xBloom Studio
(Credit: xBloom)
If you're like me, you need coffee in your system to function in the morning. The problem is that the times you most need coffee tend to be when you're the least capable of operating appliances. Or maybe you're just unable to make a cup that tastes as good as your local coffee shop. No matter the issue, it would be ideal if you could just summon the perfect cup using your phone so that it's waiting for you when you walk into the kitchen. The good news is, you can. Smart coffee makers have been around for over a decade, and we've been testing them for just as long. While they haven't eclipsed non-connected coffee makers in popularity, they offer much more control and convenience than conventional models. These are the ones we think are worth buying.
Best for Precise Pour-Overs
xBloom Studio
Why We Picked It
Good pour-overs are hard to do and best performed with a skilled hand holding a gooseneck kettle that can precisely adjust the water's temperature. Or, you can use the xBloom Studio, which pours fantastic cups of fresh coffee to your specifications. It's pretty expensive, but it automates grinding and brewing to the degree, the milliliter, and the gram. It makes a darn good cup of coffee.
Who It's For
This is the coffee machine to get if you're a picky coffee drinker who prefers pour-over to espresso. You can use your own beans or grounds or xBloom's own compostable pods of whole beans from a wide range of independent roasters.
Best for Alexa Voice Control
Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker
Why We Picked It
The Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker didn't wow us in testing, but it's perfectly serviceable and one of the cheaper models out there. It works with Alexa voice controls and doesn't take up a lot of space on the counter.
Who It's For
The Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker is for people who value simplicity. It's a drip coffee maker with a carafe that also just happens to support Alexa. Mr. Coffee doesn't currently sell app-controlled models, so this is the next best thing.
Most Stylish Design
Cafe Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
Why We Picked It
The Cafe Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker stands out as one of the most aesthetically pleasing smart coffee makers we've seen, thanks to its freestanding water tank and copper accents. This machine grinds beans fresh, and its app lets you schedule brewing times and even decide how long each brew should bloom.
Who It's For
This coffee maker is for anyone who doesn't want to deal with pods, wants an attractive, sleek appliance on their counter, and expects freshly ground beans for each cup. While it's more expensive than the iCoffee grind-and-brew machine on this list, it's also much nicer to look at.
Best for Grinding Beans on a Budget
iCoffee Remote Brew
Why We Picked It
The iCoffee Remote Brew offers some nice perks, including a built-in grinder and integrations with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It also boasts an interchangeable faceplate (available in black, silver, or white) so you can match it to your kitchen's decor. Its 1.5-liter capacity (about 6 cups) falls short of the Cafe Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker (10 cups) and the Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker (12 cups).
Who It's For
Though still quite pricey, this is one of the most affordable smart coffee machines that grinds whole beans, and the swappable faceplates are a nice bonus. That said, households with several coffee drinkers may want a larger-capacity machine.
Best Connected Keurig
Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart Coffee Maker
Why We Picked It
Single-serving coffee pod machines might be losing their luster, but they're still a convenient way to make coffee, and you can always use a reusable filter instead of the pods. The Wi-Fi-based Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart is one of the company's more clever appliances: It combines the ease of coffee pods with the customizability of an app. The app lets you schedule your brews and choose from five different levels of intensity and six different temperature settings.
Who It's For
If you want to specify exactly how your single-serving coffee is prepared, the Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart will not disappoint.
Best for Small Counters
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+
Why We Picked It
Nespresso is Nestle's answer to Keurig, using pods to brew both coffee and espresso. A whole line of Nespresso Vertuo smart coffee makers are available, but the Vertuo Pop+ is the most appealing for its price, size, and style. It's a tiny Nespresso machine that measures just 10.4 by 4.6 by 14 inches (HWD), with multiple color choices. The regular Pop+ has a fairly small 25-ounce water tank, but the deluxe version has a 37-ounce tank, and you can also get an optional milk frother.
Who It's For
Since it has such a small counter footprint and you can simply pop a pod in when you want coffee, the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ is a top option for those who are short on space and time. The pods are recyclable, but you can also get third-party reusable ones if you want to reduce waste further. Its connected features are a bit bare-bones, but you can connect it to your phone over Bluetooth to keep it updated through the Nespresso app, which can also automatically order more pods when you need them.
More Smart Kitchen Appliances
Cook like a top chef with smart gadgets that add high-tech convenience to your culinary repertoire. The best connected kitchen appliances we've tested can help you with every step of the cooking process. And if you want to smarten up other rooms in your home, check out our roundup of the best smart home devices.
