Introducing smart gadgets to the kitchen can help simplify your daily routine, and that rings true particularly when it comes to a morning cup of joe. A smart coffee maker allows users to easily control settings and brewing times with a smartphone connected over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Smart coffee makers also allow for the customization of drink preferences, ensuring a brew that is the right strength, temperature, and size. This list includes some of the best smart coffee makers that make brewing coffee a cinch.
- BEST OVERALL: Hamilton Beach Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Atomi Smart Coffee Maker – WiFi-Compatible
- BEST ESPRESSO: Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine
- BEST XL: Breville-Nespresso USA BEC750BLK Nespresso Expert
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Smart Coffee Maker
Shopping for the best coffee maker takes a little bit of know-how. Here are vital considerations to keep in mind.
Easy Use
Choosing a smart coffee maker that is easy to use is essential. Some machines require complicated or intricate programming. Look for an appliance that has a simple setup, intuitive buttons, and an included user manual. A coffee maker with a compatible app should be easy to use. A one-touch manual display is also convenient.
Capacity
Smart coffee makers are available in a variety of sizes and coffee capacities. A smart drip coffee maker can brew up to 12 cups of coffee. A smart espresso maker can often brew a single shot of espresso, a double shot, or a standard cup of coffee for an Americano-style drink.
Compatibility/Connection
Another critical factor to consider is how the machine connects to smart-enabled devices. Some coffee makers communicate through an app on a smartphone with Bluetooth, while others may need to connect to Wi-Fi. There are also Alexa- or Google-assistant-compatible machines for those with a smart home device that responds to voice commands. The coffee makers that work with Alexa or Google may require an additional device to work properly.
Customization
One of the most significant advantages of a smart brewer is the ability to customize its settings. Many have programmable start times that can have coffee brewed and waiting in the morning— or any other time of day. It’s also common for smart coffee makers to feature options for brew strength, amount of coffee, and even style of coffee if the machine has an espresso or milk-frothing component.
Maintenance
The maintenance of smart brewers—after each use—is comparable to other coffee makers and usually requires the careful washing of removable parts, such as the coffee carafe and filter basket if it’s reusable. Many are dishwashable. Be careful with the base of the machine, as incorrect washing may damage the electrical connection.
Espresso and cappuccino machines are more intricate machines and require special attention. The key espresso machine components that need to be carefully washed include the basket, damper, milk carafe, and frothing wand. However, these machines often feature an internal self-cleaning mechanism or a reminder when it is time for a deep clean to make maintenance a little more convenient.
Scheduling
Smart coffee makers are convenient because they allow for the scheduling of brew times. That way, a piping-hot cup of coffee is ready just as you’re ready to start the day. Some appliances have manual scheduling on the machine itself, while others are controlled over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Some smart coffee makers will have both.
Additional Features
Other features may include customized drink sizes, brew strengths, or temperature settings. Some machines may feature a milk-frothing wand for manually making beverages with heated milk and foam. Others may have an automatic milk and foam dispenser for easy homemade cafe favorites like cappuccinos and lattes. Some smart coffee machines can even make other beverages, like tea.
Our Top Picks
These top picks of smart drip coffee makers and espresso machines should satisfy the need for caffeine.
Photo: amazon.com
This Hamilton Beach kitchen appliance is a drip coffee maker that’s smart and utilizes the convenience of Amazon’s Alexa. Users can issue voice commands for various functions, such as brewing coffee, setting the time, changing the brew strength, and turning off the brewer.
This machine also has easy-to-use control buttons to manage the same functions. Hamilton Beach’s Smart Coffee Maker has a dishwasher-safe, 12-cup glass carafe. Refilling the machine with water and coffee grounds is easy with the specially designed front-facing reservoirs.
Photo: amazon.com
The Atomic Smart Coffee Maker is a budget-friendly gadget that can be conveniently controlled from Atomi’s simple app. The app can be downloaded from the Apple Store and Google Play. From the app, create a customized brewing schedule, change the clock, select the brewing strength, and turn on and off the machine.
There is also an LED digital display on the coffee maker for manual control for double the convenience. Smart features aside, this machine comes complete with a reusable filter and a dishwasher-safe glass carafe with a 12-cup capacity.
The Nespresso Coffee and Espresso Machine uses coffee capsules and can brew different types and quantities of coffee based on the capsule selected. The machine automatically reads the barcode on the coffee capsule to brew a quality cup of coffee that is the right size, temperature, and strength.
Brewing is as simple as choosing a pod and pressing the “on” button. This machine can brew a single or double shot of espresso, and a 5-, 8-, or 14-ounce cup of coffee. The water tank is removable for deep cleaning and can hold up to 54 ounces of water.
Photo: amazon.com
Compatible with most Bluetooth devices, the Breville-Nespresso Espresso Coffee Maker is a smart kitchen appliance that allows users to customize their coffee experience from the convenience of a cellphone. With the wireless connection, it’s easy to set a morning brew time for coffee that’s ready when it’s time to wake up. This extra-large coffee maker can brew in four sizes that range from an espresso shot to a standard cup of coffee.
There are also three temperature settings to choose from—medium, hot, and extra hot. Although this machine is large, it has a flat design that sits flush against the wall to help save space on countertops. Nespresso coffee capsules are needed to brew, and the removable water tank holds up to 37 ounces of water.
FAQs About Your New Smart Coffee Maker
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding smart coffee makers.
Q: Can you connect to a smart coffee maker through Wi-Fi?
There are different connection capabilities for smart coffee makers, and some can connect to Wi-Fi, while others utilize Bluetooth.
Q: Do I have to clean my smart coffee maker every day?
Many coffee makers have self-cleaning elements, but there will always be components that should be washed after each use, such as the coffee carafe, milk canister, and milk frothing wand.
Q: How much coffee can a smart coffee maker produce?
The amount of coffee a smart coffee maker can produce varies from appliance to appliance. There are smart drip machines that brew up to 12 cups of coffee, and espresso or cappuccino machines that can brew a single shot of espresso or a standard cup of coffee.
