will do the trick. Mr. Coffee’s smart coffee maker serves up just that and much faster than the typical machine, too. With its Optimal Brew, it can reach brewing temps of 205 degrees Fahrenheit—20% faster. You’ll get full flavor extraction and a rich cup of coffee each time. This coffee machine even lets you adjust the strength of your brew through its Strong Brew Selector.
To keep your coffee hot for hours, it comes with a thermal double-walled steel carafe. On top of that, it also has a freshness timer feature that will monitor when your coffee was last brewed.
Pros:
- Has a removable water reservoir which makes it easier to fill.
- Comes with a Delay Brew feature that lets you schedule when you need your machine to start brewing.
Cons:
- Users have complained of water leakage while using the machine.
6. Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine ENV120GY – Best in Brew Consistency
Nespresso is a favorite among many coffee-lovers over the world thanks to its range of flavors and ability to produce truly great espressos. The Nespresso Vertuo Next certainly doesn’t lag far behind. This espresso machine can produce the perfect crema, thanks to its 7,000-rotation-per-minute Centrifusion technology.
Vertuo also has an automated blend recognition system, which means you’ll get the best results with one click. You don’t have to remember or change any settings to consistently get the brew you enjoy. Its one-touch brewing system will scan the barcode on your pod and adjust everything for you.
Pros:
- Ease of use.
- Outstanding crema.
Cons:
- The Nespresso pods are pretty pricey.
7. Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Smart Coffee Maker – Most Convenient Design
For coffee-lovers who appreciate a fine brew, convenience, and connectivity, then this Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker just might be for you. It features a drip-free carafe and options for switching your brew’s strength. On top of that, it also has a front-fill design that makes it easy to refill the water reservoir even in cramped spaces.
Perhaps the biggest draw of this coffee machine is its compatibility with Alexa. Simply pair it with the mobile app to begin using voice commands. You would be able to set a brewing schedule and routine, as well as adjust the strength of your coffee easily. Quite the luxury, isn’t it?
Pros:
- Works with your Alexa app and Amazon Echo device.
- Convenient water reservoir placement.
- Auto power off after two hours.
Cons:
- Some units have had issues with a flickering clock and Wi-Fi
8. De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine – Excellent for Coffeehouse-style Beverages
If you’re planning on building your own home coffee bar, the De’Longhi ESAM3300 might be the only machine you’ll need. It comes with its own café-quality burr grinder with 13 settings, allowing you to make freshly ground coffee each time. Not only that, you’ll be able to create creamy milk froth to top your drinks with, thanks to its manual frother. This way, you can customize your beverages as you like them.
For beginners, this machine might look daunting. However, it comes with presets and easy-to-customize settings which take out the guesswork whenever you brew. This smart coffee maker will also remember how you like your espresso, from its strength to your preferred cup size. All you need to do is input your preferences and the machine will do the rest.
Pros:
- Can maintain optimal temps, allowing you to brew one cup after another.
- Components are front-accessible, adding to ease of use.
Cons:
- The machine is quite pricey.
9. Bonavita Connoisseur 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker – One of the Fastest Performance Coffee Brewers
It may look nondescript, but the Bonavita Connoisseur can make a full 8-cup carafe in six minutes. In some cases, speed may affect the flavor of the coffee. This isn’t the case with this coffee maker, though. Thanks to its showerhead design, you get even coffee saturation with every brew. You get the most out of your coffee grounds each time
When it comes to customizing flavor, you have the option of strengthening each brew through its Pre-Infusion mode. This is similar to the pour-over method but automated. The machine would pause water flow after wetting the coffee grounds, giving it time to bloom and increase in strength. This mode is optional so you can switch from mild to bold coffee depending on your preference.
Pros:
- Quick and efficient.
- Ease of use.
Cons:
- Lacking in other programmable features.
10. OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Programmable Smart Coffee Maker – Simple but Consistent Brewing
What makes a coffee maker great? Most of the time, it boils down to two things: great coffee and ease of use. The OXO Brew Programmable Coffee Maker may lack some of the fancy features that better-known coffee machines have, but it makes up for that with its BetterBrew Precision brewing. This controls water temps and automatically optimizes brew cycles to ensure a flavorful serving each time. It doesn’t matter if you’re making a cup or a full pot—it will keep results consistent.
Coffee-lovers will also like its rainmaker shower head, which allows for even water dispersion when extracting coffee from coffee grounds. If you tend to be impatient in the mornings, the machine’s pause and pour feature will let you grab a cup even before brewing is complete. Lastly, its double-wall thermal carafe will keep your drink hot and fresh for hours.
Pros:
- Has an auto-wake timer so you can schedule brews.
- Precision settings for a consistent cup of coffee with every brew.
Cons:
- Some users have complained of a plastic smell coming from the machine.
11. Krups FCM Grind and Brew KM785 – Best Smart Coffee Maker with Grinder
The Krups Coffee Maker line is comprised of outstanding models, but the FCM Grind and Brew KM785 delivers just a bit more than your average. First off, it comes with a 5-setting grinder, allowing you to choose the most ideal grind for your brew. Who wouldn’t enjoy freshly ground coffee beans every morning, right?
This smart coffee maker comes with a programmable auto-start feature and a keep-warm setting, which ensures the best coffee whenever you need it. There are plenty of customizable options available on the machine, including options for small-batch brewing or one for a stronger and bolder cup.
Pros:
- Allows users to adjust the grind size.
- Customizable settings.
Cons:
- Smaller bean hopper.
12. Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine – Best All-in-One Espresso Machine
Do you enjoy milk-based coffee recipes? What about rich Espressos? The Philips 3200 Espresso Machine can deliver all of that and more. It can easily make Espressos, Cappuccinos, Latte Macchiatos, Americanos, and brewed coffee with just a touch of a button. With its LatteGo milk system, which mixes milk and air at high speed, you’ll be able to top your drinks with silky milk froth each time.
This coffee machine also has a touch display, allowing you to easily choose your drink. You can also customize the cup size and strength of your drink through the My Coffee Choice menu. Because it comes with a 12-step ceramic grinder, you’ll be able to adjust the powder size of your favorite coffee beans from ultra-fine to coarse.
Pros:
- The LatteGo system will enable you to easily make milk-based coffees.
- You’ll be able to use your own coffee grounds and adjust the grind size to suit your taste.
Cons:
- Not the most user-friendly if this is your first smart coffee maker or espresso machine.
13. Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer Thermal Smart Coffee Maker – Great Custom Brews
The Breville Precision Brewer comes with plenty of features that allow you to make specialty coffee effortlessly, even for beginners. It has six brewing modes, allowing you to make a consistent cup of coffee each time. Choose from Gold, Fast, Strong, Iced, Cold Brew, and My Brew for a different flavor with every cup. If you prefer to customize your brew, you can tweak different settings such as bloom time, temperature, and flow rate.
If you’re new to brewing craft coffee, the Gold Cup preset mode will be useful. Choosing this feature enables this Breville smart coffee maker to automatically adjust temp and brew time, ensuring a great cup of coffee without the guessing game. It isn’t the world’s first 60 oz. drip coffee maker for nothing!
Pros:
- Comes with dual filter baskets so you can brew any volume of coffee.
- Compatible with pour-over drippers such as the Kalita Wave and Hario V6.
Cons:
- The machine is on the pricier side.
14. Hamilton Beach BrewStation 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker – Best Multiple Serving Coffee Maker
Like its 12-cup counterpart, the Hamilton Beach BrewStation also comes with a convenient FrontFill design. Its drip-free glass carafe also ensures that pouring is mess-fee, especially if your coffee pots are full. For folks who enjoy variety in their morning brews, you can program the machine in advance and set it to different strengths such as regular, bold, and 1 to 4 cups.
Another smart function that this coffee maker has is its keep-warm function. This will always keep your coffee at the right temps, and also includes an auto-shutoff for extra peace of mind. We think this one’s a great addition to any smart coffee maker, considering how busy mornings can get. It can be very easy to shut off or unplug your machine once you’re done using it.
Pros:
- Comes in sleek black or a stainless steel
- Auto shut-off feature.
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a drip guard.
15. Smeg DCF02 50’s Retro Drip Coffee Maker – Great Balance of Aesthetics and Functionality
Known for the retro-style of their home appliances, Smeg has stamped that same trademark on the DCF02. While the coffee machine is total eye-candy, it’s the features that will satisfy consumers best. The Smeg DCFO2 boasts of an “Aroma Intensity” option that allows users to choose the intensity of their coffee scents, from light to intense.
If your discerning palate is sensitive to water hardness, the DCFO2 gives you the option to customize this as well. Much like its predecessor, the DF01, you can put this smart coffee maker in auto-start mode so you can get your brew right upon waking up. If you’d rather not wait for a full 10-cup brew, choose the 4-cup option—just enough caffeine to last you the day.
Pros:
- Great custom brewing options.
- You can set an optional alarm sound to alert you after brewing.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have the same features as the others but is almost as pricey.
What to Look for in the Best Smart Coffee Maker
Price.
Your average smart coffee maker is priced at around $50 to a few hundred dollars. This varies depending on the brand, model, and features included. The more automated and programmable a coffee maker is, the higher its price will be. Our list does include options for both low and high price points so you should find one that suits your budget. Another thing to consider is the price of pods. Note that not all of these machines will allow you to use your own coffee.
Ease of Use.
The best coffee maker will usually be plug-and-play, but a smart coffee maker requires a bit more work. You’ll need to connect it to your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth then sync it up with the mobile app it comes with. Some machines do come with a bit of a learning curve so do be mindful of this when making a purchase.
Capacity.
How much coffee do you drink regularly? Will it be for your own use or are you getting one for the entire home? There are single-serve coffee makers and ones that can easily make 12 cups. If you tend to drink multiple cups, we suggest going for ones with a bigger capacity. Do consider ones that can keep full coffee pots hot throughout the day as well.
Compatibility.
Smart coffee makers are designed for convenience. To perform this task well, they should be compatible with a host of smart devices commonly used today. Make sure you check if they work well with Alexa, Google Assistant, Amazon Echo, and Google Home to mention a few. You might want to check for other special features like voice command and scheduled brewing. A smart coffee maker with an app is a must if you want to brew remotely as well.
Additional Features.
Lastly, what sets apart an average smart coffee maker from a really great one is often its extra features. Check for a coffee maker with a grinder, keep-warm settings, auto shutoff, built-in milk frothers, and so on. For those who prefer specialty beverages, choose a machine that can make you macchiatos or cappuccinos at home. Each one has a different specialty so do pay attention to these details. If you’re purchasing an espresso machine, the amount of pressure it can deliver can be the difference between a good cup of espresso to a really authentic tasting one.
Make the Perfect Brew With the Help of Smart Coffee Makers
Morning prep can be a chore, especially if you haven’t had your dose of caffeine yet. Treat yourself and get a smart coffee maker that will make sure you have your brew ready as soon as you wake up. Not only is it convenient, but you’ll also be able to save quite a bit of money as well since you no longer need to go on coffee runs whenever you want your favorite drink. It might not be essential to some, but we’re sure coffee lovers will appreciate this special piece of tech. After all, smart coffee makers are the next best thing to having an assistant who will fetch coffee for you each time you need your fix!
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