In the world of coffee makers, it may surprise you that there is more than just the typical ones you find in your local big box store. In fact, those coffee makers usually don’t brew coffee to the best of the beans full potential. This is mainly because the brewing temperature is cooler than it should be. The ideal temperature is between 195 F and 205 F.
The Specialty Coffee Association of America has rigorously tested home coffee brewers that are submitted to them and publishes their recommendations on their website. Surprisingly, there are only 12 home brewers that have made the cut.
The 9 parameters they evaluate are:
- Coffee Volume
- Brewing Time
- Brewing Temperature
- Beverage Preparation
- Uniformity of Performance
- Uniformity of Extraction
- Beverage Clarity
- Holding Receptacle and Temperature
- Operating Manuals and Other Instructional Materials
If you really want to nerd out, you can read all about each test on their website but as you can see, there is a lot they are testing for. Once they recommend a brewer, you can trust it will brew a quality cup of coffee. So enough of the technicalities, let’s get into these 12 Brewers one by one. For your ease, we have included links where you can find them on Amazon.
Technivorm Moccamaster
Technivorm is synonymous with long lasting coffee makers that brew exceptional coffee. Made entirely by and in the Netherlands, Technivorm says that this is the last coffee maker you will have buy. And because of Technivorm’s rigorous testing of each machine they make, they have made a name for themselves especially with the SCAA. All of their models are approved with the SCAA so depending on your budget and needs, you can find a coffee maker for you. Did I mention colors? One model even comes in up to 13 different colors and finishes. All of these brewers feature a copper boiling element to heat the water, a unique feature that sets it apart from the others.
Technivorm Moccamaster 69212 Cup-One
A one cup brewer that doesn’t use K-Cups, is it possible? Technivorm has done it with their Cup-One brewer. It uses #1 cone filters and comes with 80 to get you started. It is only 6.5″ wide and 12″ tall making it quite comparable and even a lot smaller than other single coffee brewers out there. It is the smallest brewer Technivorm makes and it easily outperforms single brewers in coffee flavor.
Features
- Brews a 10 oz cup in 4-5 minutes
- Reservoir holds enough water to brew a 10 oz cup of coffee
- Auto shut-off safety feature
- Removable cup rest to fit a variety of different cups
- Brews between 196 F – 205 F
- Brews into filters not plastic pods
The Rest Of The Brewers
10 Cup Models
All of these brewers will brew a full pot in 6-8 minutes. Technivorm uses a system of labeling their coffee brewers with specific letters. While all of these are 10 cup brewers, they vary between housing style, carafe of thermos, etc. Without explaining every single one ad nauseam, here is a simple list to help you with your decision:
- KBT
- Rectangular housing
- Thermal Carafe
- Manual-adjust drip-stop
- Auto shut-off after brew cycle
- KBGT
- Rectangular housing
- Thermal Carafe
- Auto drip-stop
- Auto shut-off after brew cycle
- KBG
- Rectangular housing with up to 13 color and finishes
- Glass Carafe
- Auto drip-stop
- Auto shut-off after 100 minutes
- Adjustable temperature control for warming plate
- KB
- Rectangular housing
- Glass Carafe
- Manual drip-stop
- Auto shut-off after 100 minutes
- Adjustable temperature control for warming plate
- CDGT
- Cylindrical housing
- Thermal Carafe
- Auto drip-stop
- Auto shut-off after brewing cycle
- CD
- Cylindrical housing
- Glass Carafe
- Manual drip-stop
- Auto shut-off after 100 minutes
- Adjustable temperature control for warming plate
- K
- Rectangular housing
- Glass Carafe
- No drip-stop
- No warming plate controls
- Auto shut-off after 100 minutes
8 Cup Models
Finally, for those who just want a basic 8 cup coffee maker, Technivorm makes 8 cup models that brew in about 6 minutes.
- KBS
- Rectangular housing
- Glass Carafe
- Manual adjust drip-stop
- No warming plate controls
- Auto shut-off after 100 minutes
- KBTS
- Rectangular housing
- Thermal Carafe
- Manual adjust drip-stop
- Auto shut-off after brewing cycle
Behmor Connected Brewer
As the name suggests, the Behmor Connected Brewer is the first smart coffee brewer certified by the SCAA. All you need to brew your coffee is literally your voice. The brewer is controlled by the free Behmor app that allows you to customizes brew temperature, pre-soak time, brew time, and altitude so you get the perfect brew. The app keeps you informed of the brewing process and texts you when it is done. It integrates with Amazon Echo which allows Alexa to be your Barista. After putting grounds and water in, simply say “Alexa, ask Behmor to make my favorite coffee.” It’s a little over the top in that way but hey, it’s fun to control machines with your voice. Of course, it can still be controlled manually but this is definitely the most technologically advanced certified brewer out there.
Features:
- Temperature controls allow 1 degree brewing temperature adjustments
- Altitude calibrations allow for accurate brewing
- Water pulses into beans to ensure full immersion and extraction of beans
- Pre-soak function
- 8 cup stainless steel carafe keeps coffee at optimal temperature
- Easy to use app connects coffee maker to wifi to control the brewer
Behmor Brazen 8 Cup Coffee Maker
The biggest difference between the Behmor Brazen and the Connected Brewer is that the Brazen is controlled by the controls on the brewer and not with an app. You can still control the temperature, altitude, and pre-soak time and it still brews a great cup of coffee.
Features
- Temperature controls allow 1 degree brewing temperature adjustments
- Altitude calibrations allow for accurate brewing
- Water pulses into beans to ensure full immersion and extraction of beans
- Pre-soak function
- 8 cup stainless steel carafe keeps coffee at optimal temperature
- Programmable through the buttons on the face of the brewer, delay start or control the variations in your brewing preference.
KitchenAid Pour Over Coffee Brewer
KichenAid successfully made two certified coffee brewers, one digital and the other non-digital. Both automatically mimic and brew pour overs making it convenient and satisfying in the result. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and brews amazing pour over coffee that you don’t have to fuss with to get.
KCM0801
This 8 cup brewer is the non-digital version and features a display of where it is in the brewing process as it brews. It brews between 198 F and 204 F and the design allows for minimal heat loss as it travels to the carafe. It is pretty straightforward and easy to use but it is not programmable for a delay start.
Features:
- 8 cup brewing capacity
- One-touch start
- Heats water between 198 F – 204 F
- Mimics pour over process by infusing the grounds initially so they bloom before infusing the rest of the way
KCM0802
This is the updated model that features a digital display and allows you to customize the quantity, roast level, and up to a 24 hour delay start so you can wake up to your coffee in the morning. The roast level option allows you to select between medium and dark roasts so that the different subtleties can come out in the flavor of the brewed coffee. Similar in design to the above model, there is minimal temperature loss. Again, it blooms the coffee, evenly saturates the grounds, and then steeps the coffee for precisely the right time so you can have the taste of pour-over in a home coffee brewer.
Features:
- 8 cup brewing capacity
- Customizable controls with digital display
- Roast selection between medium and dark
- Brew amount
- Digital display of brewing process
- 24 hour programmable delay
Bonavita Coffee Makers
Bonavita makes 2 certified coffee makers a digital and non-digital model. Both are certified so it really just depends on what you like out of your coffee maker. They are also both a lot more affordable then the other brewers we have talked about so far.
Bonavita BV1900TS
The Bonavita BV1900TS is an 8 cup brewer with a stainless steel insulated carafe. When you are brewing your coffee, the best thing you can do is keep it warm without cooking it. And while we recommend you drink your coffee no less than 30 minutes after it brews for the best taste. We understand that sometimes, you want the flexibility and ability to sip on your coffee and still be able to refill your cup. It also has an optional pre-infusion setting that will bloom the grounds so they brew best.
Features
- 8 cup stainless steel carafe
- One touch brew button with optional pre-infusion setting
- Flat bottomed brew basket and large shower head ensure coffee is fully infused
- Brews between 195F – 205F with a powerful 1500W heating element
Bonavita BV1900TD Digital Coffee Brewer
The Bonavita BV1900TD is the digital model of Bonavita’s previous model. And while the above model is one-touch start, this one is programmable. A big plus for those of us that like to set our brewers up the night before.
Features
- 8 cup stainless steel carafe
- Digital controls with programmable delay start
- Optional pre-infusion setting
- Flat bottomed brew basket and large shower head
- Brews between 195 F – 205 F with powerful 1500W heating element
Oxo Coffee Makers
Oxo has also developed 2 certified coffee brewers and they are as different as night and day, if that is possible. The 9 Cup model is your typical coffee brewer but the 12 Cup model has a removable kettle that allows you to not only brew your coffee, but heat water for tea. Both are controlled by a micro-processor to brew coffee to exactly your pour-over specifications. It pre-soaks the grounds to allow them to bloom and off gas and then monitors the time, temperature and volume from beginning to end.
Oxo On Barista Brain 9 Cup Coffee Maker
Oxo’s 9 Cup coffee maker is both attractive and unique in its design elements. It has a backlit display on its black cylindrical body and you can watch your water pump up and bubble from the water reservoir to the shower head. It also displays how fresh the coffee is after it brews. This is a nice feature in case someone else starts the pot and you want to know how long ago it was brewed. It also keeps you informed along the way as it is brewing.
Features
- Microprocessor controls the brew process to effectively and accurately brew between 2 – 9 cups of coffee (2 cups is a single serve coffee serving in case you just want enough for you)
- Water is heated and held within the reservoir between 197.6F – 204.8F
- Rainmaker shower head ensures proper grounds saturation and full flavor extraction
- Dial allows you to select the number of cups you are brewing as well as a programmable start time
- Stainless steel carafe keeps coffee hot, even hotter if you preheat the carafe before brewing and pours like a dream
- Auto-stop actually stops the brewing process for up to 60 seconds until the carafe is replaced
Oxo On Barista Brain 12 Cup Coffee Maker with Removable Kettle
The Oxo 12 cup coffee maker has much of the same features as the 9 cup but with the flexibility of a tea kettle as well. It even has a setting to brew coffee or just heat water for tea.
Features
- Microprocessor controls the brew process and accurately brews between 4 – 12 cups of coffee
- Kettle is made of borosilicate glass for pristine flavor and easily removes in case you are brewing for tea
- Water is heated and held for the perfect temperature 197.6F – 204.8F for coffee, 175F – 212F for tea depending on menu selection
- Rainmaker shower head evenly distributes water to evenly saturate and extract the best flavor
- Programmable delay function allows you to wake up to you perfectly brewed coffee in the morning
- Freshness indicator as well as brewing indicator keeps you informed about the coffee brewing process and when the coffee was brewed
- Auto-stop stops the brewing process up to 60 seconds until carafe is replaced
Wilfa Precision Coffee Maker
Of all the Coffee brewers we have seen so far, the Norwegian designed Wilfa actually looks like a pour over machine. The water reservoir resembles a beaker rather than your typical tank and the water is pumped through the tubes into the filter basket that sits on the carafe.
Features
- Removable water reservoir allows you to fill it at your sink for the precise amount of coffee to water ratio which is printed on the side.
- Flow control on the bottom of the brew basket lets you control and customize how much saturation you want
- 10 Cup capacity glass carafe sits on a hot plate to keep your coffee warm
- Manual drip-stop on the bottom of the filter basket shuts off any drips that might occur after the brewing cycle is over
- Child safety lock, prevents accidental operation
BUNN Heat N Brew 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
The Bunn Heat N Brew coffee maker is Bunn’s only certified coffee maker. It uses their special heat and release technology thermometer to monitor the brewing temperature the entire time. It won’t release water into the coffee until the correct temperature is reached. The carafe is also specially designed to not drip when pouring by using a unique plastic piece at the end to actually retract the coffee when you stop pouring. The shower head is also lime scale resistant so it will function longer without descaling.
Features
- 10 cup glass carafe that will not drip when pouring
- 6 stream lime scale resistant shower head
- Cleaning indicator helps you keep your brewer in optimal condition
- Programmable start allows you to set it for those busy mornings
Cuisinart Pour Over Coffee Brewer
Our last coffee maker is the Cuisinart Pour Over Coffee Maker and it has some great controls over the brewing process. You can select your flavor strengths from mild, medium, and bold as well as hot and extra hot. It also comes with two carafe options, glass or stainless.
Features
- 8 cup capacity with either glass or stainless carafe
- 24 hour Programmable delay start, shut off, or self clean
- Flavor strength selections of mild, medium, or bold
- Temperature selection of hot and extra hot
- “Brew Pause” function stops the brewing process so you can pour yourself a cup
- Laser etched stainless steel permanent filter and takes #4 filters
Wow, That Is A Lot To Choose From
You made it through that long list! There are many brewers to choose from and each offers a little bit different options in their elements, selections and style. Each of these brewers have undergone the rigorous testing process that the SCAA puts them through. Each brewer will give you a quality cup of coffee and the assurance that you are brewing your quality beans to the best of their ability. As always, make sure you are using freshly roasted beans and grinding them fresh for the best tasting coffee.