Imagine waking up to the rich aroma of perfectly brewed coffee, a cup that tastes like it came straight from your favorite cafe. For many of us, that’s the dream. But turning that dream into reality at home can feel like a challenge. The world of specialty coffee makers is exciting, but it’s also a bit overwhelming. So many machines promise amazing coffee, but which one actually delivers?
You want that delicious, nuanced coffee, but navigating the jargon and features can be confusing. Do you need a pour-over, an espresso machine, or something else entirely? The wrong choice can lead to wasted money and disappointing brews. We get it. That’s why we’re here to help you cut through the noise.
In this post, we’ll explore what makes a coffee maker truly “specialty” and guide you through the different types available. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of what to look for, what features matter most for your taste, and how to finally brew that perfect cup at home. Let’s dive in and discover your next favorite coffee companion!
Top Speciality Coffee Maker Recommendations
- 4 BREW STYLES: Select from one of the four, versatile brew styles: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty Brew.
- SPECIALTY BREWS: Brew a super-rich coffee concentrate that you can use to create delicious lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks.
- MAKE ICED COFFEE: Brew fresh over ice for flavorful iced coffee that's never watered down.
- 6 BREW SIZES: Brew anything from a single cup or travel size to a half or full carafe in your coffee maker. 6 sizes include Cup, XL Cup, Travel Mug, Multi-Serve Travel Mug, Half Carafe & Full Carafe.
- NO PODS REQUIRED: Use your favorite grounds to create a single-serve coffee—no reusable pod required.
- FASTER BREWING: Single-serve coffee maker brews a coffee pod faster vs. Keurig K-Elite upon startup. Compatible with K-Cups, it's perfect for a busy lifestyle while delivering optimal flavor.
- 13-SIZE DUAL COFFEE MACHINE: Grounds and pods system with 5 grounds brew sizes (Sm, XL Cup, Travel, XL Travel Mug), 4 carafe brew sizes(¼, ½, ¾, Full Carafe), and 4 traditional pod brew sizes (6-12oz).
- BREW WITH PODS OR GROUNDS: Single-serve coffee maker brews a cup of coffee with grounds for ultimate flavor or with a coffee pod for ultimate convenience in one small footprint.
- 4 BREW STYLE CHOICES + TEA: Delivers optimal flavor for hot coffee, ice coffee, or tea. Select Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty for your favorite grounds or coffee pods, or water for tea.
- THERMAL FLAVOR EXTRACTION DUO: Delivers even saturation and precise temperature control for ultra-flavorful coffee, grounds or pods.
- BREW WITH PODS OR GROUNDS: Brew a single-serve cup of coffee with grounds for ultimate flavor or with a coffee pod for ultimate convenience in one small footprint.
- 4 BREW STYLES: Select Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty for your grounds or coffee pods.
- ULTIMATE BREW VERSATILITY: Brew a 6, 8, 10, or 12-oz. pod brew or choose from a 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, or 24-oz. grounds brew.
- COMPACT DESIGN AND STORAGE: Sleek, compact design takes up little countertop space, with a storage drawer for the brew basket or permanent filter when not in use.
- COFFEEHOUSE DRINKS AT HOME: Brew a super-rich coffee concentrate that you can use to create delicious lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks.
- BARISTA PLUS TECHNOLOGY: The 19-bar pressure system delivers ultra-flavorful espresso with a silky-smooth crema by brewing at the optimal temperature and pressure.
- COFFEEHOUSE DRINKS AT HOME: The built-in, fold-away frother allows you to create espresso-based cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites, and more.
- BREW SINGLE-SERVE ESPRESSO: Choose your favorite espresso capsule and brew up to 3 styles: Espresso (1.35 oz), Lungo (3.75 oz), and Over Ice (1 oz).
- BREW THROUGH COFFEE GROUNDS: Make a Classic, Rich, or Over Ice brew. Select 9 different sizes ranging from cup, to travel mug, to a full 12-cup carafe.
- VERSATILITY TO ENTERTAIN: Treat your guests to an espresso-based coffeehouse drink or brew a 12-cup carafe for the crowd.
- 4 BREW STYLES: Select from Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and Cold Brew for coffee any way you like it.
- ICED COFFEE: Bold iced coffee flavor that's never watered down.
- COLD BREW: Smooth, fresh cold brew in as little as 10 minutes.
- 8 BREW SIZES: Small cup, regular cup, XL cup, travel size, or XL travel size. Plus, you can choose from a quarter, half, or full carafe.
- REMOVABLE RESERVOIR WITH AUTO-METERING: Easy-to-fill, removable water reservoir with auto-metering to sense water amount, so there’s no need to measure or constantly refill.
- ONE-STOP COFFEE SHOP: The Coffee Station is two coffee machines in one, perfect for any type of drip coffee, espresso, latte, and more! Use the drip coffee maker for a morning pick-me-up, or the 20-bar espresso maker for an after-dinner cappuccino.
- K-CUPS, NESPRESSO PODS, OR GROUNDS: No need to worry about which coffee or pods you can use. This K-Cup coffee maker can use ground coffee if you’re brewing a batch of drip, and it has portafilter attachments for Nespresso pods or ground espresso.
- FROTHER FOR COFFEE: The dual-direction automatic milk steamer holds up to 16 ounces of milk to make two sizes of latte or cappuccino with one touch! It easily removes from the unit to store directly in the fridge when not in use.
- VERSATILE TOUCH CONTROLS: Unlike other large coffee makers, this coffee bar comes equipped with dual-purpose controls. Use the right side to program your ideal strength and temperature, or the left to brew café-quality lattes and cappuccinos.
- 12-CUP COFFEE CARAFE: The coffee pot holds enough drip coffee to get your morning started, with a burner and an optional keep warm setting to hold temp for an hour. Or flip down the mug holder to use the Coffee Station s a single-serve coffee maker.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Brew without limits with no guesswork espresso, well-balanced drip coffee, and rapid cold brew. 2 Espresso Styles — double shot or quad shot, 3 Drip Coffee Styles—classic, rich or over ice, and 2 Cold Brew styles— cold pressed espresso or cold brew coffee (drip coffee and cold brew available in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 oz. sizes).
- BARISTA ASSIST TECHNOLOGY: Unlock the ultimate guided experience with customized grind size recommendations, weight-based dosing, and active brew adjustments for temperature & pressure for balanced flavor, deliver café-quality brews, no guesswork required.
- GRIND-SIZE RECOMMENDATIONS: Barista Assist Technology monitors each brew and gives you a grind size recommendation based on the previous brew. Prevent sour or bitter brews by following the recommended grind size.
- INTEGRATED GRINDER: The conical burr grinder has 25 grind settings to deliver a fresh, precise grind for versatile drink options for every type of bean.
- WEIGHT-BASED DOSING: Different drinks require different amounts of grounds. Our built-in scale does the work for you with weight-based dosing tailored for your chosen drink. Other machines simply grind for a set amount of time, and you need to manually weigh your grounds.
- MANUAL HAND-TEXTURED MICROFOAM: The powerful steam wand on this cappuccino maker and latte machine is designed to quickly turn milk into smooth, flavorful microfoam for creating latte art at home
- PRECISE DOSE GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder on bean-to-cup espresso machine grinds on demand to deliver correct amount of freshly ground coffee directly into portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and draws out all the flavors evenly during the extraction for a balanced-tasting espresso, latte or cappuccino
- RECEIVE 2 FREE BAGS OF SPECIALTY COFFEE: Included when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T&Cs apply
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature regulation (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, so espresso coffee maker allows for precise espresso extraction
Your Guide to Choosing a Speciality Coffee Maker
Want amazing coffee at home? A speciality coffee maker can help! These machines go beyond basic brewing. They give you more control. This means tastier, more flavorful coffee. Let’s find the perfect one for you.
What to Look For: Key Features
When you shop, keep these important things in mind.
- Brewing Method: This is the most important part. Do you like pour-over, French press, or espresso? Different machines do different things.
- Temperature Control: Coffee tastes best at a specific temperature. Look for machines that let you set or maintain the right heat.
- Grinder: Some machines have built-in grinders. This is super convenient. Freshly ground beans make a big difference in taste.
- Water Filter: Good water makes good coffee. A filter removes bad tastes and smells.
- Programmability: Want coffee ready when you wake up? Some machines let you set timers.
- Carafe Type: Glass carafes are common. Insulated carafes keep coffee hot longer without a warming plate.
What Makes it Special? Important Materials
The parts of your coffee maker matter.
- Stainless Steel: This is strong and looks good. It’s also easy to clean. Many high-quality machines use stainless steel.
- Glass: Glass is used for carafes and some brewing chambers. It lets you see the coffee. Be careful, as glass can break.
- BPA-Free Plastic: Some parts might be plastic. Make sure it’s BPA-free for your health.
- Ceramic: Some grinders or brewing parts use ceramic. Ceramic is hard and doesn’t heat up much.
Making Great Coffee: Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Little things can change your coffee a lot.
- Water Quality: Use filtered or bottled water. Tap water can have minerals that affect taste.
- Bean Freshness: Always use fresh coffee beans. Grind them right before brewing. Old beans lose their flavor.
- Grind Size: Different brewing methods need different grind sizes. Too fine or too coarse can make bad coffee.
- Brewing Time: The time water touches coffee grounds is important. Too short, and it’s weak. Too long, and it’s bitter.
- Cleanliness: A dirty coffee maker makes bad coffee. Clean your machine regularly.
Your Coffee Experience: User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you’ll use your coffee maker.
- For the Busy Bee: If you’re always in a rush, a programmable machine with a built-in grinder is ideal. You can set it the night before.
- For the Coffee Connoisseur: If you love to experiment, a pour-over setup or an espresso machine with manual controls gives you the most freedom.
- For Small Spaces: Compact machines are great if you don’t have a lot of counter space.
- For Sharing: If you make coffee for a crowd, a larger capacity carafe is a good idea.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a “speciality coffee maker”?
A: A speciality coffee maker is designed to brew coffee with more care and control. It helps you make richer, more flavorful coffee than a basic machine.
Q: Do I really need a built-in grinder?
A: A built-in grinder is very convenient. It grinds beans right before brewing, which makes your coffee taste much better.
Q: How important is temperature control?
A: Temperature control is very important for taste. Coffee needs to be brewed at a specific temperature to get the best flavor out of the beans.
Q: What is the best material for a coffee maker?
A: Stainless steel is a great material because it’s durable and easy to clean. Glass is good for seeing your coffee, but be careful with it.
Q: Can I use any coffee beans?
A: It’s best to use fresh, whole coffee beans. Grind them just before you brew for the best flavor.
Q: How often should I clean my coffee maker?
A: You should clean your coffee maker regularly, after each use if possible. This stops old coffee oils from making new coffee taste bitter.
Q: What’s the difference between a glass and an insulated carafe?
A: A glass carafe sits on a warming plate, which can burn the coffee over time. An insulated carafe keeps coffee hot without a warming plate, so the taste stays better.
Q: Is pour-over coffee harder to make?
A: Pour-over takes a little practice, but it gives you a lot of control. You pour hot water over coffee grounds by hand. Many people find it rewarding.
Q: Can a speciality coffee maker make iced coffee?
A: Some speciality coffee makers have settings for iced coffee. Others can brew strong coffee that you can then pour over ice.
Q: Are speciality coffee makers expensive?
A: They can be, but there are many options at different prices. Think about what features are most important to you to find one that fits your budget.