Some folks are happy with the battered old Mr. Coffee they bought at a yard sale. Some will only drink from a glass-with-plunger French press or a beloved Chemex pour-over. But does the type of coffee maker you use really make that much difference to the mix of beans and water? We talked to coffee experts — even one “coffee sommelier” — to get their insights on the right equipment to buy and how to use it best.
According to Rocco Carulli, owner and executive of Miami-based restaurant R House, the type of maker you use does matter. “Good equipment gives you control, and control allows the coffee to shine,” he added. “The type of maker you use has a huge impact on flavor, aroma and body. Each brewing method changes how the coffee’s oils, acids and aromatics are extracted.”
“A good machine doesn’t just push hot water through; it keeps temperature and pressure consistent to bring out coffee’s natural sweetness, depth and complexity,” he said. But there isn’t one “right” sort of maker, Carulli said. “It depends on what you love. Some people go for the purity and clarity of pour-over; others love the body and intensity of espresso.”
From drip machines to espresso makers, here’s how the coffee maker affects the flavor.
Ted Chan is managing editor of the website Coffee Roast, and he describes himself as a “coffee sommelier.” “I’ve tried more than 1,500 different coffee beans in the past few years, across all different types of coffee makers,” he said.
He laid out a progression of types of makers, saying, “I tend to bucket them by intensity and control, knowing that the trade-off for control is usually convenience. For instance, you get less control with most drip machines, but it’s less work than making pour-over.”
Chan outlined the differences among makers: “At one end are gentle, low-pressure methods, such as pour-over and drip machines, where water flows slowly through the coffee bed for balanced extraction and clarity. Immersion brewers, such as the French press, increase contact intensity by allowing grounds to steep fully in water, yielding a heavier body.”
“Moka pots and percolators take it up a notch with steam-driven pressure, producing bolder, sometimes harsher flavors,” he continued. “You also don’t get much control with these methods. At the extreme are espresso machines, which force hot water through fine grounds at high pressure, creating short, concentrated shots with emulsified oils and a syrupy texture. A high-end espresso machine also offers a high level of control, allowing for the best of both worlds.”
Coffee makers influence flavor in different ways.
Drip
Leo Yuffa, president and chief operating officer at Colorado-based coffee roaster Dazbog Coffee Co., called this type of maker “one of the most convenient methods for those who appreciate consistency and automation.” What kind of taste can you expect? “It’s clean and balanced, with moderate acidity and a smooth texture,” he said.
Carulli agreed: “Drip machines are simple and consistent, producing a lighter, cleaner flavor.” He has a favorite brand, too, calling the Technivorm Moccamaster “hard to beat.” “It keeps heat and timing precise, which makes a huge difference in taste,” he said.
K-Cup
Yuffa said this is the fastest and most convenient option, but called it “inferior in flavor to manual methods.” While it makes coffee quickly, it doesn’t make it particularly well. “The coffee is of standard quality, with limited depth of flavor and little aroma,” he said. “It’s a good option for the office or for those who don’t want to spend time brewing.”
French Press
Introduced in France in 1852, this “heritage” maker has many fans among coffee experts, including Mark Janasik, founder of Southern Grounds coffeehouse. “When I’m not at one of our shops, which have La Marzocco espresso machines, I prefer a French press for my daily brewing method,” he said. “It’s a low-tech and high-taste gadget that allows for full immersion of coffee grounds in hot water. It has a metal filter instead of the traditional paper filter, which allows more of the coffee’s natural oil and fine particles to pass into the cup, contributing to deeper flavors, in my opinion, and a greater mouthfeel.”
According to Carulli, “French presses create a richer, heavier brew with more texture, one that emphasizes chocolatey, nutty, or spicy undertones. It’s the perfect coffee maker for darker roasts.”
Pour-Over
Lauren Abendroth is the director of R&D at Death Wish Coffee Co., and she says this type of maker tends to be a favorite among coffee experts. “It’s your best bet to bring out nuanced flavors within a specific coffee and it’s especially great if you want to taste specific flavor notes from single-origin coffees,” she said. “It’s a method that allows you to control all variables for optimal extraction, including water temperature, grind size and coffee-to-water contact time.”
Carulli added, “Pour-over systems are about clarity and brightness, and they bring out subtle, high-end flavor notes.” For specific model recommendations, Chan said, “I’m perfectly happy with my Hario v60 and Chemex for pour-over.”
Moka pot
Yuffa noted that one drawback of this maker is it doesn’t always produce consistent results. “Also, because of the high temperature used, the coffee often ends up slightly burnt,” he said. “The flavor is intense, with sharp notes, somewhat reminiscent of a weak espresso.”
Carulli grew up with this Italian stovetop maker at home. He describes the flavor it produces as “something between espresso and drip.” “It’s strong, bold, and a bit rustic,” he said.
Espresso machines
This machine produces “dense, creamy shots that feel luxurious and balanced when done right,” Carulli said. “Espresso machines bring intensity and balance, capturing the full flavor spectrum in one small cup.”
Chan has a brand to recommend: “It’s an Italian prosumer model called La Spaziale Lucca A53.” (Note: A prosumer is an amateur who purchases equipment with quality or features suitable for professional use). “It’s for someone who wants to control every step of the process from bean to cup,” he added.
Sticker shock warning: The “Mini V2,” designed for home use, costs $2,500. And while Chen loves it, he also notes, “I’m quite jealous of the quality and appearance of one of my friends’ Slayer espresso maker. “It not only looks fabulous but also makes outstanding espresso,” he said. Prices for that brand start at $11,580.
No matter the type of coffee maker, make sure it gets water good and hot.
No matter which maker is the best fit for your lifestyle, one thing to check is that it heats water well. “Most home machines don’t get the water hot enough for the extraction process, and that’s important, because most people find that coffee made from hotter water has more intense flavors,” said Shawn Steiman, author of “Coffee: A Comprehensive Guide to the Bean, the Beverage, and the Industry.”
“If you’re shopping for an electric drip maker, look for one that’s more than 1,200 watts. If you’re boiling water yourself, check that it’s at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re heating the water yourself, you’ll have more control over the temperature, and that’s an important part of making coffee,” he said.
So, how important are the coffee beans?
Brian Abernathy is a master roaster at Grumpy Goat Coffee in Bonita Springs, Florida. He’s an artisan micro-roaster who sources coffee beans from around the world. His hot take centers on the beans, and he said, “No amount of investment in fancy brewing equipment can overcome using low-quality coffee beans. Coffee lovers should source fresh-roasted, fully traceable and specialty-grade beans to ensure they’re getting the optimal coffee experience, regardless of what type of machine and method they prefer to brew with.”
And after you buy those beans, you need to treat them right, said National Coffee Association CEO Bill Murray. “Regardless of brewing method, maximum freshness can be achieved by grinding whole coffee beans immediately before brewing,” he said. “The longer coffee will be in contact with water during the brewing process, the coarser the grind should be. Espresso, for example, brews in just seconds, so it requires a fine coffee grind. On the other hand, cold brew, which can take hours to prepare, typically requires a coarse grind.”
“If you’ve just bought a coffee maker, be sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications for the type of grind,” Steiman said. “The grind and particle size will influence the rate of extraction.”
Coffee is ‘a moment of joy that anchors your day.’
If you’re looking for the one “right” way to brew coffee, these experts say you’re approaching things the wrong way. That decision is all in your own hands — and taste buds.
“Coffee is personal, and the good news is there’s a type of coffee for everyone,” Murray said. “The same goes for coffee brewing methods, too. I encourage people to try out different types of coffee makers to find out which one works best for them.”
“It’s not just fuel, it’s a pause, a moment of joy that anchors your day,” Carulli added.