Blog

The 8 Best Office Coffee Makers to Buy in 2018

Starting the work day is easier with a fresh cup of java

We are committed to researching, testing, and recommending the best products. We may receive commissions from purchases made after visiting links within our content.

Coffee provides a boost of energy for increased productivity during early mornings and slow afternoons at work. A reliable coffee maker is an office staple, but shopping for one can be daunting. However, you can simplify the process by focusing on specific factors. Besides the quality of the coffee it produces, the most important features of a workplace coffee maker are serving size and programmability. Most consumer-grade coffee brewers will make a full pot while others dispense a single serving at a time. Newer coffee makers are also programmable, which means that you can set features such as temperature, brew strength and on and off times. Whether you want a budget-friendly pick or a specialized cold brew machine, you’ll find a coffee maker on this list that’ll keep your employees happily caffeinated.

• Best Overall: Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer

  

  $60

  The stainless steel Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer is a super versatile coffee maker that dispenses a single serving on the left and fills up a 12-cup carafe on the right. This dual functionality suits offices divided by different coffee preferences. Employees who like specific java blends can use the single serve side. Just keep in mind when purchasing coffee that the single serve side only works with loose ground coffee or disk-shaped soft pods. In other words, it won’t take standard Keurig cups. Another handy feature on the machine is its programmability. If everyone in your office enjoys their cup of joe at the same hour each day, set a consistent daily schedule for brewing coffee. You can also make coffee at different strengths, from regular to bold.

• Best Budget: Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker

  

  $25

  If all you need is a standard machine to get the coffee going in the morning, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. At under $20, Mr. Coffee’s 12-Cup Coffee Maker is as simple as brewers come. Anyone in the office can use this no-frills machine without much trouble. All you have to do is fill the water reservoir, load the filter basket and turn on the machine. When you’re in a hurry headed to a client meeting, the Grab-A-Cup Auto function stops the brewing cycle. It allows you to remove the carafe and pour a cup of coffee without creating a mess.

  The coffee maker comes with reasonable limitations because of its lower price. You won’t be able to program temperature, volume or strength. And, of course, you won’t be able to craft premium drinks like lattes. These are relatively minor setbacks when you consider the machine’s cost.

• Best for Saving Space: Zojirushi Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker

  

  $70

  The Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker fits into small spaces like a charm, so it suits offices with less counter area. Workplaces crunched for space, like startups, will appreciate its smart design. The machine’s glass carafe houses the cone basket and thus keeps the unit compact. Its smaller size does sacrifice volume and only allows you to brew five cups of coffee at a time. That said, the water tank is easily removable for refills. When plugged in, the coffee maker features an automatic keep warm function so the water stays prepped for instant brewing. The water quality is also excellent since the Zutto’s charcoal filter purifies the water for better-tasting coffee.

• Most Programmable: Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup

  

  $77

  A programmable coffee maker allows you to customize your coffee easily and efficiently. The Cuisinart PerfecTemp Programmable Coffeemaker is designed to deliver hotter coffee without sacrificing taste. With this machine, you can adjust the temperature to your desire. You’ll also be able to control brew strength from regular to bold flavor. You can set the timer in this brewer for every 24 hours to ensure a fresh cup of joe at the same time each day. Additionally, the coffee maker includes an auto-off function between 0-4 hours so that you don’t waste energy. The glass carafe holds 14 cups, which is more than most consumer-grade machines. Brewing an ample amount of coffee prevents long lines in the office and allows everyone to get back to work quickly after fetching their morning coffee.

• Best for Cold Brew: OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker

  

  $50

  Refrigerating hot-brewed coffee is convenient, but using a cold brew machine has its perks. Cold brewing extracts the bitter flavors in coffee and yields a sweeter, less acidic taste. Loading OXO’s Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker is simple. Add coffee grounds to the brewing container and fill the top with water. The machine’s perforated top evenly distributes water over coffee grounds into the brewing chamber for maximized flavor. Then, all you have to do is allow the coffee to steep between 12 to 24 hours. Press the release switch and drain out the coffee concentrate when you’re ready to enjoy your drink. Though its name emphasizes cold brew, you can make both hot and cold coffee with this machine. Depending on what drink you want, add boiling water or ice to the concentrate.

• Best for Single Serve: Keurig K575 Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

  

  $160

  The Keurig K575 comes with a higher price tag, but its customizable features will bridge different coffee preferences in offices. The machine features adjustable brew strength and temperature. It fits multiple K-Cup pod sizes (4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces) and also works with separately sold 22-, 26-, or 32-ounce. K-Cup carafes. Consider investing in reusable K-Cups made from steel or plastic to reduce your carbon footprint. Besides allowing for different customizations and pod sizes, this brewer is relatively fast and makes coffee in under a minute. You can program the coffee maker to automatically turn on and off at certain times so that you don’t waste energy when you’re not using it.

• Best Professional-Grade: Technivorm Moccamaster

  

  $329

  If your office is full of coffee lovers, nothing will bring more joy than the top-of-the-line Moccamaster. Handmade in the Netherlands, the Moccamaster flaunts a superb design that’s guaranteed to last a lifetime. The unit includes a water reservoir, drip-stop brew basket and glass carafe. Its copper boiling element quickly heats water to keep the brewing temperature between 196 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit and turns off when there’s no more water in the reservoir. The machine brews up to 40 ounces of coffee and stops dripping when you take out the carafe. The hot plate beneath the carafe rolls heat into the coffee and makes sure that each drop stays warm. The Moccamaster also has a selection of over twenty different colors, including unique shades such as turquoise, polished silver and grape.

• Best for Craft Drinks: Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista