Here’s a list of the best coffee makers based on a coffee drinker’s means, needs, and desires.

Domestic use – Easy and economical:

Krups KM1000 Programmable Coffee Maker for about $79

Comments: I know, $79 isn’t exactly cheap, but for the price you get a quality Krups coffee maker that won’t go bad for a couple of months. It has digital controls, water filtration and a programmable automatic shutdown system from 1 to 5 hours. Krups has been making quality coffee makers for years. They’ve slipped a bit of late in recent years, but they’ve gotten back to knowing their quality game, and this is one of their newer models.

Domestic use: easy and semi-expensive:

Zojirushi Fresh Brew Thermal Coffee Maker for about $99

Comments: Zojirushi is not a common brand, but in the coffee business, they are known for making the best thermal aerosols and carafes. Thermal is the way to go for fresher-tasting coffee, and Zojirushi features a double-walled thermal carafe that’s larger (52 oz.) than most other models, the best brew temperature of any comparably priced model, and sprays water evenly over the ground coffee to ensure a good overall extraction.

Home Use – Some Work = Great Coffee:

Chemex Classic 10-cup coffee maker for around $50

Comments: No plug, no buttons, just a glass vase. It was invented by a chemist, but it looks like a work of art. All you have to do is insert a filter, add the coffee grounds, and pour very hot water through the grounds. It takes work, but it makes very good coffee because the water and coffee only touch Chemex’s special filter paper and glass, so there are no metallic or plastic tastes. Most home coffee makers brew at too low a temperature, making the coffee weak and slightly sour; That problem is eliminated with this coffee maker.

Domestic Use – Single Serving:

Krups Dolce Gusto for about $169

Comments: In recent years we have gone from the first to the second generation of single-dose coffee makers. Everyone has been entering the market, and the Dolce Gusto is the entry of Krups. A single-serve machine is only as good as the capsules it uses: Dolce Gusto uses capsules from Nestlé, who have years of experience in both coffee and cocoa.

Small office – Low price:

Bunn VP17-1 for around $240

Comments: Commercial quality and entry price. A basic warmer with lots of stainless steel, and built to make good coffee and last for years. Comes with Bunn’s great 2-year parts and 1-year labor warranty.

Small Office – Excellent Cafe:

Bunn CW15-TC Pourover Garrafer Brewer for around $330

Comments: For a little more money than the VP17, you can make it in a thermal carafe. The quality of the coffee will more than make up for the extra money spent. Note: Decanters are sold separately and cost $30-$70.

Commercial or office use – Waterline connection:

Bunn SmartWAVE APS Brewer for around $480

Comments: SmartWave brewers offer an excellent thermal brewer that can be brewed in carafes or airports at a lower price than most automatic brewers (hooked on to the waterline). Lots of digital controls.

Cafeteria Quality Coffee:

Bunn ICB Brewers, Curtis ThermoPro Brewers, Fetco Extractor Brewers for $800 and More

Comments: These are not just for coffee shops, they are also used in offices, restaurants, churches, etc. The coffee is great because the technology is there: they infuse the coffee with hot water to extract the most flavor from the beans, they brew it at the right temperature, they moisten the beans evenly, they pour for the right amount of time, etc. It is worth the money if you want the best coffee.

Commercial grinding and preparation:

Grindmaster Grind’n Brew for around $2000

Comments: Half the equation to making great coffee is having the coffee freshly ground. These machines complete that equation.

Machines that do everything:

Franke Super-Automatics and Bunn Tigers for $5000 and up

Comments: These machines can make any size coffee, espresso, latte or cappuccino at the touch of a button. Some of them can even make frozen drinks.