The Coffee Maven's Gear Reviews

A solid bargain model from Calphalon, the Special Brew doesn't have many special features: a 50 oz water reservoir, Brew Strength selector, and 24-hour Auto-On. Above all else, it brews B+ coffee at a good price.

Envivo Lungo (Intensity: 9) is the only lungo capsule blended with Robusta, giving this capsule a little extra caffeine kick (99 mg vs an average of 77 for all Nespresso capsules).

The Brew Addicts Reusable K-Cup is compatible with Keurig 1.0 brewers but not Keurig 2.0 or Plus models. Feature-wise, it's similar to other reusable K-Cups, but it doesn't filter out coffee grounds as well as the leaders.

There's nothing fancy about the Ascaso Dream Up v3.0 (except its sleek, retro design). Instead, its calling card is its high-end components and durable build quality. Now discontinued, check out the Ascaso Dream ZERO instead.

An older model not currently in production, the Jura ENA Micro 5 is a compact super-automatic espresso machine for cost-conscious coffee drinkers with a simple display and 3 programmed beverages but no milk frothing system.

Breville's least expensive machine with a pressure gauge, the Infuser gives you more control over extraction and steaming than both the Duo-Temp and Bambino models for less than Breville's Barista series machines.

A replacement for the discontinued K200-K575, the K-Duo brews both K-Cups and full 60 oz carafes with the reusable Gold Tone filter. This version is base version of the 3 K-Duo machines with no 6 oz brew or Strength Control.

Keurig's slimmest brewer, the K-Mini Plus is just like the K-Mini (4.5" wide and refill before each use) but adds several worthy upgrades. Most notably, a Strength Control setting and the 12 oz reservoir is removable.

Keurig's largest compact brewer, the 4.8" K-Slim keeps the narrow width of the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus but offers a relatively massive 46 oz water reservoir and a removable drip tray accommodating mugs up to 7" tall.

A versatile single-serve system, the durable BUNN My Cafe MCU has a 14 oz reservoir and 4 removable drawers for K-Cups, grounds, tea bags, or hot water only. Now-discontinued, check out the Keurig K-Slim instead.

A quality alternative to Nespresso with a lower daily cost of ownership, the NESCAFE Dolce Gusto Esperta 2 brews both coffee and specialty drinks in 8 sizes from 4-12 oz with a 60 oz reservoir.

A compact version of NESCAFE's more robust Esperta 2, the Genio 2 has a 21 oz reservoir and NESCAFE's signature futuristic design that brews 7 sizes of coffee and specialty drinks using NESCAFE brand pods.

A single-origin, 100% Arabica dark roast from Guatemala, Two Volcanoes Coffee's Espresso Blend sources beans from 3 major growing regions of one of the world's most under-appreciated coffee-growing countries.

A dark, deep Italian roast, Cafe Don Pablo's Classic Italian Espresso is a rich blend of nutty Colombian and spicy Sumatran Mandheling beans. It works best as espresso but can also be savored as a tall, rich cup.

Grind & Brew coffee makers let you use fresh, whole bean coffee without the extra step (and cost) of using a dedicated grinder. The Capresso CoffeeTeam TS is a solid, entry-level Grind & Brew model for an easy, fresh cup.

A portable espresso machine that doesn't require electricity, the Wacaco MiniPresso offers on-the-go espresso anywhere you have hot water. It comes in 2 versions, the GR (grounds) and NS (capsules) and makes a fun gift.

Similar is design to a pour-over dripper and in function to an AeroPress, the Incred-A-Brew makes single servings by fully immersing grounds in hot water with a release valve you control to extract on your terms.

Bali's Best Espresso Candies have a soft, gooey center bursting with rich espresso flavor. And with no high fructose corn syrup, no preservatives, and no trans fat, you can feel good about eating them, too.

A run-of-the-mill, unspectacular milk frother that looks like almost every other model out there, the Chef's Star MF-2 isn't anything special, but it gets the job done at an affordable price point.

Made from 100% premium and ethically-sourced beans, this coffee has been flash-frozen to preserve all the flavor you’d expect from a freshly brewed cup. As far as instant coffee goes, this blend is on the lighter side.

An instant espresso NESCAFE, this a great choice for those looking for a cup of espresso-like concentrated coffee. Made from 100% Arabica beans, it's balanced in flavor, smooth, and even has a little crema.

The Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker is an easy, inexpensive way to brew a whopping 64 oz of cold brew coffee. The downside? The stainless steel filter allows a decent amount of sediment through.

A sleek, customer-facing UL Commercial listed brewer with a 90 oz reservoir and color touch LCD display, the K150P is direct water line compatible and makes brewing simple for small and medium-sized settings.

One of our favorite values, Keurig 2.0 K300 series brewers are a big jump up from their K200 counterparts with a 60 oz reservoir, Temp Control, and more. Now discontinued, we recommend the Keurig K-Duo instead.

One of our favorite values, Keurig 2.0 K300 series brewers are a big jump up from their K200 counterparts with a 60 oz reservoir, Temp Control, and more. Now discontinued, we recommend the Keurig K-Duo instead.

Keurig's original, fully self-service commercial machine, the K3000SE is a direct water line brewer with an intuitive LCD touch screen and auto-eject pod functionality. However, we recommend the new-and-improved K3500.

Keurig's original, fully self-service commercial machine, the B3000SE is a direct water line brewer with an intuitive LCD touch screen and auto-eject pod functionality. However, we recommend the new-and-improved K3500.

The new-and-improved version of Keurig's revolutionary single-serve coffee maker, the K-Classic builds on the success of their iconic K45/K55 with an upgraded brewing system and the same no-frills design.

Keurig's most basic brewer, and generally its least expensive, the K-Compact has few fancy features but offers the same K-Cup experience. It also happens to be Keurig's smallest brewer with a removable reservoir.

The newest and slimmest addition to Nespresso's VertuoLine series, the 5.5" wide Vertuo Next has the smallest reservoir (37 oz) and longest heat-up time (25 sec) but delivers the same coffee in a compact unit.

A no-fuss coffee maker with a few nice features (like Extreme Brew for 25% faster brewing), the Cuisinart DCC-3650 Elite offers a simple experience with a somewhat small 50 oz water reservoir.

A solid mid-range drip coffee maker with a few handy features like the Maximum Aroma setting on smaller 3-5 cup brew size, the Capresso MT900 Rapid Brew is one of Capresso's best. But we wouldn't exactly call it "rapid."

Everyone has that friend who needs their space in the morning. (And if you don't have that friend, it's you.) Humor them with this novelty coffee mug while protecting every unsuspecting passerby.

An inexpensive entry-level espresso machine from Breville, the ESP8XL Cafe Roma is a serviceable model most notable for its durability. But you'll need to upgrade for more consistent extraction and better foam.

A slim, sleek-looking, inexpensive espresso machine from DeLonghi, the Dedica EC680M is designed for compact espresso convenience. Its narrow profile tucks away easily and its two-button operation is easy to use.

This Folgers Classic Roast is rich, smooth, and blends well, making it a great mix-in for morning shakes or baking. Since this instant coffee comes in packets, the crystals will stay dry in your purse, suitcase, or office.

Kava is 90% acid neutralized, meaning that it only contains half the acid found in regular coffee. This is a great option for those with sensitive stomachs, even if you occasionally have to drink this in lieu of breakfast.

A low-acid espresso roast from Mastermind Coffee, their Brain-Enhancing blend is smooth and strong with a hint of sweetness but not much complexity. Some claim a cup helps your mind, but it's definitely easy on your stomach.

A highly-rated but mostly unknown drip coffee maker, the Redline MK1 Brewer has a 40 oz water reservoir and one cool feature: a "Parking Brake" at the bottom of the filter basket to stop brewing and siphon a quick cup.

One of the most inexpensive options, the GoodCups Reusable K-Cup has the same design as leading models but doesn't perform quite as well, letting too many grounds into your cup. Still, it's inexpensive and gets the job done.

One of Breville's most basic models, the Duo-Temp Pro gives you total control over your brewing journey. It's a little too light (extra weight helps when inserting/removing portafilters) but I won't complain at under $500.

Keurig's cheapest, most basic brewer, the K-Express measures less than 5" wide (just like the K-Mini and K-Slim) with 8-12 oz brew sizes, Strength Control, a 7" cup clearance. For compact Keurigs, it beats the K-Mini easily.

Keurig's most basic office model, the UL Commercial listed K140 has an underwhelming 48 oz reservoir and max 10 oz brew size, but the Drain Brewer function is handy and its sturdy build makes it great for heavy use.

Keurig's most basic office model, the UL Commercial listed K145 has an underwhelming 48 oz reservoir and max 10 oz brew size, but the Drain Brewer function is handy and its sturdy build makes it great for heavy use.

The base model of the now-discontinued Keurig 2.0 pod-scanning system, K200 series brewers are an affordable option for those who want to brew multi-cup carafes, but we recommend the in-production K-Duo.

The base model of the now-discontinued Keurig 2.0 pod-scanning system, K200 series brewers are an affordable option for those who want to brew multi-cup carafes, but we recommend the in-production K-Duo.

The Keurig K-Cafe, replacing the discontinued Rivo, brews K-Cup coffee, espresso, and even milk-based lattes and cappuccinos thanks to the integrated frother, all with the push of a single button (OK, two buttons).

The super-slim successor to the K10/K15, the Keurig K-Mini is just 4.5" wide and brews 6-10 oz with its "fill before each use" reservoir. If you want fancy features, look elsewhere. If you want compact coffee, look here.

A simple, compact, and sleek brewer designed for hotels and vacation rentals, the Keurig K-Suite Premium is a UL Commercial listed machine with 6-8 oz brew sizes to start your guests' days off on the right foot.

At just 3.2" wide and weighing just 5.1 lbs, the Essenza Mini is Nespresso's smallest single-serve espresso machine and a fantastic value. Brew 1.35 oz espresso up to 3.70 oz lungo at the push of a button.

Designed for flexibility to brew short espresso to tall coffee, the VertuoPlus is one of Nespresso's 5 VertuoLine models that brews 5 types of capsules for coffees from 0.3-17 oz. Finally, a Nespresso machine for everyone!

An entry-level, semi-automatic machine, the Breville 800ESXL features a Triple-Prime Pump for pre-infusion and a Thermoblock heating element, but it doesn't include a grinder. For that, check out the Breville BES870XL.

An inexpensive, low-risk model for aspiring home baristas who want to get their feet wet without breaking the bank, the DeLonghi EC702 has everything you need in a no-fuss, no-frills espresso machine.

An all-included Grind & Brew coffee maker, the Cuisinart DGB-550 brews up to 60 oz pots using your favorite whole bean coffee. Unfortunately, it's a blade grinder. For a better burr grinder, check out the DGB-900 instead.

If French roasts are your thing, you'll enjoy Koffee Kult's extra dark roast with its heavy body and only a few lighter notes to balance out its deep, earthy Colombian and Brazilian beans.

With a 50 oz water reservoir, vacuum-sealed thermal carafe, 24-hour, programmable Auto-On, and 2-hour Auto-Off, the Capresso MT600 Plus is a solid-yet-unspectacular drip coffee maker.

A solid, inexpensive model with flat, stainless steel burrs that are great for getting a uniform grind size, the DeLonghi KG89 is a decent entry-level burr grinder. For our money, go with the DeLonghi Dedica instead.

An easy-to-use, capsule-based espresso machine, the Cuisinart EM-600 Buona Tazza uses illy brand capsules and an integrated frother for one-touch specialty beverages. While effective, we prefer Nespresso's latte system.

The Cuisinart DGB-650 is the best Cuisinart machine with a blade grinder. Unfortunately, that makes it inferior to the DGB-700 and higher. On the plus side, it comes with a thermal carafe.

A single-serve grind-and-brew model? You bet. The Cuisinart DGB-1FR has a 4 oz bean hopper and integrated blade grinder and brews freshly ground coffee for one. Blade grinders aren't the best, but neither are K-Cups.

Based in Amsterdam, Jones Brothers Coffee offers whole bean, ground, and capsulized coffee for Nespresso OriginalLine machines. They're middle of the road in terms of quality and cost, making them a solid bargain brand.

A stainless steel option, the Fill N Save Elite Reusable K-Cup is made from durable stainless steel and is ideal if you're looking to avoid plastic. Unfortunately, it doesn't filter as well and has nuances to its use.

A sleek, UL Commercial listed brewer with a 90 oz reservoir and color touch LCD display, the K155 is designed for office use but is nearly identical to the customer-minded K150 (or K150P for direct water line compatibility).

A sleek, customer-facing UL Commercial listed brewer with a 90 oz reservoir and color touch LCD display, the K150 makes brewing simple for small and medium settings. For direct water line compatibility, check out the K150P.

Keurig's most basic office model, the UL Commercial listed B140 has an underwhelming 48 oz reservoir and max 10 oz brew size, but the Drain Brewer function is handy and its sturdy build makes it great for heavy use.

Keurig's most basic office model, the UL Commercial listed B145 has an underwhelming 48 oz reservoir and max 10 oz brew size, but the Drain Brewer function is handy and its sturdy build makes it great for heavy use.

The Vue V1200 and identical Vue V1255 were Keurig's revolutionary commercial brewers with the ability to brew specialty beverages and 18 oz coffees. Now discontinued, check out the K1500 for a similar commercial model.

The Vue V1200 and identical Vue V1255 were Keurig's revolutionary commercial brewers with the ability to brew specialty beverages and 18 oz coffees. Now discontinued, check out the K1500 for a similar commercial model.

A sleek, customer-facing commercial brewer with a 90 oz reservoir and color touch LCD display, the B150P is direct water line compatible for hassle-free use in small and medium settings. Discontinued, check out the K150P.

A super-automatic machine at a semi-automatic's price, the Krups EA8250 offers do-it-all convenience at a lower price point. Unfortunately, you might get what you pay for as the grinder and steamer tend to have issues.

An inexpensive, semi-automatic machine for beginners, the DeLonghi EC155 is all about value. Unlike similarly-priced steam espresso machines, its 15 bar pump yields authentic espresso as a stepping stone to better models.

An upgrade from Cuisinart's base entry-level model, the EM-200 adds programmability to the mix with properly-extracted shots at the push of a button and a larger 64 oz water reservoir that make it a little easier to use.

The Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza is a capsule-based espresso machine compatible with illy brand capsules. While easy to use, we don't see much reason to go with the EM-400 instead of an industry-leading Nespresso machine.

This Maxwell House medium roast is a great choice for those looking for a rich, medium roast. However, the taste may be too mild for those looking for a stronger cup.

The Nuvo Eco Manual Ceramic Roaster lets almost anyone roast coffee in their own home. Toss in your green coffee beans, find a heat source, and roast away. It makes roasting low-cost and accessible but much harder.

A UK-based roaster, Caffesso is a bargain brand. Their Nespresso-compatible capsules are among the cheapest you'll find, and that means your coffee isn't the highest quality. If you want to cut costs, go Caffesso.

The simpler of Keurig's two specialty beverage brewers, the K-Latte is a compact, entry-level way to enjoy both coffees and lattes from the comfort of your own home. (And without paying the Starbucks tax.)

Gourmesso isn't the best alternative to Nespresso or Keurig brand pods, but they are more affordable. That's Gourmesso's niche and they hit it hard. If you're looking to save on your daily habit, check out Gourmesso.

The Cuisinart EM-100 is a compact, entry-level machine with a 15 bar pump, 53 oz water reservoir, and steam nozzle for an inexpensive experience. For something similar but more user-friendly, check out the EM-200 instead.

The PowerLix Handheld milk frother delivers the most hands-on milk frothing experience for total control over your milk foam, but it isn't the most reliable or durable frother available.

When it comes to grinders, burrs always beat blades. The Hamilton Beach Grind & Brew 45501 has an integrated blade grinder, chopping serious points off its Coffee Quality score.

A sleek, customer-facing commercial brewer with a 90 oz reservoir and color touch LCD display, the B150 makes brewing simple for small and medium settings. Now-discontinued, check out the K150 or K150P instead.

A revolutionary series from Keurig, the K-Vue introduced K-Vue pods for bigger, hotter coffees. Today, all Vue brewers are discontinued. For a versatile brewer with all the extras, check out the K-Elite.

One of Keurig's original "Mini" K-Cup models, the K15 has a max 10 oz brew size with its "fill before each use" reservoir. Now discontinued, the K15 has been replaced by the slimmer K-Mini, which brews up to 12 oz K-Cups.

Once Keurig's most feature-rich brewer, the K79 Platinum Plus brews 4-12 oz coffees with a huge 72 oz reservoir and Temp Control. Now discontinued, take a look at the K-Elite. It offers everything on the K79 and a bunch more.

Keurig's first machine designed to brew lattes and cappuccinos, the Rivo has since been discontinued and replaced by the Keurig K-Cafe and K-Latte. We'd go with one of those, but you can still find the Rivo online.

The Krups XP1000 is an affordable way to enjoy concentrated, espresso-like coffee. Yes, "espresso-like" because steam espresso machines can't produce enough pressure. For authentic espresso, check out the DeLonghi EC702.

A compact grinder measuring just 3.6" wide, the Doupp Manual Coffee Grinder has a conical ceramic burr that grinds medium to course with a hand-dial grind size selector and is perfect for on-the-go grinding.

Looking for a drip coffee maker but don't need the standard 50-60 oz pot? The Capresso Mini Drip is for you. Its 25 oz brew capacity is enough for 2 large cups without wasting leftover coffee (or precious counter space).

Designed to brew single servings up to 16 oz and accommodate travel mugs up to 7" tall, the Capresso On-The-Go Personal Coffee Maker is a solid single-serve coffee maker. But why wouldn't you just get a Keurig?

Blade grinders aren't known for quality of consistency. If that's important to you, check out the KitchenAid Burr Grinder. But if you want something small, inexpensive, reliable, and convenient, check this model out.

The Capresso Ultimate PRO is an entry-level espresso machine that brews single and double shots at the push of a button and includes an integrated steam wand. Overall, it's not a great machine. Value-wise? Another story.

Once Keurig's most feature-rich brewer, the K75 Platinum brews 4-12 oz coffees with a huge 72 oz reservoir and Temp Control. Now discontinued, take a look at the K-Elite. It offers everything on the K75 and a bunch more.

Once Keurig's most feature-rich brewer, the K77 Platinum brews 4-12 oz coffees with a huge 72 oz reservoir and Temp Control. Now discontinued, take a look at the K-Elite. It offers everything on the K77 and a bunch more.

Once Keurig's most feature-rich brewer, the K70 Platinum brews 4-12 oz coffees with a huge 72 oz reservoir and Temp Control. Now discontinued, take a look at the K-Elite. It offers everything on the K70 and a bunch more.

A sleek, customer-facing commercial brewer with a 90 oz reservoir and color touch LCD display, the B155 makes brewing simple for small and medium settings. Now-discontinued, check out the K155 instead.

A revolutionary series from Keurig, the K-Vue introduced K-Vue pods for bigger, hotter coffees. Today, all Vue brewers are discontinued. For a versatile brewer with all the extras, check out the K-Elite.

Once Keurig's most feature-rich brewer, the K71 Platinum brews 4-12 oz coffees with a huge 72 oz reservoir and Temp Control. Now discontinued, take a look at the K-Elite. It offers everything on the K70 and a bunch more.

A discontinued model, the Breville BKC700XL was notable in its heyday for a 60 oz reservoir, 12 oz brew size, Iced Beverage function, and Temp Control. For an in-production alternative, check out the Cuisinart SS-10 instead.

The Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista ECMP1000 is designed to brew specialty beverages with 2 things in mind: cost and convenience. With button-push controls and a hands-off frother, it's very easy to use. Durability may be a concern.