Types and Styles of Coffee Makers

Whether you're an avid coffee lover or just an average joe junkie, choosing a coffee maker can get complicated. There are several styles and brands on the market to choose from, and purchasing the right one for your needs is important.

In the list below, we've outlined the most common types of coffee makers and what you can expect from each one, as well as popular brands that produce good models of each type.

Drip Coffee Makers The majority of people who own coffee makers own drip machines. They are the standard coffee maker for those who just want a basic cup of joe without all the bells and whistles. Drip coffee makers are generally on the low end of the price range, although you can buy high-end models with extra features that drive up the cost. In general terms, a drip coffee maker works by forcing heated water through a paper filter, which is filled with ground coffee. The result is quick and efficient, which explains why these coffee makers remain so popular even in the face of more advanced machines. While most coffee maker brands produce some variety of drip coffee maker, you'll find that some brands do it better than others. Bunn has been producing high quality, low-priced drip coffee makers for many years; if you want something a little more sophisticated, look for a Krups or a Capresso machine.

Pod Coffee Makers
A new twist on an old classic,pod coffee makers work in much the same way as electric drip machines, with a few key differences. A pod coffee maker is designed to hold a single "pod" of coffee, which is a single-serving sized package of coffee grounds. The pod is put into the machine, and a low amount of pressure (less than an espresso machine, but more than a drip machine) is used to force the water through the grounds. This pressure results in a super-fast brew and also leaves a froth of foam on top of your cup. The taste of coffee from pod machines is extremely fresh (since you make one cup at a time, there's no time for it to get stale); the speed of the brew is also a major plus. But if you're someone who likes to brew several cups at once, you'll have to get used to the pod system. Keep in mind that you'll still be able to drink as many cups as you'd like, since they brew so quickly; you will just have to brew each one separately. Considering the wonderful taste of pod coffee, you may decide it's worth the slight hassle. Bunn makes wonderful, mid-priced pod coffee makers; also look for easy-to-use machines by DeLonghi.

French Press Coffee Makers
The French press is one of the purest ways to brew coffee, and is meant for the true connoisseur. With a French press machine, fresh coarsely ground coffee is poured directly into the carafe of water. The water is then heated on a stovetop, allowing the coffee to brew in the water; once it's reached the correct temperature, you simply push down the plunger assembly on the machine. The plunger filters and forces the coffee grounds down to the bottom of the carafe and holds them there, leaving you to enjoy the coffee. Because of the direct contact between the coffee and the water, French press machines produce amazingly strong and refreshingly clean-tasting coffee, with no paper filters or dripping mechanisms to affect the taste. Look for high quality French press machines from companies like Bodum and Bonjour.

Vacuum Coffee Makers
This one is for the history buffs as well as the coffee lovers! Vacuum coffee makers were extremely popular before the advent of drip machines, and they are making a comeback today thanks to the extremely pure, sediment-free coffee they are able to produce. These coffee makers consist of two separate units- an upper and a lower pot- which sit one on top of the other with a tube hanging between them.

Coffee grounds are added to the upper pot; meanwhile, the lower pot is filled with water and set over a heating unit, such as a stovetop burner. Once the water boils, the two units are sealed together, at which point the boiling water travels up the tube and into the coffee grounds up top, causing the brewing process.

These coffee makers are not only fun to watch; they also give you complete control over the brewing time and temperature. This means you can make a great-tasting cup, every time... after some practice, of course. Finding high quality vacuum coffee makers can be difficult; check out machines made by Bodum.