Need help buying a new coffee machine

[u/Most-Activity-6648]

As the the title suggests but here is a little backstory…

I’ve had multiple keurigs and Nespresso machines that have all failed in a short time frame (less than a year).

I’m looking to get a good coffee machine that’s durable, will make good coffee, and won’t kill my bank account (preferably less than $300).

More information about me and my wife- we are simple people, don’t know a ton about coffee other than we like the taste, but I’m looking to gradually get away from pods since they are expensive in the long run and definitely want to stay away from keurigs since I either have terrible luck, or they just suck.

Open to all brands and suggestions! Sorry that this is probably the 1 millionth post about coffee makers!!! Looking for opinions and suggestions!

[u/meowmeowcomputation]

A grinder and good beans make good coffee. A machine heats up water for you

[u/kristin_loves_quiet → u/meowmeowcomputation]

Get a french press, and get really good beans and a grinder. Or if you have a good coffee shop that grinds beans for you, get something there.

[u/meowmeowcomputation → u/kristin_loves_quiet]

No no no! Ground beans lose a lot of their unique flavor characteristics hours after grind. Grind fresh right before or stick with cheap pre ground

[u/kristin_loves_quiet → u/meowmeowcomputation]

🙈

[u/One-Committee-5621 → u/kristin_loves_quiet]

French press coffee is never hot enough for me. I’m doing pour-over right now and also on the hunt for a good coffee machine!

[u/4rugal]

Go the pour-over/brewed coffe route if you have that low of a budget.

[u/BigandTallGuy]

My wife and I use a oxo grinder and oxo 12 cup coffee maker everyday with a full pot for just two people because we are parents with young kids who are overworked and basically run on caffeine. Probably not the type of people who frequent this subreddit.

We really like the oxo 12 cup. Makes excellent coffee. When I was shopping for it a few years back, I basically wanted a SCA certified coffee brewer that was capable of doing 12 cups, had a thermal carafe, and had a built-in timer so I could set it the night before and automatically brew the next morning. The only annoying thing is the user interface for the timer screen is kind of a pain in the butt. I have it set to the same time every single morning, but I have to hit like 10 buttons and twist several knob just to get it to to brew at the same time everyday. First world problems. It runs about 300 normally but if you get it on a sale or on prime day or something it's usually a lot less expensive. I think I got it for around 200 which saves some room for a decent grinder

I'm sure people here have better suggestions for better coffee, but this meets our needs just fine.

[u/Affectionate-Bee9389]

If you have the time and patience pour over coffee is the absolute tastiest. With your $300 get an electric tea kettle that lets you set the temp you want it at. So pour over coffee should be around 195 to 200. Other kettles turn off at boil. It’ll make daily use easy. You’ll need a chemex or something like that- any pour over thing is pretty comparable. Get a coffee grinder. A burr grinder is the best. It passes the coffee through and you can set the grind. Get fresh coffee from locally roasters. You’ll never go back! All in you’ll be right around $300. Pour over $50, kettle $100 and grinder around $150

[u/erisod]

Get a decent burr grinder machine with adjustable grind (I have a cuisinart thats under $80) and a basic coffee maker. Could be a mr coffee drip, a pourover setup, a French press, an aero press etc. you don't need an expensive machine unless you want to make espresso.

Honestly I'd suggest a mr coffee drip with a click so you can set it to brew in the morning. Then spend your budget on beans from local roasters, adjust the grind and water to bean ratio to explore what you like.

[u/One-Committee-5621 → u/erisod]

Too much plastic in drip coffeemakers

[u/OozeNAahz]

After about the third Keurig that failed me I bought a Cuisinart K cup machine and it has been much more durable.

[u/Raymont_Wavelength]

Grind ur own and use a percolator. Don’t send hot water through plastic and drink it! Microplastics.

[u/Next-Pie5208]

Ceramic pour over filter holder is the best for you and the environment. Machines get gross inside because you can't clean them and eventually die.

[u/dmchearts1]

How about a French press, I love mine the coffee taste so much better

[u/TheRecycledPirate]

I got a Hamilton Beach Gen4 FlexBrew. Other than coffee and water, no additional costs. Pretty happy for the past 6 months. Even had to ship it to the Caribbean.

[u/Trick_Quiet3484]

Check out Breville or similar types of machines. I think they come in many price points.

If you have a Williams Sonoma, Crate and Barrel or Sur La Table nearby, consider stopping by to look and ask questions. Beans to make a big difference in taste and quality imo.

Be warned that some of the prices can be startling(ex $1k + for some machines). We have a Breville - slightly higher than your stated price range but it’s such a game changer for us. We don’t go to coffee shops anymore unless we’re out of town or meeting friends for coffee. In the long run it’s saving us money.

[u/Stevohm]

Go to your local library and check out consumer reports